Matt Gaetz on the Agenda

By Brent Regan

The process for selecting the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee’s Lincoln Day speaker is straightforward. Our Lincoln Day sub-committee researched possible speakers that would be available and whose honorarium would be within budget. Last year it was suggested that we get Tucker Carlson, which sounded like a great idea until he were told that Tucker comes with a $250,000 price tag plus a private jet. So we didn’t get Tucker…

This year the Lincoln Day committee developed a list of four potential speakers that was presented to the central committee during our regular meeting in September. Lincoln Day Chairman Beverly Guenette asked to vote by a show of hands as she read each of the four names so the committee could pursue the most popular candidate. Victor Davis Hansen had the most support followed by Matt Gaetz. In the following weeks it was determined that Mr. Hansen would not be available so the Lincoln Day committee negotiated a discounted speaking fee with the Gaetz representative and signed a contract so that marketing materials could be developed.

At the October KCRCC meeting Lincoln Day Chairman Guenette made the announcement that we had successfully negotiated to have Matt Gaetz as our speaker. The announcement was met with applause.

At the next regular meeting in November one member of the central committee who is affiliated with the North Idaho “Republicans” and is a frequent critic of the KCRCC, attempted to raise a motion to reconsider our speaker. This failed for several reasons; it wasn’t posted on the agenda, the committeeman had ample prior notice over several meetings that Gaetz was being considered, and that a legal contract had been already signed.

You can tell a lot about a situation by who is present to watch. It was clear that the committeeman’s concerns were not genuine or personal because if they were they would have been raised months before. No, this was a fumbling attempt to embarrass the KCRCC with a pearl clutching moment of fake indignation by members of the North Idaho “Republicans,” an organization that recently hosted a speaker who famously doxed a rape victim.

Was the committee aware of the controversy surrounding the firebrand Mr. Gaetz and the swamp’s efforts to drive him from politics? You would have to be living under a rock not to be, but people have a right to hear both sides. Fair minded people know that in today’s polarized world hearing the story from the media is at best only half the truth. Before making a rational determination, honest people want all the information.

As for the argument that giving Matt Gaetz the opportunity to speak is somehow immoral, I would point out that if someone doesn’t want you to hear both sides what they are actually doing is trying to prevent you from hearing the truth because their position is in fact a lie.

This year’s Lincoln Day is shaping up to be a record setting event with ticket sales and sponsorships up 17% over last year. There will be great speakers, lots of giveaways, phenomenal auction items and a top shelf surf and turf three course dinner served to your table.

Apparently this year the Idaho Democrats will be hosting Tim Waltz, the governor and failed VP candidate who had billions in fraud happen under his watch. Republicans won’t be protesting that event. If the Democrats want to be inspired by a loser, who are we to object.

Fair minded people can hear both sides and not be forced to agree with either.

It’s just common sense.