Republican Party Veritas
By Brent Regan
“Accuse your enemy of what you are doing, as you are doing it, to create confusion.” Saul Alinsky ‘Rules for Radicals.’
In a recent opinion piece, political operative and campaign consultant Becky Funk, who self identifies as a North Idaho “Republican,” makes the claim that political parties are public entities and not private organizations. I would agree with her but then we would both be wrong. It is a fact, confirmed by the Idaho courts, that political parties are private organizations which are free to assemble and self-determine their membership.
The right of free association is enumerated in the Bill of Rights and the courts have found that the right to associate includes the right to not associate. This allows Republicans, only Republicans, to vote in the Republican Primary. Some people argue that anyone, regardless of party affiliation, should be allowed to vote for who will be the Republican candidate in the General Election. Would these same people argue that residents of Post Falls should be able to vote in the Coeur d’Alene city elections? I doubt it, but the analogy is solid.
What is means to be a Republican is described in our platform with each “plank” of the platform listing a principle or idea that members should share. You are a Republican because you mostly agree with the Idaho Republican Party Platform. The Platform has evolved gradually over time. Every two years the party holds a convention and considers changes to the Platform. These are debated and then voted on by over 600 delegates that were themselves elected by Republicans from all corners of Idaho.
The Platform defines the party and when voters cast their vote for a Republican they assume that the person they are voting for believes in the Platform. The party is obligated to vet the candidates to protect the public’s trust. If a candidate presents themselves as a Republican, with all the advantages that comes with the brand, the party has a duty to ensure fidelity. Truth in advertising.
Ms. Funk closes her opinion piece with the claim that the North Idaho “Republicans” (NIR) “believe in open debate, transparent processes, and accountability.” Really…..Really…
Let’s compare her claims to reality. The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) is the official Republican Party in Kootenai County. NIR is not.
The KCRCC is comprised of 74 Precinct Committeemen, elected by the Republicans in each of the 74 precincts. NIR members are not elected.
The KCRCC operates under Idaho Code, published State Party Rules, KCRCC Bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order. NIR has no published bylaws or rules.
KCRCC membership is public record. A list of Precinct Committeemen names and addresses is maintained by the county clerk. NIR membership is dark.
The KCRCC holds regular meetings where the public is invited. NIR meetings are held in secret with armed guards to exclude the “wrong” kind of Republicans, even if they are Republican elected officials.
The KCRCC recommends candidates after an extensive process outlined in our Bylaws (available online).
The NIR endorses candidates using an unknown process by an elite few with no vote by the members and their endorsements frequently parallel those made by democrats.
NIR was fined the maximum amount by the Secretary of State for campaign finance violations.
Ms. Funk implies the KCRCC is doing what the NIR is factually guilty of doing. Alinsky would be proud.
The KCRCC is dedicated to open debate and a transparent and well defined process. We spend countless hours informing voters, including publishing and delivering over 80,000 Voter Guides to every household. We work hard to ensure that when you vote for a Republican you are getting a Republican and not a democrat with an “R” next to their name.
It’s just common sense