We believe the much-talked-about letter that the local Republican County Chairman, Wayne Parke, sent out to his party faithful is a symptom of a larger epidemic affecting the GOP at all levels. In his letter, Parke urges people to vote for his personally-endorsed candidates in the May Primary. The letter breaks from the traditional practice of either by-passing the endorsement of any candidates before the votes are counted in May, or of holding a “slating convention†in which the committee persons and party officials vote for a slate of primary candidates who get open support from the party power structure.
On taking a second look, we are not so surprised at the fact that it appears the local GOP is following the national trend in their party. Many political pundits are predicting the implosion of the Republican party, in view of the party leaders and the rank-and-files’ failure to agree on a presidential candidate. The far-right that the Republican leaders have courted are now demanding their “say†in choosing between front-runners Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. Neither of the “people’s choices†are acceptable to the big-money donor-class,as neither one appears electable in November and there is fear that either of the two will hurt down-ballot candidates, costing the party control of the Senate and possibly the House. The popular expectation is that after a bloody battle in a contested convention, Paul Ryan will emerge as the candidate.
When we recognize the hubris of the power-grab taking place in the national GOP, Mr. Parke’s local attempt to dictate the course of the local primary is small by comparison. Around the country, local party overlords must surely be in a state of panic trying to keep a grip on their local party organizations, because that may well be all that is left of the Republican party once the smoke clears this November. It may be wiser in the long run for the RNC to accept the fact that assuming their voters would fall in line their choice of Jeb Bush was a huge mistake and let it go, but it appears they will attempt to jam a candidate of their liking down the throats of their party members.
The paternalistic “I-know-what-is-best-for-you†approach of Wayne Parke exactly mirrors his party’s attitude toward the judgment of the voters in what the national party leaders are attempting to accomplish in the presidential race. We will be very interested to see how it works out both nationally and locally, but from what we have heard from Evansvillians, we doubt that this will be a successful approach on any level. Trying to wrest political choice from the hands of the people is not a good idea in America.
This election has shown what a joke voter participation really is. It seems no matter how many elections Mr Sanders or Mr. Trump win the powers that be have said it is not to be.
If you look at the editorial section of today’s C&P you will see just how scared the establishment is of Donald Trump.
It is one thing to say a GOP/Republican official isn’t allowed to express his opinion before the State RNC Primary voters complete their voting ballots and cast their votes (as Wayne Parke did).
But it is another thing entirely to have the State of Indiana voter ballot process and voting sites, the expense which is paid for with State taxpayer funds, only to have will of the voters discarded by the GOP delegates to the Republican National Convention who switch their votes from Trump to Cruz, or choose to vote for whomever they want to be the GOP Presidential candidate.
The Parke’s Picks Tout Sheet shows what little regard Way Out WayneÅ has for the local Republican voters. He is asking them to vote for some real pieces of work. It is their duty as sentient human beings to disregard his fatherly advice and give him no winning prognostications to point back at concerning the Republican primary. If deprived of the requisite post-primary gloat fodder he just might slink back into remission.
Let him peddle his sheet at Ellis like the others do.
‘They’re at the post, rounding the first turn it’s Alex Schmitt by a head with ACME Collections coming up fast. Wait…Schmitt has spit his bit and bolted across the infield with ACME right behind. Schmitt appears to be running for the border…’ . ðŸŽ
Father Parke has called a caucus.
After a look at the Courier this morning, I have to wonder if the local Democrats don’t have their own brand of Jim Crow paternalism going on. It’s common knowledge that the Dems count on the majority minority part of the 4th ward to deliver votes for them. In return, there is one African American on City Council and one on County Council. In both cases, the Dems have a race-gender political two-fer as both office holders are women. We have seen competent and popular African American board appointees removed from their positions recently, which can’t set well with inner-city voters.
The real surprise to me is that the highly competent young black female attorney, Lori Sherman, running to replace Gail Riecken as Representative in House District 77, appears to have been overlooked by the party. The two young white men running for that same seat are sucking all of the oxygen out of the contest. Brandon Lee Ferguson is getting a great deal of support from unions. That makes sense as he is a union member. Perhaps the “unkindest cut of all” was delivered by Gail Riecken herself when she endorsed Ryan Hatfield to replace her. Hatfield is child of privilege, a second-generation attorney who lives in the affluent part of the 4th ward. He has connected himself to the Mosby-Weaver “party animal coalition” and curried the retiring incumbent’s favor.
Miss Sherman lives in the “real 4th ward” in a house she has rehabbed on her own. She is from a family of nine siblings in a troubled family. She was emancipated at 16, but managed to earn several offers of academic scholarships upon high school graduation. She then chose to return to Indiana to attend law school at IU on a scholarship. After graduating with honors, she opted to return to Evansville and serve as an attorney and child advocate for CPS. It’s ironic that the person who had to earn everything she ever got is so willing to “give back” to this community. I was amazed and flabbergasted that Gail overlooked the candidate that shows the most concern for speaking the voiceless in the community, a thing that Mrs. Riecken did so effectively. Could it be that she, and the Democratic leadership feels that the minority community has it’s “fair share” of offices, and takes the “black vote” for granted?
I can’t argue with anything you say about my party. I can’t defend Gail’s endorsement of the son of one of her fundraisers, either.
What a well-written, compelling, pointed testimonial. Great job loose-ends…
Good points. I agree with all of it except the first part of the last sentence. I’m not sure what the ‘Democratic leadership’ is around here, if it exists at all. It could be that core of venal little ‘it’s not your turn’ folks who claim to be Democrats but support and vote for Republican candidates. The second part of that line, about minority officeholder quotas and the assumption that a voting bloc is in your pocket, is, as odious as it seems, a distinct possibility. Those house seats are important, with all the crazy crap that legislature passes it’d be best to let prosecutor Hatfield remain where he’s at.
Lori Sherman will get my vote.
Ms. Sherman is a very impressive candidate.
a second-generation attorney who lives in the affluent part of the 4th ward. Where is the affluent part of the fourth ward? I am supporting lori also.
The newly gentrified area near Haynie’s corner.
The handful of establishment republicans who run the Colorado Republican Party, no more than 3,900 individuals at most, just told the majority of the 1,100,000 Colorado republicans to pound sand.
Lori Sherman has my vote. Lori is committed to the community. It is unbelievable to me that Gail Reicken and Alex Burton who asked for the votes of the Democratic community just months ago won’t even support the most qualified candidate. I voted for both Gail and Alex in the last election which I totally regret.
Although Gail is retiring so she has no more fight in the game but Alex still has his eyes set on politics and trust me he will never ever get my vote or my community’s vote —- believe that!!
Lori Sherman for State Rep!
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