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If
you think that Virginia Republican Party leaders
are hot right now, wait until Virginia Senator
Russ Potts, R-Winchester, appears at the polls on
June 14 to vote in the Republican primary. Boom!
Potts, of course, is being pilloried by the state
central committee and the local GOP
committee for announcing his intention to run for
governor as an independent Republican in the
November general elections, rather than in the
Republican primary. The committees have concluded,
therefore, that Potts has forfeited his place in
the Republican Party, something the frank and
exuberant Senator says is a matter for himself and
his maker to determine.
But any registered voter in Virginia can present
himself or herself at the proper polling place on
June 14th to vote in either the Republican or
Democratic primaries. So will it be “Katy, bar
the door” for Potts? Imagine the poll workers
trying to mind their own business that day in
Winchester. If Potts still can vote Republican,
what good is it to be in charge of the political
party? Worse, what if there is another way for
Russ Potts or any Virginian to achieve a
leadership position quickly?
It turns out there is an easy way, an
old-fashioned way, to become a party leader --
write a check. Parties that are very particular,
even freaky, about which candidates get to run for
office with their brand always find it difficult
to turn down money, regardless of who it comes
from. Most of the time, $20 or $50 is all it takes
to join a local party committee and become part of
the structure that passes judgment on fellow party
members. Donate $500 or $1,000 and you are on your
way to party leadership, which means you can make
broad public statements to the media about passing
judgment on fellow party members.
So, any Virginia political party member who
recently has reaffirmed that affiliation with his
maker should bone up on this Option B. A review of
two invitations to leadership, for example, that
arrived last week in my neighborhood addressed to
a non-Republican friend is instructive. The
catalyst for such consideration seems to have been
one modest contribution to a Republican candidate
for office.
The first big invitation is from the Republican
National Committee, which informs my friend that
his “exemplary record of loyalty and patriotism
proves you are the caliber of leader President
Bush can count on ....” The letter is from RNC
Chairman Ken Mehlman, who adds that “this is an
exclusive honor offered only to an elite few
selected from each state ....” Apparently,
giving a Republican a campaign contribution speaks
louder than actually being a Republican.
“It is therefore my distinct privilege as
Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC)
to present you with your 2005 Republican Party
President’s Club Platinum Card on behalf of
President Bush and every Republican leader
nationwide.” This is very cool! Admittedly, the
fine print says that activating the Republican
Party President’s Club Platinum Card will cost
$1,000, but, heh, the opportunity to give
“advice and community insights” at an upcoming
President’s Club meeting? Priceless.
Even more important are the assurances on
the back of the RNC Platinum Card that the card is
issued “in recognition of an extraordinary level
of commitment to the Republican ideals and values
that are the foundation of our Party and our
country. The bearer of this card should be given
special consideration by all Republican leaders as
one who has provided the lifeblood of our Party
over many years.” That sounds like a card Russ
Potts or any other Republican in trouble with the
state central committee could present to get out
of primary free. Remember, it’s a bargain at
$1,000. Membership does have its privileges.
The second invitation comes a day later from
former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, who is now
running hard for the Republican nomination for
governor. What a coincidence. It’s almost as
though the direct mail fundraising firms for the
RNC and the Virginians for Kilgore campaign are
working from the same mailing lists! Kilgore’s
maker apparently has counseled that all other
Republicans running for governor should be in his
primary, not in the general election. So candidate
Kilgore invites my non-Republican friend to join
his Kilgore Leadership Council by donating $500,
$1,000 or even $5,000. The Kilgore Leadership
Council, Kilgore assures us, will be the
“group of friends I’ll depend on most for
advice and support throughout the course of the
campaign.” Attending special meetings, special
briefings and even a special golf and tennis
retreat as part of the deal? Priceless.
My friend points out that the Democratic Party, of
course, has the same kind of “membership”
groups to boost fund-raising and issues cards, as
do the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Capital One, the
Little League Booster Club and almost every other
group imaginable. That observation strengthens the
view that political parties are among the broadest
membership groups and that they have two big
membership criteria -- pay your dues, write a
check. That’s what a big tent strategy requires.
And one of the oldest sayings in politics is that
it’s better to have competitors inside the tent,
than outside, well, chucking things in.
But if you think Virginia Republican leaders are a
little cold about who gets to stay in the tent
now, consider the possibility of Senator Potts
capturing the imagination of a plurality of voters
in November as an independent Republican and
readying himself for the inauguration in
Williamsburg in January 2006. That would be big
tent moment. My friend probably would jump at the
chance to join the Potts Leadership Council then
-- a platinum, “no hassle” card definitely
would help -- and use his membership to enjoy a
revival of the Cole Porter hit show, “Kiss Me
Kate.” Priceless.
--
March 28, 2005
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