Time For the Delegation to Step Up.

Randy Pullen has won the race to be the Republican Party Chairman.  The state's Congressional delegation has made it clear that he was not their guy, but now that he has won over their objections-- twice--it's time for them to step up and give him the logistical, moral and--perhaps most of all--financial support that he will need for the next two years.  The delegation has a lot of influence on where the national money goes, and they need to make sure that Pullen has the resources he needs. 

Since Schadenfreude is my favorite vice, I understand them wanting to see him fail, but the Democrats are already geared up for the once-a-decade redistricting fight and Republicans have frankly botched the last couple efforts.  So unless Franks wants to run against Pastor, or Shaddegg wants to run against Flake, I would suggest that folks put aside their differences and step up to the plate.  Step up, grow up, whatever.

Comments

[Cathy]

Well said!

[Carl Hay]

I agree with Cathy.

Hope the congressional delegation will listen (will, Franks has listened).

[Name:]

Hard to give moral support to the guy that ran the masturbation ad.

[Kim Owens]

Well said Greg. I was front and center with Lisa James, but this was a race for OUR party. That Saban ad was disgusting, no doubt! We need to (as a Ron Paul friend said) hold his feet to the fire should we see such things. But unless we are doing our own work to build the party; bringing in new members and PC's, encouraging positive movement and looking to ourselves for the answers and not just pointing fingers to our failures, we are complicit in those failures.

I do not have to like the outcome, I can be upset over his speech, but I cannot allow that to cloud the reality that he is just one player and we all have a role. How much better am I if I perform my job poorly because I feel justified by the acts of another?

[What you talkin about Willis?]

You have to be kidding. Sending Pullen money for a ridiculous ad against Saban, while ignoring just about every other race, and the same guy who pledged not to help the delegation? Please Greg, we really on you for serious posts and this is hardly one of them. It's like asking Jeff Flake to be friends with Stan Barnes after Barnes tried to challenge him in the primary. With friends like that...

[Wm]

Very significant point, "twice." Will the delegation take their marbles and go home twice? For the GOP to keep the 9th Floor in '10, our highest profile Republicans must come out very publicly in a show of unity for the Party.

Even casual political observers; i.e. folks who don't read blogs and most voters, know of the division in AZ GOP. We need a public show of unity from our entire Congressional delegation. BTW, thanks to Congressman Franks for the leadership he's already shown in this regard.

[John]

Sad to see Kim Owens still trying to bring negativity to things. I didn't really believe her "unity" speeches along the way, but to prove her own naysayers right on the very first day? Very sad.

Otherwise, I'm in agreement with Greg's thread here. And I think the delegation will get back on board. All except for Flake. It was largely his people at the convention that were standing in the way of an acclimation motion yesterday and they are the same folks who were trying to get the media to bite on personal stories they were researching on Pullen. It was more of what they tried to do to Russell Pearce, and no matter how many times they lose, they stick with the same strategy. That tells me that they won't saddle up on behalf of the GOP. They'll pursue their own interests in a continued "attack dog" style.

[Kim Owens]

Hey John, I read your post and re-read mine. I understand how it was misunderstood and appreciate you calling me out, it allowed me to state more clearly my feelings.

My point was this, it doesn't matter what we may have been offended by or over...there is no good end to that sort of thinking. My references were to say while some might have agreed with the sentiment of "name" that is behind us and it cannot be the reason we do not move forward or give the grace we would all like to be given. The feet to the fire point was, we all have responsibilities and that we cannot expect one person to do all the work or take all the blame. We all need to engage in a way so that when we disagree, there is sufficient trust to be heard and respected.

Congatulations Mr.Pullen, I sincerely hope you do a great job and we are a succesful team!

“nuf said. Now, let’s put our energies to 2010 and not at each other.

[John]

Okay, let's see how everyone behaves then. I remain hopeful that most, if not all, will do a better job of working together for the next two years than they did the last two.

[Hound]

The interesting questions that arise from this post are:

Why would Pullen, knowing he is unwanted as chairman by the Republican leadership that has managed to get itself elected in this state, nevertheless insist on seeking the post?

And why would the delegation, not wanting Pullen as chairman, not bother to recruit a stronger alternative candidate to stand against him in the election?

These two questions frame rather well the problems of the party.

[Oscar]

The way I see it is even though plenty of people understand this guy Pullen is probably not what the party needs right now and didn't earn re-election, there are likewise plenty who do. This is a no-win situation.

Anyone who hopes to ever be more than one of the names on the list of those Chairman during the dark years of power struggles and division ran away from this position. That James risked herself knowing how ugly it would be, and it sure was, tells me she is dedicated to party.

It take more than a few blog posts to fix this. Pullen is going to have to take the high road, be inclusive with his new staff, and lay off the attitude in the CD1 Rule 11 letter and voice mail. And the rest of us need to shut the heck up and let us move on.

[Travis]

Kim O, as always, you are a class act. I also agree with Greg - let's move on. However, I am not going to shut up. Please only direct that remark to those who are being unhelpful or divisive - no matter who they are.