GOP courage and cowardice

Local Republican Party: 

           "We reject the certified results of the 2020 presidential election. . . .Biden was not legitimately elected."

Former State Senator Alan DeBoer: 

          "I am totally opposed to the stance of the Republican leaders."

Republican candidates hide out.

The Republican Party in Jackson County, Oregon gave their candidates an opportunity to tell the truth to their voters. Instead, the candidates are MIA—Missing In Action. I wrote about the Republican Party announcement in a blog post ten days ago. I said it is how Republicans lose elections. They let the Trump insurrectionists spread the GOP message. 

Alan DeBoer

A former officeholder, Alan DeBoer, stepped up to call it nonsense. Good for him. 

DeBoer had been an elected Republican state senator. He is a prominent local businessman. He donates to Republican candidates. He did what far too few Republican leaders, locally and nationally, have done. He is a Republican who told the truth to voters. He said Joe Biden won the election, so with that resolved, now let's deal with the future.

The local Republican Party put its candidates on the hot seat. Silence by GOP leaders lets Trump's lie remain on the record circulating within the GOP, an infection that continues to fester in America's democracy. Trump has die-hard loyalists who need to be mollified. They mustn't be disturbed with unwelcome truths. Meanwhile, reality-based Republicans have reconciled themselves to the fact that Trump lost. They recognize that Trump's efforts to overthrow the election are shameful. Fox News, the New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, and most elected Republicans--when talking privately--have figured this out. 

Local GOP candidates are hiding. Republican Commissioner David Dotterer wrote me:

     "Peter, I have neither the time nor the inclination to engage in a discussion on this topic. Dave."

Colleen Roberts, a candidate for re-election as Commissioner, called the issue "moot" even though her party just declared it wasn't moot. She neither agrees nor disagrees with them. She wrote:

I wasn't aware that the party was coming forth with this resolution. But then it is no secret that I haven't always been in lockstep with the republican party. The Presidential election was nearly 2 years ago and, in my opinion, it's a moot issue now. 

But I do remember when President Trump was duly elected that many of the media and pundits (for four years) referred to him as an 'illegitimate' president with T shirts and bumper stickers everywhere saying 'not my president' so I suppose there is a precedent there, unfortunately.  

I believe, like most Americans, that going forward we need to make sure the integrity and transparency of every election, local, state, and national is respected and overseen in a non-biased and transparent manner. I believe in and support voter ID and in a perfect world, I'd like us to be a community again who meets up with our neighbors at the local precinct house and casts our vote in person--and that IS a resolution that I would support.   

That said, I will spend my time addressing the issues of today and our county's future.     

Colleen Roberts

I have requested comments from Commissioner candidate Rick Dyer, State Representative candidate Kim Wallan, and State Senate candidate Randy Sparacino. Silence.

I am disappointed, but not surprised. They are echoing the behavior of most GOP federal officeholders. They don't want to be called a "RINO." They say nothing, or they mumble vague things elections and avoid disagreeing with anyone. If people want to believe nonsense, who are they to provide leadership? They don't confront the herd. 

There is a grave problem with that approach. It lets Trump's election lie stand un-contradicted by the presumably knowledgeable and credible leaders within the Republican Party. Voters take cues from leaders. The candidates have a job to do as truth-teller to the voters. They are MIA.

One credible Republican leader was not missing: Alan DeBoer. Again, good for him.                    

If the MIA candidates choose to speak up, I will let readers know. Meanwhile, Independent and Democratic candidates for those offices have sent their responses, which I will report soon.