Hamilton County Republicans Need Fewer Enemies and More Allies

“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

That statement rings so true, and the problem is, it’s getting harder to tell them apart within the Hamilton County Republicans.

I walked into a room filled with people of the same party affiliation, same values, same goals, but with differing ways of achieving those goals, much like the divisions within Hamilton County Republicans.

Sitting on opposite sides of the room. Yet, even in that, there was division, doubt, destruction, deceit, and drama. One group professing they are true conservative grassroots patriots and labeling the opposition as RINO establishment. The other side sees the “grassroots” folks as far-right-wing lunatics and considers themselves staunch Republican patriots. This is the current reality facing Hamilton County Republicans. Both see each side as the enemy, and yet we’re in the same army. We are destroying each other when there is a much bigger entity and enemy destroying our city.

Shocker, I didn’t know which side I belonged on because I see the value in both sides. I have friends, I think, on each side, and I value each of them. I reached across the aisle and talked to “ONE OF THEM…” How dare I? I’ve never fit in a definable box, and I don’t plan to.

A Meeting That Exposed More Than a Leadership Race

We were there to vote in a new Chairman and to swear in newly elected Precinct Executives. There were several newbies excited to be there. Excited for their new role in the HCGOP and for this perceived unity among Hamilton County Republicans.

Those of us who have been on the County Central Committee for a bit knew that this meeting was going to be a mess. (I’d use another word, but not wanting the censor bar.)

What I wasn’t prepared for was the back-and-forth bickering, the yelling, the accusations. The high school clique mentality. A meeting that should’ve been two hours at the most lasted until nearly 11 p.m.

While I think debating and contesting a candidate who you may think has shady intentions is reasonable, I don’t agree with anonymously mailing out previous shortcomings to try to make yourself appear better. All of us fail. Every one of us. You aren’t better just because your failures aren’t public knowledge.

I digress.

The Party Needs Both the Grassroots and the Establishment

There is a perceived old guard and a perceived new guard in the party. I’m not even sure which is which, but what I know is that Hamilton County Republicans need both.

We need the ones who will go into the trenches and reach out to areas untouched by the GOP. Whether it’s due to fear, ignorance, or people simply not feeling that those demographics are receptive to Republican messaging.

Finding those who don’t fit the cookie-cutter mold is important. Maybe those who live in areas that aren’t high income, even though I loathe this word with every fiber of my being, “marginalized.”

Conservatives need those who are truly grassroots.

The ones getting spit on, threatened, or having guns pulled on them simply for being an outsider. (Yes, those things have happened to me.)

Grassroots is ugly but brings forth a beautiful harvest if done right. It just takes time.

Yet we also need the “established” foundation. The cornerstones. Those who know how to fundraise, donate, and reach the hierarchy of the ORP and beyond. Those who are cookie-cutter. Those who are of wealth and status. Those who know the bylaws and know legal ways to work within them.

Establishment is old and at times antiquated, but still a foundation.

Even if that foundation is cracked and in some places crumbling, it is there to be worked on so we can build on it. Right now, instead of building up and filling in the cracks, factions are building all around the foundation. Trying to form a new extension and failing.

They’d rather be destructive than constructive. This has become a big challenge for Hamilton County Republicans.

Two Good Candidates

Two great men were running to be Chairman. I met both and liked both.

One is younger, and that was appealing. He has time on his side. He can reach the Millennials and Gen Z folks, which our party desperately needs. But he isn’t perfect. He’s had failures, and he’s had success. Both made him who he is.

The other is an older, dare I say established, guy. He may not resonate with the younger crew. Tons of experience, a heart for people, and someone who has been in the trenches. He also isn’t perfect. He’s had successes and failures, too.

What would’ve been great, and a unifier, is if one could’ve been the chair and the other the vice chair. That would have been a good melding of the old and new.

But alas, that didn’t happen.

We Have a City and HCGOP to Fix

I hope that HCGOP can get its act together.

Conservatives have a city to try to fix and need to leave the fear, the egos, the drama, the childish bullshiggity at the door and start rebuilding. We can call out inaction and indifference without intimidation. Ultimately, the future success of Hamilton County Republicans depends on this unity.

We legitimately have to fight a Democratic Party that is now becoming a more and more progressive party that doesn’t consider its conservative constituents.

Let’s stop being each other’s enemies.

Move forward.

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