Win elections not culture wars

I was appalled last night as I watched the television and video tape feed on the Contra Costa Times Website of the protest at Saint Mary’s College over the fact that Bill Ayers was speaking at the event. 

What does it say about a political party when they become everything they used to hate. Actually, it looked a lot like something right out of a 1960’s anti-war protest. Let me say right up front Bill Ayers is a jerk for what he did during the Vietnam War. But he went through the criminal justice system and came out the other side. But the anger and frustration that was being vented at this event by my conservative Republican friends is the sort of ridiculous behavior and perspective that set back the Republican Party here in Contra Costa County.

We were treated to the spectacle of Melanie Morgan (leader of move America Forward) trying to regurgitate her career as culture warrior goddess by screaming into a microphone that Bill Ayers should go to hell and go back to Chicago. Then protesters disrupting the meeting and screaming profanities had to be hauled off by campus police. I guess these folks have been learning from Code Pink.

The larger question for me is, what is this latest malignancy that is manafesting itself in the Contra Costa Republican Party?

Its current unelected leader, Chairmen Greg Poulos, waxed on last summer about the crucible of the debate. OK where was the debate last night? As a matter of fact, instead of acting like idiots when the camera lights were on, how come the Contra Costa Republican Party is not working hard to win the next electon that is coming up in March?

As contributor “Freak of the Far Right” has apptly noted, in Alamo, a town with 49% Republican registration, there is the potential to build a “bench” of folks to run for higher office. Yet, there is silence on that matter because a large group of issue nuts and ideologues are opposed to Alamo incorporation.

Still, helping to elect Republicans is what a Central Committee should be doing. I guess, since its record at electing leaders is so terrible that it is easier for Republicans to make pointless Culture War, instead.

What did the Romans leaders say about keeping the mob in line with bread and circuses to keep them happy? Could what happened last night be the new face of the Contra Costa Republican Party?

If so, the GOP can forget about getting good people elected and having a principled debate with our opposition. But, unfortunately, Republicans principals have been reduced to street fights in a sorry attempt to cover up how bankrupt the party really is.