Well, well. Peter Hirschfeld’s article on the internal strife in the Vermont Republican Party continues to provoke reaction — most of it within Republican circles. (Full article behind the Mitchall Family Paywall; short version available free here. My summary with commentary available here on GMD.) The gist of the piece is that a group of (relatively) moderate Republicans led by Lt. Gov. Phil Scott is making a serious bid to take control away from the pack of far-right losers who have led the party into the political wilderness.
And now, VTGOP chair “Angry Jack” Lindley has sent an e-mail to “My Fellow Republicans” in which he tried to reframe the internal debate, to whit:
— Portraying the VTGOP as a big-tent operation with its own identity.
— Defending his own track record as party chair.
— Providing a list of all the great things going on in Republicanland.
— Giving Lt. Gov. Phil Scott a good smacking around.
(I’ve appended the full e-mail to the end of this diary.)
Let’s start with the last bit first, shall we? In his message, Lindley ignores Scott’s concerns about policy and focuses on process: It’s not proper, says Jack, for an elected official to “dominate or run the State Party.”
Jack’s got a point, but only a technical one. Of course, a single officeholder shouldn’t “dominate” his or her party. But I don’t think Phil Scott is trying to do that. He simply sees a party that’s gone seriously off the rails, and is trying to assemble a group of like-minded Republicans to chart a new course. And methinks Lindley is being a bit too dismissive of Scott, considering that he’s the only statewide Republican with a record of success and proven appeal to independent voters. At the very least, Lindley ought to welcome Scott’s advice and input. He’s the only winner you’ve got!
Lindley admits the 2012 results were “disappointing,” which is about the kindest possible characterization. But he points out that he’s pulled the party out of debt — mainly by not spending any money whatsoever — and begun “building for a successful 2014.” Don’t know if he managed to write that with a straight face, but never mind.
So, what exciting work is being done to build a successful 2014? Lindley lists 12 “things we are working on”:
1. New Political Director hired and on the job
2. Strategic Planning Committee is drafting a plan for success
3. A new more modern VTGOP website
4. More active social media (are you following us on Twitter and Facebook?)
5. Weekly Chairman’s Newsletter (coming next week – every Wednesday)
6. The annual summer Boat Cruise
7. A special event with a notable GOP leader (mid-summer)
8. Recruiting of candidates (we already have 7 interested candidates!)
9. Social Media Training
10. Candidate Body Language Training
11. Candidate Messaging Training
12. Women for VT’s future
My favorite is “Body Language Training.” I think Jack Lindley himself ought to enroll in numbers 10 and 11. And I can hardly wait to start receiving his weekly Chairman’s Newsletter.
None of this addresses the VTGOP’s fundamental problem: its ideology. Whether or not it’s a captive of the national GOP, it has thoroughly demonstrated a complete lack of appeal beyond a hardcore 35% conservative electorate. And if it doesn’t find a way to broaden its appeal, it is doomed to failure after failure.
Lindley’s e-mail also includes the entire text of Hirschfeld’s article, which would seem to be a pretty profound breach of copyright. And a curious move from someone who supposedly respects property rights and entrepreneurship. I wonder if anyone from the Mitchell Family will protest. And if they do, I wonder how Lindley will react.
And now, here’s the Lindley e-mail to his fellow Republicans. (The lack of proper spacing is taken straight from the original.)
____________________________________________________________
Greetings!
You may have heard, that earlier this week, the Times Argus and Rutland Herald published
an article about struggles within our Party. I’ve included the article below for
anyone who hasn’t seen it first-hand.
As you know, this is not my first rodeo. I was State Party Chair from 1978 to 1981
and in 1988 I had the honor of being chosen to be State Chair for Bush 41. I also
served as our Republican National Committeeman from 1992 to 1996 and as Party Treasurer
from 1976 to 1978. These struggles within the GOP have existed for decades and will
continue long after I’m gone. I believe these struggles can be healthy and productive
discussions and that we as Vermont Republicans will be better for the open debate
we are having about our future.
I want to be clear about two things:
1. We are VERMONT Republicans and while we are affiliated with the Republican National
Committee, they do not define us. Our Vermont Republican Party has a set of principles
and our platform defines our beliefs in a broad way and we welcome people with a
wide and diverse view of public policy. It is the responsibility of individual
candidates to articulate their beliefs. As a Party, our job is to provide a thoughtful
overall framework for candidates with a wide range of beliefs.
2. I do not believe that one candidate or potential candidate should dominate or
run the State Party. As per our Party Rules it is the State Committee and the Ex
Committee, working with the County and Town organizations that set our goals and
activities.
When Dick Snelling tried to run our Party in the late 70’s, I opposed that notion
and eventually
convinced him that the State Party needs to be open to ALL candidates who wish to
participate. Only after primaries or in cases where a candidate is unopposed, should
the Party begin to focus on helping individual candidates or office holders.
We must all come together to discuss, think, and work together to rebuild our party.
The Republican Party has contributed great leaders to Vermont in search of improved
lives for all of Vermont’s citizens. Our work is important and considering the news
this week, I am even more motivated to rebuild the Vermont Republican Party with
your help.
The election results for 2012 were disappointing, but we are building for a successful
2014. Since I was first elected Chair, I retired several long standing debts and
have kept us in the black ever since. Going forward, here are some of the things
we are working on and will be launching in the coming months and weeks:
1. New Political Director hired and on the job
2. Strategic Planning Committee is drafting a plan for success
3. A new more modern VTGOP website
4. More active social media (are you following us on Twitter and Facebook?)
5. Weekly Chairman’s Newsletter (coming next week – every Wednesday)
6. The annual summer Boat Cruise
7. A special event with a notable GOP leader (mid-summer)
8. Recruiting of candidates (we already have 7 interested candidates!)
9. Social Media Training
10. Candidate Body Language Training
11. Candidate Messaging Training
12. Women for VT’s future
Please always remember being Vermont Republican is about:
Respect for the US and VT constitutions
Respect for life (even in pro-choice positions)
Belief in a constitutionally limited government
Belief in personal responsibility
We as Republicans should and must unite on the principles that bring us together
and work together to grow our Party and elect all Republican candidates in 2014!
Now, let’s come together to work hard and win in 2014! Thank you each and every
one of you for your work and effort on behalf of Vermont’s future.
Sincerely,
Jack
What the heck does that even mean?
Is he suggesting that the VTGOP import some, like mail-order brides, from red states?
What it doesn’t sound like, is that the statewide party intends to move even to the center on issues that are of particular concern to women.
http://rutlandherald.com/artic…
among other things. Lindley and all the rest of the VT rightwing are extremely unproffessional & plauged with clumsiness.
Communicating is a valuable skill & says a lot about an organization or endeavor. Like a child their sticky fingerprints are on everything they touch, websites, correspondence & speaking they routinely flunk all three.
silly to smack around the only thing you have going for you.
What a short memory Jack Lindley has! In the 8 years Jim Douglas was governor (2003-2011), who ran the party – right into the ground – but elected statewide officeholder Jim Douglas.
So, maybe he’s got a point and it’s not “proper” (although “effective” might be a better word).
So the real question is how the VDP will respond if even a few of Lindley’s bullet-point projects get off the ground.
Although there will be few worries if either Wendy Wilton or Darcie Johnson head up “Women for Vermont’s Future.”
NanuqFC
In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. ~ H. L. Mencken
“Full article behind the Mitchall Family Paywall”
Is there now an expectation that news must be free? The Mitchells’ have a right to earn a living and sell a product.
That said, I agree with the gist of your article.
to hear former Gov. Jim Douglas’ familiar voice drone in on this in some form.VPR commentary seems to be his media of choice these days.His last commentary,although he was talking more about the national GOP kind of skirt this.A more direct Douglas drone strike within the next month or so wouldn’t surprise me at all.
I’d put the number at 25%, that’s what the McGoo MacGovern’s of Vermont achieve. Watching what’s left of the Vermont Republican’s eat their own tarnishes the prospect of a decent horserace(s) in 14′ and 16′. That’s not a good thing to keep the best and brightest working smart.