Nov. 9, 2007
EDITORIAL: GOP's McKinney Needs to Build Trust With Rank and File Republicans
Imagine, if you will, a Democratic State Party Chairman who told his party's membership
that they "needed to get away from support of labor unions." Or a Chairwoman of the
Daughters of the American Revolution telling her ladies that the emphasis they had
given George Washington over the years was something they simply needed to give up.
Absurd? Asking for trouble? You bet. Yet that is what the State GOP's Doug McKinney did when he suggested not long ago that the Republican Party needed to get away from such deeply held convictions as embodied in the party's own platform when it came to the pro-life cause and pro-Second Amendment concerns.
Then, to beat all, McKinney decided (as always, all on his own) to announce his public support for Democrat Spike Maynard to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. That was certainly a new one. State GOP Chairmen have done some interesting things over the years, but publicly endorsing a Democratic official had never been done before. Ever. Before Doug, that is.
Such a public endorsement is against the party's bylaws, of course, giving McKinney's detractors ample reason to call for his removal at the next State GOP Executive Committee meeting. They just may do it.
But perhaps a third way is possible, despite the hole McKinney has so ably dug for himself. If McKinney were able to demonstrate even a pinch of humility, he might be able to forge a new relationship with so many in his party who are disillusioned by his actions.
First, he must take back his endorsement of Spike Maynard. Friend or not, McKinney is the Chairman of the GOP now, and he can't be seen giving aid to the Democrats. Why have a Republican Party if you're satisfied strictly by what the Democrats offer? So a clearly-worded retraction is in order there.
Secondly, McKinney needs to apologize to all those social conservatives and others who have fought so hard to advance a consistent position on matters related to:
1. The right to life,
2. The right to bear arms,
3. The right to believe that their Republican Party Chairman at least will not undermine his own party's platform regarding those rights in his public remarks.
It's not enough just to assure his party members that he meant no harm. His outbursts have happened too many times already. Rather, he needs to back up and try over again, demonstrating that he is no threat to their core beliefs somehow. Maybe listening would help.
Perhaps if McKinney actually engaged with some of these conservative activists, he would be more comfortable with them. After all, if Rudy Giuiliani and Pat Robertson can demonstrate a common front, anyone can. More importantly, such outreach would give McKinney an opportunity to make the same activists comfortable with him.
If McKinney can't achieve that level of comfort, he really ought to find a new hobby for everyone's sake. He may have blown his chance with too many faux pas recently, but people can forgive if they see demonstrated sincerity and growth.
There is room in any party for some disagreement. And yes, the Republican Party should spend at least as much time on economic matters as on social issues. But it shouldn't surprise McKinney that he has offended so many with remarks that show a half-hearted enthusiasm or even, incredibly, a contempt for cherished parts of his own party's platform.
Might as well tell a Marshall fan not to wear green on Game Day.
EDITORIAL: GOP's McKinney Needs to Build Trust With Rank and File Republicans
Imagine, if you will, a Democratic State Party Chairman who told his party's membership
that they "needed to get away from support of labor unions." Or a Chairwoman of the
Daughters of the American Revolution telling her ladies that the emphasis they had
given George Washington over the years was something they simply needed to give up.
Absurd? Asking for trouble? You bet. Yet that is what the State GOP's Doug McKinney did when he suggested not long ago that the Republican Party needed to get away from such deeply held convictions as embodied in the party's own platform when it came to the pro-life cause and pro-Second Amendment concerns.
Then, to beat all, McKinney decided (as always, all on his own) to announce his public support for Democrat Spike Maynard to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. That was certainly a new one. State GOP Chairmen have done some interesting things over the years, but publicly endorsing a Democratic official had never been done before. Ever. Before Doug, that is.
Such a public endorsement is against the party's bylaws, of course, giving McKinney's detractors ample reason to call for his removal at the next State GOP Executive Committee meeting. They just may do it.
But perhaps a third way is possible, despite the hole McKinney has so ably dug for himself. If McKinney were able to demonstrate even a pinch of humility, he might be able to forge a new relationship with so many in his party who are disillusioned by his actions.
First, he must take back his endorsement of Spike Maynard. Friend or not, McKinney is the Chairman of the GOP now, and he can't be seen giving aid to the Democrats. Why have a Republican Party if you're satisfied strictly by what the Democrats offer? So a clearly-worded retraction is in order there.
Secondly, McKinney needs to apologize to all those social conservatives and others who have fought so hard to advance a consistent position on matters related to:
1. The right to life,
2. The right to bear arms,
3. The right to believe that their Republican Party Chairman at least will not undermine his own party's platform regarding those rights in his public remarks.
It's not enough just to assure his party members that he meant no harm. His outbursts have happened too many times already. Rather, he needs to back up and try over again, demonstrating that he is no threat to their core beliefs somehow. Maybe listening would help.
Perhaps if McKinney actually engaged with some of these conservative activists, he would be more comfortable with them. After all, if Rudy Giuiliani and Pat Robertson can demonstrate a common front, anyone can. More importantly, such outreach would give McKinney an opportunity to make the same activists comfortable with him.
If McKinney can't achieve that level of comfort, he really ought to find a new hobby for everyone's sake. He may have blown his chance with too many faux pas recently, but people can forgive if they see demonstrated sincerity and growth.
There is room in any party for some disagreement. And yes, the Republican Party should spend at least as much time on economic matters as on social issues. But it shouldn't surprise McKinney that he has offended so many with remarks that show a half-hearted enthusiasm or even, incredibly, a contempt for cherished parts of his own party's platform.
Might as well tell a Marshall fan not to wear green on Game Day.
