Tough Decision Faces Principled Republicans …

   Tough Decision Faces Principled Republicans
                                            by Rex Rammell

         "The greatest vulnerability is entrenched success" stated presidential candidate Mitt
Romney. Could it not be argued the downfall of the Republican Party in Idaho and nationally
can be contributed to a complacent attitude and a `drop of the guard' on Republican Party
principles? I believe this is exactly what has happened. And the conservatives now find
themselves locked in a battle for survival. While the conservatives fight for their principles on
the floor of the Republican State Convention, a United States Senate race looms on the horizon,
which will determine the future political direction of Idaho.
        Lt. Governor Jim Risch by all odds should have been the next U.S. Senator from Idaho.
By the time of his announcement he had strategically locked out all competition from the
establishment. His main challenger in the GOP primary, Rex Rammell would be easily swept
away in a race with nine candidates and a split of the vote. Larry LaRocco, who Risch handily
beat in 2006, would be his final opponent and predictably an easy win. It appeared that Risch's
plan was a lock. That was until Rammell filed as an Independent!


        Sandpoint Republican Dan Young informed me prior to the primary election that there
was no way I could beat Jim Risch. He suggested I stay in the primary for name recognition,
while getting behind Risch to show the party my loyalty, and campaign for the future.
        I explained to him I had a problem with that strategy. "Number one", I told him, "I do
not like Risch nor did I like him before he had my elk killed. And number two, I don't like his
politics ­ he is not a fiscal conservative and his public land policies are green. " He replied,
"Sometimes you have to put party before principle." I did not respond and politely excused
myself.
        Leaving his office I thought, "If I have to put party before principle to become a United
States Senator, then I will never be a United States Senator!" However, Dan was right about
one thing, I wasn't going to beat Risch in the primary. I did the math and knew there were too
many `party before principle' republicans. In addition to the party republicans I had to beat
Governor Otter's, Senator Crapo's, and Chairman Sullivan's personal endorsements and that
wasn't going to happen. My decision was to step aside and let the establishment continue to
drive Idaho to the left or stand and fight as an Independent. I chose the latter.
        A friend of mine hearing of my decision exclaimed, "you can't win as an Independent; it
has never been done in a U.S. Senate race in Idaho." I replied, "But the political dynamics in
Idaho and the nation have never been better for an Independent to win."




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        Please consider my argument. Nationwide polls consistently show approximately one
third of the people considers themselves Independents. This fact is undisputed and the number
could be much higher, especially in Idaho. Richard Phenneger, a recent GOP primary candidate,
commissioned a survey of Idaho voters and found only 21% supported another Risch/LaRocco
race. Considering this data along with the rising political unrest due to an ineffective Congress
and a troubled America, voters are looking for a nontraditional alternative.

        Risch and LaRocco represent more of the same. The same that is responsible for this
high number of Independents and disenfranchised party members. They can rely only on the
party hardliners for support in the general election and those numbers are dwindling. The
middle is not theirs and especially with a legitimate Independent in it.
        Rex Rammell on the other hand represents a conservative alternative that is not more
of the same. A fresh apple off the tree if you will with a stubborn `fight for what is right'
message that is very compelling.

        My analysis of the U.S. Senate race has approximately one third or less going to
LaRocco, leaving the remaining two thirds plus to be split between Rammell and Risch. If my
feelings are correct that more than one third lies in the middle ­ closer to 40% to 50 % - than
Risch cannot win.
        The hard truth is the principled Republicans, I believe, will be the ones to choose who
will be the next U.S. Senator. If they are willing to put `principle before party' Rammell will win
and Idaho's congressional delegation will take a hard turn back to the right. If they put `party
before principle', the race will be extremely close and LaRocco could easily become the next
United States Senator from Idaho.
        So the choice is yours my friends, will you put `party before principle' or will you put
`principle before party'? Please stand up for principle and join `Republicans for Rammell' by
going to my website.



       God Bless



       Rex Rammell

       Independent Candidate for the United States Senate

       www.voteRammell.com

       208-201-5432


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