Working Together for Change
By Lenny Curry
America needs a healthy and vibrant Republican Party if our nation is to remain the brightly shining beacon of economic opportunity for all. But Republicans can neither win elections nor protect and restore prosperity without finding a way to unite a broad coalition of supporters.
That is why Republicans must embrace the principled passion and energy of conservative activists from all walks of life if we ever hope to have any success at the ballot box. Addition and multiplication is the path to victory, not subtraction or division. Republicans and conservative activists must work together to attract more supporters if we are to have any influence in America’s economic future.
RPOF Chairman Lenny Curry
Throughout history, all great leaders, all great movements, all great political victories have one common theme: they found a way to unite diverse groups of people in a common cause. Strong coalitions have resulted in victory throughout history, whether on the battlefield or at the ballot box.
Democrats know this. Year in and year out, Democrat leaders find a way to unite a mind-boggling variety of special interest groups, all with their own, often conflicting, political agendas. Yet they are woven together into a colorful tapestry of fierce political advocacy that mobilizes millions of people to vote for liberal candidates.
As Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, my job is to find a way to similarly unite conservative constituents into a powerful voting bloc, even as some in the media try to drive a wedge between Republicans and our natural allies, including the passionate and powerful tea party. All too often, irrelevant or insignificant political differences are portrayed in the media as a catastrophic fracture when all that is really required to find common ground is a little dialogue.
Through dialogue with a wide variety of conservative leaders, I have learned that the common cause of our time is an unwavering commitment to fiscal discipline and economic opportunity for all. And tea party activists are right to expect the leaders they support to live up to their promises.
The Republican Party, both here in Florida, and across the nation, must have fiscal conservative activists committed to the idea that each generation has the opportunity to build on the improving economic foundation provided by their predecessors. All of us must make our voices heard through participation at town halls, supporting conservative candidates, and working together to achieve this common goal.
As Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, I am committed to building just such a coalition that is steadfastly committed to this cause, and I invite you to join me in the fight.
Op-ed written exclusively for BizPac Review by Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida Lenny Curry.
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Well written and well said Mr. Curry. Now can you please tell the Governor? Since his new chief of staff and communications director was hired they seem hell bent to keep him away from the very people who helped get him elected.
Prime example is that Adam Hollingsworth believes it is more important to bring lobbyist to the mansion and yet no offer has been made to grassroots from all areas of the state. Of course I doubt if he or his staff know any “crazies” he can invite.
That needed to be said. Thanks Mr. Curry.
Well said Mr. Curry! You have succinctly stated the path to a future for the Republican Party. Let’s call off the circular firing squads and open the floor to the very devoted Tea Partiers and others of like mind. But, most importantly, elected Republicans MUST demonstrate a commitment to conservatism with their LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE ACTIONS!
Haven’t seen Lenny’s “coalition building” in Hillsborough County. Continue to see the establishment GOP circle the wagons and continue to support Progressive RINO’s simply because they have an “R” after their name. No mention of the Tea Party at the RNC last year either Lenny. It’s time the GOP stopped supporting career recycled retread politicians who get term limited and jump races to keep running for office. like Hillsborough and other counties where former state legislators get term limited and then run for local office. You get term limited – go get a private sector job – stop supporting these career politicians who have created the massive problems we currently have. The GOP needs new, fresh true conservative faces as candidates to re-energize their party or grassroots will sit home or undervote.
Pretty little speech Mr. Curry. The real truth is you want our votes, but have the same disdain for tea party activists as the rest of the GOP establishment. Fool us once, shame on you, fool us twice, shame on us.
NO DEAL!
Paula, I completely agree. I allowed myself to be used by the GOP in the 2008 election – but when I saw the same crap happening this past election, I refused to be a prostitute for them again. No more. It’s not rocket science on what to do about the GOP. ABIDE BY YOUR STINKING PLATFORM! Your platform is conservative. Therefore, if the politicians and leadership in your party are NOT conservative, kick them to the curb. Just. That. Simple. Unapologetic conservatism can and will win the day. That’s exactly how Ronald Reagan won the presidency in 1980 and then went on to become the most effective president in modern history. The problem is that the RINO establishment GOP leadership loves their power and control and all the perks that come with it. They are not going down without a fight.
If there’s truth behind these words, bravo. If this is a GOP ploy, boo!
Ever notice how sincere and logical the GOP Establishment sounds when they want something from us? Ever notice how quickly the sincerity and logic vanishes as soon as they get to Tally or DC. Forget what Rove said, forget the fact we’re all hobbits according to John McCain, forget Boehner complaining about the Conservatives we put into Congress. Above all forget Jeb’s whining about it not being his party anymore.
Instead think about how Tally Establishment redistricted Allen West and Sandy Adams out of districts. Remember they were happy to trade Allen West for a Democrat, Remember they put Sandy Adams against John Mica, a career politician who’s never really done anything in his life, but be a career politician…
Washington warned that eventually ti political class would place loyalty to political party and the political class ahead of patriotism or concern for the people..
When I see him stand up to the corrupt RNC people who took our elected delegates off the Rules Committee at the convention and so they could rig the vote to disenfranchise duly elected committeemen and women, and replace them with RINO candidate clones, THEN I will believe this, In the meantime, I have resigned my 47 year-old Pubbie Party membership. Cowards and sleazoids
Great goal but using the word conservative is what is wrong … we are a big tent party and all voices need to be considered. this phoney establishment vs. base is what is dividing our party. Why? Many who call themselves conservatives do not always have 100% conservative positions … why don’t we all agree to just call ourselves republicans and in that great freedom loving idea – we share many opinions. Republicans are for the most part freedom thinkers and don’t walk in lock step like the communist left. The Tea Party fighting the establishment … from what I see, Tea Party adheres to a basic fiscal platform as they have seen where social issues tear us apart … why? Because Democrats use social issues to inflame everyone while they are stealing our freedoms under our noses. The Tea Party claims Rove is trying to destroy them, however, he supported many of them in 2012 and was successful raising the money that was required to fight the illegal monies by the left. I suspect this claim against Rove is coming from the left wing hatchet group after all they spend $300 milliion to create the impression that Romney did not connect and was rich … trouble is, some in the GOP and Tea Party bought their propaganda … if we can’t distinguish truth, we are doomed. Agenda 21 and UN are moving in to take over our government and we are arguing … recently Panetta admitted that he would not consult congress before going to war, he would consult with the UN. Does this not worry anyone or cause us to work together fast!
I call myself a republican to unite our party … and we all have a wide range of opinions and they all unite around freedom, small government, strong national defense … what is the problem with inner fighting? Propaganda.
Seriously? The word “conservative” can’t be used when speaking about the “conservative” party?? You are part of the problem. Go join your buds in the DNC.
“Either we all hang together, or we hang separately”.
Hey folks, there IS a mutual enemy out there, and our common principles we DO hold sacrosanct.
The Republican Platform is shared by all of us (not in particular order):
(1) Keep government (and its debt) small as possible
(2) Capitalism, and the promotion of private industry
(3) Right to Life
(4) Local control of education
(5) Maintenance of 2nd Amendment rights
(6) Family values and setting Judeo-Christian priorities in governance