Washington State GOP’s Ruling Class: Fighting the Winning Battle Against It Part 3

A revised part 3; The individuals I have listed here are simply how I see them and represent no one’s opinion but mine.   To me they have and continue to make a positive difference in the state of Washington. Most of these people I have taken the time to get know. So I have no doubts about any of them. With that in mind lets begin again.

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Pam Roach

A little less than a week ago I had the opportunity to meet Pam for the first time. This was something I had wanted to do for a very long time. We talked for close to two hours. It didn’t take me too long to realize that she isn’t the person that the WSRP AND KCGOP leadership make her out to be. I should point out I never believed the things that were being said about her anyway (just consider the source).

Pam, despite all of the years she has spent in the state Senate, still has the fire and determination to do right by those she represents. What’s more, Pam’s not afraid to stand up to party leadership. This is why the WSRP and the KCGOP have been trying to get rid of her for so long. We need more leaders like Pam Roach who are willing to stand up for what they believe no matter what.

Mark Hulst

For over twelve years I worked with Mark Hulst inside the Skagit County Republican Party. When Mark first became county chairman it was a pretty divided party. They had been losing a significant number of elections. In short, it was a mess, but Mark rolled up his sleeves and went to work determined to turn the party around. Sure enough that’s just what he did. He united the party and they started winning again.

So it came as no surprise to me when he decided to run for state GOP chair [at the end of the 2004 year] in [Jan.] 2005. No, he didn’t win and we can only wonder how different things would be now if he had. But the wondering may be about to end. More on that later.

David Adams

For those of you not familiar with  David Adams, he has been involved in the political world for over 25 years. He has managed many successful campaigns and is a pretty darn good fundraiser to boot. In fact, if David were to hang a sign outside,  it could say “The last honest campaign manager (other than Chuck Beck) in the state of Washington” and it would probably be true.

The main reason I mention David is that he is about to start a project that has the potential to change the face of Washington state politics in a big way. As much as I would like to tell you all about it I may not. As of this writing I am not at liberty to do so. But soon enough most of you will know what I’m talking about.

Doug Parris

Doug Parris has been involved in Washington state politics for a very long time. While many blogs have come and gone in the Washington state political world, The Reagan Wing has become a permanent fixture, much to the chagrin of some party leaders.

What has impressed me the most about Doug is he won’t back down from a political fight and he has always stuck to his principles. You may hear from time to time things about Doug and most of its less than favorable. Just remember one thing—the party leaders and establishment crowd don’t like Doug because he tells the truth about them. Most of their responses range from attacks on his character to name calling. Why? because they have no defense for their actions.

Michelle McIntyre

Michelle McIntyre has been involved in Washington State politics for a long time as well. Her strong support of human life has always impressed me. While it may not have endeared her to party elites, the candidates she supports can always count on rock solid support from her.

As time has moved on since I first met Michelle the right to life movement has really grown in this state and they owe a lot of it to Michelle.

The Party Newcomers

Brandie Didier

While I have not yet had the opportunity to meet Brandie, I have seen enough from the one time I have been in the same room with her to know what kind of person she is. Her dad calls her a great “stateswoman”. Brandie has the unique ability when she is speaking with others to make them feel like she is genuinely interested in them and their well-being. I can assure you it’s no act—she means it.

No matter what Brandie ends up doing she will continue to have a positive impact on whole lot of people.

Terra Mork

Terra Mork is a name many of you may not recognize yet. But  you sure will. I first became aware of Terra when a link to a story she wrote about the 2010 state WSRP state convention was posted here on the Reagan Wing.

I was blown away by what I read. Wow, can she write! Ladies and Gentleman, I maybe have one tenth of the writing ability she has. I don’t really know Terra that well yet. We have exchanged a couple of emails and they have been fun. I look forward to reading more of her articles and finally meeting her. Terra’s story about Dino Rossi’s stance on abortion is one of my all-time favorites.

The Washington Life Coalition began not all that long ago. One of the things I love about their spokesperson, Mary Emanuel, is  her ability to see the big picture—to see life and then go about making what some would think is impossible, happen. Thanks Mary!

The first little Emily video was a classic and what an impact it has made. I can’t wait for the next one.

Anonymous by request

There are others who have requested I not present them in this public forum.

The US Senate Race of 2010

Well where to begin? Has this been some kind of election or what, so far!?!  Who would have thought just a few short months ago that this would have taken the turn that it has recently. Its been amazing to watch and be a part of this as it unfolds.

Dino Rossi

Like many of you, I supported Dino both times he ran for governor.  But the Dino Rossi I’m seeing now really disappoints me. What I’m seeing is a selfish, self-absorbed individual, who seems as if he cares little for the citizens of this state. He acts as though, with the exception of Patty Murray,  his opponents are nonexistent. He dodges one forum after another. He acts like he’s afraid to face Clint Didier and if I were in his position, I would be, too. But I’m not the one running, Dino is, and he ‘s not running for student body president. He is running for the United States Senate and should take it like a man. Dino shouldn’t be acting like he’s owed or entitled because he is Dino Rossi. This attitude that apparently he and his supporters have, that it doesn’t matter what Dino does before the primary, because the tea party people will all vote for him anyway,  is stupid and it shows just how arrogant they are. This behavior has got to stop and it cannot be tolerated any longer. The voters and individuals that have worked so hard on other campaigns deserve better than that.

Clint Didier

Clint, along with his thousands of supporters have scared the state GOP leadership to death. I can assure you that never in a million years did Luke Esser and company think this would happen. The excitement and momentum for Clint continues to grow. Everywhere he goes, he draws big crowds and his message is resonating with more and more people everyday. More importantly,  he has given conservatives a reason to vote again.

In all the years I have been involved in politics I have never seen this kind of enthusiasm for a candidate. As some of you may recall, I was on record early on saying that I believed Clint Didier would win the primary. I did so because of the enormous support he has in eastern Washington. What I didn’t count on was all the support he has gotten in western Washington. Clint’s momentum has grown across the state. Its been fun to watch and to be a part of it, as the Didier Express rolls on. Knowing that it’s driving the state GOP leadership crazy and knowing there’s nothing they can do to stop this, makes this even better.

As we enter the final weeks of this election, we all can make a difference in the outcome of this race. We can and must do everything in our power that’s legal to help Clint Didier win. We have to send a strong message to the state GOP that we are not going to take it from them any longer. So let’s get to work and make it happen. Keep the momentum for Clint going strong!

Now how can we together  turn this whole thing around? My wife Michele came up with a wonderful idea that has the potential to be very big (the Didier event is separate and still to come). We have a name for it which will be revealed later.  Those of you that want to take part in this are more than welcome to. In fact, its success will depend on your help. In the next three weeks we will unveil the whole thing; stay  tuned.

One final thought: there have been some things comments about Susan Hutchison circulating recently that I feel as though I must address. I might be the only one who can.  To begin with I have known Susan for over 6 years now. Most people haven’t had the opportunity to get to know Susan the way I was to do. The person that all of you saw in the election for King County Executive was not the real Susan.  She was “handled.” Look, I don’t why she did what she did in that election, but I will not hold it against her for the rest of her life. Despite all that’s happened I know she still has a tremendous amount to offer. Yes I’m well aware she gave money to Dino Rossi. So what? That doesn’t make her bad person. She’s just out of the loop. I feel very lucky that I got to know someone like Susan and that I finally had a “big sister” to talk to.

Lastly in the last two weeks I have been accused of being a number of things politically that I am not. If I were the kind of person that I have been made out to be, I would not have the forum here on the Reagan Wing to continue to write what I believe.

The people who run this website and many of those I have written positively about mean far too much to me to ever do anything to embarrass myself, my family, my faith or any of them. For I know if I were to ever do that my honor and integrity would be  gone and, take it from someone who nearly lost everything, it’s not worth it. A special thank you goes out to Roberta Podbielancik, Michele St Pierre, and Terra Mork who by words and example have inspired me.

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