Finally someone writes a positive story about the future of the Republican Party. Kudos to Len Munsil for talking about a brighter tomorrow.

Wednesday 1-31-07, 7:40 am

What can one say about this photo snatched off the front page of Drudge?

     I know you are thinking; But Pullen won. Randy did not so much win as receive the responsibility of watching over the state party for 2 years, a big task to be sure. He should take a deep breath and pray for the party to come together, we all should. Early reports are that he is working closely with the executive committee and building consensus, a good sign.

     Sonoran Alliance would like to congratulate Lisa James on a well-run and hard fought campaign. We hope that Lisa and all of her supporters will stay involved and help move the party forward. We have some city council elections in 2007 but the main focus is getting Republicans elected in 2008.

     This was my first state convention. I did not realize how long the speeches went and how brief the voting was. The main attraction was the election for Chairman. Things were going fine for Randy until Trent Franks spoke for Lisa. For a conservative, leaving the auditorium and walking over to vote for Pullen after hearing Trent was like having lead weights around your ankles. It was tough to fill in the arrow for Randy with Trent’s words still fresh in my mind. Also tough was trying to remind others why they had planned on voting for Randy after Munsil and Franks spoke.  

     When they announced the final vote I was stunned. The party was split down the middle. I hope that some of the dire predictions made before the elections do not come true. I think some people will be surprised at how well Pullen actually does as chairman. We certainly wish him all the best.

The final vote count was:

Chairman
Pullen – 408
James – 404

Treasurer
Lee – 635
Kraus – 166

Members-at-Large (please correct my spelling if in error.)

CD 2
Phil Corbell
Debbie Lesko
(First Name) Rohn-Nelson

CD 3
Rob Haney
Marne Haney
Mark Zemel

CD 4
Milton Wheat
Constantin Querard
Charlotte Reed

CD 5
Chris Dahm
Tom Morrissey
Donna Reagan

CD 6
Web Crockett
Steve Johnson
Leo Mahoney 

CD 7
Gene Chewning
Phil Townson
C.R. Waters

CD 8
Cyndi Collins
Randy Graf
Stephanie Johnson

Sunday 1-28-07, 9:15 pm

I do apologize if this post is too reflective. If you need something a little stronger here is some real red meet to read (see Jury Still out on Shadegg, Jan. 28, 2007.)

Framer at Arizona 8th was not a voting delegate to the convention but he wrote a nice piece about what it was like to be there.

Over the last few weeks, Sonoran Alliance has received quite a bit of attention both here in Arizona and across the country. I originally conceived the blog as an opportunity for well-written conservatives in Arizona to report on news and to promote conservative thought and principles in our area of the country. The objective was to provide a forum for those who don’t have the resources to buy time and space in major media outlets. Every Arizona conservative knows that the Arizona Republic and Arizona Daily Star could care less about the conservative perspective let alone provide equal balance. Thus, in February of 2006, Sonoran Alliance arrived in the blogosphere.

In the beginning, there were only 2-3 of us posting as I sought out talented contributors to add more depth to the blog. My vision was to see the blog develop into one rivaling others around the country. Today, about a half dozen contributors write when they have time. While I am most identified and associated with the blog, others have asked to use pseudonyms in order to protect their privacy. Some are and have been very prominent in Republican politics and would prefer to avoid personal, professional and political assaults by being identified. I have respected their privacy and more importantly, given them my word that I would not reveal their identity even if we have a falling out. For me however, my identity is not an issue. After being the Executive Director or Arizona Right to Life for six years, I figured how much more controversial could I get? Yes, I did change my posting name to “DSW” but even the most amateur internet sleuth could figure out who I am.

So in the last two years, I have essentially fallen into the role of a “senior contributor, “senior editor” or whatever fancy or derrogatory name readers want to call me. And because of this, I have taken a lot of heat and barbs. I knew what I was getting into but also knew that my skin was thick and if I couldn’t take it, I should get out of the kitchen (excuse the mixed metaphor). I especially expected this after criticizing Senator McCain, but that is another long story that you can read up on throughout Sonoran Alliance.

My point in exercising a point of personal privlege is to stand in the middle and take a few bullets from both sides as we ready to elect a new chairman. No, I don’t claim to be a wise old elder in the party, but I think I have learned some things watching the comments go back and forth on this blog and I’d like to issue a reality check.

1) While it is a very good thing that conservatives have this means to exercise their First Amendment Right to say whatever they want, their is a price to pay by making irresponsible or volatile postings. I learned this when I got angry with a certain Republican consultant over an endorsement in a certain legislative race. It’s always best (but very challenging) to wait and sit on a posting or comment until after your passion subsides. My request to the readers is to refrain from name-calling and try to stick to the facts.

2) While anyone can find just about anything on the Internet about others, my strong advice is to be careful what you post. It only takes one false or sloppy reference to a third-party source to bring doubt and discredit on the entire blogsite. The individuals who post on Sonoran Alliance at one time have all asked me if they can refer to specific sources. My answer has always been that if it is in the public domain from a credible source, they can use it. News or stories on other website are fine. Official documents with government entities are great. I prefer not to use liberal websites as a source because can we really believe everything liberals say? I will also say that I won’t let this blog turn into a conspiracy theory blog with discussions about the New World Order, aliens or Halliburton. I’ve heard it many times already and I’m pretty sure no one else wants to hear it either.

3) We have an election this Saturday and there are two imperfect but willing and qualified candidates running. The good news for pro-lifers like me is that both candidates have asserted their dedication to the party platform. Neither candidate embraces the pro-abortion anti-family agenda. Each has offered their vision for the party and we’ll all have to face the reality that whoever wins, we are going to have to get along with each other. I noted in an earlier blog that this is really the first time that the AZ GOP Chairman’s race has been taken to the internet. That means a lot more time and information has allowed everyone to throw roses and mud. I hope that when the election is called Saturday afternoon, something good will grow out of it. I have a lot of friends on both sides of this race and my desire is that we walk away from this stronger and better prepared to win city council races this year and state and national elections in 2008.

Does this “can’t we all just get along” tone mean I am compromising on principle or the platform? Absolutely not! There are those of us in the party and who write for this blog that need to play the role of North Star and keep the party true to its course. I believe like others, that this is my purpose in the party. Our party will always need “North Star” Republicans because without them, it will turn into what the Democrats have become – coalitions of liberal special interest groups.

With all that said, I hope I’ve cleared the air to the point we can all go back to our political jousting only doing so in a much more chivalrous manner.

DSW