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I am supporting John McCain for President. He will be our party nominee and our mission is to raise funds and elect Republicans.
It does not matter who I supported in the beginning. No matter what anyone says, John McCain is not worse than Hill or Obama.
When he wins there will be a conservative and younger man as Vice President. Cabinet posts and agency heads will be Republicans.
I will work hard to get our likely party nominee elected in 2008.
Many of you have said that Jim Risch has been annointed by the GOP to replace US Senator Larry Craig in Washington D.C.
He announced as early as possible and was surrounded by GOP leaders. It was a smart move considering the DNC has targeted
Idaho's federal seats. It makes sense to me when you consider Jim's formidable resume and his ability to cram four years
of governing into just seven months.
I support Jim Risch for the U.S. Senate. He has a great batting average. He gets more right than he gets wrong. He's
not afraid to swing for the bleachers. He understands when we have a difference of opinion; but he never fails to stand on
his truth. Jim Risch possesses a comprehensive knowledge of challenges facing all Americans and the people of Idaho. He
is an energized and dynamic leader who will work with others to find solutions to the challenges constantly confronting America.
I have had conversations and/or traded emails with other candidates for this U.S. Senate seat. Some of the candidates
have terrific resumes but lack experience. Some are true gentlemen (like Richard Phenneger) and I hope they will offer themselves
in other leadership roles in the GOP. A few are ridiculously unqualified.
IMHO, the worst of the candidates is Rex Rammell who calls himself "the elk guy". I told him before the Lincoln
Day events started that if you can't make decisions that are in your own best interest; how can you be trusted to make decisions
that are in the best interests of the people of Idaho?
And now, like I said at the top, I am working on the McCain campaign but; I admire the passion of the Ron Paul supporters
that were campaigning outside the Lincoln Day Dinner in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. I had Justin take my picture with one of the
shivering supporters. I put some of the pics in the Lincoln Day 2008 photo album with quotes from three of the campaign volunteers.
I recognized nearly all of the Ron Paul supporters from working on community events in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. I do not understand
why some Republicans and some Republican leaders are discounting these party people and doing it with some really rude talk.
If I was running for anything I would appreciate having supporters that work this hard and with such devotion. If Ron Paul
supporters are signing up for County Central Committee races then more moderate Republicans will have to respond in ways they
may not have done in the past. This could be good for the party.
When our own elected officials cannot fill vacancies with people who appreciate and agree with the job they are doing - something
is wrong. If they donate to campaigns, put up your sign, and support you then they might have been willing to serve on a
central committee. Too many Republican voters are way too comfortable and assume that someone else is working on GOP issues.
I don't know what to make of it but I believe if it gets people working that have been doing virtually nothing and now they
are motivated to act -- then "party on".
I took four votes to Burley, Idaho on June 2, 2008 to vote for the Closed Primary even though I am a supporter of the
modified-closed primary. Bonner County was not seated at the Summer State Central Committee Meeting. I was willing to cast
the votes because I believe the overwhelming vote at the State Convention in 2006 should be respected. I would have formed
a committee immediately after the 2006 convention to work toward a modified-closed. I believe the modified-closed primary
is the answer to eliminating virtually all crossover voting and allows Independents to participate. Instead it was tabled
and the Idaho GOP has had WWIII going on with Rod Beck at one end and Dr. J. Kirk Sullivan at the other end. Enough is enough.
Both men are polarizing personalities now. The disagreement has produced deliberate rumours and outright lies. Coming out
of Convention 2008 and working toward the General election we will need leadership that is free of any stigma if we hope to
unite behind our candidates in Idaho.
| Norm Semanko |
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| For Idaho GOP Chairman |
I support Norm Semanko to be the Idaho GOP Chairman. Norm Semanko serving as GOP Chairman would help settle things down across
Idaho and he can raise funds for the GOP just as effectively as Sullivan or Beck. If Norm Semanko offers himself as an alternative
I will encourage both Beck and Sullivan supporters to see the benefit to the Idaho GOP in combining their support so we can
stablize our party going into the ground war for the general election.
I am also supporting John Cross for Region I Chairman. His opponent is a wonderful man with a great history. Here's
the difference. His opponent is a snowbird who is not available year round. John Cross is available to lead year round.
His opponent is a relative newcomer to northern Idaho GOP politics. John Cross has served the GOP well in northern Idaho.
His opponent has not organized, raised funds, or help elect Republicans at the level that John Cross has done. John and
his wife Angela are deeply involved in the GOP, raise funds, organize events, and their community service extends to organizations
like 3-C's and more. This is not about personalities, this is about selecting a Region I Chairman that makes sense based
on their past efforts and future ability to support the GOP.
Remember, most folks can't name two elected officials to save their life. Most citizens just want to get the help they
need from elected officials. Only the most zealous are hovering over the blogs and letters to editors and checking out the
websites. At the grassroots level incumbents and candidates need help with financing, sign locations, and letters of support.
Money helps too. The effort should be made on behalf of the people that will be served. It should be about the job description
and who has the resume to serve. Issues and solutions that make sense to a majority of the people. Here's a great example.
Two Republican candidates for County Commissioner have agreed to attend house party's together in Bonner County. That's
what I call a good start.
Meanwhile, the Legislature signed off at 6:13 p.m. April 2, 2008 and primary races will start to gear up with the return
of incumbents. I hope you are taking time to volunteer your time, your expertise, and whatever you can spare to support the
candidate of your choice. No matter who you support and no matter how crazy I might think it is; I appreciate you being involved.
It stirs the pot and gets people talking and participating. That's good for the Republic.
If you need larger copies of the pictures, let me know via email or a phone call. Enjoy the photographs. They are free.
God Bless Idaho,
Bashful Dan
SANDPOINT, IDAHO - STATE GOP CONVENTION HOST CITY 2008
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