The Republican Party State Central Committee has been criticized for its decision to suspend several former Republican office holders from formal party activities for two years. I say as an eight-year member of the committee, that the decision has logic.
The Independent Republican Party of Minnesota, as the party officially is known, exists as a private organization whose foremost goal entails electing endorsed Republican candidates who will adhere to the party platform. We reserve the right, as any private organization does, to remove or influence the removal of any member who chooses to engage in activities that do not reflect the conduct of a member in good standing.
The Roman orator Cicero opined, "A nation can survive its fools ... but it cannot survive treason from within." These words embody the decision of Govs. Al Quie and Arne Carlson and Sen. David Durenberger to endorse a third-party candidate for governor in the 2010 election.
We must all remember that being a loyal member of an organization does not mean we must agree with every decision made by the organization. As a delegate to the 2010 Republican State Convention, I did not vote to endorse Tom Emmer for governor. My vote rested with former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert. As an endorsed candidate, Seifert, I believe, would currently bear the title of governor-elect. You can take that to the bank. I also firmly believe Emmer made a superior choice for a running mate in Annette Meeks compared with Seifert's choice in Rhonda Sivarajah. Both Emmer and Seifert pledged to abide by the endorsement of the party in place of challenging each other in a primary election, another unrealized victory for Seifert.
Placing my personal feelings aside, never once did I contemplate abandoning my party over my disgust for its decision not to endorse my candidate of choice.
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As deputy chairman of the 8th Congressional District Republican Party for the last six years, I never once forgot the faith and trust placed in me by other party members to support our endorsed candidates. I may not prefer the people selected, but I must support them, knowing that the survival of our organization and the future of our state rests in the full participation of proud, loyal members.
The suspended elected officials treated their party membership with an attitude of selfish contempt. They obviously took notes from the Arlen Specter book of politics. We see the way things worked for that turncoat. The Republican Party bears no use for liberal relics who endorse Barack Obama, as Gov. Carlson did.
I wonder what the actions of the DFL state party would entail if Sen. Amy Klobuchar endorsed Sarah Palin or if Rep. Tom Rukavina endorsed Newt Gingrich. Would those actions merit a suspension from official DFL activities? Indeed, and the party would be right in doing so.
My relatives fought bravely for the Polish Resistance in World War II against their German oppressors. I wonder if the vast majority of their countrymen considered support of Germany as a matter of personal conscience deserving respect by the souls dying to free their nation. I think not.
Republicans will live to fight another day for the office of Minnesota governor. We endorse the candidates of our choosing, and the loyal members of our party abide by those endorsements or face consequences. Perhaps Quie, Carlson and Durenberger will take the next two years to contemplate their betrayal and emerge as whole members again. If not, I will see to it that the next suspension becomes permanent.
Justin Krych of Cloquet is deputy chairman of the 8th Congressional District Republican Party of Minnesota.
