FLASHREPORT

Today Fleischman and I had the opportunity to debate Former Secretary of State Bruce McPherson and Former CRP Chairman Duf Sundheim at the "Voices of Reform Project" forum in Sacramento .  At issue was whether the California Republican Party should change its bylaws to allow Decline to State (DTS) voters to participate in Republican Presidential primaries. 

I will mercifully spare you the host of arguments made in support and opposition to such a suggestion, if only because it really boiled down to two fundamental considerations:  The practical reality that allowing DTS voters to participate would likely increase the number of votes cast in support of Republicans and, in contrast, the belief held by Fleischman, me and many others in the party that electoral gains are not a sufficient justification for diluting and, in limited exceptions, rejecting fundamental Republican principles. 

The question, reduced to its most basic components is simple:  Do the ends justify the means?  What benefit is there to encouraging DTS voters to vote Republican if "Republican" means nothing? 

I put it to you, dear reader, that DTS voters are not the solution to Republican Party electoral losses, but rather, a lack of substantive, charismatic, and visionary leadership in the party.  I bet there is not a Republican out there that doesn't know someone who switched to the Republican Party because of Reagan.  The power of true, inspired leadership is the answer, not the dilution of our fundamental beliefs.

In conclusion, Jon and I were brilliant, of course.  And watching the crowd carry Jon off on their shoulders was certainly one of the more moving experiences I've ever had.  I wish you could have been there.