Posted on 01/15/2008 6:44:29 AM PST by MplsSteve
The Republican Party in Minnesota, where the GOP will crown its nominee this summer, is a perfect reflection right now of the national party.
It is all mixed up on the presidential race and struggling to hold an increasingly fragile coalition together.
"There's a real battle going on here for what it means to be conservative, to be Republican," said Andy Aplikowski, a local party chairman. "Is it religion, is it defense, free markets ... states' rights? There's no common message."
In Minnesota, as across the country, evangelicals are lining up behind pastor-turned-politician Mike Huckabee despite his record of tax increases. Defense hawks and social moderates flock to Rudy Giuliani. Many in the old guard talk up Mitt Romney as the true overall conservative.
And a group that includes Gov. Tim Pawlenty supports John McCain, who sometimes strays far from party dogma.
A sign of deepening divisions flashed earlier this week, when state party chairman Ron Carey declared his support for Huckabee. Within days he suffered a private rebuke in a closed-door party meeting for choosing sides.
All of this is happening against the backdrop of Minnesota's preparations to host the national convention and the growing chance that the fight may continue all the way to the convention floor.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Comments or opinions - anyone?
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The comparisons are different, however I think nationally we are better than we are locally.
I strait up hate being ruled by Democrats and exposed to their “experiments”
Right now, I have NO use for any of the “front-runners”, particularly McCain. If he’s the nominee, I will write-in a vote for Daffy Duck...because I’ll NEVER, EVER vote for him.
If the GOP doesn’t get it together & field some true conservative candidates, I see no reason to remain Republican.
My choices are either Hunter or Thompson. Unfortunately, I’m not holding my breath for either.
I could not be in more total agreement with you! One tiny exception, I’ll vote Donald not Daffy :-Þ
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