[EternalVigilance]

A perfectly reasonable post from your perspective, which I know is based in experience.

However, the other side of the coin is that “they made the trains run on time” is not an acceptable view of decent politics.

Besides, it’s not an either/or question. There is not a reason on God’s green earth that we can’t have principled AND competent people in elected office.

[Ron C.]

"There is not a reason on God’s green earth that we can’t have principled AND competent people in elected office."

Except in those instances where the people don't give a hoot who gains elected office. That is, they don't care who gets elected at the lowest level of the party.

Your point then, is my point. But, it is up to us at the local level to make sure we have principled and competent people at these lowest-level offices.

Thankfully, many freepers ARE moving that way... but, more need to know that they can effectively fight the principled battle near where they live.

No - it's not about the party. That is just the vehicle. It is about who rides in the vehicle.

[WFTR]

I agree that the question is not "either/or" in terms of competence versus principles, but often we must seek a balance because no one is perfect in both ways. Furthermore, each of us would define "perfect" differently, even within the conservative movement. One of the most important aspects of becoming involved in the local party is doing the hard work of getting people elected. I've helped candidates who I considered to be flawed, but I knew that they would have been better than the Democrats running against them.

I'll refuse to vote for or support certain Republicans. Those who've done something that would hurt me personally will never get my support. However, I try to forgive as much as possible to keep the Democrats from gaining power.