Should Democrats and conservative Republicans “make a deal” to elect better leadership?

That is a question that is un-nerving to some.  It was suggested in an article written by David Montgomery in which he made this statement…

“Howie floated the possibility of an alliance between Democrats and conservative Republicans to elect an alternate speaker.” 

 

The word “alliance” is his, not mine, although it is not inaccurate to think of the vote for Speaker in those possible terms.

 

Here is the reality of the situation; The Speaker of the House is elected by a vote of ALL members, both Democrats and Republicans, on the House floor.  Unlike leadership votes in the Republican caucus, it is NOT a “secret vote”.

 

It doesn’t seem like much of a stretch to think that BOTH parties would be interested in changing leadership that is intent on expelling Legislators from committees and caucus, withholding information, stonewalling legislation, intimidating and bullying.

 

Why would Democrats consider a change in leadership a positive thing?

 

During my time in the Legislature, I have been in meetings where leaders attempted (unsuccessfully) to kill legislation because they didn’t want “this Democratic Legislator to have any victories”. That simply isn’t the kind of leadership that demonstrates fairness and open-minded consideration.  It doesn’t serve our state well, and it certainly doesn’t enhance the prospect of bi-partisan co-operation on important issues.  It’s easy to see why Democrats might be willing… if not anxious… to vote with conservative Republican Legislators to restore good leadership to the process.  Is this an alliance?  You be the judge.

 

Current leaders have been advancing an agenda that is contrary to the Republican Party platform.  That alone would be enough to alienate conservatives.

 

There are those that suggest co-operating with Democrats is “making a deal with the devil”.   Some Democrats support the Republican Party Platform more than some Republicans.

 

I am a Republican.  I support the Party Platform.  When a Republican does NOT support part of the platform… say the protection of the unborn, and a Democrat DOES support that part of the Republican Party Platform, is it wrong to support the Democrat and reject the “Republican”?

 

Could that be a time to serve our state and nation by rallying around PRINCIPLE, rather than party or personality?

 

Every good Republican Legislator has joined forces with a Democrat at one time or another, on an issue of PRINCIPLE.  Does that mean they had an “alliance” with them?  I guess you can call it whatever you want.  When it serves good government and conservative principles, soliciting support from others REGARDLESS of party affiliation should be the order of the day.

 

Make a deal, anyone?

 

***Gordon Howie is a nationally syndicated author, host of Liberty Today TV and CEO of Life and Liberty Media***

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