Dear editor:
I usually read the platitudes Jonathan Lange belches out and move on to the next article, but in the case of his July 24 column I just had to gird my loins and write a response.
Regarding the Wyoming State Republican Party’s decision to publicly endorse candidates, he thought that was just ducky.
He’s been a mouthpiece for the Freedom Caucus and their ilk for quite awhile and reflects their thinking. Doing so he makes a few statements I find offensive. To wit;
“The whole point of political parties is to advance a platform of ideas in electoral politics.”
Having been a Republican in Wyoming for over 40 years as well as an elected official I always thought the point of a political party was to get members of their party elected.
When did that change?
“The idea a political party candidate should actively oppose it’s platform ought to be an utter impossibility.”
Exactly when did an elected official representing his constituents switch to mindless loyalty to the party platform?
What if the party platform is passed at a convention at which both Laramie and Natrona counties were excluded as was the case in Sheridan a few years ago?
Do they still owe a slavish loyalty?
Back in the 90’s Diemer True as state chair used the party’s resources to get accurate polling data to all Republican candidates.
He and I didn’t always agree, but he respected the fact I was representing my constituency.
That’s called a big tent.
Lange then compares the state party making endorsements to civil rights hero Rosa Parks sitting at the front of the bus.
I can’t really address that statement without violating Cowboy State Daily's standards against abuse.
Enough about him. I have a few questions for the party commissars he perhaps should have asked:
With the Freedom Caucus in the majority in the house the past two years why didn’t they bring a bill to change the law?
Then it could be openly debated with public testimony.
Why wasn’t this issue brought up at the state convention and voted on then?
Why couldn’t the state party hold off on endorsements until the legal issue was settled?
While I’m asking questions let me ask one more, who is paying the legal fees for the state party in this suit?
When Bryan Miller was county chairman in Sheridan he sued the county commissioners and continued the suit even after the issue was settled until a district judge threw the suit out. Despite repeated requests (from me among others).
He has never disclosed who paid the legal fees for that suit.
It seems as though history is repeating itself on the state level.
Sincerely,
Bruce Burns, Sheridan
