Contributed by Scott Brooks, CD-5 resident and party activist

Only the other day I found a voicemail in my box inviting me to a Republican Party town hall meeting with State Chairman, Ron Carey for this evening on the hill in St. Paul. What, with the discontent floating around since November's defeats and Senator Norm Coleman's nuanced position on the surge, I thought it would be a good thing to attend this meet and listen to what Republicans are saying.

First off, I was surprised to see that this was not a roomful of the usual faces. Doug Daggett, my colleague in Uptown Minneapolis party activity was in attendance, but I didn't know any other names. There was little to no surprise, however, to hear the grievances. These people are disappointed in state Republican leadership. There is a discontent that Republican candidates and elected leaders are watering down the party message and running on a DFL-lite platform.

The main issue seems to be Senator Norm Coleman's lack of support for the surge in Iraq. And of course, there was the obligatory grousing about that other surge, the surging support for a statewide ban on smoking.

Credit must go to Chairman Carey for his skills as a listener. The participants never smelled blood in the water never going for his throat to avenge the lost adherence to conservative principles. I would characterize the meet as very positive in nature. The criticisms were, in the final analysis, positive...always a sign of good health in a political organization. A polling sheet was distributed, asking for participants' opinions on the three most important issues facing our country, facing our state, asking for a grade on how well the party is performing as well as other evaluation questions. All of this left attendees with a very real
perception that our opinions and ideas matter.


Money quote from Chairman Carey; "We've got to do more than simply rely on Republicans to cast their votes for GOP candidates. We've got to have people who passionately get out there and work for winning. And I tell our elected officers that if they can't take a stand that the base agrees with and is energized by, then when the time comes that they call out to charge the hill, they just might turn around and find that no one is following."

The question I heard asked a couple of times was; "What do we have to do to get their attention?" Someone suggested returning financial contribution mail with a handwritten message that there will be no money unless conservative principles are touted.

I had a chance to talk with Ron Carey face to face after the meeting was concluded. He points out that while Republicans have a tough line to haul, Democrats have their own problems as well. He says there is no doubt that Norm Coleman will be the party's nominee for U.S. Senate.

These are tough times we're living in. Politics is the art of compromise. But if the battle for Iraq is the most important front in the Global War on Islamic Fascism, doesn't winning that battle trump party loyalties, as Hugh Hewitt claims it does? How does one compromise on that issue while strongly defending our country and our liberties? I can say that I believe Senator Norm Coleman, despite his nuanced position on the surge, is in favor of victory in Iraq. That is a stark contrast with candidate Al Franken's position.(?)

But where's the passion? I think all Minnesota Republicans want to see Senator Coleman benefit politically from victory on the battlefield in Mesopotamia. The Republican rank and file believe he can do that because they are still optimistic we can win in Iraq. We want Senator Coleman to take a strong stand refusing to buckle to perceived political pressure.

That passion is what we all ache for. Give us a reason to fire our passions and we'll take the hill by storm.