NCGOP Chairman's Race

The race for NCGOP Chairman has changed some and it is now down to two people - Chad Adams and Tom Fetzer. I have thought long and hard about this race and have now made up my mind. Before, giving my decision I want to lay out the race as I see it and tell why I have decided the way I have.

First , let's consider the candidacy of Tom Fetzer. Tom is a solid conservative who knows his way around the political structure and the hierarchy. He was elected Mayor of Raleigh which is a big accomplishment for a Republican. Tom did a great job as Mayor and proved to be what he said he was. Tom would make a great US Senator or Congressman. He would probably even make a great Governor of this state. He would be a prolific fundraiser as state chairman and he would be well accepted by the Washington based RNC. He has good conections in Washington ad he would do a great job leading the party in the reelection battle for Richard Burr, a god friend of Tom's.

Chad Adams in his role with the John Locke Foundation allowed him to eastablish himself as a leader. Chad had much contact with the grassroots of the partyy throughout the state and he proved to effective at bringing the mkessage of the John Locke Foundation to them. He has energy and a passion for restoring the party. He would likely need help raising the funds needed but he is committed to raising the funds the party needs. He is not as well known by the RNC crowd as Tom is but he has the personality and the style to get along and to be accepted. He has good conections with the grassroots of the party in North Carolina.

I think the bottom line in this race is the need for the new Chairman to renergize the base of the party throughout the state and to listen to the activists who get things done for the party. The grassroots of the NCGOP have become dissatified and they feel that the state party pays more attention to what Washington wants that what the state needs. The members of the State Executive Committee feels that the meetings are designed to keep them from saying what they want and to push a preformed agenda down their throats regardless of what the committee thinks. In defense of the leadership, a big part of that problem lies with members of the committee but that is a topic for another day. With this in mind, the biggest Tom Fetzer has is that he will be percieved as a Washington Chairman bringing more of the same to the job. That perception will cause far too many of the activists to stay away. It is primarily for this reason that I support Chad Adams for NCGOP Chair.

Chad can do the job. He will work full time. He will be responsive to the grassroots (if he isn't he will fail). Chad will figure out how to raise the money needed. He will provide the type of leadership the activists have been longing for. He will be a different leader and that is desired by those people who the party needs to gain back its brand. The Democrats have stolen the NCGOP's brand and the party needs to claim it back in no uncertain terms. I believe Chad is the candidate who best recognizes that and he will kead to get it back.