Report: Reorganization of the Oregon Republican Party

January 10, 2008 Oregon Republican Party Reorganization Meeting
(Lake Oswego, Oregon - Crowne Plaza Hotel)
By Jeff Limón, BCRCC Chair

This is not intended to be a comprehensive summary, just some high points of the day, as I remember them.

Brief summary - Bob Tiernan is our new Chair. Russ Walker remains as Vice Chair, Darlien France is our new Secretary, and Dennis Morgan is our new Treasurer.

The meeting began at approximately 10:30, with 114 delegates from 30 counties present. From Benton County, Jeff Limón, John Detweiler, and Charles Nelson were present.

To begin, Russ Walker had a few things to say about the Republican message, our organization, and how these pertain to fundraising. As a party, the first orders of the day are to establish a set of unifying Republican principles around which constituents can rally. These might include no government bailout, no government involvement in the banking industry, the need for a balanced budget, the right to life, free enterprise, LEGAL immigration, criminals in jail, good government means less government, and so forth. These are values that many, many Oregonians hold. Unfortunately, when Oregonians look at the Republican Party, they do not see those values reflected in us. It is unfortunate that we have not spoken up and reasserted our principles. If Oregonians do not see their values reflected in us, they will not send their dollars in our direction. We must firmly ground ourselves in conservative principles, and make sure that when others look at us, they see us as stewards of those principles.

When it comes to legislation in the Oregon Legislature, we need to ask "Does this legislation reward or punish innovation?" And, "Does this legislation spur private employment?" If the answer is no to one or both of these questions, then perhaps this is not good legislation. In short, the faster we can encourage businesses to grow in Oregon, the faster our state will recover.

When it came to the elections for Chair, both Bob Tiernan and Lynn Snodgrass were strong, strong candidates, and either would make a very fine Chair. Lynn Snodgrass quoted from Ronald Reagan, saying "How can we expect to meet the challenges of a divided world, if we, as Republicans, are divided ourselves", thus expressing the need to reunify the party.

I believe that Bob Tiernan may have presented a clearer picture on how his success would be measured. Basically, if we have succeeded, we have seen to it that Republicans have been elected. There is no other measure of success. He also spoke about the need to communicate among the counties so that best practices can be shared.

I'm not sure of the precise numbers, but I believe Bob Tiernan garnered 70 plus votes, while Lynn garnered 36, or thereabouts. However, both candidates were very, very strong.

When it came to the elections for Vice Chair, both Russ Walker and Bob Avery, were strong candidates. Russ told the story of his arduous trip to Utah over Christmas, and how what is normally a 9-10 hour drive from Salem to Salt Lake, turned into a three day slog through snowy passes and flat tires. I believe his message was that when the going gets tough, the tough don't turn around and go home, they press on.

Bob Avery presented a strong case for Vice Chair, reiterating his success in creating an organization in Lane County where one had not existed before. This was very impressive. I do not know the exact numbers, but the election for Vice Chair was much closer than the election for the Chair.

Darlien France from Wasco County won in an unopposed race as secretary. She will do a fine job.

For treasurer, Dennis Morgan and Jan Williamson were both strong candidates. Dennis won by a fairly wide margin, calling attention to his experience starting businesses, taking them out of bankruptcy, selling them, and of course, making a profit. I believe he will be a good asset to the State organization.

Solomon Yue, our national committeeperson, gave a report on the Republican national committee’s Constitutional Renaissance effort. In short, you must stand for your principles. When you do not stand for your principles, you lose. We must serve notice to all Republican elected candidates when they do not act in accordance with basic Republican principles. As happened during the failed Comprehensive Immigration Reform, when 30 million conservatives flooded the Capitol switchboard in opposition, elected officials took notice.

The mood in general was one of great optimism. The glass is not half empty, it is half full and getting more full as every day goes on. This is a good time to be Republican, as we redefine ourselves, our principles, and ready ourselves for the hand-to-hand combat that will be upon us in the coming months and years.

Thank you

Jeff Limón
Chair - Benton County [Republican Central Committee]
Grand NEW Party