A Revolution In The Davidson County GOP?

9 Responses to “A Revolution In The Davidson County GOP?”

1. B J Zeagler writes
   March 8th, 2009 1:53 pm

   I personally think this endorsement is uncalled for from the outgoing chairman. A true leader is one that can be totally objective and leads a party with strength and honor. He certainly has a right to his personal opinion, but in this forum, it can do nothing, but cause separation in the party.
   A Revolution In The Davidson County GOP? What a horrible legacy to leave with the Republican party. In my opinion, he has lost his credibility. I do not know this man personally and have only seen him while attending the GOP election of a Chairman, but tearing the Party apart is a good indication that he doesn’t have the Party in his best interest. The Republican Party is struggling across this country to get its legs and many wonderful Americans are trying so hard to make this happen. Thank you Mr. Chairman, for making this climb, especially in Davidson County, 100% more difficult. It is hard for me to believe that you made outrageous remarks about a person because of their age and against someone that is a true fiscal conservative that has been a loud voice for the Republican Party. I am totally disgusted with Mr. Lawless, he calls himself a leader and someone that wants the party to grow and thrive, but it sounds like the outgoing Chairman is interested only in himself and his own self interest. Nothing against Mr. Collins who may be a fine Libertarian with some conservative ideas, but you can be sure that Kathleen Starnes is a true Fiscal Conservative person that will promote all our conservative principals. She has excellent experience and the connections to help make the party grow along with being a hard worker. She is a person with integrity and honesty & these are the things that the Republican Conservative Party holds dear. We need someone with the wisdom and forethought to connect with both the younger and older voter. I would encourage all delegates to take a look at what the outgoing Chairman (Tom Lawless) had to say and how he was willing to create dissention within our own party. Would you want to put your faith in his recommendations? Not I…

2. Karen Bergeron writes
   March 8th, 2009 3:28 pm

   BJ The Republican party is in shambles because of its big spending. Please explain how returning the Republican party to it conservative principles is going to tear it apart?

   Matt Collins is a very impressive young man who has worked hard for the conservative values in Tennessee. He has the maturity to do the job with dignity. He is the best hope for rebuilding the party. Rather than creating dissension, he will bring the GOP back to its conservative principles. What part of Liberty, small government and adherence to the Constitution does the Davidson County GOP object to? Circulating emails calling the true conservatives “nutjobs” creates dissension.

3. Donna Locke writes
   March 8th, 2009 5:08 pm

   “The party needs to get younger and it needs to get more inclusive,” said Lawless.

   I await some definition of what the Republican Party is anymore. Though I don’t think we really need that — by their fruits and all …

   One thing is for certain: attempts to please everyone will leave them pleasing no one.

   A collection of competing factions and special interests is not a direction.

   As an independent, I do triage every time I vote. That is how I started out supporting Moder and Bryant in a recent congressional race and ended up voting for Harold Ford, Jr., once the Republicans of my choice were out of the running. And as I told my Republican state senator, Bill Ketron, last week: though I’ve been a strong supporter of his, it is likely I would vote for a Democrat before I give Ketron even the time of day again, though I’ll look closely at any Republican who might challenge him.

   Don’t count on independents’ support. We are maybe one-third of voters, with a mix of views, and we don’t care about the R or the D. We are looking for specifics, in terms of our own priorities. We are watching what you do, especially when it doesn’t match what you say.

4. Justin Tanner writes
   March 8th, 2009 6:07 pm

   BJ, you said yourself that the GOP is struggling to find its legs across the country. Why do you think that is? It’s because nationally it has strayed from its roots and TRUE conservatives have trouble identifying with it and voting for it’s candidates. The democrats have also mobilized voters that historically don’t get involved. The GOP won’t overcome these issues by becoming more like the democrats. Continuing in it’s current direction and maintaining this exclusive attitude that you have is exactly what got the GOP to where it is today. If it starts supporting limited government constitutional candidates who share the same values as Matt Collins, it will find those fresh legs you say it’s looking for and maybe we won’t have to endure another government growing governor or democrat controlled federal government. True conservatives will have confidence in voting for Republican candidates once again and won’t have to worry about those “donkeys in elephant skins” who get elected to office with the support of the GOP and then act more like liberals once they get in a position of power. Just look at our current situation. Both Senators Corker and Alexander voted for the 2008 bailout along with Representative Wamp who is currently campaigning for Governor. All of these men were supported by the Republican party. How is a true conservative supposed to get behind future candidates supported by the GOP unless it proves it is dedicated to getting back to its more conservative roots and pushing for a constitutional small government that protects liberty rather than infringing on it? I believe Mr. Lawless understood that which is why he supported that movement in person of Matt Collins.

5. Sara Moore writes
   March 8th, 2009 8:00 pm

   If I am not mistaken this party lost the last election. The GOP is dying, it has lost its roots and does not stand for true conservatism anymore. I remember the days of truly supporting small govt- let’s bring that day back! The only way to change this is to work together. Pushing away the “Paulites” will only cause further erosion. Do not fear the Ron Paul followers, applaud them! They bring youth, energy and excitement to our party. They bring a belief in the ideology of Thomas Jefferson, their true hero. When is supporting our most conservative founding father anything but wonderful? And what does it say about what our country has become to refer to returning the Constitution as a ‘revolution’? They are working now to mold their futures and is it not their futures us older ones are fighting for? How can the GOP ever win another election without the younger people? We won’t. It’s their future, help them. Be mentors. Work with them. Help the future realize THEIR dreams. We’ve done a fine job of handing them a mess they didn’t ask for or deserve. The least we can do at this point is assist them in fixing it.

6. B J Zeagler writes
   March 8th, 2009 8:09 pm

   My comments where about the outgoing Chairman. My remarks addressed his endorsing one of the 2 candidates. It was improper to do so in his position. I never said that Collins was causing dissention. I don’t believe I made negative comments about Mr. Collins period. I am unhappy that the Chairman(Tom Lawless) was being very unprofessional and HE was causing the dissention in the party by HIS behavior.
   I do not disagree with any of you that say the Republican party lost the election because of big spending and moving away from conservative values, but that is not why I wrote the comments.

7. Stan Scott writes
   March 18th, 2009 5:52 pm

   Tom Lawless has spent the past two years converting the Davidson County Republican Party into a small social club ensuring it will be an ineffective political organization thus leaving contro; of th ecounty to the Democrats. His parting shot is very damaging and speaks poorly of his leadership and ethics.

   Now that he is out of the way look for a rebirth.

8. Jon Crisp writes
   March 26th, 2009 12:01 pm

   I applaud the voters of Tennessee whom decided to put the State Legislature into conservative hands for the FIRST time since reconstruction….I believe that they saw the long term failure of the Democrats “Tax & Spend” policies…perhaps it will finally sink in for those receiving $13 back in services for every $100 their property taxes rise over the next few “Karl Dean” years. Are you sure that now is the time to spend nearly one billion in tax dollars on a new Convention Center and Hotel while cutting police and fire staffing etc.? Is anyone having these large Conventions anymore? I guess our Mayor is betting your property on it! Lets get to the real business of why we have a party…and thats to offer Nashvillians a new vision for our future.

9. common sense writes
   March 26th, 2009 12:08 pm

   yes, a large convention center is a revenue generator, Jon. I’ve heard that La Raza is planning to come to Nashville in your honor…