Party Matters

Keith Rothra reminds voters that the party remains essential in elections today.

The Longview News-Journal published an editorial on December 3, expressing a common but misplaced belief on local elections and party affiliations. In 1968, Gov. Wallace of Alabama trumpeted, “There’s not a dime’s worth of difference between the two parties.” Glenn Beck uses the same mantra, like a modern Wallace, calling for a third party. Now the Longview News-Journal joins the chorus that party does not matter.

There is a world of difference between the Democratic and Republican Party platforms. Parties stand for ideologies, and to identify yourself as a Democrat or Republican places a label upon you that tells the public your view of the issues. While not every candidate walks in lockstep with their party platform, the public perception of party affiliation is that you share the world view of the party you choose.

This is true of local as well as state and national candidates, which is why Republicans get elected in this highly conservative area. People perceive Republicans to be conservative and Democrats to be liberal, whether or not the candidate agrees with their national party goals.

The News-Journal said that local candidates converted to the Republican Party because those locals could not identify with the national Democratic policies. Evidently those converts think that party identification does matter in local elections. So does the vast majority of the voters.

A Democrat candidate is presumed to be in league with national health care, Cap and Trade, bail outs, higher taxes, and midnight votes on unread bills. Whether or not the local candidate supports those measures, Democratic affiliation identifies them with all those things.

Republican opposition to those measures and promotion of local solutions without big government intrusion is why so many conservative life-long Democrats are now saying, “that liberal line is not mine; I have to become a Republican.”

Party identification is still the number one factor in how most voters choose their candidate. Party matters… even in local elections.

Dr. Keith A. Rothra, Chairman
Gregg County Republican Party