Bloomberg: Florida is Romney Country

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics:


Florida Republicans need to know what's at stake when they cast their ballots next week.

We cannot afford to throw an electoral temper tantrum, or allow a purity test to cast our Party into obscurity. It's time to come to Jesus.


If we nominate Newt Gingrich or Rick Santorum, Republicans will be on the wrong side of a landslide in November. Obama could keep the White House and take out a whole lot of down-ballot Republicans with him. We can kiss the House goodbye.

Think you're afraid of disappointment with Mitt Romney? Think about four more years of Obama.  Think of handing the Speaker's gavel back to Nancy Pelosi. That's how seriously Floridians need to take their vote on Tuesday.

Nicholas Stone, Vice President, Broward County Young Republicans, Fort Lauderdale

This editorial originally ran in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics:

The Florida Senate recently released redistricting proposals for the next decade.  Reviewing the congressional proposal, several items caught my eye.  Partisan voter data doesn't appear to be available yet but a careful review of the map is highly telling.  Here is a quick rundown of political leanings by Congressional District as I see them:

North Florida Proposal

Central Florida Proposal

South Florida Proposal

Current FL Delegation: 19(R)/6(D) [25 Total]
Proposal: 18(R)/7(D) 2(toss-up) [27 Total]

Partisan leanings by Congressional District:
CD 1 - Safe Republican
CD 2 - Safe Republican
CD 3 - Safe Democrat (Majority Black)
CD 4 - Safe Republican
CD 5 - Safe Republican
CD 6 - Lean/Safe Republican
CD 7 - Lean Republican
*CD 8 - Toss-up/Slight Republican
CD 9 - Safe Republican
CD 10 - Safe Republican
CD 11 - Safe Democrat
CD 12 - Safe Republican
CD 13 - Safe Republican
CD 14 - Safe Republican
CD 15 - Safe Republican
CD 16 - Lean/Safe Republican
CD 17 - Safe Democrat (Majority Black)
CD 18 - Lean Republican (Majority Hispanic)
CD 19 - Safe Democrat
CD 20 - Safe Democrat
CD 21 - Safe Republican (Majority Hispanic)
*CD 22 - Toss-up/Slight Democrat
CD 23 - Safe Democrat (Majority Black)
CD 24 - Safe Republican
CD 25 - Safe Republican (Majority Hispanic)
CD 26 - Safe Republican
CD 27 - Lean/Safe Democrat (Majority Minority)

Summary:

If the goal of redistricting was to create more competitive districts, the project was a miserable failure.  I could only find two districts which have a truly competitive landscape (CD 8 and CD 22).  All other districts have a clear partisan bias toward one Party or the other.

If the goal of redistricting was to create more compact districts, the project was largely a success.  The new map is significantly more contiguous and intelligible than current districts, and follows county lines as a general guide for map making.  The Tampa area was very well divided between districts, though the Orlando metro was sliced apart with a Ginsu knife.  Districts 8 and 27 intertwine like two mating snakes, which appears more partisan than practical in its effect.

If the goal was to toss incumbents under the political bus, the project had mixed success.  John Mica, Dan Webster and Allen West all got hosed by either having their districts blue-washed or having themselves mapped out of their districts entirely.  Many other incumbents (Corrine Brown, Alcee Hastings, Debbie Wasserman Schultz) still have dream districts.

The new map is a step in the right direction.  It obeys the Voting Rights Act while attempting faithfulness to the principles of the "Fair Districts" Amendments from 2010.  From a partisan standpoint, the results are mixed.  Democrats could complain that conservative Democrats in North Florida will become extinct, while Republicans could counter that Broward and Palm Beach Republicans will go from endangered to near extinction.  The two newly created districts are split evenly between a predominately white, right-leaning district northwest of Orlando and a majority-minority, left-leaning district southeast of Orlando.

On balance, not half bad for government work.

  

TO: Dr. Brenda C. Snipes, Supervisor of Elections, Broward County, 954-357-7050  

FROM: Richard DeNapoli, Chairman, Broward Republican Executive Committee

          d/b/a Republican Party of Broward County, 954-941-7775 

Dear Dr. Snipes,

I am writing to you regarding early voting locations for the 2012 elections.  I understand that it takes time to set up early voting locations, which is why I am writing to you almost one year prior to the November 2012 elections and in advance of all the scheduled elections for 2012.      

At a meeting you held recently at one of your Supervisor of Elections offices, you informed attendees that there would 16 early voting locations in Broward County. These locations were listed on the enclosed flyer (CLICK HERE TO VIEW).  After reviewing this document it appears there would be no early voting locations in the current State Senate, District 25 represented by State Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff or in the current State House, District 91 represented by State Representative George Moraitis.  The Republican Party of Broward County is respectfully requesting that early voting sites be placed in the geographical area currently represented by these districts.  This geographical area corresponds largely to those areas in Broward County represented by elected Republican officeholders.

According to the Florida Division of Elections Book Closing dates for the October 2010 elections, there were 107,592 registered voters in State Senate District 25. This corresponds to 10.3% of all the 1,041,641 registered voters in Broward County at that time.  There were 42,686 registered Republicans in State Senate District 25, which corresponded to 17.3% of all the 246,714 registered Republicans in Broward at that time.  Voter turnout per your office's statistics for all voters in this district was 46.7%.  This is higher than the countywide average of 40.99%.  If there are to be 16 early voting sites, we find it hard to believe that not even one is placed in this State Senate district.  While there are early voting sites near the current State Senate District 25, and might even be early voting sites within the district after redistricting, it seems that early voting sites have increased in heavily Democratic areas since 2010.  Furthermore, the former early voting sites nearby Federal Highway from the county line to Sunrise Boulevard have been eliminated.  We know this is the heavily Republican area of Broward County.    

Not having early voting locations in this area serves to disenfranchise all voters in this area, while especially disenfranchising the Republican voters.  All registered voters in this geographic area would have to drive a further distance than most other voters throughout Broward to find the nearest early voting site.  This clearly makes it more difficult for these voters to vote early.

I know that you have stated on numerous occasions that you would like to increase voter turnout for all voters.  I applaud this effort because voting is a sacred right and your office has done a great job with voter outreach.  As I reviewed the Florida Statutes, I came across Chapter 101.657 which requires that early voting "sites must be geographically located so as to provide all voters in the county an equal opportunity to cast a ballot, insofar as is practicable" (emphasis added). This law also states that the "supervisor may also designate any city hall or permanent public library facility as early voting sites."

There are multiple locations available in this geographical area or a few blocks west of Federal Highway to place an early voting site and they include the following:

• Hillsboro Beach City Hall
• Lighthouse Point City Hall
• Lauderdale-by-the-Sea City Hall
• Beach Branch Library
• Galt Ocean Mile Reading Center
• Imperial Point Branch Library, a former early voting site
• Deerfield Beach Percy White Branch Library, a former early voting site
• Pompano Beach City Hall, a former early voting site

Research in numerous scholarly journals has shown that the greater the distance from a voting site, the greater exists the likelihood of nonvoting.  The incidence of early voting is highly sensitive to the location of the early voting location.

The Republican Party of Broward County has previously requested that early voting sites be placed in this area during the last election cycle.  Past Chairwoman Cindy Guerra and current Republican National Committee Co-Chair Sharon Day, who is also Florida's National Committeewoman and Broward's State Committeewoman, both requested that early voting locations be placed in this geographic area in 2010. 

We have often heard the argument that Republican voters do not utilize early voting compared to Democrat voters.  Republicans are in fact taking advantage of early voting more frequently, and research has shown that distance has an undeniable impact on the voter's method of voting.  If early voting is more convenient for all registered voters on the east side of Broward, they will use it more often.  

Once again, Florida Law requires that early voting sites be allocated geographically so that all voters are provided an equal opportunity to cast a ballot, insofar as is practicable.  We do not feel the allocation is fair to all registered voters in this geographical area of Broward County.  Since the early voting sites have increased from 13 to 16 since the 2010 election cycle, I would have thought that early voting sites in this geographical area would have also increased due to the higher-than-average voter turnout in Senate District 25 in 2010. 

I know that everyone's philosophy is to increase voter turnout and I hope you can explain how we can increase it in this geographical area of our county.

The Republican Party of Broward County respectfully requests your assistance in helping to increase voter turnout in this geographical area. As I previously stated I hope that we can work together and comply with Florida Law and give all voters in Broward an equal opportunity to cast a ballot in the upcoming 2012 elections.

Sincerely,

Richard DeNapoli, Chairman

Broward Republican Executive Committee

RD

Attachments

cc:        ALL MEDIA SOURCES

            Broward Republican Executive Committee Board Members

            Broward Republican Executive Committee Members

            RNC Co-Chair, National Committeewoman, and Broward State   

                   Committeewoman Sharon Day

            State Committeeman Ed Kennedy

            Broward Republican Executive Committee Legal Counsel  

Cites & Research:

Florida Statute 101.657

Dyck, Joshua J. and Gimpel, James G. 2005. Distance, Turnout and the Convenience of Voting. Social Science Quarterly, Volume 86, Number 3. 

Anthony Man, Fewer Early Voting sites in Broward and Palm Beach counties, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, August 2, 2010.

Politicons: Perry Wants to be President, but will The Bushes thwart his plan?

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics:

As the race for President in 2012 takes shape, stories continue to surface about the rift between Bush and Perry loyalists - G.W. Bush, that is.  The Bush 43 camp clearly has animosity toward the man who succeeded him as Governor of Texas.  Most prominently, Chief Strategist Karl Rove has made the t.v. rounds questioning Perry's qualifications and strategy.

Last week, Bush's brother Jeb found his way into the discussion.  Ironically, Governor Bush intended to play down differences between Perry and the Bushes.  Newsmax reported Wednesday that Bush praised Mitt Romney in an interview with Neil Cavuto.  According to Bush, "Governor Romney is going to have a proposal that will be longer-term and create sustained growth."

Insiders know that Jeb's praise for Mitt Romney is nothing new.  In 2007, Bush notably urged his close confidants to meet and consider Romney before making any commitments in the 2008 election.  Many of his inner circle did just that, and several did join team Romney.  While quietly steering insiders toward Romney, Bush remained officially neutral until endorsing John McCain in the aftermath of his Florida victory.

The Club for Growth recently offered tepid praise for Governor Perry, while simultaneously cautioning followers about contradicting policy stances and an interventionist streak.  Current Florida Governor Rick Scott has been vocal in his man crush over Governor Perry, citing his pro-growth policies and job growth in Texas. Perry also recently claimed support from former President George W. Bush.

As Florida's Presidency 5 straw poll nears, insiders will be listening closely to behind the scenes chatter and maneuvering between the Perry and Romney camps for the support of grassroots conservatives.  Dedicated ground support will likely make the difference in Florida's delegate rich primary election next year.

Florida Governor Rick Scott.

Drawnlines readers have read some harsh words about Rick Scott.  During last year's primary election cycle I was - shall we say - decidedly for the other guy. When a good friend told me she was considering supporting Rick Scott, I thought she was kidding.  When she said she might work for his campaign, I almost passed out in horror.  It turned out a lot of other Republicans supported him as well - leaving the rest of us crying in our cocktails.

For all the concerns I had about Rick Scott becoming our Party's nominee for Governor, I held my nose and voted for him in November.  Like other Republican activists, I made phone calls, waved signs and cajoled wavering friends.  Quietly though, I wondered what kind of Governor he would make.  On some level, I was afraid he would win.

Governor Scott slowly allayed my fears that he would make a mockery of the Party.  As he delivered his first address, I found myself nodding my head and cheering - not out of obligation, but out of true agreement.  "Government has no resources of its own," he said, and "can only give to us what it has previously taken from us."  How true that is.  "Taxation, regulation, and litigation," he said, form "the axis of unemployment."  Thank God, I said to a friend, that Alex Sink was not the one addressing Floridians that beautiful winter morning.

That's the first time I thought, "Maybe we were right to take a chance on Rick Scott."

Governor Scott's pro-growth agenda hasn't amounted to just words.  He immediately went to work implementing his 7-7-7 jobs plan, aggressively tackling reckless spending and over-regulation.  He made tough choices that no other Governor would, and even took on special interests in his own Party.  When the Republican budget came across his desk, he vetoed a record $615 million in pork and special interest spending.  For his tough choices, he took a severe hit in the polls - even among Republicans.  But the Governor knew that doing the right thing eventually pays off.

Mr. Scott has already made good on many of his campaign promises.  According to Politifact Florida, he vetoed pork barrel spending, required drug screening for welfare recipients, expanded school options for parents, and aligned state employee pension contributions with other states - just to name a few accomplishments. His laser focus on job creation and government efficiency has already begun paying off.  This year, Florida rose from sixth to third best business climate in the nation.  Next year, the Governor pledges to overtake Texas for the number one position. As reduced spending has improved our balance sheet, S&P recently upgraded our debt outlook from negative to stable.  This is excellent news for all Floridians.

On the issues, Floridians support Governor Scott.  They like his tax cuts on property and small business.  His pension and education reforms are wildly popular, as well as drug testing of welfare recipients.  His tough decisions are benefiting every Floridian as they go to work at new jobs, their children attend better schools, and their government becomes more accountable.

Florida's future is looking brighter, and so is the Governor's approval rating.  As the amazing rebound unfolds, I'm relieved to admit the obvious truth.

I was wrong about Rick Scott.

Karen Harrington addresses crowd, primary victory, August 2010

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics:

Check out my regular column at the Broward GOP Insider.  This week: Governor Scott Needs Us.  As liberal bloggers and editorial boards pile on the Florida governor and our Republican legislators, President Obama and DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz are preparing a smear campaign.  They think that a coordinated message war on Florida Republicans can put the Sunshine State in Obama's column on Election Day.  I'm calling for a massive, grassroots push back to level the playing field.

Last night, the Miami Herald reported that former Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina conceded defeat to Carlos Gimenez in the runoff for Miami-Dade County Mayor.

With 100% of precincts counted, Gimenez ended the night ahead of his rival by around 4,400 votes. According to to the Supervisor of Elections office, most of that margin came from early voting. Robaina narrowly beat Gimenez in absentee ballots, while Gimenez narrowly led in Election Day ballots. The lion's share of Robaina's votes came from his stronghold of Hialeah, while Gimenez far outpolled him in SW Dade.

Mayor Gimenez immediately faces huge problems, beginning with a July 15 deadline to propose a county budget to the county commission that closes a $239 million shortfall. He will also face issues regarding mass-transit mismanagement, hospital mismanagement at Jackson Health, and deeply entrenched corruption in county government.

Former Mayor Carlos Alvarez was recalled in a landslide this spring, leaving Gimenez to fulfill the rest of his predecessor's term. In addition to governing, the new mayor must quickly begin campaigning for re-election in November 2012.

Minorities vs. Florida Democratic Party (FDP)  as redistricting battle heats up

Florida is in the middle of a huge battle over redistricting. With two new electoral votes and two new congressional districts to create, lawmakers must decide whether they care more about compact districts or minority representation. From both parties, representatives struggle over the definition over the word "fair".

Democrats argue that the current system is far from fair. David Wasserman of the Cook Political Report told 538, "I think anyone would agree that a 19-to-6 edge in the House delegation in Florida is a very overstated advantage for Republicans in a state that voted for Barack Obama." That assessment may seem fair on the surface, but both Republicans and minorities benefit from Florida's districting process.

That process fundamentally changed following the 1990 census, when Democrats still controlled the Florida legislature and wished to secure better minority representation in Congress. According to Sunshine State News, "This deal ensured a GOP majority at the Legislature and gave African-Americans unprecedented levels of representation in Tallahassee. It was a win-win for blacks and Republicans."

But the current system was designed to level the playing field for minorities. Indeed, Florida's minority representatives from both parties have been unequivocally against the Fair Districts Florida amendment. Corrine Brown (D-Jacksonville) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Miami) have mounted legal defense funds to reverse the decision, which could decimate their ethnocentric constituencies. Is this fair?

SSN claims that in an effort to white-wash their Party, Florida Democrats have orchestrated the Fair Districts effort in order to squash notions that Democrats are exclusively the Party of minorities. And the interview with Nate Silver proclaims that there is a long history of division among Democrats between minority protection and Party majorities.  Drawnlines hopes readers note this story the next time Republicans are accused of race baiting or being anti-minority.

St. Pete Times: Cannon and Haridopolos pose for a photo op.

House Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) and Senate President Mike Haridopolos (R-Merritt Island) began the 2011 legislative session by going out of their ways to ensure Florida that they would be on the same page.  After all, we wouldn't want another House-Senate smackdown (cough cough like the last two years).  Session went pretty well overall, but ended in meltdown.  Haridopolos was flabbergasted when the House timed out before passing tax relief. According to the Miami Herald, "The meltdown between Haridopolos and Cannon is a major embarrassment in a year when Republicans hold overwhelming majorities in both chambers of the Legislature." Haridopolos piled on, "To end this way, is a major disappointment to me personally and my fellow Senators are heartbroken by it."

But the bromance appears to be intact after all.  Speaker Cannon went a long way toward healing wounds as he appeared with Haridopolos to endorse his bid for US Senate to replace Bill Nelson.  Cannon gushed over his ally, "Mike Haridopolos is a trusted friend, a valued legislative partner, and a much-needed voice for conservative principles in Washington, D.C.”  The Senate President quickly returned the praise. "Speaker Cannon is a great leader who has worked with me in tackling entitlement reforms, cutting taxes, and ensuring that government lives within its means. I couldn't ask for a better partner in the Florida Legislature and I look forward to having the speaker join me on the campaign trail.”

Yesterday actually marked the second rollout of the the Cannon endorsement.  News originally broke in February that Cannon would support his legislative compadre in a private strategy session.

Politic365 - Alvin Brown campaign for Jacksonville Mayor

We warned you. As the news sets in that Jacksonville elected a Democrat mayor for the first time in 20 years, the partisan spin has heated up. In an email to grassroots supporters, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith said, "While a mere 1,648 votes may seem like a small number, it’s representative of a huge swell of Democratic supporters in Jacksonville, in North Florida and across the entire state that are working together to elect Democratic leaders that share our values and ideals. It was truly a victory for us all." As the race relates to upcoming elections, Smith added, "This momentum will help us as we work together to deliver Florida’s electoral votes to President Obama in 2012." Expect more crowing by the FDP as Democrats struggle to claw back from debilitating losses in 2010.

Marcelo Llorente is running for Miami-Dade County Mayor. Llorente has an impressive background as a Florida legislator. He also has a compelling personal narrative, which reminds us all of the American Dream. According to his web site, "One of his proudest accomplishments was an effort he spearheaded in 2009 to battle the growing “pill mills” plaguing the state, especially South Florida. The landmark legislation mandated the creation of a statewide prescription drug-monitoring database aimed at curbing the state’s flourishing prescription drug black market."

If elected, Marcelo pledges to transform county government, with a focus on eliminating fraud and investments in the local economy.  Polls show Llorente out ahead in the final days of the campaign.  Election Day is May 24.

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Pam Bondi -- Post Session "Report to the People" from The Victory Group on Vimeo.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi sent out a video this week, highlighting the many victories related to her office. The AG's office worked with the legislature to secure both partisan and bipartisan victories during the 2011 session. According to the Republican Party of Florida, "Bondi's legislative agenda included support for bills to stop prescription drug abuse, ban a dangerous new drug, separate the restoration of civil rights from requirements for occupational licensure, and affirm that no Floridian should be compelled by government to purchase health insurance." Pam Bondi has proven her mettle in short order. She deserves tremendous credit for landing these exciting victories on behalf of Florida.

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St Pete Times: Governor Scott's Florida Jobs Tour

The Republican Party of Florida sent out an email yesterday, pointing reader attention to an article from the Orlando Sentinel on the best states to do business.  Florida ranked third, behind Texas and North Carolina.  Of course, RPOF didn't fail to put a little partisan spin on the survey results - and rightly so.  Since the 1994 Republican wave, Republicans have had an increasing level of control over state policy both in the Governor's Mansion and in the legislature.  Republicans have consistently enacted pro-growth, pro-jobs, pro-business policy which has contributed to Florida's explosive population boom in the past two decades.  According to the RPOF, "In its annual survey, Chief Executive magazine cited the state’s low taxes, business-friendly regulations and quality of life." Governor Rick Scott has already made clear his determination to put Florida at the top of the list.

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One of the many heated battles in Tallahassee during this year's legislative session was over the issue of Florida's Smart Cap or Taxpayer Bill of Rights. We recently discussed Smart Cap on Drawnlines.  Sponsored by Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff R-Ft. Lauderdale, the bill passed the Senate and moved to the Florida House where it was carried across the finish line.  The issue will appear as a constitutional amendment on the 2012 ballot in Florida.  If adopted by voters, we believe it will be a big win for Floridians.

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Early voting ended Saturday in Jacksonville's mayoral race. The race features Republican Mike Hogan and Democrat Alvin Brown in a tight battle, with Hogan slightly ahead. Republican strategist Brian Graham commented that as the race comes to a close, anything can happen in a low turnout race like this one. Republicans and Democrats are eager to win this race and claim victory as a bellwether of Florida voter sentiment. Election Day is May 17.


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by Brian Graham

As a CEO you have many responsibilities. There is a board of directors, an executive staff, employees, shareholders and the public, all of whom you are accountable. Each set of stakeholders has a list of priorities and issues in which they are invested; as a CEO, it is your responsibility to understand, evaluate, and at times implement these priorities. Simultaneously, you must formulate and advance your agenda for the future success of your company. The most difficult issue facing any CEO is how to navigate these agendas and make decisions in the best interest of the company.

As Governor, Rick Scott has taken this approach as the chief executive of our state. Education, taxes, and entitlements have hundreds of interest groups, lobbyists, businesses, and politicians invested and seeking to advance their own agenda. In response, the Governor, like any great CEO, has listened to all the interested parties to understand their goals. Like any great CEO the Governor has his own plans for reforming these areas and like any great CEO he must stand up to these parties when their interests are not in the best interest of the state.

Public education is meant to serve the students but for years, unions, not teachers, have dictated to our state government what is best “for the children”. Our governor has listened to the unions, the school boards, the teachers and others that want to advance education policy. After considering the options, he made one of the hardest executive decisions in his political career; he ended tenure and tied teacher salaries to performance.

With revenue shortfalls and interests groups competing for state dollars, it appeared that there was no room for tax cuts. Governor Scott understood that cutting taxes is the first step to making Florida a desirable place for businesses to invest. While he received serious criticism, he made it a priority for our legislature to enact tax cuts to encourage growth and increase the potential for future revenue.

State entitlements for healthcare are difficult to fund, whether the economy is good or bad. Considering revenue shortfalls and looming costs, healthcare programs were in desperate need of attention. Governor Scott did not cower to special interests or fear negative publicity, rather he made a difficult decision to ensure Florida’s future and financial well-being. Through reforming Medicaid, he cut out the middleman, allowing patients and providers to make decisions on healthcare.

While his actions at times are misrepresented as “inexperienced” or “unpopular,” the chief executive of our state was elected to make decisions that are tough. He is not working to be the “most liked governor” or, the “interest group governor”; he is working to make our state the best it can be. Winston Churchill once said, “You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.” While we may not have a career politician, we have a chief executive that will stand up for Florida’s interest, and in the long run, we will be better for it.

Brian Graham is the Co-Owner of Dixie Strategies, LLC, a Florida-based political consulting firm.

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Politifact Florida recently rated Senator George LeMieux's claim that he never sought an earmark only "half true", while at the same time calling the individual parts of his claim "true." LeMieux maintains a spotless record of earmark requests, though Politifact chastises him for voting for bills that had earmarks already included in them.  One might ask himself, what other option did the senator have?  LeMieux responded that he was one of the Republican senators leading the moratorium on all earmarks.  He also reminded Politifact that even after voting to end earmarks, Democrat Bill Nelson later hypocritically requested them himself.

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by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics.

Last month at the Broward Republican Party meeting, we heard a lot about religion’s role in our politics. As irritating as that spectacle was, perhaps it’s appropriate.


The bible describes a time of religious persecution and exile, when believers were protected by a secret code known only to the faithful. Infiltrators were spotted and thwarted by their incorrect repetition of the Shibboleth.

Judges 12:6 - then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth; and he said Sibboleth; for he could not frame to pronounce it right: then they laid hold on him, and slew him at the fords of the Jordan. And there fell at that time of Ephraim forty and two thousand.

We see this repetition of code in our politics today.

In Florida, candidates are tripping over themselves to convince GOP activists they are the best Republican to take down Senator Bill Nelson in 2012. Staring down the GOP’s Amen Pew of activists and saying the magic words, candidates vie for the affection of Party faithful. They hit all the Republican talking points, wagering that their Shibboleth is most believable.

A candidate may tout his bona fides on taxes or spending. Citing scripture, they may send a wink in the way of so-called social conservatives on cough-cough “traditional values.” Of course, it’s only fair to make primary candidates do the Republican song-and-dance before we decide to accept them as our own. But can we demand purity among our rank and file activists?

Most card-carrying Republicans are proud to be part of a Party that celebrates individualism over collectivism. Yet there remains in our Party a fringe element, hell-bent on litmus testing our tribe for imposters. A self-identified Republican that happens to be pro-choice or pro-gay could easily be shunned, regardless of their other viewpoints. Recent backlash over a blog article proves the point all too well.

Some backward-looking fundamentalists harken back to “the values” upon which our Party was founded. Rather than improving upon our platform with each election cycle, they insist on the status quo. Luckily these forces against change do not own the Party, else our platform would still demand high trade tariffs, an end to the plantation system, and the annexation of Hawaii. To their horror, traditionalists would find that most Republicans once stood against tax cuts as economic stimulus – and were for strong regulation of industry. Are these the traditional Republican values we demand of ourselves today? Obviously, they are not.

So as times change, so too must our platform. As a true believer in smaller government and more freedom, I thank Jessica Osman and other Republican women for championing equality under law. Thank God a few brave Republicans have the gall to question our Party’s inclination to regulate the family, so anathema to the rest of our limited government platform.

If freedom-loving Americans don’t have a home in the Republican Party, who does?

Rather than casting forward-thinking youth like Ms. Osman into the eager arms of our opposition, we might find an inspiring lesson in her article. Equality under law is the most conservative, most distinctly American principle imaginable. It’s also very Republican. Her Shibboleth sure sounds right to me.

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