I attended the District 35 Republican Caucus today and was overwhelmed by the huge turnout. It literally was standing room only! I walked into this hoping to walk out as a delegate to the county convention and yes, I was voted in as delegate two of three. But more on that later in this post. First, I'll address the local issues we identified...

Locally, our biggest issue was being included in the Port of Bremerton and all the associated Mary Ann @untington taxes. Secondly, property rights. Finally, the proliferation of convicted sex offenders in our neighborhoods. This, of the three, was the only unanimous issue our district agreed on. Moving to the state level, transportation was a hot topic as was the fact that King County should be split as it tends to carry statewide elections and is not truly representative government.

Jan Angel and Randy Neatherlin, two local Kitsap County politicians, showed up to address the crowd. Any reader of this blog knows that as much as I love and admire Jan Angel, I have had some very serious issues with her in the past regarding the NASCAR and some property rights issues, but I've grown up a bit and put them behind me.

We had five delegate candidates, so we each stood and gave a little mini campaign speech about why we would be the best choice to represent our district at the county convention. I spoke of my thirteen years at the Kitsap Sun newspaper, which allowed me to meet many local politicians and get become intrinsically familiar with local issues. I was president of the local Kiwanis club and have been very active on many fronts, including chairing the 2007 South Kitsap Relay for Life and chairing the local Homebuilder's Association Home Show two years in a row. (Yes, Robin Vance, I said TWO years. In a row.)

After being elected as a delegate to the county convention, I admitted that I am "Uncommitted" regarding a Presidential choice. It's no secret that I voted for Romney in the Primary, but it was basically a vote against McCain. But I'm no Romney lover ... I enjoy my second amendment rights and am a proud gun owner, not the type of voter Romney caters to. I was born and raised in Arizona, and lived there for 28 years. I met McCain once and saw him three times. And I voted for Romney.

That said, I will support the party nominee - whomever that may be - even though I am very upset with my party. You'd think we would have learned years ago (can you say "Bob Dole") but here we go again, a handful of non-choices for a nominee.

If you disagree, please weigh in. I'm seriously looking for some direction because I don't want to flip a coin for the Presidency. Meanwhile, I'm happy to be a delegate and I hope to go all the way to the National Convention. It would be a dream come true, and I'm very humbled to represent my district in this critical election.

Posted by Jim W Coleman at 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Kitsap County Republican Caucus, Dist. 35, as experienced by 17 year old Erica Coleman:)

Period 4, US History, February 9th, 2008

Many people may wonder what a caucus is, and what the point of one may be. Today, February 9th, I learned that electing a president is much more complicating than checking a little box on a ballot. While that vote counts, it really depends on the electoral votes that brought forth from every state that determines who the president will be. At a caucus, you have the opportunity to discuss candidates from your preferred party, as well as issues that you think need to be addressed at the Washington State Convention.

The discussion focused on problems in Kitsap County, as well as problems that are arising throughout our state. I heard about taxation and private property rights a lot throughout people's conversations. Their main point on taxation was that the government should not be adding excess taxes that aren't necessarily needed to meet public needs. As I have started paying attention the campaign for presidency and to the different views from opposing parties, I believe that some of the things that democrats want to start taxing American's for are unnecessary. When it comes to private property rights several argued that the government should not have a say on what you do on your property. Granted, if it is illegal it is understandable but one of the stories there caught my attention.

Michael owns a small business, and the government said that he could not have his equipment on his property, because it is not a commercial business. In my opinion, I believe that if he personally bought the equipment, he should be able to keep it wherever he chooses. Another thing that caught my attention when it came to private property rights was that you cannot build a building on your property that is within 200 feet of any wetlands. Although this is a good thing when there are animals that could be in danger, who is to draw the line when there aren’t any animals living there?

Having never been to a caucus, I was not sure what to expect, but there a lot of people who came to support the Republican Party. In our precinct, there were several people that were nominated for delegates. When it came down to it, I was very proud to hear that my dad was one of the three with the popular vote, and he will be attending the Kitsap County Convention, with hopes of making it all the way to the National Convention.

Posted by Jim W Coleman at 3:42 PM | Permalink

As a very hard core and persistent conservative Republican, I'm becoming more and more disenfranchised with my party. Though I agree in large part with Bush's policy regarding what once was called the "War on Terror," I haven't been thoroughly enamored with his Presidency. Yes, even I think it's time for a change. And more and more, it's looking like change will come in the form of John McCain - *provided* he can beat Hillary and/or Obama.

I got my Washington State ballot and I just couldn't vote for John McCain. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and I hold no high opinion of McCain. And lately, my feelings toward him have coalesced into a firm anger. I am fond of saying that I'm not religious, I'm not always right, and I'm *certainly* not part of the "religious right." Those people embarass me into sometimes not admitting my party affiliation. But I'm very conservative in the fiscal and security realm. John McCain does not show high water marks in either category, despite his proud boasting of being called "Sheriff McCain" when it comes to the pork barrel. And lets not forget the savings and loan scandal that invariably comes up when McCain comes to mind. Nor his intolerance. He claims he will "reach across the aisle" to the Democrats. He can't even do that with his own party.

I voted for Mitt. I have serious reservations there, too. And now, it's looking like I wasted a vote, as Mitt isn't going anywhere fast. Again, I blame the party. Why couldn't I have a real viable candidate with whom to place my trust? Why am I, like many of my Republican and conservative associates, feeling like we should just throw up our hands and let the Democrats take it? After all, they are making promises they can in no way keep. It might be real entertainment to watch them try to pull it all off. But at what expense?

I will caucus on Saturday and I will caucus with all my heart. I will offer to be a delegate and if I'm accepted, I'll go to the convention and wear my patriotism and conservatism on my arm. But where are my choices? Where is my party? You want to reach across the aisle, John McCain? Start with me. Because you need me.

Right now, I don't need you. I've almost consigned myself to taking a seat near the back to watch the four-year B-rated movie that is coming ... we're watching the previews now.

Posted by Jim W Coleman at 6:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)