Final Thoughts on the RPI Vote
January 14, 2009 by Danny Carroll
A few days have passed since the vote for a new State Chairman by the Republican State Central Committee last Saturday. By now most observers know that Matt Strawn was elected by a vote of 10 to 7. I was honored to be a part of that process and of course disappointed with the results. I really thought I had nine votes as the committee prepared to convene Saturday morning. However, one person who had said he would vote for me changed his mind. Another member of the committee voted for Matt without saying anything thus the 7 remaining votes.
While I am disappointed and I feel bad for the hundreds of supporters that worked on my behalf, I do believe things have a way of working out. We cannot know the future and I still have faith in our system of government. I know it is frustrating and inefficient. People fuss and fight with one another. But through it all our state and nation has survived. Our system of checks and balances seems to be effective in both party party politics as well as government. Just the fact that we had significant competition for the chair position was a good thing.
I may have fallen short in my quest for State Party Chair but I am not ready to quit the fight for conservative values. The next few weeks and months will allow some time for reflection as Joy and I consider the future. I wish to thank everyone who contacted central committee members on my behalf. I was truly humbled by the support I received.
Finally wish Chairman Strawn all the best as he takes over leadership of the party.
Danny’s RPI Conference Video
January 4, 2009 by Danny Carroll
Friends,
I was fortunate to get some video from the recent Republican Party of Iowa forum. Below are my opening remarks. Thanks to all who attended and to RPI for hosting the event. -Danny
On Party Unity
January 2, 2009 by Danny Carroll
I read a letter to the editor in this morning’s Des Moines Register about Republican Party renewal or reorganization. The letter, by Chris Atchison from Iowa City, applauded Maggie Tinsman for her proposal of an agenda that is “open and inclusive”. Mr. Atchison laments those social conservatives that refuse to compromise their beliefs.
This ongoing tension within the party is perplexing because we all know that in order to advance any agenda we must be successful at the ballot box. At the same time we understand that party members are usually motivated by closely held beliefs and philosophies that allow for very little compromise. So what are we to do? How can we be united when we are so divided?
This problem is not unique to the Republican Party. Almost all organizations are made up of individuals and small groups that are passionate about their cause. Those who are successful find a way to bring their members together as a team.
The answer I think has a lot to do with respect. As a member of the House Republican Majority Caucus for twelve years I worked with dozens of fellow Republicans that did not share my views on abortion, marriage, family, taxes, spending, health care, gun control, gambling and the list goes on. But we always knew that we had to come together in unity in order for any of us to advance the causes we cared about. We worked together whenever we could. When issues separated us we continued to show respect even if we were to be working and voting against each other. We knew another day would come when we were together on a different issue.
Mutual respect comes from trust. Trust comes from transparency, wisdom and consistency regardless of how often or how loud it is expressed. Respected leadership will bring unity and unity will advance our conservative agenda, broad and inclusive as it may be.
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Local Taxpayers Beware - Commentary on DSM Register piece
December 29, 2008 by Danny Carroll
“Plan Would Give Iowa Cities Power to Tax Incomes”
The Register’s Jason Clayworth writes, “Cities would have the power to tax Iowans’ incomes as a way to reduce the reliance on property taxes under a proposal that will be pitched to lawmakers next month.”
Local taxpayers need to beware.
The latest suggestion to allow local governments to tax incomes in order to reduce the reliance on property taxes is troubling. I say troubling because I do not believe there will be any “reduced reliance on property tax”. Most likely the local taxpayer will continue to pay the same or higher property tax and an additional tax on income as well.
If the legislature wants to debate the idea of exchanging one tax for another so that the net impact on the taxpayer is neutral to positive then that is another matter. The only way to protect against this result is to permanently remove from the Iowa Code a requirement for certain services to be paid for by the property tax. Any proposal to allow local governments to tax income should at least be coupled with the removal of an equal or greater property tax requirement. However, the nature of government is to only talk about reducing taxes and in the end the taxpayer finds out they end up paying more.
For the most part this discussion is not about reducing the reliance on any tax, it is about finding a way for government to take more out of the pocket of the taxpayer.
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The Iowa Republican Party and Technology
December 26, 2008 by Danny Carroll
There has been a lot of talk lately about the use of technology in politics. I think what is meant most often by “technology” is the use of websites, YouTube, Facebook, email lists, Twitter and the like. To be sure these are fascinating new ways of communicating. But they are just that….ways to communicate. They are inexpensive, timely, convenient and less vulnerable to manipulation by journalists.
The new State Republican Party Chair must have a passion for and familiarity with current communication technology. He or she must, however, not make the mistake of thinking that technology alone will win elections. Ideas and people win elections.
Communication technology is a tool in the campaign tool chest. To the extent a candidate can effectively communicate her/his message they will gain votes. Republicans especially have a compelling message of conservative, traditional values. The more people we can reach with our message and the better able we are to communicate that message the more victories we will see.
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