February 14, 2008

Area Republicans pick McCain

By Stephen McFadden

Publisher

Journal photo by Stephen McFadden

MCCAIN IS HIS CANDIDATE. Ritzville’s John Faure sports a campaign advertisement on his hat, showing his support for Senator John McCain as the Republican’s top prospect for President. Faure joined local Republican on Saturday for the party’s caucus at the Adams County Courthouse.

Local Republicans gathered in the Adams County Courthouse to caucus and cast their voice in support of the candidates vying to become the party’s presidential nominee.

The 19 who gathered last Saturday agreed the majority of the time with the Republican party’s platform issues, but were divided when it came time to give their support to a presidential candidate. Senator John McCain ultimately came out on top in the local caucus with 10 votes. Mike Huckabee picked up seven votes and Ron Paul earned two.

The caucus presided over by Randy Flyckt and Michelle Melgren, a member of the Adams County Republican’s governing board.

During an hour-long discussion the group considered many thoughts and opinions shared by individuals about whom should be president and what issues are of the highest priority.

To open the meeting Flyckt shared his poignant thoughts about the process and the party.

He addressed the notion that the Washington caucus happens after much of the country’s Republicans have already designated delegates to the various candidates. He stressed the value of the process having the opportunity to run its full course.

“If we end this debate by just saying that it’s over and voting for the one the networks say will ultimately win, then we run the risk of losing touch with what this party is ultimately about,” Flyckt said. “Then it simply becomes an establishment institution, with establishment candidates, and no clear vision other than to maintain the status quo.

“There are voices in the party who have yet to be heard,” he continued. “This campaign needs to go on. This party needs to stand for something. We need to have a debate and not lose touch with what kind of a vision we have for the future.”

The caucus participants also took time, divided among their respective geographic districts, to select delegates. Those delegates then have the opportunity to represent the party at the Adams County Republican Convention on March 29.

From there, delegates will be selected to attend the state convention in May in Spokane.

Delegates by district include:

Ritzville Ward No. 1, Nancy McBroom, precinct committee officer.

Ritzville Ward No. 2, no PCO or delegates.

Ritzville Ward No. 3, Randy Flycky, PCO; Michael Yarin, first delegate; and Karen Yarin, second delegate.

Ritzville Ward No. 4, Laura Danekas, PCO; no delegates and no alternates.

Ritzville Ward No. 5, Ann Olson, PCO, Kathryn Bowen, first delegate; and Dwight Bowen, alternate.

Ritzville Rural Northwest, Connie Kline, PCO; no delegates and no alternates.

Ritzville Rural Southwest, No PCO; Krista Faure, first delegate; John Faure, second delegate and Joan Harder, alternate.

Batum, Michelle Melgren, PCO; no delegates and no alternates

Washtucna, no PCO; Carey Marshall, first delegate; and Robert S. Marshall, second delegate.

Washtucna Rural, no PCO; no delegates and no alternates.

Lind, James Elkington, PCO; no delegates and no alternates.

Benge, no PCO; no delegates and no alternates.

Ralston, Curtis Hennings, PCO; Kenneth Hille, first delegate.

Lind Rural, Rudy Plager, PCO; no delegates and no alternates.

Fairview, no PCO; no delegates and no alternates.

Schrag, Dennis Swinger, Jr., PCO; no delegates and no alternates.

During the session, Flyckt noted the party’s long term accomplishments and encouraged healthy discussion.

“This is the party that ultimately brought an end to the Civil War and that championed the adoption of the 13th Amendment which put an end to slavery in America,” he said. “This is the party which, under the leadership of President Teddy Roosevelt, furthered the adoption of child labor laws, anti-trust legislation, established the federal parks system and reasonable reforms to the food and drug industry that made America prosper and grow.

“When we look back in time, this has not been a party of the status quo,” he continued. “This is a party that took a proactive stance to shape and build America for the future. We can be that party again.”