A Tough Choice

UPDATE

Jim Purcell reports rumors that Scott Broschart will be Adam's Executive Director. If true, the choice of Jim Giannell just got a whole lot easier.

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I was just about to post an endorsement for Jim Giannell. I've always favored Jim's open candidate selection stand, and I was persuaded that we would have well funded campaigns under his leadership.

Then an email that Adam's campaign sent out this afternoon was forwarded to me, which included what I understand to be a change in Adam's position on conventions. The email states,
"I seek a convention process that empowers our Republican County Committee, and allows them to make fair, even-handed decisions. I seek a process that not only produces great candidates like Freeholder Burry, Freeholder Little, Rosemary Peters, and Andrew Lucas, but one that also heals divisions and ends factionalism."

Shortly after receiving that email, Puharic supporter Brett Palat posted:

"I would like to clarify some misstatements made about Adam Puharic's position on the election process for County Chairman. Adam cannot and is not seeking to change the election process. His idea is simply to create a screening committee to ensure that potential candidates are serious about running for the position." "

I have some concerns about Adam latest communication, which overall I really like.

How does a chairman create conventions that "heals divisions and ends factionalism", without closing the process. A chairman can't mandate maturity. Races will be hard fought and a good chairman will bring all sides together after the contest and heal the wounds. And for that to happen, the chairman can't openly favor one contestant over another.

Regarding Brett's clarification, "His idea is simply to create a screening committee to ensure that potential candidates are serious about running for the position." Has that really been a serious problem? So what if a candidate wants to use a race to get better known for future races, knowing that they don't have a chance this time. We don't need a screening committee. Let the candidates do the work to win over the county committee. Its good practice for general elections.

The other concern I have is the same one I stated in the last post. Adam apparently has party resources at this disposal that the other candidates do not have. Will this favoritism continue during a Puharic chairmanship?

All of this still has me leaning toward Giannell. Yet I can't pull the trigger. Adam has promise. Both men want a united, well funded party with by laws and county committee participation. So I say to both of you...show me. BE UNITED. Stand at the dias tomorrow together, hand in hand with Jim as Chair and Adam as Vice Chair, or the other way around. Work it out and make it work.