In today’s The Iowa Republican (TIR) a lengthy report is made by its editor Craig Robinson that details allegations made about a Republican State Senator associated with the 2012 Ron Paul campaign. The particular report is solid reporting. The publication is also not shy about gigging Republicans in party leadership positions especially that have been associated with Ron Paul campaign, for their excesses, foibles and general performance. Indeed such criticism is a staple of at least one of the publication’s “masthead” contributors. It is inline with what political blogs should be doing including those with “Republican” in their name and which purport to be philosophically supportive of Republican principles.
The idea of a Republican Eleventh Commandment . . . “though shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican” must have been stated by someone who had never experienced a primary. It is often attributed to Ronald Reagan but we doubt he considered it a limitation on telling the truth, or stating a defensible observation or opinion about a fellow Republican, or calling them to task. Anyway that would be our view. Of course gross distortion of the truth about a politician’s position, 11th hour attacks, and perfidy towards the platform and other offenses are wrong.
We, that is this publication’s humble editor, held forth in the comment section relevant to the TIR story referenced above. The gist of it is that no element or leader of the Party is immune from criticism. As regards this publication, when we observe Republican leadership in our field of view shortchanging fellow Republicans, doing something damaging to unity, or performing poorly in holding up the principles of the Party, we are going to say so. It is no different then the estimable TIR which has focused its critiques on a different element of the Party of late. Disagree . . . our comment line is open. But grow up if you feel it is somehow an affront to you or someone else’s status. R Mall
