Has anyone in the Republican Party thought about how bad this makes them look? I know Kitty Wild didn't support Musgrave and maybe this offended Hunter who works for her. Anyway - Kitty should leave the party. Does anyone have the list of names asked to resign? I would like to see the list.

Thanks
--Bob

The fact they sent the letter asking Nancy to resign to the press first tells me it really was more press release than letter to the Chairwoman of the party. How can people openly support Libertarians and other silly candidates and want to be a leader in the GOP?
--Nathan

I like Ed Haynes and find him to be an agreable sort. However, he does have the "Haynes touch" where every candidate (inlcuding himself) he touches seems to fail. My vote will be to have someone new in the positon but not Haynes.

PS. I never knew he was from Tenn.
--Jim

According to our County Trustee, both Betts (Vice Chair of the Party) and Tim Fritz (Haynes collaborator) have their homes in foreclosure. Seems wierd they have time for all this stuff when they can't pay their lenders. Can you confirm anyone if this is the caee? Thanks
--Art M.

I am tired of the radical right wing christian coalition dominating the party. Ed will make a big change by getting these christian nuts out of the party and restoring the credibility of Republicans in Larimer County. I know Fritz, Kauffman, Marostica and Haynes have a better leadership corps in the wings ready to take over.

These people have real-world business experience that will better serve the party. Nancy Hunter intenionally trashed Yeldel's campaign because she refused to be born again like Nancy. Oh well.

The Republican Party needs to return to the traditional type Republicans who don't throw their religion in everyone's face.

THROW THEM OUT!
--Real Republican

Actually, the Larimer County GOP gave Anne Yeldell more money than the other candidates because they cared deeply about her and very much wanted her to succeed. FYI Anne Yeldell IS a born again Christian already, so your statement is false. Anne lost because she is in a hopelessly liberal district, and she had 2 other nuts taking votes away from her as well. Nancy is nothing but professional. I have known her for a while now, and have never heard her throw her faith into "anyone's face". She certainly is not "radical"- I am so tired of that word, find a new one will ya?
--Really Real Republican

Two OTHER nuts implies you believe Yeldell is a nut as well. I think she would be good for the party and stand by my statement that the religious crazies were against her.

Don Marostica didn't get ANY help from the Larimer County Republican Party but won anyway. He is the example of the kind of businessman who can help restore credibility to a party chaulked full of religious crazies.
--Real Republican

I think the world of Anne, and so do the other Christian crazies I befriend. Don didn't need the party's help, he won easily and put in enough money to make sure it happened. What examples do you have that she was treated unfairly by the GOP? They gave her more money than any other candidate, they worked tirelessly walking precincts for her and making phone calls. Some of the people closest to her in the party were the Christian supporters.
--Really Real Republican

I am sorry if Ed Haynes has not put "Really Real Republican" on his email list so you don't have the latest news on what they did to Anne.

Talk with Scott, he will be happy to tell you about how frustrating it was to get his Mom the support she needed. Scott is another great example of a young man who will go far in this party if we purge it of the radical christians
--Real Republican

By the way, I supported Eric Eidsness because of what he stands for. Trying to throw any of us out of the party for that was going one step too far.....
--Real Republican

Yes - you should resign if you openly supported a Reform Party nut.
--Art

Again, "Real Republican" please give us examples. What did Nancy or anyone else active in the Larimer GOP do to hurt Anne's campaign?
--Really Real Republican

The Republican Party wins when we have principles we believe in and don't drop for convenience. We forgot our principles in Congress and the public punished us for this.

Ed Haynes may believe sincerely that he needs to abandon Christ to achieve the leadership of the Larimer County Republican Party. That price is too high for those of us with moral values. I wear the condemnation for being Christian with pride as did many pilgrims who came here to avoid prosecution for their beliefs.

It is our Christian values that make you free and preserve the belief that all men are created equal in the image of God.

Let's not begin this year in petty arguments but instead come together as one party that beat the Democrats in the next election.

Also, I am very sorry to hear that Scott Yeldell feels his Mother was not treated fairly. We really need to come together and try to support all our Republican candidates equally in the next election cycle.
--Bob

Again, "Real Republican" please give us examples. What did Nancy or anyone else active in the Larimer GOP do to hurt Anne's campaign?
--Really Real Republican

They promised walkers and other volunteers who never showed-up. Told Anne money was coming (so she made plans) and delivered the money in the last minute when it was too late for her to use it effectivley. Yes, I will agree Nancy did do somethings to help but it was like pulling hen's teeth.

In the end, it was clear Nancy didn't care about our campaign.
--Real Republican

What about Wild Kitty or is it Kitty Wild. I saw a huge sign for Eidness on her property in Loveland. She also told many people about not voting for Musgrave. Does Ed Haynes plan to build the party with a bunch of Benedict Arnolds? What a poor Army that will be.

I am sticking with Nancy Hunter 100%. She is the George Washington in this bag of partisan snakes who always rises above the crap to do the right thing for the party. She is hard working, selfless and a person I admire.

As far as I am concerned, the yellow dog Republicans who wouldn't support their own party need to leave. Nancy was simply enforcing the rules of the party. If that was wrong, change the rules. Also, Don Marsotica seems to have his head so far up Ritter's behind he can barely be heard by anyone. What a discgrace.

Lets send Ed Haynes and his pack of Benedict Arnolds off to Canada where they belong the yellow dogs.
--Blanche

Benedict Arnold? Isn't that going too far? By the way, he was a great soldier and leader of men and is well regarded in Canada. It concerns me that Ed Haynes feels the only way to win Chair of the County Party is to tear others down. He needs to reconsider this and begin talking about the positive things he will do for the party instead of who he will purge.

Who is Laim Westin anyway?
--Gunther

I read the comments in the paper yesterday by Haynes about the need to "purge" certain people from the Republican Party.

All we will get from all this purging is an anorexic party which will be too sick to win elections. We need all the people we can get.

If Ed wants to purge, maybe he should start with his second or third lunch instead of the volunteers who make the GOP great!
--Barbara

I agree with you all, except for Real Republican. Ed, Fritz, Marostica and oh my gosh that Kitty Wild are not true Republicans. They in no way resemble what is a true Republican. Ronald Regan type, they are not. Rockefeller, perhaps. How can someone who openly supported Eidsness accuse Nancy of not being supportive enough of her own party? Did Haynes vote for Eidsness too? Wouldn't doubt it.

"Real Republican" must have come out of a recent coma to or an equally recent lobotomy to think that the Anne Yeldell campaign was sunk by a lack of help from the local party or its leadership. She got more money and more volunteers from the local Republican party and local activists than any other candidate for the legislature in the county. On top of that, Anne was and is a top notch person and a hard-working candidate. The primary cause of her loss was a 4 way race in a Democratic-leaning district. Even so, if there's a culprit to finger, it's her son & campaign manager, Scott Yeldell, who ran a pathetic campaign.
--Smitty

I wonder how many of these moderates even voted for Ronald Reagan, if they are old enough to have had the opportunity. My guess is that they were liberal, pro-abort Dems who made some money, then began to see themselves as "fiscally responsible" moderates. They are greedy for cheap labor so they promote the hiring of illegal aliens; they care nothing for the unborn; and they are in most respects indistinguishable from Dems. Of course, I am put off by them. Their hypocrisy and pomposity would be off-putting to any fair person. They want to purge anyone who reminds them of their own recent conversion to watered-down Republicanism. This is reprehensible. We will never be a big-tent party with losers like these in charge. I am an unabashed conservative. Even so, I would never think of purging from our County GOP even these putative Republicans. This Blog is absolutely correct in chastising these self-styled Imams of "moderate" Republicanism.
--Matt Chen
<mailto:sparkstract@verizon.net>

Matt, how did you get to illegal immigration? Ed Haynes believes that we shouldn't be asked to pay $100 for one head of lettuce.

The developers CREATE WEALTH. They have money and also donate to Republicans. Turning them off with litmus tests over illegal immigration, christian values (which really means only hiding your vices for male prostitutes), and gay marriage is wrong. If they start giving money to Democrats the Republican Party will be history.

We were in-charge of this party in Larimer County when Reagan was still a Democrat. These neoconservatives are nuts and need to be purged.

Ed has the backing of the best ($$$$) people in the party and deserves every delegate vote!!!

--Harold

Please stop talking about all this in an open forum. These issues need to be discussed at our next Central Committee meeting and not in public.

Thanks You
--Mimi V.

Mr. Chen, your $100 words don't impress me at all. It was the religious crazies who started taking leadership positions when others weren't paying attention. All Ed wants to do is make sure people who think abortion is more important than the national debt are not running the party.

We have other more important problems as a party. Spending time and energy on regulating what people do in the privacy of their bedrooms or hospital bed is outrages and NOT REPUBLICAN value based.

I thought we were the party of unlimited free commerce and private choices. The community of faith must understand that leaving religion at the door is an American value. Northern Colorado will never get strong leadership from bible thumping back-woods neocons intent on pissing everyone off.

--Real Republican

Harold:

We are a nation of laws. It is illegal to hire illegal aliens. Do you and Haynes really believe that unless employers break the law (and hire illegals), we would all be paying $100 for a head of lettuce? Is that what we paid for lettuce before the 12-20 million illegals sneaked across our borders? Do you feel a little silly making such a risible claim?

I say this to the developers: If you can't build without hiring illegals, don't build. I suppose you moderates are going to argue that without illegal labor, homes would be a lot more expensive. If you believe that, you probably also believe that the developers have been discounting their prices? Until recently, developers had no problem finishing their projects while employing U.S. citizens. Then developers who refuse to obey our federal laws decided that they could make a few extra bucks by employing illegals, leaving for the rest of us the mounting costs of educating the children of illegals, paying for illegals' uninsured emergency medical care, and dealing with their gangs, crime, and DUIs. Extra profit for law-breaking developers trumps everything else. How is that fiscally responsible? Oh, wait, I forgot, we need their political contributions at election time.

"Real Republican," you've got me wrong. I could care less what squalid or perverse acts you commit in your bedroom. I have no interest in your sex life. You flatter yourself thinking that anyone else cares either. I am unaware of any law, campaign, or movement which has as its object the abridgement of your right to do whatever you want in your bedroom. You have created a straw man.

And as for my "$100 words," you might express yourself more articulately if you learned a few yourself. You won't hear them in Boulder.
--Matt Chen

After my last posting and some reflection, I think I may have figured out why you moderates want to purge from the County GOP anyone who doesn't toe your particular ideological line. You can't help it. This is the way you have always behaved.

In 1976 the Republican Party ran a moderate for President, Gerald Ford. A lot of conservative Republicans sat out that election. Ford was a decent man who drew the ire of the liberal press when he courageously pardoned Richard Nixon. But, alas, he was an abysmal president. He signed the shameful Helsinki Accords, which recognized Soviet authority over most of East and Central Europe. He pursued detente, in effect recognizing Soviet hegemony throughout the world. He even kowtowed to the Soviets by refusing to allow the great Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn to visit the White House. But the last straw for many of us was his laughable performance in the televised debates with Jimmy Carter in which he said that the "Poles are a free and autonomous people." Republican voters deserted the party in droves and the silly-ass peanut farmer from Georgia was elected president. That was the bad news. The good news was that conservatives found their own candidate in 1980, electing Ronald Reagan, despite the opposition of the moderate wing of the party. The rest is history: We won the Cold War without firing a shot, tamed inflation, cut taxes, restored pride in America, and enjoyed seven years of uninterrupted prosperity.

You moderates would have purged and exiled the Republicans who could take no more of Ford in 1976. In historical hindsight, there was hardly a difference between Ford's performance as president and Carter's. Both backed down shamefully to the Communists. I have to conclude that if you'd had your way, the Republicans would be a permanent minority party and Reagan would never have been president. There might even still be a Soviet Union and a Berlin Wall, if you'd had your way.
--Matt Chen

What does that have to do with Ed Haynes running the LRC? I think he should be campaigning in a less divisive manner. By going to the press, Ed Haynes and his supporters have already damaged the Republican Party of Larimer County.

Any delegate who votes at the next Central Committee meeting should carefully consider whether they want Ed Haynes, a guy quick to bring dirty laundery to the pree for his own advantage, running the county party.
--Bob E

I think the recent letter to the editor by Willard Walker in the Coloradoan says it best:

Republicans abandon ship


Recently, the Reporter-Herald heaped praise on Gov.-elect Bill Ritter for selecting some quasi Republicans for important state positions. He certainly did select some (so-called) GOPers because they actually did support his candidacy.

What followed was as predictable as following a puppy with muddy paws across a white bedspread: Bill Kaufman and Norma Anderson (22 percent score by Colorado Union of Taxpayers) are both very liberal Republicans who helped him, and he gave them good cushy jobs.

ADVERTISEMENT

Whatever happened to party loyalty? Those of us who (sometimes holding our noses) voted for some of them are “rewarded” by gross disloyalty. Did you ever see a football lineman tackle his own ball carrier? Well, you did now.

In no way do I blame Ritter. If you can get an opposing player to help you, it is smart.
Thirteen players would win over 11. When we Republicans select our county board in February, remember those who jumped ship — and yet expect the financial and political support that good members deserve.

I might add that I and other “hardcorers” are unhappy with our leadership — both at state and national levels. Especially, are we unhappy how President Bush has not enforced our new laws protecting our borders against illegal immigrants. But we didn’t abandon ship.

Willard L. Walker,

Loveland


--Peter

Kitty Wild and her gang if disloyal Republicans who want so badly to support non-Republican candidates, should attend the meeting announced below -
The Poudre Valley Green Party will hold its first Green Party meeting of the year at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at 913 W. Oak St. in Fort Collins. Anyone interested in sharing ideas regarding the direction of the Green Party in 2007 are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be provided and disloyal Republicans are welcome.
--Ken

I got the letter from Ed Haynes saying he is running for Chairman almost a month ago. I liked the letter and wanted to vote for him.

If he is really behind Kitty Wild and others running to the media - no way.

I am not voting for him for sure.

Nancy Hunter WILL NOT be running again. You need to update your story and somebody better than Haynes needs to run!
--Gennifer

Will any conservative run to challenge that weak knee moderate Haynes?
--Nathaniel

Don't know, nancy announced she isn't running at the Monday morning Republican breakfast club. Seems strange no conservative has stepped forward to compete for the post

Good. Ed will do a great job!
--Real Republican

Fern Walover and Kitty Wild openly, publicly supported Eidsness in the last general election against Musgrave. Do you expect a candidate to trust a party where the very leaders and insiders are absconding with resources from inside the party to help your opposition?

Fern and Kitty are welcome in the Republican tent so long as they don't steal the poles!!! Given their track record maybe they need to stay out of leadership until they re-examine their own priorities.

The Republican Party should not be a social club for Libertarians, Greens or Democrats. Political parties by defeninition must be exclusive to some point or they are no longer a political party but a social club with incompatible objectives.

Abortion and same-sex marriage have nothing to do with their censure or invitation to leave. They simply openly and publicly supported non-Republicans to the dtriment of the party's honest volunteers.

Saying this is about abortion is like saying Benedict Arnold was disliked by George Washington because he preferred Hollandaise sauce on his eggs.
--T.T.

Hello, I am Ed Haynes. I just discovered this very interesting blog. I hardly recognize myself from these posts.
Just a few comments to set the record straight:
1 - I was born at Oak Ridge TN, my parents worked on the Manhattan Project.
2 - I support and always have supported Marilyn Musgrave. I wrote letters in her behalf (check the papers' archives), I sent her money (check the lists at the sec. of state.), and I voted for her.
3- Running for the position of chair constitues a 'takeover' of the party. Sure I have favorites just like you do.
4- I was one of the leaders of the campaign to extend term limits to three terms. We won.
5- I have not spoken or written to Kitty or Fern for so long I could not tell you when it was. I am not part of a conspiracy. In fact I believe Nancy did exactly the right thing in approaching them about their support for Eric.
6- 'Purge' was probably a bad word to choose, but it only applied to Mark Hotaling, who in violation of party rules and state law maintained his membership on the Larimer County Board for about 75 days after moving to Weld county. That kind of anti-Republican conduct must be acknowledged. I presented the evidence to Nancy in mid-November last year. He closed on his house on 1 Sep 2005. That kind of conduct needs to be purged.
7- I have never said I want to purge anyone from the party. My whole record has been to unite us all under the Republican banner. Moderate, Conservative or other must all be made to feel welcome. That is my goal.
8- C'mon Blanche, Benedict Arnold? I have worked for every Republican as party Leader and campaigner since I arrived in Larimer County.

Enuf. I hope some of you now a different view of who I am. I am a Republican! I work for all Republicans. I want every Republican to be helping us win every election.

If you want to contact me please fell free to call me anytime to discuss any of this or any other Party matter at 223-1311.

Oh yes, one last thing. Jesus Christ, his sacrifice, his commandments, his promises are the most important thing in my life. Am I a sinner, sure, but I love him with all my heart. I hope every person of faith, whether Christian or not, feels as blessed in their life as I do in mine.
--Ed Haynes
<mailto:ehaynes@verinet.com>

Thank you for that clarification. I will be supporting you at the Central Committee meeting February 10. I apologize for linking you with Kitty Wild, she supported you and indicated you supported her disloyal actions.

Regardless of who did what, this issue doesn't belong in the press and anyone who goes to the press should be warned they are not helping our party. Good luck to you and I hope to meet you at the Central Committee meeting
--Ken

Yes, thank you for the clarification. I now have a completely different view. You are right about purging being bad for the party.

Sorry, I cannot vote for you since I am not on the Central Committee.

Thanks
--Art

Ed, since you were head of Beauprez's campaign here in Larimer County, would you mind taking down his campaign sign out by Target on Hwy 34?

Thank you for that. I wonder what ALL the W's caught cheating on the party have to say for themselves? I would love to know what possible excuse there is for their actions.
--John &quot;silent majority&quot;

Has anyone confirmed the meeting is Feb. 10? Could Ed or someone please let us know WHERE IT IS. This reminds me of an old trick in third world elections - let everyone vote but only tell your friends WHERE the polling place is.
--Night Rider

The Central Committe meeting is scheduled for 10 Feb, at Boltz Jr. Hi, Fort Collins, check-in beginning at 8:00am, meeting convenes at 9:00am. All members of the Central Committee will receive their 'call' before 1 Feb with all of the details. We all owe Internal Vice-Chair Kristin Grazier our thanks for her work in getting this meeting set-up.

--Ed Haynes
<mailto:ehaynes@verinet.com>

Oops, Kristin is the External Vice-Chair.
--Ed Haynes
<mailto:ehaynes@verinet.com>

Can anyone go to the meeting or just central committee members?

Thanks Ed for the information
--John

I have a similar question - can we bring friends or family with us to the meeting?
--Jimbo

It is a public mtg. Everyone is welcome. There may not be chairs for everyone, but you can come and bring your family.

--Ed
<mailto:ehaynes@verinet.com>

It is a public mtg. Everyone is welcome. There may not be chairs for everyone, but you can come and bring your family.

--Ed
<mailto:ehaynes@verinet.com>

FYI- We Democrats are having our Central Committee on the same day, Feb. 10, at Lesher Jr. High in Ft. Collins at 9:30 AM.

Eric Eidsness, Kitty Wild, Bill Kaufman, Fern Walover and any other Republicans who fought against that terrible Musgrave or Beaprez are welcome to come and get to know everyone. Please consider the opportunity to join Larimer County's fastest growing political party!
--Pat
<mailto:info@bohemianfoundation.org>

That's embarrassing. It is time to stop this nonesense and begin enforcing the rules. Fern and Kitty ignored the rules, openly promoted a non-Republican and will not be welcome at the Central Committee meeting. If I see either woman voting I will raise the issue with the Chair.

Let's leave party leadership to Republicans and get the RINO's out. Fair weather Republicans we don't need.
--T. Terryll

Mr. Haynes, I respect your position and believe you have been badly missrepresented by both the story and comments here.

However, one thing I don't understand. You said the only guy you want to purge is the leader of the Christian Coalition who moved out of the area a year ago. Fine, I agree but does that mean you support the two woman who flaunted publicly their disrepect for the rules and will allow them to vote at the Central Committee?
--Art

Well, maybe you will not get that answer you want. Why isn't there any information on the Dems Central Committee??? Anyone know who is running??
--John

A list of the current candidates is now available - for Larimer County Central Committee. You can find the link on the LovelandPolitics.com homepage (the link is to the right of the dueling elephants).
--Guch
<mailto:guchwale@aol.com>

I didn't know Dan Betts was running again. Has he announced?
--Tom

Not for Vice-Chair. He is running to be a bonus member of the Executive Committee.
--Jannice

Here's the latest:
Ed Haynes - Chair
Kristin Grazier - Internal Vice-chair
Devon Lentz - External Vice-chair
Tom Lynch - Secretary

Male Bonus:
Dan Betts
Larry Carillo
Walt Skowron
Bob Lynch
Greg Snyder

Female Bonus:
Jeanne Laudick
Kareen Davison
Charlie Gann
Aislinn (Hamilton) Kottwitz
Lorna Spear

There are others, these are my favorites.

--Ed

Thanks Ed. The candidates and pictures we have been sent were posted at www.lovelandpolitics.com/centralcomm.html
Also, Bob Lynch, Charlene Gann and Don Dazlich just sent out cards announcing they are running as Bonus Members or (in Don's case) as LCRP Secretary.
--Liam