On February 20th we have a responsibility to elect a new Chairman for the Republican Party of Florida. The new Chairman will represent all Florida Republicans.  We as a State Committee owe every Republican a decision based upon honest effort and discussion about who will be best for the future of our great party. 

As you know I ran for the Chairman’s position last year.  I talked with many of you and discovered that people liked my positions and ideas but felt the party needed Jim Greer at the helm because of Governor Crist’s fundraising ability.   I also found that our party has been deeply divided for quite some time. 

In talking to you, I found that Jim Greer was going to receive over 70% of the vote, so I made a decision to withdraw from the race.  My sole intent was to remind everyone who our real enemies are and attempt to rise above the intraparty divisions that weaken and distract us.  Unfortunately, during the last year, these divisions and distractions have only gotten worse. 

I have no doubt that Senator Thrasher is an honorable man and would do a great job as Chairman.  I also have no doubt that his detractors will do everything possible to highlight his conflicts of interest which will reflect negatively on our party.  There will be ongoing issues about raising money during session and the conflict of running for re-election while you are party chair.  His primary issue is fundraising.

I have no doubt that our National Committeewoman, Sharon Day, would also do a great job as Chairman in motivating the grassroots.  However I do not think it is proper for a person to hold 2 positions within the RNC; one as Chairman and the other as National Committeewoman.  Her primary issue is “elected or appointed”.

These two candidates have stated they would only serve the remainder of the current term, but the pendulum is swinging far too swiftly for the position of Chairman to be occupied by a mere place holder.  We need a Chairman who has the vision and the ability to move the party forward and build off this current paradigm shift.  Decisions we enter into today will directly impact 2012 and beyond.  These decisions will affect our ability to compete in the future. 

We cannot sacrifice our party’s future for the sake of political expediency today.   The divisions within our party still exist.  They are just being represented by two new faces.  You have money and legislative arm twisting versus the grassroots and a State Committee choice for an “elected” Chairman.  Neither side offers any substantive positions about how they would lead. 

As such, I would propose to Mr. Peter Feaman and Mr. Bob Starr that they combine the Chairman’s Caucus with the Committeeman/Committeewoman Caucus on Friday Feb 19th and host the 3 candidates in an informal debate.  The State Committee would be able to ask the questions that need answered in order to make an informed decision.  This decision will be critical to the future of the RPOF.

In the interests of full disclosure, I want you to know that I do have an agenda.  I want to elect small government Republicans.  I would like you to understand the why of what I am trying to accomplish so that we can become partners and move the Party forward together.  Times have changed.  Politics cannot be “business as usual” anymore or we will lose.  We must unite around principle.

Our goal must be to elect Republicans for the next generation, not just for the next election cycle.  As you read these pages, you will understand my vision for the future of our party.  I will implement practical solutions and introduce more technology which will allow us to grow and become better.  I encourage the other 2 candidates to share their vision for our party and disclose how they would achieve it. 

I fully understand what is happening today because I am part of it.  I am a founding member and organizational leader of the fastest growing grassroots non-profit in America.   We have raised millions of dollars from small donors solely on the basis of small government ideology and Constitutional issues.  We have recruited thousands who are ready, willing, and able to work for candidates who share these principles. 

This ideology mirrors our party’s guiding principles of less government, fewer taxes, more personal responsibility, and more individual freedom.  These are the principles which set our Republican Party apart from any other. However, we have to get back to basics and once again put these principles first in order to regain the trust of the voters.  By placing “principle over politics” we can position Republicans as the dominant party for the next generation.

We only have a short time to get this right or we will be swept away by political events beyond our control.  Fundraising and grassroots are important, but a two legged stool will always tip one way or the other.  A solid foundation needs a third leg.  Fundraising and grassroots cannot be effective without ideology.  Ideology provides the foundation and cement that holds the other components together.

If you are an REC Chairman you have an obligation to your local REC members.  If you are a State Committeeman or Committeewoman your obligation is to the Republican voters in your county.  If you are an appointed member your obligation should be “principle over politics”.  

As Feb 20th approaches, I would like to ask that every member discard any preconceived notions and previous voting commitments.  Exercise your due diligence, reach an informed decision based upon all the facts, and only then vote your secret ballot according to principle.  JC Watts once said, "Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking”.   Let’s show the world that RPOF has character.
    
Thank you for your consideration.

Mark Cross
Osceola State Committeeman