RIGOP Dissension II: Further Illumination

I noted earlier that there was some dissension in the RIGOP as two local GOP committees had called for RIGOP leader Patricia Morgan to step down. Well, the comments to the original post have provided further illumination and are worth highlighting.
First to comment was the anonymous “Robert,” who had some unkind things to say about Scott Bill Hirst:

Unfortunately, I happen to know Scott personally. Hirst does nothing to help the party. He is always bringing it down, in any way he can. I find him very destructive to a party that is on the move.
Get over it!!!
When everyone sees the fruits of the 1/2 mill. on Election Night in 2006 maybe he will shut his mouth.
If he put half his energy towards the Democrats in this state, instead of always attacking his own party, we wouldn’t be such a small party.

Will Ricci, Rhode Island editor of GOPUSA responded with:

“Robert,” I also happen to know Scott personally. Although I can attest from firsthand experience that Scott can be a bit quirky at times, his heart is usually in the right place. Scott is currently noncommittal regarding who he supports in the US Senate race. One thing that I think it very important here is that this isn’t just Scott Bill Hirst venting (and I believe he would have every right to do so), as it is a considerable segment of the party at large which is sick of blindly playing “follow the leader” and not seeing any good come about as a result. To be perfectly honest, I don’t care who leads the party, as long as they are providing real leadership and not more excuses for repeated failure.
I think one of the reasons why our party is in the mess that it’s in, and has been in for a very long time, is that the leadership of the party generally doesn’t reflect the views and attitudes of the rank and file members of it. This is not particular to RI, it is quite common nationwide. The RNC itself (this may surprise some libs) is not a conservative organization. Their willingness to sell out principle for political expediency time and time again reflects that. Unfortunately, too many within the RI Republican Party are “sheeple.” People that are all too willing to do what they are told, in order to get some perceived benefit from it, or more often than not, because they fear retribution.
As for the $500,000.00 worth of in kind assistance (it’s not cash!) from the RNC for “party building,” if it actually ends up being used for party building, instead of “Chafee building,” I will be a very happy camper (and I’d guess, the Laffey camp would be, too). Your hope is based on trust; trust needs to be earned. I’m much more concerned about the long-term health of the RIGOP as a viable alternative to the Democrat Party here, than I am about the fortunes of Sen. Chafee. A little over a year from now, the RIGOP will still be around. However, I absolutely believe that there will be a new senator representing us in DC (don’t underestimate Laffey, as it appears the NRSC already has!).

Also joining the fray was “Jim,” who provided further insight into Morgan’s specific charges against Mayor Laffey.

I found this paragraph in the Chariho Times article rather puzzling: “Morgan stated she finds it ironic that when Laffey ran for reelection in Cranston as the mayor, he received the endorsement, and money from the state party that his opponent wasn’t extended. In Morgan’s opinion, it’s only now that the system is working against him that he sees it as corrupt”.
Patricia Morgan seems to continue to have a big problem with the truth. As finance chair for the Laffey mayoral campaigns, I am in a position to know whether money came in from the RIGOP, as Morgan supposedly claims. Also, as a member of the RIGOP executive board, I would have knowledge of any endorsements that took place. Furthermore, these things are easily verified through campaign finance filings and meeting minutes.
Oddly, I have no recollection of either of Morgan’s contentions having happened. In fact, after a quick review, I found no money coming in from the RIGOP to Steve Laffey. But, I did see how Steve Laffey gave the maximum contribution of $1000 to the RIGOP, each year over the last few years.
Does this woman even think before she talks?? Are you beginning to see the pattern here?

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Will
18 years ago

What an excellent post. Could have written it myself. Oh wait, I did! Anyway, what’s important here is the need to address the substance of the problems mentioned herein, and not just attack the messenger. Ignoring problems doesn’t make them go away. All it usually does is lead to greater problems down the road.

Marc Comtois
18 years ago

Will,
I agree. Airing out these things is all part of the process of determining in which direction the RIGOP wants to go. Do they want the status quo or do they want to embrace more mainstream conservative Republicanism and be forthright in their ideals and goals? In other words, are they willing to be lambs or lions?

Will
18 years ago

Marc,
As I’m sure you know, it’s very easy for people to act like sheep … sheeple! That is until the other party’s lion comes and eats you!
Very good postings here.

Scott Bill Hirst
Scott Bill Hirst
18 years ago

Hi!
I will describe my personal record on a future post.However it should be known that this is more than my own disdain for Patricia Morgan.Republicans are willing to actually VOTE to take a vote in regards to her!I think Robert should identify himself!
Mrs.Morgan is quite petty.Notably going so far as giving me a hard time when I was in New York City last year to attend the GOP national Convention and getting a guest passes!Two sitting Republican State Representatives intially were NOT going to be part of the 2004 national convention delegation in New York City namely Victor Moffitt and Joe Scott.Victor was going to be on my alternative slate of delegates voted at the June,2004;but he defected to the establishment slate.The establishment didn’t include Joe Scott until after the vote for at-large and at-large alternate delegates.I don’t believe Vic actually attended the convention however.Joe did.
Regards,
Scott Bill Hirst
Member,Hopkinton,R.I.,Town Council,1996-2004.
401-377-4643

Fred on the Blog
Fred on the Blog
18 years ago

Very nice post. I believe that MS. Morgan may have the beginnings of memory loss. Since the pattern that has been described and seen by many people, has been on going since a cool day at a west warwick VFW Post when Conservatism was considered a virus by the RIGOP. Can you guess the year? RIGOP Chairman was from Woonsocket.

Scott Bill Hirst
Scott Bill Hirst
18 years ago

Hi!
I maybe quirky as Will Ricci described but I am basically a nice guy.I come from GOP roots studied political science in college.I have been too a number of political conventions and conferences.I belong to the American political Items Collects,I believe that may be the correct web site.I am the ONLY living former Town Council member to have been elected four times in Hopkinton,Rhode Island.
I am President of the Hopkinton Historical Association as well as Master of New London County(Connecticut) Pomona Grange No.6,P.of H.,.I am also Junior Warden of my Masonic Lodge Franklin Lodge No.20,F.&A.M.,.in Westerly,R.I.,.
I do want to point out if you want to meet me personally I plan to be at the South County Coalition breakfast this Saturday,October 15Th(8 AM) at the Gen.Stanton Inn,Route 1-A in Charlestown,Rhode Island.Reservations not necessary but helpful.Call Charlie Beck,Charlestown Chair at 364-6367,if interested.Prices are usually very modest at these events.
Regards,
Scott Bill Hirst
(401)377-4643

Scott Bill Hirst
Scott Bill Hirst
18 years ago

Hi!
E-mail me directly my full name at yahoo.com.It is the same at excite.com but I don’t use the last one regularly.
Regards,
Scott Bill Hirst
401-377-4643

Tom
Tom
18 years ago

I really enjoy reading your articles. Keep up the great work.
TBoardenson

IRS
IRS
18 years ago

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