On 01-19-98, DON DELLMANN declared to ROBERT PLETT:
DD>Unfortunately, standing on Principle on one issue does NOT win elections.
DD>Pragmatism wins elections.  I would vote Libertarian if I thought they
DD>had a snowball's cahnce in you-know-where of winning, but since they
DD>don't, I have to go with the lesser of two evils.
The positions in your above paragraph have been argued here since long
before the last presidential election, and frankly, acting on such a
basis has proven extremely destructive to a once great party and added
to government growth, the erosion of our liberties, and the decay of our
society.
I'm in accord with W. Grover Coors, Golden, Colorado, whose letter
announcing his change in party affiliation from the Republican party to
the USTP's Colorado affiliate, the American Constitution party, follows
(Coors was not simply a big donor over many years, but active in
leadership circles).  It might also interest you and others here to know
that on the 15th, 10 committeemen/women (several had been party
delegates, one had been on the Kansas' party's rules committee, another
on the platform committee) resigned en masse from Kansas' Sedgewick
County Republican party to join the Kansas affiliate of the USTP (their
announcement to media gave the number (316) 263-3792 to call for
verification).  These are not simply single issue switches, but
certainly have been triggered by this latest demonstration in a now long
series of them of the inability of the Republican party to stand on
principles it espouses.
That "lesser of two evils" approach, along with the "big tent"
philosphy, has produced a party that, like Coors says, stands for
nothing, and which increasing numbers of folks of principle find
themselves no longer able to stomach being associated with.
-------------------------  Coors Letter -------------------------------
                                        W. Grover Coors
                                        109 Lookout Mountain Circle
                                        Golden, CO  80401
                                        (303) 526-2169
                                        January 17, 1998
James Nicholson
Chairman, Republican National Committee
310 First St., S.E.
Washington D.C.  20003
Dear Jim,
Today I am changing my affiliation from the Republican Party to the
American Constitution Party.  I suspect many like me will do the same.
This is a sad day in the life of what was once a proud party.  I was
with you in San Diego when a strong pro-life plank was put into the
Republican platform.  As you recall, it was this plank and the selection
of a pro-life vice-presidential running mate that allowed Pat Buchanan
to graciously bow out of the race so as not to split the party, even
though no one believed that Bob Dole stood a chance of winning the
election.  I now regret that I supported and encouraged that decision.
In the name of political pragmatism, the Republican Party has decided to
embrace all of its "friends" who advocate the most heinous forms of
infanticide.  In trying to stand for everything, you have made a mockery
of the platform and sent a clear message that the Republican Party
stands for nothing.  What's next:  Republicans for Socialism,
Republicans for Ethnic Cleansing, Republicans for Pedophilia?  I am too
ashamed for words to express how I feel about my long association with
the Republican Party.
Sincerely,
 - signed -
Grover Coors
(Note: A fax copy of this letter with Mr. Coors actual signature can be
sent to you by calling 817/367-3188 and leaving your fax number on the
recording.)
----------------------------- End Coors Letter -------------------------
Bob     /\-/\   - proud Ilk   homebody@galstar.com
C.A.T. ( o o ) Chapter Ilks
       == ^ ==
Green Country - Oklahoma      http://www.galstar.com/~homebody/
 * SLMR 2.1a * Republican party: the former home of Conservatism.
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