Grass Roots Activists discuss re-making of Republican Party

The message was clear, if not particularly pleasant, at the Nevada Active Conservatives Meetup on January 27; trust no one. Over 200 conservative grass roots activists gathered at the Clark County Library to explore guidelines for measuring conservative candidates, and to discuss how to have a direct voice in the re-making of the Republican Party.

Painting a bleak picture of politicians, facilitator Duane Smith, of Nevada Action Coalition , stressed that enemies within one’s own political party are more dangerous than enemies without. To emphasize his point, Smith presented research from the Nevada Policy Research Institute and Geoffery Lawrence, which rated Nevada’s legislators on their support of tax-increasing or tax-cutting proposals. According to the study, there was little support for tax-cutting proposals, even from Republicans.

Recounting his learning process, Smith reflected, “I didn’t realize the enemy was the entrenched Republican Party. I thought our enemies were the Democrats.” Using the NPRI report card as a visual point of reference, Smith gauged candidate support with an 80/20 formula; 80% agreement with a candidate and no more than 20% disagreement is workable. He insisted a 33% agreement was not acceptable.

Distrust

Smith also cited a recent Rasmussen poll that shows the Tea Party comes out ahead at 33% with voters not affiliated with either major political party, with just 12% preferring the GOP. The poll seemed to be confirmation that grass roots conservatives distrust Republican politicians as well as Democrats.

A guest speaker, requesting to remain anonymous, followed with insight into the Nevada political system, stating voter fraud is a large problem in Nevada. The political insider urged attendees to volunteer to work polling places during elections, and to remain vigilant, insisting it was one way to decrease voter fraud.

Discussing the infiltration of progressive ideology into government, the insider reported there are approximately 76 members of the Progressive Caucus in Congress and warned, “We have an ideological war in our country at many levels.”

Call to Action

Smith’s call to action for conservative grass roots activists is to support the Clark County Republican Party and be actively involved in holding the party accountable. He urged support for candidates who believe in the constitution in word and deed. Smith also requested volunteers for the Nevada Active Conservatives Strike Force precinct walkers to educate constituents on candidates for office.

As the insider insisted, “Your legislators, as you well know, are yours whether they love you or hate you. It’s up to you to do the reach out… you have to reach out to them.”