Stephen Duncan, our 11th District Republican Chairman, sent the following important message on how we can make a difference as Republicans in the 11th District.

Dear Fellow Republicans:

I would ask you to take a moment and consider any of the alternatives to the Republican aspirations for our communities.  There are NONE that provide opportunity, hope, fairness and ultimately a better today and tomorrow for our families, friends and those we leave the future too.

We, or a majority of those who understand the Republican dreams for our nation and beyond, agree substantially that we lost in 2006 for at least two reasons. I know there are other suggested reasons but these two seemed to be the root of the dissatisfaction:  1) The Republican Party was held to a higher standard because our Party offered a higher standard and when Party leaders failed to honor our agenda, becoming in many circumstances, no different than the Democrats, the voters were hurt and mad and took out their frustrations and disappointments against our Party and leadership; and 2)  We must as a Party, re-establish ourselves as the Party of values, moral and ethical, a Party that can lead by principle and not politics as usual.

WE HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT, OFFERING REAL CHANGE TO THE BUSINESS AS USUAL APPROACH, AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAN AND WILL MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE TO ALL!

There are many ways to present new ideas and without a doubt there are POSITIVE PRESENTATIONS that will get out our message of enthusiastic hope as well as inspire people to follow.

Therefore, I am asking that you consider the following:

1)  Consider reviewing the attached video of the Republican Party Candidate for Congress, Dr. Carl Mumpower. Please take time to hear and see the responses to many tough questions and to hear his message of his candidacy. (This is a 90 minute presentation but you can also find other shorter clips at this same online site.)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7738670528632109809&hl=en

2)  Consider inviting Carl Mumpower into your community … have him visit with your Executive Committee, set up and stage a large public Town Hall styled event for the general public or any setting where you can allow him to bring his sitting stool, sit with you, and discuss the issues and approaches to issues.

3)  Consider inviting him and also invite the alternative, Mr. Shuler, a candidate that has been carefully packaged, formed like clay, into a presentation where the local media, co-opted, have portrayed him as something his voting record is not. Ask them both to come and visit together in your community where they can be sized up by a free flow of questions and allowed to present their real selves.

4)  Challenge each candidate, to be a part of your community together, where their styles, their actual presentations of themselves regarding issues, voting records and visions for the future can be displayed and discussed.  Be active in igniting the people of Western North Carolina and presenting them the truth beyond the controlled sound bites of today.

5)  And, when you decide to discuss and debate, please be thoughtful and keep in mind, that many times, the recipient of the message may be a third party who is quietly observing from the sideline.  It is more about presenting in a manner that can be understood and supported by those who are simply listening to learn and acting on their conscience. We must be mindful of those that quietly observe and honor them with a respectful positive presentation and an offer of solutions to issues.

6)  Finally, when debating internally, among the Republican faithful, or in general, I would encourage all Republicans and any others that may gain a copy of this [message] to follow the Republican Principles.

** Please consider any debate or discussion by 1) Incorporating these principles into your presentation of an issue; 2) Present positive visions and solutions to issues and problems in our communities; and 3) Clearly indicate if your communication is personal and private or available for public dissemination and circulation in further communications.

I believe if we follow these principles, and present our views and solutions to issues in a positive manner, we can unite the Party, gain a new and stronger following and offer a grander hope for all our communities. We can ignite and unite Western North Carolina with thoughtful preparation, insightful and positive presentation of vision and solution and by re-establishing our Republican Party principles.

Please reach out to one another, respecting differences, presenting a positive opportunity and leading all to an enlightened position and a victory for our Party, our Candidates and OUR POSITIVE VISION for our Nation.

Thank you for your consideration for our future does start right now.

Sincerely,

Stephen G Duncan
Republican Party Chair
North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District