Fergus Cullen Versus Fran Wendelboe Round 2

By Jim on December 4th, 2008

Some interesting dish in the UL this morning about Republicans trying to figure out what’s gone wrong and how to fix it. Interesting tidbits for anybody who’s interested in the internal machinations of the party. But what struck me most about the article was the catty comment by Fergus Cullen posted at the end:

This isn’t a fight between conservatives and moderates. Most NH GOP activists, including the ones Fran just excommunicated from the Merrimack Committee, accurately describe themselves as conservatives. No, this is simply about Fran trying to line up votes in her Ahab-like effort to become state party chairman, booting conservatives who don’t support her narrow, extreme view of who makes a good Republican. If only Fran would put as much energy into fighting Democrats as she wastes plotting and scheming against fellow Republicans.

Fergus Cullen
Chairman, NH Republican Party
- Fergus Cullen, Wolfeboro, NH

Meow! A bit of a cat fight happening between Fergus and Fran Wendelboe. Heh, heh. This is one of the reasons why I hate getting directly involved in party politics. Ugh.

Edit: Fran strikes back at Fergus. Oooooo such drama!

Fergus said ” “Fran may win an occasional battle, as she did in Merrimack County,” Cullen said, “but the reason she has lost three leadership elections in as many years is because she can’t stop fighting with fellow Republicans.”

What Fergus doesn’t understand is that I am not fighting fellow Republicans, I am fighting for the principles of the Republican party–those enumerated in not only our state platform but the national platform as well. Yes, we have a big tent, but those who are “out of step” with the platform are the ones fighting to make those who do fully support the platform as the ones who somehow are divisive if they don’t abandon the areas they don’t agree on.

I respect their diversity and there is room “IN” the tent, but they shouldn’t expect that it gives them the right to “take over” the tent and ridicule conservatives who closely follow the platform as the “outsiders” .

I have no problem having “lost” three elections fighting for principles than having “won” and being widely judged as a dismal failure.

I find it amazing that I am being “blamed” for a coup of Merrimack County. Only duly elected delegates and nomineees of the party could have participated and voted in that election.

I hear that Betsy Miller lost her bid for re-election for the following reasons:
1. she is a paid lobbyist and many of her caucus feel that is not appropriate.
2. she was part of the debaucle of the 2008 platform committee that chopped the platform in half with little public process and only 11 days from public hearing to convention voting. This was overwhelmingly rejected at the convention.
3. under her chairmanship the county committee refused to help fund some candidates in the general election. One newcomer specifically then went on to be the top Republican vote getter in her district.

These were the driving reasons why Miller’s OWN caucus members chose a new direction. Anne Copp is a tremendously hard worker in all levels of state races and will lead well. And yes, Betsy was a good chairman, but her own committee decided for change.
- Fran Wendelboe, New Hampton