GOP Diversity Stops at VP Level

Republicans seemed to embrace the concept of diversity in leadership when John McCain picked Sarah Palin as a running mate.

But it appears at the local level, the Grand Old Party is still the Good Old Boys' Party.

I'm talking about the Hamburg Republican Team -- a group of seven men -- mostly in the same age group -- who appeared at the Hamburg Candidates Forum Monday night (Oct. 20, 2008) at the Hamburg Township Hall.

Could they not have had found room for one woman on their seven-member slate? After all, this isn't 1950. Women aren't confined to the kitchen anymore.

Gender aside, the Republican team fell short in comparisons with the Democratic candidates. Debby Buckland came off as warm, confident, ready to get to work, knowledgeable, and not part of the past nasty problems with the board. Republican Matt Skiba seemed a little lost, twice misstating when he had moved to the township.

In the matchup for treasurer, Democrat Linda Taylor was strong and confident, clear about her abilities and what she would bring to the job. Republican Patrick Evon just rambled.

Unfortunately, Democrat Shannon Piper could not attend the forum, but she would have been a sharp contrast to the chummy Boys Club of Republican candidates for trustee.

County Commission candidate Dave Buckland also starred with his knowledge about the county budget, the issues he raised about plans for a new jail, and his support for WALLY. Buckland would have looked even better had his opponent been able to be present.

Voters have until election day to watch the forum on cable television. They will be impressed with the Democratic candidates.