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For more than two years, I have been trying to communicate with the Republican National Committee.  I have felt that the RNC has abandoned a great many of the conservative ideals that I once thought they espoused. I have pressed them to reign in spending, lower taxes, eliminate government programs, and to protect my right to keep and bear arms.  However, my calls have gone enreturned and my letters unanswered.

This year I was faced with a decision: vote for Bob Barr, the Libertarian candidate who closely mirrored my views or vote for McCain becuase he had the best chance of beating Obama.  It was not an easy decision.  Barr, the only presidential candidate who holds a concealed carry permit, was clearly the best choice for gun rights, but he did not stand any chance of winning.  McCain, though not 100% on the right side of gun rights arguments, certainly had a chance against Obama.  And, I think we all know where Obama stands on guns.

So in the end, I held my nose and voted for McCain.  Frankly, if Palin had not been on the ticket, McCain still may not have gotten my vote.

Well, as soon as McCain loses, his staff starts leaking all sorts of crap about Palin.  At no point has McCain or the RNC considered that McCain did not win because McCain was a poor choice…or that McCain ran a awful campaign.  Nope…they started dragging Palin through the mud.

So, I got an e-mail from Rick Davis, the McCain campaign manager thanking me for my support during the election.  I fired off a response.  Like all of my prior attempts to contact the RNC, this has gone unanswered.

So, in an effort to air my grievances, here is an open letter to Rick Davis, the McCain campaign, and the RNC:

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Dear Mr. Davis:

I don’t imagine that you will read or respond to this e-mail, because no one in the RNC has bothered to respond to any of the letters that I and other Republicans have sent over the past four years.

I am not proud to have supported or voted for John McCain.  I am not proud to have sent money to his campaign.  I am not proud to be associated with the Republican party.

Like many Republicans, I am conservative.  Unfortunately, John McCain and the RNC leadership are not.

Conservatives believe in smaller government, elimination of welfare programs, the rights of the individuals, and a free market.  Since President Bush took office, Republicans have spent money like a drunken sailor in port.  Social welfare programs have expanded.  Freedoms have been lost in a vain attempt at government provided security.  President Bush has done more to discredit the conservative movement than any Democrat could hope to.

Republicans, thirsting for a true conservative, are given John McCain as their nominee.  McCain is no better than Bush.  McCain is no conservative and he is not a leader we so desperately need.

When John McCain failed, his campaign staff blamed Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.  Not only is this totally classless, it demonstrates the disconnect between the McCain campaign with the voters.  I, and many other Republicans like me, decided to vote for McCain because Palin was on the ticket.  Palin is an honest citizen and conservative.  Palin is someone we trust to cut through the crap and level with us.  Your campaign’s vicious attacks on Palin prove to me that my gut instinct about you was correct.

Be advised: the Republican party needs to be cleaned out.  If the RNC is to survive, it needs to be truly conservative and responsive to the people it claims to represent.

Respectfully,

A Former Republican

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How about this: the Nugent/Palin ticket?  I’m all in.