Posted by Matt Collins on 08/17/09 09:27 AM   [Newer: Has Senator Corker Actually Read the US Constitution?] [Older: Rand Paul on Glenn Beck (TV) Wednesday 8/5]

Regarding Chairman Starnes' offer to Democrat Representative Jim Cooper:

http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/08/16/davidson-county-gop-wants-coop-to-townhall-on-health-care/
http://drusie.blogspot.com/2009/08/local-republicans-invite-democratic.html

As 1st and 2nd Vice Chairs of the Davidson County Republican Party, it is important to point out that Chairman Starnes has pursued this course of action without approval from the DCRP. She erroneously purported to represent the Party and made an offer on it's behalf without it's consent.



The DCRP by-laws state that "the affairs of the Davidson County Executive Committee shall be governed by the Executive Committee". At no point was a vote taken by the DCRP Executive Committee to extend an offer to host a town hall meeting with Representative Cooper.


While our personal opinions are such that Representative Cooper's refusal to hold a public town hall meeting is cowardice, the DCRP rules must still be upheld by its officers. Unilateral actions of this nature are unacceptable regardless of perceived historical precedent by previous Chairmen. In this instance it should be noted that Chairman Starnes' actions are not reflective of the will of the Davidson County Republican Party.


Upon realizing this offer had been publicized by local media an internal effort was made to convince Chairman Starnes to retract her offer since she was unauthorized to extend it. In the future perhaps Chairman Starnes will seek consensus from her Party prior to making external offers which falsely represent the will of the Party.

Matt Collins
1st Vice Chair
Davidson County Republican Party

Dan Davis
2nd Vice Chair
Davidson County Republican Party