Carolina Politics Online

Our first GOP Chair candidate is Bill Randall. Mr. Randall is a 27-year veteran of the U.S. Navy (retired E-9) and lives in Wake Forest, N.C. He’s a precinct vice-chairman in state district 40. For a more extensive look at his biography and his plans for the party, please visit his website at http://www.pray4ncgop.com/.

CPO thanks Mr. Randall for completing this questionnaire. 

Please click below to see his answers to our questionnaire-

1. Last year the NCGOP produced and aired an infamous commercial using Jeremiah Wright to attack Richard Moore and Beverly Perdue. Some Republicans, including John McCain, thought the commercial was in poor taste. What’s your opinion on the commercial?  Would you have aired it?

It was a good idea/message; ineffective delivery.  The advertisement was “poorly packaged.”  A better approach would have been to use the Jeremiah Wright clips in CONTRAST with images of Lincoln, Hostages returning from Iran in 1981, USA Hockey team victory at Lake Placid, U.S. Troops liberating Kuwait (in 1991), …while “God Bless the USA” plays in the background (with the positive images).

 

2. Why do you think Pat McCrory and Elizabeth Dole lost last year? Had you been the GOP chairman last year, what would you have done differently to ensure a different outcome?

The campaigns were poorly organized and run ineffectively.  Dole had an excellent record (as U.S. Senator).  McCrory had a great record as Mayor of Charlotte.  But they failed to distinguish themselves from Perdue & Hagan.  Also, the decision to pull advertising from predominantly Black TV/radio stations was not the best strategy.  The biggest blunders by both campaigns were:  1) the “Atheist” ad by Dole (disastrous, and an act of desperation), and 2) McCrory did not respond to the “garbage” ads forcefully enough.  He could have used that as an opportunity to EDUCATE the general public on what actually took place …while at the same time exposing the Liberals for their deceptive approach (when their candidates lack substance in their campaigns).

 

3. The GOP has a weak candidate bench. What will you do to recruit and train stronger candidates?

The Republican Party is somewhat demoralized right now.  The problem is systemic, as reflected by the record number of GOP County Chairmen who have either resigned or not sought reelection following the Obama landslide.  There ARE quality candidates out there.  But we (as a party) are lacking a visible and vocal leader who articulates our Party’s principles in stark contrast to the Liberal, Democrat Party template.  Once we regain this posture (and stop allowing Liberals to define who WE are), we will begin to regain territory, and the groundswell at the grassroots will increase infectiously.  It takes more than rhetoric.  It takes clear, systematic shaping and framing of our positions, organizing, and motivating our base.  In the end, it will not take much persuasion to recruit, screen (vetting) and supporting strong candidates throughout the state (municipalities, state, judicial and federal).

 

4. Why, in your opinion, has North Carolina been unable to elect strong Republican leaders to both state and federal office, while other southern states like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have?

I respectfully submit that your premise is off a bit.  Lindsey Graham (R, SC) and Charlie Crist (R, FL) aren’t exactly strong candidates, nor or they the epitome of Conservatism.   For the sake of brevity, I submit that the aforementioned answer (Q-3) is germane.

 

5. Without naming names, do you think the current staff at state Republican headquarters are doing a good job?  Would you keep many of them, or would you make replacements?

This is a very good question, in my opinion.  Too often, we look to a support staff and wonder where “heads need to roll” when the organization is faltering.  This is NOT good policy.  On the limited number of times I’ve had to interact with the NCGOP headquarters’ staff, they have been courteous and professional.  Maybe others have had a different experience, but I’m not in a position to address such a case.  In my 27 years of military experience, I’ve found that it is the leadership AT THE TOP that sets the tone and lets the buck stop at their desk.  When staff aren’t performing acceptably, it is the leadership’s responsibility to correct as necessary.  A good illustration of this is in the movie “Twelve O’Clock High.”  If you haven’t seen it, you’ll get the message in the first 20 minutes of the movie.  Should I be entrusted with the NCGOP Chairman’s position, I would make it a top priority to meet with each staff member individually to determine where their motivation and focus lies with respect to the NCGOP’s future.  After that meeting, I’d make a determination and act accordingly to retain or replace the staff member.

 

6. The state Democrats out-raised the Republicans last year by a large margin. What is your plan to raise more money?

The Democrats rode the wave of “Obama-mania” in 2008.  One way for us to raise more money is through the better use of technology.  But first and foremost, we have to get back to the basics and “repair the Republican brand” …it’s damaged.  Here’s an analogy:   If you were the General Manager for the Detroit Lions (who lost all 16 of their regular season games in 2008), is there something you have to do before you start thinking about selling tickets for this year?  Of course.  That’s why we need to think about the “product” we’re trying to get people to support.  It will take more than fundraising methodology and slick campaigns.  We need to redefine and rearticulate our positions (in contrast to the Liberal policies and their consequences), present plausible campaign strategies, recruit candidates of conviction and substance, and aggressively promote the Get Out The Vote (GOTV) ideology.  By so doing, we will have created the conditions ideal and conducive to effective fundraising efforts.

 

7. Looking at the other 49 state Republican Parties, which state party organizations would you would emulate?  Why?

Wisconsin (”The Badger State”).  Why?  It is because I lived there for nearly 6 years, and I know (and actively campaigned for the current Wisconsin GOP Chairman: Reince Priebus, who is the head of Michael Steele’s transition team at the RNC).  Wisconsin has their act together, keeps a close tab on all state legislative actions, and effectively alerts the constituency on things that need their attention.  Their fundraising efforts are impeccable, and I believe their example is one that North Carolina (and most other states) would do well to emulate.  As far as states that have the best technological effort, my nominees are: 

1) Virginia                      www.rpv.org
2) Pennsylvania:            www.pagop.org …and
3) Wisconsin:                www.wisgop.org

 

8. The Republican Party must retake either the state house or state senate in 2010 to have a say in redistricting.  What’s your plan to make that happen?

We do this systematically by:

1). Working with NC District Chairmen (all 13 Districts).  The District Chairmen were ELECTED to their respective positions by earning the trust of the counties they represent.  I and the NCGOP Vice Chairman would work in concert with the District Chairmen to maintain a cooperative and constructive dialogue 24/7-365.

2).  Finding out what support each District needs, then FOLLOWING-THROUGH with ACTION in a timely manner, vice hollow rhetoric and promises. 

3).  Rearticulating the Republican/Conservative message by contrasting it against the Liberal policies that have been destructive and disastrous to the moral, socioeconomic and sociological fabric of our nation.  We haven’t done a good job at this; we’ve given the Liberal Democrats a “pass.”  No more!

4).  Recruiting and vetting qualified candidates.  Once we are “on-message” and winning the hearts and minds of the constituency, we will be able to effectively recruit.   We will then promote and campaign with enthusiasm, purpose, and determination to recapture the Legislature (and local municipalities).  If we do this, the federal campaigns will have similar success.

5).  Fundraising:  We have the mechanism in place.  Once we take care of 8.a.1 - 8.a.4 above, we’ll be able to build up the campaign coffers.  In concert with this will be a significant improvement on our use of technology.

 My former Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet was quoted as saying: “On time and ‘good enough’ is superior to ‘perfect, yet late.’ “  That adage is simple, yet profound.  So in order for us to take the State House and Senate, it will take a deliberate and concerted statewide effort on the part of the NCGOP.  It won’t happen by accident. 

 

8.b. Assume for a second the Republicans take both houses. Will you push for partisan redistricting, or will you push for an independent bi-partisan panel to draw the lines?

The North Carolina State Constitution ALREADY addresses this.  State Representative Carolyn Justice (R-NC), in concert with other courageous individuals, successfully sued to have the courts direct this action.  So my action would be to do whatever is necessary to ensure that the laws (already on the books) are enforced across the board.  Unfortunately, with the passing of time, the Liberals are “at it again,” and are always looking for new ways to draw the Republicans out of any political relevancy.  I have no doubt that this is a priority for them should they recapture the Legislature in 2010.

 

9.a. The General Assembly recently passed a ban on smoking in restaurants (HB2). What’s your opinion on this bill?

I’m not a smoker (although I quit over 30 yrs. ago), but I believe personal responsibility and accountability puts a requirement on “We the People” …to take care of ourselves.  The free enterprise system in the USA (i.e.: Capitalism) relies on “Supply and Demand.”  If the business is not providing goods and services (and smoking/no-smoking comes under “service”), that people want, they lose business …and will eventually go out of business.  It’s interesting that Liberals want to tax tobacco products (for revenue), yet don’t realize that any activity that is taxed will move towards cessation.  So when that happens, the taxation revenues for that product are LESS.  This leads the Liberals to come back the following year and levy even MORE taxes because of the shortfall.  Bottom line:  The government should GET OUT OF OUR BUSINESS.

 

9.b. If you disagree with its passage, will you take any action against the Republican representatives and senators who voted for it?

I encourage all who want to know more about my position on “renegade Republicans” …to go to my website:  www.pray4ncgop.com  …and click on the link “Multimedia” (at the bottom of the webpage).  Once there, you can listen to an interview I had with a Democrat strategist on “State Government Radio.”  During that interview, I address this issue head-on.  In essence, those Republicans who voted for that bill will have their records “speak for them” when it comes time for their reelection.  ‘Nuff said!

 

10. On what issue do you disagree with mainstream Republicans the  most?

The oxymoronic term: “Bipartisanship.”  The lines distinguishing Liberal vs. Conservative have never been more clearly delineated.  So I ask:  “Where is the middle ground of compromise?”  To the average Democrat/Liberal:  “Bipartisanship” means for the Conservative to abandon his/her position and move closer to theirs.  But I ask:  Where is the middle ground when it comes to:  Right to life, excessive taxation, marriage amendment, individual liberties, national defense, and scores of other issues?  If forced to narrow it down to just one issue, it would be the fallacious argument of the so-called “Separation of Church and State.”  The precipitous decline in our nation ultimately stems from this politically-correct philosophy. 

 

11. Do you believe that individuals have a right to make choices you morally disagree with, so long as a third party is not hurt by their actions?

Not entirely.  There are some issues that have covert (and occasionally overt) consequences that impact everyone.  In such cases, there is a good reason to prohibit the activity because others could be affected or adversely impacted by their “individual behavior.”  The legislative body needs to have wisdom in determining when it is just and prudent to distinguish between individual rights and the public good.

 

11a. Do you support legalized gambling?

No.  Simply put, gambling is financed (by and large) on the backs of the poor.  Virtually all sociological studies (worldwide) have extensive documentation to chronicle the negative consequences.   On a personal level, gambling violates the 10^th Commandment (”Thou shalt not covet”).  It is the “Get Rich Quick” mentality that has brought financial ruin to countless families throughout the ages.

 

11b. Do you support the legalization of marijuana?

Basically, no (with a disclaimer).  I think it may possibly be legalized in a very NARROW sliver of exclusion.  Some cancer patients suffer excruciating pain that is significantly abated with their ingesting Tetra-HydroCannibinol (THC), which is the active ingredient in marijuana.  There are also some hospice patients (that have no medical remedy available) who may also benefit in the area of severe pain abatement …for humanitarian reasons.  I would need more of a dialogue to adequately address this issue, but essentially, with the exception of the above outlined situations    -   my answer is NO.

 

11c. Do you support seatbelt and helmet laws?

Yes.  Seatbelts and helmets should be mandatory for all.  Question 11 above, germane.

 

11D. State Sen. Purcell (D) has introduced a bill banning the sale of Salvia Divinorum, a hallucinogenic plant. Do you support this bill?

I researched this, and found out that this is a VERY BAD bill.  Many don’t know that “Salvia” is a very common plant found in many gardens across America.  Some have found that smoking the plant creates a mild euphoria and “high.”  But no study has shown it to be as harmful (let alone more harmful) as marijuana.  And while I am against illegal drug use, the Liberal Democrats are trying to use a Tomahawk missile to kill a cockroach.  The legislature has proposed that the possession and/or use of the Salvia would be a Schedule I drug (the highest classification), putting it equal with heroin or LSD.  By comparison, marijuana is a Schedule VI drug.  Quite frankly, “I smell a rat” with this legislation.  It appears that this law could allow a “pick and choose” targeting of unsuspecting citizens.  Bottom line:  I DO NOT SUPPORT THE BILL.

 

12. CPO is running a series of articles called  “Dead Republican Walking,” wherein we keep track of which state Republicans vote for bills that expand the size of government, spend unwisely, or reduce individual liberty. At the end of this session, we will encourage our readers to  support and even induce primary challenges against these Republicans.

 

a. If you were chairman, at what point, if any- would you look at a certain Republican’s voting record and decide that s/he does not represent conservative values?

My answer in 9.b (above) is germane.

 

b. Would you actively encourage a primary campaign against such a Republican? If not, why not?

If a Republican’s voting record clearly shows that they do not represent Conservative values, I would definitely NOT promote their candidacy, and I would definitely encourage another strong candidate to challenge their candidacy.  But to me, preventive maintenance is far better than corrective action.  By this I mean that we need a well-organized and active “Candidate Vetting Process.”

 

c. Would you actively discourage a primary campaign against such a Republican? If so, why?

Probably not.  Given the scenario you described, we will look to have a good Republican candidate waiting in the wings ahead of time.  This way, in the event we had an unforeseen vacancy, we’d readily refer to our list of candidates to determine which was next in line (available) to fill the gap.

 

d. Assume an open seat and no ideological differences between two primary candidates- should the state party intervene in this primary, or should it remain neutral?

This is where leadership in the party comes in.  I would have both candidates in the room, and then have them both understand why it would be better for only ONE to emerge …with the NCGOP fully backing one candidate.  Unnecessary primaries (with such candidates) wastes time and resources (and possibly gives the Democrat challenger ammunition to use in the General Election).  My working relationship with NCGOP Vice Chairman, the District Chairmen, as well as the collective “brain trust” across the state will yield the best advice (and result in a suitable resolution to such a scenario).

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