Kansas GOP forming 'loyalty committee'

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jul 31, 2007 by Tim Carpenter

By Tim Carpenter

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

The Kansas Republican Party is cracking down on wayward members by forming a "loyalty committee" and urging the national GOP to censure a high-profile Republican who irritated state party operatives.

State GOP Chairman Kris Kobach and a representative from each of Kansas' four congressional districts will serve on the new party committee to weigh complaints of political misconduct by Republicans. Precinct, county, district and state party activists risk loss of party assignments under amendments to the state GOP constitution adopted at a meeting in Topeka.

"This is something that has been talked about for the last few years," said Christian Morgan, the state GOP's executive director. "It passed unanimously."

The state Republican leadership also approved a "no confidence" resolution directed at Steve Cloud, who represents Kansas on the Republican National Committee. The GOP activist upset state party committee members by signing a fundraising letter in March seeking donations for the politically moderate Kansas Traditional Republican Majority organization, Morgan said.

The resolution was intended to prevent the Lenexa businessman from getting re-elected to the national post in 2008, he said.

Mike Gaughan, executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party, said no loyalty review panel existed in the state's Democratic political organization.

"We focus on bringing Kansans together and trying to find solutions to our state rather than purging the party," Gaughan said. "If there are any Kansas Republicans who are discouraged because their party leaders are trying to kick them out, they can go to our Web site and find a voter registration form."

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, said the GOP leadership's action against Cloud reflected unease with decisions by once-prominent Republicans to register as Democrats. Attorney General Paul Morrison and Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson switched parties and went on to win elections in 2006.

"It's retribution," Hensley said. "They're taking it out on moderate Republicans."

Caryn Tyson, of Parker, will represent the 2nd District on the state GOP's five-member loyalty committee. The 2nd District includes Topeka.

Tyson said the duty of the committee formed at last week's mid- year meeting would be to reinforce the state party's commitment to election of Republicans. Members will be less likely in the future to abuse party positions by publicly endorsing or contributing financially to non-GOP candidates, she said.

"It's a deterrent," Tyson said. "I don't think it's meant to be a witch hunt."

Morgan said amendments to the party constitution won't interfere with the right of individuals to make independent decisions inside a voting booth. However, he said, Republicans elected by peers to party leadership jobs shouldn't stay in those positions if they are endorsing or donating to Democrats.

Sanctions of the special committee will be binding if supported by at least four of the five members. Rulings can be appealed to the party's executive committee.

"Every situation is going to be judged on the facts," Morgan said.

Kobach assumed control of the state party in January. He promised to bring new life to an organization stung by losses to Democrats Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda and Morrison. All three candidates attributed victory to the ability to steer disaffected Republicans to their side of the ledger.

Tim Carpenter can be reached

at (785) 295-1158

or timothy.carpenter@cjonline.com.