Over the next two weeks, we'll find out the answer to an important question. Is the Republican Party in Montgomery County bigger than three men? Who is in charge of the party? The voters, the elected committee members, the financial contributors? Or is the party owned by three men who have their own agenda?
This message is for Republicans, specifically those living in Montgomery County. Will you allow the party to be hijacked by three men?
I see the actions of Jim Matthews, Ken Davis and Bob Asher as no different from those of playground bullies. They want their way. They're willing to step on anyone to get what they want. They think nothing of mortally wounding the Republican Party that gave these men their power in the first place. They’ve spit on the Republican Party Committee members who helped Matthews get elected as a county commissioner, helped Davis win two terms as the county party chairman and helped Asher, a convicted felon, get elected as a national committeeman.
It's time for the GOP faithful —- all 247,000 — to put this trio in its place.
The revolt from the rank-and-file is already brewing.
Here's what a Montgomery County Republican Party committeeman said in an e-mail: "Matthews' enmity for Bruce must be stronger than his desire to succeed, and he's thrown away all his work over the last several years, and will never be elected to any office again. But more than that, if we think about the future dynamics for the next four years, what Republican will listen to him, or respect him as a leader? And what Democrat will care about an ineffective turncoat Republican. In effect, Matthews will doom himself to a position with no power — indeed the emperor will have no clothes."
Here's what one Republican Party committeewoman said in an e-mail: "There has and will always be some power struggles within the party. But, in the past these issues were settled by the county chairman and never in public. That is where the problem starts and ends. Mr. Davis, in my opinion, as chairman has never demonstrated any leadership and has only won re-election by appointing new committee people at the 11th hour. This is despite his repeated promises to change the by-laws. He is and will always be a puppet for Mr. Asher, who by the way has lost all is sound political wisdom. Mr. Davis has led the Republican Party down the tube and now with his blessing Mr. Matthews will do the same to county government. The Matthews/Hoeffel team was not chosen to lead our county, but I agree Mr. Matthews must never have passed Politics 101. Mr. Asher, at one time, was a sound thinking politician who served well as county chairman. It is a known fact he does not like Bruce Castor for whatever reason. And, the look on his face when Bruce won the endorsement said it all. However, Mr. Asher has always found a way to get even and the Matthews/Hoeffel team is it. Thank goodness for the wisdom of the Montgomery County voters when they elected Bruce Castor. At least there will be one sound thinking voice on the board."
Can the Montgomery County Republican Party be saved?
It can if Republican voters by the thousands tell Matthews, Davis and Asher that the party is bigger than the egos of three men. If Matthews, Davis and Asher aren’t willing to do what the voters decided Nov. 6 — entrust Montgomery County government to a Republican majority headed by Bruce Castor — then the trio has to step aside.
If that doesn't happen between now and Jan. 7, when the Montgomery County Commissioners hold their reorganization meeting and select a chairman and vice chairman, then the Republican Party must sever all ties with Matthews, Davis and Asher. They've left the party by their renegade actions. It’s time for 247,000 registered Republicans to walk away from them.
Without your votes, your willingness to volunteer for the party's candidates and your financial generosity, there is no Montgomery County Republican Party. Matthews, Davis and Asher are nothing without you.
If you want to send them a message, here's how to contact Matthews, Davis and Asher. (And you might want Pennsylvania GOP Chairman Rob Gleason to know that Montgomery County will not be part of a Republican Party that has been hijacked by three megalomaniacs.)
This message is for Republicans, specifically those living in Montgomery County. Will you allow the party to be hijacked by three men?
I see the actions of Jim Matthews, Ken Davis and Bob Asher as no different from those of playground bullies. They want their way. They're willing to step on anyone to get what they want. They think nothing of mortally wounding the Republican Party that gave these men their power in the first place. They’ve spit on the Republican Party Committee members who helped Matthews get elected as a county commissioner, helped Davis win two terms as the county party chairman and helped Asher, a convicted felon, get elected as a national committeeman.
It's time for the GOP faithful —- all 247,000 — to put this trio in its place.
The revolt from the rank-and-file is already brewing.
Here's what a Montgomery County Republican Party committeeman said in an e-mail: "Matthews' enmity for Bruce must be stronger than his desire to succeed, and he's thrown away all his work over the last several years, and will never be elected to any office again. But more than that, if we think about the future dynamics for the next four years, what Republican will listen to him, or respect him as a leader? And what Democrat will care about an ineffective turncoat Republican. In effect, Matthews will doom himself to a position with no power — indeed the emperor will have no clothes."
Here's what one Republican Party committeewoman said in an e-mail: "There has and will always be some power struggles within the party. But, in the past these issues were settled by the county chairman and never in public. That is where the problem starts and ends. Mr. Davis, in my opinion, as chairman has never demonstrated any leadership and has only won re-election by appointing new committee people at the 11th hour. This is despite his repeated promises to change the by-laws. He is and will always be a puppet for Mr. Asher, who by the way has lost all is sound political wisdom. Mr. Davis has led the Republican Party down the tube and now with his blessing Mr. Matthews will do the same to county government. The Matthews/Hoeffel team was not chosen to lead our county, but I agree Mr. Matthews must never have passed Politics 101. Mr. Asher, at one time, was a sound thinking politician who served well as county chairman. It is a known fact he does not like Bruce Castor for whatever reason. And, the look on his face when Bruce won the endorsement said it all. However, Mr. Asher has always found a way to get even and the Matthews/Hoeffel team is it. Thank goodness for the wisdom of the Montgomery County voters when they elected Bruce Castor. At least there will be one sound thinking voice on the board."
Can the Montgomery County Republican Party be saved?
It can if Republican voters by the thousands tell Matthews, Davis and Asher that the party is bigger than the egos of three men. If Matthews, Davis and Asher aren’t willing to do what the voters decided Nov. 6 — entrust Montgomery County government to a Republican majority headed by Bruce Castor — then the trio has to step aside.
If that doesn't happen between now and Jan. 7, when the Montgomery County Commissioners hold their reorganization meeting and select a chairman and vice chairman, then the Republican Party must sever all ties with Matthews, Davis and Asher. They've left the party by their renegade actions. It’s time for 247,000 registered Republicans to walk away from them.
Without your votes, your willingness to volunteer for the party's candidates and your financial generosity, there is no Montgomery County Republican Party. Matthews, Davis and Asher are nothing without you.
If you want to send them a message, here's how to contact Matthews, Davis and Asher. (And you might want Pennsylvania GOP Chairman Rob Gleason to know that Montgomery County will not be part of a Republican Party that has been hijacked by three megalomaniacs.)
Contact Jim Matthews at Jmatthew@montcopa.org or call the commissioners’ office at 610-278-3020
Contact Ken Davis at kdavis@dmga.com or kdavis@montcogop.org
Contact Bob Asher at rbasoud@aol.com
Contact Robert A. Gleason, chairman of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, at the party’s Web site, http://www.pagop.org/ or call 717-234-4901 ext. 126
Tony Phyrillas
Tony Phyrillas is a columnist for The Mercury in Pottstown, Pa. He received a first place award for Best Opinion Column in 2007 by Suburban Newspapers of America. He was also honored for column writing in 2006 by the Society of Professional Journalists.
Copyright © 2005-2008, THE CENTRIST Blog; All Rights Reserved.
Tony Phyrillas is a columnist for The Mercury in Pottstown, Pa. He received a first place award for Best Opinion Column in 2007 by Suburban Newspapers of America. He was also honored for column writing in 2006 by the Society of Professional Journalists.
Copyright © 2005-2008, THE CENTRIST Blog; All Rights Reserved.
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