Thursday, November 30, 2006

The Real Mid-Term Elections

As some of you may know, next week the BYU-I College Democrats will be holding officer elections for next semester. Over the last month or so I have been asked numerous times, both by members of the club and by others, whether or not I was going to run for a position.

My answer has consistently been the same, I would be happy to serve in any way the club members would like me to, but I will not nominate myself for any positions. I would like to take this chance to explain why I feel that way.

It’s not an issue of commitment. I have attended just as many, if not more, meetings this semester as any other member (and I include the current officers in that category). I am the only active member of the club who contributes regularly to this blog (Peter has been so busy this semester with other obligations that he can rarely make it to the meetings anymore, which no one blames him for, but the fact remains). I don’t think anyone could rightly question whether or not I would fulfill the responsibilities of any of the offices.

However, the club doesn’t just need someone who will “do the job”. While it has survived its first year back on campus that is no guarantee that it will survive it’s second. What the club desperately needs right now is leadership. It needs leaders who can build it, guide it, and forge it into a lasting presence here on campus. Anyone can manage it, but it needs dedicated people who are committed to the Democratic ideals to make it great.

That is where the problem lies. No matter how active I am, no matter how many submissions I contribute to this blog, the fact remains that I am neither a Democrat nor a liberal. I don’t know that I can contribute the level of energy, enthusiasm, and leadership that the club needs. The club needs people who truly believe in liberalism, and the Democratic party to build it, while I am happy to help in any way I can, I don’t think I am what it needs or requires.

That being said, if in a week the members decide they want me to fill an office, then I will do so to the best of my ability. I just hope that people more qualified than I will step to the plate first.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

u r cool

Blake Roberts said...

More like "i b cold", it's freezing up here.

Julie Fanselow said...

Blake, are you sure you are not a Democrat?

We saw in the midterm elections that many Republicans realize that their party has left them behind. The Democratic Party is a big tent. Many Idahoans have difficulty acknowledging that the Democratic Party is not what talk radio has branded it to be. But if you care about all people and you believe that government can play some small role in making people's lives better, you may well be "one of us."

Jessica said...

I don't want to really speak for Blake, but if he is like most Mormons, he is opposed to gay marriage and is pro-life. However, many Idaho Democrats would classify themselves as pro-life and opposed to gay marriage. Blake should take a look at the state platform as opposed to the national platform and decide if he may, in fact, be an Idaho Democrat but national moderate Republican...

Blake Roberts said...
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Blake Roberts said...
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Blake Roberts said...

In case Peter, Hannah, or anyone else that knows me reads this, would you consider me an Idaho Democrat?

Anonymous said...

Ouch. Blake with a jab at the College Republicans! Is there a little resentment there or something? haha

Blake Roberts said...
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Anonymous said...

Blake,

What makes the members of the BYU Idaho College Republicans neo-cons?

Joe

Blake Roberts said...
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Anonymous said...

Blake, I agree with your assessment. Always glad to see you around.

Sorry I haven't been around everyone, just getting over me after-election depression.

I'll try to post my thoughts soon.

Anonymous said...

Blake did you win?

Blake Roberts said...
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Anonymous said...

And you are a Republican? How embarrassing for both you and the democrats club.

Blake Roberts said...
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Anonymous said...

The BYU Idaho College Republicans probably can sit back and do nothing and still continue to "maintain the position they now enjoy." I don't think that you being the secretary for the CDs is going to do much to help CDs take over the campus or whatever it is that you would like to do. I don't really see why you wouldn't run for office in the College Republicans, Blake, if you really wanted to improve the current state of the Republican Party. It seems to me that you are going about things in the wrong way. But that is just my opinion. Have a good day.

Blake Roberts said...
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Anonymous said...

Blake,

I am no longer involved in the leadership of the College Republicans at BYU Idaho so I will not speak for the club in general. However, since you asked for my opinion then I will give my personal, unofficial opinion. I would not, and many other members would not vote for you given your allegiance to the College Democrats. There is no rule that would prevent you from holding office in both clubs, but I could see a conflict of interest. Can't you? However, if you decided to step down from your position in the College Democrats, then you would stand a much better shot at being elected or appointed to a position in the CRs. It is obvious that you know a bit about politics and I'm sure you would be a valuable leader in the CRs.

Blake Roberts said...
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