What a bunch of "Dicks": How Dick Wadhams and the establishment screw the GOP (Original Title)

By State Rep. Ken DeGraaf (R), HD22
 

One of the most significant obstacles to Republicans' progress is the prevalence of establishment consultants, like Dick Wadhams, who seem to prioritize self-enrichment over the good of the GOP and the values of our Republic. These self-serving elitists have hindered the party's electoral prospects while actively undermining our Party's conservative values.

Dick Wadhams, although a former Chairman of the Colorado GOP, is a prime example of the problems that plague Republicans. While he wags his finger, he ignores his tenure that was marked by a series of electoral failures, to include John Hickenlooper's 2010 victory that almost made the GOP a minor party.

What's worth noting further, Wadhams is a prime reason your property taxes are skyrocketing. As a hired gun, he sold out his purported values for profit in order to help repeal the Gallagher Amendment. The thing about values is that they are only values until you trade them for something you value more. Wadhams might appreciate low taxes, but this would indicate he values personal enrichment more.

As the Colorado Republican Party is being consulted into irrelevance, it seems the costly advice yields little-to-no tangible results. Consultants tout their vast experience and insider knowledge, but their uninspiring message continues to not inspire. The past 20-plus years demonstrate this hard reality. Despite their supposed expertise, the Colorado GOP has consistently lost ground and suffered worse results after next. What's beyond shameful is they then try to blame their failures on grassroots activists who never controlled the party. But, a grifter's gotta grift, and there's no room for personal responsibility in that.

They tell voters cycle after cycle that if Republicans nominate their milquetoast candidates, and campaign with their unconvincing message, then the GOP will win again. Well, tell that to Senator Joe O'Dea, or Secretary Pam Anderson. By the way, has anyone heard anything from either of these flag-bearers in our fight against totalitarianism? Nor have I, and the silence is deafening.

The only success Colorado Republicans have seen in recent years stems from populist movements like the 2010-2014 Tea Party or 2016 America-First wave. I'm not sure how Wadhams does math, but I've never before seen a "deeply unpopular former president" inspire 100-mile-long car rallies or flag-waving nautical parades.

What's also frustrating about this self-enrichment game is the fact that it diverts much-needed resources away from campaigns who genuinely work for conservative causes. Donors who want to contribute with the hope of advancing conservative principles instead find themselves unknowingly funding the lavish lifestyles of consultants.

But arguably the most glaring issue with these parasitic consultants is their blatant disregard for the concerns of grassroots Republicans. While many conservative activists work tirelessly to reform and revitalize the party, consultants like Wadhams often treat them with condescension and disdain. Instead of engaging in constructive dialogue with the base, they dismiss them as "extremists" or "purists," all while profiting from the very party they attack.

These establishment sycophants seem to revel in the praise they receive from the liberal media and Democrats. They eagerly accept invitations to appear on liberal news shows, because of their willingness to attack their own party. The Colorado Springs Gazette alone has allowed Wadhams to mount unanswered attacks against Colorado Republicans. This willingness to cozy up to the opposition for personal gain only serves to embolden the Democrats and weaken the GOP's position in the political landscape.

In contrast, conservative grassroots Republicans are often motivated by a genuine desire to see the party succeed, and to see the actual values of our Republic promoted. They are guided by a commitment to the principles that have defined the Republican Party for generations: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness reflected in limited government, individual liberty, and fiscal responsibility. These are the values that should be at the forefront of any successful GOP strategy.

It's time for Republicans to recognize the damage that establishment consultants like Dick Wadhams have done to the party. It's time to stop rewarding failure and self-enrichment. Instead, the GOP should invest in a new generation of leaders who are dedicated to advancing conservative principles and winning elections.

The road ahead for the Republican Party is not an easy one. The challenges are substantial, and the stakes are high. But if the party is to have any hope of success, it must break free from the stranglehold of establishment consultants who prioritize their own interests over those of the party and its supporters.

Kenneth G. DeGraaf is a state representative from Colorado Springs, representing District 22.