Update: You can listen to the podcast of the show by clicking here.

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So I got a request from Steve Deace to appear on The Deace Group round table on Friday (February 19) as Ted Sporer’s stand-in. I was a bit surprised since I’ve never actually been introduced to Steve face-to-face (we are friends on FaceBook, but then again other FB friends Bill Northey, who I’ve actually spoken with at length and who attends the same church I do, and all three Republican gubernatorial candidates whom I have at least shaken hands with) but I have exchanged messages and even called into his show recently (he actually said “Art’s right”… got it on a podcast).

But, I am honored and look forward to the fray. This quickly after ending my radio show on Des Moines Local Live is just too funny, and thankfully a one-time deal. The show (for those of you who aren’t familiar with Steve) is on WHO 1040 AM radio from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. I believe this segment will be either in the 5:00 or 6:00 hour. I will provide the podcast once it’s available (probably late Monday).

I know that Jonathan Narcisse (I’ve actually gotten to know Jonathan) will be there as usual, and I’m not sure if Alan Koslow will be or not… he recently returned from a mission to Haiti.

The following piece addresses specific thoughts about the direction of the Republican Party. While the writer is actively serving as Communications Director for the Polk County Republican Party of Iowa, the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Polk County Republicans, the Republican Party of Iowa, or the Republican National Committee.

If you’ve followed The Conservative Reader earlier in 2009, you would note that we discussed a need to rethink the Conservative/Republican agenda. We have not yet dug into that process deeply, although many have been voicing their opinions about what needs doing.

There has been a substantive effort on the part of some Christian Conservative Republicans to promote an agenda that honors God with a level of apparent intolerance to those who do not agree with them. “No Compromise” is their war chant. While their positions certainly fall within the same realm as my own, their approach, ability to listen, and ability to acknowledge that they will not achieve the political utopia they seek (especially not on their own power), are all sadly lacking in the true message of the very God they are trying to serve. Interestingly, some of these folks have even stated some of the clear Christian principles that come in opposition to their behavior: Love, Mercy, and the need to change hearts through the power of God’s Grace and not through human Law. Instead, one hears little more than condemnation, personal attacks, and hatred. These folks could do themselves and the world a greater service by listening more and saying less. Regardless, I hope they continue to speak out about what is right (without the personal attacks), because that is a message that the World needs to hear. But Politics is never the final playing field of Truth.

Contrast that with the efforts of Doug Gross, who in the August 30 Des Moines Sunday Register delivered an Op-ed piece recommending complete abandonment of our efforts to drive back the social diseases that have infested society and have been embraced by the courts. Gross, who has been an unsuccessful candidate for Governor, believes that the key to the Republican Party’s success in 2010 will be a complete focus on fiscal issues and minimizing of [...]

Tomorrow night at the monthly Polk County Republican Central Committee meeting, the committee will elect a new Chairman and Co-chairman. Ryan Anderson, John Bloom and John Gruber have all announced their intention to run for Chairman. Will Rogers and Art Smith (yes, one and the same) have announced their plans to run for Co-chairman.

This election will be another version of the Republican Party of Iowa election earlier this year. Most observers and insiders are aware that the party is struggling to get a handle on its identity and purpose. As Republicans, we have clearly missed some critical opportunities to get our message into the public eye in a way that is both clear and compelling. Party leadership at many levels (not necessarily within Polk County) has been challenged by mixed priorities, including priorities of personal power.

Everyone is fairly convinced that change is needed.

Our hope is that whomever is elected, that they will be [...]

Today the Republican Party of Iowa finally ended one of the more unusual elections for party officers in recent memory, which included last week’s candidate forum. The new slate of officers are:

• Party Chair: Matt Strawn
• Party Co-chair: Jim Kurtenbach
• Party Treasurer: Matt Randall
• Party Secretary: Bill Schickel

Strawn is a 35-year-old businessman and co-owner of the Iowa Barnstormers Arena Football Team. Strawn’s focus in his campaign has been on better use of technology, communication and encouraging participation by younger Iowans in the political process.

After listening to Polk County GOP Chairman Ted Sporer (for the first time in a couple of months, by the way) on [...]