Angering the local base?

Got this in my e-mail this morning, from the Gilchrest campaign:

National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Congressman Tom Cole endorsed the re-election bid of U.S. Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest today, and urged Marylanders to return Gilchrest to Congress in the 2008 election.

“Wayne Gilchrest is an important part of our Congress and our Party, and I am pleased to offer my strong support for his re-election,” said Cole.

“While we may not agree on every issue, the strength of our Party lies in our diversity of opinions, and in the end, Wayne offers an honest and thoughtful perspective in the House.”

The NRCC is the Congressional arm of the Republican National Committee. U.S. Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma is the elected national Chairman.

Gilchrest said there are several issues that the Congress must face, including addressing deficit spending, resisting the urge to raise taxes, pushing through strong border security legislation, passing a comprehensive energy independence policy, and stabilizing Iraq and improving the United States’ standing in world affairs.

Gilchrest recently voted against a proposed $200 million tax increase put forth by Congressional leaders, co-sponsored legislation to strengthen border security and has co-sponsored legislation to make President Bush’s tax cuts permanent.

Gilchrest is currently serving his ninth term in Congress. He lives in Kennedyville with his wife, Barbara, and has three grown children. Prior to his election to Congress he was a public school teacher in Kent County. He is a former United States Marine who was wounded in combat in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Navy Commendation Medal. He has an associate’s degree from Wesley College in Dover and a bachelor’s degree in history from Delaware State College.

Oddly enough, I guess it was Friday afternoon I got a phone call from this very same organization, looking for contributions. I explained to the lady on the other end that my policy is to donate to individual candidates, and this is the very reason I refuse to donate to such organizations.

The NRCC should be advocating the benefits of restoring a Republican Congress, but not supporting individual candidates at this juncture. Unfortunately, like Lincoln Chafee in 2006 and Arlen Specter in 2004, the RNC puts its weight behind incumbents who seemingly have the "R" behind their name for decoration rather than principle at the expense of candidates who I feel would align more closely to Republican principles.

And they're doing it again here. So, instead of sending my money to the party I'm going to send it to Andy Harris. Hopefully the Maryland GOP is carefully reading what I say because I got into the group in order to stop their ludicrous pro-incumbent policies unless the voters wish to retain them. Obviously, the First Congressional District jury hasn't spoken yet and I personally condemn the NRCC for taking sides already.