Assemblyman Ty Cobb (R-Reno), under fire by Democrats, establishment Republicans and others for not voting for Democrat Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley for Speaker earlier this week, asked that I not hold that vote against his GOP colleagues by scoring it in our 2007 Rating of the Legislature. Considering what a stand-up guy Asm. Cobb has been in this whole matter, I agreed. You can read my full letter of response here
And in response to THAT letter, which was copied to all of Asm. Cobb’s colleagues, I received the following from Asm. Bob Beers (R-Las Vegas):
“Dear Mr. Muth: I believe it is time to clear the air regarding Assemblyman Cobb’s nay vote on Speaker Buckley’s confirmation. Though I voted with the majority, I applauded Ty’s courage in the face of overwhelming odds. If I had thought I could get away with it, I would have done the same. I support the Assemblyman and I salute his courage. He is to be congratulated for giving us an example of the spirit of which this nation was built.”
Much appreciated, Assemblyman Beers. Thank you.
Other letters of support for Cobb have been flowing in, as well. Take this one, for example, from Lynda Bevins who pretty much sums up the gist of all the other email letters I’ve seen:
“I congratulate Ty. It takes, other than great courage, knowing who you are and what you stand for. He can stand tall and hold his head high. You can know that at least one aging old lady honors a man of courage when she sees one! And, you can be sure, I’m not alone in supporting Ty’s ethic!”
Then there was this from Julie Hereford, the Coalitions Chairwoman for the Clark County GOP:
“Here in Clark County, most of the Republicans are behind Ty Cobb’s courageous stand. It’s about time!”
And in another email titled, “Go Ty Cobb!” Cobb’s former primary election opponent, Richard Disney of the Nevada Legislative Policy Committee wrote the following to every GOP member of the Assembly caucus:
“To my former primary opponent and all Republican Assemblymembers willing to be profess opposition to the Democrat leadership, we stand ready to support you! Please give us a reason to hope that Nevada will continue to be a bastion of low-tax, laissez-faire capitalism that protects individual rights. We believe that the only way to regain Republican majority in the Nevada State Assembly is to portray an alternative to the agenda to the Democrat Assembly leadership.”
Dang straight. The opposition need not be nasty or uncivil…but opposition to the Buckley agenda by Assembly Republicans is needed now more than ever. And you don’t win a fight by hugging your opponent. Grassroots Republicans “get” this. We can only hope that the Assembly GOP “leadership” eventually gets it, as well…before it’s too late.
Posted on February 10th, 2007 by Chuck Muth
Filed under: Nevada
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