Bob Tiernan and the Oregon Republican Party

Crossposted at NWR:

We mentioned here that Oregon Catalyst had reported that former Republican legislator Bob Tiernan was interested in running for the position of Chairman of the Oregon Republican Party.

I had an opportunity to have a discussion with Bob about the condition of the Oregon Republican party and where he wants to take the party.

First a little background on Bob from my own personal experiences with him and observations.

I worked with Bob on a campaign in 1998 to stop the "Interstate Light Rail" plan that included the largest tax increase in the history of Portland (actually if I remember correctly it was the largest in the state). Bob was very organized and focused. I had a team of people working with me and since I was relatively new in politics (to some of the insiders) at the time there were some internal "issues." (nothing major just niggly little things that tend to get in the way).

Bob found out about my efforts and gave me a call. We met and he helped me arrange a meeting with the campaign staff and volunteers in which he helped articulate the message I was trying to pass along and the plan going forward. People walked out of that meeting fired up and we went on to win that campaign despite being outspent by approx $175,000 to $3 MILLION.

He was also elected to office at the zenith of the Republican rebirth of the 1990's (1992). As he said in our conversation about those early to mid 90's "many Republicans lost their nerve when it came to the tough negotiations, and fighting for the principals we all firmly believe in. " Rep. Bob Tiernan did not. In fact I had given him the nick-name "bulldog Bob" because of his solid approach to governing.

Now I have nothing against the current leadership of Vance Day as he has given a great deal of his time and energy on behalf of the party. He did it at a time when no one else was willing to do it. However after a while leadership needs to change.

The state of the party
In my discussions with Bob Tiernan it became clear that Bob understands that the Republican party is at a pivotal time right now. The Oregon party is reeling from some elections losses, a lack of message and an organization that is trying to find it's place. All of that makes it difficult to raise money.

Bob believes that it appears the party is "unorganized, fractured" and "in financial difficulty."

He is right and how much of what appears is reality does not really matter at the moment. Because in politics so much of perception is reality. And it is in this current reality that the Oregon GOP has been trying to recruit and run good candidates. That is a difficult task.

The Tiernan Plan
It is in this atmosphere that Bob Tiernan wants to step in, provide some new leadership, and implement a plan.

Is plan begins with three things: "1) good people 2) A good plan 3) Money to fund the plan."

Bob believes that there are "good people" in the Oregon Republican party and that he can raise the money to fund the plan.

I happen to think he is right. In fact many of those good people are working in the party right now and IMHO just need something fresh and a plan to apply themselves to.

I also believe that Bob can raise the money and that is probably as difficult, if not more so, than pulling the people together. Without being able to raise the money to be effective then the party is limited to nothing more than being a press release machine and talking amongst themselves.

Tiernan mentioned his 8 goals and objectives he hopes to accomplish with his plan. Those goals and objectives are (although I'll not go into the sub-bullet points that he also shared with me).

1. Maintain headquarters OPEN to Republicans and the Public
2. Running and Winning Local Elections (Mayors, County, City)
3. Support Local County Republican Organizations to recruit and elect Republicans
4. Express Republican Opinions and Positions on Key Issues
5. Coordinate CORE Republican policy, positions, & agendas with House and Senate Republicans
6. Register Republicans to Vote
7. Get the VOTE out Programs (Campaign season)
8. Raise Money to pay for (above) ORP Support activities

I say good for Bob for seeing many of the hurdles that need to be cleared, articulating them and being willing to address them.

Action
Now having a plan is great. Many folks can have a plan and you can even buy business plans online. However implementing a plan, or providing "action" is another thing entirely.

And that, for my money, is what really makes a Tiernan as party chair so exciting. For Bob Tiernan has been a man of action both in politics and in non-political business life.

First he has run winning campaigns before. He knows what it takes with regard to the hard work and the mundane tasks that need to be undertaken as well. Because running winning campaigns is a lot more than simply saying and believing the right things. In short, as far as politics goes, he has demonstrated that he knows how to win.

Secondly he is an attorney and turn-around business consultant and is experienced in drafting and implementing action plans for troubled businesses.

For the last four years Tiernan has been the Chief Operating Officer of a $650 million dollar a year retail company. I asked him about that and he said that his company has seen 14 straight quarters of positive sales. In that time he has overseen the construction of 24 new stores and 20 of them have met or exceeded financial projections.

He also has been on the board of directors of the NEW Payless Drug Stores for the last 8 years.

Ad his political abilities to his business experiences and contacts and I think Oregonian Republicans have an opportunity not seen in a decade or more.

As I said in my earlier post, Tiernan also has great street cred with the movement conservatives and the base and also cred with many in the political class. He understands the relationship between the two and understands that in order for the party to be a successful organization you need to actually have something more than just a name, but you also need a real product.

He understands that the party needs to get more involved in recruiting and campaigning for candidates and not just simply leave all of that up to the two caucus groups. That should be a welcome invitation to everyone.

I know Bob personally so I admit I am biased. However I believe that Bob Tiernan is the best choice at this point in time for taking the Republican party forward in the new age of Democrat party majorities.

The Republican Party is going to launch a come back in 2009, and Bob Tiernan will lead the charge. A dynamic seasoned leader, successful businessman, a skilled attorney, an accomplished former two term State legislator, and a Commander in the US Navy (and still Serving) ....Bob has all the key ingredients to reinvigorate, recharge and lead the Oregon Republican Party to success.

yip yip