COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee wants a more efficient communication line with the media.

Unsatisfied with recent writeups, the committee is considering forming a subcommittee to represent the group's official voice in a timely fashion for future news stories.

"Basically it's uncharted waters for everyone," KCRCC Chair Tina Jacobson said in a message left at the Press. "Instead of having individuals run to the press, you could have a liaison."

The subcommittee, which could be formed over the next month, would help media by responding quicker. Often, Jacobson said, she does not receive media messages until evening hours after work and has had difficulty connecting with the reporters.

But some committee members believe it's a move to silence their opinions.

"I think it's a committee being formed as an intimidation tactic to suppress our First Amendment right of free speech," said Committeeman Fred Meckel. "Somebody asked, 'what are we going to do about people leaking stuff to the press or airing dirty laundry?'"

During the KCRCC meeting Tuesday, the precinct representatives were given examples from newspaper and blog comment clippings on how the committee was misrepresented or represented poorly in stories.

Committeeman Matt Roetter has vocalized his opinions in the Press. Roetter has made it clear in newspaper articles that he does not support Republican legislative candidate Phil Hart because of Hart's tax and timber controversies.

During the meeting, some opponents called the media "biased" and "liberal," while supporters said coverage has been fair and committeemen should have the right to discuss their opinions in that way.

"If we can't be open with the people, what's the point of having a party?" Committeeman Duane Rasmussen said Friday. "If everything we do has to been spinned to the press, what's the point of it? They want everything 1984; it's not 1984. We don't have thought police."

During the meeting, the committee voted 42 to 21 to officially adopt the stance that it will support Republican candidates who won in the primaries.

Some members said people are reading too far into it. It shouldn't be looked at as anything other than a more efficient way for the committee to communicate it's official positions.

"That doesn't mean individuals can't make their comments," said Committeeman Jeff Ward. "But they don't speak for the entire body."

More over, the committee can't punish members even if it wanted to. Precinct committee representatives are responsible only to the voter. Roetter is facing possible removal because he is an officer of the committee's executive board, along with the chair, vice chair, treasurer, secretary, state committeewoman and youth committee positions. Roetter is not a committeeman chosen by the voters, but a state committeeman chosen by the committee.

"it's important for me that pipeline is open," Ward said about the communication. "When something comes up, there's a quick response."