After much consideration and prayerful thought, I am writing what I witnessed at the Republican Central Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 28. I hold an important position within the Republican party as the president of Kootenai County Republican Women Federated, and because of this I have had several questions as to what actually transpired at said meeting. I take my position with this club very seriously and truly love the ladies that I am honored to work with. We are the educational branch of the Republican Party. With a brand new Republican caucus being added, I have been attending the many meetings that have been held to help explain how the caucus will work. I have been educating our members, associates, and myself as I get information on the process and what this caucus means to Republicans in Idaho.

I was told by the chairman, by attending the Central Committee meeting I could ask if any of the precinct men needed help, as I had many ladies that would like to volunteer in their own polling places. However, I was unable to offer any assistance at this meeting.For the past several years many of the members of the Republican Central Committee have been speaking out against the Republican Party by stating that there is a division amongst the party.

The truth is that there is not a division in the party, but an infiltration of the party by two other recognized parties within the state. This year is the first year you will be required to register to vote by party in the primary. The parties that are recognized within the state are: Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Constitution and unaffliated. By belonging to a recognized Republican Federated group, you are required to declare that you are a Republican. There are far right Republicans, Moderate and far left Republicans, this is a fact. This is also a fact with the Democrat Party. There is no such recognized party as the "Libertarian-Republican" or the "Constitution-Republican." These are three totally separate Parties. Yes some similarities do exist with the three parties, but they are three separate parties. This is where the division lies. By becoming a precinct man of the Republican Central Committee, you MUST be a Republican.

The agenda at the Feb. 28 Republican Central Committee meeting was quite unexpected by several present, myself included. This year's Lincoln Day Dinner, which is the major fundraiser for the Central Committee, was this evening's topic. The Republican Central Committee for Kootenai County raises money at this dinner for Republican candidates. Mr. Richard Mack, this year's speaker, chosen by the Lincoln Day Committee, was the topic of discussion. A letter sent to Chair Jacobson and Secretary Erickson was the center of contention. This letter contained concerns on Mr. Mack's political history of consistent opposition to the Republican Party and strong affinity to other political parties, including Democrat, Libertarian and Constitution parties. After much heated and frankly uncivilized debate by the supporters of Mr. Mack, it was finally put to a vote, and Mr. Mack was removed as this year's keynote speaker, losing by one vote.This year's Lincoln Day dinner can still be a huge success without this controversial speaker. A suggestion was made to have Governor Otter or other elected officials within the state be the speaker. The many that attend this event do so to support the Republican Party, regardless the speaker. It is imperative that we continue to have a strong Republican Party, work together to ensure the strongest candidate wins the Republican nomination and take back the presidency by electing the best candidate that can actually beat Obama in November. America will not survive four more years with this president.

Kellie Palm is a Hayden resident.