To those of my fellow citizens who participated in the Republican Caucus Tuesday night, thank you. Whether you supported Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum or if you were constitutionalist, tea party member, extreme right, centrist or somewhat right of center, we all shared in the first presidential caucus in the state of Idaho. 

I would like to think that it was more a matter of geography than disregard for our opinion that left many of us disenchanted or disheartened with the process. Simple mathematics of the new format mean your voice will not ever matter again in Idaho Republican Presidential Politics. As was the case Tuesday night, the vote will be finalized in Ada County and announced on the national news before we finish casting our first ballots.  

That being said, thank you for your opinions, the lively discourse, and the chance to meet with friends and political opponents alike. I believe it is time to go back to the ballot box or award delegates as a percentage of the vote; the winner takes all format we have now only disregards North Idaho and its citizens.   

The local Republican GOP office number is (208) 765-8259. I am sure they would appreciate your opinion. As for me, they lost my contribution when they disregarded my vote.

ROY W. MURDOCK

CW4 U.S. Army (Retired)

Coeur d’Alene