COEUR d'ALENE - It's an issue that has been brewing within the Republican Party since January, when the state central committee officially sanctioned a liberty-based caucus within its party ranks.

It played out locally Tuesday night, when one member of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee called on the committee to withhold support from the Republican Liberty Caucus until it brings its platform in line with the party's official platform.

The motion was vigorously debated, but in the end the central committee voted overwhelmingly against the motion, and allowed them to continue supporting the organization.

Committeeman Matt Roetter, who made the motion, sees the RLC as hijacking the party from inside. Roetter's research appears to indicate a pattern of state party leaders stacking RLC members on state-level committees, which will have the authority to shape the party's platform in May of next year.

"The leadership is aiding the takeover of the Republican Party by the Libertarians," Roetter said in an interview prior to the meeting. "These folks in leadership are not being honest about who they are."

Roetter calls them "conservatives in name only."

Committeeman Duane Rasmussen believes they are trying to take over the party as well.

"I think this is a true case of a parasite invading the host animal," he said, before the meeting. "They have attacked the soft underbelly of the party."

The problem, they said, is the RLC's official statement of principles and positions is in direct conflict with the Idaho Republican Party's platform in three specific areas: abortion, legalization of drugs and traditional marriage (See related sidebar at left).

Furthermore, the RLC endorsement rules state that its members will give preference to libertarian-minded candidates during an endorsement process.

"Preference shall be granted to any candidate who has signed the 'Liberty Compact' of the caucus or who has been rated as 'libertarian' in the 'Liberty Index' of the caucus," the RLC rule states.

Roetter raised the issue with the central committee last month, where it seemed to garner more support. The motion was tabled, however, to allow committee members to gather more information.

Committeeman John Cross said he initially favored the motion to force the national RLC to change its stance on the issues, but later found they were already addressing it, and that the state RLC chapter had already stated it is in line with Idaho's Republican platform, at least on the issue of abortion.

He doesn't support Roetter's motion anymore.

He called Cornel Rasor, who is on the RLC's state and federal boards, to get more information.

"I asked him about the traditional marriage and the right to life issues," Cross said. "He said there is a problem with the bylaws at the national level of the RLC, and they are working within their group to try and get those items - traditional marriage and right to life - to come in line with the Republican platform."

He said because they are working on it, Cross said he would not vote to withdraw support of that organization.

Committeeman Gary Ingram spoke in favor of Roetter's motion.

"I trust Matt's integrity and research," he said, adding if it is true, there is no way the central committee could vote to support the RLC until they fix their positions.

Committeeman Matt Robinson stood to oppose the motion as a member of the Republican Party and a member of the RLC.

"One of the reasons I like the RLC is their focus on small government with social issues aside," he said. "Social issues cause a divide.

"Personally, in my house abortion is not an option, traditional marriage is the way to go and drug use is not an option," he continued. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to go around telling other people what to do."

After the meeting Rasmussen said the central committee just voted to become an auxiliary branch of the Libertarian Party.

"If we abandon our principles, if we abandon our traditional beliefs, we abandon our party," he said. "If I wanted to be a Libertarian, I would have joined the Libertarian Party."