Open Letter to Nathan Fletcher

Written By Brian Brady
Posted By Gary Gonsalves, M.D.

Nathan Fletcher is a member of the Democratic Party. 
This doesn’t surprise me.  I knew when he made the choice to throw the
“independent” Hail Mary pass that, if he wanted a political future, he
would have to (a) move to another state and try to woo Republican voters
there or (b) join with the Democrats.  Getting elected, in a big state
like California, is nearly impossible as an independent, especially one
who holds competing positions within a 12-month period.

This isn’t about Nathan though–this is about you. 
Many of you are registered Republicans who thought Nathan was
electable.  I get that.  He’s good looking, a combat veteran, and has a
politically connected wife.  Some volunteers, donors, and consultants
thought that was what was needed to win and govern in San Diego.  Most
Republican volunteers, donors, and consultants disagreed and the local
party (and Republican voters) backed Carl DeMaio.  I can’t speak for
them or the local party but I can for myself.  I supported DeMaio and
got involved in the local party because I think ideas and principles
matter.  I like that our local party, for which Carl held the banner in
the last election, is focused on limiting and reforming government.

The voters  like the ideas we’re offering:

• The Proposition D sales tax hike was defeated
• Managed competition was passed
• Pension reform passed overwhelmingly

I suspect that you like those ideas too.  This is good news for all
of us.  Together, we can continue to develop more ideas for government
reform and elect candidates who can implement those ideas.  I believe
the local Republican Party is a coalition of like-minded people who,
while we don’t always agree on every issue, can rally around the basic
principles of reform.

If you’re a registered Republican who supported Fletcher, we want to
see more of you. It is you who make this Republican Party special. 
Please come see us on the second Monday of each month.  I promise you
that nobody will say “I told you so”

If you’re an independent who thought Fletcher represented the
center-right principles with which you identify, we want to hear from
you.  Naturally, we’d love for you to re-register and volunteer but if
you don’t want to do that, we still want your input–neither political
party can win elections without appealing to you.  I extend the same
invitation to visit us on the second Monday of each month.  I promise
you that we will listen to you.

If you’re like some of my moderate “Legacy Democrat” friends, we know
that Fletcher might have appealed to you.  We want to know why.  We
think you might share our principles and, while you may not be
comfortable identifying with the Republican Party, you ultimately vote
for many our candidates.  That’s cool—we want to hear from you, too. 
You’re invited on the second Monday of each month but if you aren’t
comfortable visiting us, reach out to a Republican elected official whom
you like–she’ll appreciate that you did so.

Republicans believe in limited government which works. 
Republicans believe in the rule of law.  Republicans believe in
individual rights.  Republicans believe that by limiting government and
following the rule of law, individuals competing and cooperating with
one another produce far superior results than a big, centralized
government, trying to plan our individual lives.

Nathan Fletcher, the Marine veteran, is worthy of our respect, 
Nathan Fletcher, the politician, doesn’t subscribe to the principles
with which you and I identify.  That’s okay.  Come back to the
Republican Party and we’ll work on big ideas…together.  Those ideas will
always transcend any one person.