Submitted by Beth MacGillivray, Chair, Greenwich Republican Town Committee
In response to Ed Dadakis’ letter in Greenwich Sentinel dated 12/9/2022 on Fellow Republicans:
Ed Dadakis’ public attack letter follows closely the style and theme of Dan Quigley’s public attacks on fellow Greenwich Republicans. I firmly remind these self-styled local “Republican” provocateurs of Reagan’s Eleventh Commandment, “Thou shalt not speak ill of thy fellow Republican.”
Reagan famously asked for decorum among Republicans while running for Governor in California because he knew he had no chance of winning with a fractured party, and he saw no use for Republicans who would go to the press to beat up on other Republicans.
Mr. Dadakis and his sort, who indulge themselves in diatribes in the newspapers spreading false narratives about Republicans, are essentially functional Democrats. His decrying name-calling is ironic as he and his ilk join in Democrat hysterics labeling Republicans as “Trumplicans,” “right-wingers,” and “fringe.” Such backbiting reeks of politics as usual and it has no place in the new Greenwich Republican leadership that is already underway.
Yes, the Republican Town Committee has many new people as members via a transparent and established process of elections. Mr. Dadakis’ choice of words calling the election of new members as “staging a coup” seems a reflection of his personal obsession with power than any commentary on the Republicans who stepped up to serve our community.
Our Greenwich Republican campaigns were positive, energetic, and above-board, looking to enhance our community, not tear it down. Our candidates were immigrants, business-starters, community volunteers, moms and dads, former Representative Town Meeting and Board of Education members, a native son, a presidential nominee for a U.S. ambassadorship, a successful investment manager, a former financial reporter, a tech firm entrepreneur, and a sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard, representing well the diverse life experiences and excellence of Greenwich’s people.
Republican voters responded with enthusiasm with 71.8% of us coming out to vote in these mid-terms, compared to 66.1% of registered Democrat voters and 52.5% of registered Unaffiliated voters.
In just these past few months, Greenwich Republicans hosted former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, U.S. Senator Rick Scott, and Congressman Kevin McCarthy in various homes in our town. Each event was oversubscribed and packed with new faces of people wanting to get involved. Republican camaraderie and resolve to make a difference locally have never been greater.
For far too long town Republicans, even when they were winning, have been unable to abate the trend leftward in our state. Connecticut’s own William F. Buckley Jr sounded the call to stand athwart history and yell “Stop!” Yet, the Republican Town Committee of old was content to say, “if it’s no trouble would you please slow down.” Facing only conciliation and accommodation as opposition from Republicans, Democrats in our town and in our state have not slowed down.
Republicans who win and then go on to vote just like Democrat-lite, expanding government at all levels, driving up costs of living and doing business with more fees, taxes, and red tape, is of little more use than electing Democrats.
To be sure, we have learned lessons from this election — and from past elections — of Republican losses. Mr. Dadakis’ selective memory does not mention devastating losses under the previous “steady handed” leadership like in 2018, when the 36th district senate seat, the 150th state representative seat, and the chairmanship of the Board of Estimate and Taxation changed hands from red to blue.
What did not happen after that historic loss was no one made small-minded attacks on the leadership then, violating Reagan’s 11th commandment like Mr. Dadakis and his ilk are doing now. Republicans made a comeback then and Republicans can make a comeback again, but only if as Reagan declared we all observe the 11th commandment. Republicans must and will move forward. The future of our community requires it.
Our Greenwich Republican Town Committee meetings are open and welcoming to all Republicans like never before. Our membership and associate ranks are brimming over with a vibrant mix of people with town experience and new people who bring with them their life and business backgrounds. Some are younger, some are older. All are informed, engaged and energetic Republicans.
We greatly value each other as people who want to serve our town and state as standard bearers for Republican principles. If you want to do something for common sense and practical policies for broad prosperity and thriving communities, please come join us! We welcome you from far and wide across our town.
Our first meeting of the new year is on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at the Town Hall Meeting Room. Refreshments are served at 7:30PM and the meeting starts at 8:00PM. We can’t wait to meet you!
In Service,
Beth MacGillivray
Chair, Greenwich Republican Town Committee