I am writing from Canyon Lake (Comal County) in the Texas Hill Country near San Antonio. A meticulous researcher in nearby  Boerne, Mrs Meg McKain Grier, has written an eye popping "how to" book on Texas politics as practiced  down in the trenches. It is 

GRASSROOTS WOMEN: A MEMOIR OF THE TEXAS REPUBLICAN PARTY. 

Eisenhower's election as President in 1952 inspired Texas women to go out and co-create a rock 'em sock 'em two-party State. If North Carolina ever becomes thoroughly two-party, Republican women will have to do it.  Democrats were once as firmly in control in Texas and Comal County as they still are in North Carolina and Buncombe County. The difference is inspired women.

Once Tarheels read and apply GRASSROOTS WOMEN they will, I predict, transform the political landscape of Buncombe County on the road to building a thoroughly two-party North Carolina. Here is what inspired women can make Asheville and Buncombe look like in only four more years. 

(1) There will be four Republican Women's Clubs in Buncombe, up from two. Total membership will approach 300.

(2) At least three of those four clubs will have their own generously funded PACs--Political Action Committees. And use them!

(3) Republican women's clubs will grow in power, prestige and numbers. Their energy will transform the timid party structure, especially in precincts and areas. When the grassroots  leads, then County headquarters heeds.

(4) The leading women’s clubs will actively recruit and field only the best Republican candidates for public office. Clubs will support with time, talent, treasure and counsel only those men and women they have nominated or who have earned their confidence. Clubs will make the difference at election time. 

(5) It will be a rare parade or street festival without its colorful Republican Women's Club float or booth.

(6) From the homes where Republican women meet for coffee and sandwiches will come the self-confident volunteers, on their own terms, to staff the county precincts. Club members will go door to door for candidates and register voters.  Women’s clubs will assure that 20% of county Republican precincts have  block captains on the job by 2005. 

(7) Republican women will  co-sponsor with Democrats and Libertarians non-partisan political cubs to educate members and to find common ground for  making a more just county. Those clubs will  also ally with the D.A.R. in celebrating teachers and students who love   both the discipline of civics and our Constitution.

(8) Just watch as friendly and empowering Republican women hold out hands of welcome to Hispanic and Black women and to recent arrivals.

(9) G.O.P. clubs will continue to be  alternatives for thinking political women unwilling to campaign for office themselves or to join the  party apparatus.

(10) Buncombe is not Comal and North Carolina is not Texas. So breakfast tacos will NOT replace grits for breakfast.

-OOO-

for INDEPENDENT TORCH