Why Its Important for the GOP Leadership to Stay Neutral in Party Debate

There are party principles that transcend each individual leader and are an important part of keeping the republic strong and growing. The GOP has been a practical party, and while holding different philosophical (theoretical) approaches when compared to Democrats, they are seeking the same end goal of improving the nation and the people who live within it. Opting for a neutral stance and allowing GOP members to rally around central values instead of specific party officials is important for long term appeal and brand. 

The next generation will determine whether the GOP will survive, dissipate, or transform into something else (not to mention that the GOP will also determine the fate of the Democrat Party). While the next generation will choose a party (many may pick none) on their own particular beliefs it will be the actions and behaviors of today's leaders that will create that brand to a large section of the population just starting to get politically involved.

RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel indicated the party will stay neutral (1). That is a wise choice as she tries to juggle the internal struggle the GOP is experiencing. A neutral stance focused on allowing internal debate on the future direction of members allows party leaders to maintain the overriding rules that adjusts the reins of the 6 ton elephant.

It will not be helpful if leadership looses their grip and we split and cannibalize each other in a destructive way (i.e. calling for the death of the V.P.). Managing the process versus the specific outcome might be helpful. The GOP maintain essential values (This is why I think the GOP should focus on in the future HERE) but it is a process of value formation and specific trends come and go.

Each leader comes with a mixed bag of good and bad. Their ideas influence the direction of the country and other leaders in an effort to draw support and resources. There is no such thing as a single leader for all times as far as national politics is concerned. Some will lead you to a better future and some raze the house. 

As a nation (or any organization) we must pick those leaders that are best for the time they are needed because they have the skill and abilities to rally people to a vision and goal.The right leader at the right time means we should have some understanding of the different types of leadership traits and their approaches. For example, this study shows....

"Using a sample of 2,461 executive-level leaders, six personality profiles were identified: Unpredictable Leaders with Low Diligence (7.3%); Conscientious, Backend Leaders (3.6%); Unpredictable Leaders (8.6%); Creative Communicators (20.8%); Power Players (32.4%); and Protocol Followers (27.1%)." (Parr, Lanza, & Bernthal, 2016).

No person within the country should ever have ultimate authority (history has shown how that works out) and the three branches of government counter balance each effectively (If that breaks the house comes down). Picking the next executive should be very much based in the needs of the country of that time (with an eye on future) and their particular ability to accomplish national goals. 

This is not an endorsement for or against any particular future candidate. The neutrality of the GOP is important to draw people into the political process in a way that leads to constructive, versus destructive, end results. The GOP (and other parties) have an important goal in building a republic and must always use wisdom when approaching thorny issues like this. 

Keeping things civil and allowing people to voice and vote their beliefs without intimidation is important to saving the essential truths of the purpose of our Republic (Isn't that why we started a new country in the first place?). The specific candidate makes no difference as choices in unique times often have unintended results and we must choose that fate freely as a party and a nation.

Parr, A. D., Lanza, S. T., & Bernthal, P. (2016). Personality Profiles of Effective Leadership Performance in Assessment Centers. Human performance, 29(2), 143–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959285.2016.1157596