J. C. Watts went to Charleston recently to speak at the Kanawha County Republican Executive Committee Lincoln Day Dinner. The state and county organization publicized this visit heavily and over 250 GOP faithful packed the Civic Center to hear and greet him. He gave a charismatic and rousing address that was much appreciated by a party needing leadership and optimism.
In Gary Abernathy's Republican Gazette Watts is referred to as "former congressman." This is a high honor certainly, but certainly in the past few years this man could have been given some task to build a national resume.
One of the few major complaints I have with the Bush administration is the fact that they did not reach out to cultivate and develop GOP talent. The Republican Party in the United States is gifted with a large group of pragmatic and experienced minds that need some resume building. J. C. Watts is a perfect example. This man proved his leadership and conservative credentials in Congress. Could he not have been entrusted with some office or task that would have enhanced his reputation?
Closer to home we have a former state party chair with experience in Eastern European affairs currently serving as president of West Liberty. Was he ever offered an ambassadorship? He would seem to be a natural choice. Robin Capehart is still an intriguing figure who has earned bipartisan respect and could be a factor in congressional or gubernatorial elections in the future. A couple of years serving in a position of high honor would have built upon what is already a solid reputation. The Democrats eased Bill Richardson into the governor's office in New Mexico after a successful diplomatic career. Why can't we do something similar?
Although no one in power should say it, when we are in, we should always have an eye towards developing electable talent through appointments. Certainly you should only select people capable of doing the job, but there is no reason to not have a "farm system" of political leadership in operation when you can do it.
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