Skinsuit Politicians
North Idaho is largely populated by good and friendly people. People who volunteer their time for civic and charitable causes. People you would want for neighbors. People who inspired the joke: “I was at the local hardware store and while I was searching for what I wanted, three different people asked if I needed assistance…. and one was even a store employee.”
When good and accomplished people join organizations, that does not automatically make the organization good; and the accomplishments of the individual members do not become the property of the organization. Unfortunately, there are organizations seeking power and control that will skinsuit the accomplishments of their members.
In her recent opinion piece “The NIR Way”, North Idaho Republican co-founder Christa Hazel glowingly lists the individual accomplishments of members of our community but neglects to mention their names so that they can properly be credited. Instead, she saddles up next to them and refers to them as “we,” laying claim to their accomplishments. She attempts to fool the readers by wrapping the NIR name with the commendable works of others. Hazel attempts to blur the line between NIR and the accomplishments of its members by claiming NIR support is “quiet” and not done for “applause.” Lipstick on a pig comes to mind, but nail polish on a RINO would be a better fit.
Sadly, this is but the latest in a long history of bad acting. Since its founding, NIR has been putting up a false front. NIR was fined the maximum amount allowed by law for multiple campaign finance violations. They were sent a Cease and Desist order from the general counsel of the Republican National Committee for unauthorized use of the Republican brand. They twice counterfeited the official Republican Party Recommended Candidate list and substituted candidates endorsed by the Democrat Party. They used pictures taken at KCRCC events on the NIR website. NIR leadership endorsed Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Nikki Haley. Hazel led Women for Biden in 2020. NIR supported Proposition 1 which was sponsored by out of state liberal elites. The list goes on.
President Ronald Reagan displayed a plaque on the Resolute Desk which read “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.” Taking credit for the good works of others is about as Un-Republican as you can get, which explains why the NIR list of endorsed candidates matches the Democrat’s list name for name.
What is at the root of this total lack of self-awareness? Hazel’s article drips of elitist condescension. She refers to grassroots Republican volunteers as “KCRCC-types” who should be gazed down upon for they are not established members of … well… you know…”us.”
Years ago I was having a conversation with Mike Patrick, then editor of the CDA Press. Mike was vehemently against the Republican Party expressing their recommendations for candidates in an upcoming election. Yes, a member of the media was against the free speech of Republicans - shocking, I know (Sarcasm Lock off). I explained that the KCRCC had a lengthy process for vetting candidates, introducing them to both the public and KCRCC members and then making our recommendations based on a secret ballot vote by the entire membership. I asked him how the Press makes their endorsements. He said that he had lived and worked in the community long enough that he just “knew” who the right people were. I was shocked he said the quiet part out loud. If you want to be in public office, you need to be part of the club; a club that is definitely not the KCRCC.
Knowing this, Hazel’s article makes sense. NIR is simply the latest skinsuit for the establishment elites, a coat of grassroots conservatism, but underneath, good old boys who put power first and party last. They view the KCRCC as a threat because the KCRCC has standards in both mission and platform, and is effective in getting quality candidates elected to office regardless of their status as “club” members.
The KCRCC mission is to enhance freedom and prosperity by promoting fiscally and socially conservative candidates who will implement the Idaho Republican Party Platform as policy. The Republican Party Platform has been developed and refined over decades where every two years, at the Republican State Convention, amendments to the Platform are considered and voted on by over 600 delegates from all corners of Idaho. Our platform is an organic document reflecting the best of Conservative Republican policy. The Platform defines those things that make a Republican a Republican. The KCRCC believes in integrity; that when a candidate claims the Republican brand they should substantially hold Republican values so that voters know what they are getting.
Establishment RINO (Republican In Name Only) candidates object to being measured against the Platform because they will come up short whenever their “club” membership is not considered.
KCRCC members represent every precinct in the county, our processes are open and transparent, and our standards are published. The KCRCC will continue to serve the voters by vetting candidates, distributing our Voter’s Guide free to every household, delivering candidate literature, and voting to make an informed recommendation. All this to aide you with your voting decisions.
If the NIR leadership is honest they can’t make any of these claims.
“The NIR Way” means having no regular meetings, no bylaws and no transparency. It means not allowing NIR members to vote on who will be endorsed. It means supporting progressive policies and promoting Democrat-endorsed candidates.
I have spoken to several individuals who were duped into allowing their names to be listed as NIR members. Honorable people of good standing should defend their reputations and not allow themselves to be used as skinsuits for someone else’s progressive agenda.
Don’t fall for NIR’s polished rhetoric. Our KCRCC recommended candidates staunchly fight elite liberal policies to keep Idaho conservative and free.
It’s just common sense.
August 14th, 2025