The following letter comes from Frank Sietzen of Arlington, a lifelong Republican who believes - as do many Republicans - that his party has moved far to the right, to the "extreme social conservatives that dominate party policy." As a result, Mr. Sietzen has decided to leave the Republican Party and to join the "commonsense governance" party - the Democratic Party. I have received permission from Mr. Sietzen and from Arlington County Democratic Committee chair, Peter Rousellot, to publish this letter here at Raising Kaine. The only thing I have added is bolding for emphasis. Enjoy.
Thursday, July 5 2007Arlington County Democratic Committee
Peter Rousellot, ChairRe: The Roosevelt Society
Dear Peter,
Now that the state Senate primary elections have been held and Republicans have succeeded in purging the moderate wing of the party, it is time I finished the conversion I began last fall with my support of Jim Webb and shifted my support to the Arlington Democratic Party.
Attached please find what will be my first annual contribution of $200 for membership in the Roosevelt Society - I did not see a membership form at your web page.
As you may recall from our work together on FAAC, my instinct is to seek centrist solutions whenever possible in public issues. As a fiscal conservative and a social moderate such views sadly are out of step with those now running the Republican Party. I consider it essential that such social extremists be defeated and control of the Virginia Assembly, both House and Senate, return to responsbile public officials. That same impulse for commonsense governance must also be applied in next year's national elections for Congress and the Executive.
I have many colleagues and friends that remain in the Republican party that feel, as I do, increasingly alienated from the extreme social conservatives that dominate party policy while comprising an increasingly smaller and smaller segment of the party and the country as a whole. Yet the leaders of the party exclude centrists and moderates like me in favor of those whose views do not even represent the grass roots of our country. In such a climate, it is better to be a Democrat than a RINO-or a dinosaur.
I know you to always seek consensus whether it be in developing the Budget Driver's reports or in other local issues of import. I look forward to supporting your leadership in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Frank Sietzen
Welcome to the party of opportunity, responsibility, fair markets, healthy families, strong communities, the right to privacy, and commonsense solutions that will move Virginia "forward together." We invite other lifelong Republicans, whose party has left them as well, to join us. Thank you.