N.C. Republicans need a new chairman

State Republican Chair Linda Daves has announced she won't seek another term as head of the N.C. Republican Party when her term ends in June. She says she's proud of what the party has accomplished, though it is hard to find much for Republicans to be happy about in the wake of the 2008 election debacle.
There's a little bit of jockeying among the party faithful to see who might succeed her, and some evidence that former state Sen. Fred Smith of Johnston County might be interested. If ever a political party needed a bright, energetic executive to rekindle interest in the GOP and present a cogent message to voters the party hasn't been drawing, it's the N.C. Republican Party.
What the party needs is a central figure who can galvanize the troops, attract new members, get the fund-raising flowing again and boost candidate recruiting in a party that until recently had a tough time coming up with good candidates in gubernatorial elections. I think the party had good candidates in the 2008 election for governor, and wound up nominating its best shot at the governorship in a long time, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory. But the party needs someone who can rebuild the organization, its stable of potential candidates and prospects for ballot-box wins in the future.
This might not be a bad time for the right person to resurrect the party. With Democrats in charge in Washington -- including the White House and Congress -- and a lingering recession taking its toll, it may not be too long before disgruntlement sets in if Democratic efforts to boost the economy don't show results. .

Here's a press release from the state GOP on Daves' decision:
RALEIGH—Chairman Linda Daves, North Carolina Republican Party, released the following statement today.
"Serving as the Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party has been a great honor. The ability to serve the interests of the people of North Carolina has been one of the great privileges of my life. The best part of this job has been the ability to meet the many diverse people who make up the fabric of our state. I have spent many years working alongside dedicated, hardworking Republicans in North Carolina as a grassroots activist. It is these good people who make up the heart and soul of our party. Having the ability to see their commitment to making our state the best that it can be has given me renewed hope for our future each day.
I am proud of what Republicans have been able to accomplish together for the people of North Carolina over the last two years. The fruit of the labor associated with party building takes time to grow.
I think it is good and healthy for an organization to have fresh, new leadership periodically. At the conclusion of my term in June, I will step aside and allow someone else the honor and responsibility of guiding this party into the future. I am an activist and I will continue my work with candidates and Republican leaders across North Carolina to ensure our progress forward and to advocate for conservative fiscal and social policies. Between now and June, when a new chairman will be elected, I will continue to work diligently with our activists and other party leaders to assess our strengths and weaknesses and to begin the process of rebuilding."
The North Carolina Republican Party will elect a new chairman at the 2009 NCGOP Convention held June 12-14 in Raleigh.
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