Change in leadership changes little

It wasnt the predicted bloodbath, or even so much as a papercut. When Columbia Countys Republican Party convention was over last Saturday, two-term Party Chairman Alvin Starks had been easily unseated by Columbia County School Board member Lee Muns (http://www.newstimesonline.com/stories/031203/new_124-3519.shtml).

Muns dual roles as party chairman and school trustee are raising a few eyebrows. But apparently theres nothing in local or state law to prohibit him from holding the non-partisan trustee post while serving as leader of a political party. Nor do party rules prohibit him from serving as a trustee, though it is still questionable as to whether he could run for office while serving as party leader.

But just who is questioning Muns election to begin with? It isnt Joe Lunchbox; the average man on the street couldnt care less about who leads either of the countys political parties. Sniping about Muns is coming from one of the infamous factions of the local GOP - specifically, the faction that just lost an obscure election that most citizens ignore.

Without a serious threat from Democratic opponents in recent years, local Republicans have inflicted most political wounds on themselves. This intraparty warfare reached absurd levels in the last couple of years, with the countys elected officials lined up on one side, and party leadership on the other.

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At least with Muns at the helm, the countys elected officials are on the same side as the party leadership. As Starks found, its hard enough to lead a party of independent thinkers. Its even tougher when no one is following.