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Republican movement, intention critical now for Rep. Spartz
Especially with crucial midterm elections coming up, Republicans have to be intentional with their conservative principles, the party faithful were told Tuesday evening. It is in turn about keeping perspective about what freedom means during what has become a challenging time, as well as working from the ground up on tough issues.
Energetic and pulling no punches about this being the message, Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN 5th District) lit up the room as she gave her keynote speech at the Putnam County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day dinner. Indeed, fired up as a descriptor could have been an understatement.
Having worked with her previously at the state level, State Sen. John Crane would comment that it was like listening to “vintage Victoria.”
Spartz’s visit came on the heels of a brief mission with Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) to Ukraine, as the country continues to fight the Russian incursion which began in late February. Upon her return to the United States, Spartz described the devastation she saw and expressed a desire for more aggressive policy.
She would say the fighting hits home for her, as she was born in Nosivka, a city in the northern province of Chernihiv.
Spartz did not necessarily lead her remarks with this. For her, the Russo-Ukrainian conflict is part of a larger picture of politics. Verbal exaggeration or not, her view is that our country is under attack.
What is needed, she said, is having “real people, common-sense people” serve in political offices.
“It is going to be a big battle, a big challenge,” Spartz said, leveling that Democrats, as the majority in the House of Representatives and more or less so in the Senate, continue to weaken the nation internally as well as externally. “We’re going to stop this insanity sooner than later. We’re getting organized. Republicans are fighting hard all over the country.”
Though lives are more at stake, Spartz aligned this mobilization with how she saw Ukrainians as patriots fighting against corrupt government and suppression. To her, they are an example to uphold as she believes America continues to have lawlessness, anarchy, crime and oligarchy abounding.
“You see what’s happening there. We don’t want to be there,” she said. “Fight for your freedoms. Be strong. Be courageous. Don’t be afraid to stand up. Don’t be afraid to do the right thing.”
This was the message she had when it comes to educating children about the United States as the “shining example” of a republic that preserves individual freedom. It is part of a continuous fight for limited government and conservative values.
Republicans, Spartz said as such, have to lead on this and get their message out no matter what, even as, as she broadly posited, they continue to be censored by news media and on online social platforms.
“We have dysfunctional government, we have a government that’s too big and corrupt and weak,” Spartz professed. “So it’s important for us to put pressure on (the Biden) administration, and I think it’s important for Republicans to win and be able to have some accountability from the other branch.”
Not providing any specific examples, Spartz said that she has “tried” to be bipartisan and find common ground in Congress with Democrats, but to no avail. It has been a “waste of my energy, a waste of my time.”
She provided that, besides defeating them in elections and pursuing conservative policymaking, it is better at this point in time to wait until the radical elements become irrelevant.
“If New York wants to go to hell, they can go to hell, but Indiana is not going to be paying for that,” Spartz said to applause.
While representation in the House and Senate means curbing Democrats’ agendas, Spartz said the most important goal leadership-wise is to have and hold a Republican as president. With Donald Trump having effectively teased running in 2024, she namedropped former CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as part of a strong field of potential candidates.
“We have to have a Republican president,” Spartz said, avowing that real Americans see through propaganda and naiveté. However, she still reiterated that retaking the Senate and at least gaining ground in the House means bringing more innovation and stability.
Getting through the bureaucracy and special interest groups, Spartz suggested, remains a greater challenge. Ultimately, this means that Republicans have to put heads together and be committed.
“We just have to survive, and that’s why we have to win this year,” Spartz concluded. “You can pick hills to die on, but, damn, you better believe in taking those hills to die on. I think Republicans are going to do that.”