Yates to GOP: ‘Our opponents are Democrats,’ not each other

Idaho GOP Chairman Steve Yates, in his state party report to the floor session of the state convention today, said, “From this time forward, we are beyond our primary, we are in the general election, and our opponents are Democrats. It’s very, very important that we unify, in that simple purpose at the very least. But for me, when I think about why I’m Republican and why many of you are … it comes down to our values.”

He said, “I believe that our values are better. I believe that a majority of Idahoans are going to identify with these values.”

Yates said the party has “made great strides in reaching out to record numbers of voters in our state,” saying the new early presidential-only primary attracted 65,000 new registered Idaho Republicans. “That’s a wonderful accomplishment,” he said.

“The challenge before us now as a body is how do we retain those new Republicans, how do we bring the platform to them, help them to understand it and hold it as dear as we do? … We need to find ways to engage and maintain those new affiliated voters.”

Yates noted that this year’s convention already has accomplished more than the last one two years ago; that tempestuous confab was chaired by 1 ^st District GOP Congressman Raul Labrador. Today, Yates, said, “Just to keep it simple, I will serve as convention chair.”