Two Republican Party's in Hammond?

I happened to take a brief look at the Times message boards this evening to find an interesting post. Two Republican Parties in Hammond?

Evidently, some seem to think there is the Duane Dedelow/Wes Miller party and the Joe McCarthy party. I could change my thinking on this but I think the Hammond Republican Party really isn't much of one right now.

The Dedelow/Miller/Janiec/Poland people seemingly control the party due to the fact that Duane Dedelow is a former mayor and that Kim Poland was elected 4th District Councilman. The supposed Joe McCarthy wing really controls nothing when it comes down to it.

However, the Dedelow/Miller/Janiec/Poland section of the party is nothing more than a group of people that cant believe Dedelow isn't still the mayor and a group of people who are one issue based, no new idea people like Miller and Janiec.

Therefore the Hammond Republican Party is essentially dead - at least for now. Here is the proof:

1. The party chairman, a fairly popular former mayor, couldn't bring in any money, and more importantly could not bring out the vote. Only 980 people voted for mayor in the Republican primary in 2007 as compared to 1,732 in 2003. This is partially the failure of the candidates, myself included.

2. The Republican nominee, George Janiec, supported by the former mayor, ran a non-existent campaign based on hatred for the current Mayor Thomas McDermott. His first city-wide campaign event was held in Whiting, he promised $500 for every homeowner for tax relief, and promised to stop flooding in your basement. It was hardly a positive campaign, hardly a republican campaign and definitely a failed campaign. The only reason the general election was close was because of the lack of a campaign, thus people did not come out to vote. Only the hard core McDermott people vs the "haters" of Mayor McDermott came out to vote.

3. In my opinion, the main reason the Hammond Republican Party is dead is the fact that the current leadership lacks vision and ideas for the future of Hammond. With the current "leaders" in charge, the vision and ideas for the betterment of Hammond will not come.

There is one party in Hammond today. For the most part is unchallenged and until they are challenged on issues, brought forth by inspiring candidates the Hammond Democrats will continue to control City Hall and the City Council.

Can the Hammond Republicans come back to life? Certainly and there are many ways to do so without waiting for the other party to fail. There are plenty of good, smart, forward thinking Hammond Republicans. However, until the party leadership changes or is changed, the Hammond Republicans will continue to be a non-factor.