Letter to Editor from Rick Newton -
Thank you for posting the article on the Alberto Gonzalez's appearance in Illinois. What really caught my attention was where the article stated that “the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois (ILRNHA) announced the official re-launch of the Illinois Charter." I must admit that I have not followed the rift in the IL RNHA closely since the fallout back in 2011, but I’m sure that pronouncement by the Robert Enriquez/Steve Orlando/Mark Aguilera/Angel Garcia/Chris Hage/Dan Cronin connection would not be received well by the existing IL RNHA led by Rafael Rivadeneira.
As you’re well aware, this ‘new’ RNHA chapter is the same group which attempted to hijack the IL RNHA convention in February, 2011. They were forced to leave the convention and immediately went to another location which they had conveniently already reserved. Going back to your last update on Feb. 5, 2011, the rift has clearly not been mended.
Looking back to what Keith Liscio published in June, 2011, the confusion only worsened when national chairwoman Alci Maldonado withdrew recognition of the existing IL chapter. The last I heard (though published by Rafael’s organization) was the decision by the National Committee of the RNHA (the respective state chairs) to override Maldonado, stating she had no authority to make that edict and rejected her decision.
My sense is (and as Keith Liscio alluded to in his 2/9/11 comments) that this mirrors the fracture in the overall IL GOP, i.e., those who desire to stand by the party principles versus those who advocate a more loosely attached adherence to its principles – and who see control within the party taking precedence over adherence to principles. Though I certainly have a preference to who ultimately wins this ‘rift’, I only hope that they regain their focus on the critical issues at hand for November 6.
