Dear editor:

President Ronald Reagan famously said 54 years ago: “The person who agrees with you 80% of the time is an 80% friend and not a 20% enemy.” 

Reagan’s statement decades later and even today after being lightly stirred, shaken and perhaps a bit twisted, has emerged in some circles as the test for a correct conservative of the Republican Party. Sorry President Reagan, but today in Wyoming that 20% is indeed our enemy. Voting records show it to be so. 

Let me explain. Today in some GOP county party circles the 80% of the 23 planks of the Republican platform is “good enough” to prove that a candidate is a true-blue Republican that bleeds brown and gold if not a bonafide conservative. Whoa! Katie bar the door! That’s a whole five planks that a RINO can negate to get the conservative merit badge. 

And in fact many RINO’s or liberals are busting at the bit to quickly sign that pledge prior to election and then wear that big shiny gold merit badge for all to see. With that phony badge, they can then get endorsements and campaign funds and alignment with conservative groups. Problem is this: They get elected on that premise and then go to Cheyenne and earn a pitiful 30% or worse adherence to the Wyoming Republican Platform.

And guess what? The five planks they are given a pass on are usually the five hottest issues that in the past allowed RINO’s statewide to align with and vote with the most liberal of lawmakers while in committee and session. And that was a loss for the Wyoming people. What’s more — these 80%’ers have been seen trying to drive Wyoming to a blue state. 

Let’s drill down a bit more. Some of the 23 planks of the Wyoming Republican Party Platform are litmus tests. In other words, if a potential candidate or party member is against certain planks, they are not only a moderate Republican at best, but actually a far leftist. And in a one party state, there are always leftists posing as conservatives to get elected. 

Example one: Let’s take Plank 1 labeled “Life.” In part: “All individuals are endowed by their Creator from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death with the rights…”  So if a candidate rejects that plank and somehow thinks abortion is health care, it’s pretty safe to rate that person as a leftist.

Further, let’s look at another “litmus test” — Plank 3 labeled “Second Amendment” that states in part: “The right of individuals to keep and bear Arms and ammunition shall not be infringed, restricted, or denied …” So if a candidate feels that “gun/ammo control” like what Colorado experienced this legislative session with bans on semi-auto rifles, ammunition restrictions and a three-day wait, then I would call them a leftist. 

Another litmus test: Planks 7-9 which defines two sexes, marriage is defined as one man and one woman and best institution is the traditional family. You’re for gay marriage? Leftist. 

Plank 17 states: “… Taxes should never be more than necessary to meet the government’s constitutional obligations.” For new taxes? For escalating taxes? Not a conservative. Look at what the 2025 session accomplished — lowering of taxes. Those were true conservatives in the lead on that victory. Liberals were crushed. 

So Reagan’s 54-year old quote may be fine for friendship, but calling those who desire to be labeled conservatives while they dodge one or even five key planks is absurd. 

Those who doubt this, they need only to look at those Park County reps and senators of recent years who called themselves “conservatives,” but were really leftists who signed or were willing to sign the 80% pledge, but quickly betrayed themselves when they were rated between 10%-30% of adherence to Wyoming Republican Party Platform in their yearly voting records. 

The only true conservatives are those who absolutely adhere to ALL 23 planks of the Wyoming Republican Party Platform. And then you KNOW how they will vote conservatively every issue, every time. 

Scott Weber

Wapiti