Shawn Jasper has some decisions to make. He made a decision to build a coalition that made him Speaker of the House in New Hampshire. Then he promptly abandoned that coalition when he decided that it was going to be business as usual with no appointments based on merit only on party. He's in big trouble now and may very well pick up his flag to charge and realize when he looks behind him that there is no one there. Its not too late but he's going to need to summon every bit of political and personal courage he can in order to save his Speakership.
First, he needs to apologize to his coalition. He needs to bring them all together and explain that he lost his way and he is ready to move forward with conviction and with steel in his spine. He can take heart in the fact that he is on the side of the angels if he does not lose sight of his goals. In a public fight the man who stands up for civility and cooperation will win the public debate. The other side can only defend the status quo and all of those things that have made the public believe that our system is broken. He can lose ONLY if he chooses not to engage.
The second thing he needs to do is to let the people of New Hampshire know that he is going to make some changes to provide the opportunity for power sharing and cooperation between the Republicans and the Democrats. He needs to develop a strategy with the leadership of his coalition for moving forward to unify the House. That strategy should involve making BOTH Republicans and Democrats Chairs and Vice Chairs of committees. This may mean that some of his supporters who had expected to chair committees will need to demonstrate their commitment by stepping down. Or it may mean that committees have Co-Chairs. Nothing prevents a speaker from having Co-Chairs of committees or creating a different system where Chairs and Vice Chairs are appointed and switch roles at some point during the year.
If there is one chairman in the bunch with some courage, he or she will step forward and ask that all Chairs resign as a show of support for the Speaker. Allowing him to reform the committee structure and personnel.
Here's the good news Shawn. No matter what happens, you can fight the good fight. A fight for a future where our political party is second to our citizenship and our love for New Hampshire. A fight where you are truly working in the best interests of the people of New Hampshire. That is a fight you can only lose if you fail to show up.
~ Wayne King is a receiving politician, writer, artist and Social Entrepreneur. He lives with his wife, Alice, in Rumney.
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