O.C. Republicanism Thrives Despite Media ‘Distortions’

Regarding the Nov. 15 editorial “Right-Wing Bent Hurts County GOP”: Wake up and smell the coffee, Los Angeles Times. Orange County is a conservative place. That’s why the local Republican Party is conservative.

Your editorial writers must be amnesiacs. In June, a slew of Times-endorsed moderates challenged conservative Orange County legislators in the GOP primary. The moderates were shellacked. Why? Because Republican moderates and liberals are simply a press-savvy, moneyed minority within the party.

As for your cheap shot at Tom Fuentes, the party hasn’t been “rigid” under his leadership; it has been principled and prosperous. As a newly elected member of the Orange County Republican Party Central Committee, this conservative will disregard the Times’ ridiculous advice and vote to retain a great conservative--Tom Fuentes--as party chairman.

MATTHEW CUNNINGHAM

Orange