"Pull the string, and it will follow wherever you wish. Push it, and it will go nowhere at all." Dwight D. Eisenhower
After former Henderson County Sheriff George H. Erwin announced in the Hendersonville Lightnng revently that he was "divorcing" himself from the Republican Party, the popular local political leader explained for WHKP News, and for our listeners, what some of his issues wih the "grand old party" are...and you'll hear that in detail on WHKP's news Monday at 7:55am, 11:55am, and 5:05pm on both WHKP AM 1450 and FM 107.7.
A former Carly Fiorina supporter for the Republican presidential nomination, Erwin said he joined his wife and became a Ted Cruz supporter once it became clear that Fiorina would not have a chance. And through the debate pocess, Erwin says he was embarrassed for the party. Fiorina, Dr. Ben Carson, Govenor John Kasich, Mike Huckabee, Senator Lindsay Graham and others were largely ignored. And he said the "name calling:" that came from Donald Trump and others was "like children on the playground". Still, it's obvious now that Trump will be the party's nominee...and Erwin vowed to "hold his nose" and support the nominee. And he's encouraging all Republicans to stick together and support the party's nominee, citing a famous line from President Dwight D. Eisenhower about pushing and pulling a string, "Pull the string, and it will follow wherever you wishi. Push it, and it will go nowhere at all" Erwin believes the next president could appoint as many as three Supreme Court justices, which is why, he says, Hillary Clinton should NOT be the one to make those appointments.
The state Republican Party, says Erwin, has always had problems and the only time you hear from them, he says, is when they swamp you with "robo" calls wanting your money.
As for the local GOP, Erwin says they do the best they can...but again, it's all a matter of standing for something and pulling together, he says.
Even though he gave up the job as sheriff after twelve successful years that started with his upset victory over another popular sheriff, the late Albert "Ab" Jackson in 1994, Erwin has remained active in local and state GOP politics. He was a state-wide leader in State Senator Fred Smith's unsuccessful bit for the Republican gubernatorial nomimnation a few years ago. And he continues in leadership positions with various law enforcement organizations in North Carolina.
Erwin also remains active in his church and various out-reach and ministry causes, such as the "Summer Backpack Program" that provides food for children during the summer break from school.
His comments on the current state of the Republican Party were made in an interview with WHKP News Director Larry Freeman and can be heard on Monday's local news on WHKP/
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