Military man finds himself battling the GOP | IndyStar.com Military man finds himself battling the GOP
If there's even the tiniest chance a situation can be fouled up, count on the dysfunctional Marion County Republican Party to do the job.
Consider the case of Lance Langsford, a friendly and hard-working Republican councilman from the city's Eastside.
A firefighter in normal times, Langsford and his Indiana National Guard unit were recently activated. So, as the rest of us prepare to soak in the madness of this weekend's Final Four, Langsford is living in a barren camp in Kabul, Afghanistan.
'If you find a strip of grass, you're lucky,' he said by phone from Kabul over the weekend. 'TB is commonplace. They just found avian flu.'
But Langsford didn't call to discuss life in Kabul. He called to talk about the Marion County Republicans who are abandoning him.
'I'm getting kicked in the (rear),' he said."
A kick in the rear is not as bad as a kick in the teeth.
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Matthew Tully
Military man finds himself battling the GOP
If there's even the tiniest chance a situation can be fouled up, count on the dysfunctional Marion County Republican Party to do the job.
Consider the case of Lance Langsford, a friendly and hard-working Republican councilman from the city's Eastside.
A firefighter in normal times, Langsford and his Indiana National Guard unit were recently activated. So, as the rest of us prepare to soak in the madness of this weekend's Final Four, Langsford is living in a barren camp in Kabul, Afghanistan.
"If you find a strip of grass, you're lucky," he said by phone from Kabul over the weekend. "TB is commonplace. They just found avian flu."
But Langsford didn't call to discuss life in Kabul. He called to talk about the Marion County Republicans who are abandoning him.
"I'm getting kicked in the (rear)," he said.
You see, since the commute from Afghanistan to City Hall is not doable, Langsford planned to resign from the council and have his wife, Becky, take his seat until he returns early next year.
Why is this not acceptable?
Politics.
Langsford angered Republicans last year by backing Mayor Bart Peterson's police merger plan. So, as payback, two police officers are asking party officials to give them Langsford's seat. The party isn't saying no.
The two sides are stalemated. Warren Township GOP Chairman Tom Marendt won't back Langsford's plan, so Langsford won't resign. After six months, opponents could move to vacate the seat, though Langsford could reclaim it once he returns.
The clash raises one baffling question: Why are Republicans fighting with a man who has been sent off to war?
Langsford is furious. He is also ready to keep fighting.
"I'm the guy who walked precincts, knocked on doors and spent my own money to get that position," he said. "I would like my wife to continue my legacy by serving that district while I am serving my country."
But some in the GOP see a chance to get rid of an open-minded councilman.
Political parties like blind loyalty, not open minds.
Langsford pointed to the hypocrisy of "flag-waving Republicans" backstabbing him while he's on active duty. He wants GOP Chairman Mike Murphy to demand the party stand by its man in Afghanistan and let the Langsfords finish this term.
Publicly, Murphy half-heartedly agrees. But he has let this issue linger for months.
And so Langsford, serving in Kabul, feels like he has enemies right here in Marion County.
Interestingly, this embarrassing situation could have boosted the local Republican Party's sagging image, if leaders had rejected politics and vowed to help care for Langsford's district during his stint in Kabul.
Politically, it was quite an opportunity. Patriotism plays well.
But the Marion County Republican Party has trouble with opportunity these days.
And, it seems, with soldiers.
Matthew Tully's column runs on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Reach him at (317) 444-6033 or via e-mail at matthew.tully@indystar.com
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