Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, chairman of the Alabama State Republican Party, came out swinging in favor of strong organization and local support in order to obtain success within the Republican Party.

Cavanaugh spoke this past Thursday to the Greenville Rotary Club and referred to the Rotary's oath of "He profits most who serves best" as being a possible slogan for the Republican Party.

"That's exactly what the Republican Party does, serve others," Cavanaugh said.

According to Cavanaugh, there was no such thing as a 'conservative democrat.'

"When you run on the Democratic ticket, you basically sign an oath that says you will support the Democratic Party from top to bottom," she said. "People need to be either a conservative or a liberal. There's no riding the fence here."

Cavanaugh said that many research surveys indicate that 60 percent of Alabama residents consider themselves to be conservative, pro-life advocates and gun-owners.

"The research also indicates that over 70 percent of Alabamians are evangelical Christians," Cavanaugh said.

She explained that within the Republican Party, there exists a three-legged stool theory that is needed for political success.

"The first thing we adhere to is in having a clear and distinct message," she said. "The candidates need to let people know where they stand. They need to be direct and be willing to have open debates and discussions."

A second item that is required for political success is the need for a strong party organization. According to Cavanaugh, smaller clubs within the community, such as women's Republican clubs and other civic groups, are vital for a combined overall success to the Republican political party.

Finally, Cavanaugh cited having strong political candidates up and down the party ticket as being essential for the party's success.

"I call this the 'trickle-down theory,'" she said. "We need strong local candidates, not just strong people at the top. We need to recruit local people whom everyone in that area knows."

Cavanaugh said that differences on a political level could be made directly from within Butler County.

"That's what I call the 'trickle-up theory,'" she said. "The Republican Party can't win with just strong people at the top of the ballot. It's time for some of you to put your name on the ticket or to enlist someone you know. It's got to happen right here on the ground level first."

Using a quote from former President Ronald Reagan, Cavanaugh said that, "Ultimately, there is no substitute for victory, and that's exactly the position we in the Republican Party need to take."