Editorial: Straw that broke the elephant’s back

Friday, Oct. 6, 2006 | 7:43 a.m.

State Republican Party Executive Director Chris Gulugian-Taylor's resignation Thursday in the wake of the latest blunder by the GOP is glossing over the real problem.

Gulugian-Taylor's resignation is just the latest trouble the Republicans have had under state party Chairman Paul Adams.

A year ago Adams took over the Nevada Republican Party, which was still glowing from its soaring success of back-to-back sweeps of the state's six constitutional offices in 2002, and he has led it through an embarrassing series of gaffes and missteps to leave it, just two weeks from early voting, imploding.

The last straw came Wednesday, after the party sent out an e-mail from the Minutemen inviting the party faithful to a rally to "Help Stop the Illegal Invasion" and bash "Un-American" companies. You know, like Wells Fargo, Chicago Title and Miller Brewing.

The e-mail rightfully infuriated Hispanic Republicans, who were already disturbed by a state party plank to end citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants in the United States.

Passing that e-mail on - as a "courtesy" to a group that needs no such thing - was a stunning blunder as the party has tried to cultivate Hispanic votes while still being tough on border security.

In September Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman trumpeted the party's commitment to diversity while honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month. Apparently that memo didn't get past the state line.

While nationally Republicans have floundered with the war on Iraq and President Bush's poor approval ratings, state Republicans have only added to their woes. And Adams has led the charge.

State parties typically avoid primary squabbles for the sake of keeping unity, but Adams waded into a couple of races, choosing the losing side both times.

He blasted Assemblywoman Francis Allen, R-Las Vegas, who went on to barely win the primary, and then sided with Sharron Angle and her failed election challenge in her loss in a congressional primary to Secretary of State Dean Heller.

This is a party trying to avoid a disaster, but Gulugian-Taylor's resignation won't do much to help. The damage is done, and done too well to undo.

Four years ago the Republicans celebrated a back-to-back sweep of the state's constitutional offices royally at Caesars. This year, maybe they'll have to downsize.

Will a booth at Denny's be enough?