Conservative leader calls for people to act

A Heritage Foundation gathering featuring one of the organization's most prominent board members drew a crowd of 240 conservatives to Kalispell on Thursday - many of them from across the state.

Kay Coles James exhorted the audience at the Hilton Garden Inn to engage in politics and public affairs in any way they possibly can.

"Who would you say are responsible for what's going on in the country and what's wrong?" she asked. "My answer to that may surprise you. I would say you, I would say me. And I know that may come as a surprise to you."

James said far too many Americans purposely avoid the messy business of politics or even being informed about politics and the country's toughest issues, instead leaving those duties to organizations such as the Heritage Foundation.

The event, hosted by Semitool founder Ray Thompson and his wife, Ladeine, attracted former Montana Gov. Tim Babcock, along with Republican legislators from as far away as Billings, Bozeman and Clancy.

In addition to serving on the Heritage Foundation's board, James was a senior fellow and director of the organization's Citizenship Project. She was dean of the School of Government at Regent University; served as Secretary of Health and Human Services under former Virginia Gov. George Allen; a former vice president of the Family Research Council, and under President George W. Bush as director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

She is also the founder of the Gloucester Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to "preserving our history while leaving a legacy of faith and ideas."

Without being specific about problems, James said conservatives are fully aware that "the house is on fire" and that the country faces serious cultural, political and spiritual challenges.

She said the best way for them to change the course of the country is to get involved.

As an example, James said her family recently teamed up with six other families in northern Virginia in an effort to educate the public about the U.S. Constitution and its principles.

That effort, "The Virginia Liberty Project," will result in a gathering of about 600 people in northern Virginia today to celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the Constitution.

"At least in our zip code, people are going to understand that document," James said.

"It is our duty and our responsibility to be informed," she said, later asserting that the support President Barack Obama won in his recent speech on health-care reform came from people who were not informed enough to question his rhetoric.

"Most people were fooled by the rhetoric because they didn't know any better," she said.

James said conservatives need to educate and recruit talented young people, and that she wishes she could have had an influence on Obama 25 years ago.

"I get more than anybody in this room" the importance of electing the country's first black president, said James, who is black.

"I just don't like his policies," she said.

One man lamented that conservative citizens are often too mild and not aggressive enough in pressing their causes.

James agreed and offered some advice.

"I think there's a spunky black woman inside of each of you," she said, drawing laughs from the audience. "Release that inner black woman."

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com