If I were in your position, I’d be asking myself :”Why the Change?” I might even be thinking about leaving the group. But I’d be wrong to do so. If you give me a moment, I’ll explain why.

When we started the Progressive Republican site, we did it with the hopes of bringing together groups of Republicans who have long been under-represented, or who have felt under-served, or even unwanted by the traditional Party leadership. We wanted to work to integrate moderate Republicans, liberal Republicans, African-American Republicans, Hispanic Republicans, Muslim-Republicans, Asian-American Republicans, GLBT Republicans conservative with the (let’s face it) conservative, white, Christian portion which currently makes up the majority of the Party. We thought a unified Republican Party would be stronger and more ready lead America into the 21st Century. We wanted to use the ideas, outlooks, viewpoints and experiences of the EVERY Republican to build a better tomorrow

But, to be honest with you, we were doing it wrong. We were focused solely on the views of moderates, liberals and progressive Republicans, without reaching out to, let alone including any of our other portions of the Party. To put it plainly, we were doing the same things that we criticized. So, we’re making some changes. The first of which is the name. The second change will be in the people you see represented on the site. We will reach out to the 21st Century Republican thought leaders trying to create and bring to fruition a Republican vision for America. Many more changes and improvements will be coming in the weeks and months ahead.

There is one thing that will not change: we will not stop criticizing and denouncing the views and statements of those within the Party who would take us backwards and force us to sell-out our core beliefs in the hopes of returning quickly to power. Those who would lead by invoking racism, homophobia or xenophobia will never be friends of this group or of those who choose to join it. We’re part of an effort to make this the Party of ideas, not a Party of hate and cynicism.

We originally chose the name “Progressive Republicans” because the dictionary definition of “Progressive” was a person who works to create a better future. The best way for us to do that isn’t for us to stay isolated in our little ideological enclaves. We want to put a stop to , to paraphrase President Teddy Roosevelt, hyphenated Republicans.

We want to move the Party into the future as united behind a common love for our country. United Behind a common ideology: community values, less governmental control, strong national defense and and individual liberty and responsibility. United behind a strong Republican Party.

We’re Republicans United.

Travis