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'''''The Eleventh Commandment''''' is a precept which states, "Thou shall not speak ill of any fellow Republican."

'''''The Eleventh Commandment''''' is a precept which states, "Thou shall not speak ill of any fellow Republican."

Although its creation is attributed to former [[U.S. President| President]] [[Ronald Reagan]], the statement was actually created by former [[California]] state [[Republican]] chairman,  Gayland Parkinson. In the 1966 California [[governor]] primary, then actor, Ronald Reagan, ran against mayor [[George Christopher]]<ref name="rr">An American Life, Ronald Reagan Autobiography, pg.. 150 </ref>. The primary race led to significant allegations against Reagan, mainly centered at his occupation as an [[actor]]. In response to attacks by Christopher, Parkinson advised the candidates to follow the Eleventh Commandment. Reagan later stated the Eleventh Commandment was, "A rule I followed during that campaign and ever since.<ref name="rr" />"

Although its creation is attributed to former [[U.S. President|President]] [[Ronald Reagan]], the statement was actually created by former [[California]] state [[Republican]] chairman,  Gayland Parkinson. In the 1966 California [[governor]] primary, then actor, Ronald Reagan, ran against mayor [[George Christopher]].<ref name="rr">An American Life, Ronald Reagan Autobiography, pg.. 150</ref> The primary race led to significant allegations against Reagan, mainly centered at his occupation as an [[actor]]. In response to attacks by Christopher, Parkinson advised the candidates to follow the Eleventh Commandment. Reagan later stated the Eleventh Commandment was, "A rule I followed during that campaign and ever since.<ref name="rr" />"

Over the years, the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] has been criticized for not following the precept. In recent elections, prominent Republicans have helped in attacking other Republicans during primary seasons. In the 2004 [[Pennsylvania]] Republican primary race between [[liberal]] Republican, [[Arlen Specter]], and [[conservative]], [[Pat Tommy]], Republican institutions support went towards Specter, leading to the defeat of the conservative candidate<ref>http://www.nationalreview.com/miller/miller200510180823.asp</ref>. In the 2006 Republican primary elections in [[Rhode Island]],  conservative, [[Steven Laffey]], ran against liberal Republican [[Senator]], [[Lincoln Chafee]]. The [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] funded a barrage of negative advertisements against Laffey. During the heated campaign, Laffey stated to the press, "Whatever happened to Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment?"<ref name="boston">http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2006/09/06/fearing_loss_national_republicans_rally_behind_moderate_senator/?page=2</ref>. Although Laffey gained support of some conservative institutions he could not overcome the funding that Chafee received from  Republican leaders<ref name="boston" />.

Over the years, the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] has been criticized for not following the precept. In recent elections, prominent Republicans have helped in attacking other Republicans during primary seasons. In the 2004 [[Pennsylvania]] Republican primary race between [[liberal]] Republican, [[Arlen Specter]], and [[conservative]], [[Pat Tommy]], Republican institutions support went towards Specter, leading to the defeat of the conservative candidate.<ref>http://www.nationalreview.com/miller/miller200510180823.asp</ref> In the 2006 Republican primary elections in [[Rhode Island]],  conservative, [[Steven Laffey]], ran against liberal Republican [[Senator]], [[Lincoln Chafee]]. The [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] funded a barrage of negative advertisements against Laffey. During the heated campaign, Laffey stated to the press, "Whatever happened to Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment?".<ref name="boston">http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2006/09/06/fearing_loss_national_republicans_rally_behind_moderate_senator/?page=2</ref> Although Laffey gained support of some conservative institutions he could not overcome the funding that Chafee received from  Republican leaders.<ref name="boston" />

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Republican Party]]

[[Category:Republican Party]]