One of the 18 Greensburg High graduates handed his diploma last May 4 by President Bush, Justin Brokar counted the experience a special privilege considering his intense interest in partisan politics. Though headed for a career in the ordained ministry until his initial exposure to the political arena 30 months ago, Brokar’s strong faith led him to cast his lot with the more conservative of the two major parties, the GOP.
He spent, in fact, the greater part of last week as an alternate delegate at the Republican National Convention in Minnesota, taking time Thursday morning via phone to speak with Signal Editor Mark Anderson, the results of which are an interview printed in full below.
While his life is now firmly anchored in a faith commitment to God and a career commitment to Republican politics—he’s currently a student at Washburn University of Topeka majoring in political science—Brokar’s earlier life was anything but a model of stability and certainty.
Though born in Greensburg Brokar lived with his family in Kinsley through the second grade, after which he spent his third through fifth grade years in Dalhart, Texas. A contentious divorce between his parents shortly after the move led to Justin living with his dad. The turmoil, however, had only begun with Justin being kidnapped by his mother’s former boyfriend over a weekend during his fourth grade year. Even after that ordeal had ended, police protection was a constant until he and his dad moved to Greensburg just before he started sixth grade.
Shortly after that move Justin’s commitment to God and the church grew until he was involved in the local United Methodist Church to the degree he was chairing the Evangelism Committee, sitting on two other committees, directing Vacation Bible School, directing children’s church choir, assisting with the Sunday School program and midweek program, among other commitments.
The Board of Ordained Ministry—the group within United Methodism that relates to pastoral credentials and those wanting to enter the ministry—had their eye on Justin by this time, encouraged by his declared intent to enter the ministry as a vocation, as well as his vow he’d follow in the steps of his great-grandmother, Fern Cook, by serving as a missionary overseas. Nowadays, it’s the State GOP that’s likely keeping tabs on Brokar. And for good reason, as the content of the following interview makes clear:
Signal: Is it safe to say your future career now lies within the realm of politics rather than the ordained ministry?
Brokar: Absolutely. I’m staying active in a lot of campaigns in the Topeka area right now and I hope to serve my party in a higher position in the years to come.
Signal: To what extent are you wanting to advance in politics? What are your aspirations?
Brokar: I’m not really sure. I would like to be the state’s Secretary of State at some point if I could get elected to that post.
Signal: Why that position?
Brokar: I’d like to be involved in elective matters and election reform and with getting the youth turnout improved.
Signal: What precisely happened in the spring of 2006 to change your career interest from the ordained ministry to politics?
Brokar: When the Ken Canfield for Kansas Governor campaign called me back then to help with their effort in Kiowa County I was surprised and told them I was only 16, but they were excited for me to head up his campaign in the county so I did and really got into it. I knocked on about every door in the county. Then other candidates asked me to help and I found it to be very exciting to be a part of the process.
Signal: You’ve been at the Republican National Convention this week. How did that come about?
Brokar: I’m an alternate delegate. We have 39 delegates and 36 alternates and even though I didn’t make it when I applied to be a delegate from the First Congressional District I applied to be an alternate with the State GOP and I was selected.
Signal: What are some of the highlights you’ve experienced thus far in being at the convention there in Minneapolis?
Brokar: Where I’ve been sitting I’ve been very close to Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee when they’ve come in and then I was very close to George H. W. Bush when he entered the hall as well as Mrs. McCain and the Palin family last night. Hearing Fred Thompson’s and Rudy Giuliani’s speeches was great, but the real highlight was hearing Sarah Palin’s speech last night.
Signal: Did Governor Palin meet your expectations?
Brokar: Exceeded them. I didn’t think she was that forceful of a speaker and I didn’t expect her to go after Obama like she did, but she got us all energized last night in a way that McCain can’t by himself. It was a very moving experience to see her and then to see her family join her at the podium afterwards.
Signal: The mainstream media has really gone after her and her family over the last week. What’s your reaction to how she’s been treated thus far?
Brokar: It’s not really fair. For them to suggest she can’t be a good mother and be in the vice presidency is ridiculous. I don’t see them saying anything about Obama and his two kids. How much do you think he’s seen them the last two years? They’re attacking her because they see her as a threat, as someone that could make a real breakthrough as the first female in that high an office and of the wrong party for them. They should leave her daughter and family alone. It’s none of their business.
Signal: Did it bother you having a former Democrat turned Independent, Lieberman, address the convention Tuesday night?
Brokar: Not, it was all right. It was a little odd at first, but I liked how he looked into the camera and urged Democrats and Independents to vote for McCain.
Signal: What are you looking for tonight from McCain in his speech?
Brokar: He’s following a very powerful speaker in Governor Palin, so he needs to simply set himself up against Obama and Biden and show the differences in how he’d govern compared to them. He needs to remind America that it’s the Republican ticket that has the experience and especially national security experience this county needs. Peace and security is the theme for tonight and there’s no better person to ensure that than himself.
Signal: Do you think he’ll have a tough time measuring up to Palin’s performance?
Brokar: I think that when he unexpectedly came out to the podium after she finished last night his first thought was “This is going to be tough to follow.”
Signal: Who was you top choice to get the nomination last winter?
Brokar: Mitt Romney, and then when he dropped out I supported Mike Huckabee. It took a while for me to support McCain because he’s been a little too independent in the past, but he’s really made an effort to align himself with the party in recent months and that’s made me more comfortable with him.
Signal: Who was your leading candidate to get the vice presidential nod?
Brokar: Romney. I just didn’t know much about Governor Palin, but from what I’ve seen and heard in the last week I think she’s a better choice than Romney. In fact, she would have been my preference if I’d known then what I know now. She’s not one of the career politicians from the good-ol-boy network. She’s fresh and has a lot of promise.
Signal: In what ways has your personal faith led you to the GOP as opposed to the Democrat party?
Brokar: The Republicans are more religious than the other party. I looked at the platforms of both and the Republicans’ is supportive of life at every stage, unlike the Democrats. You go to a GOP event and you always open with a prayer. It’s more of an afterthought with the Democrats.
Signal: What’s your reaction to the prospect of an Obama presidency?
Brokar: It’s one of the scariest things I can imagine. There would be more abortions, higher taxes, less protection from terrorist attacks. I don’t like to think about it.
Signal: This will be your first opportunity to vote in an election. What are some reasons you feel it’s vital the GOP retain the White House?
Brokar: This is an important election. It’s vital we keep the White House and regain Congress because of what’s going on in the world. Obama would like to have a little talk with Admadinejad, for instance, without preconditions. Senator McCain will fight terrorism whenever and wherever it needs to be dealt with. He’ll stand up to Russia. With McCain we’ll win a war on terror. Our party cares about the troops and using them wisely to keep us safe. Obama seems too concerned on not offending other countries rather than protecting his own. McCain has the experience to see us through such a dangerous time.
Signal: What plans do you have to help GOP candidates get elected this fall?
Brokar: I plan on doing a lot of work for Lynn Jenkins (second Congressional district race) and Pat Roberts (running for reelection for Senate seat against Jim Slattery). I also hope to help Nick Jordan in his run against Dennis Moore (third Congressional district seat). I also want to get youth more energized and active and bring party unity about wherever I can.
Signal: If you could be a campaign worker for the McCain/Palin ticket in any battleground state this fall, which would you choose?
Brokar: Missouri. No one’s won the presidency in the last hundred years without winning Missouri, and it’s important enough that the candidates will likely visit there, maybe even in Kansas City.
Signal: What advice or counsel do you have for other teens who may not be as politically active or aware as you, in regard to this election and politics in general?
Brokar: This is our future and there aren’t many young people really aware of the issues. I’d tell them to inform themselves, do some research and see where they candidates really stand. Don’t pick a candidate on a celebrity basis. Do that and you’re involved in a big way. You don’t have to volunteer for a campaign to make a difference. Being an informed voter is unusual enough in this day and age.
Greensburg, KS —
