UPDATE: In fairness I have, at Julie McCarty's request, changed the original headline. The original read "Julie McCarty 'Embarrassed' by Deal Easton Handing of Shafi Controversy". Mrs. McCarty has clarified that she meant that she was embarrassed by the handling of the situation on both sides. The screenshot of the exchange is included at the bottom so the reader may judge for themselves what Mrs. McCarty was saying in context.
In a recent blog I wrote:
There has been a concerted effort by the Tarrant County Republican Party leadership in cooperation with the liberal media, to establish a narrative that the opposition to Shahid Shafi is driven by bigotry.
In that blog, I called for Darl's resignation and invited readers to sign a petition calling for Darl's resignation.
Now Northeast Tarrant County Tea Party President Julie McCarty says that she regrets helping Darl Easton become County Chair and is embarrassed by the handling of the Shafi controversy.
Today, in the Tarrant County Republican Party Discussion group on Facebook, user Larry Beck posted:
Considering the actions of the TCGOP leadership in using the demoncrat Mainstream Media to attack any and all Republicans they disagree with or think may oppose them or their candidates, it is clear that the TCGOP leadership should be removed and a new leadership that is actually REPUBLICAN can be installed so that we can return to actually fighting for Republican principles instead of copying the most disgusting of demoncrat tactics
Julie McCarty responded:
I completely agree that inviting the media into this battle was a really foolish thing to do. I'm embarrassed by how terribly this has been handled by those who should know better.
When user Philip Wynne responded:
Julie White McCarty The County Chairman, various elected officials, several SREC members, and Shafi himself have run to the lazy, lying, leftist media to smear or imply that anybody who doesn't agree with them is racist, bigot, xenophobe, islamophobe, not to mention lie about the Constitution to suit their needs. It's absolutely appalling.
Julie McCarty "liked" his comment.
A user named Ashley Robinson responded by asking "wasnt Barnes talked out of running for this chair?"
This clearly was a reference to the fact that in the final hours before the deadline for filing, Julie McCarty is said to have talked anticipated Easton opponent Rick Barnes into filing not to run for County Chair, but to run for Tax Assessor Collector instead. This "deal" opened the way for Darl Easton to step unopposed into the office of Tarrant GOP County Chair.
McCarty responded "That's a big regret."
Regardless of which side one takes on the appointment of Shahid Shafi as Vice Chair of the Tearrant County Republican Party, Darl Easton should have foreseen that such a controversial appointment would plunge the Tarrant County GOP into division and created a public relations nightmare for our party. The only press the Tarrant GOP has gotten with Darl at the helm is bad press. Instead of taking responsibility for his decisions, as a good leader should, he has tried to shift the blame on his advisers and his opposition. The Tarrant County Republican party needs new leadership if we are to unite and keep Tarrant red. Darl needs to be a man, and recognize that the party is best served with his resignation.