DIVIDE • Amid calls to unity, Teller County Republicans argued over local and state issues Saturday.They’re divided over legalized marijuana, who should serve as county leaders, and how to protect kids from online pornography.But in the end the mix of cowboys and soccer moms who showed up at the gathering here say they’ll unite. They’ve got a common enemy: President Barack Obama who could spend another four years in the White House if Republicans continue their family feud into November.“Whoever comes out of that convention in August, I beg you, support that person,” Chairman Pete LaBarre told a crowd of nearly 200 at the county party assembly on Saturday. “If he has an ‘R’ next to his name, vote for him.”Jack Maberry, who sported a 10-gallon hat and cowboy boots, smiled broadly at the scene at Summit Elementary in Divide, where the assembly was held.“This is where the political system starts, right here in America,” he said.LaBarre spoke at the tail end of the meeting, at which local Republican delegates, chosen from caucus-goers, listened to candidates from local mayor and all the way up to Congressman Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs. They also debated a handful of county party resolutions, including statements on recreational marijuana, illegal immigration, and designated delegates to the state assembly.There were several dead-serious moments, during a debate over a resolution about recreational marijuana. Many libertarians argued that the federal and state government’s prohibitions represented the core of what they opposed, while more mainstream Republicans said pot is too dangerous to be allowed even for medical purposes.Delegates also argued heatedly over firewalls for school computers, and how such technology could be updated to protect kids from pornography and other “dangerous material.”“I’d consider inappropriate material is hearing President Obama speak,” said one man, to the amusement of the assembly.The day wasn’t all business.“I’m a Native American, and we should have had one of these 200 years ago!” one pony-tailed delegate hollered jokingly, holding up a copy of the resolution affirming the county party’s opposition to illegal immigration. Delegates cracked up.Assembly delegates also voted on slots for the primary ballot in June, and kicked a few candidates out of the running. Anyone who didn’t get at least 30 percent of the vote from delegates didn’t make the primary ballot, and two candidates didn’t make that threshold — one in County Commission District 1 and one in District 3.Left on the ballot in District 1 are Marc Dettenreider, who landed 50 percent of the vote, and Brian Walker, who got 38 percent of the vote. In third place was Carl Poch, who only got 12 percent.

In District 3, Norm Steen crushed Brian Miller by taking 73 percent. Since Miller got less than 30 percent, he was knocked out of the race. Local Ken Matthews has told LaBarre that he will petition onto the ballot, though. To do so, he has to submit at least 250 signatures of registered voters from District 3 to the Teller County clerk and recorder.The turnout, which LaBarre said was at least 30 percent higher than in 2010, was “outstanding.” And many attendees said the reason so many were driven to act wasn’t as much passion for their candidates but instead widespread loathing of Obama.Woodland Park Republican Ken Broderick said he doesn’t care which of the four remaining Republican presidential candidates gets the nomination. He wants “anybody who can beat Obama.”Retired local Shelia Dean said much the same.“Pretty soon, nobody will have the right to their own lives,” said Dean, asserting that “liberal thinking about abortion” is eating away at the moral fiber of the country.The libertarian-leaning Carolynn Pulley of Divide said that she, along with more mainstream Republicans, will be able to put aside their differences.“There’s enough fear that yeah, Republicans will unite,” said Pulley.