The GOP held a self-love fest earlier this month in Northern Kentucky under the guise of a state political convention. The party's elected officials, party leaders and top organizers filled a big room at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. They congratulated one another on the Republicans' success in Kentucky and, not surprisingly, predicted even more victories in the future.

Who can blame them? The Republicans have been on a roll, winning elections and grabbing power for more than a decade. Northern Kentucky, a GOP stronghold, was repeatedly singled out during the convention as one of the major reasons for the party's political gains.

But with success comes strife. Power fuels power struggles. Wicked political battles once forged with Democrats now turn inward, as elements within the party take on one another.

Northern Kentucky Republicans have more than a few situations to deal with now that they all but dominate local politics.

There is infighting within the Boone County GOP. Charlie Walton's loss to Dick Roeding in the May 18 state Senate primary only deepened the rift.

Some top local supporters of Gov. Ernie Fletcher, the first GOP governor since 1971, are hardly pleased with the budget mess in Frankfort. No budget means no $100 million in area projects, including an arena for Northern Kentucky University.

They say Fletcher is too easily manipulated by Senate President David Williams and that the governor should have been stronger in negotiating a compromise with House Democrats. And that is from folks of both parties who supported Fletcher.

Ralph Drees, whom Fletcher appointed judge-executive of Kenton County back in January, is making more noise than an amorous cicada.

Drees stared down developers of the Crestview Hills Mall refurbishing project, helped kill a tax incentive for the deal then claimed clear victory when the project began to move forward without the huge public subsidy.

For that, the GOP can be proud.

But Drees seems to shoot first and ask questions later. He's shaken up the Kenton County Airport Board, appointed fellow homebuilder and friend Henry Fischer to the sanitation district board and wants the Roebling Suspension Bridge painted red.

OK, that last one's a joke. And it is refreshing when a leader actually makes decisions instead of spending a career dodging tough calls. But Drees has the potential to go too far with some of his decisions. It will be interesting to watch his reign.

There's more. Some big GOP donors aren't thrilled with Geoff Davis, the Republican's candidate for Congress. A fight is brewing among anti-abortion factions. Hopefuls are jockeying to run for Republican primaries in 2006.

Winning elections is easy compared to harnessing power. More and more, Republicans will learn this tough political lesson.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com