Obama gets Boyd "excited"

(Sometimes the jokes just write themselves-ed)

From the Tallahassee Democrat
(Does he ever talk to the News Herald, or what?-ed)

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama has promised to go through the budget of each federal agency with a fine-tooth comb, and that gets fiscal conservatives like Rep. Allen Boyd excited.

In fact, pledges made by the incoming administration remind him of the last time a Democrat occupied the White House.

"The Clinton administration went in and cut every agency there was. Government spending actually declined. Most people have forgotten that, but the numbers speak for themselves," said Boyd, a Monticello Democrat. "When you cut spending, you gain the confidence of the American people that you've got an efficient government doing what it's supposed to be doing and doing it well."

Boyd expressed optimism that Obama will set a tone in Washington that will encourage cooperation and productivity from both parties in Congress.

"We didn't have that in the last two years, when we've had a divided government," he said, referring to the Republican White House and the Democrat-controlled Congress. That shows, he said.

Congress is wrapping up a year that will be most remembered for the numerous financial bailout packages and a dearth of any other type of bill.

Federal lawmakers began the year on an optimistic note, supporting legislation intended to stimulate the economy through rebate checks to taxpayers. However, recipients failed to spend the extra money as hoped, forcing Congress into rescue mode, first trying to save struggling homeowners, then the financial industry and finally, domestic automobile makers.

Although he considered the bill flawed, Boyd voted for a historic $700 billion measure to rescue the financial sector. However, he opposed a $14 billion loan package for the nation's top three automakers.

"You've got an industry getting waxed by competitors around the world, because their cost of production and what they're producing is different from what it should be. And the market's got to work that out for them, not the government," he said.

Although critics have described the congressional year as long on bailouts and short on any other type of bill, Boyd touted several House accomplishments that affected North Florida, including:

# $8.5 million in appropriations for various military-related research projects conducted by Florida State University.

# $12.4 million for similar national defense-related projects at Florida A&M University.

# $11.6 million for the construction of a new Air Control Squadron Operations Training Complex at Tyndall Air Force Base. (Wow. Panama City actually gets an earmark.-ed)

# $800,000 million for Tallahassee Community College to establish a Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Center.

Boyd acknowledged Congress punted other big-ticket budget items such as health care and Social Security issues to the next year.

Also ahead: A decision on whether Boyd will run for the Senate seat that will be vacated by U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, an Orlando Republican.

Boyd said he enjoys being a congressman, particularly for a region where generations of his family grew up and where he represents "people I've known for all my life."

But he said he also feels compelled to pursue public service to a further level.

"That's a decision I have to make now — where is the best platform to do that," he said. "Is it to stay in the U.S. House of Representatives, where we have worked for 12 years . . . or do we go into the smaller body, with only 100 members, start all over in terms of pecking order and move up."

Boyd said he and his wife, Cissy, will use the holidays to make a decision. He expects to make an announcement in January.

Putting the people back in politics

By RPOF Chairman Jim Greer

Over the past 25 years I have had the opportunity to view the Republican Party wearing the hat of a small-town city councilman, political fundraiser, and now as chairman of the state party for the fourth largest state in the nation, during the most important presidential election in my lifetime.

Despite this tremendous opportunity, the role from which I have learned the most was not my last two years as chairman, but the years when, like the majority of Americans, I wore the hat of a small business owner, husband, and father of four. It is through the eyes of a businessman – not the party structure – that I became a Republican. I’ve learned that our party draws its strength not from the principles elected officials talk about, but from the values average Americans live by.

Refocusing on these values, putting partisan rhetoric aside, and putting the people back in politics, Republicans can regain our foundation and focus on serving the people. It’s what we do in Florida. It works for us here, and I believe it’s what we need to do in Washington and across the nation.

This election cycle marks the toughest political environment for Republicans since Watergate. Yet on Nov. 4, Florida emerged as a Republican stronghold in a nation swept by Democrat victories. Though Sen. John McCain was outspent in Florida by tens of millions, our Republican team’s impressive ground game made it possible to come within just two and a half points of winning Florida for McCain.

It was a perfect environment for Democrats in Florida. The nation wanted change. Florida Democrats were awash in cash and staff, with a never-before-seen-ground game. Yet the Florida Democrat Party defeated not one – not a single one – of our Republican incumbents in the Florida House and Senate. In Miami, an area Barack Obama carried, Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart both fended off credible, well-funded, DCCC-backed candidates. Republicans also picked up Congressional District 16 seat with Tom Rooney.

In addition to voting to maintain overwhelming Republican majorities in the state House and Senate, Floridians voted to cut taxes, define marriage as a union between one man and one woman, and oppose tax increases for community colleges. Once again, voters here illustrated that Florida is still a red state where conservative values like growing the economy and cutting taxes are important to voters.

Why was Florida so successful when the majority of the nation fell into Democrat hands? The answer is simple: we’ve replaced divisive partisan rhetoric with common-sense solutions.

In Florida, Republican lawmakers have focused on conservative public policies that keep taxes low for families and businesses, fostering an economic environment that encourages companies to locate and expand here. We don’t get caught up on issues that are traditionally Republican or Democrat. Instead, Florida Republicans work in a bipartisan manner to create common-sense solutions to challenges facing our state, our nation, and even our world.

Under Republican leadership we have seen Florida’s high school graduation rate rise over 15 points in the last ten years, reaching the highest point ever this year – over 75 percent. Minority students have largely driven these gains, resulting in a dropout rate that continues to decline. Republicans have given parents more choice over what educational setting best meets their child’s needs, and we have held schools accountable for providing a first-class education for all Florida students.

On the health care front, Governor Charlie Crist recently signed the Cover Florida plan, providing health insurance options for nearly $4 million uninsured Floridians. The plan leverages competition by partnering with private insurance companies to create innovative health insurance products. Cover Florida is voluntary, with no mandates on individuals or on employers. This market-based approach will create greater opportunities for Floridians to access affordable health care. In a year of limited resources, these reforms maximize consumer choice with a minimal use of tax dollars.

Under Gov. Crist’s leadership, Florida Republicans have positioned the Sunshine State to be part of a national debate on global climate change by championing environmental policies that encourage innovation and promote green business development. Florida lawmakers recently adopted legislation that gives businesses flexibility in meeting standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging wind and solar energy. Republicans led the way in creating a comprehensive energy package that continues Florida’s leadership in increasing energy efficiency.

While Republicans have produced results for the people, we’ve also kept true to our pledge to reduce spending and return more tax dollars to the people, illustrated by the Cato Institute’s recent naming of Gov. Crist as the most fiscally conservative governor in the United States.

Our party’s future is bright, but we need a decisive vision. We need new energy, new ideas and an unwavering commitment to our party’s long-standing values and principles of less government, lower taxes and more freedom. We need leaders who aren’t afraid to stand up for what’s right with our Party and start a dialogue on what we can do to get it back to basics—back to the people.

We’ve done it right in Florida by putting the people back in politics, and that’s the only way we can re-energize the GOP on a national level. Ultimately, Americans don’t care if their leaders have an “R” or a “D” behind their name. Americans want more than a leader who represents conservative ideals…they want a leader who has something to show for it.

Ron Paul endorses Mark Cross for RPOF Chair

What a year this has been!

And what achievements we have had. This Revolution is permanent. It didn't end at the Republican convention. It didn't end on November 5. It will not end until we have won the great battle on which we have embarked. Not because of me, but because of you. Millions of Americans have dedicated themselves to the principles of liberty: Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity.

An important next step toward fighting for our ideas within the Republican Party is the establishment of principled party leadership. In Florida there will be an election for a new state chairman on January 10, 2009. Only the State Committee will vote and only members of the State Committee can run. The elected State Committeeman from Osceola County is Mark Cross.

Mark Cross served as my Florida Coordinator for the Presidential campaign and was at my side for every debate and event scheduled in the Sunshine State. Mark helped establish an informal network of support across the state and I know that he has the integrity, leadership, and resources that would ensure a successful term as Chairman.

If the Republican Party is going to once again flourish, it is imperative that we restore honesty, integrity, and commitment to Liberty in our party. We need principled leadership, and I believe Mark Cross is the candidate to provide that leadership.

That is why I am endorsing Mark Cross for Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. Please join with me in helping Mark become the next Florida Republican Party Chairman by giving a generous donation to his campaign. I have personally made a donation and urge you to do the same. We need principled party leadership in Florida and Mark will make that happen. Thank you.

In liberty,

Ron Paul

Mark Cross Announces Run For Republican Party Of Florida Chairman

Kissimmee--- Osceola County State Committeeman Mark Cross announced his
candidacy today for the position of Chairman of the Republican Party
of Florida. During the coming weeks Cross will be traveling across
Florida to visit with members of the State Committee about the future
direction of the Republican Party. Cross is a traditional conservative
from the Ronald Reagan wing of the party in sharp contrast to the
current party leadership.

In announcing his candidacy, Cross called for a return to “principled
party leadership”. “We have to get back to the principles that made
this Republican Party grand...less taxation, less government spending,
fewer government regulations, and more personal responsibility. We
have to offer the voters more than just lip service. We have to deliver.”

Cross has promised to re-open the party to all Republicans. He pledged
to end the blatant discrimination and infighting that has recently
characterized the party. He recommended more financial assistance to
smaller counties, recommended giving the RECs and the grassroots more
local autonomy, and promised increased infrastructure for local
elections. He pledged greater funding of the party’s federal account
with better coordination and seamless integration for federal candidates.

He then challenged the other candidates to debate the issues. “Anyone
can talk about Republican Party successes and ignore the losses,”
Cross said, “but it takes “principled party leadership” to talk about
specific setbacks and make the necessary course corrections. Debate
denotes openness and self confidence and is a sign of health for the
party. When people are afraid of openness, we lose.”

Cross has an extensive Republican activist background. In Florida, he
served as a delegate to Presidency 3 under the Chairmanship of Tom
Slade. He served as Chairman of his local REC under RPOF Chairman Al
Cardenas and served on Chairman Carole Jean Jordan’s transition team.
During his last term as County Chair, he led his REC to 100%
Republican victory in a blue county. Cross is currently an enrolled
agent, licensed by the US Treasury Dept. He is also a real estate broker.

I have included a personal message from Mr. Cross here:

I am Mark Cross. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work for the party during the recent election cycle. While traveling across the state, I have met many Republicans. Some of us have been working for the party for decades. Some of us have just gotten started. But all of us are motivated by the same reasons. Republicans genuinely care about the future of our country and local communities. Republicans want to make things a little better for our children and grandchildren. And most of all, we Republicans want to make a difference.

There are several principles that are inherent to Republicans. We believe that government is intrusive and the best type of government is the one that governs the least. We believe that job creation is better handled by the private sector rather than government. We believe that the best way to manage the economy is through free markets. Free markets will always succeed or fail in direct proportion to the amount of interference from taxation, government spending, or government regulation. That is why we Republicans have traditionally stood for fewer taxes, less government spending, and less regulation. But, you sure wouldn’t know it by what has happened in Washington the past several years under Republican leadership.

We used to campaign against those “tax and spend” Democrats. This year Obama and the Democrats were able to take the tax issue away from us because we became “tax and spend” Republicans. Since it was our party in power, it was difficult to confront our elected leaders. We knew some were wrong, but we did not rise to the challenge, so Republicans were perceived by voters as no different from Democrats. They told us so on Election Day. We have become two parties on the same big government road that will lead to loss of sovereignty and ultimate bankruptcy. The only difference between the Democrats and Republicans is the speed at which we are traveling. But when we know the ultimate destination, isn’t it time to get off the road? Republicans have to make a choice between liberal moderation and traditional conservatism. In January we will have an opportunity to decide which road to travel through the election of new party leadership.

The Republican Party of Florida faces a challenging future. It is very important to change direction and get off the big government road. We have to return to the Republican principles of Reagan and Goldwater that have made our country great. These principles include fewer taxes, less government spending, and less government regulation. American families have to have more personal responsibility to meet their needs with less reliance on government. We have to maintain a strong national defense by supporting our active military troops and our veterans. We have to protect our economy by limiting government interference and completely eliminate debt monetization. All we have to do is take the advice of our Founding Fathers and abide by the Constitution.

In January we will all have a choice to make. If we truly want change, we must first learn from our mistakes. How many times have you heard the phrase, “We have to do what is best for the Republican Party.”? I know that I have heard it too many times. If you think about it, all we need to do is to stop, change our focus, and realize what is best for our party is to promote what is best for America. John McCain’s campaign slogan was right. Country First! He just didn’t understand which road to travel. Freedom brings us together, melts away any differences, and makes America that Shining City on a Hill.

During the past several years, I have watched my party move away from the small government issues I have championed all my life. After my election as State Committeeman I have been asked by supporters across the state to run for Republican Party Chairman. After consideration, I have decided to accept the challenge. During the next few weeks I will be traveling across Florida to visit with the State Committee about the future direction of the Republican Party. I would like your input on our challenge for the future and Republican challenges within your own communities. I would like to partner with you to restore RPOF to its conservative roots through principled party leadership. Together we can build upon the successes of the past to create a bright and shining future. Please take a minute to email me your thoughts. I appreciate your time, consideration, and ultimately your support. Thank you.

Mark Cross
State Committeeman
Osceola County