Republican Roundtable News for December 2009

Doc Washburn Draws Crowd to November Meeting

Over seventy people turned out in November to enjoy Doc Washburn’s turn at the BCRR microphone. Doc recently returned to Bay County to host a weekday radio talk show on 94.5 WFLA. His strong Conservative credentials and adept articulation of the issues were a hit with his Roundtable audience.

Taking to the Candidate Soapbox at the November meeting were Carl Meece (R-Suwanee Co.), candidate for the U.S. House (FL Cong. Dist. 2), Derrell Day (R), candidate for the open Bay Co. Commission, Dist. 4, seat; and Chuck Tucker (R), also a candidate in the Bay Co. Commission, Dist. 4, race.

Our thanks to Doc for sharing his talents with us, and a special thanks to him for introducing us to his lovely mother, Sara. Be sure and listen to Doc from 6 to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday on 94.5.

January 2010 Speaker

Bill Husfelt, Bay Schools Chief, will be the guest speaker at the January 12, 2010 dinner meeting.

Republican Party to Have Float in Dec. 5 Christmas Parade

The Bay Co. Republican Party will have a float in the Panama City Christmas parade this Saturday, Dec. 5, and volunteers are needed to walk with the float. This is a great opportunity to let Bay Co.’s Republican voters know that their party’s local leadership is still in the fight, representing their Conservative values.

The float’s parade position is #19, in lot A in front of the Civic Center. Walkers need to be in place by 5:15 p.m., and the parade begins rolling at 5:45 p.m. Please bring a quart or gallon bucket to hold the candy you will be distributing to children along the parade route. It could be cold, so dress warmly.

At the pre-parade position in lot A, long-sleeved Bay Co. Republican Party t-shirts will be available for a $15 donation. The shirts also will be available for a $15 donation at the Republican Headquarters on Saturday morning from 8 to 11 a.m.

Decorating of the float will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 1715 Maple Ave. in Panama City. This location is next to a flea market and an old bowling alley that’s now a bingo hall. It’s just east of the Police Department and the National Guard Armory in Panama City.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Bay County Republican Christmas Party - December 11

Friday, December 11, is the date of this year’s Bay County Republican Christmas Party, and the Edgewater Convention Center is the site. The social hour begins at 6 pm, and the buffet dinner ($25.00 per person + cash bar) will begin at 7:00 At 8 o’clock, popular local DJ Jim Lawson will spin the discs as we dance the night away.

Our special guests will be Bill and Dorothy Randall, who recently announced their retirement after decades of political activism. Also present will be some 2010 candidates who would like to meet you and make their case for your vote.

Please scroll down to the end of this newsletter to find out how to make your reservations for this special event. Important note: reservations are due by December 7.

No Roundtable Meeting in December

The Roundtable will not have a regular dinner meeting in December. We hope to see you at the Bay County Republican Christmas Party on December 11.

Officer Elections at January 12 Meeting

Per the Roundtable’s bylaws, the first order of business at the January 12 meeting of the Roundtable will be the election of the 2010 officers. All nominations will come from the floor, and if more than one person is nominated for any given position, the vote will be by secret ballot. All offices are one-year terms.

If you’ve ever been tempted to become politically active, now is the time to pull the trigger. In 2010, the Roundtable’s officers will be critical players in the local Republican Party’s efforts to get Republicans elected locally and statewide.

The Roundtable meets at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club on Bunker’s Cove Road in Panama City. The buffet dinner ($15.00 per person, including tax and tip) begins at 6 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m. Dinner reservations are necessary. To make your reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at Melissa@efileamerica.com or 527-7384.

Panhandle Republican Women to Meet December 9

The next meeting of the Panhandle Federated Republican Women will take place on Wed., December 9, at 11 a.m. at the Golden Corral restaurant on 23^rd St. in Panama City. The cost of lunch, including tax and tip, is $10.00, and reservations are not necessary.

Following lunch, a musical program will be performed by students from Patronis Elementary. Instead of a gift exchange, attendees are asked to donate a $10.00 international calling card for our overseas troops and contractors. For more information, contact PFRW 1^st Vice President Betty Malin at 235-3286.

BCRR Presentation to Bay County JROTC

The presentation of $100 donations to support the JROTC has been rescheduled for December 9 at 1p.m. Bay County School Board meeting, at the school administration building. Be there or be square!

Coffee, Donuts and Great Conversation!

Coffee and donuts are a bonus, but the real reason to come to the Bay County Republican headquarters on Saturday morning is the great conversation and camaraderie. BCRR member Ken Ford opens the doors every Saturday morning from 8 to 11, and others of us show up to greet visitors, keep Ken company and talk about the latest political news. Recent topics of conversation included the CD2 race, the foreseeable problems with nationalized health care, the messed up state of Florida's homeowner's insurance market and how the two might be related, plus other topics of interest to a bunch of grassroots Republicans.

Bring your coffee cup and your point of view with you on Saturday mornings to the Republican headquarters for any part of the three hours you can spend. You’ll be glad you did! The number at HQ is 763-8656.

Republican Party of Florida - Annual Meeting January 8-9

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) will hold its annual meeting in Orlando on January 8-9, 2010. Attending the meeting from Bay County will be John Salak, Chairman of the Bay Co. Republican Executive Committee; Jonathan Hayes, Bay Co.’s Republican State Committeeman; and Melissa Hagan, Bay Co.’s Republican State Committeewoman.

Looking ahead to 2010 and getting back to basics

By FL House Majority Leader Adam Hasner

How’s that for Change?

For all the analysis of individual candidate strengths and weaknesses, local issues and campaign
tactics, what really changed from November 2008 to November 2009? The economy is still
struggling, high unemployment remains in the headlines and there is still real concern for the
economic future of our country. What’s changed? Voters have now seen the policies that
President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Congress are planning to enact.
For those who will say that these elections had nothing to do with President Obama’s policies,
it is worth pointing out that just four years ago Bob McDonnell and Creigh Deeds opposed each
other in the Virginia Attorney General race in which McDonnell won by just over 300 votes‐ the
closest statewide race in Virginia history. Yesterday, Bob McDonnell became Governor‐elect by
a 58 to 41 percent margin.

Again, what changed?

President Obama’s policies and a reformed Republican approach.
Voters in Virginia and New Jersey rebuked the Democratic policies of unfettered and
unsustainable government spending, Big Labor’s card check, cap and trade on energy, and a
government takeover of the nation’s health care system that Americans believe will cost too
much, cover too little and lead to their quality of care being diminished.

It was also a reaffirmation of the core common sense Republican message of lower taxes, less government and personal responsibility. Both of the successful gubernatorial candidates ran as
fiscal conservatives who sought to assure voters that their top priority was to create jobs, rein
in spending and get their states’ economies recharged. Bob McDonnell was unwavering in his
focus on that positive message, while his allies at the RNC and RGA made sure that voters knew
of Deeds’ support for Obama’s policies like higher taxes, cap and trade and card check. Chris
Christie focused on New Jersey’s property taxes‐ the highest in the nation‐ and had a message
of real reform in Trenton.

This focus on the economic issues that most concerned voters successfully appealed to
independents who came back to the GOP candidates in overwhelming numbers. Just how
important was issue discipline and message focus in the shift of independent voters yesterday?
Connecting with independents was worth a 19 point swing to the GOP in New Jersey from
2008 and a stunning 23 point swing in Virginia.

But change in yesterday’s election went beyond independent voters. For all the talk of a new
Obama Democratic majority‐ the new voters, young voters, new suburban Democrats, the so-called surge voters and high percentage minority voters‐ it did not carry over into this year.
Voter intensity was solely on the side of the GOP. While it is too early to make the declaration
that the make‐up of the 2008 electorate was a one‐time phenomena, it is increasingly unlikely
that this fragile coalition will turn out for anyone other than Barack Obama.

Finally, for those who will still insist that these elections were unrelated to the President’s
policies, consider this. For weeks, the White House spin has been that Creigh Deeds was losing
Virginia because he did not embrace President Obama enough and that he did not follow the
White House’s political advice. Two weeks before the election, White House political officials
told the Washington Post that Deeds had no chance to win because he did not follow the
course laid out by the President and Virginia Governor/DNC Chair Tim Kaine.

Yet they can’t have it both ways. No one this year embraced President Obama more closely
than Jon Corzine‐ he ran as a “partner” of President Obama, the White House bragged how
they had instituted a turnaround in the Corzine campaign this summer, Obama’s lead pollster
was brought in to reshape the campaign‐ and Corzine lost as well.

So the options this year for Democratic gubernatorial candidates were: don't follow the advice
of the White House and lose, or follow the White House's advice and lose. Sometimes spinning
works, but sometimes it just makes you dizzy.

We have long said the GOP resurgence starts in state capitols. The results in Virginia and New
Jersey are a promising beginning. Each of you is on the front lines of our parties’ efforts. The
voters sent a clear message last night: get back to basics, offer common sense solutions and
deliver on jobs and the economy.

This election should be a wake‐up call to those who are ready to rush headfirst into hasty, unchecked and unsustainable spending programs and bigger government.

The bottom line is voters favor candidates who offer common sense solutions and alternatives on the issues that are important to them now over those who simply say no. They want something to vote for,not simply someone to vote against. They want real results and are willing and ready to reject ineffectiveness. Substance is once again more important than style.

Republican Roundtable News, October 2009

IMPORTANT! November meeting moves to Tues., Nov. 17
Congressman Allen Boyd has scheduled his Bay County town hall for Tuesday, November 10, which is the Roundtable’s regular meeting date. Because of the intense interest among our members in attending Rep. Boyd’s town hall, the Roundtable has rescheduled its meeting to Tuesday, November 17.
Roundtable meetings are held at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club on Bunkers Cove Road in Panama City. A buffet dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15 per person, including tax and tip. A brief business meeting begins at 6:45 p.m., and the program begins at 7:00 p.m. To make your dinner reservations, please contact Roundtable Treasurer Melissa Thompson at 527-7384 or
Melissa@efileamerica.com.

CD2 candidates attend October meeting
Three candidates for the Congressional District 2 U.S House seat, now held by Allen Boyd (D-Monticello), introduced themselves and their platforms at the October 13 meeting of the Roundtable. Bill Fisher (R-Bay County), Carl Meece (R-Suwannee County) and Steve Southerland (R-Bay County) took to the candidate soapbox and fielded a wide variety of challenging questions from the audience.
Congressman Boyd’s vote for the cap and trade bill, coupled with voter outrage over the proposed health care bill, has made a Republican challenge for the CD2 U.S. House seat more promising than ever before. We are very fortunate to have a strong field of candidates!

Roundtable to present checks to ROTCs in November
The Roundtable has been placed on the agenda of the November 10, 2:00 p.m., meeting of the Bay County School Board. This is the meeting closest to Veterans Day. We’ll be there to present each of the four high school ROTC units with a check for $100. All Roundtable members are invited to attend this short ceremony.
Our thanks to School Board member (and Roundtable member) Jerry Register for his assistance in making this event possible!

Republican Christmas party December 11
The Roundtable is helping the Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) host its annual Christmas party, scheduled this year for Friday, December 11, at the Edgewater in Panama City Beach.
The Christmas party buffet will feature traditional holiday fare, including turkey and ham entrees. BCREC member Jim Lawson will DJ as we dance the night away following dinner.
Mark your calendars! Invitations will be emailed soon, as well as posted on the BCREC web site and blogspot. If you’d like to make your reservations now, please contact Melissa Thompson at 527-7384 or Melissa@efileamerica.com. The cost is $25 per person.

Stuff for soldiers needed
If you have any interesting items to donate to our military heroes serving overseas, please bring them to the Roundtable meetings. We’re hoping for candy, soaps, women’s items or any thoughtful gift a young lady or gentleman in uniform would like to get from home. For more info, please contact Sue Bynum or Mike Speaks at 271-4092.

Republican Roundtable now on Facebook!
Thanks to the efforts of Treasurer Melissa Thompson, the Roundtable is now on Facebook! If you have a Facebook account, be sure to check out the latest news on the Roundtable’s Facebook page. If you don’t have an account, this is a great reason to open one!

#RPOF Launches Florida Victory 2010

Tallahassee–The Republican Party of Florida today marked the kick-off of the Florida Victory 2010 campaign. RPOF Chairman Jim Greer and Attorney General Bill McCollum announced that former Florida House Speaker Allan Bense will serve as the Florida Victory 2010 Finance Chairman.

“Our state party is strong and unified heading into this critical election cycle,” said RPOF Chairman Jim Greer. “I am grateful to General McCollum and Speaker Bense for their dedication to building our party. Their leadership enabled the RPOF to kick-off this important program early, and I am proud to partner in this important endeavor with these two great Republican leaders.”

Each election cycle, the Chairman authorizes the creation of a Florida Victory campaign within the Republican Party of Florida to create a unified financial and political strategy solely focused on benefiting Republican candidates. This year, Chairman Greer was pleased to approve the creation of the Florida Victory 2010 campaign months earlier than in previous cycles.

“With the election just over a year away, it is important to lay the groundwork for the massive expansion of staff, offices and other resources Florida Victory 2010 will utilize to ensure that Republicans across our state carry the day next November,” said Attorney General Bill McCollum. “I am grateful to Chairman Greer, Speaker Bense, and all of our Republican elected officials, county leaders, and volunteers who will contribute their resources, time and talents to this historic cause.”

Chairman Greer and General McCollum also announced that Florida House Majority Leader, Representative Adam Hasner (R-Delray Beach), Former RPOF Chairman Al Cardenas, and RPOF Finance Chairman, Ambassador John Rood will serve as Florida Victory 2010 Co-Finance Chairmen. Today’s kick-off is the result of weeks of planning between the RPOF and the Bill McCollum for Governor Campaign. The effort will be expanded to include additional statewide campaigns in the coming weeks.

“Today is a proud day for the Republican Party of Florida as we put in place the organizational structure that will enable our success in a number of important races next fall. I commend General McCollum and Chairman Greer for their leadership in establishing this organization within the Republican Party of Florida,” said Governor Crist. “By beginning this process now, our party will be better-prepared for victory in 2010.”

Putnam campaign approaches $1 Million dollars in fundraising

Image via Wikipedia

BARTOW, Fla. – With widespread support from across Florida, Congressman Adam Putnam’s campaign announced it is continuing its momentum in fundraising for Commissioner of Agriculture.

In eight months the Putnam Campaign raised over $974,000 in contributions, with over $229,000 coming in the third quarter of 2009. The campaign also announced it has over $860,000 cash on hand.

"Despite difficult economic times and a busy summer for Floridians, we continue to build broad support for our campaign. I am extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed," Putnam said. "I’m proud to have the agriculture community unified behind our campaign and we are committed to running a balanced campaign that builds a grassroots network that is second to none."

Adam has been endorsed by every major agriculture organization that endorses in campaigns including the Florida Nursery Growers & Landscape Association, Southeast Milk Producers, Indian River Citrus League, Florida Citrus Mutual and 16 County Farm Bureaus. In addition, Adam is endorsed by 27 members of the Agriculture Hall of Fame and Women of the Year in Agriculture award recipients.

Adam Putnam is a fifth generation Floridian born and raised in Bartow and has represented the Twelfth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives since January 2001. The twelfth district includes most of Polk County and portions of Hillsborough and Osceola Counties; he was first elected in 2000 and re-elected subsequently.

Putnam served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1996 to 2000, where he chaired the Committee on Agriculture from 1998 to 2000. He is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in food and resource economics. Adam resides in his hometown of Bartow with his wife Melissa and their four children

Tim Nungesser named Director of #RPOF Field Operations

RPOF Press Release - September 22, 2009

Tallahassee–Republican Party of Florida Executive Director Delmar Johnson today named Tim Nungesser as the Director of the RPOF’s Field Operations Department.

“As the former Director of Youth Outreach and as a former Regional Field Coordinator, Tim brings a wealth of campaign and grassroots knowledge and experience that will surely lead the RPOF to greater successes in 2010,” said Delmar Johnson. “I am grateful for the leadership that Tim has demonstrated during his time with the Party and I am looking forward to continuing to work with him to better spread the Republican message as we head into this critical election cycle.”

Tim Nungesser, 28, of Palm Bay, most recently served as the Director of the Republican Party of Florida’s Youth Outreach Department where he spearheaded the highly successful DtD Exhange ’09 youth outreach initiative. Nungesser previously worked as the East Coast Regional Victory Director for the RPOF during the 2006-2008 Election Cycle. He has also worked for the Central Florida Regional Office of United States Senator Mel Martinez and served as a volunteer for the Charlie Crist for Governor Campaign in 2006. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida.

As Director of Field Operations, Nungesser will work alongside of Deputy Executive Director of Operations John Davis and Deputy Director of Field Operations Brad Herold to coordinate the 67 Republican Executive Committees as well as Republican clubs and organizations throughout Florida. The department manages the RPOF Field Coordinators and works with members of the State Executive Committee to ensure that the Chairman’s initiatives are carried out across the state.

Republican Roundtable news for September 2009

CD2 candidates to attend October 13 meeting
Two candidates for the Congressional District 2 U.S House seat, now held by Allen Boyd (D-Monticello), will introduce themselves and their platforms at the next meeting of the Roundtable. Carl Meece (R-Suwannee County) and Bill Fisher (R-Bay County) will take to the candidate soapbox during October’s discussion “free-for-all” program.
Congressman Boyd’s vote for the cap and trade bill, coupled with voter outrage over the proposed health care bill, has made a Republican challenge for the CD2 U.S. House seat more promising than ever before. Now is the time to visit a Roundtable meeting and get to know your great Republican candidates.
Roundtable meetings are held at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club on Bunkers Cove Road in Panama City. A buffet dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15 per person, including tax and tip. A brief business meeting begins at 6:45 p.m., and the program begins at 7:00 p.m. To make your dinner reservations, please contact Roundtable Treasurer Melissa Thompson at 527-7384 or
Melissa@efileamerica.com.

Don Arias speaks at September meeting
Lt. Col. Don Arias (USAF Ret.) was the guest speaker at the September 8 meeting of the Roundtable. Don works in the Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Florida. His brother was murdered in the 9/11/01 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, and since then Don has taken a special interest in counter-terrorism. Speaking to one of the largest gatherings in the Roundtable’s history, Don shared his family’s frustrations with the Obama administration’s handling of terrorist detainees at Guantanamo.

Republican Roundtable now on Facebook!
Thanks to the efforts of Treasurer Melissa Thompson, the Roundtable is now on Facebook! If you have a Facebook account, be sure to check out the latest news on the Roundtable’s Facebook page. If you don’t have an account, this is a great reason to open one!

Roundtable members attend #912dc march on D.C.
Roundtable members Glen and Alice Leirer and Sven and Melissa Thompson joined over one million grassroots protestors at the march on Washington, D.C., on Saturday, September 12. Prior to the Saturday rally, the Bay County contingent visited the offices of Congressman Allen Boyd and Senators Bill Nelson and George Lemieux to deliver almost 2,000 signatures collected on the Bay County Republican Party’s petition against socialized health care.
Photos of the march on Washington are posted on the Roundtable’s Facebook page.

Petition signing continues at HQ
There’s still time to sign the petition against socialized health care! Petition signing will continue through the fall at the Republican Headquarters, 1607 Lisenby Ave. in Panama City, on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The petitions will be faxed to our Congressman and Senators. Many thanks to Roundtable member Ken Ford, who opens HQ every Saturday morning to welcome visitors with hot coffee, delicious pastries and spirited conversations.

Republican Christmas party December 11
The Roundtable is helping the Bay County Republican Executive Committee host its annual Christmas party, scheduled this year for Friday, December 11, at the Edgewater in Panama City Beach. BCREC member Jim Lawson will DJ as we dance the night away following dinner. Mark your calendars!

Marco Rubio US Senate campaign confirms September 26 visit to Panama City

Marco Rubio US Senate campaign confirms September 26 visit to Panama City

The Marco Rubio campaign for the US Senate 2010 has confirmed the visit time on Saturday September 26 at 3:00 to 3:30 pm at the Bay County Republican HQ on 1607 Lisenby Ave, Panama City, Florida.

Highly regarded for his principled, energetic and idea-driven leadership, Marco Rubio is a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010.


In 1971, Marco was born in Miami to Cuban-born parents who came to America following Fidel Castro’s takeover. When he was eight years old, Rubio and his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where his father worked as a bartender at the Sams Town Hotel and his mother as a housekeeper at the Imperial Palace Hotel. In 1985, the family returned to Miami where his father continued working as a bartender at the Mayfair House Hotel until 1997. Thereafter he worked as a school crossing guard until his retirement in 2005. His mother worked as a Kmart stock clerk until she retired in 1995.


Rubio attended South Miami Senior High School, graduating in 1989. He attended Tarkio College in Missouri for one year on a football scholarship before transferring to Santa Fe Community College and then graduating in 1993 with a bachelor of science from the University of Florida. He continued his studies at the University of Miami where he earned his juris doctor, cum laude, in 1996.


From 2000-2008, Rubio served in the Florida House of Representatives. During this period, he served as Majority Whip, Majority Leader and Speaker of the House, effectively promoting an agenda of lower taxes, better schools, a leaner and more efficient government and free market empowerment. Rubio also helped spearhead Florida’s congressional and legislative redistricting effort. He chaired the House Select Committee on Property Rights, which crafted national model legislation to protect private property rights following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Kelo v. City of New London decision that opened the door for eminent domain abuse.


During the two years prior to assuming the speakership, Rubio traveled around the state hosting “Idearaisers” to solicit Floridians’ input on ways to strengthen Florida. The 100 best ideas were compiled into a book entitled “100 Innovative Ideas for Florida’s Future” which served as the basis for his term. All 100 ideas were passed by the Florida House.


Fifty-seven of these ideas ultimately became law, including measures to crack down on gangs and sexual predators, promote energy efficient buildings, appliances and vehicles, and help small businesses obtain affordable health coverage. Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich hailed the effort as “a work of genius.”


In addition to these ideas, Rubio championed a major overhaul of the Florida tax system that would have eliminated all property taxes on primary residences in favor of a flat consumption tax. The effort garnered national attention, with Grover Norquist, president of the fiscally conservative Americans for Tax Reform, praising Rubio as “the most pro-taxpayer legislative leader in the country.”


During his legislative career, Rubio also promoted efforts to develop a world-class public school curriculum, increase performance-based accountability, enhance school choice and target the socio-economic factors affecting chronic academic under-performance. He is also widely credited for blocking the expansion of gambling in Florida and shepherding the passage of historic energy legislation based on market incentives rather than government-imposed mandates.

Since the end of his tenure as Speaker, Rubio has resumed his law practice as a sole practitioner. He has also served as a visiting professor at Florida International University’s Metropolitan Center, worked as Florida Chairman of GOPAC and as a political analyst for Univision during the 2008 election cycle.


He has also continued his community and civic involvement, serving on the boards of the Latin Builders Association and Alafit International, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting global literacy. He also remains engaged in the West Miami community where he served as a city commissioner prior to being elected to the state house.

Rubio and his wife, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio, have been married since 1998. They are the parents of four children: Amanda, Daniella, Anthony, and Dominic. They currently live in the working class city of West Miami, just four blocks from the home his parents moved the family to in 1985.

Speaker Rubio was recently featured in an issue of National Review magazine dated September 7, 2009.

Contact information for the Rubio campaign:

Alex Burgos
Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate
O: (786) 431-5627
C: (305) 389-3594
alex@marcorubio.com

We hope that you are able to attend the rally Saturday 9/26 at 3 pm being held at the Bay Co. Republican HQ.

Republican Roundtable Update/ September 2009

Don’t Forget Your September 8 Meeting & Dinner Reservations!
The next meeting of the Roundtable will take place on Tuesday, September 8, at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club in Panama City. A buffet dinner begins at 6:00 p.m., and dinner reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club can plan for adequate food and staff. Please make your dinner reservations with BCRR Treasurer Melissa Thompson at
melissa@efileamerica.com or 527-7384
Don Arias to Speak at September 8 Meeting
Lt. Col. Don Arias (USAF, Retired) will be the guest speaker at the September 8 meeting of the Roundtable. Don works in the Public Affairs division of the Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Florida. His brother was murdered in the 9/11/01 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, and since then Don has taken a special interest in counter-terrorism. He is an outspoken critic of the Obama administration’s handling of terrorist detainees at Guantanamo.
Roundtable meetings are held at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club on Bunker’s Cove Road in Panama City. A buffet dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15 per person, including tax and tip. To make your dinner reservations, please contact Roundtable Treasurer Melissa Thompson at 527-7384 or Melissa@efileamerica.com

A brief business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program should begin around 7:00 p.m. We are fortunate that Colonel Arias was able to arrange his schedule to speak to our club. His presentation will be an apt memorial to the innocent victims of nihilist terrorism just eight years ago this week. Don’t miss this special program!
August 11 Free-For-All Discussion
The free-for-all discussion at the August 11 meeting of the Roundtable centered on two hot topics; the Florida U.S. Senate race and socialized health care. Roundtable members and guests revealed themselves to be informed and engaged on both subjects. Many thanks to Barry Borror for moderating the sometimes rowdy conversation!
9-12 March on Washington, DC
Several Bay Countians are joining thousands from across the country for the largest Tea Party yet - the Tax Payers March on Washington September 12, 2009. As with people from across the country, we are going by plane, bus, RV and car. A bus is leaving out of Tallahassee full of Bay Countians and other CD2 folks.
I met several in Jackson County who are going and I have heard that 25 buses are leaving Georgia, and over 200 buses are coming out of Pennsylvania. Florida will be well represented with an Amtrak train going up the East Coast with Tea Party folks. Check out the FOX cable channel for their report on the Tea Party Express going from Sacramento to DC across 16 states and 36 cities to culminate at the march on the 12th.
We will be taking the 1600 anti-socialist-healthcare petition signatures to CD2 Representative Allen Boyd and to Florida Senators Nelson and LeMeaux while there.
Glen Leirer

BCRR Executive Board Adopts Budget
The Roundtable executive board, in regular session on August 6, adopted a budget that established a $1,500 reserve fund. The budget also earmarked $400 for the Roundtable’s project to assist ROTC programs in four Bay County high schools this fall.
Roundtable Members Attend #RPOF Quarterly Meeting
Roundtable president Teresa Eaton and treasurer Melissa Thompson, along with Bay Co. Republican Party Chairman John Salak and Republican State Committeewoman Melissa Hagan, attended the quarterly meeting of the Republican Party of Florida on August 21 and 22. They attended meetings designed to help grassroots Republicans become more politically effective in their communities. Salak and Hagan are former presidents of the Roundtable.

Roundtable T-shirts Still Available
Thanks to BCRR Treasurer Melissa Thompson and BCRR Legislative Watchdog Glen Leirer, the Roundtable T-shirts are still available to members at the cost of $10 per shirt. The shirts feature a large version of the club’s great-looking logo on the back, and a smaller version on the front.

A Message from Your Roundtable President . . . Fellow Republicans, While driving home from the most recent meeting of the Roundtable’s executive board, I realized I don’t say this often enough, and you should know the truth. The officers of your Republican Roundtable are smart, dedicated, efficient and ardent-hearted. They deeply love the Republican Party and its founding conservative principles, and they are determined to do everything within their power and ability to right the course. When Republican Party leaders on state and national levels are steering the armada into a helter-skelter sea of socialism, the decision by the crew of a small Bay County boat - to steer home to the calm, clear waters of conservatism - is not a frivolous decision. As the sage counseled, “Never remain neutral, for the victor will consider you part of his spoils.” Friends, your Republican Roundtable officers will never be anyone’s spoils. May God continue to bless America with individuals who have the courage of their convictions.

Teresa

Locals attend Marianna, FL Town Hall with US Rep. Allen Boyd

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Several Bay Countians traveled to Marianna this morning for Congressman Allen Boyd’s town hall. Our group included Glen and Alice Leirer, Asa Burke, David Agosta, Barry Borror, Melissa Thompson and me. Since we had heard the Congressman’s presentation and answers in Blountstown and Bristol yesterday, we decided to be a presence outside today’s venue, where we could wave signs, engage voters in conversations and ask them to sign the petition against socialized health care. We collected just over 100 signatures on the petition and distributed 200 copies of US Rep. Boyd's voting record.



The large majority of people attending the Marianna town hall were opposed to socialized health care, and many of the people I talked to were worried that Congressman Boyd will ignore their concerns and vote for a bill that expands socialism in the health care. They cited statements made by the congressman about HR3200 that contradict what they themselves have read in the bill. Others expressed concerns that donations from lobbyists and liberal PACs to the congressman’s reelection campaign fund will carry more weight with him than the wishes of his own constituents. Many, many were dejected, believing the congressman will vote for some version of socialized health care and there’s nothing they can do to stop him or the legislation.



I talked to only two people who supported socialized health care. One elderly man told me socialism has gotten a bad rap because of conservative activists like me. (I took that as a compliment.) Another elderly man said he believes that as a nation, we should do something about the uninsured. I heard a few people say they hadn’t been able to form an opinion about the health care bill because it’s too confusing to sort out.



Several people told me they plan to attend the congressman’s town hall in Panama City . From what I’ve heard about how that forum will be handled, I believe those people, and Bay Countians, will be very disappointed. It’s bad enough that Rep. Boyd won’t let a person hold the microphone to ask a question. That’s made plenty of disgusted people even angrier at these town halls. If it’s true that at the PC town hall, questions will have to be submitted in writing—and screened—and if it’s true that Rep. Boyd will be part of a panel who will answer those questions, I think the “forum” has potential to backfire on the congressman, event organizers and participants.

Teresa Eaton,
Panama City, FL

Sign the petition opposing socialized health care

You can sign the petition opposing socialized health care at the
Republican Headquarters, 1607 Lisenby Avenue, in Panama City on these dates:

Sat., Aug. 22, 8 to 11 a.m.

Tues., Aug. 25, 3 to 7 p.m.

Wed., Aug. 26, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thurs., Aug. 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fri., Aug. 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 29, 8 to 11 a.m.

Bay Co. Republican Roundtable News, July 2009

Tom Neubauer speaks at July meeting
Tom Neubauer, President of the Bay Defense Alliance, spoke at the July 14 Roundtable meeting about the BDA’s efforts to offset the economic impact of the current drawdown at Tyndall AFB. The information he shared was well received and generated numerous questions from the audience.

Gibbs wins membership drive award
Barry Gibbs, BCRR Secretary, was awarded a beautiful cloisonné elephant at the July meeting for his dedication to membership recruitment for the Roundtable. Barry maintains an email distribution list with hundreds of names. His enewsletters, meeting announcements and updates on local Republican activities have drawn many visitors and new members to the Roundtable. Our sincerest thanks, Barry!

Resolution unanimously adopted
The Roundtable’s general membership unanimously adopted at its July meeting a resolution calling on Florida’s Republican leaders to uphold Rule 8 of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) Rules of Procedure. Rule 8 provides for the endorsement of one Republican candidate over another in a contested primary only with the unanimous approval of RPOF’s Executive Board and 60% approval of its Executive Committee.

Books for Soldiers project makes second shipment
2nd Vice President Richard Plantec and his wife Barbara recently met with Door Prize Co-Chairs Sue Bynum and Mike Speaks to pack up six boxes of donated books, CDs, DVDs and candy for U.S. soldiers in service overseas. Another set of boxes will be shipped soon. Richard and the Projects Committee are also working on ways to assist Junior ROTC programs at local high schools this fall.

August, September programs set
The program for the August 11 Roundtable meeting is a discussion free-for-all. Bring a friend and your opinions, and join us for the fun! 1st Vice President Vicki Doolittle has arranged for Lt. Col. (Ret.) Don Arias to speak at the September 8 meeting. Don now works for Air Force Special Operations at Hurlburt Field. His brother died in the 9/11 WTC terrorist attack, and Don has dedicated himself to counter-terror efforts.

#RPOF Statement on their Grievance Hearing held today in Orlando

Tallahassee–Tony DiMatteo, Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida’s Grievance Committee, released the following statement regarding the RPOF Grievance Committee Hearing held today in Orlando.
“This weekend’s Grievance Committee Hearing has received a significant amount of publicity at the hands of those involved with the individual grievances. Though the grievance process is an internal party matter, I believe it has become necessary to explain the proceedings and the Grievance Committee’s role within Republican Party of Florida.
“The Grievance Committee is comprised of members of the RPOF State Executive Committee. Our involvement with the RPOF is in a volunteer capacity. Grievances are a formal complaint from one member of the Republican Party of Florida’s county leadership structure to another member of the county leadership structure. All grievances originate at the county level and are filed with the State Party and then referred to the Grievance Committee.
“All parties involved are informed that a grievance as been filed, and given ample time to prepare for the Grievance Committee Hearing. At the hearing, the petitioner and the respondent are given an opportunity to present their arguments. In the weeks following the meetings, the committee members compile a recommendation for final resolution on each grievance and then present the recommendation to Chairman Greer.
“Several recent news stories have mentioned a “purge” of certain members of county Republican Executive Committees. There is no ‘purge.’ To date, Chairman Greer has only removed one person from the leadership structure of the State Party. The removal came at the unanimous recommendation of the Grievance Committee. Contrary to what has been reported, there have been numerous circumstances when the committee has recommended removal and the Chairman has chosen not to remove a member.
“Additionally, the grievances in question do not “kick-out” members of the Republican Party. The parties involved with the grievances are members of the Republican Party of Florida’s leadership structure. Like any organization, we have an obligation to our members to ensure that our leadership abides by the rules of the organization. Our formal grievance process is the mechanism for this review of the conduct of Republican leaders. A removed member is still a Republican and eligible to participate in Republican activities, but prohibited from holding a leadership position for a set amount of time.
“The RPOF Grievance Committee heard two grievances today. The private meeting was closed to the media for the benefit of those involved, as well as members of the grievance committee, who are all private citizens serving in a volunteer capacity. Like any organization, we have a right to conduct this internal party business in private. This is a political party, not a public entity. As private citizens with full time jobs and lives outside of politics, the members of the grievance committee request the courtesy to conduct this private political business without having our images spread all over television and the newspapers without our permission. Over the past several weeks, the State Party has been more than willing to speak to media outlets about this process, while keeping the specific details of the grievances private for the sake of those involved; however, today’s meeting was private, and it would not have been appropriate to discuss the proceedings.
“I think it is worth reiterating that these grievances originate at the county level. The State Party is involved only in order to facilitate the formal mechanism for maintaining organization within the ranks of our county leadership.
“In closing, this process and the publicity it has received at the hands of those involved, certainly detracts from the true business of the RPOF, which is getting Republicans elected.”

#RPOF News: The Florida GOP—In A Sunshine State

By Raynard Jackson
Any political analyst will admit that the Republican Party is in a serious downward spiral, but the Florida GOP and its governor, Charlie Crist, give me some hope for the future.

Jim Greer, the head of the Florida GOP, is the best party chairman in the country (Democrat or Republican) and their governor, Charlie Crist is by far the best governor in the country (bar none).

Greer will be my featured guest on my radio show this Saturday to discuss what he and Governor Crist are doing in the state of Florida and whether he believes this can be done on a national scale.

Greer has made the issue of diversity—getting more minorities involved in the Republican Party—his priority and it is paying big dividends.

Greer recently appointed John F. Davis Deputy Executive Director of Operations. In addition to his role as Director of Minority Outreach and Coalitions, as Deputy Executive Director, Davis will oversee the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) Operations, aiding Chairman Greer and Executive Director Delmar Johnson with the long and short term management of the organization.

Greer has begun to have regular dialogue with Black newspaper owners, including discussions of buying advertising in their papers.

He has established an African American Leadership Council to build relations with the Black community. He has done similar things in the Hispanic community

In past columns I have been very critical of the Republican Party for their race baiting. But, Governor Crist has been the opposite in every way. In every office held, he has made a commitment to represent everyone, not just those who voted for him. I am fond of saying that “Republican’s actions speak so loud that I can’t hear a damn thing they are saying.” Well, Governor Crist is just the opposite. His actions speak so loud I can (and want to) hear everything he is saying.

As governor he has already worked with his cabinet to restore felons' voting rights after they complete their sentences, bringing Florida in line with most other states. The change has a disproportionate effect on blacks, who make up nearly half of new inmates. Pushed through a law that requires a paper trail for all ballots cast, helping allay fears that votes in black communities were being undercounted by computerized voting machines.

As if that wasn’t enough, he recently appointed a Black Justice to the Florida Supreme Court. Governor Crist elevated Judge James E.C. Perry from Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit to the state Supreme Court a few months ago.

Governor Crist also appointed former Baltimore Raven linebacker, Peter Boulware to the State Board of Education.

Crist has been honored twice by the NAACP of Florida as the recipient of the Dr. Marvin Davies Civil Rights Award for his dedication to ensuring civil rights and accessible, affordable higher education to all Floridians (he is the first Republican governor to attend their annual dinner). As Attorney General, Crist co-sponsored the annual National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community for three years, drawing over 6,000 participants from more than 25 states.

Here you have a state party chair and a governor who are putting their money where their mouths are. They have created an open dialogue with the Black community, even when they disagree on certain issues. They have placed Blacks throughout their administrations, in decision making positions. They have renounced the “Southern Strategy,” in word and in deed.

Chairman Greer and Governor Crist have created the model for the national party to follow. These two are the only political team who have actually brought their states together without creating animosity from one group to another (Black vs. White or Black vs. Hispanic).

I find it ironic that these two white guys have done something that Republican presidents haven’t done nor the so called Black Republican leaders. Most Black Republican elected officials rarely put Blacks in key positions and when they do they are typically not right for the positions they are placed in.

Why is it that the House and Senate campaign committees and the Republican Governor’s Association have no Blacks on their staffs? Why is it that there are no more than 100 Black staffers between House and Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill?

Why is it that Republicans tend to promote and showcase Blacks who come across very effeminate or are so far out of touch with their own community that they are ignored. I know John Davis (deputy executive director of the state party) and he can speak the “king’s English,” but can also walk into the Black community with credibility and respect. But, most importantly, they know he has a direct line to the chairman and the governor.
Florida is called “The Sunshine State” and is known for their oranges. But, Greer and Crist have given Blacks around them the “juice” to make things happen and have made this point very plain in the most public of settings.

The Florida GOP and its governor, Charlie Crist, have demonstrated that the Black vote can be won, but are national leaders willing to follow the Greer/Crist principle? They are the reason Florida is “In a Sunshine State” for Republican politics.

Bay County Republican Roundtable July 14

The next meeting of the Bay County Republican Roundtable will take place on Tuesday, July 14, at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Road in Panama City .

The dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15 per person (includes non-alcoholic beverage, tax and tip). The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. If you plan to dine with us, please make reservations so that the Yacht Club can prepare for adequate seating and waitstaff.

You may make your dinner reservations by contacting Teresa Eaton, the Roundtable’s president, at 271-3773 (home), 832-5689 (cell) or ardentheart@bellsouth.net.

Next Tuesday’s guest speaker is Tom Neubauer, president of the Bay Defense Alliance. Tom will share information about the BDA’s efforts to minimize the impact of the F-15 retirement at Tyndall AFB. He has had a distinguished career in community service, and we look forward to hearing from him.

Governor Crist's Message on Closing of Florida's 2009 Legislative Session

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Governor's Message on Closing of Florida's 2009 Legislative Session
May 8, 2009

As the 2009 Florida legislative session comes to a close, I applaud the House and the Senate for putting together a budget that addresses the priorities of the people of Florida. I am grateful that during these challenging economic times, we have been able to avoid drastically reducing services.

I want to thank the Senate President and House Speaker for approving the use of $5.3 billion made available to us as a result of the federal stimulus package. These recovery dollars are helping us prevent deep cuts that would further burden Florida’s families and businesses.

We have also maximized dollars for education. We are able to increase per-student funding for Florida’s 2.6 million students. In addition, this summer I will begin negotiating an agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida based on the guidelines developed by the Legislature. The resulting compact can help create even more dollars for students and teachers in our schools.

I also commend the Legislature for approving the higher education reform that I proposed last November. These reforms will move Florida’s higher education system into the 21st century by helping them compete on the national level. Now our universities will have the resources they need to retain top faculty and researchers. They will also continue to provide access for low-income students and families.

In this tight budget year, we are continuing to invest in economic development and workforce training to strengthen our economy. We have been able to avoid deep cuts in services for our most vulnerable – and our children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. And we are maintaining Florida’s commitment to restore America’s Everglades and conserve public lands through Florida Forever.

Last year, voters approved the largest tax cut in Florida history by lowering property taxes by an estimated $25 billion over five years. I remain committed to reducing the tax burden on Florida’s homeowners and property owners even more. And we are lowering the tax burden of Florida’s property owners.

I applaud the Legislature for proposing Constitutional amendments that will allow the voters of Florida to choose whether to lower the annual property-tax increase on non-homesteaded properties from 10 percent to 5 percent. Voters will also choose whether to grant first-time Florida homebuyers a 25 percent property-tax exemption. And we have leveled the playing field between taxpayers and property appraisers when a property owner challenges the appraiser’s assessment.

I look forward to carefully considering the Legislature’s budget proposals during the next several weeks. I am confident that Florida’s brightest days are ahead of us. I am committed to working hard to improve the quality of life for the people of Florida.

Thank you, and God bless Florida.