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Bay County Republican: the truth about what is going on in GOP local politics

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Jim Greer endorses Michael Steele for RNC Chairman


From Politico

Florida Republican Party Chair Jim Greer will announce Wednesday afternoon that he will not run for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee, and instead endorse the campaign of former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, a source close to Greer said.

Greer has spoken positively about Steele in the past, and following the RNC candidates’ Monday debate, Greer said he was impressed by Steele’s rhetoric in favor of minority outreach.

As recently as Wednesday morning, some Republican insiders thought Greer might jump into the race, and on Monday Greer was unwilling to rule out his own bid.

“I don’t think we have a frontrunner yet,” he said at the time. “Until there’s some indication that one or two of the horses are pulling away, there’s an opportunity to get in.”

Following meetings on Tuesday with all six candidates and a conversation with his wife, Greer decided to throw his weight behind Steele’s campaign.

The Florida chairman, widely viewed as a moderate and a leading GOP spokesman on diversity issues, had mulled his own bid since November, but repeatedly said he would only enter the race if he felt that none of the other candidates was speaking to his top issues.

That kind of candidate, Greer told Politico Monday, would have to be someone “talking about doing this together, versus what they’re going to do, and somebody that really says what Republicans are saying, which is: we’ve got problems.”

Greer plans to return to Florida following the RNC’s Wednesday meeting to run for reelection as state chairman, a post from which he will likely continue to speak out on issues related to party diversity.

After buzz about his potential candidacy began to subside in December, Greer weighed in at the end of the month amid the controversy over former Tennessee Republican Party Chair and RNC candidate Chip Saltsman’s decision to send RNC members a CD of political songs, including one titled “Barack the Magic Negro.”

“We can only achieve success if Republican leaders reject racial or any other acts that divide us and instead embrace what united us as a nation,” he said in a statement December 29.

Roundtable news...


Roundtable to meet on Jan. 13

The next regular monthly meeting of the Bay County Republican Roundtable will be held on Tuesday, January 13, at 6:00 p.m. at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunker’s Cove Road. The buffet is $13.00 per person, including tax and tip, and reservations are required. To make your reservation, please contact Melissa Hagan at mrsak1995@aol.com or at 774-6705. You may also simply reply to this email.
The Roundtable’s bylaws call for the election of officers at the January meeting. If you’re interested in getting involved in Republican leadership in Bay County, the Roundtable is a great place to start. This year’s officers have been fine models, and we’re grateful for their service. They are: John Salak, President; Doris Adams, 1st Vice President; Faye Register, 2nd Vice President; Melissa Hagan, Secretary; and Melissa Thompson, Treasurer. Thank you all!

Membership drive underway


The Roundtable’s 2009 membership dues are due. Dues are $30.00 annually. Please make your check payable to Bay County Republican Roundtable and mail it to our treasurer: Melissa Thompson, 136 Queens Circle, Panama City, FL 32405. Or you may simply pay your dues at the meeting on Jan. 13.
This year the Roundtable is required by its chartering body, the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF), to be re-chartered. This means we’ll have to submit our bylaws and a list of our paid members to RPOF by March for review and approval. So it’s important that we get our dues up to date as soon as possible. Thanks for your help!

The future of our Party

This Friday and Saturday, delegates from the Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will attend the annual meeting of the Republican Party of Florida. Three delegates--the county REC Chairman, the State Committeeman and the State Committeewoman--from each of the state’s 67 counties have been called to attend the meeting, at which a new slate of state Party officers will be elected.
The disappointing presidential election results have generated great interest among Florida’s Republican activists in the state Party chairman’s race. Voting delegates from Bay County are BCREC Chairman John Salak, Bay Co. State Committeeman Jonathan Hayes and Bay Co. State Committeewoman Melissa Hagan. Also planning to attend from Bay Co. are Eric Wall, BCREC Secretary; Janice Grant, BCREC Treasurer; and Ken Ford, BCREC member representing Precinct 28.
Our representation at RPOF meetings is critical if we hope to influence the direction of the Republican Party statewide and on a national level. If you’d like to share your concerns with our delegates before they depart on Friday, please contact Teresa Eaton at 271-3773 or 832-5689 or ardentheart@bellsouth.net, and she’ll send you their contact info.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Allan Bense Assumes Chairmanship of The James Madison Institute

Allan Bense Assumes Chairmanship of
The James Madison Institute
www.jamesmadison. org

TALLAHASSEE – Former Speaker of the House Allan Bense has officially
assumed the reins of The James Madison Institute from Charles Hilton
who stepped down as Chairman after five years at the helm. By formal
acclamation, JMI's Board of Directors praised Hilton's dedicated and
able service to the Institute. Although no longer continuing as
Chairman, Hilton will remain an active member of the board.

* "Charles Hilton has been a great chairman and leaves big shoes to
fill. Under his able leadership, The James Madison Institute has
experienced significant growth in membership and influence while
maintaining and nurturing the Institute's reputation for integrity
and independent thought." Allan Bense, Incoming Chairman of the
Board, The James Madison Institute

Following the completion of his tenure with the Florida House of
Representatives in 2006, Bense returned home to Panama City to focus
on his family and various business interests. He continues to serve
the People of Florida and is on the Board of Directors of Enterprise
Florida, The Florida Council of 100, The Florida Chamber of Commerce,
and other various organizations. He is also Chairman of the Board of
the Bense Family Foundation.

* "For over four years, JMI's Board has been led by a great freedom
warrior, Charles Hilton. Luckily for us, as he steps down, another
proven leader is ready to take up the gauntlet. Known statewide for
his even-handed and fair leadership, Allan Bense is a businessman and
public servant widely respected by Floridians of all stripes." Bob
McClure, President & CEO, The James Madison Institute

More information on JMI's Board of Directors is available on-line at
www.jamesmadison. org.