Bay County FL Republican

2012 GOP Florida primary predictions

2012-01-07T01:13:00.001-06:00

2012 Florida Primary predictions:

Mitt Romney will win the Florida primary by a significant margin.

Rick Santorum will fade after people find out what he really stands for and he fails to raise money.

Newt Gingrich will quit after Florida, then blame his supporters for his failings as a candidate. His concession speech will use inappropriate historical metaphors and be bitter and hateful.

Rick Perry will retreat to Texas after he spends all the money he raised. OOPS!

Ron Paul will surprise the establishment with a 2nd or 3rd place showing after not really campaigning in Florida that much.

Jon Huntsman does better than expected: 3%

Huntsman Using Dirty Tricks Against Ron Paul

2012-01-07T00:34:00.001-06:00

If you thought it would be impossible for Jon Huntsman and the Establishment media to stoop any lower than they already have in their attempts to marginalize and discredit Ron Paul, you thought wrong.

Just last week, Huntsman’s campaign released a “tacky, glib ‘Twilight Zone’ attack ad in a desperate bid to steal Ron Paul voters“, in the words of Infowars.com’s Paul Joseph Watson.

Now, just days later, a ridiculous, pathetic joke of a video has been posted to YouTube entitled “John Huntsman’s Values”. The one minute video, which was posted two days ago (Jan 4), features clips Huntsman speaking Mandarin, images of him with his adopted Chinese and Indian daughters, and Photoshopped images mixing Huntsman’s likeness with that of Mao Zedong. (Huntsman was formerly a U.S. Ambassador to China.) The video and images are interspersed with asinine captions questioning Huntsman’s faith and “American Values”, referencing his adopted daughters, and calling him “The Manchurian Candidate”.

An idiotic video if ever there was one, and one that would normally get virtually no attention except by people wanting to marvel at the stupidity.

Now for the rub: The concluding caption is “American Values And Liberty… Vote Ron Paul”. Starting to smell the stink yet?

The video was uploaded by a user called “NHLiberty4Paul” on Wednesday, January 4. A quick look at the user’s channel page (archived here as a backup) shows that the account was created the exactly same day that the video was uploaded. This brand new, anonymous user has, of course, zero other uploads.

Furthermore, according to the publicly-viewable stats provided by YouTube, the very first place this video was posted was Jon Huntsman’s campaign website, Jon2012.com. This was done on November 4, the very day the video was uploaded to YouTube, and before the video had received any traffic from other sites.

Huntsman’s people then immediately came out condemning the video and calling on Ron Paul to disavow it, as though he had anything to do with it or even knew about it. An article published on the website of the Salt Lake Tribute on January 5, the day after it was posted.

The same day, the video was posted to the front page of RedState.com, where smear artist Leon H. Wolf used it as an excuse to attack Ron Paul and his supporters. With absolutely no proof and zero skepticism regarding who created the video, Wolf tells his readers that this video was created by “Ron Paul supporters” and provides “yet more evidence that they are mostly liberal Democrats who are mad that Obama has governed too far to the right”. “Clearly Paul’s supporters are smarting a bit from finishing well behind a guy with no money and no campaign organization in Iowa, which was their one and only chance to win a state, and are letting their true colors show,” he added.

It was also posted to Breitbart.tv on January 5th, where, again, with zero proof or skepticism, it was attributed it to an “independent group supporting Ron Paul’s candidacy”, and was said to “illustrate some of the more fervent energy on behalf of the candidate.”

Newt Gingrich Quotes That Disqualify Him From Ever Being President

2012-01-06T23:56:00.000-06:00

1. “I’m not a natural leader. I’m too intellectual; I’m too abstract; I think too much.”
~Newt Gingrich, admitting that he’s an intellectual elite incapable of leading.

2. “If the Soviet empire still existed, I’d be terrified. The fact is, we can afford a fairly ignorant presidency now.”
~Newt Gingrich, saying that it’s okay for the President to be ignorant.

3. “The idea that a congressman would be tainted by accepting money from private industry or private sources is essentially a socialist argument.”
~Newt Gingrich, arguing that it’s okay for politicians to be bought and paid for.

4. “Give the park police more ammo.” ~Newt Gingrich, responding to a reporter who asked what to do about the homeless a few days after the police shot a homeless man in front of the White House.

5. “The problem isn’t too little money in political campaigns, but not enough.”
~Newt Gingrich on campaign finance reform.

6. “I have enormous personal ambition. I want to shift the entire planet. And I’m doing it. I am now a famous person. I represent real power.”
~Newt Gingrich, blowing his own horn.

7. “Gingrich – Primary mission, Advocate of civilization, Definer of civilization, Teacher of the rules of civilization, Leader of the civilizing forces.”
~ Newt Gingrich, blowing his own horn.
8. “The most serious, systematic revolutionary of modern times.”
~Newt Gingrich, blowing his own horn.

9. “It doesn’t matter what I do. People need to hear what I have to say. There’s no one else who can say what I can say. It doesn’t matter what I live.”
~Newt Gingrich, saying we should do as he says, regardless of what he actually does.

10. “This is one of the great tragedies of the Bush administration. The more successful they’ve been at intercepting and stopping bad guys, the less proof there is that we’re in danger…. It’s almost like they should every once in a while have allowed an attack to get through just to remind us.”
~Newt Gingrich, at a book talk in Huntington, NY, April 2008, saying that Republicans should allow terrorist attacks on American soil to remind us of the dangers in the world.

11. “Now, we don’t get rid of it in round one because we don’t think that that’s politically smart, and we don’t think that’s the right way to go through a transition. But we believe it’s going to wither on the vine because we think people are voluntarily going to leave it — voluntarily.”
~Newt Gingrich, admitting that while they won’t kill Medicare outright, Republicans will try to make it wither on the vine and die.

12. “She isn’t young enough or pretty enough to be the President’s wife.”
~Newt Gingrich, talking about his first wife after divorcing her.

13. “I read Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them and I found frightening pieces that related to…my own life.”
~Newt Gingrich, talking about his problems with women.

14. “It is tragic what we do in the poorest neighborhoods, entrapping children in child laws which are truly stupid…These schools should get rid of unionized janitors, have one master janitor, pay local students to take care of the school.”
~Newt Gingrich, advocating for an end to child labor laws so businesses can fire union workers and replace them with cheap labor.

15. “We should replace bilingual education with immersion in English so people learn the common language of the country and they learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto.”
~Newt Gingrich. Two years later, Gingrich unveils a new Spanish-language website, The Americano.

16. “The left-wing Democrats will represent the party of total hedonism, total exhibitionism, total bizarreness, total weirdness, and the total right to cripple innocent people in the name of letting hooligans loose.”
~Newt Gingrich, smearing Democrats when in fact it’s Republicans who want to cripple innocent people. Remember when they cheered for letting a man without health insurance die? And speaking of exhibitionism and bizarreness, have you seen the Republican Presidential field?

17. “These people are sick. They are so consumed by their own power, by a Mussolini-like ego, that their willingness to run over normal human beings and to destroy honest institutions is unending.”
~Newt Gingrich, once again smearing Democrats, but telling the complete truth about himself and the GOP. Republicans want to kill Medicare and Social Security, the EPA, and several other honest institutions that serve normal human beings. Speaking of running over normal human beings, remember when Republicans cheered for letting a man without health insurance die?

18. “I think one of the great problems we have in the Republican party is that we don’t encourage you to be nasty. We encourage you to be neat, obedient, and loyal and faithful and all those Boy Scout words.”
~Newt Gingrich, advocating for hateful rhetoric and smearing opponents with lies.

Consider Mitt Romney for President in 2012

2012-01-06T12:49:00.000-06:00

It is time for Republicans to get serious. After flirting with just about every candidate in a large presidential field, is is time to come home to the one candidate who has the demonstrated ability to run the largest organization in the United States, the Executive Branch of the federal government; who has never been touched by the slightest taint of scandal; whose success in the private sector makes him the outsider that Republicans say they are looking for; and who has by far the best chance of beating President Obama: Mitt Romney.

The “anybody but Romney” mentality that grips many Republicans is, in my view, illogical. It led them to embrace Rick Perry, who turned out to be unable to articulate a conservative thought; Newt Gingrich, whose record is far more checkered than Romney’s; Ron Paul, whose foreign policy views–indistinguishable from those of the far left–and forays into racial intolerance make him unfit to be president; and Michele Bachmann, whom I like very much, but who is more qualified to be a rabble-rouser than a chief executive.

The knock on Romney is that he is “not a real conservative.” Well, I am sure he is not as conservative as I am. But he has a solid record of conservative accomplishment as governor of Massachusetts, and if you check out his economic plan, you will find it to be entirely Reaganite, updated for the crisis we face today. The “Romney isn’t conservative” meme is, frankly, a little weird: in December 2007, National Review endorsed him for president. Has he somehow gotten more liberal since then?

In electing a president, we are choosing someone to run the Executive Branch. A leader, to be sure, but not a speechmaker, a bomb-thrower, a quipster, a television personality or an exemplar of ideological purity. At this point in our history, the United States desperately needs a leader who understands the economy, the world of business, and, more generally, how the world works. We have had more than enough of a leader who was good at giving speeches and was ideologically pure, but who had no clue how the economy works or how the federal government can be administered without resort to graft and corruption. It is time for a president who knows what he is doing.

Romney was not my first choice in this election cycle–Tim Pawlenty was. But Pawlenty’s campaign failed to catch fire, mostly because GOP voters saw him as an “establishment” candidate; that is, perhaps, someone who won tough elections and governed successfully. Around the time Pawlenty’s campaign ended, John Thune gave serious consideration to jumping into the race. If he had done so, I would have supported him, but he didn’t. There was no real reason to think that other Republicans like Paul Ryan, Chris Christie and Marco Rubio would get into the race, and they didn’t. You can’t get elected president if you don’t run for the office, and of those who are running, Mitt Romney is the best, by a very wide margin.

If this sounds lukewarm, it isn’t meant to. Let’s itemize Romney’s virtues.

First, he is a tremendously smart, competent and hard-working person. Many people do not realize what it takes to achieve the extraordinary business success to which Romney devoted most of his adult life. We have, currently, a president who is not particularly bright, knows little of business, has no idea how to run an organization–never having done so before 2009–and would rather golf than work. Replacing this cipher with Mitt Romney, one of the most capable men of his generation, would be an almost unimaginable improvement.

Second, Romney has led an exemplary life. He is, by any ordinary measure, an exceptionally good man. Maybe you care about this, maybe you don’t. My own view is that character counts, usually in ways you can’t foresee. Moreover, to put a purely pragmatic spin on it, the Democrats have nothing on him. Sure, they can mount an anti-Mormon whispering campaign, and they will. But it is highly unlikely that bigotry alone can derail a presidential candidate, especially one as upright as Romney.

Third, Romney has exactly the expertise we need for the next four years. Our country faces an enormous economic and fiscal crisis, brought on by years of politically-motivated fecklessness. We desperately need a president who understands why economic growth occurs and how jobs are created. The Democrats know nothing but payoffs and cronyism; who gets to stay the longest aboard a sinking ship. If ever we needed a president with Mitt Romney’s skills and expertise, that time is now.

Fourth, Romney can and will, I think, beat Barack Obama. The purpose of a political party is to win elections. It would be terminally stupid for the Republican Party to nominate a candidate whose weaknesses more or less guarantee defeat when it has, readily at hand, a candidate who can win. Ideological movements are another animal entirely. The purpose of the conservative movement is to advance conservative ideals, not necessarily to win elections for a particular party. Some conservative ideologues may choose to argue for a purer candidate (although I am not sure who that would be) in service of the long-run interests of the movement. But that is not the role of the Republican Party. The goal of the Republican Party is to win in 2012.

So: I endorse Mitt Romney as the Republican nominee for president in 2012. I think he can win, and I think there is a real chance that he could be a great president. Perhaps the man and the hour will meet, as with Churchill in 1940 and Reagan in 1980. But at a bare minimum, Romney can beat Barack Obama, and will be an infinitely better president. The time has come for Republicans to coalesce behind their best candidate.

Think Twice about supporting Santorum

2012-01-06T09:03:00.000-06:00

“There are people who were gay and lived the gay lifestyle and aren’t anymore. I don’t know if that’s the similar situation or that’s the case for anyone that’s black. It’s a behavioral issue as opposed to a color of the skin issue, and that’s the diff for serving in the military.”~Rick Santorum, comparing homosexuality to being black..

“The left, unfortunately, participates in bullying more than the right does. They say they’re tolerant, and they’re anything but tolerant of people who disagree with them and support traditional values.”

~Rick Santorum, accusing the left of being bullies despite the fact that he agrees with those who want to execute gays and women who have abortions.

4. “There are no Palestinians. All the people who live in the West Bank are Israelis. There are no Palestinians. This is Israeli land.”
~Rick Santorum, falsely claiming that there are no Palestinians living on the West Bank.

5. “We executed a policy that I think was detrimental to everyone, including them, in my opinion, because sex and sexual preference should not be an issue in the military, period.”
~Rick Santorum, criticizing the repeal of DADT.

6. “I believe the earth gets warmer and I also believe the earth gets cooler. And I think history points out that it does that and that the idea that man, through the production of CO2 — which is a trace gas in the atmosphere, and the man-made part of that trace gas is itself a trace gas — is somehow responsible for climate change is, I think, just patently absurd when you consider all the other factors.”
~Rick Santorum, claiming that man-made CO2 is not responsible for climate change despite the fact that CO2 levels have doubled since the start of the Industrial Revolution.

7. “One of the things I will talk about, that no president has talked about before, is I think the dangers of contraception in this country. It’s not okay. It’s a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be. [Sex] is supposed to be within marriage. It’s supposed to be for purposes that are yes, conjugal…but also procreative. That’s the perfect way that a sexual union should happen…This is special and it needs to be seen as special.”
~Rick Santorum, opposing contraception and frighteningly suggesting that he would make pre-marital sex illegal.

8. “Certainly from the ⁠standpoint of a Republican, it’s a winner. Republicans will come out ahead in Pennsylvania in every election. The way Democrats win, they have two big cities with huge concentrations of voters — and then overwhelm the rest of the state. All of a sudden, a Republican can win — and would probably routinely win — all but three or four congressional districts in Pennsylvania. It would turn it from a state Democrats rely on, as part of the base, to a state that they’re gonna lose under almost any scenario.”
~Rick Santorum, supporting the Pennsylvania GOP plan to change the way electoral votes are awarded to rig the election for Republicans.

9. “You can say I’m a hater. But I would argue I’m a lover. I’m a lover of traditional families and of the right of children to have a mother and father. I would argue that the future of America hangs in the balance, because the future of the family hangs in the balance. Isn’t that the ultimate homeland security, standing up and defending marriage?”
~Rick Santorum, comparing his fight against homosexuality to the war against terror.

10. “The state has a right to do that, I have never questioned that the state has a right to do that. It is not a constitutional right, the state has the right to pass whatever statutes they have. That is the thing I have said about the activism of the Supreme Court, they are creating right, and they should be left up to the people to decide.”
~Rick Santorum, declaring that states have the right to outlaw all forms of birth control.

11. ”I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them other people’s money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn their money and provide for themselves and their families. The best way to do that is to get the manufacturing sector of the economy rolling.”
~Rick Santorum, saying that he has no interest in helping the African-American community.

12. “This is an issue just like 9-11. We didn’t decide we wanted to fight the war on terrorism because we wanted to. It was brought to us. And if not now, when? When the supreme courts in all the other states have succumbed to the Massachusetts version of the law?”
~Rick Santorum, comparing legalizing same-sex marriage to the September 11th terrorist attacks.

13. “Let’s look at what’s going to be taught in our schools because now we have same sex couples being the same and their sexual activity being seen as equal and being affirmed by society as heterosexual couples and their activity. So what is going to be taught to our people in health class in our schools? What is going to be taught to our children about who in our stories, even to littlechildren — what are married couples? What families look like in America? So, you are going to have in our curriculum spread throughout our curriculum worldview that is fundamentally different than what is taught in schools today? Is that not a consequence of gay marriage?”
~Rick Santorum, warning that homosexuality will indoctrinate our children in schools.

14. “I mean, you have people who don’t heed those warnings and then put people at risk as a result of not heeding those warnings. There may be a need to look at tougher penalties on those who decide to ride it out and understand that there are consequences to not leaving.”
~Rick Santorum, suggesting we punish people who don’t evacuate their homes during a natural disaster shortly after Hurricane Katrina despite the fact that the evacuation of the coast was not properly executed.

15. “The idea is that the state doesn’t have rights to limit individuals’ wants and passions. I disagree with that. I think we absolutely have rights because there are consequences to letting people live out whatever wants or passions they desire.”
~Rick Santorum, declaring that government has the right to limit people from pursuing their dreams.

16. “Watching President Obama apologize last week for America’s arrogance – before a French audience that owes its freedom to the sacrifices of Americans – helped convince me that he has a deep-seated antipathy toward American values and traditions.”
~Rick Santorum, criticizing President Obama for repairing US relations with France. And being ignorant of the fact that without the French, America wouldn’t be a free nation today.

17. “What we should be teaching are the problems and holes and I think there are legitimate problems and holes in the theory of evolution. And what we need to do is to present those fairly from a scientific point of view. And we should lay out areas in which the evidence supports evolution and the areas in the evidence that does not.”
~Rick Santorum, claiming that evolution theory isn’t accurate.

18. “Suffering, if you’re a Christian, suffering is a part of life. And it’s not a bad thing, it is an essential thing in life … There are all different ways to suffer. One way to suffer is through lack of food and shelter and there’s another way to suffer which is lack of dignity and hope and there’s all sorts of ways that people suffer and it’s not just tangible, it’s also intangible and we have to consider both.”
~Rick Santorum, saying that Americans should suffer because suffering is good.

19. “I believe that any doctor that performs an abortion, I would advocate that any doctor that performs an abortion, should be criminally charged for doing so.”
~Rick Santorum, advocating for arresting doctors that provide crucial medical services to women.

20. “I support the Ryan budget plan. I think it’s the right direction on the major points. I can’t say I’ve read all of it, but on the major thrust of what he’s doing, I support what he wants to do with Medicare, Medicaid. The only thing I would do, frankly, as I’ve said publicly many times, I think we should implement a lot of these things sooner than what he’s suggesting.”
~Rick Santorum, supporting the Paul Ryan plan to kill Medicare and Medicaid, and stating that he would end both programs right now.

21. “Yeah, remember, under the Bush administration, welfare — I mean, excuse me, poverty among African Americans and among single unmarried women, poverty was at the lowest rate ever in the history of this country. So Obama’s policies are not working, Bush polices worked! For long a time as a matter of fact.”
~Rick Santorum, falsely claiming that poverty was the lowest in history because of the Bush policies. In fact, poverty only increased.

22. “9/11 families and everybody else in America should be furious at this president that he’s walking abound taking credit for, you know, getting Osama bin Laden. He didn’t get Osama bin Laden! … The president of the United States simply said — courageous act, give him credit for saying yes — but that’s all he did, is say yes. He didn’t do the hard work. The people he’s going after did the hard work. And that is an outrage.”
~Rick Santorum, claiming that President Obama deserves no credit for the killing of Osama bin Laden and that 9/11 families should be angry because he order him killed. I’m assuming that Santorum credits Bush which is laughable.

“I don’t know where Bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don’t care. It’s not that important. It’s not our priority.”
~George W. Bush, 3/13/02

President Obama made killing bin Laden the priority and got the job done.

23. “We’ve seen with this president, experience matters. When that phone call comes at three o’clock in the morning, I will be up and ready for the call because I will know what’s going on in the world around us.”
~Rick Santorum, claiming that he has the experience necessary to be President and that Obama doesn’t. Need we remind him that Obama ordered bin Laden killed, helped Libya gain freedom, urged Mubarak to step down in Egypt, and gave the order for Navy snipers to fire on Somali pirates, thus freeing a captive American. Not to mention the emergencies President Obama has brilliantly handled at home, such as Hurricane Irene, the east coast earthquake, and the economy.

24. “The American Left hates Christendom. They hate Western civilization.”
~Rick Santorum, claiming liberals hate Western civilization despite the fact that Republicans have been tearing it apart for decades.

25. “The idea that the Crusades and the fight of Christendom against Islam is somehow an aggression on our part is absolutely anti-historical.”
~Rick Santorum, claiming Christians played no role in starting the Crusades.

26. “The most dangerous place for an African-American in this country is in the womb.”
~Rick Santorum, claiming that blacks are more threatened by abortion than they are by GOP economic policies that discriminate against them.

27. “The Social Security system, in my opinion, is a flawed design, period. But having said that, the design would work a lot better if we had stable demographic trends. We don’t have enough workers to support the retirees . . . A third of the young people in America are not in America today because of abortion.“
~Rick Santorum, blaming abortion for future Social Security shortfalls when in fact, it’s Republican anti-job policies that are to blame.

28. “I don’t want to go to a trade war, I want to beat China. I want to go to war with China and make America the most attractive place in the world to do business.”
~Rick Santorum, stating that he wants a war with China.

29. “I think we should send a very clear message that if you are scientist from Russia or North Korea or from Iran, and you are going to work on a nuclear program to develop a nuclear bomb for Iran, you are not safe.”
~Rick Santorum, stating his intentions to kill Russian, North Korean, and Iranian citizens which would be an act of war.

30. “I would be saying to the Iranians, you either open those facilities, begin to dismantle them and make them available to inspectors or we will degrade those facilities though air strikes. And make it very public that we are doing that. Iran would not get a nuclear weapon under my watch.”
~Rick Santorum, threatening war with Iran.

31. “Almost 60,000 average Americans had the courage to go out and charge those beaches on Normandy, to drop out of airplanes who knows where, and take on the battle for freedom. Average Americans, the very Americans that our government now, and this president, does not trust to make a decision on your health care plan. Those Americans risked everything so they could make that decision on their health care plan.”
~Rick Santorum, falsely claiming that WW2 veterans fought for the privatization of health care on D-Day, apparently oblivious to the fact that military health care is government run and a majority of WW2 veterans are currently using and enjoying Medicare.

My last post as Vice-Chairman

2011-07-25T18:06:00.001-05:00

The time has come for me to move on. I have decided to officially resign as the Vice-Chairman as well as my other position, Technology Committee Chairman, of the Bay County, Florida Republican Executive Committee. This is purely for personal reasons. There was no pressure for me to resign.
It's time to begin the next chapter in my life, and that includes blogging more on my personal blog, Eric Wall. I will continue to comment on US and Florida politics as well as some of my other passions which include music, NASCAR, NFL, NBA, baseball as well as whatever else interests me. So I hope I interest you enough to follow me on Twitter as well, @E_Wall

I've met a lot of great people along the way, people that genuinely care about the future of this great nation, and I wish you all the best of luck.

Eric Wall
former BCREC blog editor, REC Secretary 2009-2011, Bay Co. Co-Chair, Marco Rubio 2010, REC Vice-Chairman, 2011

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

An Important Update

2011-03-02T13:02:00.001-06:00

"This blog has never been recognized, let alone approved by the Bay Co. REC board or the membership. I have therefore removed the official logo and changed the name of the blog to reflect its "unofficial" status. From now on this blog will remain unofficial due to regulations stemming from the new RPOF Code of Conduct."

Eric Wall
Editor

EXCLUSIVE interview with RPOF Chairman candidate Dave Bitner

2010-12-28T10:54:00.000-06:00

1. Why did you decide to seek the office of RPOF Chairman?

I care deeply about this party and this state. We need strong Republican leaders now more than ever. After thinking about the challenges our party is going to face in the next few years – the RNC Convention, a must-win Presidential Election, and battling against all the special-interest money President Obama can find –I realized the stakes are too high for me to sit this one out on the sidelines. We can set ourselves up for a Renaissance—a rebirth—by choosing experienced leaders with fresh ideas, or we can set ourselves up for failure with infighting. I strongly believe that I am the person who can launch an aggressive fundraising program and more effectively use technology to cut down on costs and better communicate with voters. I believe that I am the person who can represent our Party with a public image that is statesmanlike but not elitist; experienced but not afraid of fresh ideas.

2. What political experience do you bring to the table?

I think my experience as a small business owner—making payroll, managing employees, etc.—is just as important as my political background. In fact, building a business from the ground up showed me firsthand the need to cut government red tape and fight for lower taxes on small businesses and families. In 1992, I was elected to HD 71 (Charlotte, Lee, Sarasota Counties). I served eight years in the Florida Legislature and never asked for one earmark, returning taxpayer dollars to the state from my office every quarter. I am proud of the reputation I earned as a hard-working, common-sense conservative. I am also proud to have helped the party gain the majority in the Florida House under Speakers Webster and Thrasher, then under Governor Jeb Bush.

I started as a precinct committeeman and currently serve as a state committeeman for Jefferson County. My wife Wendy and I have walked door-to-door for hundreds of state and local Republican candidates over the last 18 years, from Pensacola to Key West. We have redistricting coming up. I’ve been around the block and know the complex redistricting process in and out. We’ll need an advocate to ensure that the local Republican leaders are heard.

3. Raising money is one of the primary duties of the RPOF Chairman. How do you plan to do that in such a tough economy?

That’s a great question, because we can’t implement any of the technology improvements or new GOTV ideas if we don’t have any money in the bank. I will do this by launching an aggressive fundraising effort and handling the Party’s finances with transparency and openness. I won’t stand for backroom deals or frivolous spending. Every dollar we spend should be to get Republicans elected. I am a businessman and have successfully run businesses all my life, so I am confident that I will exceed fundraising goals and ensure that the RPOF is one of the most competitive and successful parties in the nation. I will work to bring in new donors via traditional outreach, and implement innovative, cost-effective online fundraising efforts. One example of how we can enhance fundraising is to increase federal fundraising for GOTV efforts. Refilling our coffers with federal dollars will be critical. If other state and local parties have launched new fundraising efforts with success, I will ensure that the RPOF is ready to take advantage of what they are doing to benefit Florida Republicans.

4. How do you feel about RPOF's online presence? What would you improve?

There has been a lot of talk about technology and how it can be used to give our party the edge. I think it is important to look at what successful candidates like Marco Rubio and Dan Webster have done and integrate their successes to improve our party’s communications, fundraising, voter contact and Election Day operations. We will establish an up-to-date contact database for RECs and grassroots Republicans to utilize, and we’ll assist with things like voter verification and targeting.

We’ll use technology such as social networking and online fundraising to not only reach out to more voters in but to also cut costs and save money. It is critical that we hire professional staff who understand how to leverage online/web-based technology and use it to achieve solid results. I won’t stand for bells and whistles that don’t advance the RPOF’s election day goals. We won’t hold resources hostage in Tallahassee. If we have new online tools, they should be available for campaigns at every level. We can better utilize technology include providing access to an up-to-date contact database, and assisting with voter verification

5. What are your feelings regarding the Jim Greer situation? Are there any reforms you would institute to make sure this does not ever happen again?

Two words: Transparency and principle. If I am elected Chairman, we will enact professional standards and internal safeguards against frivolous spending and out-of-control vendor contracts. While leadership experience within the GOP structure can be a positive quality, in the campaign for the next Chair, I think it is important to bring in someone with no significant ties to the Jim Greer administration. It is time to start anew, with a fresh slate.

6. Do you have any interest in an official RPOF platform or a State Convention in the future?

I think Presidency V, along with a Straw Poll and a Republican Presidential campaign, is a tradition that we should maintain and be proud of. This event not only draws grassroots Republicans from across the state, but media from across the country. If this event is managed appropriately, it brings in revenue and solidifies Florida’s one-of-a-kind, battleground state status.

7. What is your relationship with Governor-elect Rick Scott? Did you support him during the primary?

I have known Gov-elect Scott for about 16 years. I am proud to have supported him from Day 1 of his campaign. I first met Gov-elect Scott in 1994 when we had an occasion to discuss local legislation. We both believe that many answers to our problems are found in the private sector, not growing a bigger government. I look forward to working closely with the Governor if I am elected Chairman of the party.

8. What is your relationship with the Tea Party leadership in your area? Have you been able to encourage them to join your county REC?

As a small county, Jefferson County does not have a Tea Party…but across Florida, I know that Tea Party members have been speaking out against big government, higher taxes, and skyrocketing national debt. These are also Republican ideals. I think the RPOF should actively create opportunities to encourage these politically-engaged citizens to join our counties’ RECs and get them involved in Republican campaigns and causes.

9. Do you intend to travel and meet with county RECs across the state during your term as Chairman? Will you be accessible to the rank-and-file?

If I am elected Chairman, I intend to spend a majority of time outside of Tallahassee, meeting with RECs and the volunteers that make our party as successful as it is today. Wendy and I have spent so much time driving across the state visiting with Party members, and we have learned that talking face-to-face with folks is invaluable. A willingness to sit back and listen is one of the most important qualities a chairman can have. Traveling the state in an efficient, cost-effective manner will enable me to discuss RECs’ concerns, share ideas, and ensure that our local parties have the resources they need to remain competitive. As I have throughout the chairman’s race, I will continue to make my cell phone number and email address available to everyone.

10. If it was up to you, what day would Florida hold its 2012 Presidential preference primary?

This is an important issue to grassroots Republicans and our elected Republicans. I will listen to members of the Party’s leadership to weigh the benefits of adopting an early primary against the prospect of losing half of our delegates. Florida will play a key role in deciding our Republican nominee, and I do not want to see our state unnecessarily penalized for holding an early primary. I am in favor of holding a straw poll in November if this party supports the idea. Above all else, we will work with RECs and Party leaders to position the RPOF so that we possess national influence in the Republican nomination contest.

11. Finally, are there any other changes you would make to RPOF as it stands as an organization today?

If I am elected Chairman, I would do a top-to-bottom review of the staffing and infrastructure at the RPOF as it stands currently to weed out duplication and ensure that we are running a professional, cost-effective, and state-of-the-art political party. I bring a degree of separation from the outgoing administration that I think will be both helpful and refreshing. I will surround myself with experts in different subject areas—fundraising, GOTV/grassroots, and communications and appoint a Chief Information Officer. I will also immediately undertake a comprehensive review of vendors and consultants and an inventory of resources at the RPOF to ensure we have our affairs in order before beginning to clean house where appropriate.

Bay County Republican Roundtable Report, November 2010

2010-11-06T16:21:00.000-05:00

Congressman-elect Southerland to address Nov. 9 meeting
     Steve Southerland, elected on November 2 to the U.S. House of Representatives, will be the featured speaker at the November 9 meeting of the Roundtable. Southerland scored a historic victory over entrenched Democrat "Blue Dog" Allen Boyd, whose support of the Obama-Pelosi-Reid liberal agenda paved the way for a true conservative to reclaim a congressional seat for the people of Florida's District 2.
     Southerland announced his candidacy for Congress at a Roundtable meeting last fall. We welcome him back not just to complete the circle but to share his hopes for America and his plans for helping the Republican congressional leadership stop the stampede to socialism.
Meeting and dinner reservations info
     The Roundtable meets at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd., in Panama City. A dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15.00 per person, including tax, tip and non-alcoholic beverage. Reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club staff can plan for adequate food and seating.
     To make your dinner reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at 527-7384 or Melissa@efileamerica.com. A short business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Bring a guest and your opinion!
Roundtable membership
     If you'd like to renew your Roundtable membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the club's treasurer: Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044, Panama City, FL 32406. Or you may simply turn in your dues at the November 9 meeting. All new and renewed memberships after September 1 are applied to 2011. Thank you for your support!
Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter
     Simply click this link: http://republicanroundtable.com/subscribe.html

.
Panhandle Federated Republican Women
     The Panhandle Federated Republican Women will meet on Wednesday, November 10, at the Golden Corral on 23^rd Street in Panama City. A lunch buffet begins at 11:00 a.m. and costs $10.00 per person. The meeting begins at 12 noon.
     The program for this meeting is the club's annual auction to raise funds for its many community service projects, including thousands of dictionaries it has donated every year since 2002 to Bay County's third graders.
     Members and guests are invited to bring home-baked goods, as well as new and used items (in good condition) from home, for the auction. Auctioneer Betty Malin will be wearing her Minnie Pearl hat (with price tag) and pressing for those high bids.
     For more information, contact President Lorraine Odom at 850-630-5678 or lorraineodom@marykay.com or.
Bay County Republican Executive Committee
     The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will not meet in November. Its officer election meeting will be held on Monday, December 6, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave.
     The BCREC's Christmas party is scheduled for Friday, December 10, at the Edgewater Beach Resort. More details coming soon. Mark your calendar and plan to celebrate the General Election victories with friends and fellow Republicans!
     For more information, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at 850-276-2872 or john.salak@L-3Com.com.
Many thanks to Republican volunteers!!!
     You did it! You helped the Republican Party reclaim the U.S. House of Representatives, narrow the gap in the U.S. Senate, and make huge gains in governors' seats and state legislatures across the country. You ROCK!
     A special thank-you goes to Bay County Republican Party Headquarters Manager Glen Leirer, who kept HQ staffed and hope alive during the Primary and General Election campaigns this year. Once again, Glen is talking about retiring. (See you at the planning meeting to unseat Florida Senator Bill Nelson, Glen.)

Bay County Republican Roundtable news, October 2010

2010-10-08T08:55:00.000-05:00

October 2010

October 12 meeting to feature open discussion
     Representatives from the Scott, Southerland and Rubio campaigns will be on hand at the October 12 meeting to lead discussions about the upcoming General Election. Sharing information about their respective campaigns' strategies for victory will be Bo Rivard, representing Rick Scott for Governor; Matt McCollough, from the Steve Southerland for U.S. House of Representatives campaign; and Melissa Hagan, for Marco Rubio for the U.S. Senate.
     John Salak, Chairman of the Bay County Republican Executive Committee, will follow up with information about how the local party is helping the entire Republican slate achieve victory on November 2. If you want to play an active role in making 2010 a transformational election year, the October 12 meeting of the Roundtable will be a great place to start!
Meeting and dinner reservations info
     The Roundtable meets at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd., in Panama City. A dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15.00 per person, including tax, tip and non-alcoholic beverage. Reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club staff can plan for adequate food and seating.
     To make your dinner reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at 527-7384 or Melissa@efileamerica.com. A short business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Bring a guest and your opinion!
LWV Forum on WJHG-TV
     The League of Women Voters' General Election Forum will be telecast on WJHG-TV on the evening of Tuesday, October 12, from the Holley building on the FSU-PC campus. The telecast will run from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and will cover races for the State Legislature, School Board, County Commission and U.S. House (in that order). The public is invited to attend, and campaign t-shirts are permissible. No campaign signs.
     This forum overlaps with the Roundtable's regular meeting in October. Adjustments will be made to our usual meeting format so that our members and guests who are also working for campaigns may attend and enjoy both events.
Candidate soapbox at every meeting
     All Republican candidates are invited to take to the candidate soapbox for three minutes at every Roundtable meeting. This is a great opportunity for candidates to get out their message and interface with voters. Candidates, remember to bring your campaign stuff!
Roundtable membership
       If you would like to renew your membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the Roundtable's treasurer: Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044, Panama City, FL 32406. Or you may simply turn in your dues at the October 12 meeting. All new and renewed memberships after September 1 are applied to 2011. Thank you for your support!
Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter
     Simply click this link: http://republicanroundtable.com/subscribe.html

.
Panhandle Federated Republican Women
     The Panhandle Federated Republican Women will meet on Wednesday, October 13, at the Golden Corral on 23^rd Street in Panama City. The lunch buffet begins at 11:00 a.m. and costs $10.00 per person. The meeting begins at 12 noon. For more information, contact President Lorraine Odom at lorraineodom@marykay.com or 850-630-5678.
Bay County Republican Executive Committee
     The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will meet on Monday, October 25, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave. For more information, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at 850-276-2872 or john.salak@L-3Com.com.
Republican HQ needs volunteers
     If you'd like to help staff the Republican Party's headquarters (1607 Lisenby Avenue in Panama City) during the election season, please contact HQ Manager Glen Leirer at 276-2168 or geleirer32@comcast.net. The number at HQ is 763-8656.

. . . . .

For more information about the Bay County Republican Roundtable,

contact Vicki Doolittle, President, at 319-0105 or doolittlg@comcast.net.

Other Roundtable officers are:

Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President, Programs Chair

Sue Bynum, 2^nd Vice President, Events Chair

James Waterstradt, Secretary

Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

. . . . .

Teresa Eaton, Newsletter Editor

Republican Roundtable news--September 2010

2010-09-09T18:43:00.000-05:00

Vicki Doolittle, President

September 2010

WKGC producer to speak at September 14 meeting

Tom Hoots, producer of WKGC’s Somewhere in the Middle, will speak at the September 14 meeting of the Roundtable about his interest in and subsequent research into environmental issues. He will try to help us understand how America’s long debate about the environment got us to where we now are in that often heated conversation.

Tom is co-owner and chief engineer at Studio 812 in Lynn Haven, as well as part owner and design engineer at Sunelectro LLC. In addition to producing Somewhere in the Middle, he produces and sometimes hosts WKGC’s Emerald Coast Studio. In his spare time, he’s an instructor of an electric vehicle design and build class at Gulf Coast Community College. He also serves as a volunteer instructor at the college for various classes in music production technology.

Editor’s note: This program will be a nice change of pace from politics. That’s our story, and we’re sticking with it. J

Meeting and dinner reservations info

The Roundtable meets at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd., in Panama City. A dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15.00 per person, including tax, tip and non-alcoholic beverage. Reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club staff can plan for adequate food and seating. To make your dinner reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at Melissa@efileamerica.com or 527-7384. A short business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Bring a guest and your opinion!

Congratulations to Primary Election winners!

Marco Rubio – Republican Primary, U.S. Senate

Steve Southerland – Republican Primary, U.S. House, FL Congressional District 2

Rick Scott – Republican Primary, Florida Governor

Pam Bondi – Republican Primary, Florida Attorney General

Adam Putnam – Republican Primary, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture

Greg Evers – Republican Primary, Florida Senate, District 2

Jimmy Patronis – Republican Primary, Florida House, District 6

Marti Coley – Republican Primary, Florida House, District 7

Pete Mallory – 14^th Circuit Judge, Group 2

Guy Tunnell – Republican Primary, County Commission, District 4

Joe Wayne Walker – School Board, District 1

Steve Moss and Jim Barr – runoff, School Board, District 5

Great job, candidates and campaign volunteers! You ROCK!

Candidate soapbox at every meeting

Roundtable membership

If you would like to renew your membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the Roundtable’s treasurer: Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044, Panama City, FL 32406. Or you may simply turn in your dues at the September 14 meeting. All new and renewed memberships after September 1 will be applied to 2011. Thank you for your support!

Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter

Simply click this link: http://republicanroundtable.com/subscribe.html.

Panhandle Federated Republican Women

The Panhandle Federated Republican Women will meet on Wednesday, October 13, at the Golden Corral on 23^rd Street in Panama City. The lunch buffet begins at 11:00 a.m. and costs $10.00 per person. The meeting begins at 12 noon. For more information, contact President Lorraine Odom at lorraineodom@marykay.com or 850-630-5678.

Bay County Republican Executive Committee

The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will meet on Monday, September 27, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave. For more information, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at 850-276-2872 or john.salak@L-3Com.com.

Republican HQ needs volunteers

If you’d like to help staff the Republican Party’s headquarters during the election season, please contact HQ Manager Glen Leirer at geleirer32@comcast.net or 276-2168. The number at HQ is 763-8656.

. . . . .

For more information about the Bay County Republican Roundtable,

contact Vicki Doolittle, President, at 319-0105 or doolittlg@comcast.net.

Other Roundtable officers are:

Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President, Programs Chair

Sue Bynum, 2^nd Vice President, Events Chair

James Waterstradt, Secretary

Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

. . . . .

Teresa Eaton, Newsletter Editor

. . . . .

“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”

John Philpot Curran, Dublin, 1808

Republican Roundtable news for August 2010

2010-08-05T09:55:00.000-05:00

by Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

Gainer to speak at August 10 meeting

County Commissioner George Gainer, recently reelected without opposition to his third term on the Commission, will be the speaker at the August 10 meeting of the Roundtable. He will present an update on the Commission's activities and will take questions from the floor.

Meeting and dinner reservations info

Candidate soapbox at every meeting

Roundtable membership

The Roundtable's annual dues are $30.00 per person. If you would like to renew your membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the Roundtable's treasurer: Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044, Panama City, FL 32406. Or you may simply turn in your dues at the August 10 meeting. Thank you for your support!

Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter

Simply click this link: http://republicanroundtable.com/subscribe.html

Panhandle Federated Republican Women

The Panhandle Federated Republican Women will host a Meet and Greet for Republican candidates--local, state and federal--on Tuesday, August 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Language Arts Building at Gulf Coast Community College. For more information, contact President Lorraine Odom at 624-2544 or lorraineodom@marykay.com.

Bay County Republican Executive Committee

The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will meet on Monday, August 23, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave. The REC is hosting a pancake breakfast for Republican candidates on Saturday, July 24. For more information about the REC and the breakfast, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at john.salak@L-3Com.com or

276-2872.

Coffee, donuts and great conversation

Roundtable member Ken Ford opens the Republican Headquarters, located at 1607 Lisenby Avenue in Panama City, every Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Bring your coffee cup and your point of view for any part of the three hours you can spend there. You'll be glad you did! The number at HQ is 763-8656.

Republican HQ needs volunteers

If you'd like to help staff the Republican Party's headquarters during the election season, please contact HQ Manager Glen Leirer at geleirer32@comcast.net or 276-2168.

. . . . .

For more information about the Bay County Republican Roundtable,

contact Vicki Doolittle, President, at 319-0105 or doolittlg@comcast.net.

Other Roundtable officers are:

Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President, Programs Chair

Sue Bynum, 2^nd Vice President, Events Chair

James Waterstradt, Secretary

Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

Waffle Breakfast on Saturday, July 24

2010-07-15T14:44:00.002-05:00

The BCREC is sponsoring this event:

Who: Republican Candidates for U.S. Representative (Congressional District 2), State Representative (Districts 6 & 7), 14^th Circuit Judge (Group 2), County Commission (District 4) and School Board (Districts 1 & 5)

What: Waffle Breakfast

Cost: $1.00 per person

When: Saturday, July 24

7 – 10 a.m.

Where: Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q

2400 St. Andrew’s Blvd. , Panama City

This event is open to the public. The candidates will be serving waffles, but they’ve been asked not to waffle on the issues. Don’t miss these two opportunities to meet the Republican Party’s great field of candidates in this year’s Primary Election cycle!

Bay Co.Republican Roundtable update--July 2010

2010-07-08T14:01:00.001-05:00

by Vicki Doolittle, President

July 13 meeting: everything you wanted to know about Bay County politics but were afraid to ask . . .

By Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President and Programs Chair

You and your questions will be the stars of this month’s meeting. You will have the opportunity to ask questions of your favorite Republican candidates. First of all, we have invited the two candidates for 14^th Circuit Judge, Pete Mallory and Mike Reiter, to give a brief statement, followed by a few of your questions. Next, we will have a question and answer period with any of the candidates who attend the meeting. This will be in addition to our usual candidate soapbox. Don’t miss this opportunity to get to know our great Republican candidates! Keep reading to find out how you can make dinner reservations.

Meeting and dinner reservations info

The Roundtable meets at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd. , in Panama City . A dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15.00 per person, including tax, tip and non-alcoholic beverage. Reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club staff can plan for adequate food and seating. To make your dinner reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at Melissa@efileamerica.com or 527-7384. A short business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Bring a guest and your opinion!

Candidate soapbox at every meeting

Roundtable membership

The Roundtable’s annual dues are $30.00 per person. If you would like to renew your membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the Roundtable’s treasurer: Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044 , Panama City , FL 32406 . Or you may simply turn in your dues at the July 13 meeting. Thank you for your support!

Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter

Simply click this link: http://republicanroundtable.com/subscribe.html

Panhandle Federated Republican Women

The Panhandle Federated Republican Women will host a Meet and Greet for Republican candidates—local, state and federal--on Tuesday, August 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Language Arts Building at Gulf Coast Community College . For more information, contact President Lorraine Odom at 624-2544 or lorraineodom@marykay.com.

Bay County Republican Executive Committee

The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will meet on Monday, July 26, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave. The REC is hosting a pancake breakfast for Republican candidates on Saturday, July 24. For more information about the REC and the breakfast, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at john.salak@L-3Com.com or 276-2872.

Coffee, donuts and great conversation

Roundtable member Ken Ford opens the Republican Headquarters, located at 1607 Lisenby Avenue in Panama City , every Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Bring your coffee cup and your point of view for any part of the three hours you can spend there. You’ll be glad you did! The number at HQ is 763-8656.

Republican HQ needs volunteers

If you’d like to help staff the Republican Party’s headquarters during the election season, please contact HQ Manager Glen Leirer at geleirer32@comcast.net or 276-2168.

For more information about the Bay County Republican Roundtable,

contact Vicki Doolittle, President, at 319-0105 or doolittlg@comcast.net.

Other Roundtable officers are:

Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President, Programs Chair

Sue Bynum, 2^nd Vice President, Events Chair

James Waterstradt, Secretary

Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

. . . . .

Bay Co. Republican Roundtable News --June 2010

2010-06-03T11:43:00.000-05:00

Vicki Doolittle, President

Supervisor of Elections to address June 8 meeting

Bay County's Supervisor of Elections, Mark Andersen, will be the guest speaker at the June 8 meeting of the Roundtable. A former U.S. Navy SEAL, Mark is the current President of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections, as well as an adviser for the National Standards for Elections Office Management Board. Under his leadership, the Bay Co. Supervisor of Elections office was the first in the country to earn ISO-9000 elections quality certification. We are fortunate that Mark will be spending an evening with us!

Meeting and dinner reservations info

A short business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Bring a guest and your opinion!

Candidate soapbox at every meeting

APO addresses needed

Sue Bynum, 2^nd Vice President and Projects Chair, has collected many items for our men and women in service overseas. If you know APO addresses where these items would be appreciated, please contact Sue at 271-4092 or mikespeaks@knology.net.

Roundtable membership

The Roundtable's annual dues are $30.00 per person. If you would like to renew your membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the Roundtable's treasurer: Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044, Panama City, FL 32406. Or you may simply turn in your dues at the June 8 meeting. Thanks for your support!

Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter

Simply click this link: http://republicanroundtable. com/subscribe.html

Panhandle Federated Republican Women

The Panhandle Federated Republican Women do not meet in the summer. However, the club will host a meet 'n greet for Republican candidates on August 19. For more information, contact President Lorraine Odom at lorraineodom@marykay.com or 624-2544.

Bay County Republican Executive Committee

The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will meet on Monday, June 28, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave. Candidates for contested School Board seats will debate. For more information, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at 276-2872 or john.salak@L-3Com.com.

Coffee, donuts and great conversation

. . . . .

For more information about the Bay County Republican Roundtable,

contact Vicki Doolittle, President, at 319-0105 or doolittlg@comcast.net.

Other Roundtable officers are:

Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President, Programs Chair

Sue Bynum, 2^nd Vice President, Events Chair

James Waterstradt, Secretary

Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

. . . . .

When the people rise in masses in behalf of the Union and the liberties

of their country, truly may it be said,

"The gates of hell shall not prevail against them."

A. Lincoln, 1861

Bay County Republican Round Table, PO Box 15044, Panama City, FL 32406, USA

Republican Roundtable Update for May 2010

2010-05-07T09:51:00.001-05:00

Doc Washburn to moderate at May 11 meeting

The open forum at the May 11 meeting of the Republican Roundtable will be moderated by popular conservative talk radio host Doc Washburn (Fox News Radio 94.5 WFLA). Doc is a regular at Roundtable meetings, frequently contributing spice and humor to our free-for-all discussions. Don’t miss this great opportunity to enjoy Doc in person.

Meeting and dinner reservations info

The Roundtable meets at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd. , in Panama City . A dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15.00 per person, including tax, tip and non-alcoholic beverage. Reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club staff can plan for adequate food and seating. To make your dinner reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at 527-7384 or Melissa@efileamerica.com.

A short business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Bring a guest and your opinion!

Candidate soapbox at every meeting

Roundtable membership

The Roundtable’s annual dues are $30.00 per person. If you would like to renew your membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the Roundtable’s treasurer: Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044 , Panama City , FL 32406 . Or you may simply give your check to Melissa at the May 11 meeting. Thanks for your support!

APO addresses needed

Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter

Simply click this link: http://republicanroundtable.com/subscribe.html

Panhandle Federated Republican Women

The Panhandle Federated Republican Women (PFRW) will meet on Wednesday, May 12, at 11:00 a.m. at the Golden Corral Restaurant on 23^rd Street in Panama City . The cost of lunch is $10.00, payable in the room reserved for the club. (Do not pay at the cash register.) The guest speakers for the May 12 meeting are Congressional District 2 candidates. For more information, contact President Lorraine Odom at lorraineodom@marykay.com or 624-2544.

Bay County Republican Executive Committee

The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will meet on Monday, May 24, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave. For more information, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at 276-2872 or john.salak@L-3Com.com.

Coffee, donuts and great conversation

Roundtable member Ken Ford opens the Republican Headquarters, located at 1607 Lisenby Avenue in Panama City , every Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Bring your coffee cup and your point of view for any part of the three hours you can spend there. You’ll be glad you did! The number at HQ is 763-8656.

Lincoln-Reagan 2010 ignites victory fervor

Over 125 guests enjoyed the annual fundraiser of the Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC), Lincoln-Reagan 2010, on Saturday, April 24, at the Edgewater Convention Center in Panama City Beach . U.S. Congressman Adam Putnam, Republican candidate for Florida ’s Commissioner of Agriculture and the evening’s keynote speaker, delivered a stirring message about the Republican Party’s conservative founding principles and was enthusiastically received. Onward to victory in November! . . . . .

For more information about the Bay County Republican Roundtable,

contact Vicki Doolittle, President, at 319-0105 or doolittlg@comcast.net.

Other Roundtable officers are:

Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President, Programs Chair

Sue Bynum, 2^nd Vice President, Events Chair

James Waterstradt, Secretary

Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

Republican Roundtable Update March 2010

2010-03-04T13:37:00.001-06:00

Sheriff McKeithen to speak at March 9 meeting

Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen will be the guest speaker at the March 9 meeting of the Roundtable. Sheriff McKeithen is one of Bay County's most popular elected officials, primarily because he does his job so well. Sheriff McKeithen plans to discuss the following topics: Illegal Immigration, Meth Checks and Pill Mills. He will explain what his office is doing and how Bay County is affected by these activities. The Roundtable meets at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd., in Panama City. A dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15.00 per person, including tax, tip and non-alcoholic beverage. Reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club staff can plan for adequate food and seating. To make your dinner reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at Melissa@efileamerica.com or 527-7384.

A short business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Bring a guest and your opinion!

Gubernatorial candidate Dockery speaks at Feb. 9 meeting

Florida Senator Paula Dockery was the guest speaker at the Feb. 9 meeting of the Roundtable. Dockery was elected to the Florida Senate in 2002 and has served as Majority Whip. She was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1996 to 2000, where she also served as Majority Whip.

Sen. Dockery is a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor. Her primary opponent is Attorney General Bill McCollum. Her speech to the Roundtable emphasized her areas of expertise--water management and the rail system in Florida. She was well received and fielded the usual tough questions from the Roundtable audience.

Candidate soapbox at every meeting

All Republican candidates are invited to take to the candidate soapbox for three minutes at every Roundtable meeting. This is a great opportunity for candidates to get out their message and interface with voters. At the February meeting, Derrell Day and Dan Estes, candidates for County Commission, and John Reichard, candidate for Panama City Beach City Council, took advantage of the soapbox.

Membership drive underway

Each year the Roundtable conducts its membership drive from January 1 to March 31. Annual dues are $30.00 per person. If you would like to renew your membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the Roundtable's treasurer: Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044, Panama City, FL 32406. Or you may simply give your check to Melissa at the March 9 meeting.

Thanks for your support!

Trivia Questions

Anyone wishing to provide the Trivia Questions for any of our meetings should Contact:

Richard Plantec 236-1830 or Rgplant1@aol.com

Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter

To subscribe to the online Roundtable newsletter, simply click this link:

http://republicanroundtable.com/subscribe.html

(You may also copy and paste the link into your Internet browser.) When you click the link, you will see the Roundtable logo and a very brief subscription form. Just type in your name and email address and then click "Submit."

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Bay County Republican Executive Committee

The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) is comprised of Republican precinct leaders. If you're interested in being active in your precinct this election year, or if you just want to learn more about the activities of the local Republican Party, please plan to attend the next BCREC meeting on Monday, March 22, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave.

For more information, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at 276-2872 or

john.salak@L-3Com.com.

Lincoln-Reagan 2010 set for April 24

The annual fundraiser of the Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC), Lincoln-Reagan 2010, is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, at the Edgewater Convention Center in Panama City Beach.

State Representative Will Weatherford, originally scheduled to be the event's keynote speaker, was forced to decline due to Florida House rules that prohibit legislators from speaking at political fundraisers during session. That's the bad news.

The good news is that U.S. Representative Adam Putnam, Republican candidate for Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture, has accepted the invitation to be the keynote speaker. Rep. Putnam held the Republican Party's third highest leadership post during the 110^th Congress in 2007 and 2008. During his five terms in Congress, he has become an influential leader on cyber security and federal technology policy.

For more information, contact LR2010 Chairs Vicki Doolittle at g.v.doolittle@live.com or 319-0105 or Teresa Eaton at ardentheart@bellsouth.net or 832-5689.

CD2 forum maxed out!

All 450 free tickets to the May 18 forum for Republican candidates in the Congressional District 2 race are spoken for! The forum will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the historic Martin Theater in downtown Panama City.

Candidates who have confirmed their participation are Dianne Berryhill, Eddie Hendry, Barbara Olschner, Charlies Ranson, David Scholl and Steve Southerland. The CD2 seat is now held by Democrat incumbent Allen Boyd.

For more information, contact Forum Chair Jonathan Hayes at 785-2857 or hayesjh@gmail.com.

Panhandle Federated Republican Women

The Panhandle Federated Republican Women (PFRW) will meet on Wednesday, March 10, 11:00 a.m. at the Golden Corral Restaurant on 23^rd Street in Panama City. The cost of lunch is $10.00, payable in the room reserved for the club. (Do not pay at the cash register.)

The guest speaker for the March 10 meeting is Bob Wells of Soldiers' Angels.

For more information, contact PFRW President Lorraine Odom at 624-2544 or lorraineodom@marykay.com.

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. Recent topics of conversation included the CD2 race, the foreseeable problems with nationalized health care, the messed up state of Florida's homeowners' insurance market and how the two might be related, plus other topics of interest to a bunch of grassroots Republicans.

BCRR member Ken Ford opens the Headquarters, located at 1607 Lisenby Avenue in Panama City, every Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Bring your coffee cup and your point of view for any part of the three hours you can spend there. You'll be glad you did! The number at HQ is 763-8656.

For more information about the Bay County Republican Roundtable,

contact Vicki Doolittle, President, at 319-0105 or doolittlg@comcast.net.

Other Roundtable officers are:

Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President, Programs Chair

Sue Bynum, 2^nd Vice President, Events Chair

James Waterstradt, Secretary

Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

If you would like to donate items for the monthly raffle, please contact

Mike Speaks, Raffle Chair, at 271-4092 or mikespeaks@knology.net.

"It only stands to reason that where there is sacrifice, there is someone collecting the sacrificial offerings. Where there is service, there is someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master." ~ Ayn Rand

The Mount Vernon Statement

2010-02-17T17:08:00.001-06:00

The Mount Vernon Statement

Constitutional Conservatism: A Statement for the 21st Century

We recommit ourselves to the ideas of the American Founding.Through the Constitution, the Founders created an enduring framework of limited government based on the rule of law. They sought to secure national independence, provide for economic opportunity, establish true religious liberty and maintain a flourishing society of republican self-government.

These principles define us as a country and inspire us as a people. They are responsible for a prosperous, just nation unlike any other in the world. They are our highest achievements, serving not only as powerful beacons to all who strive for freedom and seek self-government, but as warnings to tyrants and despots everywhere.

Each one of these founding ideas is presently under sustained attack. In recent decades, America’s principles have been undermined and redefined in our culture, our universities and our politics. The selfevident truths of 1776 have been supplanted by the notion that no such truths exist. The federal government today ignores the limits of the Constitution, which is increasingly dismissed as obsolete and irrelevant.

Some insist that America must change, cast off the old and put on the new. But where would this lead — forward or backward, up or down? Isn’t this idea of change an empty promise or even a dangerous deception?

The change we urgently need, a change consistent with the American ideal, is not movement away from but toward our founding principles. At this important time, we need a restatement of Constitutional conservatism grounded in the priceless principle of ordered liberty articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

The conservatism of the Declaration asserts self-evident truths based on the laws of nature and nature’s God. It defends life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It traces authority to the consent of the governed. It recognizes man’s self-interest but also his capacity for virtue.

The conservatism of the Constitution limits government’s powers but ensures that government performs its proper job effectively. It refines popular will through the filter of representation. It provides checks and balances through the several branches of government and a federal republic.

A Constitutional conservatism unites all conservatives through the natural fusion provided by American principles. It reminds economic conservatives that morality is essential to limited government, social conservatives that unlimited government is a threat to moral self-government, and national security conservatives that energetic but responsible government is the key to America’s safety and leadership role in the world.

A Constitutional conservatism based on first principles provides the framework for a consistent and meaningful policy agenda.

It applies the principle of limited government based on the rule of law to every proposal.
It honors the central place of individual liberty in American politics and life.
It encourages free enterprise, the individual entrepreneur, and economic reforms grounded in market solutions.
It supports America’s national interest in advancing freedom and opposing tyranny in the world and prudently considers what we can and should do to that end.
It informs conservatism’s firm defense of family, neighborhood, community, and faith.

If we are to succeed in the critical political and policy battles ahead, we must be certain of our purpose.

We must begin by retaking and resolutely defending the high ground of America’s founding principles.

February 17, 2010

*Thanks to the heritage Foundation for this

Republican Roundtable news for January 2010

2010-01-07T13:51:00.000-06:00

Roundtable begins new year on January 12
The Bay County Republican Roundtable’s first meeting of 2010 will be held on Tuesday, January 12, at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club in Panama City.
A dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15 per person (non-alcoholic beverage, tax and tip included). Dinner reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club can prepare for adequate food and staff. To make your dinner reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at 527-7384 or Melissa@efileamerica.com
Schools Super to be Roundtable’s First Speaker of New Year
Bay District Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt will be the special guest speaker at the Roundtable’s January 12 meeting. Bill is a longtime supporter of the Roundtable and will welcome questions following his presentation. Bill will begin speaking at about 7:10 p.m., following a brief business session.
Changing of the Roundtable Guard
The Roundtable’s bylaws call for the election of new officers at the January meeting. Officer elections will be the first order of business on January 12, and all nominations will come from the floor. All contested races will be decided by secret ballot.
2010 Roundtable Dues are Due !
The Roundtable’s annual dues of $30 per person became due as of January 1. If you joined the Roundtable after September 1, 2009, your $30 dues payment has been applied to 2010, and you owe no further payment for this year. If you are a renewing member, please plan to pay your annual dues at the January 12 meeting.
To pay your dues by mail, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to Melissa Thompson, the Roundtable’s treasurer, at this address: 136 Queens Circle, Panama City, FL 32405. Thanks, everyone, for your support!
Subscribe to the Roundtable’s e-newsletter
During recent weeks, Roundtable member Sven Thompson has worked diligently to set up a Web site for the Bay County Republican Roundtable that will be an awesome communication tool for BCRR members and for outreach.
As part of this new Web site set-up, you will receive an invitation to subscribe to the Roundtable’s e-newsletter. That invitation will come from ardentheart@bellsouth.net, which is Teresa Eaton’s email address.
Please follow the simple instructions in Teresa’s email to subscribe to the Roundtable newsletter. Eventually, after the new Web site is completely set up and operational, you will not receive the newsletter unless you have subscribed.
Republican Christmas Party Brings 2009 to Joyful Close
Over 100 Republicans attended the Bay County Republican Christmas Party at the Edgewater Beach Resort on December 11. Special guests were Bill and Dorothy Randall, who were honored for their many years of volunteer work for the Republican Party. Entertainment was provided free of charge by Roundtable member Jim Lawson, who is well-known in Bay Co. the area’s premiere DJ. Thank you, Jim!
The party’s guests included elected officials Frank McKeithen (Bay Co. Sheriff), Mark Andersen (Bay Co. Supervisor of Elections), Pat Sabiston (School Board), Walter Kelley (Lynn Haven Mayor), and Roger Schad (Lynn Haven Commissioner).
Candidates in attendance were Derrell Day and Dan Estes, who are running for the County Commission seat being vacated by Jerry Girvin, and John Reichard, candidate for the Panama City Beach City Council.
BCRR Presents Funding to Bay County JROTC We had the great pleasure of presenting $100 checks to each of the four Jr. ROTC units in Bay county at the packed December Bay County School Board meeting. The public and School Board were very impressed and there was an audible gasp in the room when we
told them the amount of the checks. We also thanked the Superintendent and the School Board for keeping this wonderful program in our schools. The Jr. ROTC units teach Citizenship, leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, and values such as Patriotism, Service, and Honor. We thanked each unit for the work that they do. We want to give a special thanks to BCRR and School Board Member Jerry Register who arranged for us to be at the meeting. 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. RPOF’s executive committee is comprised of the Party chairman, state committeeman and state committeewoman from every county in Florida. RPOF steers the state Party ship, with the guidance of the RNC. If you’d like to attend the annual meeting and see how this all works, contact John Salak at john.salak@L-3Com.com or 276-2872.
BCRR Board’s Message At the final 2009 Board meeting great honors were paid to our President, Teresa Eaton, for her year of dynamic leadership. The Club has been greatly improved and strengthened by Teresa’s forward-thinking ideas and unflagging energy. Her devotion to making the Club a relevant part of local and state politics has created a legacy for us all to be proud of, and is a challenge to be met by future Boards. We all wish to express our respect, admiration, and thanks for Teresa’s honorable service to the BCRR.

Republican Roundtable News for December 2009

2009-12-03T10:50:00.000-06:00

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

2009-11-04T13:32:00.005-06:00

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

2009-10-20T12:31:00.000-05:00

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

2009-10-12T11:07:00.000-05:00

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

2009-10-07T13:25:00.000-05:00

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

2009-09-26T09:57:00.000-05:00

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

2009-09-24T12:33:00.001-05:00

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

2009-09-22T11:12:00.000-05:00

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

2009-09-03T17:13:00.002-05:00

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

2009-08-20T10:55:00.002-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

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

2009-08-17T09:37:00.000-05:00

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

2009-07-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

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

2009-07-24T19:59:00.001-05:00

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

2009-07-24T15:24:00.002-05:00

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

2009-07-10T18:01:00.000-05:00

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

2009-05-08T15:15:00.002-05:00

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.

Republican Liberty Caucus encourages Senators to oppose Federal Hate Crimes Law

2009-05-05T11:08:00.002-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

(Chattanooga, TN - May 5, 2009) A resolution called "The Local Law
Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009" (HR 1913) passed the
House this week and is now being considered in the Senate. Under this
new federal hate crimes legislation, Americans who were previously
considered legally equal under Article IV of the Constitution and the
Fourteenth Amendment would no longer be equal under the law. This law
would create privileged groups and crimes against those special
citizens would be treated as more serious than if they were committed
against ordinary citizens. The idea of different legal protections for
different classes of citizens is fundamentally contrary to the values
of this nation.

"Our legal system is based on the idea that all people are equal under
the law and that justice is blind," said Dave Nalle, Chairman of the
Republican Liberty Caucus. "When the government starts to create
special classes of victims or criminals, it is taking the fairness out
of the system and setting some people above others, thereby declaring
their suffering more important because of who they are."

Usually federal criminal legislation applies only to federal
jurisdictions and interstate crime, but this resolution is designed to
blur the line and facilitate federal involvement in crimes within
states, following the often repeated pattern of offering federal
assistance and money in exchange for an erosion of state sovereignty
and independence. In this case, the legislation provides grants of up
to $100,000 for what are effectively incentive bonuses to encourage
the prosecution of crimes as hate crimes. As has been demonstrated in
the War on Drugs, offering law enforcement money to find more crime
almost never results in justice.

The bill also raises the concern that it may only be the first step in
a whole program of similar legislation and may lead to criminalizing
unpopular speech as has happened in Canada and many nations in Europe.
At best it is a law which criminalizes the criminal's thought
processes rather than his actions, which may open the door to
criminalizing thought or speech in other situations, as well. This
resolution is directly contrary to the tradition of common law and the
protections in the Bill of Rights.

"When the government provides select groups a superior status in the
eyes of the law, it makes everyone else a second-class citizen,"
proclaimed Nalle. "That may appear to be justice when the law benefits
you, but when it's your thoughts or your unpopular ideas which are
targeted by the government -- it's tyranny."

We encourage RLC members and other concerned citizens to contact their
Senators and ask them to oppose HR 1913.

The Republican Liberty Caucus, founded in 1991, is a political 527
organization dedicated to restoring the principles of individual
liberty, limited government and free markets to government via the
Republican Party.

How the GOP can rebuild a big-tent party

2009-05-03T13:47:00.001-05:00

By Sen. JIM DEMINT

Sen. Arlen Specter's defection to the Democratic Party this week is no reason for Republicans to cheer. But his reason for leaving -- he faced an unwinnable primary election next year -- is no cause for soul searching. There is a question Republicans do need to ask: What is it that binds our party together?

In the wake of two successive electoral defeats and the likelihood of a 60-vote Democrat majority in the Senate, what does it even mean to be a Republican today? Moderate Republicans are right to remind conservatives that they cannot build a center-right coalition without the center part. And conservatives are right to remind moderates that Republicans only succeed when we rally around clear principles.

The real mistake is that Republicans became more concerned with staying in D.C. than reforming it.

Despite notable successes at both ends of Pennsylvania Ave., it seems to me that Republicans in Congress and in the Bush administration forgot a simple truth. To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, if you aim for principled reform, you win elections in the bargain; if you just aim for elections, you get neither.

No Child Left Behind didn't win us "soccer moms," but it did cost us our credibility on locally controlled education. Medicare prescription drugs didn't win us a "permanent majority," but it cost us our credibility on entitlement reform. Every year, another Republican quality was tainted: managerial competence, fiscal discipline and personal ethics.

To win back the trust of the American people, we must be a "big tent" party. But big tents need strong poles, and the strongest pole of our party -- the organizing principle and the crucial alternative to the Democrats -- must be freedom. The federal government is too big, takes too much of our money, and makes too many of our decisions. If Republicans can't agree on that, elections are the least of our problems.

If the American people want a European-style social democracy, the Democratic Party will give it to them. We can't win a bidding war with Democrats.

Freedom will mean different things to different Republicans, but it can tether a diverse coalition to inalienable principles. Republicans can welcome a vigorous debate about legalized abortion or same-sex marriage; but we should be able to agree that social policies should be set through a democratic process, not by unelected judges. Our party benefits from national-security debates; but Republicans can start from the premise that the U.S. is an exceptional nation and force for good in history. We can argue about how to rein in the federal Leviathan; but we should agree that centralized government infringes on individual liberty and that problems are best solved by the people or the government closest to them.

Moderate and liberal Republicans who think a South Carolina conservative like me has too much influence are right! I don't want to make decisions for them. That's why I'm working to reduce Washington's grip on our lives and devolve power to the states, communities and individuals, so that Northeastern Republicans, Western Republicans, Southern Republicans, and Midwestern Republicans can define their own brands of Republicanism. It's the Democrats who want to impose a rigid, uniform agenda on all Americans. Freedom Republicanism is about choice -- in education, health care, energy and more. It's OK if those choices look different in South Carolina, Maine and California.

A Republican recommitment to freedom and limited government will foster an agenda that will strengthen and invigorate our party. Freedom has worked for our party and our country before. It will again, if we let it.

Bay County Republican Roundtable 12 May 2009

2009-04-30T12:58:00.002-05:00

Next BAY COUNTY
Republican Roundtable
will be 12 May 2009
___________________________________________________________

Please make May 12 meeting dinner reservations
The next meeting of the Roundtable will take place on Tuesday, May 12, 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 1st Vice President Vicki Doolittle at

319-0105 or gerald.vicki@gmail.com

The program for the May meeting is a free-for-all discussion, beginning with a look at the recent advisory released by the Department of Homeland Security regarding right-wing extremism. (As if we needed a conversation starter.)

April meeting examines nationalized health care
Roundtable members and guests were the lucky beneficiaries at the April 14 meeting of Dr. Michael Reed’s lifetime of experience, research and analysis in the field of medicine. Dr. Reed focused his presentation on the looming prospect of socialized medicine in the U.S., and his comments drew numerous questions from the audience.
We thank Dr. Reed for his efforts and hope he will join us again.

DVDs, CDs needed for soldiers
2nd Vice President Richard Plantec, who chairs the Roundtable’s Projects Committee, reports that more than enough books for our overseas soldiers have been collected, but DVDs and CDs are still needed. For more information, contact Richard at 890-1766 or rgplant1@aol.com.

Planning for next Tea Party underway
Tired Old Man Glen Leirer is working hard on the next Tea Party, which will take place in Tallahassee on Saturday, May 16. A caravan of Tea Partiers from Bay County will attend. Also, Glen is making arrangements for Bay County’s Tea Partiers to take part in the national Tea Party effort on July 4. For more information, contact Glen at 230-9118 or 276-2168 or geleirer32@comcast.net.

Relay for Life plans change a bit
Sue Bynum, organizer of the Republican entry in Panama City Beach’s Relay for Life on May 1 and 2, has asked that walkers report to the Property Appraiser’s station at the Relay. You may wear your Republican shirts in the walk. For more information, contact Sue at 271-4092 or mikespeaks@knology.net.

Roundtable t-shirts available soon!
Thanks to the tenacious efforts of Treasurer Melissa Thompson and Glen Leirer, the Roundtable soon will have t-shirts available to members at the cost of $10 per shirt. The shirts will feature a large version of the club’s logo on the back and a smaller version on the front.

* * * * *
Familiarize yourselves with the chains of bondage and you are preparing your own limbs to wear them. Accustomed to trample on the rights of those around you, you have lost the genius of your own independence and become the fit subjects of the first cunning tyrant who rises.
~A. Lincoln, Edwardsville, Illinois, Sept. 11. 1858

Chairman Greer Marks First 100 Days

2009-04-21T22:30:00.000-05:00

Chairman Greer Marks First 100 Days

Tallahassee–Chairman Jim Greer today marked the conclusion of the first 100 days of his second term as Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. Chairman Greer was elected to serve a second term at the RPOF’s Annual Meeting on January 10, 2009, with 77 percent of the RPOF State Executive Committee’s vote.

“I realize that the honor of serving as Chairman comes with a great responsibility to lead our Party with energy, new ideas and an unwavering commitment to our Party’s longstanding values and principles of less government, less taxes and more freedom,” said Chairman Greer. “Over the last 100 days, we have made great strides towards reaching the goals I laid out during my campaign, and I appreciate the great support members of the State Executive Committee and Republicans across Florida have provided as we move forward with this effort.”

“I am grateful to the members of the State Committee and to Florida Republicans for putting their trust in my leadership at this critical time in the history of our great Party,” said Chairman Greer. “I am humbled by their confidence and look forward to working hard to build our party and elect Republicans throughout the rest of my term.”

Please see below for a summary of Chairman Greer’s First 100 Days:

RNC Transition
Chairman Greer was a strong supporter of current RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s candidacy. Chairman Greer endorsed Steele and served as a whip during the RNC Chairman’s Election. Chairman Greer later served as a Co-Chairman of Chairman Steele’s transition team, overseeing the transition of the Communications Department.

RNC Regional Roundtable
Florida hosted the Southern Regional Roundtable for the Republican National Committee, showcasing the close relationship Florida will have with the RNC moving forward.

Youth Outreach
Chairman Greer recently appointed Tim Nungesser and Kathryn Salerno to serve as RPOF Youth Outreach Coordinators to implement the RPOF Youth Outreach Initiative. The RPOF Youth Outreach Initiative is a comprehensive program aimed at encouraging young Floridians between the ages of 15 and 35 to consider joining the Republican Party. The program includes multiple voter registration and technology components and will culminate with a statewide conference this summer. Outreach to younger voters is one of the Republican Party’s highest priorities for 2009.

Finance
In late January, Chairman Greer announced the appointment of Ambassador John Rood as the Party’s new Finance Chairman. Ambassador Rood is both a longtime supporter of the Party and a successful entrepreneur. Ambassador Rood and the RPOF Finance Team are working to secure the resources necessary to elect Republican candidates across Florida. Chairman Greer also appointed Steve Burton who will serve as Co-Chairman of the RPOF Statewide Finance Committee during the 2008-2010 Election Cycle. Steve has been an active member of the RPOF Statewide Finance Committee for the last two years and is a longtime supporter of the Party. Steve has a great deal of experience in organizing and coordinating major fundraising events.

Minority Outreach
Chairman Greer recently hosted an organizational meeting of the African American Leadership Council for the 2010 Election Cycle. Led by Representative Jennifer Carroll (R-Jacksonville), the Council worked to develop a strategic plan for the 2010 election cycle. The plan incorporates numerous events across the state during the coming months.

The RPOF held a grassroots event with RNC Chairman Steele and Co-Chairman Jan Larimer, during which Chairman Steele, Chairman Greer and Co-Chairman Larimer met with over 100 Miami residents to unveil the Republican Party’s efforts to forge coalitions in South Florida’s communities as a means of spreading the Party’s message and winning elections in the state.

Chairman Greer also held a strategic planning session to discuss Hispanic outreach efforts. The planning session focused on cultivating relationships with Hispanic voters by expanding the Republican message in Florida’s Hispanic population through community service based grassroots initiatives.

Also, the RPOF sponsored a bilingual event during which Osceola Pastors’ Coalition met with Attorney General Bill McCollum to discuss consumer protection issues. The event helped to raise awareness of fraud, an ongoing problem in the Central Florida Hispanic community. The RPOF believes that faith-based organizations are a critical component of maintaining an awareness of this type of crime in communities across our state.

Business Leaders Fly-In
Chairman Greer and the RPOF recently hosted the RPOF’s Third Annual Business Leaders’ Fly-In and Forum, providing an opportunity for business leaders from across Florida to gather in Tallahassee and meet with lawmakers for a dialogue on issues important to Florida’s business community. This event is always a great opportunity to thank Florida’s business leaders and to introduce them to Republican leadership in state government and the Florida Cabinet. For the third year in a row, we more than doubled the number of participants, confirming that Republicans’ support of entrepreneurs and efforts to promote a healthy business climate continue to resonate in Florida’s business community.

Board Workshop
The RPOF hosted a Saturday workshop for the RPOF’s Executive Board. The board received briefings from each RPOF department and participated in a strategic planning session that focused on technology, voter registration, messaging and Hispanic outreach. It is imperative that we continue to energize and empower the local Republican Executive Committees in each county to work with the State Party and build their memberships.

Club Re-Chartering
Organizations using the name “Republican” must re-charter with the RPOF every two years. Thus far, we have re-chartered close to 200 clubs and other organizations – up from previous years.

Voter Registration Task Force
RPOF is preparing to deploy teams of Voter Registration trainers into all 67 counties. The goal is to hold a voter registration event in each county by the end of the summer. The trainers will work with Republican leadership at the county level to provide local grassroots activists the tools they need to carry out voter registration initiatives once the RPOF team has moved on.

Technology Task Force
Chairman Greer appointed a technology Task Force to work on a variety of programs to upgrade RPOF’s website and new media capabilities. The Task Force is also working to re-launch a Spanish language site that will be more user friendly.

Tea Party letter to the editor

2009-04-18T13:46:00.001-05:00

By Teresa Eaton

Kelly Miller, in an April 15 letter to the editor (“Tax protests were fake outrage being aimed at invisible issues”), characterized the Tax Day Tea Parties’ organizers as believers in an “extremist ideology.” I was an organizer of the local Tax Day Tea Party, and the beliefs that drove me to help organize this event are freedom, less government and lower taxes. If that’s an extremist ideology, then I proudly embrace it, since this also was the extremist ideology of America’s founders.

Miller mistakenly asserts that the organizers of the local Tax Day Tea Party followed the lead of Fox News. In fact, we, like thousands of our fellow citizens across America, followed the lead of our consciences. Fox News simply jumped on the idea months after it had taken root. Miller further asserts that the purpose of the Tax Day Tea Parties was “to stir up populist rage with no direction” and to “direct that anger at Obama.” Untrue.

The local Tea Party organizers met in late February to discuss what was happening in Washington, D.C. Anger was not the overriding emotion of the organizers. Rather, we were deeply worried, and still are, that our children’s future has been mortgaged in the trillions of dollars spent on pork disguised as crisis relief. Miller may believe that the coming decades of onerous taxation are “a lie,” but the local Tea Party organizers knew the lessons of history.

Miller opines about supposed conservative “heroes” like Bush and Cheney, asserting that Tea Parties are “really a move to fire up conservatives AGAINST the current administration.” First of all, conservatives don’t worship politicians; we cherish freedom. Second, if conservatives take to the streets, it’s because their freedoms have been threatened. And third, if President Obama is the leader of a government bent on burdensome regulation and taxation, conservatives will not shy away from holding him accountable for the subsequent erosion of freedom.

Miller objects to “a news network like Fox leading a protest and lying to its constituency.” Elected officials, not news networks, have constituencies, and those elected officials have been lying to people a whole lot longer than news networks have. Conservatives cast a wary eye at all “news” media and simply turn off their TVs if they think someone is lying to them. Unfortunately, lying elected officials who tax and spend their constituents into bankruptcy are not so simply turned off.

However, it is touching that Miller is worried about Fox News lying to unwitting conservatives. Maybe she should write to President Obama about that, and maybe he’ll yank Fox News off the air. Then we could all go back to the good old days of national unity when CBS’ Walter Cronkite assured us every evening, “And that’s the way it is.”

Tax Day Tea Party in Panama City April 15th

2009-04-17T10:08:00.001-05:00

Tax Day Tea Party organizers Glen and Alice Leirer were the first on the scene to set up Command Central out of the back of their truck directly across the street from the Sherman Avenue post office. They had a sign-in table, iced tea and a truck bed full of signs and American flags, and by the start of the Tea Party at 3:00 p.m., about 200 people had already signed in and assembled along Sherman Avenue.
The media arrived at the beginning of the Tea Party, and by the time they left, around 4:00, a hundred more people had already poured out of their cars to join the Tea Party. This is why the media under-reported the Tea Party attendance. From the very beginning, something dynamic clearly was happening, but the media chose not to stay for the entire event, or even a third of it, and they chose not to return to the scene later in the afternoon to see if and how things had changed.
In fact, things HAD changed, and dramatically so. By 4:00, organizer Glen realized that the rapid growth of the crowd was soon going to overwhelm the post office block of Sherman Avenue. Thus he took to a megaphone to ask the Tea Partiers to spread themselves out over three blocks on Sherman Avenue and to start another line of sign-waving on 15^th Street. And spread out they did! At the height of the Tea Party, people were on both sides of 15^th Street for several blocks.
Around 5:00 p.m., the Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to keep order at the Tea Party reported to Glen that attendance had reached, by his experienced count, some 1,400 people. By that time all the sign-in forms were full, and Glen and Alice were having people sign in on the backs of the forms. Plus, the iced tea had run out, and they had had to call Melissa Hagan to bring in a fresh batch, which she gladly did. Long story short: No one had to tell Glen that the Tea Party crowd had mushroomed!
For almost four hours, the Tea Partiers politely but emphatically made their case for freedom, less government and lower taxes. Some arrived in American Revolutionary garb. Others handed out tea bags, and a few even WORE tea bags. Hundreds held American flags and homemade signs, waved and smiled to motorists, chatted enthusiastically among themselves and made connections that no doubt will produce far-reaching waves beyond Tax Day.
A few of us joined Glen and Alice for dinner afterwards at Sonny’s (whose owner, Wayne Lindsay, has been a stalwart supporter of and good friend to Bay County’s conservatives). After all of us had ordered and finally caught our breath, we just looked at each other and said, practically in unison, “I can’t believe what just happened. Was that awesome or what?!!!” What a gratifying experience it is to see the love of freedom so enthusiastically demonstrated by so many.
Tea Party volunteer Melissa Thompson is doggedly working her way through the sign-in sheets to create an email blast list for announcements about future Tea Parties in Bay County, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. It’ll take a little time for her to do that, and for the new names to be incorporated into our email blaster’s system, so I hope our Tea Partiers can keep their fires burning in the meantime.
This was truly a grassroots phenomenon. Fourteen hundred citizens, who have been sitting in front of their TVs fuming for the last three months, made a decision on April 15 to exercise their rights to assemble and to speak freely of their disappointment, dissatisfaction, and disgust with their government. This is still a free land where its citizens can peaceably assemble to criticize their government without fear of government retaliation.
Tea Partiers, thank you for your courage, your help, your encouragement, your support. Keep spreading the Tea Party message, and Glen and his team will keep working on the next Tea Party. Hope to see all of you, and many, many more, at the next one!

Roundtable April 14th

2009-04-12T19:06:00.000-05:00

Bay County
Republican Roundtable
Tuesday, April 14
6 p.m. Dinner / 7 p.m. Meeting
Program: Socialized Medicine
Guest Speaker: Dr. Michael Reed
Dinner Buffet $15.00 per person
Please make dinner reservations!*
Contact Melissa Thompson

527-7384 melissa@efileamerica.com

Tea Party April 15 in Panama City

2009-04-03T10:31:00.006-05:00

A Rally to Preserve Our Constitution & Stop the Move to Socialism·
Our right to bear arms· Our right to free speech· Our right to less and fair taxes·
Our right to limited government

Join the Resistance!

At a Panama City Tea Party.

Post Office

1336 Sherman Ave

3 PM to 6 PM, Wed. 15^th April

Together we can make a difference!

For more information and to join the resistance,

www.bayrepublican.org

2009 Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner invitations in the mail

2009-03-21T15:25:00.000-05:00

Fellow Republicans,

Your invitation to the 2009 Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner should be in your mailbox early next week!

This morning 13 volunteers met at the Republican Headquarters to label, address and stuff over 1,100 invitations. We’d like to thank the following volunteers, whose cheerful help made it possible to finish the job before noon: Rita Acoba, June Anderson, Doris Collins, Linda Dillenschneider, Ken Ford, Alice Leirer, Floy McKenzie, Jean O’Neal, Lisa Parris, Richard Plantec and Carol Potter.

We owe a special thanks to BCREC Chairman John Salak, who printed almost 1,000 address labels for us, and Anita Salak, who spent the better part of last week plowing through the master list updating names and addresses. Also, LRDD Chair Dennis Dillenschneider ran down some sponges for us this morning for envelope sealing, and State Committeeman Jonathan Hayes dropped by to thank everyone for their help.

If you do not receive your LRDD invitation within the next few days, please contact us. A few dozen extra invitations will be available at the Bay Co. Republican Executive Committee meeting this coming Monday, March 23, 6:00 p.m., in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Avenue .

We hope to see you at the LRDD on April 10!

Vicki Doolittle 784-4772 home / 319-0105 cell

Teresa Eaton 271-3773 home / 832-5689 cell

Text of Anti-stimulus bill resolution passed

2009-03-10T00:37:00.000-05:00

BAY COUNTY (FLA.) REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
RESOLUTION 2009-001

ASSERTING THE BAY COUNTY Republican Executive Committee's RESOLUTION AGAINST THE HR1 “SO-CALLED STIMULUS BILL”

WHEREAS all Republican Congressman voted against the Stimulus Bill. and

WHEREAS all but three Republican Senators voted against the Stimulus Bill. and

WHEREAS the Florida Legislative body is, in the majority, conservative Republicans who oppose the Bill. and

WHEREAS the Bay County Republican Executive Committee overwhelmingly rejects the concept and content of this exorbitant spending bill, recognizing it as an unprecedented extension of government control into the lives of us average citizens, and the largest single deficit increase in the history of our Republic, and

WHEREAS the content of the “Stimulus Bill” will enable the Democrats who now control the Legislative and Executive Branches of our Federal Government , to change our Nation from a free-enterprise democracy to a government-controlled socialist society, and to achieve control of many aspects of our daily life without debate or recognition in the normal legislative process,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BAY COUNTY (FLA.) REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, IN REGULAR SESSION hereby records a strong objection to Governor Crist's actions and speech in supporting President Obama's plans and the “Stimulus Bill” by his appearance with him at the Fort Myers Town Hall, and requests that the Florida Legislature thoroughly examine the terms and conditions of any funds offered to the State as part of the Stimulus Package to be assured that requirements for ongoing funding by the state or further Federal intrusion into the affairs of Florida are not part of the funding package.

Save our Secret Ballot

2009-03-07T11:37:00.002-06:00

By Joe Eaton

Soon the U.S. Congress will try again to pass the Employee Free Choice Act.
With Democratic majorities in both house and President Obama on record as
supporting this legislation, chances of success are high. I object to this
legislation for two reasons.

First, sponsors and supporters of this bill tout that it will take away the
"advantage" corporations have over union organizers. I have first-hand
knowledge of this process. I worked for 33 years in manufacturing, 26 of
those in a union environment and 7 in a union-free environment. I have
participated on negotiating teams for bargaining agreements. As plant
manager of the Trane plant in Lynn Haven, I represented the interest of the
company in a union-organizing attempt.

Under current federal law concerning union elections, once a union gets 30%
of the work force to sign a card saying they want a union, the NLRB,
National Labor Relations Board, calls for an election. Workers vote using
secret ballots, and if more than 50% vote yes, the union wins and is
authorized as the bargaining unit for the workers.

During this organization campaign, federal law places strict limitations on
the company and its management, which cannot comment or take any action to
spy, promise, interrogate, or threaten employees. Union organizers and
sympathetic workers watch this very closely and are happy to report any
violation to the NLRB. If the NLRB determines a violation has occurred, the
penalty to the company is severe. A federal judge can even award the union
a victory because of a violation--without an election. Needless to say, the
entire management team has to be extremely careful in what it does or says.

Do the same rules apply to the union organizers? No. They can promise huge
raises, twist arms, visit employees in their homes, have co-workers put peer
pressure on them, and even make misleading statements about what signing a
card means. During our campaign in Lynn Haven, many employees came forward
to complain of threats made to them by union organizers. If anyone tells
you that the company has the advantage during a campaign, be sure to ask
them how so. See if what they tell you complies with the rules spelled out
by federal laws in place today. I have read comments by several congressmen
supporting this legislation. They are either not familiar with the law, or
they are flat out lying.

Second, the sponsors of the bill have given it a misleading name. They call
it the Employee Free Choice Act, but in effect it does just the opposite.
It takes away the secret ballot vote. The secret ballot vote is a
time-honored tradition in democratic societies, put in place for the
specific purpose of avoiding intimidation. Those who want to take away the
secret ballot must, by default, want to use intimidation to achieve their
ends. Otherwise, why do away with it? I am suspicious of this legislation
precisely because its sponsors have to use a nice sounding title to hide its
true intent. Pretty disgusting.

This bill's sponsors are confident that they can get away with this
diabolical scheme because they know their voters. As for me, I won't
support a politician, nor his deceitful legislation, who thinks so little of
me.

Gov.Crist's budget and policy recommendations

2009-02-21T12:08:00.000-06:00

Today, I unveiled my budget and policy recommendations for the 2009-10 fiscal year. My 2009 legislative priorities are aimed at investing wisely so that we can move Florida’s economy forward. These budget and policy proposals will make our classrooms world-class so that we train the best workforce possible. They will keep our air clean and diversify our energy. They will lower property taxes and ensure fiscal responsibility in local government. And they will help businesses thrive so they can create and retain the jobs that we need, now more than ever, to fuel our economy.

There is no doubt; these are historic times of economic challenge for our nation and for our state. But I believe that there are better days in store for Florida. Times like these provide a unique opportunity for elected officials to make government better, more efficient, and more accountable.

In developing my recommendations, my highest priority is to avoid further deficits – yet continue to move Florida’s economy forward. Now more than ever, we must create jobs for the hard-working people of Florida. Second, we must continue critical services to Florida’s most vulnerable – our children, elders, and persons with disabilities. And we must continue our investment in Florida’s classrooms and hard-working teachers, in public safety and in health care. The taxpayers of Florida deserve nothing less.

The $66.5-billion budget I propose includes $4.7 billion in federal stimulus dollars for 2009-10 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Without these funds, we would have had to tighten our belts another $3.4 billion. My budget proposal reflects Florida’s greatest needs – allocating $25.2 billion to Health and Human Services, $21.5 billion to education, and $10.3 billion to transportation and Economic Development. I also maintain my commitment to public safety, with $4.9 billion that will help keep criminals off the streets and our neighborhoods safe.

My recommendations include a significant increase in per-student funding: $183 more per student, for an average of $7,044 per student. That is increase of 2.67 percent over the current fiscal year. The money we set aside for schools must be spent wisely. I want to thank Representative Robert Schenck and Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla for supporting legislation requiring our school districts to spend a minimum of 70 percent of operating funds on direct classroom expenditures benefiting students.

Strong universities are vital to creating the competitive workforce that will keep Florida’s economy vibrant for generations to come. I thank Senator Ken Pruitt and Representative Will Weatherford for supporting legislation that will clarify university governance and provide more teaching resources for Florida’s 11 universities -- while maintaining access and affordability for students and families. Under the proposal, each board of trustees may adopt a tuition differential beginning in fall 2009, with Board of Governors approval. Overall tuition cannot rise by more than 15 percent a year, and 30 percent of the revenues must go to need-based student financial aid.

Despite the economic challenges facing Florida, the Sunshine State has been recognized as a national leader in terms of our greatest resource – our workforce. To continue supporting Florida’s workforce, I recommend $2 billion in workforce initiatives, including over $800 million for career education and employment services that will create or retain 3,000 jobs. I also recommend $621.2 million for school readiness. This investment is expected to create or retain more than 12,800 jobs for child-care providers.

Continuing my commitment to public safety, I recommend $4.9 billion to maintain support for Florida’s increasing prison population and continue programs that reduce recidivism, prevent juvenile crime and keep violent criminals off the streets. My proposed budget also maintains funding to support local law enforcement agencies.

We must make every effort to preserve direct health care services to our children, our elderly, and our disabled populations. I am recommending an increase of $45 million for cash assistance and food stamps for families and their children, and $52 million to support an additional 46,000 children in the KidCare program.

We must continue our efforts, started in August with Accelerate Florida, to maintain Florida as a friendly place to do business. I am urging the passage of legislation sponsored by Senator Don Gaetz and Representative Trudi Williams that streamlines and reduces burdensome licensing requirements for contractors and other professionals.

Now more than ever, as families are faced with economic challenges, we must reduce the tax burden on Florida homeowners and business property owners. I propose a set of reforms that build upon previous legislation resulting in the largest property tax cut in state history.

I support the proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by Senator Evelyn Lynn and Representative Carl Domino that encourages homeownership and enhances the tax savings provided by Amendment One. It further reduces the growth cap on non-homestead residential and commercial properties from 10 percent to 5 percent. The amendment also grants a 50 percent exemption, up to $250,000, to homeowners who previously have not owned a home in Florida.

Legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Fasano and supported in the House by Representative Marcelo Llorente protects Florida homeowners from having to pay more in taxes when market values are declining. The proposal repeals the automatic three percent increase on the assessed value of homesteads when their market values decrease. In addition, legislation sponsored by Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera provides fairness for property owners who challenge the property appraiser’s assessment of their property value.

Local governments, like state government, must be accountable in how they spend taxpayer dollars. Legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Haridopolos and Representatives Dean Cannon and Anitere Flores keeps our local governments accountable by limiting increases in local revenues to inflation and growth, based on the value of new construction. Only through super-majority votes by governing bodies can revenues increase by more than the cap.

I again call on the Florida Legislature to quickly approve the 25-year compact between the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Over time it can provide billions of dollars to Florida’s schools – with $150 million guaranteed in 2009-10 alone. The tribe also reports the compact can create 45,000 new jobs. I am also encouraging the Legislature to support SunRail, the proposed 61-mile commuter rail system that would serve Orlando and Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Osceola counties. A recently released economic impact study found construction and operation of the commuter rail project will infuse more than $1 billion over the next 30 years into Florida’s economy and create more than 13,000 construction and operations jobs.

I look forward to working with the Legislature on these proposals. Together, we can put in place new laws that strengthen our economy and make life better for Floridians. May God continue to bless the great state of Florida for now and into the future.