Karl Rove Joins Twitter

By Matthew Moore, The Telegraph

The former White House deputy chief of staff joined the popular micro-blogging website two days ago and has already attracted more than 1,700 followers – other Twitter users who choose to receive his updates.

Unlike other celebrities on Twitter like Barack Obama and Britney Spears, who delegate their posts to aides, Mr Rove appears to be taking a hands-on approach to the site, which allows users to post 140-character updates on what they are doing.

In one Tweet he confesses that he is "no new media ninja" but is being shown the ropes by an assistant, adding: "I like it so far!"

Most of his posts detail his television appearances, speaking engagements and articles, but he has also exchanged good-natured messages with other Twitter users.

In one message he revealed a glimpse of his former boss George W Bush's concern for his legacy, writing: "I used to get steamed up over some editorial and the President would say, 'History will get it right and we'll both be dead!'"

At least two impostors have set up Twitter accounts under his name, so Mr Rove posted a message on his official website to confirm that he was the real thing.

Mr Rove stepped down from the White House in 2007 and has since worked as a political commentator for Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal and Fox News.

The strategist, who is reviled by many Democrats because for masterminding Mr Bush's 2000 and 2004 election triumphs, has a long way to go before he matches the Twitter popularity of the president-elect. Mr Obama currently has 165,414 followers.

Comedian Stephen Fry, television presenter Jonathan Ross and basketball player Shaquille O'Neil are among the site's celebrity users.

Jim Greer wins re-election

Orlando–Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer was today elected to serve a second term as RPOF Chairman by 77 percent of the RPOF State Committee at the RPOF Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

“I am grateful to the members of the State Committee and to Florida Republicans for putting their trust 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 over the next two years to build our party.”

The Chairman was endorsed in his re-election bid by Governor Crist, Senator Martinez, Lt. Governor Kottkamp, President Atwater, Speaker Sansom, General McCollum, Commissioner Bronson and Members of the Florida’s Congressional delegation. Additionally, National Committeeman Paul Senft and National Committeewoman Sharon Day endorsed Chairman Greer.

“Under Chairman Greer’s leadership, the Republican Party of Florida has become the preeminent state party in the country,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “Jim has been on the forefront of the nationwide effort to grow the party’s minority outreach and coalitions programs and is recognized as a national leader in this important endeavor. I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Greer to spread the Republican message across our great state.”

“Chairman Greer has diligently worked to build our party in all areas including: providing additional resources to our grassroots volunteers, financial assistance to our County Republican Executive Committees, fundraising and enhancing our communication methods while promoting professionalism throughout the Party,” said National Committeeman Senft.

Chairman Greer has pledged to focus his second term on continuing to build the Republican Party of Florida through voter registration and outreach, maintaining the successful county rural and grants initiative programs and creating a speakers bureau. Additionally, the Chairman will create a Voter Registration Task Force and a Technology Committee. The Voter Registration Task Force will be charged with creating and executing programs designed to strengthen the involvement of Republicans in the voter registration process. The Technology Committee will be responsible for creating innovative ideas to get out the vote while raising Republican awareness through the use of up-to-the-minute technology.

“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 long standing values and principles of less government, less taxes and more freedom,” concluded Greer.

President Bush asks GOP not to 'sell its soul' in order to save itself

By David Edwards and Andrew McLemore

As President Bush prepares to leave office, he had some words of caution for the Republican Party.

The outgoing president said his party should not "sell its soul" on key issues like a strong military and low taxes in order to save itself from a perceived doom.

"Parties go through cycles," Bush said. "There have been times in our history when the Democrats felt like there was no future for them. I'm optimistic about it."

He added that the GOP needs new leaders and that Republicans should be "open-minded" as they struggle to remake the party.

"It's very important for our party not to narrow its focus, not to become so inward looking that we drive people away from a philosophy that is compassionate and decent," Bush said. "There shouldn't be a litmus test as to whether or not you should be a Republican."

But even some top GOP strategists believe the party must sell new ideas to begin a revival of its former influence.

Haley Barbour, a political-turnaround artist who masterminded the 1994 Republican revolution, said there may be a temptation after a major loss to "purify our party," but that the real focus should be on "figuring out how to multiply."

As with any rehab process, the first step for a Republican comeback, Barbour said, is to "come clean and admit we did a lot of things wrong."

"Now is our chance when we're out of power to build back up from the bottom, to have a participatory, inclusive process for letting people get involved in our party," Barbour said

Jim Greer endorses Michael Steele for RNC Chairman

From Politico

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roundtable news...

Roundtable to meet on Jan. 13

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

Membership drive underway

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

The future of our Party

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

Allan Bense Assumes Chairmanship of The James Madison Institute

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glen Leirer answers the News Herald

January, 2 2009

To: Scott Kent
Panama City News Herald
42 cent Forum

Jim Hightower’s long trip through the Bush years (his article January 2) was a trip he elected to take through the liberal media lies, exaggerations and demonizing of Bush for everything even if it was beneficial for our country. For example he made three points about tax cuts for the rich. These tax cuts were the prime reason for the economic recovery we experienced after the terrorist attack on 9/11/2001 and the economy continued to grow until the Democrats took over congress in 2006.

The majority of Jim’s points are just wrong;
• Weapons of mass destruction: There were weapons of mass destruction, the yellow cake is now stored in Canada.
• Valerie Plame: Another media myth, she was not outed by Scooter Libby. She and husband Joe Wilson were media darlings and would have “0” credibility if the news media did their job and told the facts about this case.
• Scooter Libby: Patrick Fitzgerald knew who leaked Valerie’s name soon after he started the investigation, it was not Scooter.
• Abu Ghraib: Some renegade sex crazed soldiers, duh.
• “Mission Accomplished”: It was.
• Gitmo: Where does Jim want us to put these mad dog killers? I’ll bet not the Huntsville Prison in Texas.
• “I’m the decider”: Well, who else?
• Fired federal prosecutors: Bush fired 9 Clinton fired 90. Normally this is standard practice except when Bush does it.
• Illegal spying on Americans: How would Jim know this? It has to be a myth.
• Executive privilege: Hey Jim; remember Bill Clinton and Monica.
• Signing statements: Jim, I believe all presidents do this.
• Iraqi journalist throws shoe: How about that quick reaction, even after the liberal media has beat on him for 8 years.

Jim’s column is a good example of media exaggerations when he lumps in the following points; Halliburton, Blackwater, Minneapolis bridge collapse, Cheney shoots lawyer. In a couple weeks Jim and his cohorts will have their choice in the White House, maybe than we can get back to true and even-handed reporting that this country desperately needs.

Glen E Leirer

RPOF Chairman Greer considering RNC run

By Billy House, Tampa Tribune

bhouse@tampatrib.com

WASHINGTON - Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer says he might join a half-dozen declared candidates for the Republican National Committee's top post.

The national party, seeking to rebuild after its poor showing in November and in the 2006 congressional elections, is scheduled to elect a chairman Jan. 30 in Washington.

As of now, Greer says he is not a candidate.

"I'm going to take a look at it," he said Wednesday, confirming an interest in the top RNC job that he floated a day earlier in an e-mail to fellow national party committee members.

Greer's interest comes as he and some other RNC members prepare to gather next week in Washington to hear from six candidates who have declared they are running.

In his e-mail, Greer, who served on the city council in Oviedo, near Orlando, thanked RNC members who he says have encouraged his potential candidacy. He also said he is weighing a number of factors, including his focus "on fostering an open discussion of the future of the Republican Party."

In an interview Wednesday, Greer said the declared candidates have asked to meet with him in Washington next week to solicit his support, and that he intends to hear them out.

Before he determines whether to seek the job, Greer said he will be focus on keeping his state chairmanship in a contest to be decided Jan. 10 in Orlando. Greer has opposition but appears headed to victory with the backing of Gov. Charlie Crist.

If he wins, Greer expects to decide on running for the national chairmanship a few days later, he said.

His late entry would come as others have launched Web sites to promote themselves and taken other steps to woo support from party committee members.

Others vying for the chairmanship are Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, South Carolina GOP chief Katon Dawson, current RNC Chairman Mike Duncan, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele and former Tennessee GOP Chairman Chip Saltsman.

Chairman Greer condemns RNC Chairman candidate Chip Saltsman

Charlie Crist has, in the wake of the election, cast himself as a leader of the modernizing, more diverse Republican Party and seems to be weighing in indirectly, via a statement from his state party chairman, Jim Greer, on the Saltsman flap:

"As the GOP Chairman in one of our nation’s most ethnically and culturally diverse states, I am especially disappointed by the inappropriate words and actions we’ve seen over the past few days. I am proud of those party leaders who have stood up in firm opposition to this type of behavior.

In Florida we have worked hard to reach out to ALL citizens to promote the Republican Party’s principles and values while ensuring that our commitment to African-Americans, Hispanics, and other minority communities is sincere and credible. Actions such as the distribution of this CD, regardless of intent, only serves to promote divisiveness and distracts us from our common goal of building our party.

Today, the GOP has an unprecedented opportunity to embrace change and inclusion, and we are either going to welcome this opportunity fully or watch it slip through our fingers. We can only achieve success if Republican leaders reject racial or any other acts that divide us and instead embrace what unites us as a nation."

Greer courts RNC members

From the Miami Herald

Check out the letter the RPOF chairman Jim Greer wrote to RNC members on the jump. He has not decided if he is running for RNC chair but says he'll have a decision soon.

Dear Fellow RNC Member:

First let me wish you and your family a Happy New Year, and I hope you
are enjoying the holidays and taking some well-deserved rest.

As the election for RNC Chairman approaches, I want to commend each of
you for your service to the Republican Party. I also want to thank those
of you who have called and sent notes of encouragement regarding my
potential candidacy for RNC Chair.

In deciding whether to seek the Chairmanship, I am considering many
factors, including my commitment to the Republican Party of Florida. I
am dedicated to working with the many staff, county leaders, and
volunteers who are working to build upon the many victories we have
accomplished in the Sunshine State. I am also focused on fostering an
open discussion on the future of the Republican Party.

While I continue to consider these factors, I will not make a decision
whether to seek the Chairmanship or support a candidate until we have
all had the chance to listen to the views of the current candidates at
the upcoming Americans for Tax Reform debate and hear their beliefs on
the direction our Party should take.

The Republican Party faces a tremendous opportunity in the coming days.
We cannot let this opportunity slip through our fingers. To be
successful, we must remain committed to our Party's values and
principles, while focusing on the issues discussed at family dinner
tables across the nation.

Friends, let us remember that every one of the candidates who seek the
RNC Chairmanship are remarkable Republican leaders who have served our
Party with distinction.

I look forward to seeing each of you soon and discussing the future of
our great Party.

Warmest Regards,
Jim Greer

RNC Resolution accuses President Bush of embracing bailout "socialism"

From the Washington Times

Republican Party officials say they will try next month to pass a resolution accusing President Bush and congressional Republican leaders of embracing "socialism," underscoring deep dissension within the party at the end of Mr. Bush's administration.

Those pushing the resolution, which will come before the Republican National Committee at its January meeting, say elected leaders need to be reminded of core principles. They said the RNC must take the dramatic step of wading into policy debates, which traditionally have been left to lawmakers.

"We can't be a party of small government, free markets and low taxes while supporting bailouts and nationalizing industries, which lead to big government, socialism and high taxes at the expense of individual liberty and freedoms," said Solomon Yue, an Oregon member and co-sponsor of a resolution that criticizes the U.S. government bailouts of the financial and auto industries. Republican National Committee Vice Chairman James Bopp Jr. wrote the resolution and asked the rest of the 168 voting members to sign it.

"The resolution also opposes President-elect Obama's proposed public works program and supports conservative alternatives," while encouraging the RNC "to engage in vigorous public policy debates consistent with our party platform," said Mr. Bopp, a leading attorney for pro-life groups who has also challenged the campaign finance legislation that Mr. Bush signed.

If enacted, the resolution would put the party on record opposing the $700 billion bailout of the financial sector, which passed Congress with Republican support and was signed by Mr. Bush, and opposing the bailout of the auto industry. The auto bailout bill was blocked by Senate Republicans, but Mr. Bush then reversed course and announced that he would use financial bailout money to aid the auto manufacturers.

The RNC usually plays a policy role only every four years when it frames the national party platform, which typically is forgotten quickly. More...