HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY CONVENTION ON MARCH 27, 2010

Prince William County Republicans met in convention yesterday. The primary purpose of this meeting was to elect the Chairman of the Prince William County Republican Committee.  Since Lyle Beefelt has done a good job, and he wanted the job again, nobody else contested the position. 

The meeting served three other purposes:

• Formalize the reappointment of Lyle Beefelt.
• Provide each of the congressional candidates in the 11th Congressional District an opportunity to speak.
• Pep up the troops for the Fall campaign.

Gainesville Supervisor John Stirrup served as the convention chairman.  Stirrup initiated the theme for most of the speeches, overcoming the excesses of the overreaching Democrats in Washington, DC.  In his presentation, Stirrup quoted a statement written by James Madison in the Federalist Papers: “Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.” Here is the context in which that statement occurs.

It is in vain to say that enlightened statesmen will be able to adjust these clashing interests, and render them all subservient to the public good. Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm. Nor, in many cases, can such an adjustment be made at all without taking into view indirect and remote considerations, which will rarely prevail over the immediate interest which one party may find in disregarding the rights of another or the good of the whole. (from here)

Keynote Speech

Chairman-At-Large Corey Stewart provided the Keynote Speech. Stewart began his speech by reciting some key lines from the Declaration of Independence.  These lines have to do with certain unalienable Rights which we were endowed our Creator. Stewart next praised the Tea Party movement, and he compared the movement to the Tea Party movement that drafted the Declaration of Independence. 

Stewart also talked about specifics. He addressed what our local government can do about the Health Care Bill recently passed by Congress and signed by the President. Stewart noted that the implementation of this program depends upon local governments. He said that although the Federal Government will fund these programs initially there is no guarantee that funding will continue.  Therefore, Stewart proposed to refuse to implement what he regards as a costly, unconstitutional Federal mandate. He intends to submit a proposal for consideration by the Board of County Supervisors. 

Note that Greg Letiecq of bvbl.net took a video of the convention. As I suspect there will be considerable interest, I hope he will post this speech in a separate video. With any luck, our BOCS will be even more effective opposing health care nationalization than illegal immigration. 

Author’s note: Most people are well familiar with at least one aspect of the checks and balances in the Constitution. They know the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court can thwart each other’s ends.  Usually, no end can be achieved unless at least two of the three branches favor that end. What most us don’t understand is that we each have a responsibility to interpret the Constitution. What most of us cannot figure out is how we can oppose an out-of-control Federal Government. That is because our educators have little to say about how the People, local governments, and state governments can work together to check Federal powers. It seems that we now have the unfortunate opportunity to substitute academic education with some practical experience.

11th Congressional District Candidates

When each of the Republican candidates for the 11th Congressional District spoke, they were each well received. 

• Pat Herrity spoke first. He emphasized his experience in government, a Conservative record, and his opposition to big government spending.
• Keith Fimian spoke next. Fimian reminded the convention that when he ran against Connolly the first time fiscal conservatism was not selling well. Nonetheless, he ran against big government spending then, and he is still doing it. Further, Fimian emphasized his experience as a businessman. He knows how to create jobs; he has created jobs.
• Kurt Riesenberg spoke last. This was the first time he had spoken to the PWCGOP. So he introduced himself, admitting that he had gotten off to a late start.  (Author’s note: At this point, Riesnenberg is at best a darkhorse candidate. Nonetheless, he spoke well. If his background can withstand some investigation, he may eventually assume a leadership role.) 

Instead of attacking each other, each candidate made the point that he is exceedingly unhappy with our current congressman, Gerry Connolly. That went over well.  Each also made it clear that he would not let Obamacare stand.

Stirrup closed this portion of the event with an observation. The important thing is doing our part to win back the country. Our job is to unseat Gerry Connolly.

Report from the General Assembly

Several of Prince William County’s delegates took the time to give the convention a report.

• Rich Anderson gave a good summary of accomplishments. Highlights included reducing taxes to 2006 levels; passing HB 10, the Health Care Freedom Act; and rolling back revenue shortfalls.
• Jackson Miller observed that the past session was his fourth session.  He spoke of the great advantage of having a Republican governor. That vastly improved his ability to get the job done. He noted, however, that the Democrat majority Senate remains an obstacle.
• Bob Marshall spoke about his principal accomplishment, the passage of HB 10, the Health Care Freedom Act. He said that the government has no right to tell us to buy something.  He explained that states have an obligation to reign in Congress. We must prevent President Barack Obama and the Democrat Congress from turning us into their serfs. (Author’s note: Marshall is putting current information on his website. It is worth checking.) In addition to HB 10, Marshall got two other important bills passed. He explained how his bill to promote education on the healing potential of umbilical-cord blood can save lives.  He also spoke about his bill to require that the denial by an Insurance Company of additional medical services requested by the treating physician must be affirmed by a medical peer of the treating physician. This bill is intended to protect patient rights. In addition, Marshall added a comment that Conservatives and Tea Party adherents can take to heart. When Liberal Democrats start name calling, that is an admission that they do not want to debate. They know we have already won the argument.

All three gentlemen emphasized the role of activists. They underlined the fact they cannot win election and get the job without the help of dedicated supporters.