Citizen Tom

Civil War rages.  Republicans lost the first confrontation with staggering casualties.  Yet some bravely dug in and continued the fight.

The counteroffensive has begun, but the enemy still has the initiative and connives desperately for every advantage.  Even now the combatants prepare for the next battle.  Some skirmish — testing both their mettle and that of their opponents.

We can only guess at the future outcome.  If we are fortunate no shots will fired.  Voters will only cast millions of votes.  Nonetheless, the fate this nation and the fortunes of others may be decided by the outcome.

What is certain is the stark choices.

• We can choose to accept an unjust, socialist mediocrity.  We can listen to a leader who spouts nonsense in endlessly soothing tones.  We can believe his promises of effortless prosperity.
• Or we can fight to preserve and restore the remnants of our former republic.  We can insist that our leaders abide by our Constitution; we can work to elect honorable men and women who will proudly choose to abide by our Constitution.

Do you believe in preserving the rights of your fellow citizens?  Are you willing to fight for fiscal responsibility and limited government?  Do you want your children to grow up in a nation that protects individual liberty, prizes honesty in its citizens, and honors those who strive to excel?   Are you ready to do your part to elect honorable and competent leadership?  Then please join the Prince William County Republican Committee.

By the authority of the Plans of Organization of the Republican Party of Virginia and the Prince William County Republican Committee, I hereby call a meeting of the Prince William County Republican Committee, to conduct its regular business on Monday, November 23, 2009.  The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM at Sonnie Penn Elementary School, 12980 Queen Chapel Rd., Dale City, VA 22193. Click here for map of the location or see the website www.pwcgop.org

AGENDA

1.     Call to Order      7:30pm

2.     Invocation      7:35pm

3.     Pledge of Allegiance      7:40pm

4.     Approval of previous meeting’s minutes      7:45pm

5.     Review of 2009 Election Results      7:50pm

6.     New Business

a.     Financial Report      8:00pm

b.     Upcoming Selection of Congressional Nominating Methods      8:10pm

c.     Lincoln/Reagan Dinner      8:15pm

7.     Chairman’s Report (Budget, Organization Plan)      8:25pm

8.     Report of Magisterial Districts/Clubs      8:35pm

9.     Admission of New Members       8:55pm

10.  Adjourn      9:00pm

The Chair reserves the right to recognize elected officials at any time for the purposes of remarks or a report.

Lyle G. Beefelt, Chairman

The Prince William County Republican Committee got its new west end headquarters off to a great start.  With Supervisor Wally Covington providing tasty treats, we saw quite a few visitors enjoy a sumptuous social hour and stay over for the meeting.

Reports From the Campaigns

Each of the campaigns provided reports.  Volunteers from the statewide campaigns (McDonnell, Bolling, and Cuccinelli) emphasized that their candidates are polling well.  Thus far, the Democrats seem to be floundering for an issue.  What is going on Washington D. C. is not helping them at all.  Nonetheless, they also pointed out that election day is in November, not August.  They encouraged volunteers to get busy and stay busy.  If you are interested in volunteering or donating to the cause, please check out PWCGOP.org.

Senator Ken Cuccinelli’s spokesman added that Cuccinelli’s opponent, Steve Shannon, is weak on the issues.  As a result Shannon is lying low and refuses to debate.  He speculated upon Shannon’s strategy.  Apparently Shannon intends to use his campaign funds to launch a negative campaign in the final days of the election.

Delegate Bob Marshall spoke up for his campaign.  He said his opponent is an Obama organizer who wants to do in Richmond what Obama is doing in Washington.

Marshall explained the importance of volunteers.  He called Conservative volunteers the antidote to a negative campaign.  When Conservative volunteers  knock on doors and call voters at home, they dispel the myths propagated by Democrats and their friends in the corporate news media.

To illustrate the importance of this year’s campaign, Rich Anderson told a story.  He was out door-knocking, meeting the voters.  At one home, he met an elderly lady.  When she saw what he was doing, she asked if he was a Conservative or a Liberal.  When he said he was a Conservative, she then invited him inside.  With the opportunity to listen to her, Anderson discovered this lady’s concern.  Born in 1919, this lady had seen the years of the Great Depression.  She had watched the spread of socialism into nation after nation.  She had seen the people of each of those nations led by the nose into tyranny.  Because of what she had seen in the past, she dreaded what she was seeing today.

After thus demonstrating the cost of failure, Anderson went on to explain that as Conservatives we have our work cut out for us.

After acknowledging he is fighting an uphill campaign, Rafael Lopez thanked folks for the support he is getting.  He has asked his opponent, Rev. Luke Torian, to debate.  Torian refuses.  Lopez asked people to look at his opponent’s website.  It does not say what Torian intends to do.  The people need to know Torian is offering them an empty suit.

Odds and Ends

Treasurer’s Report

Since it generally does not change that much, I usually don’t have much to say about the treasurer’s report.  However, because the local party has found its footing and is fighting more aggressively, I think it is time to make an exception.

Although the lifeblood of politics is our own blood, not money, money remains important.  Things like a party headquarters, phones, signs, websites, etcetera, do not come free.   Thus, the treasurer pointed out our bank account needs dough.  He explained that the PWCGOP has about half the amount of money it should have in the bank.

Local politics provide the foundation of a free society.  When we the People make local politics matter, we have the opportunity to meet and know the politicians who run our government.  We can both hold such neighbors accountable and give them the support they need.  When we the People ignore local politics, we give up control of our lives to distant tyrants.   We end up entrusting mere humans with more power than their souls can possibly bear.

Politicians are human beings.  When we see them up close, we understand that the Leader (bereft of his teleprompter), is subject to human foibles just like our own.  For example, at this PWCGOP meeting we heard Bob Marshall, when he was thinking thinking of campaign volunteers going door-to-door, call them (i.e., his audience) streetwalkers.  Rich Anderson, on the other hand, had trouble computing that a ninety year old lady was born in 1919.  Yet instead of horror or derision, we reacted with shared laughter.  Neither man had promised to solve all our problems.  Instead, they were just asking us to work with them.

So check out the PWCGOP website.  The PWCGOP has a fundraiser on September 18th.  This your opportunity to contribute and to enjoy doing it.

Note for Fans of Keith Fimian (facebook):  Fimian led the way by donating a couple of thousand to the fundraiser.

Legal Issues

One sign of the times is the heavy involvement of lawyers in elections.   Unfortunately, lawyers are needed.

• Chairman Lyle Beefelt noted that in the last election authorized Republican poll-watchers observed numerous instances where unauthorized individuals, claiming to be authorized observers, entered restricted areas at the polls.  The behavior of these unauthorized individuals was inappropriate; they even asked people if they could show them how to vote.
• Delegate Bob Marshall noted that we should each be on the alert for hanky-panky (my word).  He gave this example.  When she renewed her license, the voter registration status of the wife of one of his volunteers had been fouled up.  For some strange reason, she was now listed as a non-citizen for voting purposes.
• Another noted recent history.  Because he was elected to the office of the Attorney General in a very close election, Bob McDonnell’s nickname is Landslide Bob.  Naturally, the recount was hotly contested.

Bottom line?  If you are a Conservative lawyer with know how, please volunteer a small portion of your time to the Republican Party of Virginia.

Candidate’s Forum

Note this flyer.  The event is scheduled for 2 – 4 PM on Sunday, Sep 13th.  If you live in Prince William County, here is your chance to meet the candidate.

Here is the announcement for the next meeting of the  Prince William County Republican Committee.  The announcement includes something to celebrate.

NOTICE:  This meeting will be preceded by an OPENING CELEBRATION from 6:30 to 7:30pm…of the new temporary Western PWC HQ…address below.

Come and enjoy some snacks and drinks, meet elected officials and campaign staffers.

CALL TO MEETING

By the authority of the Plans of Organization of the Republican Party of Virginia and the Prince William County Republican Committee, I hereby call a meeting of the Prince William County Republican Committee, to conduct its regular business on Monday, August 24, 2009 at 7:30 PM.

LOCATION: New (temporary) Western Prince William County Republican Headquarters

10286 Bristow Center Dr., Bristow, VA 20136. This building is in the Bristow Run Shopping Center at the intersection of Linton Hall Rd. and Nokesville Rd.  The room is very large and there will be plenty of chairs in the headquarters to conduct the meeting…parking is also plentiful.

NOTE: Bristow Center Dr. is a new road and may not be in older GPS systems…if you are using an older GPS, use the following address:  10250 Linton Hall Rd….this will get you into the shopping center.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order                                                                                                          7:30pm
2. Invocation                                                                                                             7:35pm
3. Pledge of Allegiance                                                                                              7:40pm
4. Approval of previous meeting’s minutes (June & July minutes attached)              7:45pm
5. Campaign Updates                                                                                                 7:50pm
6. Announcement: Opening of new Headquarters                                                     8:00pm
7. New Business
   1. Financial Report                                                                                        8:05pm
   2. Campaign Plan leading to Election Day                                                     8:15pm
   3. Patriots Dinner Preparations                                                                       8:20pm
8. Chairman’s Report                                                                                                 8:30pm
9. Report of Magisterial Districts/Clubs                                                                     8:35pm

10.  Admission of New Members                                                                                 8:55pm

11.  Adjourn                                                                                                                 9:00pm

The Chair reserves the right to recognize elected officials at any time for the purposes of remarks or a report.

Lyle G. Beefelt, Chairman

I have been missing too many meetings of the Prince William County Republican Committee here of late.  I cannot do that anymore.  The political season has begun, and the campaigns are gearing up.

This CALL to MEETING was sent out previously along with the CALL to the June meeting; however, a meeting location was not known at that time…please note LOCATION below.  The minutes for the June portion of this meeting are attached.

MEETING REMINDER AND LOCATION

This is a reminder for Session 2 of the called meeting of the Prince William County Republican Committee to conduct its regular business on Monday, July 27, 2009 at 7:30 PM:

Location:  Kelly Leadership Center‎, 14715 Bristow Rd, Manassas, VA 20112.‎

Click here for map of the location or see the website www.pwcgop.org

AGENDA

1. Call to Order                                                                                                    7:30pm
2. Invocation                                                                                                       7:35pm
3. Pledge of Allegiance                                                                                        7:40pm
4. Campaign Updates                                                                                           7:45pm
5. PWC Fair Preparations                                                                                     8:00pm
6. New Business
   1. 2008 Final Financial Report                                                                 8:15pm
   2. Headquarters Reports                                                                          8:25pm
   3. Patriot Dinner Preparations                                                                  8:30pm
7. Chairman’s Report                                                                                           8:40pm
8. Report of Magisterial Districts/Clubs                                                               8:45pm
9. Admission of New Members                                                                           8:55pm
10. Adjourn                                                                                                           9:00pm

The Chair reserves the right to recognize elected or party officials at any time for the purposes of remarks or a report.

Lyle G. Beefelt, Chairman

Unfortunately, this will be a skimpy report.  During the meeting, I got beeped (paged).  As the result, I spent most of the meeting assisting a coworker over the phone.  In the modern era that is how we can tell the difference between what is optional and what is essential.  When we are doing something essential, we can ignore the beep.

So what did I see of consequence?  Well, I did hear what people from the various campaigns had to say.

• Representatives from Bob McDonnell’s and Bill Bolling’s campaigns asked people to start getting engaged.  They pointed out that now is the time to identify those people willing to volunteer and actively support the Republican ticket.  Because the Democrats are having primaries, they will be doing just that.  So we must counter with a similar effort.
• Julie Lucas spoke up for Jackson Miller.  Because Obama carried every precinct in his district, we should not expect Miller to have an easy reelection.  She asked folks to give him every possible assistance.
• Since nobody else filed, Rich Anderson is the Republican nominee for the 51st District of the House of Delegates, and it looks like he will run a capable campaign.  He congratulated the party’s elected officials for the spine they have shown of late.  He cited the party’s refusal to acquiesce to pressure and spend a one-time infusion of Federal funds, $125 million, to extend unemployment insurance.  Here the right-wing liberal explains the issues.  Here Tertium Quids explains Anderson’s congratulations may have been premature, and the latest news (here) is not good.
• With the withdrawal of Amy Frederick as a candidate (see here), Rafael Lopez is now the sole Republican candidate for the 52nd District of the  House of Delegates.  He made the point that he is also the only candidate in the race with previous experience as an elected official.  So he is the only candidate who has demonstrated that he knows how to get the job done.
• A representative from John Brownlee’s campaign spoke up.  He spoke about Brownlee’s efforts to give people an opportunity to meet him.

After having been out of the room for a while, I came back and David Ray (a member of the State Central Committee) was speaking.  He was talking about the vote to remove Jeff Frederick as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.  He never saw sufficient grounds to remove Frederick.  He said some people claim to have information that would give anyone good reason to remove Frederick, but they never provided him this information.   He also said that because people with close ties to McDonnell were involved in the effort to remove Frederick, he believed McDonnell was squarely behind Frederick’s removal.

Since the Prince William Republican Committee was quite supportive of Frederick (The 2009 Prince William County Convention passed a resolution supporting Frederick’s retention as the party’s chairman.), the committee’s membership naturally found Ray’s words disappointing.  Nonetheless, the committee voiced support McDonnell anyway.  One member spoke out and put it it this way.

A vote for the worst Republican is better than a vote the best Democrat.

Author’s note:  I support that philosophy with some reservations.  I will vote for all the Republicans on the ticket, but I am only going to actively campaign for Conservative Republicans.  What is the point in giving time or money to a Republican Party candidate who will not stand up for the principles of the Republican Party?

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