This meeting of the Prince William County Republican Committee (PWCGOP) turned out to be businesslike, mostly to be a discussion upcoming events (see here). The PWCGOP will use these events promote the Republican Party’s congressional candidates.

Delegates Jackson Miller and Rich Anderson provided some good pep talks, but Democratic Party itself provided the most inspiration.  When committee members discussed House of Representative’s recent passage of the Disclose Act (see here), that reminded everyone that the Democratic Party’s majority lock in the House must be broken as soon as possible.

The PWCGOP also confirmed its satisfaction with Keith Fimian‘s recent victory in the June 8th Republican primary election. Since both Congressman Frank Wolf and Congressman Rob Wittman are popular incumbents and seen as nearly certain victors, the PWCGOP will concentrate its resources on Fimian’s election bid. 

On July 3, the PWCGOP will walk with Keith Fimian in the Dale City Independence Day Parade (see here). This a big parade and the folks in Dale City are proud of it (see Call to action: Get set for Neighborhood Pride in Dale City).  Republicans will participate, and we want to make certain our candidates get more support than their tax and spend us into poverty opponents. For directions on when and where to meet, please see the events page on the PWCGOP’s website (here).

Note that we have a Republican primary election on June 8th.  Candidates Keith Fimian and Pat Herrity are contesting for the Republican nomination for the Congress, Virginia’s 11th District.  However, other than the fact each candidate had his own “float,” Republicans presented a united front.

The Prince William County Republican Committee led the Republican contingent in the parade. 

The Banner of the Prince William County Republican Committee

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli accompanied the Prince William County Republican Committee.  Just before the parade Cuccinelli endorsed Keith Fimian (see here).  Nonetheless, he used the occasion of the Nokesville Parade to meet folks in his new home town.

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli Meeting The Neighbors

There were at least four vehicles in the Republican contingent.  Brentsville District Supervisor Wally Covington provided the use of a tractor and wagon for a float. Since Covington backs the candidacy of Supervisor Pat Herrity a Herrity for Congress led that part of the parade    

Herrity for Congress

Next came Covington’s tractor and wagon.  The wagon featured (barely visible in this view) large Herrity for Congress signs on the wagon.  Covington and his supporters actually did a great job.  The picture does not do it justice.

Covington’s Tractor and Wagon

Meeting voters and shaking hands, Herrity brought up the rear of his contingent. 

Supervisor Pat Herrity Meeting Voters

Gainesville District Supervisor John Stirrup walked with the Herrity contingent. Below shows him tossing candy to the children.

Supervisor John Stirrup

Candidate for Congress Keith Fimian contingent came next.  First came the sign.

Fimian for Congress Sign

Next came the Fimian “float.”  The van provided ample space for signs.

Fimian “Float”

Fimian brought up the rear of his contingent.  The picture below shows him rushing to catch up.  Apparently, he ran into some voters who wanted to chat.

Candidate Keith Fimian

Chairman-At-Large Corey Stewart accompanied Fimian.

Chairman Corey Stewart

Brentsville District School Board Member Gil Trenum‘s supporters also turned out for the parade. 

The Trenum Float

Other elected officials also appeared in the parade.  Delegate Bob Marshall drove his “police car.”  The most frugal member of the General Assembly is also frugal with his own money.  He drives a well-kept used car.

Supervisor Wally Covington walked with the Herrity contingent.  School Board Member Gil Trenum, who has not endorsed either Fimian or Herrity, also walked in the parade.

Update: I remember the names of some other elected officials that attended Nokesville Day. Delegates Rich Anderson and Jackson Miller also walked in the parade.  Sheriff Glen Hill was there too, to perform his official duties.  Truth be told there were so many elected Republicans at Nokesville Day I am still not certain I saw or remember them all. 

As I said earlier, the pictures were an afterthought.  I was there because of politics, but I enjoyed the weather, the company of good people, and waving the flag. 

The occasion of a beautiful spring day provided the optimism to look forward, to know God has made for us a beautiful world. Let us pray we each have the humility to accept His will. In November 2010, we each must go to the polls and unselfishly vote for the good of our neighbors. Only then will we see a rebuirth of the freedom that respects each individual’s right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. 

Attending a Meeting of “Conspirators”

What is important in politics starts at the grassroots.  Yesterday I found myself reminded of that fact once again. 

I attended a meeting called by the Brentsville District Chair of the Prince William County Republican Committee (see here). It was only a small group, but these are purpose driven people.  Each realizes they are doing something important, and they delight in the opportunity to work with like-minded souls.

How did the meeting begin?  There was chit-chat and munching on finger food — the customary ”icebreaker,” and then the meeting began.  The Chair took a moment to remind everyone how a small group of people can make a huge difference. He provided a few examples.

• In the presidential election of 1960, John F. Kennedy beat Richard M. Nixon by just one tenth of one percentage point (0.1%).  What followed Kennedy’s election?  The Bay of Pigs, the Great Society, Medicare and the Vietnam War.  What if Nixon had won?
• After months of dispute, Al Franken was declared the winner of Minnesota’s Senate election.  Franken beat Senator Norm Coleman by only ”312″ votes.  Franken’s election provided Democrats their 60-vote, filibuster proof, Democrat majority. Franken’s election ultimately enabled passage of the “Health Care” bill. The Democrats 60-vote majority also facilitated TARP, the ‘Stimulus” Bill, never-ending unemployment benefits, and a ballooning Federal Government deficit.

The Chair then explained how we can change the course of history.  Because of reckless government spending and arrogant leadership, the American public wants to change the “change.” 

The time is now to maximize our constituencies; increase awareness, energy, and interest; to vote and oust our political enemy from office.

We can offer the American People a realistic alternative, a return to America’s traditions of constitutional government and a free market economy.

An Aside

Does the expression “political enemy” seem harsh?  If you think so — if you have any doubt of the appropriateness of the expression – then you need to educate yourself.  I suggest  Senator Jim Demint‘s book, Saving Freedom.  What is  Saving Freedom about? Demint’s book has a very specific purpose. To provide a succinct explanation, Demint gave his book this subtitle, We Can Stop America’s Slide Into Socialism. 

What concerns Demint is that too many no longer understand what it means to have a free society.  Consider this excerpt from page 176.

One the great ironies of freedom is that you can only have it if you are willing to obey the rules.  Rules restrict your freedom, but real freedom can only exist within a framework of rules. In a free society the rules (laws and regulations) must be knowable and minimally restrictive. The people must also have the willingness and self-control to voluntarily follow the rules without the use of force.

Voluntary compliance to laws requires a respect for the law and a self-disciplined citizenry. Laws will be respected only when they are derived from a fixed set of consensus principles governing the lawmakers.  Fixed principles (i.e., a constitution) give the law a moral authority that elicits respect and voluntary compliance by citizens. Reactive, arbitrary, lawmaking undermines constitutional government and the “rule of law.”

Many Americans still understand freedom.  Attend a Tea Party rally, and you can see that understanding in action.  At a Tea Party, you can participate in an orderly demonstration with thousands of people.  And when the demonstration is over, the ground will be clean.  Oh, there will be wreckage. That wreakage will be in the dreams of politicians made nervous by the sight of so many citizens discontented with their leadership.

Yet because we have allowed our government to educate us and our children, many of us no longer understand or appreciate freedom. Instead, too many expect government to take care of them with “investments” contributed by the “rich.”  Thus, politicians proliferate taxing and spending programs and bind our choices with ever increasing laws and regulations. Like slaves of old, too many have come to depend on government “protection” and “giveaways.” Some poorly educated souls have actually learned to fear the alternative — Freedom.  

What it is about are the last words of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

–and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

The Business Portion

So what were Republicans in the Brentsville District deviously plotting?  We were planning our participation in Nokesville Day (see here, here, here, and here). On May 15, 2010, the Prince William County Republican Committee will participate in Nokesville Day.  We will have a booth, and we will be in the parade. Our object? We want to inform the residents of Prince William about the Republican Party’s political philosophy and the honorable candidates we support. Note that we will be led in this effort by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.  Cuccinelli will participate in the Parade (see here).  

With Cuccinelli’s able leadership, we will invite the People of Prince William to help us confine our government to its traditional role, one that respects constitutional limits on government authority and the rights of individual Americans to life, liberty, and property. Please join with us and assist us. It is your country too.

Other Views From Virginia Blogs

The Prince William-Manassas Family Alliance has run a series of posts that reference Saving Freedom.  See here, here, and here.

In Once Again, Republicans Trot Out The Nazi Analogies, Below The Beltway makes Saving Freedom sound like its is full of extreme Nazi analogies.  Actually, there is very little of that.  What Demint is driving at is that we are not practicing or teaching the next generation the traditions that have kept us free.  It is not government power that keeps us free; it is how we operate our government that keeps us free.

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.

This month the PWCGOP held its meeting at the west end of the county in Gainesville Middle School.  There was standing room only, excellent attendance by both the rank and file and our elected Republican officials. 

Committee Business

The committee focused its most intense interest on its own business.  Why?  This year’s elections provide a clue.  We have a sea change in progress.  The results of gubernatorial races Virginia and New Jersey and a senate race in Massachusetts show the People have become highly dissatisfied with their government.  PWCGOP members hope to translate that into Republican victories.  The question is how.

Thus, the meeting focused on obtaining the people and material resources needed to get the job done.    

• Hiring an Executive Director.   Most seemed to see the primary task of this person as fund-raising.  However, others seemed to think that providing operational direction might be more important.
• Headquarters buildings.  Because Prince William County is large and the population is split between the east and west ends, practical considerations indicate that two headquarters are needed. 

Due to cost considerations, both ideas received resistance.  No one could confidently explain how the PWCGOP would pay for these additional expenses.  Furthermore, some pointed out that candidate campaigns paid the costs of the temporary headquarters used during the last election.  

After the discussion, it became clear that both ideas still need to be fleshed out.   PWCGOP members referred both matters to the executive committee.

Author’s note

What this discussion indicated to me is the extent to which our political leadership has defanged modern political parties.   Essentially, our political parties have become the appendages of elected officials.  Both money and law constrain political parties. 

• There is no shortage of money in politics, but donors find it much more effective to influence the political process by giving their money directly to candidates.
• Through such shenanigans as primary elections, the rank and file membership lose their leverage.  Primaries do not allow party members choose their own candidates.

Nonetheless, there are many nonprofit groups promoting political causes.  In a county as large and rich as Prince William County, the PWCGOP should be able to rent a few buildings and hire full-time staff, particularly in the current political climate. 

What do I think should be done?  I think the PWCGOP needs to back up a bit.  Before we define our tools, we need to define the task.  The PWCGOP needs to clearly define what it exists to do.  Then it needs to plan how it will execute that task.

What is the job of a political party?  Is it not the job of a political party to fight for core values?  Don’t Republicans seek to elect candidates that will fight for its members core values? 

In practice, however, the PWCGOP too often serves as an appendage to the campaigns of relatively Conservative political candidates.  That is one reason few people seek to take part in the PWCGOP (or its Democratic Party counterpart).   It makes more sense to most people to work directly for their preferred candidates.  

At some time in the past, the major political parties forgot to focus on principles and invested their hopes in men.  They then gave up a portion the people’s right to freely assemble and petition the government, a first amendment right, to their leaders.  Fortunately, because the People are so frustrated by our current political leadership (including Republicans), the People are looking for solutions.  Hopefully, the People will see the need to stop our elected officials from using their powers to mangle political parties with unnecessary rules and red tape.  

In the meantime, I believe the PWCGOP must borrow ideas from some of our state’s more successful political advocacy organizations.  Consider The Family Foundation as an example.  A well-defined set of core principles defines the The Family Foundation.  The Family Foundation helps its members advocate these core principles to both the electorate and elected officials.   Similarly, if the PWCGOP wants to be more than a mere appendage to “its” candidates campaigns, the PWCGOP executive committee must define the PWCGOP’s core principles and show its members how they can help to further those principles. 

Candidate Speeches

The Republican Party will have a contested primary in the 11th Congressional District.  Socialist Democrat Gerald E. Connolly currently occupies this seat.  Connolly has become notorious for voting for a government takeover of our health care.

Two candidates for 11th Congressional District spoke to the PWCGOP, Pat Herrity and Keith Fimian.   Both gave excellent presentations denouncing big taxing and spending.  Herrity received a respectful hearing; however, when Fimian spoke,  the members of the PWCGOP responded with much greater enthusiasm.   Herrity gave a professional and polished presentation, describing his background and his accomplishments, but Fimian gave impression he spoke from the heart.  Moreover, Fimian reminded the PWCGOP he began his campaign to bring government spending under control before the November 2009 Republican victories in Virginia and New Jersey.  (Author’s note:  Instead of trying to “lead” the parade by running out in front of it, Fimian asked us to follow his lead.  Before cutting government down to size became popular, Fimian risked his reputation by staking out a well-defined position.)   

Howe Lind, running to be the Chair of the 10th Congressional District Republican Committee, gave a respectable presentation.  He did a good job of demonstrating his knowledge of what the position will entail. 

General Assembly Initiatives

Delegate Bob Marshall began by describing the Tea Party in Richmond, VA on January 18th as the largest such event he had seen at the Capitol (See here for a description.).  Marshall said the demonstrators had rallied for two bills.   

House Bill 10 would protect a person’s right to decline to participate in a health-care plan, and House Bill 69 says firearms and ammunition made in Virginia and retained here are not subject to federal regulation under the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.  (from here)

Marshall came to the PWCGOP to advocate HB 10, the Health Care Freedom Act, and HB 11, Defending Doctors.  Marshall has solid support from Republicans in the General Assembly for HB 10.  He attributed much of that support to the large rally in Richmond.  He clearly thought the event more significant than news media reports would indicate.  Unfortunately, support from the Democrats for HB 10 is still tepid, one Democrat each in the House and Senate.  Fortunately, his support in the Senate comes from Senator Colgan.  Thus the battle is not without hope.  In fact, we have this progress report.

In something of a surprise, the Senate’s commerce and labor committee voted 8 to 7 this afternoon to approve bills that would declare it illegal in Virginia to require a person to purchase health insurance. The bills will head to the floor of the Senate later this week, where they will likely test the resolve of the Democrats’ slim 22 to 18 vote majority in the chamber.  (continue here)

Why is Marshall concerned that Congress might succeed in requiring us to purchase health insurance.  If Congress can force us to buy health insurance, there will be no clear limit to what the government can force us to buy.  If we lose control of our property, we will become serfs.

See Marshall’s website (here) for more details on HB 10, the Health Care Freedom Act.  

Marshall provided a handout that included information HB 11, Defending Doctors.  The bill would provide for peer review. 

HB 11 provides that the denial by an Insurance Company for additional medical services requested by the treating physician must be affirmed by a medical peer of the treating physician. 

What does the political conflict of our era entail?  Some say the conflict is between constitutional government and busybody socialism.  Without any doubt we know the Democratic Party supports the nationalization of large sectors of our economy.  With its collapse, we discovered to our horror much of our banking industry already under Federal Government command.  By gradual degrees even our public schools have come under the sway of the Federal Government.  With the Health Care Bill and Cap-and-Trade legislation, the Democratic Party seeks control of the remainder of our society.  The Democratic Party’s grand effort begs for answer.  If the Democrats are unopposed, what kind of country will we pass on to our children?

Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty—power is ever stealing from the many to the few…. The hand entrusted with power becomes … the necessary enemy of the people. Only by continual oversight can the democrat in office be prevented from hardening into a despot: only by unintermitted Agitation can a people be kept sufficiently awake to principle not to let liberty be smothered in material prosperity.  –  Wendell Phillips (from here)

With victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and even Massachusetts, aroused citizens have shown we can joined together to defend our heritage of liberty.  Will you too oppose the “soft” tyranny of the socialist state?  Will you defend both your rights and the rights of your family and friends?

Are you ready to do your part to elect honorable and competent leadership?  Then please join the Prince William County Republican Committee.

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, January 25, 2010.  The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM at Gainesville Middle School,8001 Limestone Dr., Gainesville, VA 20155. 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.     New Business

a.     Financial Report      7:50pm

b.     Presentation of 2010 Budget for Discussion      8:00pm

c.     Lincoln/Reagan Dinner Status Report      8:15pm

d.     Details of 2010 Convention Call      8:15pm

6.     Chairman’s Report (2010 Primary, Appointment of Audit Committee)      8:25pm

7.     “Why I am a Republican” – PWCRC Member, Don Call      8:30pm

8.     Reports 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 or candidates at any time for the purposes of remarks or a report.

Lyle G. Beefelt, Chairman

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

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.

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

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