| Message from the Chairman:  Scott Brown's Truck Scott Brown's 2005 GMC Canyon truck with 200,000 miles featured in his television advertising served as a potent symbol in his upset victory. It is a clever, appealing commercial emphasizing Brown's down to earth, everyman appeal. ( See: (Youtube.com)) When President Obama came to campaign in Boston, he tried to make fun of the truck, telling voters to "forget the truck, everybody can buy a truck." (Big Government.com)
The President has since been criticized for his comments. Scott Brown said that given the economy not everyone can actually afford a truck. Others suggested the President ought not to belittle a "Government Motors" product, now that the government owns GM. Others saw his remarks as condescending. As a symbol, Scott Brown's truck captures our current economic choices, both as a country and as individuals. As consumers, we have all struggled with decisions about keeping a late model vehicle or replacing it. It is a choice between savings and spending. For most of us, 200,000 miles is well above the point when we opt to trade-in.
Many of us have begun now rethinking our choices in order to save more. Consumer debt has been declining significantly for the first time in many years and retail sales have been down as well. Contrast Scott Brown, with his 200,000 mile truck, and the Obama economic strategy. Based on Keynesian economic theory, the Democratic prescription for an economic bust produced by overspending and excess borrowing is ....even more spending and borrowing. Alternative economic thinking, as well as common sense, suggests that more savings and debt reduction are the necessary conditions for a sustained recovery. Can there be any doubt that the Obama Stimulus Package has completely failed? Since Obama's $787 Billion Stimulus was passed, we have lost 2.8 million jobs, the unemployment rate has gone above 10% and the underemployment rate is 17.2%. Instead of ending the economic crisis, it has lengthened the time required to transition to a more sustainable level of spending and borrowing. Governor O'Malley may be the last person who still has faith in the Obama economic program, as he continues to pin his budgetary hopes on a Stimulus driven recovery. This week's budget announcement reduced just 44 filled positions out of 80,000 state jobs. Instead of making necessary decisions, his delay makes our future choices more difficult. At the risk of piling on Martha Coakley, the truck serves as an additional counterpoint to Brown's opponent. After she first made a false public filing claiming that she had no personal assets, she amended it to report a single personal asset, a $12,000 IRA. After a thirty year career, most recently at a $134,000 salary, her savings seems to place her on the wrong side of where popular sentiment is heading. Personal financial experience and economic values do matter. Members of the Obama administration have virtually no private sector experience. They have never faced the uncertainly of meeting a payroll, collecting overdue customer bills or struggling to get business financing. Their job creation experience is limited to government appropriations and grants. Michelle Obama summed up her and her husband's attitude toward business with an Ohio audience: "We left corporate America, which is a lot of what we are asking young people to do. Don't go into corporate America. You know, become teachers, work for the community, be a social worker, be a nurse....move out of the money-making industry, into the helping industry." Unsurprisingly, this week a Bloomberg poll of investors and analysts found that 77% of U.S. respondents believe Obama is too anti-business. After a year of auto company bailouts, a "Cash for Clunkers" program and government subsidies for alternative fuel vehicles, Scott Brown's 200,000 mile truck makes an effective point about adjusting to our current economic conditions. A candidate who demonstrates personal thrift generated strong political appeal. A truck with 200,000 miles nicely symbolizes the need for spending restraint in difficult times. Instead of additional spending based on the hope that a return to the good times are just months away, it demonstrates a clearer appreciation of our current economic reality.
Mark Uncapher Montgomery County Republican Chairman
| | O'Malley Kicks the Budget Can into 2011 - Will Another Tax Increase Follow?
Facing a $2 billion revenue shortfall in the state budget, Governor Martin O'Malley announced his fiscal 2011 spending plan on Tuesday. The Governor proposed cutting more than $1 billion from state programs. The proposal shrinks the state government by 202 positions, through layoffs and eliminating empty jobs. However out of an 80,000 state workforce only 44 of the jobs being eliminated are currently filled The governor's cuts, however, cover only about half of the revenue shortfall. For the other half, he resorts to more than $900 million in fund transfers - in essence, breaking into piggy banks created by the state for specific purposes. Some $350 million would come from income tax money owed to the counties. More than $440 million would be obtained by taking money allocated for capital projects, so that the state winds up borrowing - and paying interest - to fund those projects. O'Malley's budget also relies on Congress approving nearly $390 million more in Medicaid funding for Maryland. This money is in the House version of the health care reform bill. Given the demise of Obama Care, the state may never receive this money. The Gazette quotes House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Dist. 29C) of Lusby as saying the O'Malley's budget "not based in reality."
 House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell
"Submitting a budget to the legislature predicated on money you hope to receive highlights the complete mismanagement of the budget situation by the O'Malley administration," he said. "The O'Malley spending plan erects our fiscal house without the appropriate foundation, and I think we're far from receiving additional bailout money from Uncle Sam. And I think the Massachusetts election of [Sen.-elect] Brown puts an exclamation on that." "People are starting to peel back the layers of the onion and becoming increasingly aware of the dangerous nature of O'Malley's spending plans for Maryland," House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell said. Also commenting on the budget in the Gazette, Senate Minority Leader Allan H. Kittleman noted that an amendment offered by Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus (R-Dist. 38) to the fiscal 2008 budget in 2007 that would have saved millions even today. "If we had only done that four years ago, we'd be saving a billion dollars right now," said Kittleman (R-Dist. 9) of West Friendship. The Stoltzfus amendment would have trimmed the amount of the increase in education aid to 8 percent, saving $312 million. The plan also would have capped the state's commitment to teacher pensions at $555 million, placing the responsibility for growth on the counties. Other programs wouldn't have seen a funding increase. Commenting to the Sun, Kittleman said "They are trying to use smoke and mirrors and Band-Aids to get through this year." | | "Next year," he predicted, "they will have to have the highest tax increase in the history of Maryland." | 
Volunteer Spotlight: District 18 Stalwart Kevin Heenan  Volunteer Kevin Heenan waves during preparation for Kensington Day Parade
He is that treasured volunteer that rarely says no whether it's support for the County convention, essential grunt work of putting up signs, taking partin get-out-the-vote campaigns or participating in the annual Kensington Labor Day Parade. Kevin Heenan also testifies in the Maryland legislature on small business matters and is proud of the friends he has made in Annapolis on both sides of the aisle. He has also lobbied Congress for tax reduction and credit card fees. Kevin's political activism in Montgomery County began when he fell under the spell of the inspiring message of Ronald Reagan during his campaign for the presidency: conservative values, the importance of freedom and a strong work ethic and the responsibility of individual citizens to help those less fortunate. Kevin vividly remembers his feeling of pride while marching in the inaugural parade with a US Air Force detachment reviewed by President Reagan. He returns to that memory and the accomplishments of the Reagan presidency as he toils at the grassroots level. Kevin's philosophy is straightforward: he believes that one-party rule leads to ruin as evidenced by the collapse of many cities in our country such as Detroit, a perfect example of a Democrat experiment gone awry, leaving the city and the lives of its residents in shambles. He believes that entrepreneurs are the economic backbone of this country and they should not be punished for success or denied the fruits of their labor by crushing taxes. As a small business owner, Kevin has experienced firsthand the devastation that comes from excessive regulation and taxation. In his eyes, the most recent blunder from the state of Maryland is the tripling of the unemployment tax. As Kevin says: "The result of more taxes per employee when businesses are barely making it is that businesses must cut back on the number of employees. This adds more people to the unemployment rolls." Kevin adds: "I have yet to meet a small business owner with a liberal view in politics." As a fan of WMAL, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Fox News, Kevin turns to CNN and MSNBC only to keep abreast of the misinformation doled out by its commentators. Motivated by his strong faith and his political beliefs, Kevin says that he often wears them on his sleeve on his sleeve and welcomes debates which may help to educate others on the benefits of backing a political party which respects common sense and upholds the U.S. Constitution. - Marie Ciliberti
| |
Precinct Organization for Legislative District 20
(includes Takoma Park and parts of Silver Spring)
For the past year, we have been working on bringing volunteer lists up to date. We have been publishing organization information we have for the eight Legislative Districts in the county. We have looked at a different district in each news letter. This newsletter issue will focus on District 20. District 20 which includes Takoma Park is one of the bluest districts in our county, but it has two very active Central Committee Members. They are: Joe Gillin joegillin@verizon.net Deanna Stewart dstewart@iqsolutions.net
The following people are listed as Precinct Chairs and co-Chairs for District 20: District 20 Precinct Location Name Cannon Road Elementary School Joe Gillin East Silver Spring Elementary School Beth Eppinger Highland View Elementary School Tom Selman M-NCCPC Auditorium Kimberly JaJack National Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin Javier Arroyo National Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin Scott Strain Our Lady's of Sorrows School Daniel Calingaert Pine Crest Elementary School Richard Claypoole Pine Crest Elementary School Jae Collins Piney Branch Elementary School Deanna Stewart Springbrook High School Joshua C. Delaney Takoma Park Community Center Steve Schaal Takoma Park Middle School Tom Dant Takoma Park Middle School Deanna Stewart White Oak Middle School Brad Brown In addition to acquainting district residents with information on their districts, we also need to make sure we have correct information as we prepare for the all important elections of 2010. If you have any deletions, additions or corrections to the above information please contact Pat Fenati, Organization Chair. fenati@verizon.net The Legislative District Chair for District 20 is Deanna Stewart at dstewart@iqsolutions.net Other important statistics for District 20 are: There are 26 Precincts in this district. We currently have chairs for 12 of those precincts. That leaves 14 precincts with no chairs. Three of the chairs in district 20 have attended the Precinct Training. Precinct Training is free, open to all Republicans who want to get involved at the grassroots at any level and is worth attending even if you don't want to be a Precinct Chair at this time. The next training session will be February 6. Look for more information on that training in this issue, and future dates on the mcgop web page http://mcgop.net
Please look in the Help Wanted section for the names of precincts with no chairs. | | Vacancies for Precinct Chairs in District 20
Do you want to get involved at the grassroots level in a very important election year? Are you concerned you don't know how to do it? We will help you every step of the way. Attend Precinct Training (a two hour class offered most months.) If your precinct already has a chair consider helping as co-chair or choose a nearby Precinct without a chair. You do not have to live in a precinct to be the Precinct Chair of that precinct. The following precincts in District 16 are without Precinct Chairs:
Broad Acres Elementary School Christ Catholic School Columbia Union College Campus Center Cresthaven Elementary School Eastern Middle School George Meaney Center Highland View Elementary School Jackson Road Elementary School Oakview Elementary School Rolling Terrace Elementary School Silver Spring YMCA Sligo Creek Elementary School Takoma Park Elementary School Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring
If you are interested in chairing one of these precincts, please call Pat Fenati at 301-253-5205 or e-mail her at fenati@verizon.net
| | Thinking of Running for office? Get a jump-start at Candidate Training School on Saturday, February 13
| | Hosted by the Howard County Republican Party, the training will take place on Saturday, February 13, 2010, 7:30 am until 5:00 pm
| Where: Circle D Farm, 15535 Carrs Mill Road, Woodbine, MD 21797 http://www.circledfarm.com/Home.aspx
| | Directions: Route I 70 to State route 97 south. Follow State route 97 to the third traffic light at Carrs Mill Road. Turn right and continue for approximately 1.5 miles to Circle D Farm on the left.
| | Schedule: Registration begins at 7:30 am. First session at 8:00 am, Lunch 12 noon. The last session begins at 4:00 pm. Each session will be 50 minutes in length.
| | Instructors: Former MD GOP Executive Director, Justin Ready - Campaign organization National Committeeman - Louis Pope - Campaign Finance Former MD GOP Finance Director, April Rose - Event Planning Former MD GOP Communications Director, Audra Harrison - Press relations and letter writing Senator Marty Madden - Door to Door Former MD GOP Political Director, Steve Crim - Data mining, GOTV GOP Shoppe, President, Brian Harlin - logo design and collateral materials
| | Cost: $40 per person in advance, will include all materials, beverages, snacks, lunch. | | | | Make checks payable to: HCRCC Operating Account
Mail your check to: HCRCC, P.O. Box 26, Ellicott City, MD 21041-0026
Sorry, no payment at the door.
Contact: John Wafer, Vice Chairman, HCRCC, Phone: 410-465-4427 jdwafer@verizon.net | If you are thinking of running for office and have not yet called our candidate recruitment folks, you can reach MCGOP Chairman Mark Uncapher at 301-417-9256 or e-mail him at mark@uncapher.net
Call Candidate Recruitment Chairman Jim Shalleck at
301-987-0505 or e-mail him at jimshalleck@hotmail.com | "O'Malley's Swimming in Red Ink" Report of the Joint Maryland Republican Caucus. For full report and more information click on www.mdsenategop.com Overshadowed by the deplorable state of the state budget released yesterday was the admission before the Senate Finance Committee by officials of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation that Maryland needs to borrow over $300 million from the federal government to replenish the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. State officials said that the unemployment claim volume is unprecedented because of the elevated levels of joblessness throughtout the state since 2007 (the year Governor O'Malley took office). "At this stage, the trust fund is bankrupt," said Minority Leader Allan Kittleman (R-Howard, Carroll). "Moreover, Governor O'Malley's legislative proposals would make things worse - we must not permanently expand program costs under a federal mandate that only provides short-term revenues. Obviously, that fix is not financially sustainable." Business groups joined Republican legislators at the hearing in opposition to O'Malley's legislation. Republican Leaders Appeal for Greater Transparency in Annapolis  The Joint Republican Caucus of the Maryland General Assembly sent a letter to Senate President Mike Miller and House Speaker Mike Busch today urging the presiding officers to implement administrative measures to make the legislative process in Annapolis more open to the general public.
The transparency issue was presented on the Senate floor today when Minority Leader Allen Kittleman and Minority Whip Nancy Jacobs proposed rule changes that would require the expeditious posting of committee votes on the legislative website and specific language in the rules to ensure that citizens are allowed in committee voting sessions under the state "open meeting" provisions. In response, Democrat leaders expressed reluctance to adopt these transparency rule (listen for yourself at click here - select Listen to Senate Proceedings "Tuesday, January 19 - Session 1" and go to "7:40" on the clip). The proposed Senate rules will be considered at a Rules Committee meeting yet-to-be-scheduled. In the House, proposed rule changes will be taken up later this week. | Past Party Line
Newsletters
December 19, 2009
December 5, 2009
November 21, 2009
November 7, 2009
October 24, 2009
October 3, 2009
September 19, 2009
September 5, 2009
August 22, 2009
August 8, 2009
July 25, 2009
July 4, 2009
June 20, 2009
June 6, 2009
May 23, 2009
May 9, 2009
April 25, 2009
April 11, 2009
March 28, 2009
March 14, 2009
February 28, 2009
February 3, 2009
January 2009
| | | | | Former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger Will Address the 2010 Montgomery County Republican Party Lincoln Dinner
Thursday March 18, 6:30 pm.
The dinner will be held at the same location as last year, the Rockville Hotel & Conference Center 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville. Conveniently located in front of the Twinbrook Metro Station (red line accessible). Tickets -$125, VIP Reception, with photograph - $250. A Silent Auction will feature a range of prized political collectible items. The Secretary has had a long and distinguished foreign policy career, including service in the first Bush and Reagan Administrations. In his remarks, he intends to address his concerns about the Obama Administration.
| Upcoming Events!
Rock Creek Women's Republican Club Meeting and Luncheon on Tuesday, January 26 at 11:00 a.m.
Speaker: Mark Uncapher Meeting at Alfio's Restaurant (free valet parking) 4515 Willard Ave., Chevy Chase $20. To RSVP call Midge Wiehl 301-216-5880
Central Committee Meeting, Tuesday, January 26 at 7:30 p.m. at MCGOP Hqs., 15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville. Meeting of the Chevy Chase Women's Republican Club, Wednesday January 27 at 6:00 p.m. For more information call Joan DeCain 301-946-5129.
Olney Women's Republican Club meeting on Thursday, January 28 11:30a.m. The speaker will be Pat Fenati, Organization Chair of the Montgomery County Republican Party. At Argyle Country Club, 14600 Argyle Club Road, Silver Spring. For more information, call Pat Smith, 301-924-5347.
Montgomery County GOP "First Monday" on Monday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m. Meet candidates and discuss concerns and ideas at MCGOP Hqs., 15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville. Robin Ficker will discuss his latest Montgomery County ballot initiative on term limits. For more information, contact Mark Uncapher
Happy Hour in the Kentlands, Thursday February 4 at 5:30 p.m. At O'Donnell's Sea Grill, 411 Kentlands Blvd., Gaithersburg. With the Montgomery County Young Republicans. For more information, e-mail Mike Gibble
Precinct Training on Saturday, February 6 10:00 a.m. - Noon; followed by Letters-to-Editor Seminar 12:30-2:00 at MCGOP Hqs. 15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville. For more information, see item above. Contact Pat Fenati
Candidate Training School on Saturday, February 13, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Circle D Farm, 15535 Carrs Mill Road, Woodbine, MD 21797. Hosted by the Howard County GOP. For more information, e-mail John Wafer Fundraiser/Valentine Luncheon for the Maryland Federation of Republican Women on Monday, February 15, 11:30 a.m. $50 At Rockfish Restaurant, 400 Sixth Street, Annapolis, MD 21403. More information to come . . . Contact: Ruth Melson, 301-221-4469. MCYR Meeting and Debate, Tuesday February 16 7:00 p.m. Join the Montgomery County Young Republicans and meet the GOP Senate Candidates at Growler's, 277 West Diamond Blvd., Gaithersburg. For more information e-mail Mike Gibble Maryland Federation of Republican Women Red Scarf Day in Annapolis on Tuesday, February 23. Come to legislative briefings and meet your legislators. For more information see www.mfrw.org
Montgomery County GOP "First Monday" on Monday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. Meet candidates and discuss concerns and ideas at MCGOP Hqs., 15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville. US Senate candidate Eric Wargotz will speak.
MCYR Happy Hour, Thursday March 4 at 5:30 p.m. Place to be arranged. With the Montgomery County Young Republicans. For more information, e-mail Mike Gibble Montgomery County Republican Party Annual Convention on Saturday, March 6, 9:00 a.m. - Noon at the Universities at Shady Grove Auditorium, 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville For more information, e-mail Mark Uncapher and check separate article in this issue of the newsletter. Montgomery County Young Republicans general meeting on Tuesday, March 16 7:00 p.m.at Growler's, 277 West Diamond Blvd., Gaithersburg. For more information, e-mail Mike Gibble
Montgomery County Lincoln Day Dinner Thursday March 18, 6:00 p.m. The keynote speaker will be former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger. Stay tuned for further details or contact Mark Uncapher Montgomery County Young Republicans Charity Ball on Friday, March 26 7:30 p.m. at the Bethesda Women's Club, 5500 Sonoma Road, Bethesda. For more information, e-mail Rex Reed | | Honor Ronald Reagan's Birthday by Attending
Precinct Training and Media Training Opportunities at your County Republican Headquarters on Saturday February 6
You know he would want you there!
10-12 Noon Precinct Training followed by a one hour Letters- to-the-Editor Seminar at MCGOP Hqs. 15833 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville
Precinct Training will teach you how to organize Republicans in your Precinct and elect Republicans in Montgomery County.
This training is open to anyone who is interested in grass roots efforts at the precinct level. You will learn about the voting districts in Montgomery County, understand what is needed to build a successful precinct, and much more. The training is informative, fun and FREE and includes group participation and role playing. For more information call Pat Fenati at 301-253-5205 or email her fenati@verizon.net
If you have been doing precinct work for a while, your experience will be welcome. Well over two hundred have completed the program so far. We are asking every current Montgomery County Precinct Chair who has not yet taken the course to do so NOW!
Then Drop by - or Stick Around - for a
one hour Letters to the Editor Seminar led by Republican Volunteer Al Eisner, who has published 500 letters to the editor in the past five years!!
Al has published in the Washington Post, the Times, the Gazette, the Washington Examiner, and myriad other newspapers and magazines. He communicates conservative concerns about national security, taxes, immigration and many other issues. Please join Al as he offers tips and examples on how best to become a part of an ever growing voice as we build our cadre of conservative writers. It's easier than you think! For more information, call Al at 301-417-9256 or e-mail Al Eisner | |
Montgomery County Republican
"First Monday"
February 1 at 7:30 p.m.
The first Monday evening of each month The Montgomery County GOP hosts an event in which Republicans can meet candidates and discuss concerns and ideas. The next First Monday will take place on February 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Montgomery County Republican headquarters at 15833 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville.
Robin Ficker (picture below) will discuss his latest Montgomery County ballot initiative on term limits.
The featured guest on Monday March 1 will be candidate for U.S. Senate, Queen Anne County Commissioner Eric Wargotz. |
County GOP Convention set for March 6
9 a.m.-Noon
-
Maryland GOP Chairman to Keynote
2010 promises to be a banner year for Republicans! Get in on the action by attending the Seventh Annual Montgomery County Republican Convention to be held Saturday, March 6 from 9:00 a.m. - 12 Noon at the Universities at Shady Grove Auditorium,9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville.
The keynote speaker this year is Audrey Scott, Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party. She has a history of winning elections in the democratic stronghold of Prince Georges County.
MDGOP Chair Audrey Scott
Don't miss out on this dynamic event. You will be inspired by the speakers, meet candidates for office, learn how to engage Republicans in your precinct, and network with fellow Montgomery County Republicans.
For more information, click here:
2010 MCGOP Convention
| | CONTACT YOUR CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Hon. Moshe Starkman - 19
mstarkman@moshetechnologies.com
Hon. Vincent DeCain - 18
General Counsel & Parliamentarian
decainvf@aol.com
Hon. Gus Alzona - 16
augustus@alzona.com
Hon. Robert Dyer, III. - 16 | Thank you to Our 2009 Supporters
Trustee Council Terry Bork Armond Piscopo Charles Stansfield **** Finance Council Tharpa Roberts Bob Treanor Jule Sain Stella Green Cathy Baker Ellen Roberts **** Leadership Council Hon. Vincent De Cain SylviaDarrow Verle Lanier Patricia Fenati Issa Khozeimeh Socrates Koutsoutis Susan Otero Jan And Harry Pillsbury William P. Roberts III Friends of Jean Roesser ****
Century Club CharlesColby Jr Antonette K. Ager JennieAnderson Marjorie Atkins Pagasa Barrientos Hilma Blair Catherine B. Boyce Fred Brand Katja Bullock Margaret J. Caruso Robert Clark Janice Connolly Jane C. Corrigan Charles Cromwell Anna Crow Marilyn Dankner Marie S. De Maria Yuri Deychakiwsky Emily C. Donahue Robert Ekman Frank Enten Costa Erminco Todd Eskelsen Karl Flicker AudreyFlieger Charles E. Gebhardt JosephGeorge MarvinGlenn Daniel Goelzer Frederick Graboske William Grant KathyHargett George Hesterberg James Hobbs LonnieHollen G. Kathryn Johnson Katherine Johnson William H. Kaupert Sheila Kessinger Tonie Lanier William Lehfeldt Gertrude Lerch Ian Macdonald W. Richard Mancuso Edward Mcallister Cheryl Mcdonald Marjorie Mills Marlene & Robert Mitchell Robert K. Painter P. David Pappert Rachael Peabody Jacqueline Pearson Matthew & Pamela Pendergrass Marques Pimentel AudreyPrichard John Ryan Sheldon Sacks Carol Sawyer Raymond P. Schmidt Dorothy Schnabel Dorothy Simcox Albert H. Small John J.Soladay Jeffrey Stathes RobertTarone Will Trotter William G. Tull William Werber Charles Wiles Bryan Wright Judith Wymer Olney Women's Republican Club Republican Team 16 Rock Creek Republican Women's Club
Andrews Dalton
Michael Dobridge
Ross Dymond
N. Prasad Kadambi
Steve Emerick
| |
MCGOP CONVENTION!