In order for Mitt Romney to receive my support, he must first flatty and firmly reject Romneycare.  He must admit that the individual mandate in his state is unconstitutional under federal law.  He certainly can’t go about calling Obamacare’s plan such as a state’s individual mandate certainly wouldn’t supercede The Commerce Clause.  Likewise, he can’t go talking about how much money Massachusetts has saved.  Premiums have gone up and up and up and up since he signed this landmark legislation into law.  He has said that he would repeal Obamacare, but hasn’t articulated to what extent.

Romney must also address – fully – his flip-flop on the issue of life.  He can cite Reagan’s conversion all day long, but Reagan had decades between his term as the original guvernator and the Oval Office.  Romney’s change happened rather recently, and inexplicably.  All of the sudden he is a pro-life warrior – which wouldn’t be a big surprise considering his sincere allegiance to his faith – but carries a very well documented history of defending Roe.  This is problematic in another, more important issue.  Should Romney be elected he will most likely appoint three new justices to the Supreme Court.  The last milquetoast Republican to appoint Supreme Court justices was George H.W. Bush who gave us Justice Souter – and Justice Thomas, so GHWB was really a wash in that regard.

Romney must also – right now – reject negative campaigning.  While he may be benefiting from negative ads in primary states, he is quite literally turning more and more conservatives off because they feel like Romney is attacking them!  I realize that the primary is a full-contact blood sport, but this has gone a bit too far.  His wins (and near wins) keep on coming in, but his negatives are skyrocketing, driving the GOP brand into the toilet.  He needs to rise above it.  I am a staunchly non-Romney guy having backed Cain, then Perry, then Gingrich (now nobody) but was beside myself when they attacked Romney for being – of all things – a capitalist!  Romney needs to do a better job explaining to people – without coming off too tin-eared – that he did what he had to at Bain in order to spare jobs.  For added measure, Rick Santurom seems to be doing a fine job ruining his own chances, thank-you-very-much.

Oh, and Massachusetts gun laws are horrible and have done absolutely nothing to prevent crime.  He just needs to say, “Hey, I was wrong!”

The bottom line here is, I’m willing to forgive Mitt Romney.  I don’t even care if his apologies are insincere – he is a politician after all – but I need a reason to say, “That’s my guy!”  He has done a spectacularly bad job as coming off as the “everyman,” but he comes off as an even worse candidate when he defends his failures.  Concluding his 2012 CPAC speech, Andrew Brietbart summoned the audience to get behind the nominee – whoever that may be – because four more years of an administration that regularly usurps the Constitution, doubles the national debt, etc., is something we can’t afford.  Obama must be defeated, and if Romney is the man, he’ll begrudgingly have my vote

* At least another 10 votes were cast by Democrats.  They were at least good enough to sign the petitions displayed on our table for Republican candidates for US Senate, but I did not offer them doughnuts!

Crossposted at RedNova and Unified Patriots

Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not defending anything that Rush has said over the airwaves, but I do think that to point out Rush’s inappropriate comments while disregarding the likes of Bill Maher and Ed Schultz is overly hypocritical.  What I am suggesting you all do is go to those that are still under attack and call out these hyprocrites. 

I’ve been exchanging comments with these dupes all afternoon after posting a video courtesy of  ShePAC on Lifelock’s Facebook page.  It is easy to do, and what we should all be doing.

Let the Andrew Brietbart come out in you, get online and fight – but use RedState’s golden rules.

Crossposted at RedNova

Every seat for the House of Delegates is up for grabs.

Every seat in the State Senate is up for grabs.

Every member of the county’s board of supervisors is up for grabs.

Every county sheriff is up for grabs.

Every representative for the soil & water conservation board is up for grabs.

Every school board seat is up for grabs.

This election matters.  If you know someone living in Virginia, tell them to go vote – TODAY!

I’ll post another entry this time tomorrow.  Wish us luck!

Regards,
Matt Genkinger
Operations Officer, Clearview Precinct Republicans
Vice-Chair, Dranesville District Republicans (Fairfax County Republican Committee)

Virginia flipped Blue (or Purple) in 2008, as Barack Obama carried the Commonweath with 52.6% of the vote.  A year later, Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuchinelli won with near landslide numbers.  2010 continued to be a good year for Republicans, as Tea Party activities supplemented the normally drowsy mid-term turnout  into historic numbers.  The GOP was able to achieve majority status in the House of Delegates, but fell just shy of claiming the majority in State Senate.  We stand a very good chance of securing the Senate this year.  But this election cycle is even more important than the State Congress, as the fight for county boards of supervisors, school boards, sheriff’s departments, and soil and water conversation are all up for grabs. 

In Fairfax County, barely outside of the reach of DC, Democrats have controlled the Board of Supervisors since the 1980′s.  Democrat-endorsed “non-partisan” school board members have retained their seats for many years – one in particular has been a board member for the past 18 years.  All told, Democrats in Fairfax County have over 400 years in elected office.  The results have nearly been disastrous as the county is saddled with nearly $500,000,000 in debt, forcing Moody’s to look at the county’s credit rating.  Currently, the board stands to throw more debt on top of the taxpayers with an initiative to fund 52% of the infrastructure costs to build an additional 200,000 residential units in Tyson’s Corner, sparing the developers the added cost of sewers, streets, and so far.  To make matters worse, Fairfax County code mandates that all new multi-unit construction reserve 20% of units for “affordable housing.”  For those not familiar with Northern Virginia, Tyson’s Corner is some of the most valuable real estate in the area, and probably the country.  The subsidized housing would starve the county of revenue from real estate taxes. 

Fairfax County Sheriff Stan Barry (D) enrolled in an early retirement program designed for county employees.   The program allows for county employees to set aside a large portion of the their income for retirement, matched by the county.  In return, the employee agrees to retire after three years in the program.  Barry found a loophole that allowed elected officials to participate in the program.  While that act alone should be enough for the Board of Supervisors to ask for Sheriff Barry’s resignation, Sheriff Barry’s pledge to voters is that he will suspend his enrollment in the early retirement program in order to serve another term as sheriff.  He signed a contract that he won’t honor.  How are we supposed to honor his contract with the taxpayers to enforce the law?

The Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority own the Dulles Toll Road and have been asked to fund a portion of the Metro (rail) Phase II to Dulles International Airport.  Things seemed to be going along quite nicely until the federal government choose not to participate in funding Phase II, leaving WMAA looking for pockets of cash.  Where was the first place WMAA looked?  The commuters that use the only toll road in Northern Virginia.  Today’s fare is quite reasonable – at any point in the day, a driver may hop on the toll road for $2 and be in DC in short order.  WMAA President Tom Davis (yes THAT Tom Davis) recommended that tolls increase to $10 each way in order to pay for construction of Phase II.  All of the sudden, users of the toll road will have to shift their budgets to pay the $5000/year for tolls.  And $10 is WMAA’s price FLOOR!  It could go as high as $17 one way. 

All of these issue could be remedied quite quickly, but we need your help.  Please visit the Fairfax County Republican Committee’s 2011 Candidate page and donate to these happy warriors.  Or help out the Republican Party of Virginia by contributing a few bucks.  As a precinct captain (as of August 2011), I have poured the foundation to revive grassroots conservative activism in the county, but mine is one of nearly 300. 

Virginia lead in 2009, and must continue to lead in 2011.  We must keep the wave a-rollin’.

Cross-posted at Unified Patriots

Looking at only the numbers – in terms of voter turnout – over the last the past few election cycles, I began to notice a pattern.  As expected, off-year election turnout is rather low. But when comparing good years like 2009 to the worst of years, like 2006, my numbers don’t change much. For instance, in 2006 – a terrible year for Republicans in general and George Allen specifically – 910 voters pulled the lever for Senator Allen (1235 for Webb).  In the next off-year election cycle, 2009, only 924 voters turned out for Bob McDonnell (now Governor) (858 for Deeds).  One would think that the general elections would prove to turn out many, many more Republicans, yet in 2004 John Kerry won the precinct with 1482 votes to G.W.B’s 1462 (yeah, it was that close) and 2008 was slightly worse with only 1255 votes for McCain to Obama’s 1684 (perhaps ~200 registered Republicans voted for Obama? Reverse Operation Chaos?).

I’m also a member of my home owner association’s “Dad’s Club.” One of the members stopped my house last Saturday to see if I would be interested in organizing an event with him.  As we talked, I got the sense that he was right-of-center and tried to gauge his interest in helping out with precinct operations.  He was excited to become involved and seemed eager for victory in 2012.  While I matched his enthuisam in defeating President Obama and the democrat nominee for outgoing Sen Webb, I mentioned that this years elections were even more important, as all seats from Soil and Water Conservation to State Senate were up for grabs.  He. Had. No. Idea. No idea that 2011 was an election year (and to be fair, there are no campaign signs up in the district, as campaign laws ban any signs outside 75 days or so on an election.  Candidates in primary races have signs displayed all over the rest of the county though!).  I have to estimate that less than 50% of all registered Republicans in my precinct are in the same boat as his poor guy.  So, having this understanding and knowing the numbers from past election cycles, what is a guy to do?

I think it is possible to increase voter turnout in November of this year.  Assuming that I get some help from like-minded neighbors, I think it would be rather easy to get a general election turnout for an off-off year election.  I think a reasonable goal, though, would be 1100 Republican votes.

Oh, and if I put all of this effort into this, I would very much like to challenge my PC at the very earliest possible time. Are there any Virginians here who may know when that time would come next?

Crossposted at PROCINCT and Unified Patriots.

Having no opinion on the matter coming into the meeting, I was quickly persuaded to join those advocating for a convention-style nomination process.  Considering the relatively brief period between the primary date set for Virginia and the generals, it would have made more sense to hold a convention in, say, May.  This would allow the nominees to save money and time to build credibility in their districts (whatever they look like after final redistricting).  Secondly, a convention would make selecting conservatives much easier.  As is with several other states, the Commonwealth of Virginia holds open primaries.  While proponents of the primary chuckled off the “myth” that democrats cross the line to vote in Republican primaries, the potential for democrats to choose our candidates was enough for me to support a convention.  Conventions have proven fruitful for Virginia conservatives, as our current governor, lieutenant governor, and state attorney general were selected in the 2008 Virginia Republican Convention.  Third, and probably most salient point for me, as a voting member of the FCRC, is the purpose of having a committee in the first place!  If it did not provide endorsements, the FCRC would be totally useless if it failed to hold a convention.  Why do I bother paying my membership dues if I’m going to give away my influence to those who don’t?  Seems like a sucker’s game to me.  This is a critical election cycle in Virginia.  We have virtually every seat up for grabs.  We will require a pretty heavy turnout in November in order to claim the State Senate – not to mention the school board and the county board of supervisors.   

Further, is the fact that a primary is wholly unnecessary for the majority of the countywide races!  There is one race which is loaded with a good crop of conservative candidates all vying to unseat Dave Marsden (S – 37, this is Ken Kucinelli’s former State Senate seat).  The only other contested race (that I am initamately aware of) is for Fairfax County Sheriff – which pits an elderly veteran of the NYPD/Secret Service/FBI against a young, recently retired 23 year veteran of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Department. 

As a veteran of the military service, who – while deployed – did not take part in the 2008 presidential primary, I was particularly put off by the mother of serviceman now in Afghanistan.  She made a compelling argument in favor of the primary, stating that her son is Afghanistan protecting democracy.  Of course he wouldn’t be able to participate in a silly convention, but could cast an absentee ballot in a primary.  I’m not sure what her soldier-son would have thought about his service being interjected into this debate, but it struck me as rather odd.  While her story rubbed me the wrong way, the committee president also voiced his opposition to a convention – sited financial concerns to facilitate a convention – that probably persuaded those on the fence.

As disappointed as I am in result, I will work my butt off to get conservatives elected in my district, county, and state.

Crossposted at Unified Patriots

Will abortion protesters refuse to give him honorary degrees there, too?

It only gets worse from there…

Will anyone simply let the President of the United States speak at a college graduation ceremony this year without getting so obnoxious? Jesus.

The magnanimous author, Jim Newell, who wrote this gem in defense of the One’s teleprompter use and this stunning expose of Virginia GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell, goes on to say to credit (ahem, undermine) the USNA’s Midgies for being adults, unlike those brats at Notre Dame.  Well, I sincerely doubt that President Obama will receive the same welcoming at Annapolis that President GWB received at the US Air Force Academy.  However, I have the shinking feeling that the Cadets will probably treat President Obama with more respect than those brats at Miami-Dade College  (For some reason I was not able to embed the video, if someone wants to edit my posting to hook it up, please do so…  Air Force Academy video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2_xftZ-Yl4 , Miami-Dade video http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=bush+address+at+annapolis&hl=en&emb=0&aq=-1&oq=#q=bush+commencement+protests&hl=en&emb=0.  Thanks).

You can call NBC 4 at (202) 885 4000, but good luck speeching with Mr. Newell or the editorial staff.

While they are talking about how wonderful this $21 billion will be, it reminds me of the stupidity of saving money by eliminating a program (D.C. vouchers) that costs the federal govt $8,000 per student in order to funnel them into the public schools, where it costs $14,000 per student.

Apparently the messiah said that he will hire 800 IRS agents to accomplish this. At a peasy salary of $50,000 per agent (which I think is a ridiculously low estimate), that would cost $40 million. Unless I am not hearing correctly, the messiah believes that is a pretty hefty sum. If you double the cost per agent, that means that you would get $262 per dollar invested (or should I say, “speculated.”) That does not take into account that, after 20 years, you then pick up the cost of govt retirement.

That would be a pretty good rate of return, if this enforcement went as smoothly as is envisioned. But, to move beyond stage 1 . . .

I assume that the estimate of tax revenue generated would be assuming that you catch EVERYTHING. We know that that is uncertain, as that is the whole idea behind this new program–getting revenue that is missed. We also know that it is in the interests of those who calculate the figures.

If they are able to add 80% of the tax revenue, that means that, at $100,000 per agent (starting salary for a newbie would be about $51,000; add benefits and assume that most will not be 21 year olds coming on board), the program will generate $165 per $1 spent in salary. Seems impressive, but we have already lost about $5 billion per year.

But what about the losses from companies that will change the way that they do business in order to avoid paying the extra taxes? I have a feeling that that might be in the trillions.

And let’s not forget–while libs and lefties LOVE the idea that this revenue digs into those evil things called profits, basically extra taxes get passed on to the consumer.

So . . . while this seems to placate our desire to get back at these CEO villains, are we really interested in taking the chance that this pursuit of tax revenue may actually COST us?

The Alliance for Change candidate, Ricardo Martinelli, won in a landslide against the leftist governing party candidate Balbina Herrera. 

A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Martinelli is the owner of the largest supermarket chain in Panama.

While Martinelli’s political creditentials are sparse, the conservative brand was wildly popular among Panamanians young and old.  Along the campaign trail, Martinelli pledged to shrink the Panamanian government, cut taxes to encourage private sector growth, and build upon free trade agreements with partners in Europe and United States.

Conservatives should take note of this tremendous victory.  In a region where devout leftists are nationalizing everything in sight, Panama has a elected a center-right president and a new coalition of center-right/conservative legislative branch. 

Now this is the Change we can believe in!

Inspired by his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the Americas Summit, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez declared on Sunday that Venezuelan socialism has begun to reach the United States under the Obama administration.  

“I am coming back from Trinidad and Tobago, from the Americas Summit where, without a doubt, the position that Venezuela and its government has always defended, especially starting 10 years ago, of resistance, dignity, sovereignty and independence has obtained in Port of Spain, one of the biggest victories of our history,” Chavez said. 

“It would seem that the changes that started in Venezuela in the last decade of the 20th century have begun to reach North America,” he added.

Thanks!

On future federal holidays, like Erf Day, the Prez should stay in the White House with no electricity and concentrate on controlling his breathing so as to limit his carbon emissions.

Cheers!

I see a real problem here–the idea that the government should regulate businesses based on their values is being thrown around with no regard for whether or not it is right (not to mention Constitutional).

Pathetic.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr, noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble- rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn’t fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn’t. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4Th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It’s not much to ask for the price they paid.