Founded in 1991, the Republican Liberty Caucus works to advance the principles of limited government, free markets and individual liberty within the Republican Party.

Michael Steele and the RLC

By pblumel - February 4, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Filed under GOP Party , News

Last month, the Republican National Committee elected its new chairman, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele.  We know Steele primarily through his run for the open Maryland Senate seat after the retirement of Sen. Paul Sarbanes and his stint as top dog of GOPAC.

But does Steele know us, the RLC?

RLCer Steven Talcott Smith with Michael Steele

Yes, he does. Wearing his GOPAC hat, Steele attended the 2007 Young Republicans National Convention July 4 weekend in Hollywood, Florida, where the RLC was a Governor’s Level sponsor. Steele dropped by the RLC outreach table, chatted with RLCers and was greeted by a gauntlet of Ron Paul supporters waving signs outside the convention.  U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) is a former national chairman of the RLC.

For the length of the convention, RLC members manned an outreach table utilizing the World’s Smallest Political Quiz as a way to identify libertarian-leaning YRs as prospects for RLC membership. Those who scored in the ‘libertarian’ quadrant received follow-up letters. The RLC also distributed hundreds of the RLC tri-fold brochure and materials generously donated by the Atlas Society and the Reason Foundation.

The convention was attended by many RLC members and alumni including Lisa Bullion, Steven Burden, Jeff Palmer, Jeff Odgis, Steven Talcott Smith, Alan Turin, Philip Blumel, Ethel Rowland, Laura Kotelman, Ernie Martinez, and Dan McDaniel. Over 600 folks attended the convention.

The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect official positions of the RLC.
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  • Martin Farrell

    The Republican Party has crossed the isle to many times in an effort to work with the opposition. This became evident especially during the presidential election, as McCain constantly reminded us all of his ability to do so.
    Few Americans realize their personal liberties, guaranteed by our constitution are aggressively under attack by the far left and our ever expanding Federal Government. It is imperative that we aggressively spread the word about the “State Sovereignty Movement” and establish the Republican Party as the leader in retaining these fundamental rights.
    It is appalling to realize how poorly educated our fellow citizens, how their minds and bodies have become addicted to the concept that only a larger socialistic Federal Government can resolve both their personal and economic problems.
    I personally have spoken to numerous friends, family members and fellow employees and was surprised how little they know of Madison, Jefferson, Adams and the fundamental rights we enjoy as Americans. It is shocking to discover how few have even read the constitution, never mind the numerous letters and comments of our founding fathers.
    Madison
    “”The powers delegated to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the state governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, [such] as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce. The powers reserved to the several states will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people.”
    The “Tree of Liberty” letter
    From Thomas Jefferson to William Smith
    Paris, November 13, 1787
    “We have had 13. states independent 11. years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century & a half for each state. What country before ever existed a century & a half without a rebellion? & what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon & pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it’s natural manure.”

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