Monday, Jan. 17 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day so most people will have off from work. It also is the 2011 Virginia Tea Party Lobbying/Rally Day at the Capitol in Richmond.

Those of us in Northern VA are planning a carpool down to Richmond; contact Aaron to ride-share. There will be at least one car departing from Charlottesville; contact Steven to participate in the ride-share. The northern VA group will meet with the Central Virginia RLC group and other interested members/supporters from across the state on Monday morning at 8:45am. If you are planning to attend this event, let us know.

Our goals will be:
1. To meet other RLC members from across the state of Virginia.
2. To gather as a group to show a united front for individual liberty and limited government.
3. To hand out 2011 RLC Convention flyers and general RLC flyers (supplied by the Central Virginia RLC) to prospective members/supporters.
4. To talk to legislators about issues in the coming legislative session.
5. To listen to speakers, learn, educate, and mobilize.

VIRGINIA RLC 2011 LOBBY DAY AGENDA
7:15am – Northern Virginia Contingent Departs
8:45 - 9:30am – Virginia RLC Meeting at 821 Cafe
9:45 – 11am – Lobbying Legislators at Capitol (RLC members break out into small groups)
11am to 1pm – RLC Group Lunch (with various discounted options available)
1 to 2pm – Rally in front of Capitol Bell Tower
2pm – 4pm – Reception w/ Tea Party groups/legislators at Sam Miller’s Restaurant
4 – 4:30pm – Depart Richmond

Confirmed Rally Speakers:
• Parke West, Just Liberty – Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance
• Angie Parker, CoLA Committee VTPP
• John Taylor, Tertium Quids
• Donna Holt, Va Campaign for Liberty
• Bob Shoemaker, ANCIR
• Keynote: Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli

Click to view a summary of the Coalition Freedom Bills 2011.

Parking will be free because it is a federal holiday.

You may also RSVP to our event on Facebook. Please let us know if you plan to attend.

Health Care’s Individual Mandate Struck Down Thanks to RLC Endorsed Attorney General

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli did not have to battle on the issue of health care. He could have taken the easy path and simply focused on other issues. Instead he decided to put principle first and filed suit against the federal government’s individual mandate that forces Americans to purchase a product.

The Virginia legislature and the Tea Party also deserve credit because the Health Care Freedom Act they passed in anticipation of the Obama health law gave Cuccinelli grounds to file the suit.

Today U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson ruled that the individual health insurance mandate “exceeds the constitutional boundaries of Congressional power” and it’s ultimately “about an individual’s right to choose to participate.”

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia selected Attorney General Cuccinelli as its only statewide-endorsed candidate in 2009. He has demonstrated why through his continued efforts to uphold the rule of law and protect individual rights.

In 2008, then-State Senator Cuccinelli addressed members of the RLC at a meeting in Fredricksburg, Virginia. You can hear his remarks here, here, here, and here.

For the first time in recent memory, the Republican Liberty Caucus will host an outreach booth at the Conservative Political Action Conference from February 10-12, 2011 in Washington, DC.
The Republican Liberty Caucus National Convention will also occur on February 12, 2011 in nearby Arlington, Virginia — a short metrorail or cab ride from the CPAC location.

We decided to host our Convention on the final day of CPAC to piggyback on the fact that many potential Convention attendees and many likely Convention attendees may already be in town for CPAC.  Interested parties can choose to attend one event — or both.  Most major CPAC events, including the Campaign for Liberty and assorted liberty movement events, will occur on February 10-11, while our Convention will occur on February 12.

This is an excellent opportunity to inform or remind folks that no public policies will change without changing the Republican Party structure and makeup; hence, the RLC’s existence.  “Education” is important, but “action” is also necessary.

If you’re planning to attend CPAC, please make sure to stop by the Republican Liberty Caucus booth and say hello to us!  If you wish to register for CPAC, you can check out the following links:

• Gary Johnson CPAC Packages
• Young Americans for Liberty / C4L CPAC Packages
• CPAC Official Site – Agenda and List of Speakers

Please make sure to register and attend the 2011 RLC National Convention on Saturday, February 12, 2011 in Arlington, VA — the largest gathering of liberty Republicans in the country!

If you would like to volunteer to work the RLC booth at CPAC 2011, please get in touch with us.

Amidst the biggest mid-term shift in party political power since 1938, voters in several states approved propositions related to the Obamacare health law passed earlier this year.

Arizona and Oklahoma voters voted 55 percent and 65 percent, respectively, not to enact the individual mandate contained in the health care law. Seventy-one percent of Missouri voters endorsed an anti-mandate statewide constitutional amendment in August.

State legislatures in Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana and Virginia have all passed laws that would similarly stifle Obamacare by granting citizens freedom of choice in health care.

According to columnist Deroy Murdock, the Republican Party’s conquest of 19 previously Democrat state-representative chambers, 10 full legislatures, and 11 governorships gives state-level Republicans brand-new opportunities to hammer ObamaCare.

Additionally, Republican control of the most state-legislative seats since 1928 could spawn fresh anti-ObamaCare lawsuits beyond the 21 that states have filed. According to national exit polls, 48 percent of voters surveyed want Congress to repeal ObamaCare.

Republican Liberty Caucus chapters in at least nine states will be holding meetings in the coming month. They include:

Alabama: The Alabama RLC affiliate will hold a meeting in the coming weeks. Please contact Stephen Gordon for details.

Arizona: The Arizona RLC affiliate will hold a meeting in the coming weeks. Please contact Ken Rineer for details.

District of Columbia: DC Republican City Council candidates Jim DeMartino (Ward 6) and Tim Day (Ward (5) will present and answer questions at the RLC-DC meeting on Monday, August 30, along with Ward 1 School Board candidate Patrick Mara. The event will take place in the Community Room K at City Vista Condominiums (12th Floor), 475 K Street NW, equidistant from Gallery Place/Chinatown and Mount Vernon Square/Convention Center metros at 7pm. RSVP on Facebook.

Florida: The Florida RLC will have an outreach table, make a short presentation about the RLC and hold an informal RLC update and discussion get-together in conjunction with the Campaign for Liberty’s Summit at the Rosen Centre in Orlando. The informal RLC statewide meeting will be held at 12:30-1:30 pm on Saturday, August 12 at the RLC outreach booth at the Summit. Also, RLCers and friends who are not attending the Saturday night banquet are welcome to join us for dinner offsite, but nearby! Pick up the details at the RLC booth. See you there!

Indiana: The state RLC affiliate will hold its Convention at George’s Neighborhood Grill (6935 Lake Plaza Dr) in Indianapolis on Saturday, September 25. The keynote speaker will be Attorney General Greg Zoeller. RSVP on Facebook.

Maine: The Maine RLC will host its first annual Calvin Coolidge Clambake with John Fund of The Wall Street Journal on Thursday, August 26 in Portland. Learn more at http://www.rlc.org/2010/08/08/maine-rlc-hosts-clambake/.

New York: The RLC will host a kickoff meeting on Tuesday, August 17 at 7pm at the HOUNDSTOOTH PUB (520 8TH AVE – W37 St) in Manhattan. There will be a cash bar and free food. RSVP on Facebook.

Virginia: The Northern Virginia RLC will host a happy hour in Arlington in late August. Contact Mitchell Bemos for details. The Central Virginia RLC will host a meeting on Thursday, August 19 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Isis, Inc. (2727 Enterprise Pkwy, Suite 100) in Richmond, VA. This is the first meeting of the RLCCV following elections of chapter officers. RLCCV will discuss our goals with the RLC and welcome new members and all who are interested in becoming members of the RLCCV. Please RSVP by Thursday, 8/19 at 1pm. RSVP on Facebook.

Utah: An immigration debate hosted by the Utah RLC chapter will occur and will feature key policy leaders in the state. Exact date/location TBA. Contact Julian Babbitt for details.

On Saturday evening, the Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia hosted its annual Convention in Arlington. The featured guest was former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. This was the first RLCVA Convention in northern VA, since the 2009 Convention was held in Richmond.

New Officers include:

George Primbs, Woodbridge: Chair
Steven Latimer, Charlottesville; Vice-Chair
Cindy Trautz, Sterling; Secretary
Cliff Dunn, Newport News; Treasurer

At-Large Board members:
Mitchell Bemos, Arlington
Eric Brescia, Arlington
Christopher David Pille
Rick Sincere, Charlottesville

The RLCVA website is http://www.RLCVA.org/. The Caucus recently endorsed Michael McPadden for Congress in Virginia’s Fifth District. The primary is coming up in June.

Overall, it was a very successful event. Below are some photos from the event.

Gov. Gary Johnson discusses issues with a future candidate.

Members look on during the business session.

Gov. Johnson speaks with Matthew Berry, running for Congress in VA 09.

New Chairman George Primbs (far left) and other members look on during the business session.

Governor Johnson while he was speaking to the audience.

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia has endorsed Michael McPadden’s campaign for Congress in District 5.

The district is vast, conservative, and rural and is currently represented by Thomas Perriello (D). Mr. McPadden is locked in an 8-way primary which will end when Republican primary voters decide who to nominate to face Perriello in November.

Michael McPadden is a leader, a military veteran, and a father. He has been married for 30 years and has a distinguished career. At his website, McPadden explains, “Our campaign has a few core principles that we will never compromise on … Our vision is liberty; Our philosophy is the Declaration of Independence; and our model for government is the Constitution.”

McPadden’s issues page explains that he supports individual liberty, limited government, sound money, and the rule of law. How refreshing!

Former Rep. Virgil Goode, a longtime RLC favorite, would be proud of a candidate like Michael McPadden. The Virginia RLC is, too, so we’re supporting his bid to win the June 8 primary.

MAINE

Republican Liberty Caucus, Maine chapter, will hold a free public information meeting Saturday, April 10, at noon at Portland Airport Hilton Garden Inn, 145 Jetport Access Road off I-95 (Exit 46). The meeting will introduce the national volunteer grassroots movement of libertarian-oriented Republicans and its goals.

The meeting is free. Lunch is optional from the hotel menu. Membership applications will be accepted at the meeting.

Dues-paid members will be eligible to participate in the RLC-ME State Convention on May 7, which will be held in Portland concurrent with the Maine State Republican Committee Convention. Dues-paid members can vote endorsement of a gubernatorial candidate before the primary and for RLC Maine Chapter officers. Dues-paid members are also eligible to attend regional and national RLC conventions.

Local chapters can be formed with a minimum of five dues-paid members who apply to the state executive board. Please attend and learn about this grassroots movement which is independent of any official party committee and committed to individual liberty.

Hilton Garden Inn by the Portland Jet Port
Saturday April 10th 2010
12noon to 2:30 PM
145 Jetport Boulevard, Portland, Maine, USA 04102
RSVP on Facebook

TENNESSEE

It is time for Tennesseans to have our biennial convention to elect officers for 2010. In order for the our group to grow and be effective, we need people willing to commit to the time and energy required to make an impact.

Please mark your calendar for April 24 at Doughhead Pizza (124 Harrison Ln.) in Soddy Daisy. The event will occur from 11am to 1pm.

If you are interested in running for a position, please contact Gregg. The future of the RLCTN depends upon you! You can RSVP to the event on Facebook.

VIRGINIA

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia is hosting former New Mexico Governor Gary E. Johnson on Saturday, May 1 at 4:30pm at Ireland’s Four Courts, which is located less than a block away from the Courthouse Metro Station (Orange Line) in Arlington, VA. Parking in the area is somewhat limited, so please arrive a bit early to allow time to find parking. Ireland’s Four Courts is allowing us to have a private back room for free, so please be prepared to buy some drinks or appetizers (or dinner) to help us support their business.

To help propel our small organization forward, we are requesting a small $10 donation from attendees who are not members of the Republican Liberty Caucus. Those who are members (including out-of-state members) can enter free of charge. RLC dues payment is available at http://www.RLC.org/, or dues can be paid in person on May 1.

We look forward to seeing you there. You can also RSVP to the event on Facebook.

Yesterday, the Board of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia voiced its support of SB 66, a bill which prohibits different types of discrimination in public employment — including discrimination against same-sex attracted workers. The bill defines “sexual orientation” as a person’s actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression.

Several Virginia RLC members have been vocal on the issue, including David Lampo, who penned an op-ed in The Richmond-Times Dispatch, and RLCVA Board member Rick Sincere, who spoke at a press conference organized by Equality Virginia on the bill’s passage.

Said Lampo in his op-ed, “… Republicans could lose it all again if we let our party go back to the culture wars and religious extremism that some in our party seem to relish. Not only must we resist the divisive urges of the more extreme elements of our party; we need to restore the image of our party to one of social tolerance and support for individual liberty, two of the important values it was built on.”

He continued, “One of the ways to do this is to implement a policy of employment nondiscrimination for all government employees, including gays and lesbians. Virginia currently has no statute establishing a statewide policy against discrimination in employment for any public employees.”

Rick Sincere, a longtime RLC member, spoke on the issue:

The RLC received press hits in the Washington Post, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Fredricksburg Free-Lance Star. Governor Bob McDonnell has stated repeatedly that he opposes discrimination in state employment, including discrimination based on sexual orientation — affirming the RLC’s position on the issue.

by Aaron Biterman

I live in Virginia and followed the race of Governor-elect Bob McDonnell fairly closely. An article in Politico last week explains that some Republican Party strategists now believe that they have a winning strategy for 2010.

They’re calling it the McDonnell strategy.

Politico’s Jonathan Martin describes the strategy: “[R]un on economic policy, downplay divisive cultural issues, present an upbeat tone, target independent voters and focus on Democratic-controlled Washington — all without attacking President Barack Obama personally.”

McDonnell is a far-right social conservative, so it only made sense for him to downplay his religious and social views — which (I believe) are far outside of the mainstream. (Although his views probably coincide with many Virginians.)

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to develop a strategy for McDonnell that courts the largest base of the electorate (Independent voters) or, as I said, to downplay his true views on social issues.

Those were obviously successful points in the strategy developed by the McDonnell team.  Another positive point was that Bob McDonnell stayed focused on the issues: transportation, jobs, and budget, mostly.  As Haley Barbour has said, these issues are the issues that Virginians were talking about around the kitchen table.

But, despite victory for McDonnell in Virginia, there’s one base of supporters — and one strategic point — that the McDonnell campaign missed the boat on: Independents and Republicans that have a decisive libertarian streak.

There is an entire base of voters that are tired of politics-as-usual and will only support candidates that will roll back the nation’s deficit — which means voting for no more spending and voting to cut ineffective government programs.

It’s somewhat obvious why McDonnell did not court these voters: Virginia doesn’t have that many of them.

Case in point, Dr. Ron Paul received just five percent of the vote in Virginia’s 2008 Presidential primary, taking around 22,000 votes.  Contrast that total with the second-place finisher, Mike Huckabee, who took 41 percent, or nearly 200,000 votes.

Huckabee, of course, has moderate views on economics, but is socially conservative.  Bob McDonnell is much more of a Huckabee populist than a Ron Paul constitutionalist.

If the Republican Party is going to develop a national strategy to succeed in elections, its candidates should elevate discourse by discussing real political issues — “back to basics” fundamentals that fall under the rubric of constitutionally limited government, individual liberty, free-market economics, and the rule of law.

Candidates that combine these core issues with local concerns (jobs, economy, and even more local issues that vary by state or district) will be more likely to succeed than candidates that follow the populist approach of Bob McDonnell.

The main flaw with the McDonnell strategy is that it appears McDonnell has no principles whatsoever.  So, while he did win an election in a state that had been trending Democrat, Virginians now have a Governor-elect that never outlined his core philosophy of governance.

At a time when most states are facing budget shortages, the unemployment rate continues to climb, and the dollar continues to erode in value, Republican Party candidates that want to win must tell the truth to voters.  Hopefully that truth is their commitment to vote against more spending and to cut waste and redundancy from government.

In the 2006 and 2008 elections, Republicans that were not shy about their belief in limited government were overwhelmingly successful at the polls.

This is evidenced by Ron Paul’s strong showing in state primaries as well as elections in which Tom McClintock (R-CA), Peter Roskam (R-IL), and Paul Broun (R-GA) won races in notable Congressional upsets — in the Midwest, the South, and the Left Coast.

Will the Republican Party adopt Bob McDonnell’s flawed election model in other states?  If it does, Republicans may not succeed.

The best strategy for the Republican Party is to look back to Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater for the healthy dose of skepticism about government’s ability to solve societal problems that once defined the Republican Party — and still defines its core base.

Republican candidates with this philosophy — that government cannot solve all ills in society, nor should it — who have financial support will succeed in 2010.