Wow! It’s already August and the 2010 election cycle is already beginning. With your help and support, we are optimistic that 2010 can be a significant year for liberty-loving Americans.
Republican Liberty Caucus activists are working to charter new state affiliates of the organization in Connecticut, Illinois, Nevada, and Wisconsin. If the Illinois and Wisconsin affiliates are chartered, the entire Midwest region (minus Ohio, which still is inactive) will have vibrant and active Republican Liberty Caucus affiliates.
After losing the 2006 and 2008 elections, our fellow Republicans are beginning to awaken. A bold new vision and a different caliber of leaders are needed to propel the Republican Party forward. The Republican Party’s new brand if we are to be successful should include America’s core principles of a fervent protection of individual liberties and free-markets and a return to constitutionally limited government.
As you well know, these are the principles that made America great.
There has been an influx of RLC-endorsed candidates in 2009 and we suspect there will be many principled, pro-liberty Republican candidates on the horizon in 2010.
If you know of a candidate worthy of the RLC’s support, please review our endorsement guidelines or contact the Endorsements Director.
This newsletter outlines the latest news from the Republican Liberty Caucus and explains the many ways that you can become involved in our efforts to preserve our liberties and change the direction of the Republican Party.
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Republican Liberty Caucus News
California, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Nebraska RLC Affiliates Hosting State Conventions
RLC affiliates in California, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Nebraska will soon be holding their annual conventions.
· California RLC Convention: September 26 in Indian Wells. E-mail Matthew for additional information.
· Maryland RLC Convention: September. E-mail John for additional information.
· Massachusetts RLC Convention: August 8 in Worcester. RSVP on Facebook or e-mail Brad for details.
· Nebraska RLC Convention: August 15 in Aurora. A RSVP is required by TOMORROW. E-mail Laura for additional information.
Republican National Committee member and former Senate candidate Pete Ricketts (pictured, left) will be speaking at the Nebraska RLC Convention on August 15 in Aurora.
Please register (.pdf) to attend today.
Join the Republican Liberty Caucus on Yahoo and Facebook
With members scattered throughout the country, the best way for Republican Liberty Caucus activists to communicate is via Internet eGroups such as the groups offered by Yahoo! and Facebook.
The Yahoo! group format empowers RLC members to discuss pertinent issues and events that facilitates activism in the states. The Facebook platform provides the RLC with a valuable way to communicate with its members and supporters.
The best way to stay up-to-date with events and activism in your state is to join your state’s eGroup and Facebook group. A list of all RLC groups is available at the main Republican Liberty Caucus Facebook group.
Subscribers to our Facebook groups include representatives of the Advocates for Self-Government, Cato Institute, Liberty Coalition, Gun Owners of America, Marijuana Policy Project, as well as many other pro-liberty groups.
The RLC National Convention took place in Jacksonville, Florida from March 27-29, 2009. The Northeast Florida RLC did a fabulous job hosting the Convention. A report and some photos from the Convention are also available online.
Change Your Facebook Profile’s “Political Views” to read “Republican Liberty Caucus”
One technique we encourage you to use in your efforts to promote the RLC and educate your friends is to change your Facebook profile to read “Republican Liberty Caucus” under “Political Views.”
To change your Facebook profile, simply log in to Facebook, click on “Profile”, click “Info”, and then edit the section of the profile called “Political Views”.
Type in Republican Liberty Caucus so that curious or ill-informed acquaintances can discover that there is a coalition of liberty-loving Americans working to reform the Republican Party.
RLC Convention Videos Released
At the RLC’s YouTube page, you can now watch the entirety of the 2009 Republican Liberty Caucus National Convention online. The Convention videos feature some instructive panels about how to win elections and how to succeed in local politics — very useful information for local activists who need to market our message of liberty.
RLC Reaches Out at Young Republicans National Convention
In July, RLC members from the Indiana and Missouri RLC affiliates attended the Young Republicans Convention in Indianapolis to spread the message of individual liberty and limited government.
RLC members Rob and Karen Hillman and Charlie Kochenash hosted a Republican Liberty Caucus booth at the YR Convention. We are thankful to Rob, Karen, and Charlie for their great efforts!
If you are a student interested in becoming involved in the RLC, please join our Facebook group and eGroup for students and young professionals.
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Here’s your chance to get involved in the RLC!
RLC Seeks National Secretary!
The Republican Liberty Caucus is seeking a member-volunteer to become Secretary of the Caucus.
Responsibilities of the Secretary position (from the RLC’s by-laws): “The Secretary shall record and distribute the minutes of all Board meetings (once per month) and Conventions (once every two years), certify Delegates, conduct such ballots as the Board may direct, and act as Parliamentarian for all official business of the Caucus. The Secretary shall serve as Director of the Communications and Public Relations Committee.”
The qualifications for the job: “… shall have been Regular members of the Caucus for at least one year prior to their nomination.”
This is an excellent opportunity to become involved in our movement. If you are interested, contact Dave Nalle.
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Returning our party and country to principle!
RLC Issue Spotlight: Health Care
With health care reform a major topic over the summer Does this man know more about health care than your doctor?months, the RLC featured two op-eds from RLC Advisors at the RLC blog. The op-eds focus on the problem with the Democrat plan and how to effectively reform the status quo health care system.
Specifically:
· Congressman Ron Paul discusses how a government takeover of health care will cause increased costs and decreased quality care. He says health care is “a good, not a right.” Read the full article at the RLC blog.
· Former Wisconsin State Representative Terri McCormick reveals that the health care bill in Congress says that “all private insurance plans must look like public plans” in a period of just five years after the bill’s passage. She makes recommendations to lawmakers based on her experience as Chair of the Health Care Cost Partnerships Committee in the Wisconsin Assembly. Read the full article at the RLC blog.
Peter Schiff Articulates Republican Liberty Caucus Strategy, Nears Run for Senate vs. Chris Dodd (D-CT)
Since 1991, the Republican Liberty Caucus has existed as a small but fervent caucus within the Republican Party. From 2006 to now, the caucus has continued to grow in numbers and influence to the point that we are increasingly having an impact on internal Party politics — including both party elections and general elections.
When a then-relatively obscure Congressman from rural Texas announced his bid for President as a Republican in January of 2007, the Congressman first approached the Republican Liberty Caucus for support. Of course, that Congressman was Ron Paul. The RLC gave him as much support as it could muster.
Dr. Paul’s campaign gained momentum (primarily through the Presidential debates) when he was able to differentiate himself from the others running through his consistent message of reduced government and restoration of our rapidly disappearing individual freedoms.
Contrast is a valuable element in any campaign, and Dr. Paul’s stark contrast to the “rest of the pack” lit a fire in the hearts of liberty-loving Americans to join this important movement for a free America.
In May, financial expert Peter Schiff addressed attendees at the Libertarian Party of Connecticut State Convention.
Mr. Schiff eloquently explained the Republican Liberty Caucus strategy and urged the audience to find liberty-loving Republican candidates to support.PeterS
View the video of Mr. Schiff’s speech.
Now, Peter Schiff is considering running for U.S. Senate against Christopher Dodd (D-CT) in Connecticut. Should select to run, he will need to fend off at least two Republican primary challengers — one from the religious right and another from the centrist wing of the Party. The centrist candidate is former Congressman Rob Simmons, who has both the backing of the establishment and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
The RLC is encouraging you to donate to Mr. Schiff’s bid for Senate. Mr. Schiff will decide in the next two weeks if he will run, based on your support of his candidacy. If you donate and he does not run, your money will be refunded.
If you’re a Republican in Connecticut who wishes to help the Republican Liberty Caucus of Connecticut support Peter Schiff’s prospective candidacy, please contact Aaron today.
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August Republican Liberty Caucus Events
Indianapolis (Marion County) RLC Meeting – August 2
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125132005792
Wisconsin RLC Conference Call with Terri McCormick – August 2
8:30 pm Central time: dial 219-509-8222 and use the pass code *998278
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108912444652
Palm Beach County (Florida) RLC Meeting – August 5
RSVP at http://rlc.meetup.com/86/calendar/10783254/
Massachusetts RLC Organizing Meeting – August 8
In conjunction with the Campaign for Liberty event
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=99106017915&ref=ts
Travis County (Texas) RLC Meeting – August 8
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=71850065130
Nebraska RLC Convention – August 15
Registration deadline soon!
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=83288837545
Bexar County (Texas) RLC Meeting – August 22
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=101735632534
Do you have an event submission or additional newsletter content suggestion or recommendation? Contact Aaron.
