Nov 23, 2008

What about George?


George W. Bush, “W”, is just a few short weeks out from leaving office. He will likely leave as an unpopular President among people; even die-hard Republicans have found it hard to stand by George during the last year or so. Fortunately, George Bush has not wavered even when the American people have.

Don’t agree; don’t think you or other American’s have wavered? Consider this, after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, W told us that the fight would be long against Terrorism. He never promised a “quick” or “neat” little war. He said it would be a long fight. He said we could not stand by and allow 9-11 to go without a response. America agreed. America was furious. Flags went up everywhere. Senators and Representatives stood up together and supported W to form Homeland Security, go to war, provide funding for war, and pour money into military and defense areas neglected for years since Reagan left office. Everyone loved W. In fact, he was so loved that he was elected to a second term! Then the war went on, and on, and on. Mistakes were made (that happens at all levels in war, hindsight is 20/20). People got tired of the war on terrorism. It was unpopular and the fact is good people died. America wavered on support for the war effort. Suddenly W wasn’t popular anymore and neither was the fight against terrorism. Kinda reminds a person of the country song “Have You Forgotten”, doesn’t it? W didn’t forget. He has remained confident and supportive of our military and the fight against the terrorist. If you still don’t think Americans wavered, then check the polls.

I can see that George Bush has had positive outcomes for our country. Let’s look at a list of things he has accomplished as President for you and me:

Passing the Patriot Act
Starting Homeland Security
50 Million people + have been freed from Taliban and Hussein
Some of the lowest unemployment rates
Tax Relief Funds (did you really cash that check George pushed for?)
15 billion dollars to fight Aids
Education Reform
Health Savings Accounts (yeah, the one you use at work, George again)
Signed legislation to fight Global Warming (move over Al, George signed it)
Pushed for Social Security Reform (wait, the Dems didn’t want that…then)
Pushed Central American Free Trade
Pushed Energy Bills

The bottom line, history has yet to judge George W. Bush. American’s are doing so in the polls each day, but in the end historians will review, study, and write the books that will become the textbooks of the future generations. W was not perfect, and he made mistakes. At least he can say he was never caught with his pants down while smoking a cigar.

Nov 20, 2008

Can Jindal Rekindle GOP?


He's young, born in 1971. He's smart, accepted to Harvard Medical School and Yale Law School. He's been to Washington, served U.S. House from 2005-2008. He's an American, even adopted the name Bobby from The Brady Bunch.

The question to consider though, is can he rekindle the GOP? He was one of the top choices for the VP slot with McCain, but openly turned it down. Now there is speculation that he may target the White House in 2012 (I know O isn't even in yet).

Perhaps one of the most important aspects about Jindal is that he showed he can govern. During Hurricane Gustav, he is credited with "one of the largest and smoothest evacuations in U.S. history in late August 2008 prior to the Louisiana landfall of Hurricane Gustav" according to Wikipedia.com. He cancelled his speech at the Republican Convention to focus on the people and their evacuation in his home state. The man passed up the chance to have the national spotlight and a place on center stage so that he could take care of the people of his state. Let me repeat that again, he passed up national exposure to focus on people. Governor Jindal focused on people at a time when any other politician would have let his subordinates work out the details while the GOP had a party. This says something about the man. It says something about his commitment to people. Most importantly, it says something about his commitment to the people who elected him.

Bottom line it here friends. We want leaders who listen to us, fight for us, and provide a positive government. That's why many of you reading this are likely Republicans at heart already. You believe in the grass roots, you've looked at the list of things the Republican Party stands for and you want to stand with the party. Remember, making the right choice will not always be popular. To me, it sounds like Governor Jindal is a very likely candidate for the Republican nomination of President in 2012. I'm not saying that I would endorse him, his plan is yet to be seen. But if we are going to turn the party around, we need men and women like Jindal in as front runners for our party. Only when the American people see that we have their interest at heart, will we return to the glory days of Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Reagan. Think about it, our next Reagan may be a governor with the adopted name of Bobby and a real name I wouldn't dare attempt to spell or say, but it is not about the name of the person running for office, it's about the person.

Nov 14, 2008

What About Palin?


So what about Palin? What happens now that the drive for the White House is over? There will be a strong desire among some Republicans to dismiss her, to toss her out and leave her to the backwoods of Alaska, and to forget about the the girl that reminded everyone of their next door neighbor. That would be a tragic mistake by the party.

We need people like Gov. Palin to bring the image of the Republican party back into alignment with that of the American people. If you remember Reagan, then you know that one of the main things he was able to do was to identify with the American people. He looked like everyone's grandfather, he acted like everyone's best friend, and when he set his jaw in stone telling the USSR that we would not back down, he looked like everyone's image of a tough American. The fact is, Reagan was all of that. But we're not here to praise Reagan other than to say that he represented the party to the people as one of the people. That is what Gov. Palin does.

First, she is a family woman and a leader. This goes back to some of the issues that we pushed for in the early days of the party. Remember, it was the Republican party that gave women the right to vote. The Republican party pushes for family values and we push a dominant anti-abortion stance. She is a family woman and she is against abortion to the point that she would not abort a child with disabilities even though she knew her child would be born disabled. Sarah Palin is a Republican woman 100% and she represents a younger generation that will come to vote in the near future.

Second, Sarah is real. How many previous people running for VP of the United States can you remember ever winking at you from the television during a debate? I don't remember a single one. As I watched her motions and answers during that debate, I felt connected, I felt like she was someone I knew. She was able to reach out from the confines of stoic Washington types and appear to be my neighbor. This is powerful and important. Powerful because it makes a connection to people. Important because, to be frank, we have lost that ability as a party to make contact with people.

Finally, Sarah Palin can reach across the lines of the political front in ways that other have not been able to do in the past. She has taken on corrupt members of the Republican party (no, the party is not perfect) and she did not back down just because they were fellow Republicans. That move alone could have put her outside all the major circles she needed to be involved in to be a represenative of the party.

So don't count Gov. Sarah Palin out. Whether she runs for the Senate, Congress, or even the office of President again, we need to pledge our support and follow her example. Only by reaching out to the American people once again will we ever regain their support and their votes needed to push the outstanding party forward. Yes, we need to thank Gov. Sarah Palin for being Sarah, a real person in an often too fabricated world.

Nov 11, 2008

Taking a Beating

Well friends, we have taken a beating and it should remind us of the need to take a step back, rethink, rebuild, and regroup. So, how do we do all this? It's really simple. The first thing we must do is simply take a step back and look. We lost on several fronts from the Presidential race down to state and local levels. That's huge. But we have time (at least four years) to stay back and figure out a new strategy to ensure the party rebuilds.

So, first as stated, just step back and take a deep breath. Second, rethink. Why did we have such a huge defeat. Here comes the "duh" factor. Look way back to 1980, what was going on? The economy was in the toilet, gas was out of sight, we had Americans being held in a foreign land. In the end, it cost Jimmy Carter a second term and placed the GOP firmly in the hands of Ronald Reagan. He rebuilt our economy, country, and defeated the USSR. It was all about timing. It was not our time. The economy is not George Bush's fault, it's not any member of the GOP's fault. It happened and we happened to be in control when it did.

Third is both rebuild and regroup. We have to look to leaders and young alike to bring the party back into focus. We do that through fund raisers, and talking to people. We have the share the vision of the GOP with others and we have to point out when the D's do something bad. We have to pounce. We don't have to have the "I told you so" syndrome, but it doesn't hurt to say, "Wow, look what happened now. I wonder how the D's will explain this to us. I wonder if it's their fault. Hey, can't be ours, we're not in power." Those gentle little reminders will help us rebuild the faith that America should have in the GOP. Once the party is rebuilt, then we need to regroup. Young people need to step up and run for office. It doesn't matter what office it is, just run. In my state, the entire D group from local senators, to congressional folks ran without GOP opposition. Hear me again here, all of them ran without opposition from the GOP. The Green party had folks up for the vote, but we didn't. I hope and pray that someday I'll be able to represent the GOP and ensure that we have a fighting chance against the D Party.

Again, slowly rebuild the party, regroup and we will have solid people ready to lead. We already have the people ready to fight. Remember one thing, John McCain got well over 50,000,000 votes. Sounds like to me we already have a good base to rebuild with. Let's just do it.

Nov 10, 2008

A time to stand

John McCain has sent an e-mail to supporters urging them to stand. He has reminded us that "It ain't over, til it's over," and that is sound advice. We must get out and vote. Those in the key battleground states must go to the polls. Do your early voting, stand in line, take time off from work, use your lunch hour, go after work and just vote. It's tough, you want to get home, take care of your family and you may just find it a little hard in those final hours of the day to vote. Consider this, what if John does not win your state and it's only by one vote? What if your state is the state to push the battle over the top? We need John McCain now more than ever. I believe that God has held John McCain back for this one moment, and this one time. This moment and time is when America needs a hero. I want my kids to look up to the President and say, "That's John McCain, an American Hero and he's my President." BO (sorry, had to use that) is pushing in all corners. If we do not unite, support and vote, then come next morning, we will face a country on the verge of four years of hardship. Let me repeat that... We will be a country facing four years of hardship. Four years of new taxes, four years of spreading the wealth around, four years social programs not designed to help those in need...no, these social programs will be designed to help those who have no drive, no desire, no willingness to strive for a better life. I'm not a rich Republican, but I do have a small business and I support a small church in a democrat controlled state. Just across the line from my state is a state controlled by our party. Guess what? In my state the church pays tax on everything except the worship building. In the Republican controlled state a church pays no tax. That's right zip, none, no tax on land, vans, phones, water, electricity, items purchased for the church etc. My business has grown in, yes... you guessed it, a Republican controlled state. Believe me, this is a small, small business I have, yet it has grown and my family has seen and increase in being "better off". So, join John McCain. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican reading this, you need to join John McCain. We face a scary future, let's not make it scarier with the wrong man. Let's have a real American Hero in the highest office of this land. Stand up now and take the time, or later will be too late!

Why Polls Don't Matter

Polls are taken for everything under the sun. There have been polls to prove whether New Coke or Old Coke was the best, there have been polls to show how popular a President is, and so on and so on. There is one major problem with polls...they fail. Consider New Coke and Old Coke. Everything indicated that the New Coke would be loved by consumers. It failed and within a short time Old Coke was back on the market! Consider the polls concerning our President Bush. He's up, then he's down, then he's back up again. Despite the ups and downs, President Bush is a two term President. Oh, and it's not restricted to our party. Remember the polls concerning Clinton? He was up and down and still a two term President also. So what about these current polls concerning McCain and Obama? Obama was 7 points ahead, then 6 points ahead, and finally today reports indicate that he is only 5 points ahead. At that rate, Obama will be behind in the polls on election day! The bottom line is it doesn't matter. I found a poll on AOL the other day that indicated that McCain currently carries 42 out of 50 states! According to that AOL poll, McCain will win big!
I believe that John McCain has the ability and the drive to lead our nation forward and to rebuild the economy like it needs to be. Voters everywhere must not depend on polls to guide the vote. The best thing anyone can do for the future is to cast a vote for McCain on election day and ignore the polls. As they say, "It ain't over until it's over baby." Forget the polls, get the word out... We need John McCain now more than ever before!

A Vote For Hall

I recently stumbled across Dwayne Hall's website thanks to GOP.com. He can be found at voteforhall.com. As a result, I met not only a fellow Republican, but also a good man running for the city board here in Texarkana, Arkansas. In speaking with Dwayne, I found he is committed to bringing positive leadership to our city board and he is committed to the values he has learned from his church, our nation, and the Boy Scouts of America. I had a few moments to talk with Dwayne’s mother and I found the place where Dwayne’s foundation was made. His mother was friendly, open about her son’s abilities, and committed to supporting her son in his drive to join the city board. Dwayne recently held a neighborhood block party in the Ward he plans to serve. There was music, food, and a lot of “getting to know” Dwayne time. The Republican Party needs men like Dwayne to step up and take the reigns of leadership. It is very apparent that Dwayne Hall is ready, willing, and committed to serving his community. I see this man rapidly climbing the political arena and bringing positive reform and leadership to the community of Texarkana, Arkansas. Http://www.voteforhall.com
Remember to vote for Hall!

Bumper Stickers and Trash Cans

Let's face the facts, many people hate putting bumper stickers on their cars. Now we all know that we are more than willing to do this for John McCain and the GOP, but there are alternatives for those not willing to become traveling billboards for our next President. Consider for a moment an idea I heard about here in Miller County, Arkansas. Bumper stickers are cheap or free in many GOP groups, so why not use them in a unique way? Put them on the sides of your trash can. Each week your garbage collector will see the stickers, people driving by will see them, and you will be promoting John McCain for President without touching your car! I just finished pasting all three of my cans with McCain & Palin stickers a few moments ago and I'm proud. First, there are different garbage collectors on different days in my area, second my cans are kept out in the alley area where people see them all the time, third I have a lot of traffic on my street, and finally long after John McCain is the next President people will know I supported him now!
So, the theme here is post your bumper stickers everywhere. Your lunch box, your trash can, your boat, your fence, your windows, your folders, your briefcases, your tackle boxes, your hunting gear, your old yard sale signs, your computer, your desk chair backs, your desk, your toolbox, and yes... even your car! Get the word out!

John McCain Takes a Stand

"Country First" is his slogan and John McCain once again proves that this is a slogan not only for a political cause, but for him as a person. He has suspended his drive for the White House to address the nation's credit crunch. He is not going to be at the debate unless a solution is found to the current problem. Country First, I believe it! John McCain his putting his country first, he is putting us first and stepping up with plans to present, willing to work out the details on those plans, and willing to work with both parties for (now get this) his country and the people of his country. This means that John McCain, as he has said before, would rather do what is right than win a political battle. It's time we spread the word, and let others know that John McCain stands up for America. We would be fools not to support an American Hero who is still fighting for America at 73 years old. I've said it before and I will say it again, John McCain is a real American Hero.
Spread the word on what John McCain is willing to do for us even before he is elected to the office!

John McCain - American Hero

Still undecided? I was too for a short time, but then I considered the options and weighed my choices. John McCain is the man we need for President of the United States. Still unconvinced? Let’s consider the following things: John McCain has fought in a war = we are currently at war with terrorist around the world. Like it or not, agree or not, terrorist attacked the United States and we are in a war. Period. John McCain knows what our people are going through when they are shot at, captured, tortured, and he’s even lost friends to war. His own son serves our country now, as John did years ago. John McCain is a deceive leader = He has made hard decisions, decisions that could cost him elections. He has made those stands when others want to dance around the issues and “walk a line” that is more talk than action. We need leaders of action and John McCain fits the bill John McCain is an American Hero = John Wayne has been noted to be an American hero, but he never fought in a single war (he played in movies during his big war). John McCain not only served in war, but he has served his country in office and continues to do so to this day. Yes, he is 73 years young. He has the money to retire, he has the ability to sit back on a beach somewhere and watch the waves come in. When most Americans are reaching for retirement at 62 to 67, John McCain is reaching for a new job at 73! Yes, John McCain is an American Hero. John McCain believes in the future of America = He selected a VP representing a new generation of politicians. Further to the point, he selected a VP who is a mom, a regular person made good, and a person on the political rise not afraid to take on corruption no matter what the party behind the corruption is. John McCain is looking forward, not backward. He is looking to raise up the next president behind him (Maybe BO was looking for a daddy figure). Still undecided? Look at John McCain. Line up the two running for President of the United States. Who does America need right now? America needs a Hero and John McCain is an American hero!

Time for a new Ship!

People are jumping ship from the Democratic Party left and right. The key here is doing what is “right”. I am one of those who have jumped ship and the reasons on the list are long. Don’t get me wrong, I still have many friends within the Democratic Party, but the fact is I can no longer support a party with values so opposite of my own. I grew up a Democrat from a strong Democratic family. As far as I can remember, Democratic candidates illuminated my home front life. Names like Clinton, Mondale, Carter, and Dukakis filled our family discussions. In the end though, I found myself agreeing with such leaders as Teddy Roosevelt, George H. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, and Abraham Lincoln. I found the views of the Republican Party on Faith, faith based programs, strong anti-abortion stands, and family first drawing nearer to my heart. In the end, it’s hard to put a finger on the single reason that I’m a Republican now. I continue to read the literature, review the voting records, and review the stands of Republican leaders and I find very few areas where I disagree. I am a husband, a father, a friend, a Christian, a pastor, an employee, a business owner, and yes, a Republican.

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The articles posted here were previously posted on the GOP website under http://cablewriter.gop.com/? and may be viewed there also.