...Why does this matter? Senator Gregg may have removed his name from consideration because, as the Associated Press notes, "The Commerce Department has jurisdiction over the Census Bureau, and the administration recently took steps to assert greater control.
Additionally, "Republicans have harshly criticized the decision, saying it was an attempt to politicize the once-in-a-decade event. The outcome of the census has deep political implications, since congressional districts are drawn based on population."
Watch here as RNC Chairman Michael Steele explains Gregg's possible reasons from removing himself from consideration and read Gregg's statement below.
Senator Gregg Statement on His Withdrawal for Consideration of U.S. Commerce Secretary
Sen. Gregg stated, “I want to thank the President for nominating me to serve in his Cabinet as Secretary of Commerce. This was a great honor, and I had felt that I could bring some views and ideas that would assist him in governing during this difficult time. I especially admire his willingness to reach across the aisle.
“However, it has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me. Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy.
“Obviously the President requires a team that is fully supportive of all his initiatives.
“I greatly admire President Obama and know our country will benefit from his leadership, but at this time I must withdraw my name from consideration for this position.
“As we move forward, I expect there will be many issues and initiatives where I can and will work to assure the success of the President’s proposals. This will certainly be a goal of mine.
“Kathy and I also want to specifically thank Governor Lynch and Bonnie Newman for their friendship and assistance during this period. In addition we wish to thank all the people, especially in New Hampshire, who have been so kind and generous in their supportive comments.
“As a further matter of clarification, nothing about the vetting process played any role in this decision. I will continue to represent the people of New Hampshire in the United States Senate.”
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Governor Crist’s Civil Rights Roundtable
Governor Charlie Crist held a Civil Rights Roundtable discussion this morning honoring the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The Governor met with leaders of Florida’s African-American community, including Adora Obi Nweze, who will serve as Special Advisor to the Governor on Minority Affairs.
Statement on Lincoln's Bicentennial
Washington, DC–Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer today released the following statement regarding the bicentennial birthday celebration of President Abraham Lincoln:
“As we celebrate the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln, together we remember the man who dedicated his life to ensuring freedom, liberty and justice for all Americans.
“As Republicans, we owe many thanks to President Lincoln. As our nation’s first Republican President, Lincoln founded the Republican Party by establishing concrete principles we still hold dear today. Just as President Lincoln used common goals of ending slavery and preserving the union to bring various factions of the party together to win the Civil War, present day Republicans must stand together behind the values of less taxing, less spending and less government. Today we join the rest of the nation in celebrating President Lincoln’s life and achievements, and we re-commit ourselves as Republicans to his principles.”
“As we celebrate the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln, together we remember the man who dedicated his life to ensuring freedom, liberty and justice for all Americans.
“As Republicans, we owe many thanks to President Lincoln. As our nation’s first Republican President, Lincoln founded the Republican Party by establishing concrete principles we still hold dear today. Just as President Lincoln used common goals of ending slavery and preserving the union to bring various factions of the party together to win the Civil War, present day Republicans must stand together behind the values of less taxing, less spending and less government. Today we join the rest of the nation in celebrating President Lincoln’s life and achievements, and we re-commit ourselves as Republicans to his principles.”
Gov. Jindal gets GOP response slot to Obama's Feb. 24 Congress speech
From the LA Times:
The problem for the new GOP gubernatorial faces is they are not instantly available to the media glare in Washington. The advantage for the new GOP gubernatorial faces is they are not instantly available to the media glare in Washington. And, therefore, they are fresh.
And BJ is nothing but fresh:
The one-time House member abandoned Washington to return home to run his once-locked down, inevitably corrupt Democratic state with his conservative Republican principles, balancing the budget.
He's 37 (roughly half the age of the party's losing presidential candidate last fall), the son of a successful Indian immigrant, with an attractive family, a good speaker.
The problem for the new GOP gubernatorial faces is they are not instantly available to the media glare in Washington. The advantage for the new GOP gubernatorial faces is they are not instantly available to the media glare in Washington. And, therefore, they are fresh.
And BJ is nothing but fresh:
The one-time House member abandoned Washington to return home to run his once-locked down, inevitably corrupt Democratic state with his conservative Republican principles, balancing the budget.
He's 37 (roughly half the age of the party's losing presidential candidate last fall), the son of a successful Indian immigrant, with an attractive family, a good speaker.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Economic Crisis Silver Lining: Everyday Heroes
Thanks to the House Majority Office for bringing this to our attention:
From Politico--
A town hall gets emotional
The Ft. Myers woman who told Obama she was living in her car with her family has reportedly been offered a home. When Obama called on Henrietta Hughes at a packed town hall in Florida, she told him:
"I have an urgent need. ... We need something more than the vehicle and parks to go to. We need our own kitchen and our own bathroom, please help."
Obama hugged Hughes and kissed her on the cheek and told her to talk to his staff after the town hall meeting.
Now MSNBC reports that Florida Rep. Nick Thompson and his wife offered Hughes their second home, rent free, after hearing about her plight.
"Basically, I offered Ms. Hughes and her son the opportunity to stay in my home rent free, for as long as they need to," said Chene Thompson. "I'm not a millionaire, I'm not rich, but this is what I can do for someone if they need it."
From Politico--
A town hall gets emotional
The Ft. Myers woman who told Obama she was living in her car with her family has reportedly been offered a home. When Obama called on Henrietta Hughes at a packed town hall in Florida, she told him:
"I have an urgent need. ... We need something more than the vehicle and parks to go to. We need our own kitchen and our own bathroom, please help."
Obama hugged Hughes and kissed her on the cheek and told her to talk to his staff after the town hall meeting.
Now MSNBC reports that Florida Rep. Nick Thompson and his wife offered Hughes their second home, rent free, after hearing about her plight.
"Basically, I offered Ms. Hughes and her son the opportunity to stay in my home rent free, for as long as they need to," said Chene Thompson. "I'm not a millionaire, I'm not rich, but this is what I can do for someone if they need it."
RPOF Chairman Greer on Stimulus Package and Nancy Pelosi's Claims
The RPOF released the following statement last night.
Greer Says Stimulus Has A Way to Go, Crist Fighting for Florida
Tallahassee–Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer released the following statement regarding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s incorrect assumption that he is in support of the Democrat Spending Bill:
“I appreciate Speaker Pelosi inviting me to join in a discussion of the Democrat Spending Bill today as her official office issued a press release touting my support for this legislation. However, I would have been more grateful had she checked the facts first.
“Under my leadership the Republican Party of Florida fully supports Governor Crist in his efforts to ensure that Florida receives its full share and is able to use any federal economic stimulus dollars coming to our state to benefit all Floridians. Here in Florida, and across the nation, Governors, members of Congress and other elected officials are looking at this legislation from different perspectives due to their individual responsibilities. Charlie Crist is doing what he should be doing as Governor – FIGHTING FOR FLORIDA.
“As a Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, I support the idea that a plan is needed to stimulate the economy. I also support several facets of the current House and Senate plans including reducing taxes, creating jobs, and providing important funding for certain essential services.
“As this bill moves into conference, I would hope that the bipartisan tone demonstrated today in Florida results in the removal of the unnecessary pork barrel spending contained in the current House and Senate versions of this important legislation.”
# # #
Greer Says Stimulus Has A Way to Go, Crist Fighting for Florida
Tallahassee–Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer released the following statement regarding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s incorrect assumption that he is in support of the Democrat Spending Bill:
“I appreciate Speaker Pelosi inviting me to join in a discussion of the Democrat Spending Bill today as her official office issued a press release touting my support for this legislation. However, I would have been more grateful had she checked the facts first.
“Under my leadership the Republican Party of Florida fully supports Governor Crist in his efforts to ensure that Florida receives its full share and is able to use any federal economic stimulus dollars coming to our state to benefit all Floridians. Here in Florida, and across the nation, Governors, members of Congress and other elected officials are looking at this legislation from different perspectives due to their individual responsibilities. Charlie Crist is doing what he should be doing as Governor – FIGHTING FOR FLORIDA.
“As a Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, I support the idea that a plan is needed to stimulate the economy. I also support several facets of the current House and Senate plans including reducing taxes, creating jobs, and providing important funding for certain essential services.
However, what I do not support are the Democrats’ efforts to use this legislation as an opportunity to fulfill every spending promise they've ever made on the campaign trail.
“As this bill moves into conference, I would hope that the bipartisan tone demonstrated today in Florida results in the removal of the unnecessary pork barrel spending contained in the current House and Senate versions of this important legislation.”
# # #
Monday, February 9, 2009
Conversation with new Hillsborough REC Chair
This interview appeared in today's Tampa Trib.
New GOP Chairman: Loss 'Won't Happen Again'
By WILLIAM MARCH
TAMPA - Debbie Cox-Roush, new chairman of the Hillsborough County Republican Party, ran for the post because she wasn't happy the county voted for Barack Obama, and vows local Republicans won't let that happen again.
Before Obama's win, Hillsborough went Democratic for president only twice in 40 years, for Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Bill Clinton in 1996.
In an interview last week, Roush rejected the idea that Obama's success indicates any trend or Democratic tide. Republicans, she said, didn't do their grass-roots organizing as well as in 2004.
Her slogan, she said, will be, "There's no past in politics."
Roush is taking over a local party organization that has surged in membership and activity for about five years, partly with an influx of conservative Republicans from eastern Hillsborough County.
...Will the local party's dynamic growth continue, or has it made all the gains it can?
"Actually it is continuing. Since taking over as chairman of the party, we have had hundreds of calls from new persons in Hillsborough County wanting to get involved, wanting to take action, wanting to become part of our grass-roots. As of our January meeting, we inducted 72 new executive committee members."
When inductions of new members are completed, she said, the total will be 427.
..."I want people to be part of our party because they're Republicans. ... It doesn't matter the color of their skin, their race, their gender, their sexual orientation. As long as we all have the same values, that's what's important to the Republican Party."
Read the entire interview here.
New GOP Chairman: Loss 'Won't Happen Again'
By WILLIAM MARCH
TAMPA - Debbie Cox-Roush, new chairman of the Hillsborough County Republican Party, ran for the post because she wasn't happy the county voted for Barack Obama, and vows local Republicans won't let that happen again.
Before Obama's win, Hillsborough went Democratic for president only twice in 40 years, for Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Bill Clinton in 1996.
In an interview last week, Roush rejected the idea that Obama's success indicates any trend or Democratic tide. Republicans, she said, didn't do their grass-roots organizing as well as in 2004.
Her slogan, she said, will be, "There's no past in politics."
Roush is taking over a local party organization that has surged in membership and activity for about five years, partly with an influx of conservative Republicans from eastern Hillsborough County.
...Will the local party's dynamic growth continue, or has it made all the gains it can?
"Actually it is continuing. Since taking over as chairman of the party, we have had hundreds of calls from new persons in Hillsborough County wanting to get involved, wanting to take action, wanting to become part of our grass-roots. As of our January meeting, we inducted 72 new executive committee members."
When inductions of new members are completed, she said, the total will be 427.
..."I want people to be part of our party because they're Republicans. ... It doesn't matter the color of their skin, their race, their gender, their sexual orientation. As long as we all have the same values, that's what's important to the Republican Party."
Read the entire interview here.
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