Tallahassee- Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer and Representative Jennifer Carroll (R-Jacksonville), Chairman of the African American Leadership Council today released the following statement regarding the passing of Dr. David Langston:
“With the passing of Dr. Langston, the Republican family has lost one our own,” said Chairman Greer. “He was a man of great character who devoted his life to bettering his community. He will truly be missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and community during this difficult time.”
“I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of one of the most dedicated black Republicans that I have ever known, Dr. David Langston,” stated Representative Carroll. “David was a dear friend. I admired him for his commitment and diligent work supporting President George W. Bush and Former Governor Jeb Bush to further the Republican movement. As an advocate for underprivileged children and a champion of education, Dr. Langston spent his free time giving back to his community, and those efforts will live on with his memory.”
Funeral services for Dr. Langston will take place Sunday, March 15 2009 at 3 pm EST in the Port St. Joe High School gym.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Some Republicans Just Don't Get It
FYI: This memo was just sent to all RNC members.
Memo
To: RNC Members
From: Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer
Dear RNC Members:
Over the past few weeks, our newly-elected RNC Chairman Michael Steele has come under assault from a number of fronts. While we can and should expect attacks like this from the Democrats, it is unacceptable when they come from within our own Party. What I find so disturbing is that some Republicans cannot see the absolute necessity of providing unwavering loyalty and support to Chairman Steele as he embarks upon leading the Republican Party into the future.
In less than 45 days, Chairman Steele has led a top-to-bottom review at the Republican National Committee and wiped the slate completely clean, as many members of the RNC and Republicans nationwide called for. As a member of his transition team, I have seen first-hand the thorough evaluation that has occurred at the RNC: not one stone has been left unturned in our efforts to maximize each dollar, find the best staff members, revamp coalitions and communications, and bring a top-notch finance team on board. As anyone with business experience knows, transitioning from one CEO to another and restructuring a major organization takes time and should not be rushed to be successful. Effectively evaluating and implementing best practices from the top to the bottom is a lengthy process, and doing it the wrong way can cause irreparable harm.
Doing it the right way allows for remarkable changes, most recently illustrated by the hiring of Ken McKay as chief of staff . McKay served as Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri’s chief of staff and served as the campaign manager for two successful gubernatorial races in one of the bluest states in the nation. Bringing McKay on board reinforces the considerable political acumen of the new RNC Chairman.
Ultimately, we can and will have differences of opinion on the issues, and that is healthy for a party that seeks to grow and diversify. As Chairman of one of the largest state parties and an RNC member, I welcome this dialogue. However, it is not constructive to launch assaults on the transition process or promote division within our party by openly criticizing our new Chairman.
The RNC as a whole—including Republican Congressional leaders, grassroots activists, and Republicans nationwide—must speak forcefully in support of Chairman Steele and drown out the vocal minority. To do anything less is a disservice to our party.
Be patient and let our Chairman build the administration that is right for him and right for our Party. He will accept no less, and nor should we.
Warmest Regards,
Jim Greer
Memo
To: RNC Members
From: Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer
Dear RNC Members:
Over the past few weeks, our newly-elected RNC Chairman Michael Steele has come under assault from a number of fronts. While we can and should expect attacks like this from the Democrats, it is unacceptable when they come from within our own Party. What I find so disturbing is that some Republicans cannot see the absolute necessity of providing unwavering loyalty and support to Chairman Steele as he embarks upon leading the Republican Party into the future.
In less than 45 days, Chairman Steele has led a top-to-bottom review at the Republican National Committee and wiped the slate completely clean, as many members of the RNC and Republicans nationwide called for. As a member of his transition team, I have seen first-hand the thorough evaluation that has occurred at the RNC: not one stone has been left unturned in our efforts to maximize each dollar, find the best staff members, revamp coalitions and communications, and bring a top-notch finance team on board. As anyone with business experience knows, transitioning from one CEO to another and restructuring a major organization takes time and should not be rushed to be successful. Effectively evaluating and implementing best practices from the top to the bottom is a lengthy process, and doing it the wrong way can cause irreparable harm.
Doing it the right way allows for remarkable changes, most recently illustrated by the hiring of Ken McKay as chief of staff . McKay served as Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri’s chief of staff and served as the campaign manager for two successful gubernatorial races in one of the bluest states in the nation. Bringing McKay on board reinforces the considerable political acumen of the new RNC Chairman.
Ultimately, we can and will have differences of opinion on the issues, and that is healthy for a party that seeks to grow and diversify. As Chairman of one of the largest state parties and an RNC member, I welcome this dialogue. However, it is not constructive to launch assaults on the transition process or promote division within our party by openly criticizing our new Chairman.
The RNC as a whole—including Republican Congressional leaders, grassroots activists, and Republicans nationwide—must speak forcefully in support of Chairman Steele and drown out the vocal minority. To do anything less is a disservice to our party.
Be patient and let our Chairman build the administration that is right for him and right for our Party. He will accept no less, and nor should we.
Warmest Regards,
Jim Greer
Too Many Secrets: Your Right to a Secret Ballot is Under AttackToo Many Secrets: Your Right to a Secret Ballot is Under Attack
Op-ed by House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Vice President Joe Biden's recent visit to Miami Beach to meet with union leaders wasn't such a secret. But as the labor bosses wined and dined at the posh Fontainebleau Hotel, with its 10 pools and 40,000 square foot spa, what they weren't letting anyone know is that they were plotting to steal your guaranteed right to a secret ballot. And now they are only one vote away in the U.S. Senate from doing it.
That's right. These labor union bosses are on the verge of passing legislation called the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) and denying employees the right to cast their ballot in private in union organizing elections. Rather than holding a monitored workplace election using secret ballots as has been the case for decades, under this proposal the union would automatically be created in businesses with more than ten employees once the union collects "authorization cards" signed by a majority of the employees. No questions. No debate. No secret ballot. You're unionized.
The right to vote in private, free from coercion or intimidation, is one of the pillars of our nation's democracy and it is so fundamental that it transcends partisanship. Even long-time labor supporters such as George McGovern and Rev. Al Sharpton have voiced their opposition to this undemocratic measure. They agree that workers deserve the right to hear all sides of the issues, the right to question relevant people, and the right to decide individually after an open and honest process.
And while efforts to oppose EFCA in Washington continue, I am now taking action as part of a national effort underway in ten other states to Save Our Secret Ballot so that in Florida we can protect and preserve the fundamental right to a secret ballot and democratic workplace elections.
State Senator Garrett Richter and I are sponsoring joint resolutions- HJR 1013/SJR 1908- which, with voter approval, would amend Florida's constitution "to protect and preserve the fundamental right of individuals to vote by a secret ballot" in all elections required by federal, state or local law. Most would assume that voting by a secret ballot is already a constitutionally guaranteed right, but it is not.
Save our Secret Ballot is not an anti-union proposal. It is a pro-worker protection proposal. Intimidation and harassment is wrong whether it is coming from a union boss or a management boss. With a secret ballot, Florida's workers are the boss.
It’s no secret that our state and our nation are currently facing unprecedented economic challenges. Protecting worker's rights is essential if we want to create and protect jobs and get our economy moving again.
Recently, the Democrats in the Florida House of Representatives elected their party leader using a secret ballot process. If choosing their workplace leader by secret ballot is good enough for Democratic politicians in Tallahassee, then guaranteeing the right to secret ballot elections should be the right thing to do for the workers of our state.
Electing those who represent us at work is just as important as electing those who represent us in government. Voters cast their votes free from fear of retribution from their government, and they deserve the same right to be free of fear of retaliation from their union, their employer and their fellow employees.
Because if we don't stand up to protect the right to a secret ballot today, what rights will we be fighting to hold onto tomorrow?
Vice President Joe Biden's recent visit to Miami Beach to meet with union leaders wasn't such a secret. But as the labor bosses wined and dined at the posh Fontainebleau Hotel, with its 10 pools and 40,000 square foot spa, what they weren't letting anyone know is that they were plotting to steal your guaranteed right to a secret ballot. And now they are only one vote away in the U.S. Senate from doing it.
That's right. These labor union bosses are on the verge of passing legislation called the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) and denying employees the right to cast their ballot in private in union organizing elections. Rather than holding a monitored workplace election using secret ballots as has been the case for decades, under this proposal the union would automatically be created in businesses with more than ten employees once the union collects "authorization cards" signed by a majority of the employees. No questions. No debate. No secret ballot. You're unionized.
The right to vote in private, free from coercion or intimidation, is one of the pillars of our nation's democracy and it is so fundamental that it transcends partisanship. Even long-time labor supporters such as George McGovern and Rev. Al Sharpton have voiced their opposition to this undemocratic measure. They agree that workers deserve the right to hear all sides of the issues, the right to question relevant people, and the right to decide individually after an open and honest process.
And while efforts to oppose EFCA in Washington continue, I am now taking action as part of a national effort underway in ten other states to Save Our Secret Ballot so that in Florida we can protect and preserve the fundamental right to a secret ballot and democratic workplace elections.
State Senator Garrett Richter and I are sponsoring joint resolutions- HJR 1013/SJR 1908- which, with voter approval, would amend Florida's constitution "to protect and preserve the fundamental right of individuals to vote by a secret ballot" in all elections required by federal, state or local law. Most would assume that voting by a secret ballot is already a constitutionally guaranteed right, but it is not.
Save our Secret Ballot is not an anti-union proposal. It is a pro-worker protection proposal. Intimidation and harassment is wrong whether it is coming from a union boss or a management boss. With a secret ballot, Florida's workers are the boss.
It’s no secret that our state and our nation are currently facing unprecedented economic challenges. Protecting worker's rights is essential if we want to create and protect jobs and get our economy moving again.
Recently, the Democrats in the Florida House of Representatives elected their party leader using a secret ballot process. If choosing their workplace leader by secret ballot is good enough for Democratic politicians in Tallahassee, then guaranteeing the right to secret ballot elections should be the right thing to do for the workers of our state.
Electing those who represent us at work is just as important as electing those who represent us in government. Voters cast their votes free from fear of retribution from their government, and they deserve the same right to be free of fear of retaliation from their union, their employer and their fellow employees.
Because if we don't stand up to protect the right to a secret ballot today, what rights will we be fighting to hold onto tomorrow?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Steele's Stickin' Around
Politico's Ben Smith makes a couple of good points regarding recent rumblings on RNC Chair Michael Steele:
Steele, sticking around
Two items pretty much putting the rest to the buzz that Michael Steele could be couped:
Katon Dawson tells Geraghty: "I support Michael Steele. Our Committee elected him knowing that he can lead us during this critical time for our Party. The people behind this anonymous rumor are clearly intent on dividing the Republican National Committee and our Party at a time when we need to be united."
And Matt Cooper points out that an ouster would require a two-thirds vote.
Steele, sticking around
Two items pretty much putting the rest to the buzz that Michael Steele could be couped:
Katon Dawson tells Geraghty: "I support Michael Steele. Our Committee elected him knowing that he can lead us during this critical time for our Party. The people behind this anonymous rumor are clearly intent on dividing the Republican National Committee and our Party at a time when we need to be united."
And Matt Cooper points out that an ouster would require a two-thirds vote.
In Their Own Words...
While American taxpayers are looking for answers regarding the billions of dollars in earmarks included in the new $787 billion federal stimulus package as well as the $410 billion omnibus bill signed today by President Obama, Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag had this to say….
“If we can’t expect answers from President Obama’s Budget Director while he testifies before the Senate Finance Committee, and we can’t get them from President Obama himself, exactly who in the Obama Administration is being held accountable for his campaign trail promise to go through the federal budget line by line removing earmarks?” asked RPOF Chairman Jim Greer. “Republicans have been repeatedly criticized for saying ‘No’ to the Obama Administration, while it’s actually President Obama saying ‘No’ – to any answering any questions. I think it’s about time the American taxpayers said ‘No’ to footing the bill.”
“You should not expect, and you will not be receiving, definitive answers from me.”
“If we can’t expect answers from President Obama’s Budget Director while he testifies before the Senate Finance Committee, and we can’t get them from President Obama himself, exactly who in the Obama Administration is being held accountable for his campaign trail promise to go through the federal budget line by line removing earmarks?” asked RPOF Chairman Jim Greer. “Republicans have been repeatedly criticized for saying ‘No’ to the Obama Administration, while it’s actually President Obama saying ‘No’ – to any answering any questions. I think it’s about time the American taxpayers said ‘No’ to footing the bill.”
FL Dems Locked Down Against Secret Ballot
FYI: The RPOF just issued the following release:
Florida House Dems Locked Down Against Secret Ballot
Tallahassee—House Democrats today voted against House Joint Resolution 1013 guaranteeing the right to vote by secret ballot in the House Governmental Affairs and Policy Committee. The joint resolution is sponsored by House Majority Leader Adam Hasner (R-Delray Beach) in an effort to protect Floridians’ fundamental right to a secret ballot.
“The four Florida Democrats who put partisan politics over Floridians’ precious right to vote by secret ballot have some explaining to do to their constituents,” noted RPOF Chairman Jim Greer. “Representatives Oscar Braynon, Adam Fetterman, Bill Heller, and Kelly Skidmore just voted not only against secret ballots, but against our efforts to strengthen Florida’s economy and create new jobs.”
HJR 1013 seeks to amend the Florida constitution in order to supersede any potential moves by the Democrat-controlled Congress that would harm an individual’s right to a secret ballot, both at the ballot box on Election Day and in the workplace. The U.S. Supreme court has ruled that state law may prevail if it safeguards important interests and does not disrupt the federal regulatory scheme. Leader Hasner and State Senator Garrett Richter (R-Naples), who has filed SJR 1908 in the Florida Senate to place the amendment on the ballot, are working with Save our Secret Ballot, a national organization dedicated to educating Americans about the continued need for a secret ballot wherever state or federal law requires elections.
“These four Democrat legislators sent a clear message today that they are with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and big labor, and against Florida workers,” concluded Leader Hasner. “They sent a message that harassment and intimidation are acceptable, that Floridians’ right to cast a secret ballot is not a fundamental principle in our society, and that more voter participation is not a priority for them. That message should be extremely alarming not only to their constituents, but to all Floridians.”
Florida House Dems Locked Down Against Secret Ballot
Tallahassee—House Democrats today voted against House Joint Resolution 1013 guaranteeing the right to vote by secret ballot in the House Governmental Affairs and Policy Committee. The joint resolution is sponsored by House Majority Leader Adam Hasner (R-Delray Beach) in an effort to protect Floridians’ fundamental right to a secret ballot.
“The four Florida Democrats who put partisan politics over Floridians’ precious right to vote by secret ballot have some explaining to do to their constituents,” noted RPOF Chairman Jim Greer. “Representatives Oscar Braynon, Adam Fetterman, Bill Heller, and Kelly Skidmore just voted not only against secret ballots, but against our efforts to strengthen Florida’s economy and create new jobs.”
HJR 1013 seeks to amend the Florida constitution in order to supersede any potential moves by the Democrat-controlled Congress that would harm an individual’s right to a secret ballot, both at the ballot box on Election Day and in the workplace. The U.S. Supreme court has ruled that state law may prevail if it safeguards important interests and does not disrupt the federal regulatory scheme. Leader Hasner and State Senator Garrett Richter (R-Naples), who has filed SJR 1908 in the Florida Senate to place the amendment on the ballot, are working with Save our Secret Ballot, a national organization dedicated to educating Americans about the continued need for a secret ballot wherever state or federal law requires elections.
“These four Democrat legislators sent a clear message today that they are with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and big labor, and against Florida workers,” concluded Leader Hasner. “They sent a message that harassment and intimidation are acceptable, that Floridians’ right to cast a secret ballot is not a fundamental principle in our society, and that more voter participation is not a priority for them. That message should be extremely alarming not only to their constituents, but to all Floridians.”
Florida House Dems Locked Down Against Secret Ballot
Tallahassee—House Democrats today voted against House Joint Resolution 1013 guaranteeing the right to vote by secret ballot in the House Governmental Affairs and Policy Committee. The joint resolution is sponsored by House Majority Leader Adam Hasner (R-Delray Beach) in an effort to protect Floridians’ fundamental right to a secret ballot.
“The four Florida Democrats who put partisan politics over Floridians’ precious right to vote by secret ballot have some explaining to do to their constituents,” noted RPOF Chairman Jim Greer. “Representatives Oscar Braynon, Adam Fetterman, Bill Heller, and Kelly Skidmore just voted not only against secret ballots, but against our efforts to strengthen Florida’s economy and create new jobs.”
HJR 1013 seeks to amend the Florida constitution in order to supersede any potential moves by the Democrat-controlled Congress that would harm an individual’s right to a secret ballot, both at the ballot box on Election Day and in the workplace. The U.S. Supreme court has ruled that state law may prevail if it safeguards important interests and does not disrupt the federal regulatory scheme. Leader Hasner and State Senator Garrett Richter (R-Naples), who has filed SJR 1908 in the Florida Senate to place the amendment on the ballot, are working with Save our Secret Ballot, a national organization dedicated to educating Americans about the continued need for a secret ballot wherever state or federal law requires elections.
“These four Democrat legislators sent a clear message today that they are with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and big labor, and against Florida workers,” concluded Leader Hasner. “They sent a message that harassment and intimidation are acceptable, that Floridians’ right to cast a secret ballot is not a fundamental principle in our society, and that more voter participation is not a priority for them. That message should be extremely alarming not only to their constituents, but to all Floridians.”
“The four Florida Democrats who put partisan politics over Floridians’ precious right to vote by secret ballot have some explaining to do to their constituents,” noted RPOF Chairman Jim Greer. “Representatives Oscar Braynon, Adam Fetterman, Bill Heller, and Kelly Skidmore just voted not only against secret ballots, but against our efforts to strengthen Florida’s economy and create new jobs.”
HJR 1013 seeks to amend the Florida constitution in order to supersede any potential moves by the Democrat-controlled Congress that would harm an individual’s right to a secret ballot, both at the ballot box on Election Day and in the workplace. The U.S. Supreme court has ruled that state law may prevail if it safeguards important interests and does not disrupt the federal regulatory scheme. Leader Hasner and State Senator Garrett Richter (R-Naples), who has filed SJR 1908 in the Florida Senate to place the amendment on the ballot, are working with Save our Secret Ballot, a national organization dedicated to educating Americans about the continued need for a secret ballot wherever state or federal law requires elections.
“These four Democrat legislators sent a clear message today that they are with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and big labor, and against Florida workers,” concluded Leader Hasner. “They sent a message that harassment and intimidation are acceptable, that Floridians’ right to cast a secret ballot is not a fundamental principle in our society, and that more voter participation is not a priority for them. That message should be extremely alarming not only to their constituents, but to all Floridians.”
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