THE OCEAN STATE REPUBLICAN | The Blog of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly

Rhode Island Republican Assembly | March Meeting

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Raymond McKay

Rhode Island’s largest conservative organization (and sponsor of this blog), the RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY, will hold its next general meeting on Thursday, March 11th, 2010.

The meeting will be held in the lower-level of the Tri-City Elk’s Lodge No. 14, at 1915 West Shore Road, in Warwick. For those wishing to eat before the RIRA meeting, a pasta buffet dinner is available between 6:00pm and 7:00pm. The cost for dinner is $7.50 per person. It is “all you can eat” and generally includes pasta, meatballs, soup, salad, and dessert. There is also a Cash Bar available. The RIRA business meeting starts promptly at 7:00PM, and generally lasts until around 9:00PM.

The guest speakers for the meeting will be John Robitaille, GOP candidate for RI Governor, and Terry Gorman, founder of Rhode Islanders for Immigration Law Enforcement (RIILE). In addition, several candidates for General Assembly will be speaking with us, including Doreen Costa, who is running in House District 31.

The RIRA is the Rhode Island affiliate of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, a thoughtful national organization of GOP conservatives working to grow and strengthen the Republican Party in the tradition of President Ronald Reagan. This is a dinner meeting, and if you want to eat, you pay for your own meal. Any like-minded conservative Republican is welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact RIRA President Ray McKay at president [at] ri-ra [dot] org or NFRA Northeast Region Vice President Will Ricci at NEVP [at] ri-ra [dot] org or visit the RIRA web site at http://www.ri-ra.org.

Filed Under: Coming Events, Conservatives, Meetings and RIRA 0 Comments

EPGOP ‘Meet the Candidates’ Breakfast Forum | March 13

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Will Ricci

The East Providence Republican City Committee will be holding a “Meet the Candidates” Breakfast Forum on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 at the landmark STAR DINER, at 140 Newport Avenue, in the Rumford section of East Providence. The event is scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM.

The purpose of this forum is to provide an opportunity for the members of our own committee, as well as members of the public, an opportunity to hear directly from and to question our candidates for statewide and local office in an enjoyable and casual setting.

In addition, we will be discussing our ambitious objectives for the 2010 election cycle, and how we plan to achieve them. We also hope to recruit some candidates for state and local office in the process. If you are even remotely considering a run for office in EP, or want to help out candidates who are running, we want you to be there on the 13th!

THERE IS NO CHARGE TO ATTEND. This is a forum, not a fundraiser (that’s coming on April 29th). However, we want to highly encourage attendees to order something off of the Star Diner’s great breakfast menu. Of course, we will not turn away any donations, but do not feel obligated to make one. This is going to be a fun and informative event. Any Republican is welcome to join us. RSVP is appreciated.

If you are a registered Republican in East Providence, but are not already a member of the city committee, and you become a committee member on the 13th, EPGOP Chair Bob Carlin will personally pick up the cost of your meal (yes, really!).

Several East Providence office holders will be speaking, including E.P. Assistant Mayor Robert Cusack and E.P. School Committee Vice-Chair Steve Santos. In addition to Bob and Steve, several candidates have already confirmed their attendance, including, but not limited to:

John Robitaille, candidate for RI Governor
Erik Wallin, candidate for RI Attorney General
Thomas Clupny, candidate for RI General Assembly
Richard Rodi, candidate for RI General Assembly
John Amaral, candidate for EP School Committee
Doreen Costa, RIGOP candidate fundraising
Sean Gately, RIGOP candidate recruitment

We expect other confirmations over the coming days, so check back soon. We hope you will be able to make it to this “first for us” kind of event. If it works out well, we just may make a habit of it!

Any inquiries can be directed to Chairman Bob Carlin at 345-6608 or chair [at] epgop [dot] org or Treasurer Will Ricci at treasurer [at] epgop [dot] org . We hope to see you on the 13th! Thank you.

Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Coming Events, Republican Candidates and Republican Committees 0 Comments

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Posted on March 9, 2010 by The Eye of Providence

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George Will: ‘The House Is All That Matters’

Posted on March 8, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

“What we know for sure Matt is if they had the votes today they would vote tomorrow morning. So they don’t have them yet.”

As he often does, George Will made an excellent point on “This Week,” regarding the status of the health care vote in Congress. Will said that the vote in the House of Representatives is “all that matters.” If the House passes the Senate Bill as is, it can then go to President Obama’s desk and become law. Will said that Democrats do not currently have the votes to pass it.

Filed Under: Commentary, Healthcare Reform and US House 0 Comments

Alert: Binding Arbitration Bill in the RI Senate!

Posted on March 8, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

BINDING ARBITRATION ALERT!
BINDING ARBITRATION BILL IN SENATE!
Take Action!

You told the House, Now Tell the Senate: NO BINDING ARB!

Thank you for your recent messages to the RI House of Representatives in objection to the new Binding Arbitration bill. Now, however, it is time to address Bill S2603 in the Senate. This bill is the Senate version of the House Binding Arbitration bill, and it has been introduced by Senator Michael J. McCaffrey.

Like the bill in the House, S2603 provides that if a new collective bargaining agreement cannot be agreed to by the parties, the terms and conditions of the old three-year agreement remain in full force until a new contract agreement is reached. The result: public-sector unions would have no motivation to negotiate new contracts that bring their salaries and benefits into line with those of the average taxpayer.

Furthermore, senators who are themselves state workers or related to state workers will vote on this bill when they should recuse themselves, despite their obvious conflicts of interest.

Please notify your senator that you expect him/her to oppose this Binding Arbitration Bill and that your vote in November will be based upon his/her actions during this legislative session.

News Release: Rhode Island Statewide Coalition

Filed Under: Alerts, Big Labor and Education 0 Comments Tags: RISC.

California Republican Assembly Endorses DeVore for Senate

Posted on March 7, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

The California Republican Assembly is the 75-year old sister organization of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly. The CRA held their Endorsing Convention and 75th Anniversary Gala this weekend, in conjunction with a national board meeting of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies.

The following is a press release from DeVore for Senate:

DeVore for California today welcomed the overwhelming, first-ballot endorsement of Chuck DeVore by the California Republican Assembly’s 75th annual convention. DeVore’s endorsement, by a margin of 194 votes to 89 for distant-second Carly Fiorina, was the first by a statewide Republican organization in the California U.S. Senate race.

The CRA endorsement of Chuck DeVore was the more remarkable for the tremendous effort the Fiorina campaign put into blocking it. With a 2/3 majority required for an endorsement, that campaign needed to secure the support of only a small minority of delegates. To that end: Carly Fiorina herself spent all day Saturday at the convention; delegates found anti-DeVore materials slipped under their hotel room doors; three of Fiorina’s endorsing U.S. Senators wrote a letter to the delegates; Fiorina’s supporters helped secure a procedural change allowing for a secret ballot; and during voting, delegates were supplied with Carly for California-branded pens.

Carly Fiorina had every advantage money could buy, and the conservative activists of the CRA decisively endorsed Chuck DeVore on the first round.

“I’m sincerely humbled to receive the endorsement of my fellow members of the California Republican Assembly,” said Chuck DeVore, “The CRA is, as Ronald Reagan said, ‘the conscience of the Republican Party.’ That’s why I’ve been a member for 22 years, and that’s why I’ll keep fighting for the core principles it advances — all the way to the United States Senate.”

Leisa Brug Kline, DeVore for California campaign manager, said, “When Chuck DeVore addressed the CRA yesterday, he said, ‘I submit to you that being right beats being rich every time.’ With his tremendous first-ballot victory, he’s proven right. California’s conservatives know who’s been with them from the beginning — and they’ll stick with him right through till he beats Barbara Boxer.”

The California Republican Assembly website is CaliforniaRepublicanAssembly.com.
The DeVore for California campaign website is ChuckDeVore.com.

Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Conservatives and Republican Party 0 Comments Tags: CRA.

Loughlin Fundraiser w/ Rep. Devin Nunes | March 13

Posted on March 7, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

Congressman Devin Nunes (CA-21) will be in Rhode Island in support of the John Loughlin for Congress campaign on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at:

Madeira Restaurant
288 Warren Avenue
East Providence, Rhode Island

Suggested Donation $100 per person or $150 couple.

Rep. Devin Nunes is a Congressman from the agriculturally-rich San Joaquin Valley of California. He is currently serving in his fourth term in the House of Representatives.

The Nunes family immigrated to America from Portugal’s Azores islands. They are part of a large Portuguese community living in the San Joaquin Valley, many of whom help to cultivate our nation’s most productive farmland.

Nunes currently serves on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxes, healthcare, Social Security, trade and other important federal programs. He is also a member of the Budget Committee.

As a leader in the Republican Conference, Nunes currently serves as an Assistant Republican Whip. Hope you can make it!

John J. Loughlin II

Source: Loughlin for Congress

Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Coming Events and Fundraisers 0 Comments Tags: Rep. John Loughlin.

GOP Poised to Gain Back Seats Not Held Since 1994

Posted on March 5, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

Pollster Frank Luntz: “I see why Barack Obama might push it for ideological reasons. But why would Congress go along when their own jobs are in jeopardy?”

Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Democrats and Republican Party 0 Comments

Scott Brown Challenges President ‘To Do Better’

Posted on March 4, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

Massachusetts Republican Senator Scott Brown talked with CNBC’s Larry Kudlow and said that President Obama should “start over” on Health Care Reform. Brown warned Democrats they would pay a high price in 2010 if they jam ObamaCare through using “Reconciliation.”

Brown said, “I’m challenging the President to do better.”

Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Healthcare Reform and The Obamessiah 0 Comments

Michael Steele: Obama Goes Nuclear

Posted on March 4, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

Standby. An impending Chernobyl-like disaster is on the way: Obama has decided to launch the nuclear option on health care – reconciliation.

With no hope of reaching the 60-vote threshold necessary for a Senate victory and the American public growing increasingly against the Obama’s government-run takeover of health care bill, the President has decided that reconciliation is the only way he can get ObamaCare across the finish line and onto his desk.

Forget that 57% of Americans want him to start over on this bill. Forget that he doesn’t even have the 60 necessary “yes” votes from his own Party to pass this bill. The President is willing to do anything possible to force this bill through Congress – because instead of worrying about what the American people want, he’s more concerned with his imposing his own agenda.

What President Obama fails to recognize is that while reconciliation has been used before, in the last 19 reconciliation bills enacted into law, 12 of them were bipartisan and passed with the support of 60 of more Senators – something the President can’t say about his health care bill.

Mr. President, instead of risking a nuclear meltdown down of the health care system by ramming a 2,074 page bill through the Senate, the House, and down the throats of the American public – do everyone a favor and rip up your massive bill and start over.

Sign the Petition: Start Over on Health Care Reform

Source: Republican National Committee

Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Commentary, Healthcare Reform, Republican Party and The Obamessiah 0 Comments

RI Young Republicans Event w/ Dan Yorke | Thursday

Posted on March 4, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

If you haven’t been able to make a RIYR event yet, please do your best to come on Thursday night. The Republican movement needs to continue to build upon the conservative momentum, backlash, and awakening here in Rhode Island. It is vitally important that we continue to network, expand our Party’s base, and express our cause.

Thursday night, bring a friend. And come see what the Young Republicans and the RIGOP have been up to. And find out how you can help. Get involved in 2010!

Cost – $0.0

Where – Two Forty-Two Restaurant | 242 Atwells Avenue (Federal Hill), Providence

When – Thursday, March 4th, from 7:00pm-9:00pm

Guest Speaker – Dan Yorke (630 WPRO)

Travis Rowley
Chair, Rhode Island Young Republicans

Filed Under: Conservatives, Meetings and Young Republicans 0 Comments

Tom Ward: Will Steve Laffey Run?

Posted on March 4, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

We’re only a day or two away from the first anniversary of the date former Republican Mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Steve Laffey of Cranston told WPRO radio talk show host Dan Yorke “I love Rhode Island. I love the people,” but “you only want me if you have a serious financial problem in an organization and you want to fix it. I’m not so sure that the people really want to fix it.” On that day, Laffey said he would not be a candidate for governor.

A lot has changed since March 5, 2009…

…Rhode Island’s fiscal problems are huge. Will we “really want to fix it?”

I imagine that’s what Laffey is trying to figure out as he criss-crosses the state telling all who will listen his plan named How to Fix Rhode Island’s Economy. In January, even Laffey claims he was surprised when more than 400 folks turned out at the Quonset ‘O’ Club to hear him speak.

Read Laffey’s complete plan here:
www.valleybreeze.com/www/Laffey_Fix_RI.pdf

…One thing is for sure. The world of American politics has changed dramatically since Laffey bowed out of the race a year ago.

Are Rhode Islanders ready to make bold – and even extreme – changes to the way the state runs? I think we’ll get our chance to find out.

Read More: The Valley Breeze

Note: Tom Ward is the publisher of The Valley Breeze.

Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Republican Party and Steve Laffey 0 Comments

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter to Speak at NKGOP Lincoln Day Dinner

Posted on March 3, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

U.S. Congressional District # 2 candidate Mark Zaccaria announces a special speaker added to the line up: U.S. Representative Thaddeus McCotter – Michigan 11th District

Congressman McCotter has focused his efforts on preserving and promoting manufacturing and small businesses. He has steadfastly supported winning the War for Freedom and increasing our homeland security. The Congressman has tirelessly fought to reduce taxes and the size and scope of government.

Every year the North Kingstown Lincoln Day Dinner is the largest event in the state. You don’t want to miss this event!!!

Ken McKay – Keynote Speaker – RNC Chief of Staff
Thaddeus McCotter – U.S. Representative
John Robitaille – GOP Candidate for Governor
Mark Zaccaria – GOP Candidate for Congress, District 2
John Loughlin – GOP Candidate for Congress, District 1
Erik Wallin – GOP Candidate for Attorney General
Larry Ehrhardt – GOP State Represntative, District 32

While November 2, 2010, may seem a long way off, the NKGOP is already preparing to elect Republican majorities on the Town Council and School Committee while increasing our representation in the General Assembly. With your financial support, we can help our candidates get their message out to the voters.

Click here for your invitation: http://www.nkgop.org

Please RSVP by March 5th.

I look forward to seeing you on March 13th!

Very Truly Yours,

Mark Halloran, Chairman
North Kingstown Republican Town Committee

News Release: North Kingstown Republican Town Committee

Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Republican Committees and US House 0 Comments