Archive for the 'Conservatives' Category

Rhode Island Republican Assembly Meeting | September 9

Posted on September 2, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

Rhode Island’s largest conservative organization (and sponsor of this blog), the RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY, will hold its next general meeting on Thursday, September 9th, 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 about $10.00 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 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 and RIRA 0 Comments

Rhode Island Republican Assembly Meeting | August 12

Posted on August 9, 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, August 12th, 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 $8.00 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 speaker for the meeting will be Michael Napolitano, Communications Director for the John Robitaille for Governor campaign. We will also be voting on several additional endorsements as part of a relatively brief “Special Convention.”

Filed Under: Coming Events, Conservatives, Meetings and RIRA Closed

Rhode Island Republican Assembly Meeting | Thursday

Posted on July 15, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

Rhode Island’s largest conservative organization (and sponsor of this blog), the RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY, will hold its next general meeting on Thursday, July 15th, 2010.

This meeting has also been designated by the Board as a “special convention,” for the purpose of considering candidate endorsements, in addition to those which were made at our Biennial Endorsement Convention on June 12th. We will also discuss some important revisions to our state chapter bylaws.

The guest speaker for the meeting will be Travis Rowley, Chairman of the Rhode Island Young Republicans. He will be discussing his new book, “The Rhode Island Republican: An Indictment of the Rhode Island Left.”

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 $8.00 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.

Filed Under: Conservatives, Meetings and RIRA Closed

Rhode Island Republican Assembly Special Convention | July 15

Posted on July 13, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

Rhode Island’s largest conservative organization (and sponsor of this blog), the RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY, will hold its next general meeting on Thursday, July 15th, 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 $8.00 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.

Filed Under: Coming Events, Conservatives and RIRA Closed

New Web Video: “Mama Grizzlies”

Posted on July 9, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

This is a new, very-well produced web video by Sarah Palin’s PAC (SarahPAC). In the video, Sarah Palin stakes out the claim to the label “Mama Grizzlies” for the new crop of conservative women nationwide (who will be taking America back very shortly!).

Ed Morrissey over at Hot Air had this to say about “Mama Grizzlies”:

“Mama grizzlies” actually fits better in the Tea Party movement, which I’ve argued is driven in the main by activist women. These are women with families who aren’t focused on what government can do for them, but what government should be doing, period. They’re defending their turf rather than looking for handouts, and defending their children from expansionist government and the massive spending that their children’s children will have to repay. It’s a good brand to stake out for Palin, but she’s been doing that all along with the Tea Party movement (as has Michele Bachmann). This just puts a label on it, and one that sounds much more assertive than “soccer moms” did.

Filed Under: Conservatives, Gov. Sarah Palin and Republican Committees Closed

Reminder: There Will Not Be A RIRA Meeting on Thursday

Posted on July 7, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

This is a reminder that Rhode Island’s largest conservative organization (and sponsor of this blog), the RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY, will NOT be holding a regular “second Thursday” general membership meeting this Thursday, in order to better accommodate our many members who are running for office, or who are helping those who are, and whom will be using the time to obtain signatures on nomination papers.

The next regularly scheduled general membership meeting will be held on Thursday, July 15th. We realize that this is still within the signature period (July 7 to July 16). However, most if not all of those obtaining signatures should be done by then. We will resume the regular “second Thursday” meeting schedule in August.

For more information, please contact RIRA President Ray McKay at president [at] ri-ra [dot] org or 487-2514 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: Alerts, Conservatives and RIRA Closed

M.A.R.C. Kick-off Reception | Friday

Posted on June 18, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

There will be a kick-off reception on Friday at 7:30 PM for the Minority Advancement and Research Council (M.A.R.C.) at Waterplace Restaurant, 1 Finance Way, in Providence.

Come meet dynamic conservative speaker Apostle Claver Kamau-Imani from RagingElephants.org (who will also be the main speaker at the “Rhode Island Boot Camp” on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM).

The Friday night reception is being hosted by the Rhode Island Young Republicans and is FREE to attend. The Rhode Island Republican Assembly (RIRA) is a co-sponsor of Saturday’s “boot camp” event at the Oaklawn Grange in Cranston.

Filed Under: Coming Events and Conservatives Closed

MARC ‘Rhode Island Boot Camp’ | Saturday

Posted on June 18, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

Rocking the State from All Directions
RHODE ISLAND BOOT CAMP
Saturday’s Can’t Miss Event!

Don’t miss this FREE critical workshop run by the nationally renowned charismatic speaker Apostle Claver! Hosted by the Minority Advancement and Research Council (MARC) the “Rhode Island Boot Camp” is an intense four-hour workshop that employs aggressive grassroots organizing, mass media messaging, and political action techniques to help expand the conservative base through diversity – racial, generational, and gender.

Texas based Claver Kamau-Imani, Founder and Chairman of RagingElephants.ORG, a non-profit organization created to be an advocate of conservative-libertarian social, economic, and political issues, will be leading the workshop and showing the evidence that the demographics in our country are changing to favor minorities and explains that if we do not start infusing liberty in those communities through educating voters on America’s History and Heritage, we will totally lose our country to socialism.

This is the year to break down all barriers and reach out to all demographic groups to spread the Tea Party’s message of fiscal responsibility and accountability of our elected leaders. WE NEED YOU! This workshop is sponsored in part by The RI Tea Party, RIRA, The Young Republicans, and the RI GOP.

What: Rhode Island Boot Camp
When Saturday, June 19th, 10am-2pm
Where: Oaklawn Grange, 42 Wheelock St, Cranston RI

Free Admission and Free Lunch provided!

Source: Minority Advancement and Research Council (MARC)

Filed Under: Conservatives, Meetings and Rhode Island Closed

Rhode Island Republican Assembly 2010 Endorsements

Posted on June 13, 2010 by Raymond McKay

On Saturday afternoon, June 12th, 2010, the Rhode Island Republican Assembly (RIRA) held its Biennial Endorsement Convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, from 12:00 until 4:30 p.m., to endorse candidates who were seeking the Conservative organization’s support. The RIRA’s by-laws require a 2/3rd’s vote from the voting membership for any endorsement.

The event was attended by over 100 people, including all of the Republican statewide and federal candidates. The candidates were all allowed to speak to the convention, putting forth why RIRA should endorse them, and were allowed to answer questions from all in attendance.

The following candidates were endorsed the Rhode Island Republican Assembly:

First Congressional District – John Loughlin

Second Congressional District – Mark Zaccaria

Governor – John Robitaille

Lt. Governor – No Endorsement

Attorney General – Erik Wallin

Treasurer – Kernan “Kerry” King

Secretary of State – No Endorsement

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly will meet again on July 15, 2010 to take up any additional endorsements based on last minute filings.

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly also voted on several resolutions pertinent to this year’s elections. These resolutions also required a 2/3rd’s vote in the affirmative from the voting membership:

1) PASSED – Abolition of the office of Lieutenant Governor. RIRA’s stance is that this office should be combined with the office of the Governor.

2) PASSED – Opposing binding arbitration / perpetual contracts. RIRA opposes any effort by the General Assembly to pass laws which would create unending contracts or require state and local governments and school committees to be subjected to binding arbitration.

3) PASSED – Urging Governor Carcieri to veto the FY 2011 state budget. RIRA’s stance is that the General Assembly has ignored its duty and responsibilities by putting forth a budget that is not balanced, relies on Federal Funds that have not been appropriated yet, and that said Federal Funds would be coming from an unbalanced Federal Budget with a $14 Trillion deficit.

4) PASSED – Opposing efforts to change the name of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The Rhode Island Republican Assembly believes that the State of Rhode Island’s historic, formal name should not be changed.

5) PASSED – Support of Arizona illegal immigration law. The Rhode Island Republican Assembly supports Arizona’s use of the 10th amendment to protect the American Citizens and require all people who are in the United States of America to adhere to the laws of this sovereign nation and supports the efforts to enforce Federal Laws that have been written years prior to the Arizona law.

6) PASSED – Opposing Deepwater wind project. The Rhode Island Republican Assembly, while supporting green initiatives and technology to make our environment better and to create jobs in Rhode Island, opposes the effort by the General Assembly to intervene in the free market system on behalf of one company or any companies. If the Wind Project is valid and cost justifiable through private market investments and calculated Return on Investments, then it should go forward on its own merits without State guarantees or creating laws that allow for by-passing the due process that has been established over the years.

Press Release: Rhode Island Republican Assembly

Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Conservatives, RIRA and Republican Candidates Closed

MARC Rhode Island Boot Camp | June 19

Posted on June 13, 2010 by Rhode Island Red

Rocking the State from All Directions
RHODE ISLAND BOOT CAMP – Saturday’s Can’t Miss Event!

What: Rhode Island Boot Camp
When Saturday, June 19th, 10am-2pm
Where: Oaklawn Grange, 42 Wheelock St, Cranston RI

Free Admission and Free Lunch provided!

Source: Minority Advancement and Research Council (MARC)

Filed Under: Coming Events, Conservatives and Meetings Closed

Rhode Island Republican Assembly 2010 Convention | Saturday

Posted on June 11, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

This Saturday, June 12th, our state’s largest Conservative organization — the Rhode Island Republican Assembly — will hold its Biennial Endorsement Convention. The Convention will also serve as a family-friendly fundraiser to benefit state Republican candidates, many of whom will be present. All Republicans and Conservatives in Rhode Island are invited to attend. The Convention will be held from 12 Noon to 4:00 PM in the Rotunda of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, at 801 Greenwich Avenue, in Warwick. Registration will be from 12 Noon to 12:30 PM, with the Convention to be called to order promptly at 12:30 PM.

The theme for the Biennial Convention will be “2010: The Conservative Comeback.”

Working towards making that a reality, a number of federal and state Republican candidates have been invited to address the RIRA delegates and our special guests. Confirmed speakers include:

John Loughlin, First District Candidate for Congress
Mark Zaccaria, Second District Candidate for Congress
William Clegg, Second District Candidate for Congress
John Robitaille, Candidate for Governor
Victor Moffitt, Candidate for Governor
Erik Wallin, Candidate for Attorney General
Kernan ‘Kerry’ King, Candidate for General Treasurer

The Convention will start with a fundraiser for the Rhode Island Republican Assembly State Political Action Committee (RIRA-PAC). RIRA-PAC is the only political action committee in Rhode Island specifically devoted to aiding Conservative Republican candidates for office. The event will feature speeches by the above Republican candidates; a fantastic selection of Hot and Cold Hors d’oeuvres will be served; and there will be a Cash Bar available. For your enjoyment, Live Musical Entertainment will be provided throughout the afternoon by the easy-listening band “Wing-It”.

Candidate speeches, as well as brief question and answer periods for each, will probably last until 2:30 PM. RIRA Delegates will then vote by secret ballot on candidate endorsements. RIRA endorsements require a 2/3rd’s super majority and may be made in Federal, Statewide, as well as in R.I. House and R.I. Senate races. In addition, Delegates will consider Resolutions on several issues of current importance.

The suggested minimum contribution for the Conservative candidates’ fundraiser is only $25.00 per person. However, you are certainly encouraged to donate much more, if it’s within your means! All funds raised in excess of our costs will be used to directly support RIRA endorsed state candidates.

Your RSVP by Facebook or by e-mail would be appreciated for planning purposes, but it is not required to attend… just bring your personal check for $25.00 or more with you on Saturday! Tickets may be paid for in advance or at the door. Personal or PAC checks may be made payable to “RIRA-PAC.”

You may securely pay for your tickets online with by Credit Card or Electronic Check through our website at http://ri-ra.org/convention/. If you would like to make a contribution to the PAC by mail, the address is:

Rhode Island Republican Assembly PAC, 19 Bakers Creek Road, Warwick, RI 02886

All event tickets will be held at the door. For any inquiries, you may contact RIRA President Raymond T. McKay at 487-2514 or by e-mail at: president [at] ri-ra [dot] org . Media is welcome to attend.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Conservatively Yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, RIRA
Chairman, RIRA-PAC

About RIRA: Founded in 2001, the Rhode Island Republican Assembly is a private membership organization of conservative Republican activists who work at the grassroots level to promote conservative values and ideals within the framework of the Republican Party of Rhode Island. Although an independent organization, many RIRA members are also officers or members of the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee and/or the various city and town Republican committees throughout the state.

Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Conservatives and RIRA Closed

Reminder: There Will NOT Be a RIRA Meeting Tonight

Posted on June 10, 2010 by Raymond McKay

This is an important reminder that Rhode Island’s largest conservative organization (and sponsor of this blog), the RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY, will NOT be holding a regularly scheduled “second Thursday” general membership meeting later tonight, due to our 2010 RIRA Biennial Endorsement Convention being held this Saturday afternoon.

The next regularly scheduled general membership meeting is currently scheduled for Thursday, July 15th. Please note that that is the third Thursday, not the second Thursday. We will resume the regular second Thursday schedule in August.

Filed Under: Conservatives, Meetings and RIRA Closed

RIRA 2010 Biennial Endorsement Convention | Saturday

Posted on June 7, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

This is a reminder that the fifth Biennial Endorsement Convention of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly – our state’s largest Conservative organization – will be held on Saturday, June 12th, 2010, from 12 Noon to 4:00 PM. The Convention will be held under the Rotunda of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, at 801 Greenwich Avenue, in Warwick, RI 02886.

The theme for the Biennial Convention will be “2010: The Conservative Comeback.”

Working towards that goal, several federal and state Republican candidates have been invited to address the RIRA delegates and our guests. Confirmed speakers include:

John Loughlin, Candidate for Congress (First District)
Mark Zaccaria, Candidate for Congress (Second District)
William Clegg, Candidate for Congress (Second District)
John Robitaille, Candidate for Governor
Victor Moffitt, Candidate for Governor
Erik Wallin, Candidate for Attorney General
Kernan ‘Kerry’ King, Candidate for General Treasurer

All Republicans and Conservatives in Rhode Island are welcome to attend this event. Suggested minimum contribution for the PAC fundraiser is $25.00 per person or only $15.00 for R.I. Young Republicans (of course, individuals may choose to donate much more!). Reserved “Tables of 6″ are available for $150.00 each (a great option for candidates!). Check-in and Registration will be from 12 Noon to 12:30 PM, with the Convention expected to be called to order promptly at 12:30 PM.

The Convention will kick-off with a great fundraiser for the Rhode Island Republican Assembly State Political Action Committee, featuring speeches by Republican candidates seeking our organization’s endorsement. A great selection of hot and cold Hors d’oeuvres will be served, and there will be a Cash Bar available. For your enjoyment, Live Musical Entertainment will be provided throughout the afternoon by the easy-listening band “Wing-It”.

Candidate speeches, as well as brief question and answer periods for each, will likely last until about 2:30 PM. Immediately thereafter, RIRA Delegates will vote on candidate endorsements. All nominations will be made from the floor. Endorsements may be made in Federal, Statewide, as well as in R.I. House and R.I. Senate races. Per our bylaws, RIRA endorsements require a Two-Thirds affirmative vote of those eligible RIRA Delegates present. All voting in contested races will be conducted by secret ballot. In addition, Delegates will also consider several important Resolutions.

All funds raised in excess of our costs will be used to support RIRA endorsed state candidates. Please note that RIRA members who are “in good standing” (with 2010 dues current) are not required to donate to the PAC fundraiser as a condition of voting on candidate endorsements. However, annual dues to RIRA must be paid up to date in order to be eligible to vote. Those RIRA members who are currently in arrears on their 2010 dues will be given an opportunity to rectify that prior to balloting. Of course, RIRA members are always encouraged to contribute to our PAC.

RSVP: Your RSVP in advance by Facebook or by e-mail would be greatly appreciated for planning purposes, but is not required. Tickets may be paid for in advance or at the door. Personal or PAC checks should be made payable to “RIRA-PAC.”

To reserve your tickets by mail today, please send your request and payment to:

Rhode Island Republican Assembly PAC
19 Bakers Creek Road
Warwick, RI 02886

You may also quickly and securely pay for your tickets online with by Credit Card or Electronic Check through our website at http://ri-ra.org/convention/ (There is also an online payment link in the upper-right hand corner of this website). All prepaid tickets will be held at the door. For any inquiries, you may contact RIRA President Raymond T. McKay at (401) 487-2514 or by e-mail at: president [at] ri-ra [dot] org .

We look forward to seeing you on the 12th!

Conservatively Yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, RIRA
Chairman, RIRA-PAC

Note: State of Rhode Island campaign finance law requires us to record the Name, Address, Employer, and Occupation of contributors. Corporate and business checks cannot be accepted. Individual contributors are limited to contributing no more than $1000.00 per calendar year. Political contributions are not tax deductible. Jennifer Hirons, Treasurer.