Clockwise from upper left: Alan Schlesinger, Calvin Turnquest, Brian Lara, Jay Bonner, Andrea McGee, Paul Spain, David Wagie, Kesnel Theus, Joseph Moore, Andrew Schaller, Thomas Sutterfield, Steven Abrams, MC Peter Feaman, Stuart Mears and Ellyn Bogdanoff.

Seated at a long table, 10 candidates for 3 north county races (Congress 18, Senate 32, and House 82) answered questions from moderator Michael Williams, Emmy winning anchor of WPTV’s “To the Point“.

2014 Scholarship Winners Announced at June Lunch

This year, the Republican Club of the Palm Beaches is happy to award the Anne Roberts Scholarships to five deserving scholars – one new award and continuing support for four previous winners.

The awards were presented by former Congressman Mark Foley, who has provided significant contributions to our scholarship fund (including an additional $2000 at the meeting). Stressing the importance of finding young Republicans who can be tomorrow’s leaders, he spoke of the harm to the younger generation that the Obama policies have wrought, and how our message to them should be one of opportunity. Encouraging the younger generation to run for public office, “Politics is a rough and tumble business” he said, but “also one that can be very rewarding”.

The recipients are:

Jason Ferrara, who will be a senior in political science at the University of Alabama and going to law school next year. His father is attorney and REC member Jim Ferrara of Boca Raton. Not able to join us today, he sent his thanks and pointed out that he is hoping to volunteer in political campaigns this summer.

John Ryan Clark, who will be a senior in in political science, international affairs, Chinese, Business and Asian studies at FLorida State. He also plans to attend law school with a Chinese law program. He is currently in Tianjin, China on a Gilman Scholarship from the US State Department and could not be with us.

Daniel Kozell, younger brother to past president Rick Kozell, who will graduate in May with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Dylan Brandenburg, who learned his skills in computer and political science from working in political campaigns with his parents Gary and Kathy Brandenburg of North Palm Beach. A student at Florida State, he joined the Computer Criminology program and has worked for the state of Florida in the Insurance Fraud Division, and now works for Dana and Johnston Blakely in their business “On Track Investigations” who are sponsoring him for his private investigator license.

Hanna Matry, our newest recipient who received her AA degree from Palm Beach State and is now in her 2nd year at the College of Engineering at the University of Florida, majoring in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. She is just starting a summer internship with Rocketdyne at the old Pratt&Whitney site. Not able to be with us, her mother Joanne Matry arranged for her to thank us in a video which was played at the meeting.

Also at the meeting, we heard from county GOP Chair Anita Mitchell who reported that the county party is now “in the black”. Anita told us about the party program to reach out to independents (50% of whom used to be Republicans), and to create a “service” orientation, beyond politics. The latter is designed to present a helpful presence in the community through helping people with problems they are having with government, and to work with groups such as the Boys and Girls clubs.

Mary Kate Knorr, the Republican Victory Center Manager, brought us up to speed on their plans, and stressed that volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs in addition to the more traditional precinct walking and phone-banking.

Candidates present included Calvin Turnquest, Nick Wukoson and Brian Lara running in CD18, David Wagie of CD22, and John Hartman – the only Republican in any school board race, running for Karen Brill’s seat.

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February Lunch Featured DEP Secretary and Madison Institute CEO

Our February meeting featured Herschel Vinyard, Florida Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, and Dr. Bob McClure, CEO of the Madison Institute.

After the Invocation and Pledge led by Virginia Brooks, Rick Kozell (Club President) kicked off the meeting by describing the successful Lincoln Day Dinner. Many in the group had attended the sell-out event.

Rick is on the board of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the James Madison Institute, a conservative think tank, and personally knew both keynote speakers. After introducing both, Mr. Vinyard took the podium.

He began by giving a boost to Governor Rick Scott. The Governor has had a tremendous impact on bringing Florida’s economy back from the depths of the recession. Mr. Vinyard said that the Governor’s ‘laser-focus’ on jobs was deeply personal to the Governor. The Secretary of DEP then segued to two examples of ‘federalism in action’, where Florida was able to wrest control back from the Federal government with Florida-based solutions.

The first, water body nutrient levels, has been an ongoing issue with the EPA. Rather than accept the federal solution, Vinyard’s team came forward with an alternative proposal that was found acceptable, yet customized for the state.

The second was Everglades water management, another long-term conflict with the federal government. Florida had been embroiled in a lawsuit since the 1980s and Governor Scott, solutions-oriented as he is, found that unacceptable. The DEP was able to offer an acceptable, Florida based solution to satisfy all the federal administrative organizations.

Admitting it is not always easy, Secretary Vinyard has shown that it is possible for states to engage productively with the Federal regulatory bodies.

In closing, he also encouraged us to partake of the wonderful Florida State Park System which also falls under the DEP.

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Dr. McClure, President of the James Madison Institute, talked about “bending the river current” towards greater freedom in this country. His theme was the “great sorting out” of the states that is in progress, with red states led by conservative governments attracting people and money away from the high-taxes, oppressive regulations, and infringements of our freedoms of the Progressive-led Blue states.

There are four states to watch that could be a harbinger of all our futures. Will we emulate Texas, with its supercharged economy, low taxes, and minimal government? Or will we go the way of California, Illinois or New York – arguably examples of crumbling infrastructure, excessive debt and failing governments after years of Progressive policies.

Believing that “everyone is conservative, privately“, he pointed out that “Freedom works every time it is tried./em>”

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Present at the meeting were CD18 candidates Alan Schlesinger and Ilya Katz, and a spokesperson for Carl Domino. Alan spoke with respect about the admirable candidacy of Ellen Andel, who recently withdrew from the race.

Some pictures from the event:

CD18 Candidates on View at January Lunch

In a heavily attended lunch today at Bear Lakes Country Club, five of the six Republican candidates aiming to challenge Patrick Murphy for the CD18 seat gave their views of the campaign, the issues, and their own unique qualifications for the job.

The candidates are Juno Beach Councilwoman Ellen Andel, businessman and former State Legislator Carl Domino, Writer and cartoonist Ilya Katz, Former Connecticut State Representative Alan Schlesinger, and athletic trainer and former Tequesta Vice Mayor Calvin Turnquest. The sixth candidate, Beverly Hires was a last minute cancellation.

Campaign Approach

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Moderated by RCPB president Rick Kozell, the candidates were first asked how they would defeat the incumbent Patrick Murphy.

Better understanding of the district and inspiring voters of the next generation to create a 21st century party, said Calvin Turnquest. Carl Domino offered that he was the most knowledgeable about the issues, is the only candidate who served in the military, and will raise the issues of the constitutionality of Obamacare. Alan Schlesinger cited fighting Obamacare and making inroads with minorities. Raising the fight against the sovietization of the US, offered Ilya Katz. Ellen Andel, the only woman in the group today, will blunt the Democrat narrative of the war on women, children, workers, etc. and be a candidate people can relate to.

Issues

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Moving on to policy, they were asked to name three major issues facing the country that they could affect if elected, and the answers were all quite different.

Calvin Turnquest listed (legal) immigration, Obamacare’s failure to meet any of its promises, and help for small business – such as repealing the capital gains tax. He has experienced all three as an immigrant, health care worker who has owned a small business.

Carl Domino cited ending Obamacare (although he conceded that it is a defensive position until we have a new President), military and veterans issues, and jobs . Regarding the tax system, he said he believes in progressive taxation, but everyone should pay something.

Alan Schlesinger said numbers one, two and three were all the same – end Obamacare and reject the single payer system that is waiting in the wings when the ACA implodes. “They stuck it down our throats” he said, “now we should stick it up their ballot box.”

Ilya Katz would eliminate all business taxes, attend to cyberwar and energy grid protection, and repeal Obamacare.

Ellen Andel cited lack of fiscal responsibility, the health of Lake Okeechobee – an issue that got Murphy some attention but on which he hasn’t delivered, and ending the “selfishness of the ruling elite” with term limits, and elimination of legislator pensions.

Unique Attributes

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Next, they were asked to differentiate themselves from the field. Some mentioned the “Reagan rule” about not talking ill about fellow Republicans, and they all stuck to highlighting their own strengths.

When asked “what sets you apart..”, Calvin Turnquest got some laughs with “Isn’t it obvious?” then went on to talk about leading the next generation of “Turnquest Republicans” who were not around to experience being “Reagan Republicans” first hand. “I am the candidate that Murphy most fears,” he said.

Carl Domino stressed his accomplishments, including portability, fighting Digital Domain in Port St. Lucie, helping bring Scripps to the county and creating jobs in his own business.

Alan Schlesinger said he had “taken out Democrats” (in Connecticut), had the best grasp of fiscal and health care issues, and will “wrap Obamacare around Murphy’s neck.”

Ilya Katz, citing his unique life experience and knowledge, said he has nothing to lose and would move to impeach Barack Obama. He would also offer “free contraceptives to Democrats”, and cited his “Chicago accent” (but different than the President’s).

Ellen Andel pointed out that she has obtained former Congressman Allen West’s endorsement, and brings the persistence and perseverance of a competitive athlete to the fray. “It is time for new leadership”, she said.

Place of Hope CEO Highlights our December Lunch

Befitting the time of year when people think about those less fortunate, our December guest represented the needs of those children in the foster care system in Palm Beach County, and an example of meeting a need that government has not managed well.

Place of Hope CEO Charles Bender talked about breaking the cycle of dependency among neglected or abused children by providing a nurturing, family-based environment. While the government has the overall responsibility for those that find themselves in the foster-care system, it is non-governmnental organizations like Place of Hope that provide the personal touch that can make a difference in a child’s life.

It was Jeb Bush as Governor who advanced the concept of “commuity based care” and groups like Place of Hope move the ball by providing alternatives to the “family first” policies of DCF. “Family first”, which gives priority to keeping family units together can cause problems for the children when the family unit is dysfunctional in some way. Moving foster kids into family structured group or individual homes where positive values can be taught is a viable alternative that Place of Hope provides.

For more information about Place of Hope, please visit their website.

In other business, we heard from candidates Beverly Hires (CD18), Henry Colon (CD21), and Pat Rooney (FH85).

Some pictures from the event:

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House Speaker Will Weatherford at October Lunch

The October lunch featured Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford. A Wesley Chapel resident, representing District 61 in Pasco County since 2006, Will is currently the youngest Speaker in America at 33.

Warmly introduced by District 85 Representative Pat Rooney who said he ran again last year “to serve under Will Weatherford as Speaker”, Speaker Weatherford returned the compliment, describing Rooney as “soft spoken, but one who has a lot to say when he speaks”.

He began his remarks referring to the government shutdown, which he said, “however you felt about it, at least it pointed out that there are 800,000 federal employees that are non-essential.”

In Florida, the GOP gets things done. In the country, we are less free than we were four years ago, but people are voting with their feet – leaving the high tax states with their high unemployment and moving to Texas and Florida and others. FL unemployment is 7% and falling, the HS graduation rate is the highest its ever been, the economy is expanding, and the population has grown by 316,000 people.

Of the three major issues facing Florida today and in the future he listed:

1. Education – the major generator of economic growth – today’s unemployment picture is the inverse of what is should be as younger workers aged 20-30 are less likely to find and keep a job than those over 30 – in large part because of problems in our education system. He is not a supporter of Common Core and predicted that the Florida Legislature will not adopt a national curriculum, but will work to set higher standards.

2. Healthcare – next year’s session will not expand medicaid in the state – it is a program that doesn’t work – instead they will seek free market alternatives.

3. Water infrastructure – there will be focus on the problems of pollution from runoff in the Indian River lagoon and elsewhere, and the security of our water supplies.

Addressing more global issues that he sees as new opportunities for the Republican Party, he cited youth unemployment, particularly what the Obama economics has done to minorities (23% of black youth are unemployed). The younger generations will be asked to bail out their predecessors and the $17 Trillion national debt, while at the same time sacrificing to make lives for themselves.

He spoke of “generational poverty” – that it is caused by government, not capitalism. The fix for it, he said, is not redistribution of wealth, but redistribution of knowledge and opportunity. We need better schools by offering parents a choice of where to send their children. Using the view of the Korean peninsula from space (the south glows brightly, the north is dark), he ended with the thought that the party should endeavor to make Florida shine as bright as anywhere.

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In other business, VP Anita Mitchell said her goodbyes as she is expected to emerge as the next PBC Party Chair.

Carol Hurst reported that her nominating committee has defined a slate of candidates for the November 6 club election. These include Rick Kozell to return as President, Meg Shannon as VP and Secretary, and Bette Anne Starkey as Treasurer.

Candidates present included Ellen Andel, Alan Schlesinger and Ilya Katz who are competing for Patrick Murphy’s CD18 seat, and Henry Colon to challenge Ted Deutch in CD21. Ellen Andel’s campaign got a boost this week when former Congressman Allen West came out to support her along with 7 sitting Republican Congresswomen from around the country.

Some pictures from Fred and Delia

Reasons for Optimism – The “Defending the American Dream” Summit

This past weekend in Orlando, Americans for Prosperity Foundation hosted a conference for grassroots activists from around the nation.

With informative breakout sessions in the mornings to highlight successes on the state and local levels, and “big tent” events in the afternoon with national conservative leaders, there was something for everyone, including ample free time to “network”.

The “malaise” that affected many of us locally after the bitter results of the 2012 Presidential election has been pretty widespread, and organizers from many locations reported falling attendance at many of their events. Hopefully, that is now starting to change. Although we are still licking our wounds, conferences like this one demonstrate that there is still life in the conservative grassroots, we have leaders in the movement that “get it” and have the fortitude to take it to the President – to lead the fight against the train wreck that is Obamacare, the endless debt and deficits, the administration that cares little for the rule of law, the separation of powers, or the role of the states in our constitutional republic.

“It’s amazing what is possible in America“, said Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, when people are free – free to make their own choices, free from the suffocating regulations of intrusive government. He talked about education as the key for the jobs of tomorrow, and the success they have had in his state in shutting down failing schools and greatly expanding the charter school system which has done a lot to improve the lot of minority children. Last week, unfortunately, Obama’s Justice Department has decided to sue Louisiana to roll back these reforms and return students to their failing schools. Judging by his fiery critique of the President and his policies, it is clear he will stand up against our rogue Attorney General and fight to retain the success they achieved.

Our own Senator Marco Rubio declared “There is nothing wrong with America – but there is something wrong with this President“. The good news, he said, is that “we still have time to save the American Dream“, by reforming the tax code and eliminating regulations. “We don’t need Common Core”, he said, and he will not vote for any budget that funds Obamacare or to increase the debt ceiling without a balanced budget amendment and specific cuts.

Unfortunately for Senator Rubio, there is still a lot of anger in the movement about his role in passing the “gang of eight” Senate immigration bill. In the hall were members of Flimen with pink shirts that said “Pink Slip Rubio”, and throughout his speech you could hear sporadic calls for “No Amnesty”. Although he avoided this issue in the speech, he did address it in a smaller group that met with him prior to the session. In a hotel suite with about 40 supporters, after answering some questions about Syria, Obamacare and other issues for which he was among friends, someone in the back asked “what about immigration”. A hush fell across the room at this point and he had no choice but to address it with a somewhat lengthy justification that amounted to “the status quo is unacceptable so we have to do something“. To me it sounded like doubling down. Not good.

Then Arthur Brooks, President of American Enterprise Institute, succinctly summed up the Obama message: “Rich people have your stuff and I’m going to get it back for you.” This shouldn’t have worked as envy is not American, but unfortunately all our side had to say to his supporters was “You’re a moocher” – no wonder we lost. The words “fairness” and “compassion” have been kidnapped by the left and we should take them back and own them, because progressive ideology is neither fair nor compassionate. As a humorous and memorable side comment illustrating our difference in values, he recalled a bumper sticker seen in San Francisco – “Your body may be a temple but mine is an amusement park”.

Next up was Governor Rick Scott, gearing up his re-election bid with a positive jobs message. Recalling his 2010 pledge to create “700,000 jobs in 7 years”, he reported us as on-track, with the likelihood of 900,000 jobs created by 2018. Scott is still popular with the Florida grassroots, although his support for Medicaid expansion had a lot of heads scratching. We do still remember that he declined to create a state Obamacare exchange, though. A few hecklers in the audience periodically shouted “No Common Core”, reflecting dissatisfaction with the direction that our education system has taken over the last few years. Scott talked about his activities as a booster of the state’s business climate and his good-natured rivalry with Texas and Governor Rick Perry who was the last major speaker of the day.

A 2012 Presidential candidate until his campaign faltered early in the primary process, he is possibly gearing up for another run in 2016. Well known as a jobs governor, the record of the Texas economy on his watch has been very impressive. As he makes the rounds of the states selling the Texas miracle, he has gained the ire of many blue state governors who do not appreciate his pointing out the shortcomings of their performance or the failings of the Progressive economics.

On another theme, “All roads lead back to the states“, said Perry. One size fits all federal programs (like Obamacare) are anathema to the founding principles of this country. A favorite target of the Obama administration, whose ideology sees the power in the states to be a roadblock to their big government agenda, Texas is now being sued by Eric Holder and the Justice Department as they try to end-run the Supreme Court and re-impose Voting Rights Act restrictions that require federal permission for such things as Voter ID laws.

On the final day of the conference, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, another possible 2016 presidential candidate and clearly the favorite of the gathering gave us reasons for optimism. With the success of Ron Paul’s filibuster on drones, and the failure of gun control initiatives after Sandy Hook, the President was forced to “listen to the people”, he said. On Syria, with Obama now going to Congress for authorization, on immigration, on common core, – the people are making their voices heard and throwing a wrench into the Obama agenda. His job as a Senator, he says, is to restore economic growth as the lack of growth is related to all of our other problems. Tax Reform (“Abolish the IRS“), and regulatory reform (“Repeal Obamacare – every single word“) are the key. He sees Obamacare as the greatest job killer of all time and sees de-funding it in the upcoming budget process as the key. In answer to skeptics that see that tactic as a political liability for Republicans, he says “You lose 100% of the fights you surrender at the outset.” Standing ovations were frequent for this speech.

All in all, the speakers reminded us that conservatism is not “in trouble” as the mainstream media may have you believe, but resurgent and full of fire. With his agenda in tatters, the Obama team sees winning back the House and holding the Senate next year as their only chance to have a legacy of anything but failure. Any thought of compromise or even dealing with a Republican House is not is the President’s wheelhouse. Although 2014 will be a harder slog than 2010 when we took them by surprise, at the end of this conference it was clear that we have depth, we have tools and we have a maturity that comes from adversity and learning from the losses of 2012. Thanks to AFP and organizations like them, the conservative grassroots will have help and structure that will amplify our effectiveness going forward.

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