Observations of a recently retired 31-year Army Veteran…How US politics, policy, and strategy impact America’s global standing

General Mark Holler

Palm Beach Kennel Club – Paddock Restaurant
1111 N Congress Ave
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
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The Mel K Show host Mel K

After witnessing darkness first hand, Mel K knew she had no option but to take action and speak out, hence the birth of The Mel K show.

Talk Show Host Joyce Kaufman

With the coming elections the most important of our lifetime (this time for sure!!), who better than Joyce Kaufman to make sense of it all. A fixture in South Florida’s radio talk show scene for many years, Joyce knows how to weed out the political BS and reveal the truth of our current situation.

County GOP Chairman Kevin Neal

Willy Guardiola making the case for President Trump

and Joe Budd in favor of Governor Ron DeSantis.

Though polling tells us that Donald Trump is the choice of a majority of Republicans, the left is telling us they will not permit him to retake the white house and are willing to shred the rule of law and all the norms of political activity to force their will upon us.

It is too early to tell whether this will succeed, though the indictments in Florida, Washington, New York, Georgia and maybe Arizona are enormous impediments to the Trump campaign from a money and time perspective. Politically, they have not seemed to dent his political capital, at least among Republicans, because (as he says) “… they are coming for us and I am just in the way”.

If you watched the debate on 8/23, you might agree that it is Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy who have emerged as the most valid approximations of MAGA candidates who could take the baton if the left achieves their goal.

From a policy perspective, both men share Trump’s MAGA agenda and there is little daylight between them. Differentiation instead depends on other factors such as:

• Will the left succeed in forcing Trump to quit the race one way or another?
• Will the blue states succeed in removing him from the ballot?
• Will the election be conducted with integrity and fairness and what candidate would be the best in keeping it that way?
• Are we going to stand by while the constitution is being shredded to get Trump by a rogue DOJ our mobilize as a party to fight it?
• Given the overwhelming attacks by the global left, the Washington ruling class and the media, all who see Donald Trump as an existential threat to them and their agenda, is he electable?

With no slight intended to Vivek, we have organized this forum to examine some of these issues by contrasting President Trump with Governor DeSantis. Most Republicans respect and admire both men, and it is sad that the race has generated bad feelings among friends.

For some thoughts on these and other points, we will have Willy Guardiola speaking in favor of President Trump as our nominee, and Joe Budd in favor of “the Florida alternative” Governor Ron DeSantis. Both are well known to the club and throughout the county.

Willy is known for his state-wide right-to-life activism, and the organization of rallies in support of President Trump at “Trump corner” and other places in the county, and has penned a state-wide call for the Governor to withdraw from the race.

Joe, a Congressional candidate for District 23 in 2022, is a co-founder of the Trump-45 club (now Trump-47) who has now swapped horses and supports the Governor for President. Appearing on “To the Point with Michael Williams“ on July 31, Joe no longer believes that Donald Trump can win or govern effectively.

After their remarks, we will have a Q&A session and discuss the issues.

Palm Beach Kennel Club – Paddock Restaurant
1111 N Congress Ave
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
MAP

$28/Members $35/Guests
Pay at the door.

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Palm Beach Kennel Club – Terrace Restaurant
1111 N Congress Ave
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
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Mike Caruso learned from a young age that in order to succeed, he needed to roll up his sleeves and work hard until the job was done. As a child, Mike sold flowers and mowed lawns to earn money. He kept his entrepreneurial spirit alive and worked his way through college at George Washington University, where he earned a degree in Business Administration, specializing in accounting.

After years of experience as a CPA in accounting firms such as KPMG and Grant Thornton International, Mike opened his own CPA firm, Caruso & Caruso, in Palm Beach County. Over the next three decades, Mike has used his skills to benefit the community, serving on many community organization boards, and serving as an expert witness in many local and national court cases as a forensic accountant.

Mike is a proud father of 7, a champion barefoot water-skier, a tennis enthusiast, and enjoys spending time at the beach, with his wife and two dogs.

Mike is deeply entrenched in the community both personally and professionally. In addition to his professional work as a CPA, he owns several residential and commercial properties throughout the county and is the CFO of Delray Beach Executive Suites. He wants to work with the community to make real change. He understands that lasting change can only come from increased communication and a willingness to get things done. If we work together, we can see real change in Palm Beach County.

Mike’s community activities include:

• Delray Beach Police Advisory Board
• Delray Beach Parking Management Advisory Board
• West Atlantic Redevelopment Coalition
• WARC Economic Committee—Co-Chair
• Villas of Ocean Crest Homeowners Association—President
• Atlantic Grove Condominium Association—President
• Delray Beach National Little League Coach for 30 Years
• Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader

Palm Beach Kennel Club – Paddock Restaurant
1111 N Congress Ave
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
MAP

$28/Members $35/Guests
Pay at the door.

Make sure you submit your RSVP in advance by clicking on our link below:

Anne Roberts

Anne Roberts, a petite but strong and dedicated Republican, was born in Virginia in 1920. She lived and worked in Maryland until 1954, and then moved to Palm Beach County. Interestingly, this was the year after our Club was chartered.

While working as an R.N. for 50 year, she and her husband served on the REC. She was presented the Jean Pipes award by Palm Beach County Republican Party as an acknowledgment of her dedication to Republican principles. She never sought the limelight herself, working behind the scenes, continually letting others take credit. She always admonished us to “do the right thing”, make sure there’s education involved, mentor the young to follow in the right path, have fun, be prepared, and by all means, don’t lose money doing it!!! That is who Anne Roberts was!

In the late 80’s she had worked her way to 2nd Vice President of the Florida Federated Women. She was tasked with the “Entertainment”/Program for the NFRW National Convention held in Orlando on the 50th anniversary of the organization. She had the entire PB delegation, consisting of 6 Federated clubs, involved –even doing a “can-can” dance for one evening’s entertainment. What a “hoot” Anne was!

Her many committees remember her, not only for her great character and good judgment, but as the epitome of organization –always ready with even the tape, paper clips and scissors. She chaired a Lincoln Day Dinner in the 90’s, and true to who she was, read up on protocol for seating. She knew the value of research for allowing her to be sure everything ran smoothly—and many of us remember she knew how to delegate that research..

In 2005, Anne chaired the FFRW State Convention held in West Palm Beach. Despite a recent hurricane which cancelled the keynote speaker, she found a better one; and the show went on! If there were glitches, no one knew.

Anne left us before our club chartered with Republican Party of Florida. But, being a renaissance woman who realized that times change, I am sure she is smiling as we carry our Club’s Legacy onward. She would be very proud of the young folks who have received a scholarship in her name.