Straight party line votes for research on human embryos, historic
tax hike, bloated federal budget, cut-and-run defense policy are
surefire symptoms
POTTSVILLE (April 30th, 2007)—The new Congress is but four months
old, and U.S. Rep. T. Timothy Holden is exhibiting strong symptoms
of the Potomac Fever that invariably plagues politicians who spend
too many years in the Beltway.
Potomac Fever, named after the Potomac River that runs through
Washington, D.C., is the term often given by taxpayers and political
analysts to a condition marking politicians who’ve succumbed to
partisan politics that is beneficial to incumbents and the special
interests who lobby them, but not the taxpayers back home.
“Tim Holden is no longer an independent, conservative Democrat,”
said Adrienne Mitford, state chairman of the PA Young Republicans.
“Holden has clearly jumped in bed with special interests and the
liberal elite of his party, whose left-wing views are ruining our
country.” Mitford cited
Holden’s abysmal 21 percent rating from Citizens Against Government
Waste (www.cagw.org),
as well as deplorable 19 percent rating from the National Taxpayers
Union (www.ntu.org).
Both taxpayer watchdog groups annually rate members of Congress on
their performance in protecting taxpayers from governmental waste,
fraud and abuse.
Josh Meade, chairman of the Schuylkill County Young Republicans,
noted that Holden’s very first vote of the new Congress was to put
ultra-liberal Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco in charge of the show.
Her first action, not surprisingly, was to push a bill spending
taxpayers’ hard-earned money on morally questionable research of
human embryos, which Holden joined her and other liberals in voting
for, much to the chagrin of conservative family-minded organizations
such as Concerned Women of America, and the National Right to Life
Committee (1/11/2007, H.R. 23, roll call vote #20).
As noted by columnist Robert Novak (“Democrats Resurrect Tax and
Spend Ways, (3/29/07), Holden and the Democrats also recently voted
for the largest tax increase in America history, trumping even the
one he voted for at the behest of Bill Clinton in 1993.
Holden’s feeble attempts to ensure constituents back home that he
and Pelosi wouldn’t be running a liberal agenda, and further that he
wouldn’t cater to it, are an outright deception.
John McNally, chairman of the Dauphin County Republican Committee,
cited as evidence of Holden’s Potomac Fever a recent vote for a
defense spending bill that not only emboldens our jihad Muslim
enemies while hamstringing our brave troops and the
commander-in-chief with a cut-and-run withdrawal date from Iraq, but
also which was flagrantly loaded up with blatant pork barrel
projects to entice a party line vote – an unfortunate practice which
Holden and the Democrats initially vowed to ban upon taking the
majority but now have taken to a high art.
Holden started to veer well off the beaten path back in 1995, during
his second term in Congress. He steadfastly tried to obstruct the
common sense reform agenda that resulted from the people’s ouster of
Democrats from power due to unbridled corruption and liberalism.
Specifically, Holden opposed the Balanced Budget Amendment. He
opposed American Dream Savings Account. He
voted for the biggest tax increase in American history, which
included a whopping 70% tax hike on the Social Security benefits of
older citizens. [See addendum, “Holden’s Hallmarks”]
There is only one known cure for Potomac Fever—to elect someone new.
Power corrupts, and it has absolutely corrupted Tim Holden.”
-33-
Holden’s Hallmarks
Voted against the Balanced Budget Amendment
(1/26/1995, Roll Call vote #51)
Voted for the largest tax increase in U.S. history
(8/5/1993, Roll Call vote #406)
Voted against the Deficit Reduction Act
(11/18/2005, Roll Call vote #601)
Voted for a 70% tax hike on Social Security benefits
(8/5/1993, Roll Call vote #406)
Voted for higher taxes on married people
(8/5/1999, Roll Call vote #379)
Voted to tax you more if you pass on a family business to a loved
one
(6/26/97, Roll Call vote #245)
Voted against a 10% tax cut for all Americans
(5/16/2001, Roll Call vote #118)
Voted against Kelo reform measure (banning federal grants for “Kelo
style” private-to-private land grabs)
(6/30/2005, Roll Call vote #350)
Voted against historic earmark reform (requiring database tracking
all
authors of earmarks)
(9/14/2006, Roll Call vote #449)
Voted four times for “catch and release” of illegal aliens
(5/17/05, vote # 177; 7/8/04, vote # 341; 6/18/04, vote # 270;
6/24/03, vote
#309 )
Voted for welfare benefits for illegal aliens
(7/13/04, Roll Call vote #367)
Voted against landmark welfare reform (Personal Responsibility Act)
(3/24/1995), Roll Call vote #269)
Voted against legal reform (Attorney Accountability Act – “loser
pays”)
(3/7/1995, Roll Call vote #207)
Voted against domestic oil refinery construction
(10/7/2005, Roll Call vote #519)
Voted against regulatory reform
(2/24/1995, Roll Call vote #174)
Voted against all four impeachment counts against Bill Clinton
(12/20/1998)
Voted for Nancy Pelosi to be Speaker of the House
(1/4/07, Roll Call vote #2)
POTTSVILLE— The Schuylkill
County Young Republicans today announced election results of several of their YR
members, many of whom were running for Republican Committeeman positions.
After going four for four in
Borough Council races across Schuylkill County last fall, yesterday’s election
was just as successful as six of the group’s members posted victories. Members
who were successful in Committeeman races included: Joe Sterns and his wife
Gretchen capturing the County Committeeman and Alternate Committeeman seats,
respectively, in Deer Lake Borough; YR Jonathan Coles who captured the County
Committeeman’s seat in West Penn Township North, one of the county’s largest
precincts; YR Chairman and Cressona Borough Councilman Josh Meade who was
re-elected County Committeeman in Cressona; Orwigsburg Borough Councilwoman
Michele Rudloff who was elected to County Committeewoman in Orwigsburg and Larry
Dubbs who picked up the County Committeeman seat in Pine Grove North.
Due to club rules, the
Schuylkill County Young Republicans did not endorse candidates in yesterday’s
contested races however, they will play an active role in many of the races in
November. Chairman Josh Meade spoke of the importance of November stating, “The
voters have spoken. The primary election is over and it is extremely important
now for Republicans to stand as one heading into November and to work together
for victory. Our top priorities must be the retention of Senator Rick Santorum,
the defeat of “No-Results Rendell”, and the retention of Republican majorities
in the State House and Senate.”
POTTSVILLE- Michele Corbin Rudloff, of Orwigsburg, has been named the Frederick
J. Hobbs Young Republican of the Year. The award was presented by Past YR
Chairman Gretchen Sterns at the Schuylkill County Republican Committee’s Annual
Lincoln Day Dinner.
“It is
both an honor and a privilege to receive this award,” Rudloff stated. Named for
the late Senator Frederick J. Hobbs, this is the first year for the award, which
is given to the Schuylkill County Young Republican who exemplifies leadership in
politics and dedication to the growth and strength of the Schuylkill County
Young Republicans.
“The
Young Republicans are very fortunate to have an energetic and productive group,
and Michele is the epitome of what a Young Republican should be. She has a very
bright future ahead of her,” said Sterns in presenting the award.
This past
year was a busy one for Rudloff, she was elected to Orwigsburg Borough Council
as the highest vote getter in the primary and general election and also
completed the Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series. The series,
founded by Pennsylvania’s National Republican Committeewoman Christine Toretti
Olson, was created to identify and mentor future female leaders for the party.
Rudloff’s participation in the program is noteworthy, as she is the first county
resident to complete the program and one of only 20 women statewide selected for
the class.
Last
month, Rudloff was elected to serve as Vice Chairman of the Young Republicans,
having previously served on the Board of Directors. She also serves as a
Republican committee person in Orwigsburg.
Not new
to the political arena, Rudloff has been involved in politics since she grew up
in Jefferson County in Western Pennsylvania where both her father and
grandfather served in local elected offices. She cultivated her interest in
politics into a profession, graduating from Bloomsburg University with a
bachelor of arts in political science in 1995. Rudloff currently works for
Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Sam Smith in Harrisburg.
Rudloff,
who is married to Brett, acknowledges her friends and family help keep her
success in perspective, stating “I have always believed that the sign of a true
leader is never forgetting where you came from and always remembering to thank
those that helped you get there, which is why I share this award with everyone
who has helped me get where I am today.”
Cressona’s Josh Meade elected chairman of civic youth
organization
POTTSVILLE (January 26) - The Schuylkill County Young Republicans have
elected a new slate of officers to guide the organization through what promises
to be a very lively year politically in Schuylkill County and across the
Commonwealth.
Josh Meade of Cressona,
administrator for The Lighthouse Church and a borough councilman, is the group’s
new chairman.
“Our organization is looking to
have a very active role in what will be one of the most important election
cycles ever,” Meade said. “We’re looking forward to expanding our club’s growth,
registering new Republican voters, helping Senator Santorum win re-election, and
ending Ed Rendell’s very disappointing tenure as governor.”
Meade was among four Young
Republicans who last year ran successful bids for local office, capturing more
votes than any other candidate for borough council, on which he chairs the
Finance and Property committee.
The group’s other officers are:
Vice Chairman – Michele Corbin Rudloff of Orwigsburg, who is a borough
councilwoman and constituent services director for PA Majority Leader Sam Smith;
Secretary – Kelly Childs of Schuylkill Haven, an administrative assistant for
State Representative Adam Harris; and Treasurer – Larry Dubbs of Pine Grove.
The Schuylkill County Young
Republicans are Republicans aged 18-40 who advocate the principles upon which
our country was founded and seek to get the youth of Schuylkill County actively
involved in the political process. For more information, log on to
www.schuylkillyrs.com, or call 570-617-9078.
As a contestant on "The Apprentice," Raj Peter Bhakta asked famed tennis star
Anna Kournikova out.
Bhakta, 30, who's quick to seize an opportunity even though it may be a long
shot, talked about his likely run for 13th Congressional District, a district
including northeast Philadelphia and a section of Montgomery County.
The charismatic and charming Philadelphian and Montgomery County Young
Republican was the special guest at Thursday night's Schuylkill County Young
Republican meeting, at Maroons Sports Bar & Grill, 556 N. Centre St.,
Pottsville, where he discussed his move into the political arena.
"Reform, reform, reform. We need it in areas of campaign finance, education and
health care," he said. ". . .We need market reforms, market-based reforms and
health care (reform) to bring costs down."
A self-described economic conservative and social moderate Republican, Bhakta
joined a dozen members of the Schuylkill County Young Republican organization to
discuss his views, public policy, campaign finance reform, his likely opponent (
U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, D-13) and, of course, "The Apprentice."
Sporting a navy suit jacket, button down shirt with white collar (sans his
trademark bow tie), Bhakta joined the group for drinks and appetizers.
Bhakta, a first generation American who lives in Fort Washington (situated
outside of Philadelphia), is president of the real estate firm Vanquish
Enterprises, Vail, Colo., overseeing the company's interest in real estate and
automotive technology.
His interest in politics stems from his call for reform.
"As a candidate, you have to have a reason to make a change, when you lose that
you're a career politician," he said.
As for his campaign and his "exploratory committee," he says it's 10 times
easier to make money in business than raising it for a campaign.
However, he ruled out a date for officially announcing his campaign.
He also spoke passionately about the outsourcing of the country's economy and
innovation to foreign countries like China.
Bhakta thinks the country needs to push forward with new products and invest in
what he called "hard sciences," like engineering.
A proponent of social reform, he favored what he called breaking an "entitlement
mentality."
"If you work longer and smarter, then you'll get ahead. I believe in the
American Dream. I've seen it," he said. "The truth of the matter, life is a
struggle and you have to raise yourself up by the bootstraps."
Sitting next to Bhakta was Gretchen D. Sterns, chairwoman of the Young
Republicans and an county-based attorney, who hoped to inspire other young
people to seek office.
"I think it's important to get young people involved in the political process
and show an example of someone at a young age . . . pursuing a run for office,"
she said. "It's encouraging for young people to get involved with politics."
Bhakta also was inspired, when Kournikova's name came into the discussion.
He wondered whether the tennis star would appear at a fund-raiser.
PINE GROVE - Ronald T. Miko is now a member of the Pine Grove council, and he
hopes his youth will be an advantage to the borough.
"The council should represent the community," he said, hoping that he is able to
represent the younger generation since he is currently the youngest board
member.
Miko said there is a diverse group in Pine Grove, with both a significant amount
of elderly and younger people.
"We need to represent everybody," he said.
Miko was the only new addition to the council during its Tuesday reorganization
meeting.
Miko, a borough native and patrol officer for the Reading Police Department for
five years, will fill the seat 12-year council veteran Judith A. DeLong vacated
after she lost to him by a margin of four to five votes in the November
election.
Miko returned to the borough 10 years ago after leaving to join the Army.
He said he originally did a write-in campaign during the primary. He received
the most votes out of everybody running for Pine Grove council including
re-elected members, he said.
"I put some effort into the campaign and had support" from both people on
council and in the community, Miko said.
He said he got involved in politics while he was in the military.
"Part of my job was to restructure governments and rebuild infrastructure
overseas," he said.
Miko said he dislikes some of the politics in the community, especially
regarding partisanship.
"I pretty much always believed that if you didn't like something and didn't do
anything about it, you didn't have the right to complain," he said.
He believes it will be a challenge to learn his role on the council and figure
out what issues are important in the borough.
When asked if he believes there are high expectations of him since he is new to
the council, he said there probably would be.
"There should be high expectations in anyone that is elected; otherwise, they
shouldn't be elected," he said.
Miko said he has no agenda going into his new position, but he thinks his
experience in law enforcement will be handy.
"Anything I can do to help the police department, I would be more than happy to
help them," he said.
He would also like to help ease any tensions there are between the council and
the police department, since he has a point of view from both sides.
District Justice Carol Pankake conducted the swearing-in ceremony. Mayor Morris
S. Williams was re-elected to serve a four-year term and council members
Florence E. Strouphauer, Timothy T. Peters and Donald L. Adams were also all
re-elected to four-year terms.
Phyllis E. Hesser was also re-elected to serve as the council president for a
two-year term and Edward W. Ness was re-elected to serve as vice president for
two years.
"I appreciate your confidence in re-electing me as your president," Hesser said.
Margaret Davenport was re-appointed to serve as borough secretary/treasurer and
Susan Strouphauer was reappointed to serve as assistant secretary/treasurer.
Christopher W. Hobbs was re-appointed as borough council solicitor.
Buchart Horn, York, and BCM Engineers, Philadelphia, were also both re-appointed
as borough engineers. Light-Heigel Associates, Schuylkill Haven, was also
reappointed as the uniform construction code officer.
Sally E. Burke was also re-appointed as the borough's tax collector.
In other news, based on a recommendation made by Adams, the council voted change
the time of its monthly meetings to 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month
in the municipal building.
In other business, the council announced the consideration of Richard Zimmerman
as chairperson of the vacancy board for a one-year term and to consider Clyde
Hesser as a member of the tree commission for a three-year term.
To the Editor: I am writing in response to the letter "Millionaires
should give half their worth in aid."
The author suggests that all American citizens who have a net worth of
more than $1 million should give half of what they own toward the
rebuilding of the Gulf Coast. He also states that every corporation in
the country should do the same.
But I ask, why stop there? According to a report at www.publicagenda.org,
the top 5 percent of wage earners only pay 53
percent of the country's income taxes. Why can't they pay 90 percent?
Clearly, the idea here is that people and companies who make money in
the American capitalist economy are somehow cheating the rest of us. If
this is the case, then let's just turn over the economy completely to
the federal government. After all, the government does such an excellent
job managing our tax dollars that it already takes from us. As we all
know, socialism was a big success in the Soviet Union and is working
magnificently well in Cuba today.
Let's get serious here. Those who are succeeding in the country's free
market economy are not going to sell their house, cars and boats or
liquidate their investment portfolios to foot the post-Katrina
rebuilding effort.
As a matter of fact, if this were to occur, our economy would
completely fail.
The stock market would crash as billions of dollars were withdrawn from
Wall Street. The housing market would collapse as new construction of
expensive homes grinds to a halt. Hotels, restaurants, and banks would
close because of decreased patronage. Car manufacturers would shut down
plants left and right due to lower demand. Retailers would post losses.
Corporations and privately held companies couldn't afford to grow or
even operate and would announce massive layoffs. Tax flow to the U.S.
government would slow to a trickle.
Bill Clinton, a very, very wealthy millionaire, couldn't afford to pay
all of his lawyers. You get the idea.
The fact of the matter is that every year the federal government has in
its coffers billions of dollars that will be wasted on pork projects,
failed social programs and other forms of monetary redistribution that
could be curtailed and redirected to help needy Gulf Coast communities.
In fiscal year 2003 the federal government reportedly spent over $1
trillion dollars on social programs. That's over 50 percent of the
federal budget.
We actually give aid to North Korea. We pay farmers not to grow crops.
We subsidize art that depicts the Holy Cross in a glass of urine.
Certainly there is plenty of room in the government's budget to reduce
or eliminate wasteful spending. The savings could be used to provide the
much needed disaster relief for the victims of hurricanes Katrina and
Rita.
POTTSVILLE - In
an effort to keep American troops in contact with loved ones back home, the
Schuylkill County Young Republicans have recently begun a community-level
fundraising campaign to benefit Operation Uplink. The VFW program provides free
prepaid phone cards to deployed troops and hospitalized veterans.
Funds will be collected at several upcoming festivals and fairs, starting on
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005, during Orwigsburg's Heritage Day and on Sunday, Sept.
11, 2005, at Minersville's Borough Days.
"Our troops are sacrificing so much to serve this nation. Many of them have been
deployed for a year or more," explains Michele Rudloff, Young Republican
Fundraising Coordinator. "The least we can do is ensure they can keep in touch
with their family and friends."
According to Operation Uplink organizers, the gift could not have come at a
better time.
"With many troops on their second deployments, the need for phone time and other
help has reached critical levels," says John J. Senk, Jr., VFW Adjutant General.
"We deeply rely on fund-raising campaigns like this to continue to meet the
need."
Since its inception in 1996, Operation Uplink, which is organized by the VFW and
Ladies Auxiliary VFW, has provided more than 7,000,000 phone cards. The program
has been personally noted by President George W. Bush for its unique
humanitarian assistance.
To contribute locally, visit the Schuylkill County Young Republican's website at
www.schuylkillyrs.com
to see where they will be collecting funds. If you'd like to help or learn more,
visit
www.operationuplink.org or call (800) 479-5228. Or e-mail uplink@vfw.org.
The VFW assists all veterans and their families obtain veterans' entitlements
and other services. In addition, the organization works for the well being of
those serving on active duty, in the National Guard and the Reserves. The VFW
was founded in 1899. There are 2.7 million members of the VFW and its Ladies
Auxiliary located in approximately 9,500 Posts worldwide.
BY TERESA SCHARTEL Staff Writer
tschartel@republicanherald.com
McADOO — Bill Scranton is ready to put the coal region back on the map.
Promising to promote higher paying jobs and cut property taxes, Scranton is
prepared to run against Democratic Gov. Edward G. Rendell in the 2006 election.
Scranton visited the Young Republicans Sunday at their second annual Trap Shoot
Tournament at the Silverbrook Rod and Gun Club in Kline Township.
Scranton noted that the growth of independent or private businesses in the
county is important in upholding the coal region's traditions.
"When I was lieutenant governor, I knew that the age of the steel mills was
over. I worked on new business startups, home-grown businesses," Scranton said.
Tradition defined this weekend's trap shoot, where five groups participated in a
five-round event.
Gretchen D. Sterns, chairman for the Schuylkill County Young Republicans, said
the event doubled in size from last year. This year they had more than 20
participants in the trap shoot. Last year there were only 10.
"The Young Republicans like this event. It's a good way to celebrate our belief
in the second amendment," she said.
Sterns is confident in Scranton's ability to be governor, because he is a native
of the coal region — he is a native of the city of Scranton — and can understand
its economic challenges.
"He is a dynamic leader with a distinguished career in business and public
service," she said.
Scranton has leadership experience in an array of fields, according to
supporters. He is the chairman of the Harleysville Group of Insurance Companies,
co-founded and currently co-chairs the Great Valley Technology Alliance, which
works to create a technology-based economy in northeastern Pennsylvania, is the
chairman of the Willary Foundation and chairman of the Scranton Area Foundation.
During his time as lieutenant governor, from 1979 to 1987, Scranton's leadership
in helping the economy was recognized by Inc. Magazine. He also played a vital
role in cleaning up after the Three Mile Island crisis through his roles as
chairman of the Governor's Energy Council and chairman of the PA Emergency
Management Council.
In 1986, Scranton unsuccessfully ran against Robert P. Casey Sr. for governor.
His re-emergence into politics stems from a dissatisfaction with Rendell's
economic policies.
Scranton expressed a stance on the recent pay raise instituted by the state
legislature and signed by Rendell.
"I'm against it. I think it should be repealed," he said.
Despite the dreary weather, Scranton, proud of his coal region heritage,
indulged in the tradition of the day by participating in the trap shooting
contest.
GOP frontrunner for governor to attend Trap
Shoot near McAdoo;
Schuylkill County to be vital battleground in
2006
POTTSVILLE—Former
Lieutenant Governor Bill Scranton, a declared candidate for the Republican
nomination for governor in 2006 and the early frontrunner on the Republican
side, will be making an early campaign stop in Schuylkill County, which
political experts agree will be a key bellwether next year, said Gretchen
Sterns, chairman of the Schuylkill County Young Republicans.
Scranton will attend a
luncheon with key GOP leaders before attending the 2nd Annual Trap
Shoot Tournament on Sunday, August 28, at 1 p.m. the Silverbrook Rod and Gun
Club, Kline Township, hosted by the Young Republicans.
“We are very pleased that
Bill Scranton is visiting to meet with area taxpayers and share his vision for
rebuilding the Commonwealth’s economy,” said Sterns. “He is a dynamic leader
with a distinguished career in business and in public service. Bill is a native
of the coal region and understands our economic challenges. We in Schuylkill
County are fortunate that our county is recognized as being a bellwether region
in what will be one of the most important and hotly contested elections in a
long time.”
Sterns noted that in 2002,
Democrat Ed Rendell narrowly won Schuylkill County despite its sharp tilt toward
Republican voter registration. Schuylkill County was one of only a handful of
counties that Rendell won outside of Philadelphia and its suburbs, making him
largely a regional candidate. This time, Sterns said, things will be different.
“We understand the road to the governor’s mansion runs through Schuylkill
County, and though Ed Rendell caught us off guard last time, we will work as
hard as we have to in order to put Schuylkill County back in the Republican
column.”
Sterns noted that Rendell’s
popularity has plummeted as he has failed to deliver on his top two campaign
promises of four years ago—the creation of high-paying jobs and a reduction in
property taxes. “The polls show he is in trouble, and for good reason,” Sterns
added. “School property taxes are unbearable, and our high-paying manufacturing
jobs continue to disappear. That’s why Bill Scranton only trails Rendell by six
points, and he hasn’t spent a dime yet to campaign.”
What do Senator Rick Santorum, Congressman
Melissa Hart, and State
House Majority Whip Dave Argall have in common? Each began his rise in
politics as a member of the Young Republicans.
The GOP in Pennsylvania is fortunate to have a thriving Young Republicans
organization replete with industrious, passionate, intelligent members who are
the next generation of rising political stars. What follows is but a small
sampling of the next generation of GOP all-stars. Their ranks may very well
produce highly sought consultants, judges, state legislators, congressmen,
cabinet secretaries, governors, maybe even a president. It is too soon to
tell. But one thing is for certain - those involved in Pennsylvania
politics will be hearing a lot more about them:
Chad Weaver Chad is chief of staff for state Lancaster County state Senator Noah Wenger
and often consults county GOP leaders on important political matters. During the
2004 election, he was Lancaster County's Bush-Cheney Campaign Co-Chairman. Chad
has close ties to Vice President Dick Cheney, doing advance work for him and
accompanying him on various diplomatic trips abroad.
Michele Corbin Rudloff Michele is the director of constituent services for state House Majority
Leader Sam Smith. A recent graduate of the Anne Anistine Series for Public
Excellence, Michele wasted no time putting her knowledge to action, running a
successful primary campaign for a seat on her town's borough council as the top
vote-getter over longtime incumbents. Michele has public service in her
DNA, with her father serving as a Jefferson County commissioner.
Heather Camp Heather represents the new face of the rising GOP tide in southwestern
Pennsylvania. Heather is an aide to Congressman Shuster and is the fiancé of
Indiana County State Representative Dave Reed. Bright, outgoing, and politically
precocious, this recent Anne Anstine grad has-at 23 years of age-successfully
managed several local campaigns.
Tom Metz Tom is a legislative aide to state Rep. Ron Miller in York County. He was
recently appointed an interim member of the Shrewsbury Borough Council. He will
soon begin his own term on the borough council having run, and won, in the
primary election in May while being unopposed in the general election. Tom was
the youngest primary victor statewide in PA this year. His insatiable appetite
for politics and early start ensure that he will set foot on a larger stage one
day.
Adrienne Mitford Adrienne is currently the executive director of the Pennsylvania Young
Republicans and Chairman of the Dauphin County Young Republicans. As
Dauphin County YP4W chairman and volunteer coordinator for Bush-Cheney'04,
Adrienne spent countless hours recruiting volunteers and organizing campaign
events. She is now helping to spearhead a national grassroots movement
among younger workers for personal Social Security accounts. Adrienne's
indefatigability, infectious enthusiasm and leadership will take her a long way.
Jeff Vermeulen This former Delaware County Young Republican Chairman has had a role in many
successful southeast campaigns, including the Weldon Victory Committee, Killion
Victory Committee, and Friends of Rich Cappelli. He served as government
affairs director of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of
the Southeastern PA Chambers PAC, executive vice-president of the Home Builders
Association of Chester and Delaware Counties, and treasurer of the Voice of
Housing PAC - all before the age of 30. And he's just getting warmed up.
Sara Holcombe Sara, the current chairman of the Montgomery County Young Republicans and
regional director for the Pennsylvania Young Republicans, has been instrumental
in organizing Young Republicans - both in her own county and in adjoining
counties. She was just tapped to move from her senior headhunting job with
Gateway Search Associates to work for Senator Santorum in his Philadelphia
office. An active volunteer with Bush Cheney '04 and Brad Murphy's State
Representative campaign, she has a terrific "go get 'em" attitude that will keep
candidates calling.
Terry Trego Terry is the Executive Director for the Lancaster County Republican Party.
The organization skills and attention to detail of the former high school
teacher bring new meaning to the phrase "German efficiency." During the
2004 election, he deftly managed a thousand-man volunteer force that drove out
20,000 more Bush votes than Karl Rove hoped for. He employed similar skills as
the former chairman of the Lancaster Young Republicans and treasurer of the
Pennsylvania Young Republicans. Terry leads with matchless precision, and
he gets the job done with better results in less time and with less money spent
than most operatives.
Christine Verdier Christine is the lifeblood for State House Majority Whip David Argall,
overseeing his constituent services and re-election operations with impeccable
professionalism and effectiveness. A campaign veteran, Christine worked on
Pat Toomey's first congressional campaign in 1998 and most recently as deputy
campaign manager for Col. Frank Ryan's bid for Congress. Christine has worked in
various capacities on numerous state House campaigns and countywide campaigns.
She currently serves as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Young Republicans.
Dedicated, well-liked, and highly experienced, Christine's campaign successes
are just beginning.
Tim Wachter Tim, a law student at the Dickinson School of Law, has worked as an advance
man for numerous statewide campaigns, including Governor Tom Ridge's reelection
campaign, George W. Bush's presidential campaigns, and currently former Lt.
Governor Bill Scranton's gubernatorial campaign. Sharp, personable, and
seasoned, Tim has served as chairman of the Dauphin Young Republicans and
chairman of the Dickinson Republican Council.
Nate Silcox Nate works in state Senator Bob Robbin's office, keeping his boss attuned
to, and on top of, legislation. He previously worked at the Department of
Education where he was integral in advancing Gov. Ridge's education agenda,
particularly school choice. His mind is an encyclopedia on PA politics. Outside
of the legislative arena, no one has pounded more square miles of pavement and
knocked on more doors for more candidates in more areas of the state than he
has. Also a consummate organizer, Nate has logged many hours in the YR
vineyards, including as a Cumberland County chairman and state executive
director.
POTTSVILLE—Members of the
Schuylkill County Young Republicans will assist with replacing trees at
Pottsville’s Bunker Hill Playground on Armed Services Day—this Saturday, May 21,
from 9:30 am to Noon.
Young Republicans will be assisting
the South Schuylkill Garden Club, which has been refurbishing foliage at the
playground since 2003.
Bunker Hill Playground is on Sharp
Mountain in Pottsville on the 700 block of Schuylkill Avenue, two blocks from
the Yuengling Brewery.
All who are interested in
participating in this important community project are encouraged to help.
Equipment that would be helpful includes shovels, rakes, pick axes and
wheelbarrows. For more information, please contact Jane Kruse at 628-4802.
POTTSVILLE-Three Young Republicans were victorious in yesterday's primary
election as they seek to serve on borough council in their communities. And they
didn't just win-all three were the top vote-getters in their races.
Voters in Orwigsburg selected first-time candidate Michelle Rudloff, 31, as
their top choice among five who were competing for four borough council seats.
In Cressona, Josh Meade, 24, finished atop the five-man heap that was vying for
three seats. Meade was also on the ballot for the first time after having been
appointed last year to fill out the term of a councilman who had resigned. And
in Tamaqua, former councilman Micah Gursky, 32, redeemed the loss of his seat in
2003 with a smashing comeback win, besting three other Republican challengers.
"This was an excellent showing for three Young Republicans who ran very
energized grassroots campaigns," said Gretchen Sterns, chairman of the
Schuylkill County Republicans. "Michelle, Josh and Micah each ran on a solid
platform for improving their communities, and each getting the most votes in
their race is a testament to their hard work and commitment to getting their
message out to the voters. These were well-deserved victories, and they will
serve their communities effectively on borough council."
The Schuylkill County Young Republicans is a chapter of the Pennsylvania
Federation of Young Republicans. The organization is a group of young adults
aged 18-40 dedicated to supporting Republican candidates, bringing new young
people into to the GOP, and promoting the platform of the Republican Party. For
more information, log on to www.schuylkillyrs.com.
The battle over President
Bush’s judicial nominees is to America’s Culture War as the Battle of Gettysburg
was to the North’s victory in the Civil War. If it is lost, so too will be our
soul. Never will there be potential for a conservative Supreme Court. Never will
we have a society that protects human life and honors marriage as a union
between male and female. Forever will we have a court indifferent to Congress’
disregard for the Constitution and propensity for expanding the size and scope
of government.
These being the stakes, it’s
incumbent upon Republican Senators to ignore the myopia and ignorance of George
Will and his fellow hand-wringers. Will and is ilk defend the filibuster as
prevention against “tyranny of the majority.” Luckily, our Founding Fathers
were a step ahead of the shrinking violets when they drafted the Bill of Rights.
The extra-constitutional filibuster constitutes the minority’s tyrannical
obstruction of the genius of Jefferson, Madison, et al. One side has to be the
first to put an end to this assault on the wisdom of the Constitution, it might
as well be the Republicans, and there is no better time.
Some conservatives worry
about the degree to which the likes of Barbara Boxer are prone to retribution.
They forget that it is the liberals who not only started the Culture War but who
have also been the constant and virtually unchallenged aggressors since it
began. In fact it is the Democrats who are presently in nuclear mode by
attempting to kill the nominations of four judges who are supported by a
majority of senators, which is unprecedented in the long history of the upper
chamber. Worrying that the liberals will lob a post-nuclear option bomb of their
own is like worrying that al-Qaeda will try to detonate a dirty bomb in one of
our cities if we democratize the Middle East.
Why, now, have Chuck
Schumer and company resorted to nuking Bush’s judicial nominees? They are
whiners and sore losers, but far worse they are incessant, diabolically
Machiavellian schemers who will use any means to achieve their desired end.
Having failed remarkably since 1994 in their effort to control the elected
branches of government, they are attempting to foist their liberal agenda on
America surreptitiously through the judiciary. While judges are supposed to
interpret the law rather than write it according to their own ideology, liberals
know activist judges will do their bidding on abortion, gay marriage, stem cell
research and a host of other issues. And it’s much harder to overturn a bad
decision than it is a bad law.
As I write this column,
liberal activists are delving into the confidential financial records of
conservative judges, who Bush might eventually nominate, in search of any iota
of evidence that can be used in a smear campaign. Recently, Democrat Senate
Minority Leader Harry Reid earned himself the nickname Dirty Harry after
informing his colleagues during Senate debate that nominee Henry Saad has some
things in his FBI file that should give Senators pause before confirming him.
Reid’s flagrant, reprehensible breach of protocol in referring to material in
highly classified FBI files, which can only be viewed by senators on the
Judiciary Committee , was an indicator that liberals will fight this war no
holds barred until the end.
As President Truman
resolved WWII with the detonation of atomic bombs over Japanese soil, so must
General Frist save America from liberalism by mashing the red button.
In 1990 there entered onto the political scene a fresh-faced young
attorney from the Pittsburgh suburb of Mt. Lebanon. Smart as a whip,
articulate beyond his years, and brimming with idealism, Rick Santorum
had enough of the federal government's callous disregard for the
Constitution, liberty, fiscal sanity, and America's families, and he
was determined to do something about it.
The pundits and many in the chattering class instantly wrote him off
when he announced his intention to unseat a seven-term incumbent
Democrat congressman. He lacked a political pedigree and personal
wealth, and he'd never run for office before. He also had to stare
down an imposing voter registration disadvantage. Undaunted, he
laboriously took his campaign message directly to the voters of his
district, confident that a vast majority of them, too, was disenchanted
with politics as usual in Washington, D.C. Despite being outspent three
to one, he was proven right, and entered the U.S. House of
Representatives like Jimmy Stewart's character from Mr. Smith Goes to
Washington.
He made his mark quickly, impressing colleagues and reporters with his
ability to master the issues. He took a leadership role in the "Gang
of Seven," which was responsible for ushering in congressional reform,
closing the controversial House Bank, and exposing the House Post Office
scandal. His constituents rewarded his hard work and advocacy of their
values with a second term, even as Beltway insiders had redrawn the
boundaries of his district as detrimentally as possible.
In 1994, recognizing that Harris Wofford was in cahoots with the upper
chamber's proponents of an extreme left-wing ideology, he decided to
run for the U.S. Senate. As before, he began the campaign with skeptics
outnumbering supporters. Again he worked like a dog, traveling around
the Commonwealth delivering passionate stemwinders to all who were eager
to hear how America could achieve its potential. Again he proved the
pundits wrong by defeating President Kennedy's former speechwriter.
During his tenure in the Senate, by virtue of his leadership and
intellect, he has risen through the ranks with a meteoric pace to become
the third-highest ranking member of that august body. He has played an
integral role in the passage of some of the most important pieces of
legislation to be signed into law in the post-WW II Era, including
welfare refom, Aimee's Law, the balanced budget, the Laci and Connor
Law, and the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban.
Perhaps most impressive is how Senator Santorum has risen above
partisan politics to effectively represent one of the most
demographically and economically diverse states in the nation. He has
done so not by trying to be all things to all people, of which
Pennsylvanians are tired. Rather he has consistently united a majority
of Pennsylvanians behind a commonsense vision for improving our state
and nation.
It is no surprise that Senator Santorum is widely considered fit to be
president of the United States. But seeking to terminate the career of
the man with the gifts to become only the second Commander-in-Chief from
Pennsylvania is one Robert Casey, Jr. Why?
It is commonly known that Casey Jr. has but one overarching goal in his
life: to follow his father's footsteps into the governorship. He is
playing a game of musical chairs with other statewide offices until he
can successfully run for the Commonwealth's top political post. He
had not even begun his term as Auditor General in 2001 before he and his
consultants were plotting a strategy for derailing Ed Rendell in a
Democrat primary for governor the following year. The strategy ended up
being one of the most negative television advertising campaigns
Pennsylvanians have ever seen. Turned off by the vitriol thinly veiling
the fortunate son's blind ambition and lack of vision and inspiration,
Democrat voters resoundingly rejected Casey. His new job as state
Treasurer was barely begun in 2005 before he diverted his attention from
the Commonwealth's finances to levelling harsh attacks against
Santorum with the same animus with which he assaulted Rendell.
It is the opinion of this author, and several voters of both parties to
whom I've spoken, that Pennsylvanians are served best by a proven
incumbent senator who is dedicated full-time to making our Commonwealth
a better place. For Casey, being a Senator would be nothing more than a
political resting place until the opportune time to again run for
governor. Ironically, Casey has not nearly as much in common with his
father as does the Senator whose promising career he seeks to cut short.
He has already promised the national leaders of his party he will mute,
or even shelve, his commitment to positions on certain issues, something
his father never would have done.
The electorate will see through Casey's less than noble motive, and
realize the importance of keeping their hardworking, no nonsense junior
Senator, Rick Santorum.
Gretchen D. Sterns is an attorney at the law firm of Cerullo, Datte &
Wallbillich, P.C., in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. She serves as the
Chairman of the Schuylkill County Young Republicans and Solicitor to the
Pennsylvania Young Republicans. She be emailed at gsterns@gmail.com.
HARRISBURG
(April 19)—The
Pennsylvania Young Republicans (PAYR) have elected Christine Verdier of
Schuylkill County as their new chairman. Verdier was elected by the PAYR General
Board at a meeting on Saturday to complete the term of her predecessor, who had
resigned in February.
Verdier said her top priorities as chairman
are: strengthen existing county organizations, develop new county organzations,
and build a working relationship with Republican organizations from Republican
National Committee and Republican State Committee to local Republican county
organizations.
Verdier is currently a legislative aide to
State House Majority Whip David Argall in Tamaqua, a position she has held since
graduating magna cum laude from Cedar Crest College in 1999 with a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Political Science. Verdier interned with the Office of
Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Justice, an also with the Toomey
for U.S. Congress campaign in 1998.
Verdier is a former chairman of the Schuylkill County Young Republican
Association, and has worked on several campaigns in mid-state region, including
a recent stint as deputy campaign manager for Col. Frank Ryan, who ran for U.S.
Congress in a hotly contested GOP primary in the 17th District.
Elected with Verdier by the PAYR general
membership were: Brandon Danz
of Lancaster County to the position of vice chairman; Mason Wev of Montgomery
County to the position of treasurer; Lindsay Pfister of Allegheny County to the
position of National Committeewoman; and Amy Dohner of Dauphin County, Jerry
Karashin of Allegheny County and James Austin Meehan of Bucks County, each of
whom were elected Executive Board members.
The Pennsylvania Young Republicans is the
Commonwealth’s largest statewide organization for Republicans aged 18-40. PAYR
invites young people into the Republican Party to promote political expression
and recognition. PAYR encourages awareness and participation in the political
process at all levels of government in order to support and promote the ideals
of the Republican Party and to assist in the election of Republican nominees for
public office.
They use cell phones and e-mail instead of phone lines and fax and prefer wing
nights or a "battle of the bands" to a traditional political fundraiser or
rally.
However, members of the county's young political organizations say even if their
style is a bit different, underneath is a genuine desire to help their
generation become more politically active.
"I know some people in our group who talk about politics and think about it, but
they never would have gotten out and started knocking on doors on their own,"
said Michael J. Hillman, New Philadelphia, president of the Schuylkill County
Young Democrats.
Formed in June 2004, the new organization, which boasts a mailing list of 60 and
an active core of 20 volunteers, has not yet passed the one-year mark.
The much older Schuylkill County Young Republicans dates its founding to 1980
and counts Rep. David G. Argall, R-124, now House Majority Whip, as its first
chairman.
The group's current chairwoman, Deer Lake attorney Gretchen D. Sterns, estimated
the organization currently has about 75 members and, like the Young Democrats, a
core of 20 "that we see on a regular basis."
For Young Democrats vice president Timothy P. Brennan, a Saint Clair attorney
who gained his first fascination with politics growing up across the street from
a polling place, it is hard to fathom the lack of interest on young peoples'
part.
"How can you not be interested in something that could affect your life for the
next 50 years?" Brennan asked.
However, Young Republican Michele C. Rudloff, a Jefferson County native who this
year will seek a borough council seat in her adopted home of Orwigsburg,
believes a combination of factors has led her generation to a diminished
interest in politics.
"I don't think that when my generation was in school we were instilled with the
same sense of civic responsibility," Rudloff said.
She said the lack of basic political education combined with negative portrayals
of politics in the media, lack of time and a tendency on the part of politicians
to speak in broad terms ignoring the specific interests of young people, has
caused a disconnect.
"I think the key way to get young people involved is to show them how politics
affects their lives," Rudloff said.
Young political organizations locally have tried to re-engage young people in
the political process by using the tools and language of a new generation to
articulate core values of political identity.
Sterns boasts that her organization's website at www.schuylkill
yrs.com has new content at least every week and the organization has maximized
the use of e-mail for announcements, communications and even committee meetings.
A recent alteration in the group's bylaws was handled completely by e-mailing
various versions of the changes between members of the committee without any of
them ever physically meeting, Sterns said.
"I live and die by e-mail," admitted Brennan, saying he and Hillman had formed
the new Young Democrats less then a year ago by literally digging out their
address books and sending out messages over the Internet.
It was the Young Republicans website that first alerted Rudloff to the existence
of the organization locally and prompted her to become involved.
The same website would influence Hillman in quite a different way.
Having discovered a Young Democrats group in Lancaster County, where he is
attending Elizabethtown College as a political science major, Hillman typed
"Schuylkill County Young Democrats" into an Internet search engine and found the
Republican site instead.
Realizing the county had no organization for young Democrats of its own, Hillman
contacted Pottsville Democratic Committee chairman Charles M. Dries and
Schuylkill County Democratic Chairman Edward M. Kleha and set out to form one.
Sterns and Hillman insist local politicians have quickly seen the value of the
groups' events as an opportunity to speak to younger voters.
Sterns said her group's wing nights, like one recently held at Maroons in
Pottsville, and other events provide opportunities for political leaders to
address young people who might be unlikely to attend more conventional political
events.
Similarly, Hillman said U.S. Rep. T. Timothy Holden, D-17, and Democratic
hopefuls Michael P. Halcovage, who last year lost his bid to replace state Sen.
James J. Rhoades, R-29, and Christian P. Morrison, who mounted an unsuccessful
effort to unseat Argall, attended a Young Democrats event featuring area rock
bands.
Photos from the event, a fundraiser held at the Saint Clair Fish & Game last
summer, appear on the group's website at http://www.schuylkilldemocrats.org/Youngdem.html.
Hillman and Brennan said the Young Democrats will focus this year on helping
with campaigns including the election bid of group members and Cressona fire
chief Jim Krammes to Cressona borough council and on spreading the word about
their new organization.
Michele
Corbin Rudloff, a member of the Schuylkill County Young Republicans, has been
selected to participate in the Anne Anstine Excellence in Public Service
Series. She is the first Schuylkill County resident to participate in the
program and is one of only 20 women statewide currently enrolled.
Rudloff,
who is from Orwigsburg, currently works for Pennsylvania Majority Leader Sam
Smith in Harrisburg. She serves as a Republican committee person in
Orwigsburg and recently announced her candidacy for Orwigsburg Borough Council.
The Anne
Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series is named for former Pennsylvania
State Committee Leader, Anne B. Anstine, and was founded by Pennsylvania’s
National Committeewoman, Christine Toretti Olson. The class was created to
provide a political leadership training program for Republican women and is used
to identify and mentor future party leaders and candidates. In just its third
year, the program has gained national and statewide recognition for its
contribution to women and statewide Republican leaders have already tapped into
the network for Republican candidates at the state, county, and local levels as
well as party leaders and committee persons.
Applications and information on the program are available at
www.pagop4women.org or by calling Bernie Comfort at (724) 463-5110.
In advance of President George W. Bush's 2005 State of the Union address, U.S.
Rep. T. Timothy Holden, D-17, called a plan to allow partial diversion of Social
Security payments to private accounts "a little crazy."
After the speech, other local leaders, both Republicans and Democrats, had mixed
reactions to the president's words, which included, as expected, the Social
Security issue as a featured component.
"I think the Democrats are going to, as they've done before, try to scare
seniors on this issue," said Daniel L. Daub, chairman of the Schuylkill County
Republican Party.
Daub's comments in the wake of the speech included a warning to Holden directly
and others in Democratic leadership.
"I hope the Democrats, including our local representative, will give close
consideration to these options and not reject them because of a bias," he said.
Specifically, the president outlined a plan allowing "voluntary personal
retirement accounts" into which workers could set aside 4 percent of their
payroll taxes currently placed into the Social Security Trust Fund.
However, Holden, discussing the speech beforehand from his office in Washington,
D.C., said with $1.2 trillion already borrowed from the trust fund, $600 billion
over the last four years, diverting more money from Social Security seemed
unwise.
"To allow workers to divert money from a trust fund that already has a $1
trillion deficit, that seems to me to be a little bit crazy," Holden said.
He said under the Bush plan of Social Security privatization that deficit was
projected to grow to $2 trillion over the next 10 years and $6 trillion over the
next 20.
Also not mentioned in the speech was the amount it would likely cost to set up
the personal accounts themselves, said prominent local Democrat Mantura M.
Gallagher, Schuylkill County minority commissioner.
The $2.57 trillion budget plan that Bush sent Congress on Monday did not include
the money needed to overhaul Social Security.
"My bottom line on everything is 'Who pays for this?'" Gallagher said.
She added that despite Bush's assurances that workers 55 and older would remain
unaffected by the changes, the money diverted could have a negative impact on
those already receiving benefits.
However, Gretchen D. Sterns, Schuylkill County Young Republicans chairwoman,
said the current system includes far more risks and inequities for the retirees
of both today and tomorrow.
"You could work for 50 years, receive benefits for only a short time and have
nothing to pass on to your children," Sterns observed.
She said the program proposed by the president would allow low- and
middle-income workers to leave behind a "nest egg" for future generations and
provide a source of true ownership in retirement funds.
"It's more of a gamble the way the system is now," Sterns added.
Both Sterns, 26, and Daub, 38, said the president's message would have
particular resonance with younger workers who are likely not to retire before
the 2042 date when Bush predicted in his speech the present system would be
"bankrupt and exhausted."
Gallagher, a recently retired teacher for the Pottsville Area School District
now enjoying a second career as a county commissioner, said she could sympathize
with younger workers' anxieties about the current system.
"I remember hearing that when I was your age," Gallagher said. "I think it's a
valid concern. I think it needs to be addressed. I'm just not certain this is
the way to do it."
Holden said conservative Democrats would release a counter proposal in a bill
for which the Saint Clair congressman is a key co-sponsor.
That proposal would take the Social Security Trust Fund off budget, protecting
it from future borrowing, and preserve the program's solvency at least 50 years
past present projections.
ORWIGSBURG- In her first run for public office, Michele Corbin Rudloff has
announced her candidacy for Orwigsburg Borough Council.
“Orwigsburg is at a crossroads,” Rudloff said. “We have an opportunity to
benefit from regional growth and development but first, we must ensure that our
infrastructure can sustain our current needs. Residents appreciate their
quality of life and we must work to preserve it while planning for our future.”
According
to Rudloff, her top issues include: land use planning; water and sewer
capabilities; identifying opportunities to partner with neighboring townships
and boroughs; and, promoting Orwigsburg.
Since
making the decision to run for Borough Council, Rudloff has already met with
community leaders regarding her campaign and is planning a series of community
meetings with fellow residents to discuss issues facing Orwigsburg.
Not new
to the political arena, Rudloff has been involved in politics since she grew up
in Jefferson County in Western Pennsylvania.
“I grew
up with public service. My father and grandfather served in Jefferson County
for most of my life.” Rudloff said. “I have been brought up to be aware of
local issues surrounding my community and listening to neighbors concerns. I
can be a strong voice and will work to represent their interests on council.”
Rudloff
cultivated her interest in politics into a profession, graduating from
Bloomsburg University with a bachelor of arts in political science in 1995.
Since graduating, Rudloff has developed a well-rounded resume of professional
positions, including service at the local, state, and federal government
levels. Rudloff currently works for Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Sam
Smith in Harrisburg.
Rudloff
is a member of the Schuylkill County Young Republicans and serves as a
Republican committee person in Orwigsburg. She is currently participating in
the Anne Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series, which was created to
identify and mentor future female leaders for the party. Rudloff’s
participation in the program is noteworthy, as she is the first county resident
to be selected for the program and one of only 20 women statewide selected for
this year’s class.
Rudloff
is married to Brett, whose family are lifelong residents of Orwigsburg. As she
states, “Orwigsburg is my home, where my husband and I plan to raise our own
family. Serving on borough council would give me an opportunity to give back to
the community that has given so much to me.”
DEER
LAKE — A local attorney who spearheaded the final hours of the push to win
Schuylkill County for President George W. Bush will be attending a holiday party
today with the first family at the White House.
Gretchen D.
Sterns, president of the Schuylkill County Young Republicans and an attorney at
the Pottsville firm of Cerullo, Datte & Wallbillich, received the invite two
weeks ago by phone.
"She came home one day and found an invitation on the answering machine saying
she was invited to the White House Christmas Party," said Gretchen's husband,
Joseph D., press secretary for U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Toomey, R-15.
A formal, printed invitation followed, specifying the time for the event, how to
RSVP and the necessary gate to enter and ID to present when attending, Sterns
said.
Joseph and Gretchen Sterns will be the guests of President and Laura Bush at the
White House at 6 p.m.
"It's a very neat way for the President and the first lady to say 'thank you'
during the holiday season by just inviting people into their home," said Rachel
L. Sunbarger, a spokeswoman for Laura Bush.
Sunbarger said the holiday party is one of a series of events held almost daily
throughout the holiday season for guests ranging from the White House staff,
political appointees, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Secret
Service and even the White House press corps.
"The President and the first lady actually do attend every event," Sunbarger
said.
Sterns said she and her husband plan to leave Schuylkill County around noon
today to drive down to Washington, D.C., for the event and plan to spend a few
hours driving around the capital.
Sterns said it would be her first visit to the White House.
"I am thrilled," she added.
"Joe and I are both thrilled to be celebrating Christmas with the First Family
and we're honored to have been invited," she said.
In the days leading up to the hard contested Nov. 2 Presidential Election,
Sterns served as a 72-hour volunteer coordinator for Schuylkill County.
That job entailed coordinating the efforts of an estimated 250 to 300 other
volunteers in a variety of activities ranging from door-to-door visits to
handing out campaign literature and making last-minute phone calls on the
Saturday, Sunday and Monday before Election Day.
On Saturday alone, Sterns estimates, 12,000 phone calls were placed by
volunteers working out of phone banks established in Pottsville, Tamaqua, Hegins
and Mahanoy City.
She says volunteers made more than 50,000 calls in total leading up to the
election.
Some calls resulted in additional volunteers for the effort, Sterns said.
"And the phone calls we made, especially early on, asked people, 'Do you support
the President and, if so, would you like to help,'" Sterns said.
The efforts paid off.
Although Bush failed to win Pennsylvania as a whole against challenger U.S. Sen.
John F. Kerry, D-Mass, he did carry Schuylkill County by more than 35,000 votes,
well over the 32,000-vote goal set by the Bush/Cheney Campaign.
The showing was a vast improvement over the estimated 29,000 votes Sterns said
Bush got from Schuylkill County voters in 2000 against Democratic Vice President
Al Gore.
Sterns also coordinated the efforts of volunteers who provided rides for those
going door-to-door and those needing transportation to the polls on Election
Day.
The effort was part of a 72-hour task force program established by the
Republican National Committee in 2002 emphasizing a last strong push the week
before the election, Sunbarger said.
For months, everywhere they turned, Americans were bombarded with a resounding
message: get out and vote.
We, the people, listened.
On Tuesday, 65,720 residents of Schuylkill County voted, representing 71.77
percent of registered voters in the county, said Elizabeth J. "Betty" Dries,
director of the voter registration/election bureau.
"I'd say it was a comfortable turnout," Dries said. "Rain sometimes keeps people
from coming out, but the weather was perfect."
Nationally, more Americans voted Tuesday than at any time in more than three
decades, according to figures tabulated Wednesday by The Associated Press, which
showed that 114.3 million people had voted, with 99 percent of precincts
reporting.
About 120 million people cast ballots, including 5.5 million to 6 million
absentee and provisional ballots yet to be counted.
The 120 million figure represents just under 60 percent of eligible voters — the
highest percentage turnout since the 1968 presidential race.
More than 73,026,831 Americans voted during the 1968 presidential election —when
Republican Richard M. Nixon ran against Democratic contender Hubert H. Humphrey,
and won.
It was a controversial election that included the assassination of liberal
Democratic candidate Robert F. Kennedy, a brutal Chicago police riot at the 1968
Democratic National Convention and widespread demonstrations against the Vietnam
War.
This 2004 election will be remembered in history as an election of many issues
that incited passions in the American people and brought people out to exercise
their right to make a decision on how they wanted their country to be run, said
Charles M. Dries, chairman of the Pottsville Democratic Party.
"There were so many issues. Where do you start? Homeland security, the war in
Iraq, national debt, and I think there among those who voted for Kerry it was
50/50 — 50 percent who were voting for Kerry, the rest casting an anti-Bush
vote," Dries said.
But many Republicans who voted also had strong issues that brought them out in
droves.
National polls indicate that Republicans voted for George Bush because of moral
values, national security and his stance on terrorism.
Joshua B. Mead, 24, of Cressona, a member of the Young Professionals for the
Republican Party, said he volunteered to campaign during the 2004 election out
of a profound concern to keep a strong president in office.
"I believe in George Bush. He's consistent, he's a man who says what he's going
to do and then he does it," Mead said. "We can't let 9/11 happen again. We need
a president who will keep our nation secure."
In spite of a Republican presidential victory, Dries said the 2004 election was
a shining example of American spirit.
"We didn't have to work hard to get the vote out because people came out
themselves," Dries said. "They took their vote very seriously. It was a great
feeling, seeing all those people waiting in lines to vote. It was just
unbelievable."
Local voter turnout was exceptionally good but not record-breaking, compared to
the past few elections, Elizabeth Dries said.
In the 1992 challenge of President Clinton to the first President Bush, more
than 94.33 percent of the county's registered voters cast their votes.
Nationally, the election brought out 55.2 percent of eligible voters, or about
104.4 million.
Four years ago, in the election that led to Republican George W. Bush's close
victory over Democrat Al Gore, a bit more than 54 percent of eligible voters in
the United States, or about 105.4 million, voted.
In Schuylkill County, 67.55 percent of registered voters came out to the polls
in the 2000 election. Nationally, President Clinton's 1996 re-election bid drew
about 49 percent of eligible voters, about 96.3 million, with 71.88 percent of
local registered voters casting their votes at the polls.
To the Editor: I
am writing in regard to a divisive Oct. 29 letter to
the editor.
Political signs have been stolen since the dawn of politics and one
need look no further than the articles concerning vandalism and
break-ins at Republican Party offices throughout the country to see who
is most aggressive in this type of politics.
I agree it is wrong, but it happens on both sides. Would the letter
writer have us believe it only happens to Democrats?
Aside from his claims regarding the 2000 election, and his insulting
innuendoes toward Christians, his attempt to use racial division to
prove his point is beyond insulting.
Slavery hasn't existed in this country for 139 years and hundreds of
thousands of Americans, of all races and creeds, died in order to make
it that way. We by no means have had a perfect society and many groups
of minorities have at different times not had the right to vote, but the
greatness of our society is our forward yearning.
Those who continue to dwell on the past failings of our nation delay
the advancement of the very people they claim to champion. If the writer
wants to contribute to Democratic causes that is his right, but please
stop using racial division as a way to prove your points. It is
important that we not forget our past, but we must not live in it.
I try to teach my son to behave in a positive, constructive manner and
I would hope others would do the same.
As with
everything from music to retail sales, politics and political campaigning are
moving onto the Internet.
In
Schuylkill County, at least two major political organizations and five major
political campaigns heading into the Nov. 2 General Election maintain active
websites and that number is likely to grow.
"I think
the Internet will continue to be a growing resource for candidates," said
Gretchen D. Sterns, president of the Schuylkill County Young Republicans.
Recently, the group redesigned its own website after members were told by a new
recruit that he had first found the organization through the Internet.
The Schuylkill County Democratic Party now maintains a site and the website for
the Schuylkill County Republican Party is also in the works, said Daniel L.
Daub, county GOP chairman.
The five local candidates currently online are:
• Democrat Michael P. Halcovage, candidate for the 29th State Senatorial
District, a Pottsville city councilman who is challenging incumbent state Sen.
James J. Rhoades, a Republican.
• Democrat Christian P. Morrison, candidate for the 124th Legislative District,
a Tamaqua electrician who is challenging incumbent state Rep. David G. Argall, a
Republican.
• Republican G. Scott Paterno, a Dauphin County attorney running against U.S.
Rep. T. Timothy Holden, D-17.
• Libertarian Russell H. Diamond, an Annville businessman, is also challenging
Holden.
• Holden, whose website did not make its appearance until July, well after the
primary election, is the only incumbent thus far to launch a campaign website
separate from the site maintained by his office.
State Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, who is facing Republican challenger Thomas
Yarnell, and Rhoades, who will face Halcovage, are both in the process of
launching campaign sites of their own.
But with some campaigns having developed an online presence as early as June, or
even before in some cases, both incumbents' late entrance into cyberspace is
conspicuous.
Sterns understands why challengers might have a preference for campaigning on
the web.
"Challengers, more than incumbents, have a need to get their message out there.
This is who I am. This is what I stand for," Sterns said.
Diamond, whose website promotes both his 17th congressional campaign and his
state legislative campaign for the 101st Legislative District against Republican
incumbent Mauree A. Gingrich, agrees.
His own site contains hundreds of writings and essays explaining his political
philosophy and positions on issues and even contains a short political quiz for
those interested in gauging their own political leanings.
"It really is the great leveler of playing fields," Diamond said.
But Paterno campaign manager Dean Oulette says even incumbents can ill afford to
ignore the power of the web to win over voters.
"It's a great way for campaigns to communicate directly with voters and their
supporters," Oulette said, noting a recent Nielsen Ratings survey that showed
nearly 50 percent of undecided voters go to a candidate's website during the
last week before an election to make up their minds.
The Paterno, Diamond and Morrison campaigns even use their websites to collect
contributions. Visitors to the sites can use their credit cards in much the same
way as shoppers do with Amazon.com and other online merchants.
Oulette estimated the Paterno campaign has collected $20,000 online so far.
Sterns' husband, Joseph D., former press secretary for the unsuccessful U.S.
Senate campaign of U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Toomey, R-Allentown, says websites are
not the only hallmark of a successful campaign, but are becoming an important
component.
Like former Democratic anti-war presidential candidate Howard Dean, Toomey's
campaign made great use of Meetup.com, a website where like-minded individuals
can arrange face-to-face meetings to discuss their favorite candidate.
"We're not to the point yet, and I don't know if we'll ever get to the point,
where we can do completely without radio and TV ads," Sterns said.
But Morrison campaign coordinator Michael J. Polyak said his organization uses
its website to gauge the success of more traditional campaigning techniques like
door-to-door visits and other media advertising.
Each ad and flier handed out to voters contains the campaign website address so
organizers can monitor visits to the site and gauge the response of voters to
each effort, Polyak said.
Although Diamond designed his own website using HTML code, the computer language
of the Internet, little experience is necessary to get a campaign online.
Schuylkill County Young Democrats member Sean P. Murphy is using one of several
popular web design programs, Microsoft Frontpage, which requires very little web
design experience, to build a second website for the Halcovage campaign.
"It's really amazing what's possible. Anything you can think of you can do,"
Murphy said.
Brian K. Tobin, president of the Pine Grove Democratic Club and co-chairman of
the 125th district Democratic committee, foresees other uses for the web in
campaigning in the future.
Tobin designed the Schuylkill County Democratic Party's website earlier this
year and predicts that someday chat room settings where voters can ask
candidates questions live will create a new access between politicians and the
public.
"There are so many possibilities. We need to start thinking outside the box,"
said Tobin.
CARLISLE (August 31) — President Bush turned an
ordinary softball game into the memory of a lifetime for two Schuylkill County
Young Republicans last night in Carlisle, PA.
Bush appeared at a friendly contest between the Young
Republicans and the College Republicans near the Cumberland County Fairgrounds
that drew 350 spectators. After greeting the crowd in the bottom of the sixth
inning, Bush stepped up to home plate for an at-bat. After fouling off a pitch,
the President hit a towering home run to deep center field that rolled a country
mile after it landed. The crowd went wild. Bush toddled playfully to first and
bear hugged Chris Reed, one of two players representing the Schuylkill County
Young Republicans.
Reed’s fellow Schuylkill County Republican, Joe Sterns, was
playing shortstop. “It was one of those moments you couldn’t believe was really
happening,” Sterns said. “It was like being in a scene from ‘The Natural.’”
Sterns added that Bush’s home run was metaphor for his
current re-election campaign and, ultimately, his presidency.
“He has made all the right plays since he took office,”
Sterns said. “He’s going to have a smashing victory this November.”
To the Editor: When people truly
begin to focus seriously on the presidential election, I believe the majority
will agree George W. Bush has done as well as could have been expected from any
chief executive facing similar circumstances at this point in our history.
When he stepped into office,
the economy was over-heated and entering a downtrend. He was in office only
eight months when terror struck our homeland and dealt a severe blow to our
morale and to our economy.
Although dealt a pretty rough hand, the president pushed forward with optimism,
determined to progressively take the actions needed to restore our morale, our
safety and get our economy back on the right track.
The Taliban and al-Qaida have been severely disabled. Beginning Sept. 12,
terrorist leaders were rounded up one by one.
Iraq is no longer plagued by a demonic dictator and is no longer a safe haven
for terrorists plotting against America.
As for the economy, according to numbers released recently by the U.S. Labor
Department, unemployment rolls fell to their lowest level in three years.
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told Congress that President Bush's tax
cuts helped moderate the recent recession and contributed to a quick recovery.
The bottom line is we have a president serious about making America as strong as
possible, who is taking bold actions to get us where we need to go, whose heart
is in the right place, and who is surrounded by one of the most capable cabinets
in history.
Now is not the time to switch horses in mid-stream.
To the Editor: I
have two questions to ask John F. Kerry: Why? And how?
Why haven't any of the proposals you want to initiate as president been
introduced during your 24 years in the U.S. Senate? I believe that senators, not
presidents, actually write the legislation that becomes the law of the land.
How do you expect to pay for those programs?
While your intent may be good, I do not believe that I can afford to pay any
more in taxes (which is where the government's money comes from) and I very much
doubt that you will be cutting other programs to make way for the necessary
funding for these new programs.
To the Editor: I found an Aug. 13 letter to be uplifting because of its optimism
about members of the writer's generation getting involved in the political
process. We definitely need more people her age to get involved in civic
affairs.
What I found a little disenchanting, though, was what seemed to be a knee-jerk
embrace of "change." Sometimes change is necessary. We absolutely needed change
in 1980. Change just for the sake of it, though, can be counterproductive and
dangerous.
Let me tell you who wants change:
Terrorists, who've been reduced to running from cave to cave to avoid capture by
our armed forces, definitely want change. They've not been able to pull off
another attack since Sept. 11.
Trial lawyers, who make ungodly sums of money suing our doctors and hospitals
and small businesses with junk lawsuits, want change in the form of John
Edwards, their powerful ally.
Homosexual couples who want to get married would like to see Bush removed.
Those who think it ought to be illegal to own a gun definitely want to get rid
of Bush. Abortionists surely want to get rid of our pro-life chief executive as
well.
So who is happy with Bush? The hundreds of thousands of people who've purchased
their first home since President Bush took office are. Those anticipating
purchasing a home would like to see interest rates stay low. The millions of
working Americans who saw their paychecks get better because of tax relief are
content with Bush as well.
With all due respect, now is not the time for change.
To the Editor: It's scary that John F. Kerry is in a dead heat with President
Bush and no one really knows what he stands for. Of course, who can figure it
out, when he's all over the board on his positions depending on what the polls
say or what part of the country he's campaigning in or what group he's talking
to?
Kerry told Wisconsin voters how he likes to go hunting with his "trusty 12-gauge
double-barrel," but he received an "F" rating from the National Rifle
Association. Campaigning in Michigan, home to many autoworkers, he bragged of
the SUV he drives. But when he was talking to environmentalists in a different
part of the country, he celebrated the virtue of driving environmentally
friendly cars instead of gas-guzzlers (like his SUV).
He is rabidly pro-abortion rights, earning a 100 percent rating from the
National Abortion Rights Action League. But recently he acknowledged that "life
begins at conception."
Kerry told voters in the western part of the country that he likes "a lot of
parts" of the Healthy Forests bill, but he told Democratic primary voters that
the legislation took "a chainsaw to public forests."
He voted for the use of force in Iraq, but now criticizes our commander in chief
for liberating the Iraqi people from a demonic despot. He also voted for
President Bush's No Child Left Behind legislation, but now he criticizes that
law as a means to score cheap political points.
On issue after issue, Kerry seems to have two versions of what he believes.
There's an old saying that you can fool some of the people some of the time, but
you can't fool all of the people all of the time. Come Election Day, Kerry may
find that out the hard way. Not everyone may totally agree with President Bush's
policies down the line, but at least we know where he stands on any given issue,
and that his heart is in the right place.
TAMAQUA - First lady Laura Bush made a phone call to 30 young people in
the borough Thursday night - and to 100,000 other supporters across the
nation.
The Schuylkill County Young Republicans hosted one of 6,925 parties
nationwide for President George W. Bush organized around a
teleconference call from the president's wife.
"To be there on the phone with the first lady, it just makes it a very
personal experience," said Gretchen D. Sterns, Deer Lake, a Pottsville
attorney and chairwoman of the Schuylkill Young Republicans.
The call, made nationwide at 8:30 p.m., allowed the first lady to speak
briefly in an address that lasted just more than five minutes, after
which she answered five questions from callers, including one from a
Sugarloaf, Luzerne County supporter.
Twenty-one-year-old Ryan J. Stevens, a member of the Luzerne County
Young Republicans and a volunteer coordinator with the Bush/Cheney
Campaign in Luzerne County, asked Bush about education. He asked about
President Bush's plan to educate and retrain northeastern Pennsylvania
for the economy of the 21st century.
"I was really excited that somebody from our area got that
opportunity," said Christine A. Verdier, Walker Township, treasurer for
the Schuylkill County group.
"She focused on the job her husband has done. The way he's tried to
lead with courage and conviction," Sterner said of Bush's comments.
Sterner also said that Bush had said that she and her husband were
aware that it would be a very close election and were hoping for
everyone's support.
Stevens said he had sent his question to Pennsylvania Bush/Cheney
campaign headquarters in Harrisburg and gotten a positive response. All
questions had to be approved ahead of time.
"They were happy to have somebody from Pennsylvania. I think they were
excited to have a young person ask a question about education," Stevens
said.
"We liked hearing Ryan speak because it really kind of brought it
home," Sterner added.
Though he admitted he had been nervous, as well as excited, Stevens
fired away when his turn came to speak.
Bush answered with a discussion of the No Child Left Behind legislation
her husband had worked so hard to promote, her own commitment to
education and how she would attempt to keep the president focused on the
issue.
"It was so cool to hear her say, 'Well, Ryan . . .,'" Stevens added.
Sterns said the teleconference was another example of how the national
campaign has become more interactive.
"It's got a more neighborhood feel," Sterns observed. "It was so much
different than if she had just sent us a tape to play."
For volunteers like Jaimeson J. Arnone, Orwigsburg, who said he became
more involved in politics after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001,
the experience wasn't like watching an announcement on television.
"Yea, it's different. You're with like-minded people that you can talk
to," Arnone said.
Both Sterner and Arnone said they were also excited to hear from local
legislator, state Rep. David G. Argall, R-124, who spoke of the
importance of grass-roots campaigning before the teleconference.
Argall will face Democratic challenger Christian P. Morrison, Tamaqua,
in his re-election bid Nov. 2.
For Penny B. Gursky, Tamaqua, who used to be more politically active
before she became a mother and homemaker, the event was a way of getting
back in touch with politics.
"It's been a lot of 'Blues Clues' and 'Dora the Explorer,'" she said,
referring to her last few years of raising three children and children's
television programs.
Growing up in Bergen County, N.J., Gursky visited Washington, D.C.,
where she took part in a mock student Senate and attended President
George H.W. Bush's inauguration ball in 1991.
She said the teleconference event helped get her back to those
political roots.
"You get a real sense of being involved," she said.
But Stevens said the best part of the teleconference was when President
Bush himself addressed teleconferencers in the last few minutes of the
event.
"He said 'I am ready for this contest,'" Stevens said. "It was just
great. It really added that special touch."
Both Bush's campaign and that of Democratic challenger, U.S. Sen. John
F. Kerry, D-Mass., say they have increased the interactivity of their
efforts through technology and grass-roots organizing.
Both sides expect a close election in which every vote could count.
POTTSVILLE (June 30) – The Schuylkill County Young
Democrats received an unlikely visitor at their monthly meeting Wednesday night
in the person of Gretchen Sterns.
Sterns, the newly elected Schuylkill County Young
Republicans chairman, came to throw down the gauntlet by proposing a public
debate with the Young Democrats on pressing issues of the day.
“We are upon a critical epoch in our history, one with
serious challenges and opportunities that must be discussed vigorously in the
public square by those who seek to be leaders,” Sterns said in issuing the
challenge.
Sterns proposed a one-hour debate covering three hot
issues: Social Security reform, school choice, and taxes, all of which will be
on the table in the upcoming election between President George W. Bush and
Senator John F. Kerry.
“These issues affect the prosperity of America and the
well-being of all Americans,” she said.
Any thinking man could end a debate over the benefit of Reagan's tenure in
the White House by adducing that he smashed the all-time record for electoral
votes when he amassed 525 in1984.
Mr. Althouse's rationale (Our race to the bottom with the supply-siders, June
18th issue) is that Reagan was a Svengali of sorts who duped people too stupid
to read the bottom line on their own bank statements. But it was really the
economy, stupid.
The American economy expanded for eight straight years, then the longest
peacetime expansion in our nation's history. More than 19 million jobs were
created. Unemployment and interest rates plummeted. Home ownership and family
disposable income soared. Our space program again flourished, our military was
rebuilt, and our pride was restored. We ultimately became the world's lone
superpower, with no one close to supplanting us.
To say that America is a country comprising naifs who overwhelmingly elect
leaders unswervingly committed to policies that impoverish the vast
preponderance of the electorate is an unpardonable insult to We The People. The
1980s will always bring fond remembrance to those who lived them, despite the
effort of Mr. Althouse and other liberals to shamelessly rewrite history and
economics.
Group looks to become potent political force
in GOP politics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gretchen Sterns
570-622-0767
POTTSVILLE (June 17) -
The Schuylkill County Young Republicans will begin an era of rebuilding under
new leadership when it elects a fresh slate of officers at 7 PM tonight
(Thursday) at Republican County headquarters on Centre Street.
Gretchen Sterns, an attorney
from Deer Lake, will grab the reins and looks forward to establishing the club
as a formidable force in county Republican politics.
“We will aggressively recruit
Republicans aged 18-40 to not only do volunteer work for the party and its
candidates, but also to promote the vision of the GOP as a party that fights for
freedom and traditional values,” said Sterns. “Today’s Young Republicans are
tomorrow’s leaders.”
Sterns is an active volunteer
for both political and civic organizations. She is a board member of Schuylkill
County Birthright, an organization that helps disadvantaged single mothers, and
she is the founder of the St. Ambrose Pro-Life Club. Sterns was recently
appointed legal counsel for the Pennsylvania Young Republicans. She is also a
member of the St. Thomas More Society.
After graduating valedictorian
from Marian Catholic High School in 1996, Sterns attended Elizabethown College,
where she was president of the student body and graduated magna cum laude.
Sterns earned her juris doctor degree from Dickinson Law School, where she was
editor of Dickinson Law Review and a member of the prestigious Woolsack Honor
Society.
Sterns’ immediate priorities
for the Young Republicans include registering new Republican voters and helping
carry to victory the Republican slate of candidates up for election this
November.
The group’s other officers
are: Joe Sterns, vice chairman; Christine Verdier, treasurer; and Diana
Bashinsky, secretary. Serving on the board of directors are Maria Hoppes, Josh
Meade, Chip Sheer, and Tracie Clews.
Matt
Best has been chairman of the Pennsylvania Young Republicans for less than a
week, but he has already outlined two major goals for the organization.
And if they’re successful in
accomplishing their first objective, then their second might just follow in its
wake.
Best, 28, said that after his
election, he made it clear at the group’s state convention in Harrisburg last
weekend that their number one goal in the coming months will be to hit the
streets and the phones in an all-out effort to put the Keystone State in
President Bush’s win column.
Their second goal, Best told
PoliticsPA, is to earn respect.
Best said he wants to end the
misconceptions that accompany the word young in Young Republicans -- members are
18 to 40-years-old -- by taking more of a leadership role in the state and
especially in elections.
“I just feel that not enough
people realize that we’re young professionals,” Best said, boasting of members
serving on House and Senate staffs. “I think sometimes there’s a view that we
might be just kids who can do a lot of grunt work.
“There’s more to us than just
foot soldiers.”
But Best concedes that respect is
earned not given, and they have a lot of work to do to prove themselves.
To accomplish that end, the Grove
City College graduate and father of one daughter, said the group has to expand
its membership roles and fatten its wallet.
The organization has 14 chapters,
Best said, with another one in Washington County getting ready to open.
Though he couldn’t estimate
membership totals for the state, he said the larger chapters, like Montgomery
and Beaver Counties, have about 300 member each. Smaller chapters, Dauphin,
Cumberland or Schuylkill Counties, have anywhere from 30 to 50 members, with a
minimum of 15 required to be chartered.
And while they all stand united
in the goal of re-electing Bush, other needs and goals vary from chapter to
chapter.
Montgomery County, for example,
hasn’t been shying away from the ongoing unity effort in the apparently
fractionalized county committee, after Bob Kerns has filed a complaint over the
recent election for chairman, entertaining and hearing from both Kerns and
chairman Ken Davis.
“I know they’re not trying to
burn any bridges with either gentleman, however that works out,” Best said.
And serving with Best, Dean
Ouellette, national committeeman and campaign manager for congressional
candidate Scott Paterno.
Ouellette said he’s confident
Best will do a good job in his new post, and though he didn’t take his committee
job to assist in Paterno’s campaign, he said every bit helps.
“I think the youth in the
district, the Republicans, were very energized with Scott to begin with,”
Ouellette said. “But anytime we have a chance to reach out to young Republicans,
it helps.”
After interning for U.S. Rep.
Phil English then serving as a legislative correspondent in the same office
after he graduated, Best isn’t new to the game.
And though budget cuts have
retired him from the Hill or campaign trail, Best said he’s looking forward to
satisfying his politics addiction while working his days at the Giant corporate
headquarters until another political door of opportunity opens.
