Posted on 06/14/2009 4:28:12 PM PDT by The Spirit Of Allegiance
FR EXCLUSIVE: RON NEHRING, CALIF GOP CHAIRMAN TO FREEP YOUR QUESTIONS! -- ASK AWAY!
I was invited to participate in a strategic GOP meeting on June 5, during which many topics including the Internet, voter registration and fundraising were discussed from a tech/strategy standpoint.
Durind the event I had the chance to speak with Ron Nehring, California GOP Chairman. I mentioned to him that GOP leadership is perceived as RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) by much of the grassroots.
When I noted that an enormous GOP opportunity exists among both Republicans and Democrats on the issue of our borders, fighting blatant amnesty for criminal aliens, he replied--much to my surprise--that in his eight years in leadership not a single candidate has sought his counsel on this topic.
We discussed GOP party involvement in the primary process. If I understood correctly what he said, candidates are not assisted by party leadership until after they win a primary--Republican candidates must slug it out with their own local efforts and resources. This is a marked difference from the 'central casting' done effectively by the DNC.
As we spoke, I suggested to Ron that he participate in an online discussion at FreeRepublic, and mentioned that Duncan Hunter has done so. He agreed.
I then spoke with Jim Robinson and mentioned how I'd like this to serve as a template for not just California but for the leadership of all 50 state GOPs and for the RNC to do likewise, as a means of being sure the voting, contributing grassroots and the state and national leadership are all committed to winning the same platform. If merely "a failure to communicate" is the problem, FR can be the solution.
Here's how Ron and I agreed it would go: I would solicit worthwhile questions (QUESTIONS THAT GENERATE MORE LIGHT THAN HEAT), and then Ron would then respond online.
This thread is the one that is soliciting your questions, publicly or by FREEPMAIL ("Private Reply"). I will screen the public and private questions and arrange a follow-up thread where the questions and answers will be published in a few days, hopefully interactively.
While this is the California GOP, those of you in other states please feel welcome to clone this effort so as to give your state leadership the best possible chance to show strong commitment to all issues that relate to Conservatism and the GOP. I also welcome privately-submitted suggestions and background information. Whether public or private, be sure your issue is specific and verifiable.
Please be certain that the questions are framed in a neutral, non-hostile manner, without false premises or profanity or they will be pulled. However, DON'T shy away from asking tough questions. Remember, "Loose Lips Sink Ships" so use discretion in what you post publicly. I can ask Ron Nehring private questions. Freepmail and spellcheck are your friend.
Please accept my thanks in advance for your participation.
TSOA
cc: Jim Robinson
REFERENCE: (There was a 2007/2008 Duncan Hunter interactive thread also, to the best of my memory)
Exclusive Freeper Interview with Duncan Hunter - Part 1
Exclusive Freeper Interview with Duncan Hunter - Part 2
(Disclosure): RANT I just read the (Tea Party) Riot Act to a RNC telephone fund solicitor....
I told her I'm the last person who would hope to see the GOP divided but I am not satisfied that the RNC's agenda is satisfactory...
FR articles keyworded CALIFORNIA GOP
FR articles keyworded RINOPURGE
FR articles keyworded PRIMARIES
FR articles keyworded Moral Absolutes
FR articles keyworded Conservatism
Jim, post in whatever forum(s) you see best.
Do you have the Hunter interactive thread right handy?
Ping—if you’re not in CA, possibly a template to use in your state....
Please forgive me if I don’t make a personal reply to every post and Freepmail on this particular thread as it may become very busy....
I looked but did not find the primary-season Hunter thread(s). Possibly Pissant can help with the link(s).
I have a question/comment. In CA, and most of the country, the GOP seems to bend over backwards to find moderates. The result has been a loss of power in many traditional conservative areas.
Why not go wall-to-wall conservative in the upcoming elections in CA? There is truly nothing to lose, and much to gain. Get grassroot types that are not afraid of campaigning on the ground. It it is matter of educating people in CA about conservatism. Look what happened with Prop 8. The majority voted along conservative lines, and held the ground for family values. We can use this to springboard into power in CA, or anywhere.
For the California FReepers on the ping list!
What is being done or will be done about the Umpteen Million illegal aliens in CA ???
I concur, 100%. We the people have HAD it with the mushy middle.
What really are the best “foolproof ways” of making California’s economy healthy for the long-term?
Ron-
The unions seem to have a death grip on the legislature...This suggest we will be at an impasse forever. What can the grassroots do to nudge them off the tax and spend more mantra they espouse. (other than obvious letters to the editor)For example are their particular legislators on the other side of the isle that may support the GOP? Not a full fledged NY revolt, but more that they would vote with you on a tax issue.
Thanks for the questions. Keep ‘em coming!
Why should conservatives stay with the GOP, when it is clearly the Rino Party both nationally and in the majority of states?
Respectfully, I would prefer a better answer than: “it’s the only alternative.”
Thank you for sharing on FR.
Thanks. This is a great opportunity not for Californians but for all of us if we decide to follow your lead as you suggested, SOA.
Like it or not, many political observers believe that California is a bellwether state. As you go, so do we. How does CA GOP leadership view its role in this respect and what exactly are its legislative priorities in the short term going into 2010, and beyond?
On bahalf of all of us at USD-AV, and particularly our colleague and partner Senator Don Rogers, a member of the California legislature (and before that the Bakersfield Council) until term-limited, why doen’t the GOP launch a drive to drill, mine, use the better, cheaper, cleaner, higher-mileage patented gasoline and other measures to make California the oil-rich producing state equal to those in the Middle East that it can be? What has the GOP gained by kowtowing to mistaken notions and arguments and theories of the environmentalists that have blocked California’s oil potential when it is the obvious answer to the state’s econmoic problems?
I think the chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party is a Democrat.
****sigh****
Hunter Ambassador or somethimng like that for a FReeper name...
Duncan Hunter’s son...
He had a LIVE thread one time for about an hour..
Pissant arranged it...
I have a question. It seems to me that republicans do not clearly tell their voters why they voted a certain way. The left will pick on one thing and slam their opponents for it and the public never really hears the truth. **Ex. in VA rep voted against extending unemployment benefits, the dems are saying the reps do not care about the unemployed. The reps are not saying it was because of the added items in the bill (extra taxes to bus, giving part times unemployment (who never had it) and the ties on the stimulus. How can the republicans better inform the Calif. people so that the lefts lies do not stick in the minds of the voters.
How do conservatives successfully get the majority of California VOTERS to willingly vote for conservatives, at every political level, during the next state election and beyond?
PING to # 17
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