MassGOP.com

The Boston Phoenix recognizes our online expansion to reach out to activists. Thank you David Bernstein! Yes, we are "way into this Internet thing" because we are into reaching out to our base, creating a community, and getting them involved.

Elaine Chao & Mt. Holyoke College Republicans

Elaine Chao, U.S. Secretary of Labor came to Boston for a fundraiser with the MassGOP. Secretary Chao attended Mt. Holyoke college and were fortunate enough to have 8 College Republicans from Mt. Holyoke to volunteer at the event.

Thank you Mt. Holyoke CR's and thank you Secretary Chao!

NR on DP

Mark Steyn wrote an article about his adventure driving in Massachusetts while listening to Howie Carr. Steyn was driving during the time of Deval Patrick's 9/11 remarks as "mean."

"We should beware anyone who seeks to explain 9/11 by using the words “each other”: They posit a grubby equivalence between the perpetrator and the victim — that the “failure to understand” derives from the culpability of both parties."

MassGOP.com

We just launched the new MassGOP.com and there are a few new features.

Please sign this petition if you agree with Brad Jones and the GOP caucus that we should cut costs before considering new gas taxes and tolls.




We are also want to hear what your thoughts are and how we can Grow Our Party. That is why we have created GOPinions, you can either call our direct line or send us an email to gopinions@massgop.com

Send us video, emails, or just leave us a message and we would love to hear from you.

Jobs Going South

Boston.com reports:

Massachusetts' unemployment rate dropped sharply in August, falling below the national jobless figure for the first time in more than a year and a half.

Matt Kinnaman - Berkshire Eagle

Matt Kinnaman was published in the Berkshire Eagle this week.

RightRoots Teams Up With Hugh Hewitt

Hugh Hewitt has teamed up with Right Roots and Patrick Ruffini to push for Jim Ogonowski. This is a smart move and Jim is a fantastic candidate for conservative bloggers to rally behind.

If you have a blog, please embed the widget on RightRoots.

Chairman Meets With Umass Amherst CR's

Yesterday, Chairman Torkildsen visited his old stomping grounds of Umass Amherst. Chairman Torkildsen is the only graduate of Umass Amherst to be elected to US Congress. Peter had a good meeting with the College Republicans and we at the Mass GOP have a great working relationship with the College Republicans in Boston.

Massachusetts Miracle

The American Spectator magazine had this article about Jim Ogonowski.

While Republicans are reeling in former strongholds like Virginia and New Hampshire, the Grand Old Party hopes for a pickup in the bluest of states: Massachusetts, the home of Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, and Michael Dukakis.

Their target is the Oct. 16 special election for the House seat vacated by former Rep. Martin Meehan in Massachusetts' Fifth Congressional District. The GOP's reason for optimism? The Hill reports "A new poll suggests a Republican congressman from Massachusetts is a real possibility."

YOU can make Jim Ogonowski become Congressman Ogonowski.

You know what you have to do. Please do it.

Boston Globe Reporting

"Major Hike in Gas Tax, Fees Urged"

House Minority Leader Brad Jones and Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei believe that the state should exhaust all resources first to determine if we even need to raise taxes and hike fees. Seems like a common sense proposition. Cut out the fat, waste, duplication, and patronage before sticking it to the taxpayers.

Deval Patrick said last week on the radio that he is "very sympathetic to the idea of merging the highway department with the turnpike" saving the Commonwealth millions of dollars but he noted that it is "difficult to do" because of all that is involved.

Deval Patrick has what none of the previous GOP Governors had - 87% control of the legislature.

What's stopping you Deval?

Drawing Attention

The MassGOP has recently been putting some effort into our online presence and it has attracted some national attention.

Patrick Ruffini is the former E-campaign director of the RNC and was the webmaster for Bush-Cheney '04. Patrick had this to say about the MassGOP:

A fourth state party, Massachusetts, has recently seen Rob Willington, a forward-leaning tech-oriented thinker take over as Executive Director. Rob was telling me about all the cool things they are planning to roll out when he came down for last week’s Modern Media Strategies workshop.

It’s significant that neither Bill or Shaun or Bill or Rob serve as “Director of New Media.” They are ED or Communications, basically the #2 and #3 positions in the parties. Bloggers are now shepherding all press outreach, both to electronic and old media. That’s a big deal.

Josh Hersh has a new vlog, "Hit or Miss" and Josh picked up on our recent developments with MassGOP.com and thankfully, he noted it as a hit:




Thanks for noticing Josh. Hub Politics has an interview with further details of our online expansion.

Deval Patrick - The People Respond

Today, the State House News Service noted a conversation between Deval Patrick and a caller on the Eagan and Braude show on 96.9 fm talk.

"Another caller, Mary Ann, told Patrick, “I wonder why you’re such an ineffective communicator with your remarks on 9/11.” When she followed up with a more insistent question about the impression she said Patrick had left about wanting to sing “Kumbaya,” and asked him to “please explain," Patrick replied flatly, "No."

Thank you Mary Ann and to all the other callers that confronted Deval Patrick.

Deval Patrick - Reality Check

Today, the Massachusetts Republican Party issued a response to Deval Patrick's comments about September 11th.

The Boston Herald has the story here.

"It was a mean and nasty and bitter attack on the United States. But it was also about the failure of human beings to understand each other and to learn to love each other. It seems to me that lesson at that morning is something that we must carry with us every day." - Deval Patrick, Septemeber 11th, 2007

“By calling the attacks 'mean and nasty and bitter' and calling on people to 'learn to love each other,' the governor sounds like he's talking about schoolyard bullies, not cold-hearted terrorists who will murder innocent people on command.” - Peter Torkildsen, September 12th, 2007

Congressman Chris Shays (CT)

Congressman Chris Shays was kind enough to attend an event for the Massachusetts Republican Party and for the Middlesex Republican Club. The Congressman gave a wonderful speech and thanks to everyone that came out. Here are some pictures from the event:

Congressman Shays with Jim Ogonowski

Chairman Peter Torkildsen, Congressman Shays, and Minority Leader Brad Jones.

The Middlesex Club Reception

Congressman Shays speaking those that attended.

Cohasset Republican Cookout

The Cohasset Republican Committee had a successful turnout for their cookout yesterday. Here is a picture of Chairman Torkildsen addressing the crowd.

Chairman Kevin O'Donnell

Amo Houghton

Editorial Criticizes Patrick

The Eagle Tribune has come out with strong opinion on Governor Patrick's abstinence veto.

"Kids are also going to do drugs, no matter what adults say. But drug education doesn't teach kids how to use them safely. It teaches abstinence. The same is true for those who commit road-rage offenses because their emotions get out of control. The mandatory classes on road rage don't teach them how to do that safely. They teach one thing - abstinence."

State Representative Jeff Perry - Sandwich

"The simple truth is that we do not have a revenue problem; government has a spending problem."

You can read more of Representative Perry's letter to the editor here.

A MESSAGE FROM REP PERRY:

I want to invite you to an important event that I will be hosting on Monday, September 24th at 7:00pm at the Grange Hall, 91 Old County Road, East Sandwich (directions on reverse) for all Republicans and conservatives who wish to meet and hear from Republican National Committeeman Ron Kaufman and yours truly about the outlook for Republicans in 2008 and beyond.

Ron Kaufman has served as an advisor over the last 25 years to Republican Presidents, Governors, Members of Congress and a host of elected and appointed officials at every level of government. Starting his career in national politics in 1978 with the campaign for President George H.W. Bush, Ron has held major political posts in the White House and in the Republican Party. Ron will speak about his views on the future of the GOP and his outlook for the 2008 race for President.

There is no donation requested to attend this event. We will provide light refreshments and we will also have a silent auction to benefit the Sandwich Republican Town Committee. My goal with this event is to bring together Republicans from Cape Cod and have a positive discussion about the future of the GOP. I hope you will attend and bring a friend to begin the process for a successful Republican election in 2008!

Best regards,

Jeff

Mass GOP Upcoming Activity

09.07.07
Event: Middlesex Club Lincoln Dinner with Congressman Chris Shays
Where: Copley Marriott
When: 6:00 pm
Cost: $75 per person
Contact: Dr. John de Jong,

09.09.07
Event: CRTC Cookout
Where: 465 King St. Cohasset MA
When: 4:30 pm
Cost: $25 INDIVIDUAL $40 COUPLECheck by 9420
Contact: Julie Guild 781-383-6443 jguild.1@juno.com,

09.10.07
Event: First Bristol Plymouth Caucus to Elect a New State Committeewoman
Where: TA Restaurant 408 South Main St Fall River
When: 6:30 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: Brock N. Cordeiro - BNCordeiro@comcast.net,

09.12.07
Event: Winchendon RTC Meeting
Where: Music Room The Winchendon School
When: 7:00 pm
Cost: none
Contact: Will Brown info@toytowngop.org 978 297 3274,

09.12.07
Event: New Bedford Republican Party Meeting
Where: 103 Caroline St. New Bedford MA 02740
When: 6:30 pm
Cost: no cost
Contact: Nathan Pierce - newbedfordgop@yahoo.com,

09.18.07
Event: Peter Torkildsen at UMass Amherst
Where: 423 Student Union UMass Amherst
When: 5:30 pm
Cost: free
Contact: Brad DeFlumeri bdeflume@student.umass.edu,

Three Debates

Today, Jim Ogonowski requested three debates to present his views to the voters of the 5th Congressional district. More importantly, these debates will show the contrast between Jim and his opponent and the voters will see that Jim is the best candidate to represent them in Congress.

Here is what Jim had to say:

"There is a real difference between Niki Tsongas and myself. The people have an important choice to make. They can vote for someone who will continue with the business as usual mentality in Congress or they can vote for someone who will put aside the partisan attacks and offer real solutions to the people of the 5 th Congressional District."

"This October, we have a chance to send a message to the politicians that we are sick and tired of the way things work in Washington. I'm not a partisan politican. When I get to Washington I'll work with the Republicans and the Democrats to get things done for the people of the district."

"The voters deserve an opportunity to hear from the candidates so they can outline their vision for the future. This is why I am proposing that we debate three times before the election. Given the short timeframe, this will allow voters to learn about the clear differeneces us multiple times so they can make an informed decision. The debates should be dispersed throughout the district, open to voters, allow the candidates enough time to give real answers and not just political rhetoric and sound-bytes. I hope that Niki accepts my offer as soon as possible." concluded Ogonowski.

Ogonowski TV Ad

Jim Ogonowski just released this advertisement. Now, Jim Ogonowski needs to get this advertisement on the air.



Do you like this advertisement? Do you want others to see it? You can help put this advertisement (and others) on the air by simply clicking here. If you can't donate $2,300 you can donate $25. Every little bit counts.

Ogonowski Wins Big with 89%

Congratulations to Jim Ogonowski and to the rest of his team for putting together a stunning victory tonight.

Here are some pictures from Jim's victory celebration. We are all very excited for Jim and his grassroots campaign. Today, his grassroots network made thousands of phone calls from the Ogonowski headquarters and they are not slowing down.

Please contribute to Jim's campaign to get him elected next month. If you can not contribute financially, you can give your time.













Here is Jim talking about his grassroots effort that he will continue to build:




Jim talking about Illegal Immigration:




Jim talking about his roots in the 5th Congressional district, the American Dream, and the special interests in Washington DC.

Mansfield GOP: 2-0

Last fall, the Mansfield GOP rolled up their sleeves during the last election and worked hard to elect State Representative Jay Barrows.

This summer, the Mansfield GOP won again when they played the Mansfield Democrats in softball.

“You couldn’t write it any better!” said State Representative Jay Barrows of Mansfield. “The game was close all along, some great hits by both teams, we hung in there and played our hearts out to come back and win it.”

The Mansfield RTC raised $210 for the Mansfield Special Olympics, a first-time event for the town that will feature an integrated soccer program matching special needs players with their mainstream peers.