You Are Invited

Is '08 The Year?

Today, we issued some important information about U.S. Senator John Kerry and put up a new webpage.

The American Spectator and Boston Herald picked it up. John Kerry's response is pretty funny, but notice how it was a complete deflection? In 2008, you need to remember 8.

Take The Pledge

February7.org is a new site put up by RightRoots. It's a great idea and I encourage everyone to participate and take the pledge.

The Great Exaggerator

The Globe talks about Deval Patrick as an exaggerator with budget numbers.

Check it out here.

"On the jobs front, let's both advance human healing and add another 250,000 jobs over the next decade by passing the life sciences bill next month," Patrick told the Legislature.

My Globe colleague, Todd Wallack, was the first to raise questions about Patrick's claim that his $1 billion life-sciences initiative, which stalled last year in the Legislature, could produce 250,000 jobs in a decade. That, Wallack reported, would be twice as many jobs as the state added from all sources over the past decade. The life-sciences sector currently employs 60,000 to 75,000 people in Massachusetts.

New Chairman in Reading

Tonight, I attend the Reading Republican Town Committee where they elected a new Chairman, Richard Coco who replaces Curt Nitzsche who served as Chairman for eight years.

Richard said that he is excited to be chosen to lead the Republican party in Reading.

Richard wants to expand the ranks and bring a new level of activism for the Republican party in in Reading.

Richard is an engineer, and has been a Reading resident for over 35 years. Richard is married with two children and they both graduated from the Reading public school system. Richard also served on the Reading School Committee.

For more info about the Reading RTC, you can contact Richard at rhcoco@att.net

The Kerry Challenge

Today, John Kerry's office had this to say in the Boston Globe:

In a statement, Kerry spokesman David Wade said that "Senator Kerry is running for reelection so he can continue fighting to change Washington. John Kerry brings to public service a lifetime of fighting the tough fights for change and standing up with courage and conviction, and he'll keep doing that in the United States Senate."

Can you call John Kerry's office at (202) 224-2742 or (617) 565-8519 and ask him how he represents change after 22 years in office as a U.S. Senator?

You are welcome to post the answers from the call in the comments section below.

Trainings

Yesterday was a busy Saturday. We were in Halifax for the Plymouth County GOP breakfast where roughly 50 people got together to rebuild the County Club. Thanks to Bernie Pigeon for doing a great job reviving the club and putting together this breakfast.

In attendance were: State Representatives Vinny deMacedo, Dan Webster, Susan Gifford and Sheriff Joseph McDonald as well as Jeff Beatty and Jim Ogonowski who are both strongly considering a bid for U.S. Senate.

Here is a clip of Jeff Beatty:

Here is a clip of Jim Ogonowski:

After the breakfast we had a Campaign 101 training in Lexington. Here is Chairman Torkildsen sharing some of his wisdom from the campaign trail. If you could not make the Lexington training you can always catch Peter's portion online at MassRootsAction.com

The idea for MassRootsAction is this - if you want to be trained, you should not have to wait 2 months and drive 3 hours. So, grab your cup of coffee and log on to MassRootsAction to see what you missed and get a good dose of training from home. Don't have a password for MassRootsAction? Contact us info@massgop.com or 617-523-5005 and you need to be connected with a GOP organization/campaign. If you are currently not with anyone we can certainly accommodate you and get you connected with a GOP organization.

Lyndsay Jones from our finance department talked about raising money and the process that goes into it. Our next official training will be our Finance School which is an intensive training devoted entirely to raising money. This is not just for candidates. If you are a campaign manager, activist, or part of a Republican Town Committee, we strongly encourage you to attend this training.

We are also going to be opening up a Training Office at the MassGOP headquarters in Boston for small groups that would like to come in on a Saturday or on a week night. This is perfect for Town Committees and campaigns that would like to schedule a private training and carpool together.

We had over 25 people this past week in our Boston office and I realized that we should conduct more trainings from our Boston office (don't worry, we are still on the road.)

The Berkshire County GOP also has an office in Pittsfield and we would be happy to run trainings out of this "satellite" office.

Things are moving in the right direction.

Interns - Got Any?

Do you know of anyone that may like to intern for the Massachusetts Republican Party? We would love to hear from them!


Our office is in Boston near North Station. The Berkshire County GOP also has an office in Pittsfield and we could arrange for western mass internships through that office.

Please spread the word. We have a lot of work to do and we love a good group of interns!

Click Here.

live at the GOP Municipal Fundraiser

Last night we were at the GOP Municipal PAC fundraiser in Westborough. We had a live web stream for people to watch the event at home. We also recorded some activists and elected officials at the end of the event to share some thoughts.

The Massachusetts Municipal Coalition PAC is working to build the farm team in Massachusetts and they are doing a great job.

If you have not been to a GOP event before, have a look here and check it out for yourself. (some people did not speak loud enough and you may have to click the pause button a few times to let the video catch up)

There are more people on the video than what is listed here, but here are a few highlights.

3:15 Ron Chernisky, Southbridge candidate for State Representative.

14:30 Karen Sautter, South Shore Young Republicans

16:55 Paul Ferro, Marlborough city councilor

20:30 State Representative Paul Frost

24:00 Adam Lamontagne, School Committee, Chicopee

27:30 Jim Ogonowski

30:00 Bill McCarthy, Worcester County Republican Club

32:00 State Representative George Peterson

34:40 Richard Wheeler, Chairman of the Young Republicans

College Republicans

The State House News Service reports that the College Republicans were out in front of the State House along with Jeff Beatty to protest Deval Patrick's attempt to jump over the legislature to give in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.

"YOUNG REPUBS PROTEST PATRICK'S ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION POLICIESUS Senate candidate Jeff Beatty, challenging Sen. John Kerry, joined a group of young Republicans Tuesday as they ripped Gov. Deval Patrick's hopes to extend residential tuition rates to illegal immigrants. In the sub-freezing temperatures outside the State House this morning, the group held signs and distributed literature. Patrick has said his administration is exploring how to effect the policy shift without legislation. Massachusetts College Republicans chanted "Deval is out of Touch" and held signs that read "Don't DEVALue our citizenship." "It's going to break the bank," MACR chairman Brian Gwozdz said of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. "It's obviously a radical proposal." Gwozdz said the college Repbulicans were worried that tuition and taxes would rise if illegal immigrants had in-state tuition."

Bush Blogging?

Looks like President Bush is blogging from the recent trip to the Middle East. Thanks to techpresident for the link.

Did you see the prank that Matt Romney played on his father? Our former Governor had an interesting phone call from a "fellow Governor."

Patrick Tax Cut?

The Herald reports Brad Jones' reaction to Deval Patrick's attempt to "cut taxes."

"House Minority Leader Brad Jones said he “laughed all the way to work” today after reading a headline indicating that Gov. Deval Patrick is seeking to cut corporate taxes with a proposal that would essentially drain hundreds of millions from firms in the short run, then phase in a 1.2 percent rate cut over three years.

“There is no way you can consider it a substantial (tax cut) when, at the end of the day, you’re taking nearly $2.3 billion from businesses, and giving them back $500 million a few years down the road,” Jones said."

Lamontagne Party - Chicopee, MA

The crowd at the Adam Lamontagne Victory Party had a good time celebrating a victory and visiting with friends. The food, refreshments, and speeches by Richard Berrena, State Rep. Todd Smola, State Sen. Mike Knapik and School Committeeman Adam Lamontagne were great. Adam Lamontagne appreciated the support from all involved in his campaign! Everyone had a good time and are looking forward to future victory parties.

Campaign Manager Robert Delano, Chicopee School Committeeman Adam Lamontagne, and State Senator Michael Knapik

State Representative Todd Smola addressing the crowd.

Joe For Milk

The Herald has an editorial about the Joe Kennedy commercials promoting the oil program with Venezuela.

Strikingly, the viewers were under no illusions about the purpose of the exercise. Some 37 percent said it was an attempt to boost Citgo’s image, 13 percent said the image meant for boosting was Venezuela’s, 20 percent said it was an attempt to embarrass President Bush, 15 percent said it was an attempt to promote Kennedy - which left 15 percent who said Venezuela was actually trying to help.

What should be better known is that Venezuela is poor. Per capita income is about one-seventh of what Americans have. Income is more unequally distributed. And last month Chavez finally had to lift government price controls on milk because they had so dampened production that Venezuela’s children were going without. (Maybe Kennedy can do a milk for oil exchange program.)

RNC winter meeting

Michael Steele spoke to the northeast delegation of the RNC winter meeting this morning. Michael has a great vision for our party and is currently the Chairman of GOPAC.

Boston GOP Event Canceled

The GOP Boston event at the MassGOP headquarters is canceled tonight due to the snow.

Howie Carr on Deval Patrick

Howie Carr has a new article blasting Deval Patrick's plan to bypass the legislature to give in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.

First, read the article here.

Then, sign this petition to send Deval Patrick and other Beacon Hill Democrats a message.

Ogonwoski for Senate?

The AP is reporting that Jim Ogonowski is thinking of running for U.S. Senate against John Kerry. Jeff Beatty is the other Republican in the race.

GOP.com Job Bank

Part of the new GOP.com is a job bank where you can submit your resume. It will also give you the opportunity to submit a YouTube video telling the GOP more about yourself. If you have ever wanted to work in politics, and work for the right side, this is your chance.

Wakefield Regional Training

Last night we had a great showing for the Wakefield regional training. Here is State Committeewoman Monica Medeiros, State Representative candidate Mark Hutchinson, Wakefield Chairman Al Turco, and Melrose Chairman John Gregorio.

Jane Swift

From the State House News Service:

"After listening to former Acting Gov. Jane Swift talk up the credentials of Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, WRKO talk host Tom Finneran got his titles mixed up and thanked 'Senator' Swift for joining him on his show. To which Swift, 42, who served in the state Senate before ascending to the governorship when Paul Cellucci left to become U.S. Ambassador to Canada, said: 'I’m trying to figure out if you’re looking forwards or backwards.' "

GOP Municipal Coalition Fundraiser

The Massachusetts Republican Municipal Coalition PAC cordially invites you to our first fundraising event with special guest: State Senator Scott Brown




Wednesday, January 23, 2008
7:00 p.m.

At the Double Tree Hotel 5400 Computer Drive, Westboro, MA

$40 in advance by mail or online (link below)
$50 at the door

RSVP to Chanel at GOPMuniPAC@gmail.com



Checks made payable to the MRMC PAC and mailed to:
PO Box 702Shrewsbury, MA 01545

Online credit card donations accepted at MassRepublicanMunicipalCoalition.org

School Overruns Parents Rights

"The Cohasset School System has illustrated how easy it is to deprive parents the right to decide on how to educate their son. In a breathtaking demonstration of liberal power, the school system battled a family all the way to the Superior Court to force their child to remain in a failing special education program.

Republicans cannot permit the policies of our education system and the courts strip our citizens of their rights. Join those in Cohasset to bring pressure to fight back to right this outrage. Let me know if you are willing to let your voice be heard to reverse this abuse. Read the amazing story here."

- Louis S. Harvey LHarvey@DALBAR.com

Year In Review

Minority Report - Richard Tisei

In its first formal session of 2008, the Senate approved legislation codifying the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Nine northeast states have joined this environmental compact to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by 10 percent between 2009 and 2019.

Under this initiative, electricity generating plants that comply with a defined emissions cap will be able to sell allowances through a “cap and trade” program to plants that exceed the cap. Proponents are touting the environmental benefits, but the unanswered question is how much this program will impact communities, businesses and individual ratepayers, and whether it will put Massachusetts at a competitive disadvantage.

With the state expecting modest revenue growth and a projected deficit of more than $1 billion in FY08, the last thing we need is another costly program that will put Massachusetts even further in the red. To address these concerns, the Senate Republican Caucus offered a series of amendments authored by Assistant Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, including one to suspend the compact if the cost to electric generators exceeds $150 million to ensure that these additional costs are not passed on to consumers. Another amendment would require that 25 percent of the revenues generated by the auctioning of credits be returned to cities and towns.

In the end, both proposals were rejected, but the Caucus did gain concessions from the Democrats on two other amendments: one requiring the Legislature to receive a copy of draft RGGI regulations at least 30 days prior to their scheduled implementation, and another directing the Division of Energy Resources to file an annual report with the Legislature detailing how the program’s funds are being distributed.

-Richard Tisei

Making a Difference

The Herald has a top ten list of legislators and congrats to Brad Jones and Bruce Tarr for making the list.