Posted on 06/03/2006 9:48:18 PM PDT by anymouse
SAN ANTONIO - The Republican Party of Texas elected a new vice chairman Saturday, choosing Dr. Robin Armstrong, the first black to hold the position since Reconstruction.
Armstrong, an internal medicine doctor from Dickinson, said he grew up in a household of Democrats but became a Republican in 1989 at age 19. His decision was associated with his religious faith, he said, because he became a "born-again believer."
"My philosophy is more conservative," Armstrong said, explaining that his opposition to abortion was a key issue in his party choice.
He said he has been an active Republican at the local level in Galveston County for the past eight years. Armstrong said he hopes to help the Republican Party continue its outreach to minority Texans.
"I believe that minorities are conservative," he said.
Bobby Eberle of Pearland also sought the vice chairmanship. Armstrong succeeds David Barton, who has been vice chairman for nine years.
Party chairman Tina Benkiser faced no major opposition and was easily re-elected chairman.
PLATFORM APPROVED
The party approved a platform Saturday that urges no amnesty for illegal immigrants, stiffer penalties for employers who hire illegal workers and suspension of automatic U.S. citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants.
The platform, a document drafted and voted on at the state GOP convention every two years, addresses a variety of subjects.
It states that the Texas Republican Party supports "traditional" marriage, which it defines as "a God-ordained, legal and moral commitment only between a natural man and a natural woman."
The platform also opposes abortion, the sale and use of "the morning after pill" known as emergency contraception and the legalization of sodomy.
Although the platform is a broad statement of what the party supports, not all Republican candidates agree with everything in it.
HAVING A LITTLE FUN
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison began her speech to the state GOP convention Saturday with a joke. She noted that if gunshots are heard in Washington, D.C., it can set off panic.
"In Texas, they would be asking which hunting season had started, or if Vice President Cheney was visiting," she said, referring to Cheney's accidental shooting of a hunting partner in South Texas in February.
The shooting victim, Austin attorney Harry Whittington, was hospitalized but recovered from his birdshot wounds.
Dr. Robin Armstrong's campaign web site
BTW, I created and maintain Robin's web site. I also maintain the Galveston County Republican Party web site at http://www.GalvestonCountyGOP.org.
Ping for our new RPT Vice Chairman, Dr. Robin Armstrong.
His decision was associated with his religious faith, he said, because he became a "born-again believer."
Welcome Brother
WoW, you're a big-wig! :P and you call yourself a mouse...
There is redemption for all who seek it. Welcome back to the party of Lincoln, brother Armstrong.
What say you?
TX Republicans rock, unlike my RINOs here in WI.
They are coming. I shot hundreds of photos at the convention. It will take a little while to process and post all of them. Watch the Galveston County Party web site to see the photos appear within the next couple of days.
what is that a picture of? a movie?
Not just a mouse..."anymouse"!!!
(Sorry, couldn't resist)
is "anymouse" a movie or something?
Good job, excellent platform!!
Too bad they didn't write a requirement that no candidate of the state's GOP could advocate amnesty or open-borders.
As I have repeatedly said, I strongly supported Dr. Eberly in this race but the party was in the enviable position of not being able to loose regardless of the outcome.
Dr. Armstrong is a fine man and will, I'm sure, help lead our party to an ever higher plane.
"The party approved a platform Saturday that urges no amnesty for illegal immigrants, stiffer penalties for employers who hire illegal workers and suspension of automatic U.S. citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants."
Outstanding news! And hearty congratulations to Dr. Armstrong.
Well I did give you big hint. :)
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