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
IMHO, deleted posts on a thread are far more distracting that sidebar conversations.
Besides, some of us would prefer to remain and work to improve the thread rather than to abandon it.
My question is, How much money has California lost due to the shut off of irrigation water to the San Joachin Valley and why is no one talking about this? What will be the over all effect of this shut off to jobs, revenue and the migratory farm population?
that name sounds familiar
We asked a simple question concerning Obama’s legal eligibility to serve as President. So far on this thread, it has been ignored. Why?
When I was posting frequently, (You’ve posted a total of 440 threads and 42,506 replies.) off topic discussions were sent to Chat. Apparently things have changed.
I see this thread as one of the most important threads in a year or so. RON NEHRING, CALIF GOP CHAIRMAN has offered to answer our questions and right now the most immediate question has nothing to do with the CALIF GOP but with the Resident in the White House. I believe he is a fraud and possibly a foreigner.
I want to know why not a single elected California Republican saw fit to ask him for proof of citizenship and RON NEHRING, the CALIF GOP CHAIRMAN is a good man to be publically asking that question to.
Apparently I must be a major minority with this question because not a single FReeper has chosen to join me.
The Spirit Of Allegiance, I do hope you will find the necessary testosterone to ask MHr. Nehring my question because I know explaining their lack of performance regarding their Oath of Office will be difficult to answer.
“I, (name of Member), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
I’ve been around for over 10 years, and I would have thought that I’d posted more threads and replies than that. I’ll have to work harder if the Lord gives me another 10 years.
I will point out that my concern had to do with the conservative versus rino split in the Gop. While I was awaiting an answer to that question, I was asked a question about my religion that someone felt related to my Gop question.
I don’t fault CGGma for her question....it was a fair sidebar in my opinion, and it’s in the nature of the townhall meeting that FR really is. While one group is talking about one thing, there are a number of smaller conversations going on all over the room.
Thanks for the questions so far.
Every one deserves an answer, because every issue requires a position whether active or by default.
I will pose every question to Mr. Nehring in due time.
Keep the questions coming.
In the interest of streamlining this ‘questionnaire thread’ and minimizing sidebars, I have asked some to send me any further questions or comments via Freepmail.
From your keyboards to the GOP ears....
Adding Prop. 8 support and GOP exploring and exposing anti-8/NAMBLA type connections to the list.
I wholeheartedly join you....and am happy to "see" you posting...!
It’s nice to see someone do more than strike a patriotic pose on this issue. I don’t know if we’ll ever get a reasonable answer but I certainly want one.
Do you agree that the two most important preconditions for the preservation of this Constitutional republic and the precious rights of its citizens is diligently protecting our sovereignty and reverential adherence to originalist Constitutional principles?
And here's the follow-up question:
Is it not obvious that in California and in the Federal government that these two preconditions are not being met by any stretch of the imagination?
I’m sittin’ with you on this one.
The part that hurts is seeing Americans accept him as their leader. Iranians at least took to the streets and raised a fuss. Americans changed TV channels so they wouldn’t have to think about it. Our soldiers actually salute the bastard instead of arresting him.
From a citizen in Arizona. This man certainly does not stand alone! I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me.
Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me.
There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now.
You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me?
Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:
One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.
Two, the TARP bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.
Three: Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.
Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.
Five, universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!
Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.
Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.
Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why ‑‑ what do you have against shareholders making a profit?
Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.
Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band‑Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.
Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try ‑‑ please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.
Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.
Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.
I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.
From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring our concerns to Washington. Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.
We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work , pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us when he will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.
Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming.
Dear Chairman Nehring,
As a former member of the San Diego County Central Committee and a former very active Republican, it is more than frustrating to watch the Republican Party become increasingly incompetent and impotent.
San Diego County had one the finest precinct organizations in the country. We had over 3,600 precinct volunteers and an excellent team running it just a few short years ago. It is now almost completely defunct. What happened?
Can you please explain why there are many people like me who have been driven out of the county party because we don’t “toe” your line or your successor’s? Dedicated, hard working volunteers have quit in droves here in San Diego—and you know why.
Why don’t you tell the rest of the people on this site?
All:
Some of the more ‘religious’ and/or otherwise inconvenient posts on this thread are valid, inasmuch as they may serve to generate light (not just heat). As this Nation was founded on Judaeo-Christian principles, such ‘religious’ questions as have been broached upthread I consider relevant and worth leaving on the record.
Be that as it may, I have asked some to forward further comments to me privately; all may feel free to do so.
I am already in receipt of some excellent questions that have not yet been published.
Meanwhile, I have been in contact with Ron Nehring’s office and am seeking to move this project forward soon—highly resolved that our military dead shall not have died in vain; and
“...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
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