Pullen for the Party

The Politics of War

I was talking today with one of our staff here at AZGOP headquarters about his experience of being on “The Hill” last year when General David Patraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testified before Congress on the situation in Iraq. Sure, the stories of the Code Pink ladies running around dressed up, the security details and the random protestors acting like fools were interesting to the media. The real point which struck me is this: General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker were there to testify and report, in their own words, what was happening on the ground in Iraq.

This week, General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker will return to Washington to testify before Congress and give a report assessing the situation as it currently stands. Unfortunately for these esteemed public servants, Congressional Democrats led by Nancy Pelosi, have once again turned our military and its mission in Iraq into a political circus. Last week, Speaker Pelosi warned General Petraeus not to, “put a shine on recent events.” As the leader of the most important legislative body in the world, Speaker Pelosi ought to know better than to tell someone what she wants to here in his testimony. She might as well have just come right out and said, “If you don’t say what I want you to, you’re in big trouble.”

General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker are men of service and duty. Their responsibility lies with their troops and their mission. They are not beholden to Congress, the White House or even the Pentagon. The best proof of this comes from the second paragraph of General Petraeus’ testimony last year. He said:

“At the outset, I would like to note that this is my testimony. Although I have briefed my assessment and recommendations to my chain of command, I wrote this testimony myself. It has not been cleared by, nor shared with, anyone in the Pentagon, the White House, or Congress.”

This year will be no different. Democrats, including our own Congressman Mitchell and Congresswoman Giffords, will attempt with all of their might to tie the General’s testimony to President Bush. They will launch negative personal attack ads like the one MoveOn.org did last year calling General Petraeus, “General Betray Us.” And the media will play into the hands of Congressional Democrats who say Petraeus and Crocker are little more than White House pawns and President Bush is simply pulling the strings on his puppets from the Oval Office.

Democrats have already positioned themselves politically to rebuff any real discussion of progress in the upcoming testimony. Rather than listen to the assessment by the leaders on the ground, they have staked out positions and are pandering to their liberal base. In the hoopla of all the partisan potshots taking place over the next few days, I am afraid we will lose sight of some of the progress happening in Iraq as a direct result of the “surge” and the success our military forces are experiencing.

As security has improved, Iraqi citizens have begun to re-engage in the political process. Today, some 90,000 Iraqis belong to local citizens groups bearing the name, “Sons of Iraq.” In the near future, 20 to 30 percent of these “Sons of Iraq” will be incorporated into the army and police forces, as pledged by the Iraqi government. Democrats will tell us, “Iraq can’t support itself and America is bearing the cost.” While America is helping to rebuild the backbone of Iraq, the economic progress goes unmentioned. For example, business registrations have increased by more than nine percent; total inflation has fallen by more than sixty percent; oil production is up (and revenue sharing agreements are coming along) and economic growth is projected to be a solid seven percent this year. Iraq is clearly moving in the right direction.

Furthermore, Iraq is beginning to pick up more of the tab of reconstruction and redevelopment. On reconstruction projects alone, the most recent Iraqi budget calls for the government of Iraq to outspend the U.S. 11 to 1 and it is expected they will soon cover 100 percent of the cost. In the beginning, the United States shouldered the majority of the cost of training and equipping the Iraqi Security Forces. This year, Iraq has budgeted more than $9 billion, which is three-quarters of the cost, to pay for the training and supplying of its security forces. Just as with reconstruction, it is expected the Iraqi government will soon cover the entire cost.

While Democrats will go on a spree of personal attacks over the next few days, let us not forget the progress our dedicated men and women in uniform are making. The political posturing Democrats will do is not what the American people desire at this time. Rather, Americans are looking for straightforward, no nonsense information. They will get this from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, unless the Democrat circus takes the spotlight.

Forward Thinking: Planning today for 2012

Do we seat the delegates or not? Other than who will be the nominee, this seems to be the big question for the members of the DNC. The fact of the matter is that what the Democrats have right now with regard to seating of delegates from Michigan and Florida is a disaster. It gets worse, because the DNC is not only refusing to seat all of their delegates, but actually opposed their candidates being on their ballots or campaigning in either state. The Party, which tries to cloak itself in inclusionary politic, has essentially excluded all of the voters in these two states from the primary process. So much for fairness. But then, Democrats never really have been about fairness, it is and always has always been about wielding power over your life and mine.

In an effort to avoid future issues on our side, the RNC Rules Committee has gathered here in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the annual Chairman's meeting to present and debate various ideas and plans for reforming the Presidential nominating schedule for 2012. One of the key goals is to avoid a national primary day. Frankly, a national primary would prevent many candidates who have great ideas from participating in the race. Reason being, a national primary would limit candidates to those who have massive amounts of money to fund a national campaign. For example, candidates such as Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo, Tommy Thompson and even Mike Huckabee would probably not have been competitive in a national primary.

The RNC Rules Committee reported out yesterday the Ohio Plan for the 2012 Republican Primary process by a vote of 28-12. The Ohio Plan, promoted by Chairman Bob Bennett of Ohio, would create five groups, or as they are referred to "pods". The first pod would consist of four states, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, which would go first in a three week window followed by a second pod of 19 small-population states and territories that would vote in the next three week window. The remaining three pods consist of the large-population states. These pods would have roughly similar allocations of electoral votes, and would rotate their order in the nominating process every four years. Pod X going in the next three week window, followed by pods Y and Z in the subsequent two week windows. Finally, the penalty of 50% of a state’s delegates at the National Convention remains in effect if a state moves its primary ahead of the designated window as outlined in the Ohio Plan. Conversely, there is no penalty if a state holds its primary later than the Ohio plan asks.
Arizona is placed in pod Y along with California, Washington, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Under this plan, Arizona will never be among the first states voting.

Many of the large states in the three pods voting in the later primary windows are not happy with this plan. There is every indication that the Ohio Plan likely will be opposed by large states with enough delegates to prevent its passage at the National Convention, unless it is substantially modified in the next RNC Rules Committee meeting in late August. Larger states want an opportunity to go earlier in the process. As your chairman, I agree with these larger states. Under the Ohio Plan, there would always be at least 23 states and territories voting before our pod of states, diminishing the importance of our primary.
There is some indication that the five states that voted early in our primary process this year and were penalized with losing half their national delegates and alternates may in fact have their full delegations seated at the national convention. There are good arguments on both sides of this issue. As it becomes clearer as to what may happen, I will keep you informed and try to explain the implications for future presidential primaries.

Thanks for spending a few minutes reading my update from the state chairman’s meeting. Look for a full debrief in next week’s, Tusk Times. I will be sharing more insight as to what we discussed as Party leaders here in Albuquerque.

Randy

P.S. We regret to inform you of the passing of a long-time Republican activist, Al Driscoll. The AZGOP will keep his family and friends in our prayers. For more information about Al, click HERE

Ash on Loans

RNC National Committeeman, Bruce Ash, tackles the pressing issues of the day.

This week's commentary: Obama's Relationship with Big Labor

Click below to listen: Download AshonLoans.mp3

Chairman Pullen's response to Sen. Obama's "Race Speech"

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Equality is a cornerstone of our democracy. It has been at the forefront of political and social debate since our founding fathers, mothers, sons and daughters committed high treason and sought to end the King of England’s tyranny over the thirteen colonies. It is tragic the men who gathered in Philadelphia in 1787 to draft our Constitution could not come up with an end to slavery.

Many years later, a group of like-minded, freedom-loving people gathered “Under the Oaks” just outside of Jackson, Michigan. These people shared a common belief that slavery in the United States must end. It was July 6, 1854 when these individuals met to form the Republican Party. Committed to equality and justice for all, this group ascended the steep hill of national politics quickly winning many elections the following November and had its crowning moment with the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States in 1860. Lincoln, of course, abolished slavery in the United States.

Today, sadly, the Democrat presidential primary has turned into a battle of race, class and gender warfare. Nowhere is this better illustrated than yesterday’s speech by Senator Obama in Philadelphia, where he said, “But race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now.” This statement is a direct contradiction to the message he has put forth heretofore in his presidential campaign. Senator Obama has made his candidacy and this presidential contest about race, which he claimed he would not do. Senator Obama needs to choose a side in this debate. Is he the candidate of “race matters”, or will he be the candidate of unity and hope, looking beyond race as well as class and gender?

It may be Senator Obama does not know the answer to this question. It is fair, however, to say, time will tell.

It is important for all Americans to move beyond race. As our founders said and believed, we are all created equal. Republicans believe in the inherent natural strength in each and every individual. The Republican Party, was founded by anti-slavery leaders. Republicans have been on the front lines of the social and cultural changes throughout American history. The first woman elected to serve in the Congress was Jeanette Rankin of Montana in 1916. A Republican, she also was a leader of the Woman’s Suffrage movement throughout the United States and continued her work in the U.S. House when elected.

If we are to move fully beyond race we must break the flawed system of classification, which currently exists. The original intent and spirit of Affirmative Action and civil rights legislation is honorable. Sadly, the outcome has proved the inherent flaw of the system: it mandates we divide our own society. Rather than being “American first,” there exist qualifiers which people feel necessary to use to designate each other: Spanish-American, African-American, Asian-American, etc…

First and foremost, we are human beings. Let us as Americans, the freest nation on earth, work together to create stronger communities and neighborhoods for our children. Now is the time.

As Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican President said, “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Our responsibility today is to work to create a stronger, more secure America for future generations. I suggest we start by removing the chains of race which have divided our country for too long and begin anew without classifications and with a spirit of equality never before seen in this world’s history.

The campaigns of Senators Obama and Clinton have not helped to heal America’s racial divide. They have reopened many old wounds while creating new ones. In doing so they have revealed themselves and their party for whom they truly are: Democrats who look to profit from America’s racial woes rather than solving them.

Obama and Wright, two wrongs

RNC National Committeeman, Bruce Ash, tackles the pressing issues of the day.

This week's commentary: Obama and his Pastor

Click below to listen: Download AshonWright.mp3

Pullen: Six Years in Review

For six years, Democrat New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has engaged in the act of cheating on his wife, lying to voters and breaking the law by paying for sex with prostitutes, and in at least one case, transporting a sex professional across state lines.

For five years, Governor Napolitano has broken the state’s budget and busted the bank rewarding contract after contract and job after job to her friends and political allies despite their record of ineptitude and negligence – just look at their record of success at Arizona’s veteran’s home and Child Protective Services, for starters.

For four years, we have worked to get our state’s immigration and border laws enforced, but Governor Napolitano and Attorney General Terry Goddard don’t seem to think the law matters in Arizona.

For the three years, I was honored to serve Arizona as a National Committeeman on the Republican National Committee, and during this time we have made it the official policy of this great Party to enforce the rule of law first and foremost when it comes to such things as securing our borders and pulling investments out of terrorist nations like Iran.

For two years, Democrats have had control of the U.S. Congress and have become the most corrupt leaders in history, promoting and rewarding Members caught with federal sting money hidden in their freezers and blocking commonsense earmark reform aimed at removing special interests from politics once and for all.

And for the last year, I have had the honor to serve as Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, during which time we have not only tried in vain to hold Democrats’ feet to the fire to end the culture of corruption which has come to dominate our national political landscape, but we’ve also been tough on our own elected officials who have even been suspected of breaking the public’s trust.

The fact that Democrat Governor Napolitano hasn’t called on fellow Democrat Governor Eliot Spitzer to resign despite Mr. Spitzer having stood at a podium and admitted his guilt shows how broken the system has become and how tolerant the Democrats have become of corruption in their own ranks. If this were a Republican they would wail like banshees, but since it’s one of their own, they’re dead silent.

Arizona voters deserve better and we in the Arizona Republican Party will continue to offer real solutions, real ideas and real hope for the future. Our promises aren’t empty and our vision doesn’t extend just to the next Election Day.

And, yes, Governor Spitzer, aka Mr. Clean, should resign.

Obama's Relationship with Big Labor

RNC National Committeeman, Bruce Ash, tackles the pressing issues of the day.

This week's commentary: Obama's Relationship with Big Labor

Click below to listen: Download AshonObama.mp3

BEE KEEPING UP THE FIGHT FOR D.V. VICTIMS

The AZGOP released the following today on the passage of S.B. 1335 from the Arizona State Senate. The bill was sponsored by our very own Senate President Tim Bee.

For Immediate Release
March 3, 2008
Contact: Tony Reinhard
602-957-7770

BEE KEEPING UP THE FIGHT FOR D.V. VICTIMS
Pullen: Bee’s leadership is exemplary

Phoenix, AZ – Today, S.B.1335 sponsored by Republican Senate President Tim Bee, candidate for Congress in Arizona’s 8th congressional district, passed the Arizona Senate. The bill furthers the President’s legislative agenda to strengthen and make tougher domestic violence laws in Arizona.

“Senator Bee’s leadership and continuous fight to protect the victims of domestic violence has been exemplary. Domestic violence is an intolerable criminal action and Senator Bee has proven his devotion to making Arizona’s laws tougher and meaningful,” said Arizona Republican Party chairman Randy Pullen.

“Has Congresswoman Giffords done anything for domestic violence victims recently? Highly doubtful. She has been spending more time in Texas than in her district. President Bee actually has his finger on the pulse of his district, she’s quickly losing touch,” said Sean McCaffrey, executive director of the Arizona Republican Party.

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Ash on Pelosi

RNC National Committeeman, Bruce Ash, tackles the pressing issues of the day.

This week's commentary: Speaker Pelosi

Click below to listen: Download AshonPelosi.mp3

Notes From The Road: Voter Vault 3

It's cloudy and 35 degrees right now in our nation's capital. Garrett and I are here and just finished up a two day, in-depth intensive training on the Republican National Committee's Voter Vault 3 system. All I can say is: What an amazing product!

With Voter Vault 3, you as a PC, party activist, county chairman, candidate, or campaign manager can create walk lists, generate walking maps, target voters, develop mail and phone lists, tag voters based on issue, and much, much more.

As party building and campaigns are an ever evolving process, Voter Vault 3 has become an essential tool for anyone involved in the Republican Party. What's more is that Voter Vault 3 is eons ahead of anything the Democrats have.

Now that Garrett and I are fully trained on this revolutionary system, we will be scheduling Voter Vault training sessions throughout the state in the very near future. If you are a PC, party leader, or candidate and have not yet requested access to Voter Vault 3, e-mail either Garrett or myself at garcher@azgop.org or bmecum@azgop.org and we will get you the Voter Vault 3 Access Agreement.

Garrett and I are now on to the RNC's New Media Training School, we'll give you an update on the new technologies available to get our message out tomorrow. And we are also looking forward to leaving the cold Mid-Atlantic and getting back home to sunny Arizona.

All the best,

Brett