Pullen for the Party

RNC MEETING UPDATE FROM BRUCE ASH

Fellow Arizona Republicans:

Having just returned from my first RNC meeting a few days ago I am even more energized than usual that we are Republicans for a reason. We believe in –

- Lower Taxes
- Greater Opportunity
- Limited Government
- National Security

As of today there are 452 days to the 2008 general election. What we have learned since the 2006 election is that the Democrat Party is not afraid to use their resistance to the War on Terror in order to gain electoral advantage. With the chaos on the left they have abused their newfound majority, voted to raise our taxes $400 billion, limited free speech, taken away worker rights, blocked judicial appointments and have gone to the trough at a record pace picking up new earmarks.

The difference between Democrats and Republicans:

Them                    Us
Insults                 Ideas
Vitriol                  Vision
Surrender            Optimism

Our efforts in the upcoming election will depend upon unity and dollars. Unless we are unified behind our candidates we cannot raise the resources required to spread our message.

On a national basis our party is performing well. Having raised $45,000,000 since January 1, 2007 the National Party has $14,000,000 in the bank (Vs. $2,000,000 for the DNC). Expenses are running $4,500,000 below budget so far. What is encouraging is that of the 875,000 total donors we have 50,000 brand new contributors. The average gift to the RNC is $51.77 so we equally match up with the grass root effort the Democrats have made.

During our meeting I supported two important resolutions. The first (see detail) dealt with immigration enforcement and was introduced by our AZGOP Chairman Randy Pullen. The passage of Chairman Pullen’s resolution with overwhelming support is a great victory for the grassroots of our party and a clear message that is already proving to have broad implications as Congress is giving further consideration to border security.

Kudos to our chairman for his courage and foresight in sponsoring this resolution. As a further bit of insight for our Arizona Republican activists – Mr. Pullen is a respected leader within the RNC ranks. The other members look to him for leadership on this and many other important issues. Randy Pullen represents our Arizona values and the interests of our grassroots activists with skill and integrity. When you see him the next time I hope you will thank him for his representation.

Another resolution I supported was to rescind RNC support of a concept presented called “One Vote.” This program would commit America to an extra 1% of our national budget to go to the UN for poverty and hunger relief. While we were not successful in our efforts I look forward to working with the sponsor of the resolution – Mr. Haugland from North Dakota – to re-introduce it again in January. As national committeeman, I am deeply concerned with poverty and hunger in Arizona, in America and around the world, but I do not feel the United Nations is specifically the best entity able to address these issues when it has proven itself overburdened with bureaucracy, red tape and corruption. Trusting it with $30 billion in new U.S. taxpayer money does not seem like a wise way to solve such tremendous issues when other options in the private and faith-based sectors are worth considering.

Our national party does face some significant challenges including:

• Party Unity – Like Arizona many other states face differences on key issues that require good people with honorable intentions to come together. In the end when the GOP is unified we win elections. With the future of America on the line we have no option other than putting our differences aside to secure victory.
• Voter Registration – the mid year reports show public fatigue with both national parties. Independents have made big gains in voter registration. Our targeted voter registration program is more important than ever. So is our need to clearly brand the GOP image and transmit our message to all America.
• Resources – Where the RNC has a fundraising advantage our Senate and House fundraising efforts lag the Democrats. Our opponents are energized but when we unify our grassroots, plus perfect our message, I am confident we will prevail in 2008.

Lastly, on a personal note….. the meeting was a great opportunity for me to learn how the RNC works and meet other members who I identify with on a political level.

Thank you for your support and stay tuned for more news about our Grand Old Party.

Sincerely,

Bruce Ash

PULLEN, AZGOP COMMEND BUSH, HOMELAND SECURITY

Phoenix, AZ— Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen said today President Bush had “hit the nail on the head” with his forthcoming initiative designed to curb illegal hiring expected to be enacted next week by the Department of Homeland Security. The rules, proposed last year, would mandate employers fire employees who use fake Social Security Numbers to get their job.

“We have long been saying the first step is to secure our borders,” Pullen said. “Arizona residents – regardless of party affiliation – are tired of the drugs, the guns and the other problems that come across the border along with those individuals who are simply looking for a job.

“Once we have honestly, truthfully secured our borders with legislation backed by Arizona’s own Senator Kyl that would get the fence built and beef-up border patrols, we can then start meaningful discussions about worker programs and address the issues of those living illegally in the U.S. today,” Pullen said.

“At the Summer Meeting of the Republican National Committee last week, the RNC members from around the nation nearly unanimously passed my resolution reaffirming our commitment as a party to secure our borders first. These new Homeland Security rules show that President Bush, the Republican National Committee members, and our parties in the states are now working very closely together to make that a reality. National security is priority-number-one.”

A copy of Chairman Pullen’s resolution passed nearly-unanimously by the members of the Republican National Committee on Friday, August 3, 2007 follows.

RESOLUTION URGING IMMEDIATE CONGRESSIONAL ACTION
TO SECURE OUR BORDERS

WHEREAS, it is reliably estimated that at least twelve million citizens of other countries have entered and currently remain in the United States illegally;

WHEREAS, it is reliably estimated that between two and three million illegal crossings of the borders of the United States continue to occur each year;

WHEREAS, the ability of millions of unidentified persons to illegally enter and remain in the United States presents a grave risk to the sovereignty of the United States and security of the American people;

WHEREAS, Congress has already authorized the construction of 854 miles of border fencing and appropriated one billion dollars to construct it and it is reliably reported that at least 700 miles of fence needs to be constructed; and,

WHEREAS, over the past seven years President Bush has proposed increasing the funding for border security three-fold to nearly $12 billion for 2008, doubling the size of the border patrol to more than 18,000 officers, increasing the use of technology through more than 6,000 new ground sensors and nearly 800 new cameras and authorizing improved roads, barriers, and fencing to further secure our borders; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the Members of the Republican National Committee urge that the Congress of the United States, as a matter of highest priority, take all necessary steps to provide appropriate authority and means to accomplish the following:

(1) Complete the construction of the border fencing that has been authorized as expeditiously as is reasonably possible; and

(2) Effectively secure the borders of the United States to illegal entry by every appropriate additional means, fully equipping and empowering the Border Patrol and using our National Guard and the U.S. military if necessary.

As approved by the Republican National Committee, August 3, 2007

-30-