RLC Liberty Watch

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William Westmiller
Bill Westmiller
National Chairman
    The year following a Presidential election is normally considered the 'slow season' in politics, but our state RLC chapters didn't get the message.
    In fact, they've been so busy this year that we're going to be doing weekly reports this month to cover all of the state activities and give you some holiday cheer.
    We're also looking forward to the 2006 elections and expect our favorites to do extremely well. With a dozen chartered states, we're moving toward liberty.
    We hope you'll join us in the effort.


PorkFest Success!

FSP T-Shirt Logo    With the assistance of RLC Chapter Director Tim Condon, we were a major sponsor of the 2005 Free State Project's Porcupine Freedom Festival.
    Chairman Westmiller and new RLC Vice-Chairman, Phil Blumel of Florida addressed a special forum, sold custom RLC T-shirts, and mingled with 400 campers and New Hampshire enthusiasts.
    The event provided a boost to the newly chartered state, with the help of Dan McGuire, the new Chairman, and his wife Carol. The couple have been building the chapter with frequent visits to GOP events and getting support from members coordinated through a very active state eGroup. In August, members hosted a table at the Strafford County Republican Picnic with literature and an OPH booth.
    Visit their new website and attend their quarterly Manchester meeting on December 14th with favorite elected officials and other state activists.


Tim Condon
Tim Condon

Dan McGuire
Dan McGuire

 

Caste Coalition

 

 

 

State Senator David Shafer
Sen. Shafer

Eminent Domain News

    The RLC has joined the Castle Coalition as the only organizational member opposing eminent domain takings across the nation. An RLC National Board of Directors resolution and news release applauded the Institute for Justice  project as:

"an invaluable resource for pursuing the protection of private property rights. We are pleased to endorse their effort to restrict any public takings for private benefit and urge our members to offer their full assistance to this worthy project."

    RLC activists in Georgia, Wisconsin, and Florida have been most active in reversing the Supreme Court's Kelo decision through local legislation.
    Georgia Senator and RLC-GA Honorary Chairman David Shafer has been an active member of the committee reviewing upgrades to the state takings law.
    Wisconsin Representative Jeff Wood, an RLC Advisor, and Senator Dave Zien have introduced legislation to prevent property takings for commercial development.  Another RLC Advisor, state Rep. Frank Lasee, has written in support of tight restrictions on state takings.
     Florida RLC Chair Al Gutierrez has been promoting a local ordinance for Titusville that would protect private property from government eminent domain takings.

Lost Liberty Hotel

   RLC member Logan Darrow Clements received wide national media attention in the wake of the Kelo Supreme Court Ruling, with his plans to replace Justice David Sutter's NH estate with the development of the 'Lost Liberty Hotel' and 'Just Desserts Cafe'.
    Contact Logan for information on his plans.

Logan Darrow Clements
Logan Clements
Northeast Chapter News    
Stuart Mirsky
Stuart Mirsky
New York

     Stuart Mirsky, RLC Coordinator and Vice Chairman of the Rockaway Republicans, has been busy reaching out to other GOP organizations, serving as Secretary of the Urban Republican Coalition and now working with the assistance of new Co-Coordinator Norma Segal.
    If you would like to assist in chartering the New York chapter, contact Stuart or Norma or join the state eGroup to discuss plans and progress.

Maine
    State legislator and state RLC Coordinator Ken Lindell hopes to organize a Chartering Convention in the near future. Contact him or join the state eGroup for info.
Massachusetts
    Scott Gibbs is the new state Coordinator, working with National Director Richard Freedman and RLCUSA-PAC Treasurer Alan Cousin to organize the "Taxachusetts" chapter. Contact them or join the state eGroup for more info.
Virginia

    Dave Briggman is Chairman of this RLC Chartered state organization, which will be holding its Annual Convention this December 17th. Visit their new website for details.
    Regular Thursday meetings are held in Charlottesville. Join the state eGroup for more info.

Dave Briggman
Dave Briggman
Carolinas
    RLC North Carolina member Micah Martello has been making presentations in support of the Fair Tax to College Republicans around the state. He is the state Director of Americans for Fair Taxation. Contact state Coordinator and National RLC Treasurer Jeffrey Palmer for local organizational activities.
    Robert Hawes is the South Carolina RLC Coordinator. He's hoping to organize members in support of Mark Sanford for Governor. The RLC has endorsed Sanford in every campaign and many members hope he will be a candidate for President in 2008. Join the state eGroup for more info. 
District of Columbia
    The RLC has more members per capita and larger growth in the District of Columbia than any state, but we're anxious to have an activist volunteer who will coordinate our activities in the Capitol. Contact Vice-Chairman Phil Blumel if you're interested in the position or would like to help.
Special Elections

    The RLC California and National Boards, as well as many RLC Advisory Board Members, endorsed state Senator John Campbell in a special election to fill the 48th CD vacancy created by the resignation of Rep. Chris Cox. Campbell won handily in the December 6th special election, in spite of a strong American Independent Party campaign by Jim Gilchrist.
    Another special election is pending in California, following the resignation of David "Duke" Cunningham on bribery charges. Among the possible contenders is RLC Advisor Howard Kaloogian. Contact new RLC State Chairman Doug Lorenz or join the state eGroup for more info.

Rep. John Campbell
Rep. Campbell
Robert Poole, Jr.
Robert Poole, Jr.

 

Marijuana Policy Project

RLC Outreach

    The RLC conducted a mailing to members of the Reason Foundation earlier this year, getting a very warm reception and many new members. Special thanks to RF Founder Robert Poole, Jr. for a personal recommendation note and his joint effort with Lou Villadsen and other Florida members in the preparation of the mailing.
    Early next year, we will be distributing information to members of the Marijuana Policy Project and soliciting their support and assistance.
    The RLC has been working closely with DC member Mike Ostrolenk to join dozens of other organizations in public letters to legislators concerning medical privacy, Patriot Act sunsets and other important legislation.
    RLC Chairman Bill Westmiller has appeared on several talk radio programs, with a planned appearance on Free Talk Live for December 27th.

       
RLC Liberty Index
   
The RLC scored a ratings coup last year, releasing its Liberty Index scores for every member of Congress earlier than any other ratings organization. We hope to do the same for the 2005 scores, which will be instrumental in 2006 candidate endorsements.

   State Lookup of 2004 Liberty Index scores.
Dozen States Chartered
   The Caucus now has 12 fully Chartered States, with elected officers and delegate approved Bylaws. More than 35 states have Chapter Contacts or Coordinators.
    Find your state Contact here!
Start an RLC Chapter!
   Several states are not organized or chartered. If you'd like to help the RLC move ahead in your state, contact Chapter Director Tim Condon.
Join the RLC Today!
Click here to pay dues or registration.
Republican Liberty Caucus
44 Summerfield Street
Thousand Oaks, California 91360
(866) RLC-LIBERTY [752-5423]
12/08/2005