RLC National Convention
September 15-17, 2006   

   The 15th Anniversary Convention of the Republican Liberty Caucus was held in Orlando, Florida the third weekend of September, drawing over 100 delegates and participants. Highlighting the event was a keynote address by Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal. "I want to salute you all for what you do for liberty and I love this organization," said Moore. Joining the banquet reception for Moore was US Representative and Florida US Senate candidate Katherine Harris. [Convention Podcasts]

    Delegates heard officer reports, then reviewed and adopted amendments to the RLC Bylaws. A series of Moving Forward panels included a dozen prominent speakers, with two special addresses by renowned free market advocates. [All Convention Photos]

    The Moving People panel included RLC Liberty Index author Clifford Thies, James Madison Institute Director of Public Policy Bob Sanchez, and LEAP spokesman Jerry Cameron discussing methods of influencing political perceptions and changing minds.

    The luncheon address featured Florida State University Professor of Economics Randall Holcombe, Senior Fellow at the James Madison Institute, advisor to Florida Governor Jeb Bush and President of the Public Choice Society. He discussed current state issues and recommended a focus on the Taxpayer Bill of Rights [TABOR] as a vehicle for capping government spending and requiring voter approval for tax increases.

    Official RLC business resumed with consideration of an official Resolution on Immigration. After extended discussion and debate, the proposal was tabled for future consideration. Prompt approval of a slate of national RLC officers and members of the new Board of Directors concluded the convention's official business. Current officers were re-elected for two year terms and a full complement of current and new Directors was elected from a dozen different states:
     At-Large:
          Jerry Cameron - FL
          Richard Freedman - MA
          Ray Holtorf - IA
          Bennett Kopp - AZ
          Dave Nalle - TX

     Alternates:
          Peter Bearse - NH
          Aaron Biterman - WI
          Robert Honerkamp - GA
          Ken Lindell - ME
          Carol McGuire - NH
          Dan McGuire - NH
          John Pankratz - TX
          Dan Rego - CA.

    RLC members John Hallman, the former Florida State Director of FreedomWorks and current President of a grassroots lobbying group, Bob Berg, of the Stop the Politicians: Eight is Enough term limits campaign, and Doug Guetzloe, Chairman of Ax the Tax, provided insights into Moving Politics during the day's second panel. 

     RLC Maine Chairman and elected state representative R. Kenneth Lindell led off the Moving Politicians panel, joined by Paul Jacob of US Term Limits and Citizens in Charge, as well as Libertarian Party Vice-Chairman Chuck Moulton in discussing initiatives, influencing legislators, and lobbying.

    A final panel included Ivan Osorio of the Competitive Enterprise Institute and Adam Goldman of the James Madison Institute discussing their own political activism and research.

    U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris dropped by to speak at the pre-banquet reception, eliciting cheers with her call for cuts in taxes and government spending and a radical flattening of the U.S. tax code. She was introduced by State Sen. Mike Haridopolos, among the most libertarian members of the Florida legislature, who also addressed the gathering.

    The evening banquet started with annual awards for RLC activists, presented by Chairman Bill Westmiller. Special commendations included the 2006 Liberty Award, presented to Wisconsin RLCer Aaron Biterman for his contributions to chapter development, campus activism and candidate reviews. The District Director for US Representative Tom Feeney offered insights into her political efforts and Liberty Index author Clifford Thies introduced the keynote speaker, Stephen Moore.

   Stephen received a rousing reception for his achievements as a Cato Institute Senior Fellow, founder of the Club for Growth, and current Editorial Board member of the Wall Street Journal. "We need to have ten thousand, a hundred thousand, members of this organization," said Moore, "because it is the guidepost for where the Republican Party should be headed." He told the delegates and visitors, "Yes, I am a libertarian" and recounted some of his experiences as a Reagan cabinet advisor. Beyond tax and spending cuts, he stressed the need for an open immigration policy. "Immigrants are absolutely essential to our economy and our freedoms," he said, "most of us would not be here today if it were not for immigration. There is no way we could possibly have seen the economic expansion that we've seen over the last five years had it not been for this immigrant labor force."
    Delegate votes in a 2008 Presidential straw poll produced favorites:
           1. Florida Governor Jeb Bush
           2. Virginia Senator George Allen
           3. Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson
           4. Secretary of State Condi Rice
           5. Former Representative Newt Gingrich

    The concluding event for the convention was a Sunday morning breakfast with author and activist Mark Skousen. The President of the Foundation for Economic Education and Austrian economics professor at Columbia Business School, discussed his forthcoming book, Persuasion vs. Force. "The Republican Liberty Caucus is an organization that deserves a huge influence, especially today, as the Republican Party is moving further and further away from its founding principles," said Skousen, explaining his view of those critical ideals.

    Ten organizations purchased vendor tables for the convention, attracting delegates to literature and complimentary efforts in the movement. The national and state Executive Boards held sessions to discuss future tactics and projects for attracting new members and growing the organization at all levels. The National Board will be considering plans for holding another convention in 2007, probably in conjunction with other libertarian events.

    RLC Florida Convention Report