Along with hundreds of thousands of folks nationwide, more than 3000 Denton County citizens gathered at half a dozen or so Taxed Enough Already parties with their signs, patriotic garb and fed-up attitudes. Over and over, they chanted “Enough is enough!” as a litany of financial “sins” were brought to their attention by the speakers at these grassroots events. (Video of some of those speakers have been posted at our website: www.dentongop.org and photos appear elsewhere in this magazine.)

Highlights of the speeches included:

• Every man, woman and child in the USA now owes $35,000 due to the deficit.
• Obama’s huge spending will require massive tax increases for EVERYONE!
• Our Founding Fathers never envisioned such a massive financial burden on our citizens.
• Conservatives who will lower spending and taxes must replace RINO’s and big spenders.
• Americans are in an uproar about the bailouts, the stimulus and the budget.
• Denton County’s two Congressmen are conservatives who voted against them and should be sent back to Washington to continue the good fight.
• 40 Democrats must be replaced in 2010 to regain control of the House in D.C.
• Rallying is great, but must be followed up with responsible actions at the ballot box.

It was a great day with multiple successful events and was so encouraging to see all the new faces who share our concern for America.

The following week, the Denton County Democrats decided to hold a “100 Days of Obama” celebration in the same spot on the Courthouse lawn. Compared to our 1500 + attendees, their 40 (yes, forty!) folks had to be herded into a local restaurant when showers rained on their parade.

One disturbing piece of information did come from the Democrat rally — Denton county citizens were very heavy contributors to the Obama campaign – in Texas, second only to very liberal Travis county! That’s good news for the Democrats because they will be able to raise substantial funds here for the Congressional and local races in 2010. The DCRP must answer that challenge with substantial fundraising ourselves. If you can help, please go to our website to donate.

And get ready to roll up your sleeves and pitch in to help Vice Chair Tom Washington with our Victory 2010 efforts. Our plan is being formulated now, based upon the success we had last November and YOU can be a part of it. More on that in our next newsletter.

Till then, keep informing yourself and others about the excesses of the Obama administration as we continue our slide down the slippery slope of socialism. That tide can be turned, the course can be reversed, and our country CAN be reclaimed!

Are you ready to help make that happen?

For America,

Dianne Edmondson
Denton County GOP Party Chairman

What good is the freedom of speech if you don’t use it effectively? For most, barriers don’t include a lack of important messages, but rather they get nervous, ramble, or come across differently than desired. The good news is that speaking (whether to one or many) is a learned skill. The bad news is that ineffective skills can be learned as easily as effective ones. Everyone’s suffered through a bad sales pitch, sleepy sermon, boring lecture, or pointless conversation.

Most agree that speaking is one of the most important skills, yet is one they spend the least time purposefully developing! The better people communicate, the more influence they have. Since power flows to the most influential, they generally control — in business, in the political arena, in life! Speech alone is not enough, but it is more powerful than the sword because it influences the side for which a sword fights.

Speaking effectively requires not just the learning of skills, but consistent practice to keep them sharp. Classes and seminars, though beneficial, are not enough. The regular giving and receiving of trained and candid speeches and evaluations from peers is invaluable. That’s why there’s no substitute for the benefits obtained from a Toastmasters Club.

Many top speakers credit much of their success to Toastmasters. Folks from all stations and stages of life find that learning to speak, listen and think on-their-feet helps every aspect of their lives. That’s why one club founded in the 1920’s has grown to tens of thousands of groups today. Unlike classes or seminars, the format is peer-based, on-going and, though well structured, also is flexible and fun. Participants progress at their own paces in a safe and supportive learning environment.

The new Conservative Toastmasters Club of Denton adds a focus on our shared causes. Conservatives wanting to find their voices and exercise their rights to maximum effect should use this wonderful resource to advance themselves and our vital mission. The cost averages $7 per month. Like-minded guests may visit for free and either participate or just observe without pressure. The Club meets Mondays at 7 p.m. at 3321 Colorado Blvd. in Denton, which is a medical building behind Denton Regional Hospital —  the building with the flag. Contact Coach Tim at 940/239-0564 or email Coach@TimMangrum.com for more information.

Tim Mangrum is a financial planner, DCRP Precinct Chair and Chair of the DCRP Welcoming committee.

Note to our Readers: We’re adding a new series to the newsletter beginning with this issue that will be dedicated to the rising stars of the Denton County Republican Party. The idea behind the series is to highlight the young, talented Republicans that we should all be watching, supporting, and helping rise to higher things. This solid “farm team” of young talent will someday soon occupy positions of leadership within our communities, state and even national governments. One such rising star is Lewisville City Councilman, Lathan Watts.

Denton County Tea Party crowds were enthralled. The tow-headed young man with the engaging smile led them in a litany of the “Every Man” taxes with which we all are burdened and reminded them of the founding fathers’ goals for America. After he spoke in Castle Hills, Lewisville, Argyle and finally the largest gathering at Denton’s Courthouse on the Square, the reaction was always the same: Who is this young man and what is he running for?

John Lathan Watts was born April 17, 1976 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and was named after great great grandfather John Lathan Hickman because, his mama later told him, the name John Lathan Watts “sounded like a senator’s name!”

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Arts and History from Harding University in Searcy, AR, he followed up with a law degree from Ole Miss. Along the way, he met and, as we say in the South, courted his college sweetheart, Kim. They were married in the summer of 1999, after Lathan’s first year of law school, and have two young daughters, McKenna and Ashton.

When asked about how he first became interested in politics, Lathan relates that his aunt had been a Goldwater Girl, but closer to home, “I remember growing up, watching Ronald Reagan as President and the positive reaction my dad had when Reagan spoke.” Lathan would ask his dad what it was President Reagan was talking about and took it all in when, “My dad would talk about Reagan’s dedication to the causes of liberty and freedom, as well as his guiding principles of less government, lower taxes, and his defense of the world’s most vulnerable.” In Lathan’s young mind, if his dad liked President Reagan, there had to be something to what he stood for.

As he got older, Lathan’s conservative values matured through his own personal study as well as the influence of others such as U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling. Lathan’s first job in Texas after, in his words, “practicing law just long enough to figure out I didn’t want to practice law,” was in Hensarling’s initial Congressional campaign in 2002 and working in that winning campaign gave birth to his own political ambitions. He subsequently worked for Senator John Cornyn’s Dallas office performing constituent services. That experience, he says, “prepared me well for helping constituents with whatever their issues may be.”

After settling in Lewisville, Lathan decided to commit himself to making that community an even better place to raise a family. Public service is something Lathan has always valued but he’s also a believer in the idea of “paying your dues” before asking the pubic to put you in office. He became a Precinct Chair for the Denton County Republican Party in 2006, and, when he reached a point in his career with Associated Builders and Contractors where he could devote more time to serving in the community, he volunteered to serve on the Lewisville Transportation Advisory Board. That was followed by a term on the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2007. In late 2007, he began to consider running for the City Council. Lathan decided to run for the unexpired term of retiring councilman Mike Knowles. That race featured five candidates, all but guaranteeing a runoff.

It was one question at the Denton County Republican Men’s Club Candidate Forum that probably catapulted Lathan into rising star status. During the forum, candidates were asked whether or not they would support a tax payer funded Day Labor Center for Illegal Migrant Workers in Lewisville. Lathan was the only candidate present that night who answered with an unequivocal “No!” On Election Day, Lathan was the top vote getter but as expected, there was a runoff. In the end, Lathan won the seat with over 60% of the vote and in 2008 was elected to a full, three-year term, again with over 60% of the vote.

Now Vice President of TEXO, a joint chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors and Associated General Contractors, Lathan is an outspoken conservative on the Council. He names five key accomplishments of which he is most proud. The first is the fact that the council has voted to lower the city tax rate both years he’s been on the Council. Second, Lathan led the charge to defund, and therefore, to kill the idea of a Day Labor Center in Lewisville. The third is his leadership in passing an ordinance prohibiting convicted sex offenders from living within 1000 feet of any location where children gather, whether it’s a park, a school, or a daycare center. Lastly, Lathan is proud of the fact that he proposed a resolution designating English as the official language for the City of Lewisville and his opposition to a citywide ban on smoking in public places, bars and restaurants, citing his commitment to defend the personal liberty of a business owner from an ever encroaching local government.

In recent days, Lathan’s star has risen even more with that much ballyhooed appearance as a featured speaker at several Denton County TEA Parties on April 15th. In his speech, Lathan referred to the “charlatans of socialism”, saying , “They promise us better jobs, better schools, better healthcare, better retirement security, and a better environment but in return they ask us to ignore the lessons of history, which time and time again have proven the only government that can give you everything you need is the government that has already taken everything you have.” (The full text of his speech can be found on his supporters’ page on Facebook and a video of it can be found on youtube by searching “lathan watts denton tea party”.)

John Lathan Watts understands the times in which we live and the perilous path upon which our country finds itself. His keen insight, his conservative principles, his commitment to his community and his family, and his desire to serve make Lathan Watts a rising star in the Denton County Republican Party. Perhaps his mama knew indeed what her boy should be named and why!

State Representative Tan Parker chuckles as he recounts the end of a recent week. After a long Thursday at the capitol engaged in floor debate on legislation and presenting various bills before house committees, Parker managed to tell his daughters good night over the phone before grabbing a few hours of sleep himself. Then he was up and back at it again the next Friday morning.

Except that Friday the Texas House was taking up the $178 billion dollar state budget and the some 400 floor amendments that accompanied it. 19 hours later Parker walked out of the capitol at 4 a.m. Saturday morning after voting for a comprehensive state budget which was $4 billion dollars lighter than the Senate version, thus reducing general revenue spending by 2.5 percent. Was it over from there?

“Of course not,” Parker jokes. “Leaving the capitol early Saturday morning, I barely had time to grab a shower, put on a fresh suit and catch the first flight back for a business meeting.”

After that, Parker smiles as he recounts his Saturday: his youngest daughter’s soccer game, dinner with his whole family and then that night’s slumber party hosted for friends of his two daughters. Then his smile grows a little bigger as he explains that he was finally able to catch some solid sleep around 11 p.m. or so that Saturday night.

It sounds overwhelming, but as Flower Mound’s first resident member of the Texas House explains, it’s all in a day’s work.

“At times it can be challenging,” Parker admits. “The reality is that during session, I am constantly in Austin conducting state business while staying close to my family and constituents back in Denton County, and also trying to support my family. It keeps me moving, but this is an incredible honor and I truly feel blessed to have the opportunity to serve.”

When asked how he balances it all, Parker elaborates. “Every morning I’m up early making business calls before arriving at the Capitol. Then for the next ten to twelve hours, I am focused on the people’s business and serving my constituents. After my day at the Capitol is concluded, I might try to make a few more business calls or, if it’s feasible, fly back home to spend some time with my family before returning to Austin early the next morning.”

It’s a lot of hard work, but work that has paid off for Parker, who is serving his second term in the State House. During the 2007 session, Parker earned accolades from such conservative groups as the Heritage Alliance, Young Conservatives of Texas, Eagle Forum, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility and the Texas Association of Business. However, as Parker is quick to point out, that was then. Today, he is focused on the now.

“Every session is a new fight,” Parker adds. “We only have 140 days every other year to get the job done. Needless to say there is no time to sit around and discuss past accomplishments.”

Parker speaks passionately about the challenges he sees before Texas today, and his own legislative initiatives. In the 37-year-old lawmaker’s own words, focusing on job growth and economic development to help take us past this recent downturn is job number one.

“Forbes magazine recently came out with their top five cities for employment opportunities, and they were all in Texas,” Parker adds. “Texas is weathering this national downturn quite well, but the truth is that there are still many hard-working Texans trying to find good jobs to support their families, and I want to be a part of developing new job opportunities for them.”

Parker is using his Vice-Chairmanship of the House Technology, Economic Development and Workforce committee to do just that, passing a Manufacturing Workforce Development and Job Creation Incentive bill through his committee. If successfully passed into law, House Bill 4525 will offer tax rebates to new, large-scale manufacturing projects in Texas, creating new employment opportunities for job-seeking Texans. This committee assignment utilizes Parker’s considerable knowledge in the technology area: He is currently an Executive Vice President with Trivac Ltd., the nation’s premier learning management solutions firm.

“Texas lost more than 200,000 manufacturing jobs from 2001 to 2007,” Parker says in explaining his bill. “And when you also consider that for every manufacturing job we create, four more jobs are created elsewhere, you see how important breathing new life into our manufacturing base is to our overall state’s economy.”

His plan for economic prosperity doesn’t stop there. Parker goes on to explain how important lowering taxes is to a strong economy, offering as an example California, which has the nation’s highest state income tax and subsequently the nation’s highest budget deficit as well. Included in Parker’s tax reform plan are measures to: dedicate portions of budget surpluses directly to property tax relief; appraisal reform that provides relief to property owners; raising the small business exemption to $1.5 million; and removing monetary penalties property owners face when they elect to develop land previously designated for agricultural use.

With the bell calling lawmakers to the House Floor ringing, Parker explained what else he wanted to discuss from his bill package. “Two words,” he says, “foster children.”

Parker also is pushing House Bill 2225, which, for the first time in Texas history, creates an external appointed committee to formally study and make recommendations on how to expedite Texas’ adoption process and get more children into permanent homes with loving families.

“The challenges that children who “age out” of the state’s care face are enormous. The majority are living in poverty within four years, 40 percent never graduate from high school and they make up 88% of incarcerated youths and young adults. Our adoption process in Texas needs an overhaul,” Parker goes on to explain, “but instead of blindly throwing solutions up against the wall and seeing which ones stick, we need to first take a step back and study the process holistically, identifying all opportunities for improvement.”

As he concludes, the bell rings again and it’s time for Parker to head to the House Floor. As much as he has on his legislative plate between now and when the session adjourns on June 1st, he adds in a down-to-business tone, “Oh, that’s not all of it. Don’t forget the weekend soccer games and the slumber parties. Those are important to me as well.”

It will take a lot of effort to accomplish all this in the next six weeks, but as Parker has exhibited in his personal, professional and public life, he’s no stranger to putting in the work and getting the results.

One good example is Hallie Inge of Argyle who attends the University of North Texas in Denton.,

Two years ago, Hallie was a scholarship recipient, based in large part upon her interest and participation in DCRP activities. And she hasn’t slowed down since! As co-founder of the Eagle Conservatives at UNT, Hallie recently completed an internship with the Leadership Institute in Washington, DC. While working in its Office of Development, she learned the importance of donor profiling, direct mail, and donor relations.

The Leadership Institute is a well-respected organization whose primary goal is to locate, recruit, and teach conservatives the skills to be successful within the public policy arena.  While serving as an intern, Hallie had the invaluable opportunity to attend several of the Institute’s premier training programs such as the Campaign Manager School, Voter Mail School, Direct Mail School, and the Civil Service Opportunity School.

“As an aspiring campaign manager and one who is beginning to help lay the foundation for a congressional campaign this summer in Indiana, I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to be a recipient of the invaluable training provided by the institute,” Hallie says.

In her spare time, Hallie enjoys practicing her freedom of speech by actively protesting decisions being made by the United States Congress and the current Administration.  She was involved in both the March for Life and T.E.A. Party protests in Washington, D.C.

“While I greatly enjoyed participating in grassroots activism, attending CPAC, and other various events, my favorite experience in Washington, D.C. was visiting the National Archives and reading the documents upon which this great nation was founded. I left Washington, D.C. energized and with an even greater determination to restore America to the original intent of the Founding Fathers,” Hallie reports.

Conservative politics runs in her blood: Hallie is the daughter of Peyton and Jana Inge, who are both active in the DCRP, Peyton as Argyle’s precinct Chair and Jana as Membership Chair for the Denton Republican Women’s Club. They couldn’t be prouder of their bright, pretty and conservative daughter. Ditto from the DCRP. We look for great things in the future from Hallie Inge and will be bragging that we helped launch her political career!

A Short History

The 2006 and 2008 Congressional elections brought to an end a remarkable 12 year period for the Republican Party, and especially its Congressional wing. Prior to 1994, the Republican Party had not held a majority in the House of Representatives for the previous 40 years. This was due, in part, to the substantial conservative block of Southern Democrats who had little or no opposition prior to the Presidential contest between Senator Barry Goldwater and President Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

Subsequently, with a new growing conservative movement, the election of Richard Nixon in 1968 and ultimately of Ronald Reagan in 1980, the tide of automatic Democrat House and Senate election wins in the southern states slowly came to an end. The end for Democrats in the House of Representatives finally came in 1994 when a newly empowered Republican Party under the leadership of Newt Gingrich was united under the Contract with America and soundly defeated the Democrats.

The Contract with America was a revolutionary, well constructed conservative plan to cut taxes, balance the budget and end welfare as we then knew it. As a result of the Contract, coupled with major mistakes and arrogance by the Democrats (including the imposition of the largest income tax increase in the history of America and a botched attempt at federalizing health care and other excesses), the Republicans gained 54 seats in the House and became the majority party in 1994.

Sadly, Republicans lost their majority in 2006 losing 27 seats in the House, and subsequently extended their losses by 21 more seats in 2008. Losses of 6 Seats in the Senate in 2006 and 7 more in 2008, coupled with loss of the Presidency to a popular left wing Democrat in 2008, have reduced the GOP nationally to an ineffectual minority at this point.
Can Republicans Recover?

Can we Republicans come back from these devastating losses? Can we overcome the popularity of a new, charismatic Democrat President, a largely dishonest and hostile media, an apparently leaderless party, a dearth of new talent, a substantial number of Congressional retirements, substantial disagreement among the remaining party leadership, and a confused and disorganized response to the new Administration’s initiatives and programs?

Yes, I say we can and we will, and I propose to provide some potential good news. I am not going to predict that Republicans are suddenly going to recover or that Democrats are going to self destruct. What I will say is that there are signs and events happening that potentially bode well for the next round of elections and Republicans should not despair that all is lost or that recovery is impossible, though that is exactly what both the media and the Democrats would have us believe.

Polls

The method employed by most political observers to determine the present and potentially the future course of the political landscape is the intelligent analysis of political and issue-oriented polls. There are a number of established and competent polling organizations and these polls are regularly published in the press, on the internet and discussed in the media.

It should be noted that there are significant differences between the various polls. For example, some polls are very plainly biased and designed to influence rather than inform. These polls are often misleading and not reflective of the true nature or intent of the measurement. If one believes that most of the mainstream media has a strong liberal bias, and that bias is further emphasized with a political agenda, one has to question the validity of many of their published polls.

In a November 5, 2008 report published by the Department of Political Science of Fordham University , Rasmussen was rated the number one pollster (along with Pew) for accuracy in the November Presidential election. It is interesting to note that CBS, Gallup, Reuters/C-Span/Zogby, CBS/NY Times and Newsweek came in dead last (16 thru 20) in these pollster ratings.

In assessing Presidential popularity, and other electoral based polls, Rasmussen uses an automated polling technology, offers participants a choice between Strongly Approve, Somewhat Approve, Somewhat Disapprove and Strongly Disapprove, and, most importantly, polls only likely voters. I suspect that it is the latter technique of using only likely voter responses that make its polling numbers for President Obama’s popularity consistently lower than other pollsters commonly published in the mainstream media.

Like all pollsters, Rasmussen does use weighting techniques with the raw data to insure that the sample reflects the overall population in terms of age, race, gender, political party, and other factors. Based on proven comparisons with his polls and real election results, Rasmussen emerges as one of today’s most accurate pollsters.

For the above reasons, I rely almost exclusively on Rasmussen as the pollster of choice when I want to understand an issue or to assess a particular election or a candidate’s chances in that election.
So How are the Republicans Doing Now?

Despite everything you read and hear in the popular media, Republicans are doing quite well as of the date of this writing (4-28-2009). Let’s look at a few interesting numbers from Rasmussen’s recent polls. These numbers and the Presidential Approval Index image are taken from the Rasmussen Reports (4-28-09) and can be found at their website: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/.

Presidential Popularity:

Overall Obama Approval: 56% Disapproval 43%.

Presidential Index (this number is determined by the Percentage of Strongly Approval minus the Percentage of Strongly Disapproval):

• Strongly Approve: 36%
• Strongly Disapprove: 31%
• Presidential Index: +5%

2009 Elections

There are a number of elections happening in 2009, the most significant being the Governors’ races in Virginia and New Jersey. In the past, these two off-year elections have been good predictors of what might happen politically in the following year.

In 1993, Republican Christie Whitman defeated Democrat James Florio in a classic come-from- behind (23 points) victory, making her the first female governor in New Jersey’s history. In 1993, Republican George Allen defeated Sue Allen Terry for the Governorship of Virginia, overcoming a massive 30-point deficit. At the beginning of both campaigns, the Democrats were favored to win those races. But Republicans upset the favorites and the following year, Republicans won the House of Representatives, winning back 54 seats from the Democrat .under the Contract With America campaign.

In contrast to 1993, Democrat Tim Kaine defeated Republican Jerry Kilgore and won the Virginia Governorship in 2005. Also, in 2005, Democrat John Corzine defeated Republican Doug Forrester by a comfortable margin in New Jersey.. These Democrat wins in 2005 successfully foretold the heavy Republican Congressional losses in 2006.

So what’s happening in 2009 in the Virginia and New Jersey contest for Governor? The latest polls show Virginia’s Republican Attorney General Robert McDonnel leading all potential Democrat candidates for that race. Also, in the last Rasmussen poll taken for the New Jersey Governor’s race, Republican U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie has a strong 15 point lead over incumbent Democrat Governor Jon Corzine. I’m not predicting that these current Republican leads will turn into victories. I am saying that if these trends hold, it will be a strong precursor for significant House and Senate Republican gains in 2010.

2010 Elections

The 2010 elections are still a long way off and many things can happen between now and November 2, 2010. The outcome will depend to a large extent on the state of the economy and the perception by the electorate that a better balance of Republicans and Democrats in Congress will be better for America., coupled with the GOP’s ability to communicate its conservative, problem-solving message.

From a pure numbers perspective, here is what we are looking at:

• The Republicans currently need 40 Seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to regain control of the House.
• According to the Cook Political Report, one of the leading analysts for United States political elections, there are currently 28 House Seats which could be in play. It would require a substantial shift to the Republican Party for the
• GOP to take a majority number of these seats in 2010.
• However, there are 49 House Democrats whose districts were carried by John McCain in the 2008 Presidential Election.
• On the negative side, there are 34 House Republicans whose districts were carried by Obama in the 2008 Presidential Election.
• After Sen. Spector’s recent defection, in the U.S. Senate, there are 57 Democrats, 40 Republicans, two Independents and one vacancy (Minnesota). In reality, the two Independents are voting Democrats, so it’s 59 Democrats and 40
• Republicans. When Franken is certified, which I expect will happen shortly, it will be 60 Democrats and 40 Republicans, and a probable filibuster-proof Senate. Thus, the Republicans need to win 11 Senate Seats to take back the Senate.

U.S. House Races

Every Congressional seat is up for re-election every two years, and it certainly appears that the best prospects for Republican gains next year will be in the House of Representatives. The numbers and history point to Republicans taking back a good number of seats in the House next year. Much will depend on the conditions in the economy and other issues that are impossible to predict at this time. But in any event, a strong Victory plan by the GOP is a must.
U.S. Senate Races

The United States Senate is a different issue and a potential problem for the Republican Party in 2010. Even though the Republicans have a substantially reduced presence today in the Senate with only 40 Members, both the GOP and the Democrats each must defend 18 seats in 2010. Additionally, there are some key Republican retirements making those seats more vulnerable to a Democrat takeover.

Despite all of that, I see a possibility of an even split or possibly a net gain of one seat notwithstanding all of the challenges that Republicans face in the Senate. Here are the best chances for Republicans to win Senate Seats in 2010:

• Nevada (Yes, Sen. Harry Reid is currently in trouble in Nevada.)
• Colorado (A poor choice by Gov. Bill Ritter to replace Sen. Ken Salazar gives Republicans an opening here.)
• Illinois (Appointment of Sen. Roland Burris by ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevitch along with massive corruption in Illinois may prompt Illinois to go Republican this year.)
• Connecticut (Sen. Christopher Dodd has massive ethics issues and is currently 16 points behind the strongest Republican challenger.)
• North Dakota (Possibly competitive if Republican Gov. John Hoeven decides to take on incumbent Sen. Byron Dorgan.)
• Delaware (A weak replacement was named to replace Sen Joe Biden to hold the seat for Biden’s son, Beau Biden. Possible Democrat primary and charges of nepotism and dynasty may allow Republicans to take this seat.)

Here are the problem seats for Republicans:

• Missouri (Open seat. Kit Bond is retiring. This could be tough for Republicans if Sec. of State Robin Carnahan is the Democrat candidate.)
• Kentucky (Incumbent Jim Bunning is running well behind in the polls.)
• North Carolina (Incumbent Sen. Richard Burr also is polling very badly here.)
• New Hampshire (Tough state for GOP if Sen. Judd Gregg steps down, as is likely.)
• Florida (Sen. Mel Martinez is retiring. If Gov. Charlie Christ runs Republicans should win. Otherwise it’s a tossup race.)
• Pennsylvania (With the announcement of Sen. Arlen Specter’s switch from the Republican to Democratic Party, this race is in considerable flux. Pat Toomey was challenging Sen. Specter, and had a considerable lead. It is now unclear whether any other Republican will challenge Toomey. This could be a difficult seat for Republicans to win, but it is winnable with Toomey.)
• Ohio (Incumbent Sen. George Voinivitch is retiring. Republican’s best chance is former Rep Rob Porter and he is currently running behind all Democrats).

Other Polling Trends which Potentially Favor Republicans

The Generic Congressional Ballot is a poll that measures how voters would vote today for their candidates for Congress, if an election were held. According to Rasmussen’s polls, the latest figures are:

• 04/14/2009 Republicans 38% Democrats 38%
• Compare that to the Generic Congressional Ballot numbers on Election Day 2008:
• 11/04/2008 Republicans 35% Democrats 46%
• And compare these figures to the actual voting percentages in 2008:
• 11/04/2008 Republicans 44% Democrats 53%
• The Democrats are in a downward trend with voters.

There are also a number of recent Rasmussen polls which measure voter sentiment but do not directly relate to specific elections or candidates. Here are a few of those polls:

• Forty-percent (40%) of voters have a favorable opinion of the president’s budget while 46% have an unfavorable view.
• Two-thirds of voters (66%) think President Obama is likely to raise taxes on people who make less than $250,000 per year. That figure includes 47% who say he is very likely to do so.
• 63% of voters now say tax cuts would help the economy, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
• 81% say middle class tax cuts are important for the budget plan
• Just one out of- even Americans (14%) would like to see a 90% tax rate on earnings above a million dollars a year
• Only 11% of Americans think an institution will run better if it’s run by the federal government.

Conclusions

The conclusion that I come to after looking at all of the current evidence is that the Republican Party has an excellent chance of ending its slide and picking up a substantial number of seats in the House. As stated earlier, the Senate is a different matter, but at a minimum Republicans should be able to hold their current position.

Republican Party officials and activists should not be discouraged at this time. The TEA parties have energized Republicans nationwide, and follow-ons to these TEA parties are being planned all across the country. The political party out of power traditionally gains seats in the off-year elections and that trend seems to be showing up in the early numbers, especially the Congressional Generic Ballot.

Republican activists should be encouraged to go out and work hard, spread the word, stay positive and look forward to a Republican resurgence in 2010.

Rudy Cajka is a long-time Republican activist who is retired from IBM and does extensive political research.

A new benefit this year is that each player will receive a coupon good for a later round at Oakmont County Club, so it’s almost like playing for free in the tournament, according Kathy Carrington, chair of the event. And she promises that there will be lots of contest and special prizes, plus the always tempting Silent Auction.

Individual player fee for the four-person scramble is $125 before August 1 and $175 after that date. Sponsorship information is available from Kathy at 817/994-5301 or kathy.carrington@verizon.net. All players will enjoy both a box lunch and an awards dinner.

This event is always a fun time, rain or shine — though perennial participants who remember the cold, dreary October tournament from some years back and will tell you that shine is better!

And shine it should be, Kathy believes. “Our late September date should mean cooler but sunny weather,” she predicts, “so sign up now with your favorite group of duffers.” Players and sponsors may also sign up online at www.dentongop.org, where full details also are provided.

Although his family had only modest means, Burt’s parents made sure that education was a priority for him. After Burt graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, he attended Texas Tech University while also working at KLBK-TV in Lubbock, Texas starting off as a camera man and ending his career in TV as a switcher-director upon graduation. Having an interest in local governmental affairs, Burt received a graduate teaching fellowship at SMU and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. His first job upon graduating was an administrative assistant for the Mayor and City Manager of Richardson, Texas. From there he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he worked to put himself through the University of Tulsa law school, first working for UPS and then as a legal intern for a prominent law firm in Tulsa which utilized him to assist both litigators and transactional attorneys in the firm including doing research on various land titles for land donated to Oral Roberts University. This work focused his interest in real estate where he also became involved in municipal platting law.

Upon graduating, Burt moved back to Dallas and promptly used his legal skills to assist local governments. His first job was the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Denton, and eventually Acting City Attorney for a brief period. Asked to become General Counsel for Lawyer’s Title of Denton and Lewisville, this position gave Burt an opportunity to use his real estate skills and learn the title business from the inside. After five years working in the title business, Burt began his private law practice in Denton County and within the first year of doing so, was appointed to be the Municipal Judge of Carrollton, while continuing his law practice. He also later served part-time as an Assistant Municipal Judge for Lewisville and Flower Mound. In addition, he has served as the President of the Texas Municipal Courts Association and Provost of the Texas Supreme Court Judicial Education Advisory Committee, and attended the National Judicial College.

Over the years Burt became quite active in local community groups including various chambers of commerce, the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club, and was a Charter Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Denton County.

While working in the title industry, Burt met his wife, Jamie, who had been raised in Carrollton, graduating from R. L. Turner High School. The Solomons have lived in Carrollton since their first meeting a few years before they married in 1987 , and both became active in the local Republican Party. Both have served as precinct chairs, and Burt was elected to serve as a Vice-President and President of the Denton County Republican Men’s Club. Before being elected as a state representative, Rep. Solomons served as a delegate to the Denton County Republican Convention and the State of Texas Republican Convention and as Parliamentarian to Denton County Republican Convention. In the Texas House, Burt has participated in the Republican Caucus as its Sergeant-of-Arms and as Chair of the Caucus’ Task Force on Economic Development, and the Texas Conservative Coalition.

Approached by several longtime Republicans in 1994, Burt agreed to file for State Representative of District 65, and has been proud to represent his community of neighbors and friends since then. Rep. Solomons currently serves as the Chair of the House Committee on Financial Institutions, a position he has held for the past three sessions. Under his leadership of 12 years on the committee, some of the toughest consumer protection in the United States for home equity lending was passed by the committee.

Rep. Solomons was recently named as Chairman of the powerful State Affairs committee for the current legislative session. He also has served on the House Committee on Business and Industry since his first session. Through his service on this committee, Burt has gained an extensive knowledge of a variety of large and small legislative issues involving business, homeowner associations, and workers’ compensation. In addition to these committees, Rep. Solomons has served on the Sunset Advisory Commission (as Chairman), the Committee on Economic Development, the Local and Consent Calendars Committee, and the Select Committee on Constitutional Revisions.

Being true to his conservative Republican roots and his district, Rep. Solomons has carried legislation on prayer in school, illegal immigration, and allowing home rule cities to limit the location of bars, liquor stores and sexually oriented businesses. In 2005, he was named the second most conservative legislator by the Texas Young Conservatives.

In addition to these bills, Burt has authored many major changes in Texas law. He helped create the Texas Online project, created the Texas No-Call List, modernized the Texas Finance Code, re-written the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, the Business Organizations Code, and much of the mechanic’s lien law used in the State.

However, it is the local bills of which Burt is most proud. He believes these are the bills that really have direct impact on so many in his community of Denton County. He has created various district, criminal, statutory and probate courts for Denton County, the Denton County Transportation Authority, helped Texas Women’s University build a new student center and provide medical services, supported the University of North Texas in its efforts to obtain funding, preserved the Denton County Historical Park Foundation, and allowed Denton County to regulate automotive wrecking and salvage yards - just to name a few pieces of legislation.

Even after 14 years in the Texas House, Burt has not lost the “man-off-the-streets” attitude. If you meet with him in his district office he is most likely to be in jeans and a golf shirt. He frequently answers his own phone, and personally greets visitors to his Capitol Office if he is not on the House Floor working. During the busiest of times of the Session, his focus is still on his community. Every night while he is in Austin he calls home to talk to Jamie and their daughter, Haley. As one of his close friends in Lewisville once observed when Burt first was elected, “Burt is a local guy and he isn’t going to change.” His friends and neighbors in our community know he still is one of them.

Despite an energized, organized challenge by the Democrats in nearly half our local races, Denton County remains firmly in the hands of Republicans.

The State Victory team also was very proud of us as we exceeded their vote goals and won every election contest they presented us: registering voters, recruiting and seating precinct chairs and party building activities.

This would not have been accomplished without the more than 1000 volunteers throughout our county who made this victory possible: Victory Chair - Tom Washington, Area Leaders, DCRP Officers and Precinct Chairs, Headquarters volunteers, poll watchers, election clerks and judges, precinct walkers, phone bankers, sign placers, and all the others who were a part of our team. Thanks to each of you!

The extraordinary election effort put forth by Roy Magno and his wife Charlotte, plus their three boys (Anthony, Taylor and Johnnie) made them the clear choice for the DCRP Chairman’s Award. And the Outstanding Volunteer committee recognized Deon Starnes for her work as an Area Leader, Precinct Chair, Denton Republican Women’s Club president, convention delegate and much more. Both awards were given at the November, 2008 Volunteer Recognition Banquet and other honorees are mentioned in the story elsewhere in this newsletter.

But sweet as our victory is, we must not become complacent. Statewide, we suffered losses in the legislature that resulted in a razor thin GOP majority in the House and a smaller majority in the Senate. What makes this even more critical is that the upcoming 2010 elections will determine which party controls the legislature and thus the redistricting that will take place following the 2010 census.

So, thanks to our awesome volunteers - past, present and future - take a breather, but get ready to jump back into the election cycle next year to take back as many of those lost GOP seats as possible. It will be a crucial election that will determine the political makeup of Denton County and indeed the entire state for the next decade. And we can’t afford to let the Democrats control that process! Even here in Denton county, some victory margins are shrinking and we can take no seat for granted.

We will be in touch!

Dianne Edmondson
County Chairman

Mrs. Schlafly is the founder and national President of Eagle Forum, one of the foremost conservative, pro-family groups in the country, with offices in Washington, D.C. and St. Louis. A personal friend of President Reagan, she successfully mobilized thousands of pro-family activists across the nation to stop the so-called Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as it appeared to be on a speedy path to ratification.

Mrs. Schlafly has taken on the hard issues of our day and delivered concise, accurate and easy-to-digest information on illegal immigration, judicial appointments, public education, national sovereignty, dangerous treaties, and more. And her successes have been many. She is routinely courted by candidates seeking the conservative vote, as her influence with conservatives throughout the country is legendary. Named by Ann Coulter as one her role models, she is described by Ms. Coulter as “… just an amazing woman! …a senior statesman in the Republican Party. She has had a dominant influence on the Republican Party platform for at least two decades. Ask any U.S. senator, Republican or Democrat: Would you rather your pet bill be opposed by [arch feminist] Gloria Steinem or Phyllis Schlafly?” Their response might be: “Gloria who?”

Having been personally acquainted with President Reagan, Mrs. Schlafly will have some interesting stories to share, but her keynote address will focus on our endangered national sovereignty as she asks, “Are You Ready for Obama’s Change?” Her remarks will inform, inspire and perhaps enrage as she shares well-documented but little-publicized facts.

Many conservatives have heard her speak at both the Texas State GOP Convention as well as the National Convention, and her work to keep the national platform strongly conservative is legendary. She formed the Republican National Coalition for Life to successfully ward off the challenges to the platform’s pro-life plank.

Held at the D/FW Hyatt Regency, the evening promises to be both patriotic and informative, with Mark Davis once again as Master of Ceremonies. A VIP Reception plus both live and silent auctions will add to the evening’s enjoyment.

Individual dinner tickets are available for $65, VIP Reception tickets for $150 and tables of ten for $1,000 and up, with various special benefits for table hosts. To make a reservation or for more information, please contact the DCRP Headquarters at (940) 321-2671 or l-rdinner@dentongop.org