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RLC Liberty Watch
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- New York RLC Rocks!
- 100+ Candidates Roll!
- Maine Gains Charter
- Two Florida Victories
- Out of the Norm
- Mark the Date
- New Liberty Index
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Bill Westmiller
National Chairman
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New York hasn't been a leading RLC state in
the past, but one activist member, Carl Svensson, has qualified it as
our 15th Chartered state and one of our most active. Congratulations to
Carl and all the NY members who assisted in that effort.
Beyond organization, New York has four RLC members running for
office this year, and a prominent endorsement of Bill Weld for Governor.
Normally, the RLC focuses on a handful of our favorite candidates, but
this year we've identified more than a hundred federal, state, and local
contenders who are worthy of your support. Check out your state or
contribute to RLCUSA-PAC for federal offices.
Plans to issue a printed newsletter and upgrade our website are in
progress. Completed projects: the 2005 Liberty Index, a new RLC logo and
lapel pin, an expanded list of state eGroups, media attention on
prominent issues and solicitations to sympathetic organizations. On our
15th Anniversary, we're looking forward to a very successful election
season and the National Convention in Florida.
We hope you'll join us in
the pursuit of liberty.
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New York Rocks!
In less than three months, an energetic New York businessman
has expanded a sparse email list into a strong RLC organization. Carl
Svensson of Middletown assumed a Co-Coordinator position early this year
and almost single-handedly recruited 20 Chartering members, including a
dozen Directors and four regional Chairs, to give the state chapter a
running start for this year's elections.
That boost encouraged long-time RLC activist Stuart W. Mirsky to
pursue - and win - the GOP nomination for the 23rd state Assembly
District. He garnered the ballot line of the Conservative Party, and
possibly the LP, in the unusual multi-line New York balloting scheme.
RLC members Warren Redlich and Dr. Steve Finger have filed in the GOP
primary in their Congressional Districts and RLC member Gerry
Gershonowitz is seeking three party lines in his run for a Westchester
Assembly seat.
The RLC
endorsement of William Weld for Governor earned
coverage on the candidate's website, but not as much media attention
as his
endorsement for the Libertarian Party line. We've established a good
relationship with the Weld campaign and our endorsement of the
"anti-Hillary", John Spencer, will also improve RLC visibility. |
Stu Mirsky
Bill Weld |
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100+ Candidates Roll!
The number of candidates seeking RLC endorsement
exploded this year, far beyond our usual favorites:
Ron Paul and
Jeff Flake. New 2005 Liberty Index
ratings merited endorsements for many incumbents, and RLC members
and friends surfaced in almost every state, ready for serious and viable
campaigns for public office. Visit our new website
lookup
for a full listing. |
Maine Gains RLC Charter
As a newly elected state legislator, Ken Lindell hasn't
cut back on RLC organizing. He led a successful effort to qualify Maine
as our 14th Chartered State, where he continues to serve as Chairman. He
has several legislators interested in the RLC and several RLC members
interested in joining him in a Maine legislative 'Liberty Caucus'.
Members setup a
WSPQ
booth at the GOP State Convention in May, receiving a warm reception and
several new members.
"More than 50 people took the quiz and about 60% scored in the
libertarian quadrant. Four legislative candidates signed the Liberty
Compact," reports Ken, "It was a good effort for a one week old
organization." |
Rep. Ken Lindell |
Lisa Bullion
Bob Burg
John Hallman |
Two Florida Victories
Florida RLCers won two major
victories already this year,
advocating a state ban on government takings of private property for
private redevelopment and defeating a legislative effort to extend
Florida's voter-approved term limits from eight to 12 years. Both were
successful.
"Our experience during the 2006 session is evidence that the RLC's
principled and practical strategy is the right one to advance
libertarian policy," said RLCFL Chair Lisa Bullion. "The RLC took a lead
role in two important issues of the day and our efforts were rewarded."
State activists joined the Institute for Justice’s
Castle Coalition, groups pushing for a constitutional ban on Kelo-style
takings and teamed up with the grass roots activist
FreedomWorks in two days of direct lobbying with dozens of state
legislators. The result was legislation signed by Governor Bush which
stopped many development takings across the state.
RLCer Bob Burg led the term-limits fight, with his 'Eight
is Still Enough' campaign. The effort got broad popular
support, forcing the legislature to abandon plans to extend term limits
by four years. "This is a
great day for Florida and its citizenry," said Burg. "It shows that
we'll only let the government go so far before letting them know that
they work for us, we don't work for them." George Blumel also received
prominent
media attention in the campaign.
The state Board has engaged Florida FreedomWorks Director John
Hallman to assist the RLC with fundraising and GOP events around the
state. He organized a Washington, DC
lobbying effort that included several Florida RLC members. |
Out of the Norm
Few members will be surprised by our endorsement of gubernatorial
candidates Mark Sanford, "Butch" Otter, or even Ken Blackwell. But, what
is the Republican Liberty Caucus doing endorsing a Libertarian Party
candidate?
As it happens, we consider that option whenever there is no official
GOP nominee. In the case of the Minnesota Governor's race, our
endorsement goes to Sue Jeffers,a "life-long"
Republican who "has always voted GOP", worked on the incumbent
Republican's campaign four years ago, and is now seeking the Republican
Party nomination - in addition to her Libertarian Party designation.
Minnesota has both party conventions and primary elections. Sue was
nominated by the LP convention and is seeking the nomination of the GOP
convention. The convention [June 1st] results have no bearing on the
actual candidates who are formally nominated in each of the party's
September primary elections.
Although the incumbent Republican Governor, Tim Pawlenty is seeking
re-election, the GOP nomination is an open issue until after the primary
elections.
While Pawlenty has good ratings from the Cato Institute and has made
an effort to reduce spending, we believe Jeffers' nomination would focus
the party on a firm agenda in pursuit of liberty. The Jeffers campaign
welcomed our endorsement, which got a lot of
blogosphere attention.
The National Board confirmed the endorsement of the Minnesota RLC,
which is a Chartered state. More details and links are available on our
candidate website. |
Sue Jeffers |
DisneyWorld |
Mark the Date
Details are still being finalized, but mark your calendar
for September 19-21st in Kissimmee, Florida. The semi-annual National
Convention of the RLC will be held that 'Constitution Day' weekend, for
official business and prominent speakers. Arrangements are being
finalized for many prominent RLC legislators, officials, and activists
to address the convention. Don't miss it! |
RLC
2005 Liberty Index
Liberty Index Editor
Clifford Thies reviews the roll call votes of the First session of the
109th Congress, picking the hot topics from the past year of legislative
debate. As in previous years, Project Vote Smart
highlights our ratings in their candidate backgrounders.
State
Lookup of Liberty Index scores. |
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Join the RLC Today!
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Republican Liberty Caucus
44 Summerfield Street
Thousand Oaks, California 91360
(866) RLC-LIBERTY [752-5423]
www.RLC.org |
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05/31/2006 |
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