Restore The GOP

Organizing for Ted Cruz for President San Diego County

Ted Cruz for President Meetup groups are popping up all over San Diego County.  I host one in Carlsbad and encourage people to come and visit their neighbors, to find Ted Cruz supporters.  Here is what I discuss:

I run through the scenario that Donald Trump is unlikely to win the required 1237 delegates prior to the RNC convention Cleveland.  What that means is that, for Trump to win the nomination before the convention, he will have to win 35 of the 53 CA congressional districts.  We aim to stop him from doing that.

We think it is more likely for Ted Cruz to win at a contested RNC convention than Donald Trump.  No, the GOP "Establishment" can't "steal" the nomination and throw Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, or Jeb Bush's name into nomination--this isn't a West Wing episode.  The RNC has four important rules:

1- A candidate must earn a majority of the delegates (1237) to win the nomination.
2- A candidate must have one 8 state nomination contests to be nominated.
3- Only candidates, nominated for the opening ballot, can continue on to subsequent ballots.
4- Any rules changes must be approved by a majority (1237) of the delegates.

Can the RNC Rules Committee 'change the rules"?  Sure but look at #4; those changes must be approved by a majority of the delegates.  With Trump and Cruz controlling 80% of the delegates, it is unfathomable to imagine why either campaign would want to change the existing rules--this thing it going to be a Cruz v. Trump convention...IF....

We win at least 25 Congressional Districts for Ted Cruz in California.  Is that possible?  Absolutely.  Is that probably?  You betcha but it's going to require a much better volunteer effort and that is why we are here--to win our neighborhoods for Ted Cruz.

How can each one of us win our neighborhood for Ted Cruz?  That's simple--make sure the Cruz supporters actually make it to the polls on June 7th.  We don't need to "sell" or "persuade" our Republican neighbors but rather identify who the Cruz supporters are in our neighborhood and get them to the polls.  Here is how the San Diego County #CruzCrew is going to do that:

1- Claim and register your neighborhood at OneManCan.org The Cruz campaign will probably show up with data but, for now, we will use this free voter database.  You may have to enter a credit card but the site founder assured me that San Diego County residents are free.  Instruct volunteers to claim their neighborhood here. 

2- Once the volunteer has secured his neighborhood, he/she should go to the "Intelligence" section, and choose "Precinct Voters" on the drop down menu.

3- Run a report with the filter for "Republican" voters and..VOILA!  There are all of the registered Republicans in the volunteer's neighborhood.

4- The volunteer should personally introduce himself to each neighbor and stick to this script:

"Hi, my name is Brian and I am a local Republican volunteer.  I wanted to say hello and see if you have any questions about the June primary.  As I get information on the ballot initiatives coming up, I'll pass it along to you.  Do you have any questions I can answer right now?"

This is a very non-confrontational approach. We identify ourselves as Republican because we are speaking with fellow Republicans.  After we've had a generic conversation about the primary election, try to find out whom they support by asking,

"Oh, by the way, have you formed an opinion about any of the Presidential candidates?"

Then shut up and let your neighbor talk.  If they are a strong Trump supporter, be polite and make note of it--you dont have to visit them later.  If they are undecided or a Kasich supporter, make note of that.  If they are a strong Cruz supporter, ask them if they wouldn't mind helping you by speaking only to the neighbors on their street. This could allow you to leverage your time and effort in your neighborhood.  

More importantly, find out if they are a mail or poll voter.  If they are a "mail voter", you should visit them on or around May 15th (the ballots go out on May 11.  If they are a "poll voter ", you need to visit them Memorial Day weekend and make sure they get to the poll on June 7th to vote for Cruz.

If they say "I hate all the candidates", be polite, get out of there, and visit them as the election gets closer. 

That's it.  No selling or persuading.  Just gathering intelligence on your neighborhood.  If we know who Cruz voters are, and get them to the polls by election day, we win.  Let me repeat that:

If we know who Cruz voters are, and get them to the polls by election day, we win.

It's that simple.  That's what we talk about at the volunteer meetings.
 

 

 

Republican Candidates Debate for 52nd Congressional District

The Del Mar Seacoast Republican Women Federated will be hosting a debate, between national defense consultant and Marine veteran Jacquie Atkinson and business owner and former Bush Administration official, Denise Gitsham–both ladies are Republican candidates for The US House of Representatives, representing the 52nd Congressional District.  The seat is currently held by Democrat Scott Peters.

Secure your tickets today by reserving them now.

The debate will be held at the beautiful Del Mar Country Club.  Attendees will enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres and a glass of wine with the $26.00 admission fee.  Only 50 seats are available for this exclusive event and must be purchased in advance. 

• The debate will be held on St Patrick's Day, Thursday March 17, 2016.  Networking will start at 6PM with the debate starting promptly at 6:30PM.  The debate will have two 40-minute segments with a 10-minute intermission and should cover the following topics:
  
  National Security
  Civil Liberties
  Tax and Regulatory Reform
  Preserving the Second Amendment
  Illegal Immigration

Panelists are mostly residents of the 52nd Congressional District and involved with the Republican Party as Central Committee members and/or candidates for Central Committee.  Panelists include Elliot Schroeder, Monica Fay, Taylor Bloom, Michael Schwartz, and Richard Bailey.  Brian Brady will be moderating the debate

Secure your tickets today by reserving them now.

SDGOP Meeting January 12, 2015-- Organizational Meeting and Votes

The Republican Party of San Diego County (RPSDC) met on January 12, 2015 to elect new officers, for a two-year term, adopt bylaws, and consider a standing endorsement resolution.

We adopted a standing rule to recommend against any and all tax increase ballot propositions which require a 55% vote.  The standing rule can be overturned, and RPSDC can recommend for a tax hike, under the following provisions:

1- ten of the sixty committee members must request the reversal, in writing, at least ten days before a monthly committee meeting, prior to the public tax-hike vote
2- a reversal of the standing rule must receive at least 2/3 of the committee members' vote.

This is an important taxpayer protection because it sends a clear message that the Republican Party of San Diego County is, by default and design, against tax increases....NOT LIMITED TO BUT INCLUDING a taxpayer-funded stadium for the San Diego Chargers.

Stated differently, if the San Diego Chargers attempt to build a new stadium, with taxpayer dollars, and seek a public vote, the Republican Party of San Diego County is, by default and design, against that proposal unless 2/3 of the Committee approve a variance in oour endorsement.

I think that sends a powerful message to those who would seek to tax county residents for a private business concern.  I LOVE the NFL but I dont think it's fair to tax my neighbors to support my weekend hobby in the fall.  I've made my position quite clear on this issue and chose to record my name in favor of the motion and the subsequent vote.

A slate of candidates was presented to the full Committee and was approved unanimously by all members in attendance.  I voted for every proposed officer for two reasons:

1- Chairman Tony Krvaric has experience, committment, and trust of the donors.  He has served as Chairman since 2008, had good and bad election cycles, and is an integral part of the center-right coalition in San Diego County. He works hard and is a committeed volunteer.  No other candidates were nominated and few on our Committee could measure up to Tony in this election cycle.

2- The rest of the officers were recommended by Chairman Krvaric.  No other names were nominated for consideration and I saw no need to challenge the team Krvaric assembled.  I've known each Officer for a number of years and want to give the Chairman the team he needs to be successful.

I resigned from the RPSDC Executive Committee last year.  Dan Holstein will be replacing me as a regional chairman on the Executive Committee.  I accepted Holstein's challenge to build out our volunteer precenict captain network for the communities og Solana Beach, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, La Jolla, University City, Pacific Beach, Mission beach, Ocean Beach, Point Loma, Coronado, Imperial Beach, Downtown San Diego, Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, and Talmadge.

I think the number one challenge, facing RPSDC in the next election cycle, is to rebuild our volunteer network.  We do very well on fundraising but our volunteer GOTV network has contracted in the past ten years.  I chose to take on that action-oriented role rather than try to shape endorsements on the Executive Committee; I think it plays better to my strengths.

SDGOP Meeting November 11, 2013: Endorsement for CA 52nd Congressional District

The Republican Party of San Diego County (RPSDC) met last night to endorse a candidate in California's 52nd Congressional District (CD52).  The 52nd Congressional District includes the cities of Poway, Coronado, most of the City of San Diego communities north of Interstate 8, and most of the City of San Diego communities west of Interstate 5.  Please check the District map to see if you are registered in this District.

I am not registered in CD52 but, in my capacity as a regional chairman for RPSDC, I had an important interest in this race.  My "region" includes many of the City of San Diego communites and the City of Coronado.  As such, I spent a great deal of time intereviewing the candidates over the past six months.

The Executive Committee of RPSDC, of which I am a member, unanimously voted to recommend candidates for endorsement:  former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio, Marine veteran and businessman Kirk Jorgensen, and trauma surgeon and businessman Fred Simon.  The recommendations to endorse were consistent with the endorsement rules and procedures passed by the Committee in January, 2013; a two-thirds vote from the full committee would be required for endorsement.

A motion from the floor was made to suspend the endorsement in this race. That motion was defeated.   I voted against this motion for the following reasons: 

1-Scott Peters, an independently wealthy trial lawyer, currently holds this seat.  A significant financial investment, from the RNCC, independent donors, and Republican voters, will be required to defeat his campaign for re-election,

2- Peters' record, for his short term in Congress, is abysmal.  He voted for Obamacare and increased and damaging regulations to the financial services sector.  He has no significant legislative accomplishments and votes the Pelosi/Reid agenda. 

3- The RPSDC endorsement will be necessary to co-ordinate the resources required to defeat him.

The Committee interviewed and deliberated about the three candidates:  DeMaio, Jorgensen, and Simon.  The Committee voted to endorse Carl DeMaio with a 2/3 majority.  I voted to endorse Carl DeMaio for the following reasons:

DeMaio has a proven record of government reform.  While he was defeated in the City of San Diego Mayor's race, he outperformed his opponent in an overwhlemingly high number of San Diego communities which are in CD52.  DeMaio's fundraising effort is off to a great start and he has secured endorsements from Congressman Issa House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, and most significantly, Congressman Tom McClintock. 

RPSDC Awards Brady For Volunteer Efforts

Ballot Propositions For Nov 6, 2012 Election

There are ten statewide propositions on the ballot next week.  Here is how I'm voting:

• 30--Higher Income and Sales Taxes -- NO
• 31--  State Budget--  NO
• 32--  Money out of politics-- YES
• 33- Keep Your Good Driver Auto Insurance Discount-- YES
• 34-  End the Death Penalty-- YES
• 35-   Increased Penalties for Human Trafficking (poorly written)-- NO
• 36-  Ends Three Strikes Law For Non-Violent Crime-- YES
• 37-- More Mandatory Labeling and Bureaucratic Overisght of Food-  NO
• 38-- Tax Hike Earmarked for Education Only-- NO
• 39- Higher Business Taxes on out-of-state businesses-  NO
• 40-- Redistricting Challenge--- No opinion

Four local school bonds to oppose are:

• Prop Z in San Diego-- NO
• Prop AA-- San Diguito High School District-- NO
• Prop CC-- Del Mar Union School District-- NO
• Prop EE-- Miracosta Community College District-- NO

Feel free to call me if you have any questions at 858-777-9751

SDGOP Central Committee Meeting: Aug 13, 2012

I was elected by the Republican voters, of the (new) 78th Assembly District, to be one of the six members of the SDGOP Central Committee, for a two-year term beginning December, 2012.  Recently, Mark Olson asked me to be his alternate member, representing the (current) 74th Assembly District and I accepted.

I pledged to publish my voting record when I ran and I will be honoring that pledge here.

Last night, your SDGOP Central Committee deliberated on endorsing candidates.  I represented Mr. Olson, as his alternate, in the 74th Assembly District. 

A slate of incumbent Republicans was presented for endorsement.  Those incumbents were endorsed unanimously. I voted to endorse.

Steve Johnson sought the party endorsement for his re-election to the Lakeside Water District.  He secured the 2/3 required for endorsement.  I voted to endorse Mr. Johnson.

Sherry Hodges  and Rocky Chavez sought the party endorsement for the 76th Assembly District.  Sherry Hodges won the 2/3 required for endorsement.  I voted to endorse Sherry Hodges.

AB 2299: What Were The the Republicans in the California Assembly Thinking?

Originally posted on SDRostra:

On May 17, 2012, the California Assembly passed AB 2299 ,which exempts public safety officials from recording real estate transactions. 

Why would the Assembly unanimously pass such legislation?  It contributes to  a two-tiered class system in California:  the men with guns and you.  On it's face, it sounds noble but, like all unnecessary legislation, the unintended consequences can be catastrophic.

The Blaze exposed Brett Kimberlin, the convicted drug dealer and stalker who is making life hell for LA County's Assistant District Attorney Patrick Frey, aka "Patterico".  That expose is an interesting tale of a disturbed Leftist who terrorizes those who don't think like him.  Kimberlin is savvy enough to have used public records for his terrorizing activities againt his opponents.  In another example, SEIU used public records, to infamously protest in front of a bank executive's home, to "protest" the bank's collection policies (SEIU conveniently owes that bank an eight-figure sum).

The visions of angry union protesters and Soros-backed Occupiers, scaring thier kids while they were in session in Sacramento, probably scared all of the Republican Assembly members into voting for this bill.  The ability to tell public safety union employees that they are 'protected them from snooping citizens' was probably too enticing for any Democrat Assembly member to ignore.

The Sacramento Bee sees two problems with this:  (1) The bad guys usually don't use property records; they mostly follow the good guys home from work.  (2) Opacity in public records provides the very cover a corrupt public official needs to conceal graft.

We learned this with the Duke Cunnigham scandal.  Cunningham would have gotten away with his corruption had his scheme not been exposed through irregular real estate transactions. Public records have been at the center of most corruption exposes but our Assembly members have unanimously said that they want government employees to operate behind a golden curtain.

Read the whole article

 

 

 

 

Don't Hate The Playa, Hate The Game

Limited-government conservatives recognize that people make good incomes FROM the very regulations and taxes government imposes on free citizens. 

Our federal tax code and federal register of regulations are vast, cumbersome, and sometimes contradictory.  Businesses spend hundreds of hours, of what could be time inventing and producing products, finding or servicing customers, and hiring and training new employees.  Businesses spend money, which could otherwise be used for reserach and development, marketing, or training, to hire attorneys and accountants, to comply with the heavy hand of government.

I talk about how the Clinton Adminsitration provided mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio that opportunity, over of SDROSTRA:

Government quite literally “creates” jobs, non-productive jobs but jobs nonetheless, when it arrogates power reserved for free citizens.  Government provides opportunities for entrepreneurs, to make money, by being the solution to those government impositions on free citizens.

We see this in military contracts and municipal bond issues. Consultants make fortunes by securing miltary contracts for private companies or for securing bond issues for investment banks.  If the consulting firm is majority-owned by women and/or minorities, the fortune can be even larger.

Prior to casting the stone at any of the mayoral candidates (all of whom benefited from our growing government), consider how pervasive the government's reach is into your line of work.  Personally, my industry, mortgage banking, has been nursing at the federal teat for decades.

Imagine how productive we could be, if we simply did four things:

1. cut occupational licenses in half
2. cut the federal register in half
3. cut the corporate income tax to zero
4. eliminated the federal jobs associated wit that extra taxation and regulation

We'd be so busy making money, opening businesses, and hiring people, that we probably wouldn't worry that we STILL hadn't cut the size and scope of government enough.  It would be a heckuva start though.

When Country Club Republicans Reject New Republicans; Republican Candidates Lose

Why would an incumbent Republican Central Committee member, want to alienate a group of conservative activists, who registered 450 new Republicans last Friday night (and 15-20 new Republicans weekly)?

To wit, courtesy of the incumbent:

You need to face up to the realities the rest of us have had to face about what is most important about this election. There are no illusions about Romney here - I haven't heard one Romney supporter say they ARE A ROMNEY SUPPORTER - only that he is about A B O!

We do not have any candidates at the top yet that can be considered a REAL candidate that represents us. WE all will have to work to get those people up into the high levels of government whether as Governors - Senators, or House Reps - in order to field a viable candidate for President. We will NEVER be able to do that if we lose THIS election!

As for the insinuation that Ron Paul supporters somehow have cornered the market on "honor and politeness" I take offense. There is that arrogant/groupie delusion of grandeur that offends EVERYONE when it comes to dealing with Ron Paul supporters. Step off the pedestal - GET REAL - and stop wasting time that you, your country and your fellow citizens are rapidly running out of to DO SOMETHING TO STOP THIS TRAIN WRECK!

Well, there you go!  The problem is that constitutional Republicans are TOO passionate, about registering Republicans, whom can vote for endorsed local Republican candidates.  Of course, this is illogical thinking at best and an exhibition of insecurity at worst.  I've been involved in center-right political activism since I was in college and have found it best to build coalitions rather than to scare away enthisiastic new Republicans.

I'll admit that new activists can be overly enthusiastic in their advocacy but I'd rather have 500 people, voting for Comprehensive Pension Reform and conservative judges, than sitting the election out.  The incumbent's orthodoxy seems to be challenging her ability to work with Republican of all walks of life.  We used to call people like this "country club Republicans" in the Reagan years and we took great delight outhustling them.

The Republican Party has always been a big tent of ideas.  We welcomed the Goldwater conservatives, the Reagan Democrats, the evangelicals, the tea party activists, and we'll certainly profit from the influx of constitutionalists, whom Congressman Paul attracts.

Now...if we can just get the country club Republicans to stop obstructing us, we just might win some elections in California!