Pizza For Patriots! This MON. 2/6…7:00PM

2012… it’s here.

The Florida Presidential Preference Primary is *over*. This past Tuesday, many of us cast our ballots for our choice of candidate.

So… now what?

We have NINE months until “Election Day” Tuesday, November 6th. One of two things will be evident the morning AFTER…

1- Barack Obama will be re-elected President – to lead the United States for 4 more years…

2- …or NOT.

We need a plan. We need fresh ideas. Familiar faces, new faces… and a bite to eat while we think aloud.

I have talked with Dave DiCrescenzo and Craig Henne from 1340-AM WPBR about an informal, “easy in, easy out” round table discussion we can have to brainstorm for the 2012 election. Local, County, State, Federal…

MEET US this Monday night, at 7:oopm

Pizza for Patriots Monday Feb. 6th at NYPD pizza 127 N.Federal Hyw. Lake Worth Florida 7pm . Join Doug David and Craig Henne  of Southflorida912.org 561 585-6973. Join us to learn more about the 912 org.

Hispanic Americans for Romney

Tea Party Express Visits WPB 1/28

Impressions from three Campaign Rallies

Over the last two weeks, I’ve been able to attend local campaign rallies for Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich. The events were all a little different, given the characteristics of the candidates and the campaigns.

On January 12, Mitt Romney held an event at the Palm Beach County Civic Center. The rally had been delayed an hour by a scheduling issue, announced the day prior, which may have accounted for the long line of people waiting to get in when we arrived about a half hour early. Once inside the dark, windowless room it looked like a large crowd, but that was deceiving as the room was relatively small and half was roped off for a press area. There was a raised platform in the middle of the space so the crowd could completely surround it. A large press contingent was present with the front of the center crowded with video trucks and a large area of tables for reporters to file stories from their laptops. At this point, Governor Romney was considerably ahead in the polls and press accomodation was a feature of his events. Many of the local Republican establishment were present, including former Congressman Clay Shaw. Many in the crowd we spoke with were still undecided, but leaning to the Governor as the candidate with the best choice to defeat the President. The crowd was in the 500 range, including an overflow room.

Governor Romney’s speech was quite well received and mostly positive, in a Reaganesque “morning in America” sort of way. He contrasted Obama “managing the decline” of America versus his seeing our best days ahead of us. Although I didn’t feel that he really “fired up” the crowd, he did generate lots of applause and came across more sincere and genuine than he sometimes does on television. Sprinkled throughout his address were references to the founding documents, particularly the Declaration, which seems to be a theme in all the campaigns now. When he was done, he worked the crowd for 10 or 15 minutes and seemed to enjoy the interaction. I came away thinking that although he was not my first choice in the primary, I could support this man if he wins the nomination. Event synopsis: professional, conventional, low-key.

On Sunday, 7/22, Senator Rick Santorum paid a visit to Wings Plus in Coral Springs. A portable enclosed stage had been set up at the end of the parking lot and a lot of local politicians were in evidence. Michael Warns and his band livened things for the crowd of about 300 who filled the parking lot along with a handful of media. The candidate arrived without fanfare.

The Senator gave an inspiring 40 minute speech, filled with policy positions, strong statements about preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and a clear contrast from his opponents who he painted as having supported both health care mandates and the bank bailouts. He made a good case that he has been consistent in his conservative positions, even when it was not popular. He offered the proposition that is compelling: that he would be better positioned than either Romney or Gingrich to win the swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. As he has done throughout the campaign, Sentator Santorum has been calm and steady – almost subtle in his appeal compared to the drama coming out of the other campaigns. At the end of the day this may win if the others burn out, but his style is not garnering the same level of media attention as the others. The crowd of mostly Santorum supporters was receptive and supportive. Event synopsis: focused, clear, low budget.

Finally, on Wednesday 7/25, Newt Gingrich also paid a visit to Wings Plus. The location was the same, but the enclosed stage had been replaced by a low platform and a large arch of red, white and blue balloons. The event was originally announced for 10:30 AM, but postponed to 11:30 with little notice. The candidate did not actually arrive until 12:45 as the crowd added to their sunburns in the hot parking lot. The entrance was fitting for a candidate who has admitted to the adjective “grandiose”. First the sound system cranked up with some impressive flourishes that seemed reminiscent of the Roman Empire. Then the large bus with a three foot high face of Newt pulled up behind the platform accompanied by a police motorcycle escort with lights flashing. Finally, after giving us a few minutes to absorb the scene, the candidate and wife Callista emerged from the cavernous vehicle to the cheers of the enthusiastic crowd of 1200 or so. The crowd differed a little from the Santorum and Romney events as it seemed more diverse and with a wider spread of ages. There was even a short presentation by representatives of high school and college Yourg Republican groups.

Newt Gingrich is very good on the stump. His speech was full of red meat and stark contrasts between him and Barack Obama (”paychecks or foodstamps”). He easily deflected and ridiculed a heckler in the crowd (who turned out to be former Lake Worth Commissioner Cara Jennings). Of the three, Newt made the most direct appeal for support in the primary, and laid out how he would conduct the general election if he were the nominee. If the President were to turn him down on his offer of a series of 3 hour “Lincoln – Douglas” debates for example, he claims he will follow Lincoln’s example and follow Obama around the country, appearing in the same places 4 hours delayed. Hope he has the money for a 747 like Air Force One. As we were walking back to the car – a gentleman talking to his wife said – he sure gives a good speech and is a good talker but can you trust him? That is the rub. Event synopsis: Grandiose, disorderly, compelling.

Some pictures from the events:

PPP Event provides new GOP Primary Candidate insights

The joint Presidential Preference Profile Event between South Florida 912 and Palm Beach County Tea Party was held at the First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach.  We’d like to give special thanks to the First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach for allowing us to use these beautiful facilities, and for making the arrangements.  Thanks especially to Jimmy Scroggins, Senior Pastor and Linda Thornton, Senior Pastor Assistant and all who were involved.  And thanks to Joy Stone, member of the congregation, and a member of both South Florida 912 and Palm Beach County Tea Party for making the initial contacts for us.

The event was intended to inform the grassroots activist members of both groups about the candidates in the upcoming January 31st Florida GOP Presidential Preference Primary, and to provide them with additional information to motivate them to join the campaigns for the final 3 weeks prior to the primary.

Pam Wohlschlegel, Chairman and County Coordinator for Palm Beach County Tea Party and Florida Chair for Tea Party Patriots. introduced David DiCrescenzo, Publisher/Editor in Chief of The Patriots Press and long-time South Florida 912 member, who led us in a heart-felt, moving invocation. Then Jason Shields, another long-time South Florida 912 member and leader, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pam asked for a show of hands on how many undecideds were in the audience. Over 60% percent raised their hands. She spoke about the hard work ahead and how both PBCTP and South Florida 912 plan to work together to achieve success in 2012. Cooperation, Collaboration and Communication were to be the hallmarks of 2012!

Pam turned the podium over to Shannon Armstrong, Founder of South Florida 912. Shannon asked the attendees how many went to the first 9/12 March on DC in 2009.  Several in the audience had.  She asked us to consider how much intensity we felt then and in the 2010 election campaign and did we feel that now?  If not – we have to look within ourselves and regain that intensity as we head towards this most important election in 2012.  She then introduced the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Brian Mudd, Program Director 1290 WJNO & 1230 WBZT Financial Analyst & Co-host for The Morning Rush.

Brian also spoke motivationally – encouraging all of us to listen to the candidates’ positions and to pick our candidate, but to all get behind the eventual winner to ensure a win in 2012.  He asked Fred Scheibl, long-time member of South Florida 912 and co-founder of Palm Beach County Tea Party, to explain what the evening was about.  Fred gave the ground rules. 

Each of the candidate representatives were to have 5 minutes to discuss their candidates values on:  

•  Leadership – what makes a good leader, who they admire
•  Character – which attributes of character are most important, which guide their lives
•  Worldview – what is America’s role in the next 20 years, what are our top three economic problems, top three foreign policy challenges?
•  Quality of Solutions – What is the major advantages of your tax plan, your doctrine on foreign interventions, your approach to the size of government
•  Governing style – How will you get things done?  How will you “change Washington?”  How will you differ from Barack Obama?  From George Bush?

The next portion of the agenda was to discuss Policy Positions and each surrogate could pick from any of the following areas and speak for another 5 minutes:  Tax Reform, Spending and Deficit, Size of Government, 10th Amendment, Health Care, Regulations, Trade/China, UN/NATO/EU, Arab Spring, Role of the Military.

Finally – the reps would get 3 minutes each to wrap up and solicit volunteers, after which Brian would moderate 10 minutes of questions.

Fred explained that the PPP Voters’ Guide was a combination of responses provided by each of the campaigns coupled with the research done by several Palm Beach County Tea Party and South Florida 912 members.  The complete guide is 44 pages long, but the 4 page summary is also available online.  Thanks to all of the members who participated – in particular Alex Berry, Richard Bock, Joe Burge, Barry Carson, Mary Farrell, Laura Henning, Gary Summers and Kim Winker.

Brian then introduced the candidate surrogates:

  For Newt Gingrich: Tami Donnally, PBC Co-Chairman
  For Ron Paul: Francisco Rodriguez, PBC Co-Coordinator
  For Rick Perry: Craig Briscoe, Southwest FL Regional Director
  For Mitt Romney: Fran Hancock, PBC Co-Chairman
  For Rick Santorum: Starla Brown, Southeast FL Regional Coordinator

Each of the surrogates were volunteer activists with extensive experience.  All should be congratulated on the amount of work they put into preparing for the Event and in their outstanding detailed and eloquent descriptions of their candidates Worldview and Policies.  Thanks to all of you!  Well done!

Ed Fulop – South Florida 912 Project organizer and long-time member served as our time-keeper.  The representatives had clearly timed their presentations and most finished well-within their allotted timeframes!

Mid-way through the presentations, Brian pointed out the quality, depth and caliber of the positions of any and all of the GOP candidates when contrasted with the current administration.  We should be proud to support any of these folks!

After the Q&As, Fred gave the current results of the member Surveys from both the South Florida 912 and Palm Beach County Tea Party websites.  When tallied together,  the tied overall winners were Congressman Paul and Senator Santorum.  The survey remains on the websites and you are welcome to continue to take and/or modify your ratings of the candidates.

Finally, Jason Shields announced the 50:50 winner and the meeting concluded.  Many stayed to talk with the various candidates representatives.

Thanks to all who participated.  Please feel free to distribute the links to the complete Voters’ Guide and to hand-out/print-out the short version to all whom you think may benefit from it.  We want informed voters at the upcoming Primary and hope these tools will assist you in your decisions.

Pictures from Iris:

South Florida 912 and Palm Beach County Tea Party Host PPP Event

Do you know for whom you’re going to vote for in the GOP Primary?  Do you know why?  How much do you really know about your candidate?

Find out at our Presidential Preference Primary Event – a joint project between South Florida 912  and Palm Beach County Tea Party. 

When:  Tuesday January 10th  6:00 p.m Meet and Greet, 6:30-8:30 Program
Where:  First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach, 1101 South Flagler Drive

Our volunteers have researched the candidates’ policies. The campaigns have responded to questions about their candidates’ core values: such as Leadership, Character, Worldview, Quality of Solutions, and Governing Style, so we can get beneath the surface. There will be high-profile candidate surrogates at the forum to explain the answers and to answer your questions

The format will allow ample time to explore both core values and policy positions.

First take our survey – based on your current knowledge of the candidates.  Then hear from the campaign surrogates as they present their candidates’ views, moderated by Brian Mudd, Program Director for WJNO and WBZT and co-host of the Palm Beaches Morning Rush, on Tuesday, January 10th at 6pm at the First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach at 1101 S Flagler.  Pick up a copy of our short Voters’ Guide at our event and then check out the complete guide on our websites.  Survey results will be presented at the end of the meeting.

Still feel the same about your candidate?  Have a new one?  In either case, help out the candidate of your choice during the final 3 weeks of the campaign leading to the GOP Presidential Primary on 1/31.

The event is free, donations are welcome.  Bring your friends.

If you need additonal information, contact info@southflorida912.org

Venue Map:

End of year celebration with South Florida 912

A core group of long-term South Florida 912 members along with some newcomers met at The Original Pancake House on Tuesday night for a year-end celebration.  As usual – thanks so much to Mickey Polulack for setting up his sound system and to the Original Pancake House for the space and prompt service.

Shannon Armstrong – co-founder, kicked off the meeting.  Doug Armstrong, co-founder, led us in the invocation and Alexa and Hunter Armstrong led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Shannon spoke about our Value of the Month – Moderation, and what it meant to her personally.  We have covered all twelve of the Values of South Florida 912, and next year, will discuss the nine Principles.  Shannon talked about the importance of having volunteer to help the group, especially with all we have ahead of us in 2012.  If you would like to volunteer in any capacity from helping with events and meetings, helping with research or writing posts for the website, or posting on facebook, please don’t hesistate to send an email to info@southflorida912.org. 

Fred Scheibl spoke about our upcoming event, co-hosted with Palm Beach County Tea Party – the Presidential Preference Primary Portfolio Event event on January 10th – moderated by Brian Mudd of WJNO.  He also suggested that everyone take the Survey, which may help those undecided on their candidate for the January 31st GOP Primary.  Only 4 of the attendees had committed to a candidate so far.  Iris Scheibl spoke about the upcoming Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners meeting.  Many in our group had worked hard to ensure we had an Independent Inspector General, yet at last month’s meeting, the Commission prevented Ms. Steckler from hiring to cover two new contracts.  The item, 5D1 is on the agenda for next Tuesday’s meeting.  We may need members to come speak on the 20th and will post a call to action, should it be necessary.

Virginia Brooks, of the PBC Christian Coalition, spoke about a gambling issue that will also be on Tuesday’s County Commission agenda.  She has a Call to Action on her website  and is asking for folks to write and call their Commissioners.  Carol Hurst piped in that gambling did no good to the communities around Atlantic City.

Linda Wummer told us of her experience, during her Thanksgiving dinner celebrations at Indiantown Marina, of reading a patriotic creed and getting an outstanding reception.  This was in line with what Shannon had spoken of earlier – that we should all be talking to people, starting conversations in the supermarket or when around others with innocuous statements such as ‘food prices have sure gone up lately’… and then lead into – why is that?

Mike Lamayer, running for FL Senate District 25 spoke briefly.  Hunter handed out candy canes and assisted in the 50:50, the winner of which kindly donated the $50 back to the group.

Many folks hung around quite awhile after the meeting, enjoying each others’ company and conversation.

Wishing all of our members a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All.

South Florida 912 Volunteer Sign Up and End of Year Celebration

When: Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 7 PM

Where: The Original Pancake House 4364 Northlake Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

( Note: kids eat free!!! Under 12 with a paying adult )

2012 is looming around the corner. Please come and let’s gather together to shore up old friendships and make new ones. In celebration of our group and preparing for the upcoming year, we are looking for new leaders and new volunteers. We are preparing for our Presidential Profile Portfolio Event on January 10th, and we’ll need help with printing and preparing election packets before the primary on January 31. There are many other ways you can help, so please sign up.

We will also have a workshop for people to get signed up on the website or to learn how to blog on the site or make phone calls for a candidate. So bring you ipads or smartphones and/or laptops and we will get you plugged in. So come join us for dinner or a cup of coffee. Hear about our last Value of the Month and share in some holiday cheer with your fellow patriots. It will be a short night so come early and sign up to “GET READY TO WORK for 2012“.

We will also be accepting gifts for our Balloons and Smiles for Christmas Eve delivery. We need toys for children in hospital beds. Some ideas include: lapdesks, crayons and coloring books, craft kits , remote control cars with batteries, Itunes gift cards, Kindles, Nooks, fun pillows, books for babies and infants, stuffed animals for all ages kids range from new born to 18 years old. These will be delivered to the Palms West Hospital Pediatric ward and Emergency Room. If you would like to help deliver the toys, there will be a sign-up sheet for that as well.

We look forward to seeing you all.

Shannon and Doug Armstrong 561-506-5258

Presidential Preference Portfolio Event

South Florida 912 and the Palm Beach County Tea Party are jointly hosting a Presidential Preference Portfolio event for January 10 at the First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach on Flagler Drive. It will be moderated by Brian Mudd, Program Director 1290 WJNO & 1230 WBZT, Financial Analyst & Co-Host for The Palm Beaches Morning Rush.

The introduction of our 2012 Grassroots Presidential Preference Primary Voter’s Guide is a key part of preparation, and it will be made available at the event.

Each of the eight major Presidential campaigns are being asked to participate, and have been sent a series of questions designed to “get beyond the sound bites” and help us get to know the contenders on the basis of how they would approach the job, and how well suited to it they are.

The project has three parts – the questions, the event itself, and a member survey that asks each of us to score the candidates in the key areas of Leadership, Character, Worldview, Quality of Solutions, and Governing Style. The results of the survey will be included in the Voter’s Guide (available the night of the event), along with the candidate’s answers and our analysis of their policy positions. Following the event, after you have seen how they answered, we will ask you to take the survey a second time and we will record the changes (if any).

The Voter’s Guide will also have a section for the candidates policy positions, either provided by the campaigns or determined by our researchers from publically available campaign collateral and websites. Through this process, we hope to help you (and others who use our voter’s guide) to make an informed selection in the January 31 Florida Presidential Preference Primary.

Member Survey

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We need your views of the candidates for the process. Please CLICK HERE to take the survey now. You must be logged in to register your results.

Background

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The 2012 Elections are both a referendum on the stewardship of Barack Obama, as well as a choice of what kind of country we are going to become. The Republican standard bearer will carry enormous responsibility to offer a compelling alternative to the progressive, anti-business, social-democratic future that the last 3 years has foreshadowed.

So much damage has been done to our country through enormous deficits, out of control spending, suffocating regulations, erosion of property rights and the rule of law, and a feckless and incoherent foreign policy, that stopping the damage is not enough. The next President must roll back the excesses of the past few years and restore our Republic to one of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets.

It is a unique time. The country is gripped by fear and crushed by pessimism, yet we are yearning for leadership and open to new ideas. Not since the Carter Administration has there been such malaise, and polls show many think America’s best days are behind her and their children are destined to a lower standard of living and crushing debt. We fear our liberties are being eroded by a massive and growing federal government, that crony capitalism has corrupted the highest reaches of government, corporations and the banking system, that our traditional values of the family, the community, and the nation have been morphed into something unrecognizable. Yet there is some leadership to be seen away from Washington as the states press their case to overturn Obamacare and take the initiative on immigration policy from a failed federal bureaucracy. We as a people are resilient and capable, and will respond to a leader with bold new ideas and a commitment to fixing America.

The next President must have the right policy prescriptions for today’s known problems, and most of our candidates do, but that is not enough. Whoever assumes the position must also be able to meet and triumph over the challenges that lie ahead in an increasingly dangerous world, for a country left in a weakened state from fiscal irresponsibility, a decade of war, and a business sector left reeling from suffocating regulations and economic hardship that has led to the highest sustained level of unemployment since the Great Depression.

How can we determine who can carry this mantel?

We believe the qualifications of our champion can be found in five key dimensions:

• Leadership – who can inspire us to greatness? Who has the ability to clearly lay out the problem, communicate the urgency, convince us to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve success?
• Character – who can we trust? Who is loyal to their principles and their countrymen, respects others’ points of view, yet has the courage and confidence to make politically difficult choices?
• Worldview – who sees the world as we do? Who sees America as exceptional, its people capable and motivated, its strength in the individual efforts and decisions of the many,not the central wisdom of government?
• Quality of Solutions – who has proposed solutions that really get to the crux of the problem? Who understands that changes have consequences and can explain the broader ramifications of their tax plan or their entitlement reform proposals?
• Governing Style – who is likely to see their solutions implemented? How will they work with Congress, particularly the other party to form governing majorities on issues? Who can use their political capital and support from the voters to realize a mandate for change?

Candidate Questions

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In order to explore these dimensions for each of the candidates, we have prepared the following set of questions. The campaigns have been asked to answer them both in an absolute sense as well as how their candidate’s values may differ from their competitors for the nomination. Obviously, there are no wrong answers, but their responses will help us understand them better.

1. Leadership
a. What are the characteristics of a great leader?
b. What leader has most influenced you in your life?
c. In what leadership roles that you have held have you been most effective and whatdid you accomplish?

2. Character
a. Some of the dimensions of character include trustworthiness, loyalty, warmth, respect, courage, and reverence. How do these attributes guide your behavior and how much do they influence your view of others?
b. Who was the major character influence in your life? How and why?

3. Worldview
a. What do you see as America’s role in the world for the next 20 years?
b. What level of debt, deficit and taxation is “reasonable” and why?
c. What are the top 3 economic problems that “must be solved” to secure our future?
d. What are the top 3 foreign policy challenges of the next decade?

4. Quality of Solutions
a. Explain the major advantage and the most important side effects of your tax plan.
b. What is your “doctrine” regarding the intervention in foreign conflicts?
c. What should be “done” about the United Nations?
d. Close to 50% pay no income taxes – how do we change that?

5. Governing Style
a. How would your style differ from George Bush? From Barack Obama?
b. It is difficult for a President to “change Washington” – how will you work with the existing DC environment and avoid both frustration and/or corruption by it?

Policy Positions

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Policy positions on today’s key issues are also important, and we will attempt to profile each candidate based on their campaign collateral, public statements and debate performances. If a campaign wishes to specifically provide material to us on policy we will feature it in the assessment. The policy areas of interest are found in the following 10 questions:

1. Tax Reform – what are the key aspects of the tax reform initiatives (if any) that you would attempt to implement if you become President?
2. Spending and Deficit – Our $15T debt is the largest single threat to our institutions and our way of life. What are your top policy prescriptions to address this issue?
3. Size of Government – the federal government has become a major factor in everything we do and would be unrecognizable to the founders. How will you “make Washington inconsequential in our lives?” What federal programs would you eliminate or turn over to the states?
4. 10th Amendment – the states have asserted themselves in the last couple of years over immigration policy and health care. There are additional moves coming over EPA overreach, education and energy. Where would you draw the line between federal jurisdiction and that given to the states by the constitution?
5. Health Care – Most agree that Obama care must be stopped and 26 states are taking their judicial challenge to the Supreme Court. A legislative solution is needed and there is some fear that the PACA has already made turning back the regulations almost impossible. What steps would you take to deal with this issue and what priority would you give it?
6. Federal Regulations, EPA, NLRB, FCC – The Obama administration has greatly increased the regulatory assault on business and citizen alike. What can be done to reign in the entrenched bureaucracy and how will you approach this task?
7. Trade policy, China – What is your position regarding fair trade with China concerning currency manipulation, intellectual property protection and dumping? Should our trade policy favor certain countries or regions or should we treat everyone equally? What do you see as the future of manufacturing in this country?
8. United Nations, NATO, European Union – In what way would you change the relationship between the US and these organizations from what the current administration has done?
9. Radical Islam, Arab Spring, Iran – Contrast your approach in these three areas to the Obama administration. What should be our future posture towards the emerging regimes in the middle east and Maghreb and how should we deal with Iran’s weapons program?
10. Role of the Military – Our force composition has changed in response to the asymmetrical threats we face, yet our experience in Iraq and Afghanistan has illuminated many shortcomings in regards to “nation building” projects. How does the military factor into your vision of America’s role in the world for the next decade and what changes would you make in structure, weapons systems and human resources in the military forces?

GOP Booth at the Palm Beach Gardens Green Market

Palm Beach Gardens Green Market:

• Sunday November 20, 27, Dec 11 & 18
• 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Market is located at City Hall Complex next to PBG Fire Station # 1 at 4301 Burns Road
• We will register volunteers
• We will direct people to SOE web for voter registration
• We will hand out information on issues and candidates

• Our booth will be recognized by the American flag proudly on display and the elephant logo
• Candidates can stand in the booth and speak to visitors
• Candidates are allowed to walk around but not campaign as walking
• All handouts can be placed at the booth
• All signs can be placed at the booth
• Contact person is Linda Gore- please call 686-1616 to volunteer

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