Jean Cryor
1938-2009
Rest in Peace
A funeral mass will be held on Monday November 9 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Raphael's Catholic Church, Falls and Dunster Roads, Rockville - more details below
Montgomery County and all of Maryland lost a very dear and stalwart friend on November 3. Up until just 10 days before her death from cancer, Jean Brown Cryor was still actively engaged in her role as a member of the Montgomery County Planning Board. This reality reflects the high level of energy and optimism Jean brought to everything she did.
"Jean had all of the qualities of great statesmanship," said Montgomery County Republican Party Chairman Mark Uncapher. "In addition to being an exceptionally skilled legislator and problem solver, she was an excellent listener with a wonderful generosity of spirit and sense of humor. Jean was deeply devoted to addressing the needs and concerns of all of her constituents. All who had the privilege of knowing her will greatly miss her."
Jean served in the Maryland legislature during 1995-2007, including a time as the ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee. During her last term there she soldiered on with grace, energy and humor as the sole Republican in the Montgomery County delegation.
From Washington Post:
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Raphael''s Catholic Church, Falls and Dunster Roads, Rockville, MD on Monday, November 9 at 11 a.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Society of the Sacred Heart Retirement Fund, 4389 West Pine Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63108. Please view and sign family guestbook at
www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com
Remembrances and words of mourning for the loss of Jean Cryor are numerous. Several can be read below.
 I was saddened to learn today of former delegate Jean Cryor's passing. Jean was known in Annapolis and in Montgomery County for her warm smile, cheerful outlook, and independent thinking. At every step in her career - the newsroom, the state house, the planning board - she served with professionalism and a deep appreciation for the people of Maryland. My prayers are with her family during this difficult time.
- Former Governor Bob Ehrlich
 With her keen intellect, journalistic skill, work ethic, warm personality and sense of humor, Jean Cryor had a host of friends and admirers - Republicans and Democrats throughout our county and state.
 Jean Cryor and I met when we were both elected to the House of Delegates in 1994. She was a fine lady and a class act at all times. Maryland will miss Jean Cryor for her exemplary public service. We as Republicans, will certainly miss Jean's friendship, counsel and wisdom. We have her family in our prayers - Tony O'Donnell, Minority Leader, Maryland House of Delegates
 Jean Cryor will be deeply missed, but she will live on in love. She was a "people" person: she cared about others; she respected others; she listened to others; she learned from others; she led for all of us. As a journalist, a legislator, a a Planning Board Member, a mother,and a friend,Jean left a legacy of public service, integrity, and civility.May her family find strength in her inspiration. - Connie Morella, Ambassador to OECD (2003-05) and Member of Congress 1987-2003
 In addition to being an exceptionally skilled legislator and problem solver, she was an excellent listener with a wonderful generosity of spirit and sense of humor. Jean was deeply devoted to addressing the needs and concerns of all of her constituents. All who had the privilege of knowing her will greatly miss her. - Mark Uncapher, Chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Party
Jean Cryor was an extraordinary person. I was honored to know  her as a friend and colleague. Jean's commitment to our community was steadfast. Her distinction as a public official will be long remembered. Before and after her public service Jean served our county and state with skill and grace. She was always accessible and forthcoming, possessing a keen mind tempered with a healthy sense of humor. Jean and I struggled together side by side throughout the years. She could always be counted on for sound advice and wise counsel. I will miss her greatly. - Howie Denis, County Council Member 2000-2007, Potomac
 Her absence will be deeply felt in many ways and in many communities. We mourn her loss and extend our deepest condolences to her family, her friends, and her colleagues on the Planning Board. - Ike Leggett, County Executive
More obituaries and remembrances can be found at the following links:
http://mncppc.typepad.com/news/2009/11/montgomery-county-planning-board-commissioner-former-maryland-delegate-jean-cryor-dies-after-short-i.html
http://www.gazette.net/stories/11042009/rocknew01016_32546.shtml
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/2009/11/former_state_delegate_jean_cry.html
- written and compiled by S. Green |
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Message from the Chairman
O'Malley & Obama Job Claims Do Not Add Up
Math test scores must not be improving in Annapolis or Chicago, judging from the recent press releases trumpeting the Stimulus Package's so called success in "creating or saving" jobs. Without any comment or analysis, a week ago the Gazette reported Obama-O'Malley's party line with the headline: Stimulus Sparks Good New for Job Growth
This week came the harsh reality: a record 10.2% national unemployment rate.
Unlike the Gazette, and to his credit, ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper took the time to calculate the "cost per job." The White House argues that the actual job number is actually larger than the initial 640,000 figure - closer to 1 million jobs when one factors in stimulus jobs added in October and, more importantly, jobs created indirectly. Tapper took their one million number at face value and asked "160 billion divided by 1 million. Does that mean the stimulus costs taxpayers $160,000 per job?"
Maryland Governor O'Malley got center stage attention with Vice President Joe Biden at the White House to highlight the state's Stimulus record. Between February and Sept. 30, our state received just over $2 billion. According to Governor O'Malley, Maryland has saved or created 4,462 jobs with federal stimulus money. The $2 billion works out to $448,000 per job.
Governor O'Malley - and the Gazette - makes these job creation claims even as Maryland lost 33,000 jobs between February and September. In fact one of the few areas of job growth in the state has been in the number of state employees, which have actually increased since 2006.
But it gets worse, according to the Gazette's story; the state can't break down how many of the 4,460 jobs were "created" versus "saved." A state budget spokesman acknowledged that the total included 700 state employee layoffs that O'Malley included in his initial fiscal 2010 budget proposal before the stimulus package was approved. So O'Malley gives himself credit himself with "saving" jobs by avoiding layoffs, all the while adding people to the state payroll.
Another 750 Maryland jobs being claimed are for part-time summer jobs for students which cost $34 million. These appear to be very, very swanky summer jobs. The cost per job works out to $45,000 each.
Last February the Obama Admistration warned that if their Stimulus Package was not passed unemployment might increase past 8%. Yet now with 10.2% unemployemnt the same team claims to have saved or created 1 million jobs.
Far more is at stake than silly "gotcha" statistical exercises. It highlights a root of a very basic policy difference between Republicans and Democrats. The Obama Administration relied on liberal Keynesian theory that increaes in government spending is more efficient than tax breaks in stimulating the economy.
Contrast the ineffectiveness and inefficiency of the Democratic program with the Republican alternative. The Bush tax cuts helped the economy out of recession by putting more dollars into the pockets of consumers, small businesses and investors. Within just two months after President Bush signed his cuts into law unemployment peaked, before beginning a steady decline to 4.4% in 2007. Largely because of the increased economic growth, the Bush tax cuts did not substantially reduce tax revenues. Revenues in fact were not far from the 2000 pre-tax cut baseline and over the 2003 pre-tax cut baseline in 2006. In part this is because, despite the rate reductions, taxes paid by millionaire households more than doubled from $136 billion in 2003 to $274 billion in 2006.
The waste associated with the Stimulus Package has not just increased the national debt with little to show for in return. By relying on government spending, and not private sector incentives, the Obama Administration and the Democratic Congress are unnecessarily prolonging and deepening the economic crisis.
Montgomery County Republican Chairman
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GOP Shows a Strong Presence for Potomac Day Parade, Despite Wet Weather
Pictured above L-R are MCGOP Events Chair Chris Schlauer, Teenage Republicans Dixon Drumheller, Mason Harney, Cody Egan, and Potomac Women's Republican Club member Marilyn Dankner - photo by S. Green
For the first time in well over a decade, rain fell heavily by noon on Potomac Day, October 24. The gray and drizzly morning affected the turnout of parade spectators. But the Montgomery County Republican Party was there, causing many of those lining the parade route to reach out and thank us for being there.
Many thanks to the teenage Republicans
Dixon Drumheller, Mason Harney
and Cody Egan!
We are especially grateful to Dixon for providing and driving his Jeep in the parade. Despite the drizzle, the top was down so that Mason and Cody could toss candy from their perches above. The teens did a wonderful job of decorating the Jeep with GOP stickers, crepe paper and American flags.Other participants included Stella Green, Marilyn Dankner and Chris Schlauer. A special thanks goes out to Chris who has worked tirelessly to make sure that the Montgomery County Republican Party is visible at all community events and parades.
- S. Green
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District 18 Precinct Organization
For the past year, we have been working on bringing volunteer lists up to date. In the following months we will be publishing organization information we have for the eight Legislative Districts in the county. We will look at a different district in each news letter. Today we will focus on District 18.
The Central Committee members for District 18 are:
Vince DeCain of Kensington DeCainVF@aol.com
Katja Bullock of Kensington katja.bullock@gmail.com Katja is also First Vice Chair of the Central Committee
The Legislative District Chair for District 18 is Joan Pleiman. Joan lives in Kensington and can be contacted at JoanJoe4@aol.com
The District 18 organization meets every month for dinner. For more information, contact Joan
Precinct Chairs for District 18:
Albert Einstein HS - Co Chair Katja Bullock
Albert Einstein HS - Co Chair Rose Sittner
Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS Greg Volz
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church Steven Bonavita (co-chair)
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church Joan Pleiman (co-chair)
Chevy Chase ES John Midlen
Chevy Chase Village Hall - Co Chair Josepha Faley
Chevy Chase Village Hall - Co Chair Emily Donahue
Highland ES Margaret Herbers
Kensington Town Hall Lorri Simmons
Kensington-Parkwood ES Wendell Hodgkins
Knights of Columbus Hall Flora Dirlik
Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Cen Maureen Costello
Montgomery Primary Achievment Ct Allen Murray
North Chevy Chase ES Donald Rheem
St. Luke Lutheran Church - Co Chair Shelly Skolnick
St. Luke Lutheran Church - Co Chair Charles Nalls
Stephen Knolls School - Co Chair Susan S Berkheimer
Stephen Knolls School - Co Chair Rose Sittner
Temple Emanuel Vince & Joan DeCain
Woodlin ES Dennis Walsh
In addition to acquainting District residents with information on their Districts, we also need to make sure we have correct information as we enter the all important election year of 2010. If you have any deletions, additions or corrections to this information please contact Pat Fenati, Organization Chair, Fenati@verizon.net
Other important statistics for District 18 are:
There are 38 Precincts in this district. We currently have chairs for 16 of those precincts. That leaves 12 precincts with no chairs. Only 11 of the chairs or co-chairs have attended the Precinct Training ... offered about once a month.
Please look in the Help Wanted section for the names of the precincts with no chairs .
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Speaker Pelosi's Health Care Bill A Government Takeover of Health Care
Online at: http://www.gop.gov/policy-news/09/11/03/full-summary-speaker-pelosis-health
On October 29, 2009, Speaker Pelosi and the House Democrat leadership introduced H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The legislation combines provisions in earlier versions approved by the Committees on Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, as well as other provisions negotiated behind closed doors by the Democrat leadership. The bill is expected on the floor later this week under a likely closed rule.
The bill sets the tone for a Washington takeover of the health care system-one defined by federal regulation, mandates, myriad new programs, and higher federal spending. The bill would ensure the heavy hand of federal bureaucrats over the United States health care system, levying costly new taxes on individuals and businesses who do not comply. Many Members may question how additional federal mandates and bureaucratic diktats raising costs appreciably for all Americans would make health care more "affordable." Many Members may also be concerned that the bill's provisions-only partially masked by budgetary gimmicks and "smoke-and-mirrors" accounting-cost nearly $1.3 trillion, financed largely by significant job-killing tax increases imposed on small businesses during a recession.
Buried within the contents of the 1,990 page bill-as well as a separate 13-page bill (H.R. 3961) that would increase the deficit by more than $200 billion-are details that will see a massive federal involvement in the health care of every American, including the following:
- Creation of a government-run health plan that experts say would result in up to 114 million Americans losing their current coverage-a clear violation of any pledge to allow individuals to keep their current health plan;
- Nearly half a trillion dollars in tax increases on certain income filers, a majority of whom are small businesses-and $729.5 billion in tax increases overall;
- Insurance regulations that would raise costs for nearly all Americans, particularly young Americans, and confine choice of plans to those approved by a board of bureaucrats;
- New price controls on health insurance companies that provide perverse incentives to keep individuals sick rather than managing chronic disease, while impeding patient access to important services just because those services do not provide a direct clinical benefit;
- Additional federal mandates that would significantly erode the flexibility currently provided to employers-and could result in firms dropping coverage;
- Massive expansion of Medicaid to all individuals with incomes below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($33,075 for a family of four), replacing the existing private health coverage of millions with taxpayer-funded health care-and imposing tens of billions of dollars in new unfunded mandates on States;
- Denial of health plan choice to 15 million Americans, consigning them instead to a Medicaid program riddled with bureaucratic obstacles and poor access to care, such that its own beneficiaries do not consider it "real insurance;"
- Language opening employers operating group health plans to State law remedies and private causes of action-subjecting employers to review by 50 different State court rulings, thereby raising costs and encouraging more employers to drop their current health plans;
- Liability "reforms" intended to ensure trial lawyers do not have their compensation reduced, rather than meaningful changes that would reduce the cost of health care by eliminating wasteful defensive medicine practices;
- Establishment of a bureaucrat-run health Exchange that would abolish the private market for individual insurance outside the Exchange-and could evolve into a single-payer approach due to the Exchange's ability to cannibalize existing employer plans;
- Creation of a new government board, the "Health Benefits Advisory Committee," that would empower federal bureaucrats to impose new mandates on individuals and insurance carriers;
- Taxation of individuals who do not purchase a level of health coverage that meets the diktats of a board of bureaucrats-including those who cannot afford the coverage options provided;
- New, job-killing taxes-$135 billion worth-on employers who cannot afford to provide their workers health insurance, resulting in up to 5.5 million lost jobs, according to a model developed by President Obama's chief economic advisor;
- Penalties as high as $500,000 on employers who make honest mistakes when filing paperwork with the government health board-which would likely dissuade businesses from continuing to provide coverage, increasing enrollment in the bureaucrat-run Exchange;
- "Low-income" health insurance subsidies to a family of four making up to $88,200;
- Arbitrary and harmful cuts to popular Medicare Advantage plans that would result in millions of seniors losing their current health coverage; and
- Expanded price controls on pharmaceutical products that would discourage companies from producing life-saving breakthrough treatments.
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Health Care Pop Quiz
ARE THE FOLLOWING HEADLINES FROM TOMORROW, 15 YEARS AGO, OR BOTH?
"2 Bills In Congress Backed Back Associated Of Retirees."
"AARP Endorsement Of Reform May Be Financially Motivated."
"Members Lash Out At AARP's Support For Health Plans."
"A Toxic Dose Of Health Care Reforms For Seniors"
"Health Reform Support Peeves AARP Members They Wanted To Be Consulted First"
"AARP Support For Health Bills Riles Seniors"
"AARP Backs Democrats' Health Plan; Hundreds Call To Voice Their Opinions"
"AARP'S Choice On Health Plan Hatches Hubbub"
"Retired Group Blasted For Ok On Health Bills"
"Triad Seniors Balk At Health Stance Say They Were Misrepresented"
THEY'RE ACTUALLY FROM 1994
"2 Bills In Congress Backed Back Associated Of Retirees." (Robert Pear, The New York Times, 8/11/94)
"AARP Endorsement Of Reform May Be Financially Motivated." (Jack Anderson And Michael Binstein, The Deseret News, 8/26/94)
"Members Lash Out At AARP's Support For Health Plans." (Elizabeth Shogren, The Los Angeles Times, 8/12/94)
"A Toxic Dose Of Health Care Reforms For Seniors"(Suzanne Fields, Op-Ed, The Washington Times, 8/22/94)
"Health Reform Support Peeves AARP Members They Wanted To Be Consulted First"(Jodi Enda, Detroit Free Press, 8/12/94)
"AARP Support For Health Bills Riles Seniors"(Ann Wlazelek, [Allentown, PA] Morning Call, 8/23/94)
"AARP Backs Democrats' Health Plan; Hundreds Call To Voice Their Opinions" (Dan Wascoe Jr., [Minneapolis, MN] Star Tribune, 8/12/94)
"AARP'S Choice On Health Plan Hatches Hubbub" (Roger Signor and Theresa Tighe, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 8/12/94)
"Retired Group Blasted For Ok On Health Bills" (Joseph A. Kirby, The Chicago Tribune, 8/12/94)
"Triad Seniors Balk At Health Stance Say They Were Misrepresented" (John A. Nag, News & Record, 8/12/94)
BUT HEADLINES COULD BE FROM TOMORROW AS AARP PLANS TO SUPPORT OBAMA-PELOSI VERSION OF GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE ...
"AARP To Endorse House Health Care Bill." "Officials are telling The Associated Press that AARP - the seniors' lobby - will endorse the health care overhaul bill that House Democrats are preparing to take to the floor. Officials with knowledge of the group's decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the senior's lobby has decided to give the $1.2 trillion measure its seal of approval." (Erica Werner and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, "AP Sources: AARP To Endorse House Health Care Bill," The Associated Press, 11/4/09)
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Leisure World to Host Debate on Health Legislation
Monday November 9 2:30-4:00 p.m.
The Inforce Club of Leisure World will host a Debate on Health Care which will feature a panel of three Republicans and three Democrats. The Republicans on the panel will be: Eric Wargotz, M.D. and candidate for US Senate, Mark Uncapher, Chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Party, and Ben Swayze, member of the Leisure World Republican Club. Democrats on the panel will include Delegate Roger Manno, Former State Senator Leonard Teitelbaum, and County Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg.
Free and open to all. Meet in the ballroom of Clubhouse One. For more information call 301-598-0647. |
Events!!
Mark Your Calendar!
Saturday, November 7, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Republican Campaign Training School, sponsored by the Maryland GOP and Maryland Federation of Republican Women. At the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge Maryland. $30 includes all-day seminar and working lunch. Presented by Holly Robichaud, president of Tuesday Associates. Point of Contact Patt Parker 1-443-624-3116 For more information, click here:
Campaign School Registration
Monday, November 9, 2:30-4:00 p.m., Leisure World Health Care Debate with a panel of both Republicans and Democrats. Open to all. At Leisure World, Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. For more information, see separate item below.
Thursday, November 12 6:00- 8:00 p.m. House Party with the Hon. Robert Ehrlich in Pasadena, Maryland. $100 or VIP tickets for $200. To RSVP or for information, call 1-410-263-2125 or contact finance@mdgop.orgAlso see more information posted at www.mcgop.netFriday, November 13 - Saturday, November 14 Maryland State Republican Fall Convention at the Comfort Inn and Conference Center in Bowie, Maryland. For more infomation call 1-410-263-2125 or click on Fall ConventionWednesday, November 18, 7:30-9:00 p.m. Montgomery County Young Republicans' Speaker Series featuring Maryland Senator Rob Gargiola (D) and Maryland Senator David Brinkley (R) At Growler's, 227 East Diamond Ave., Gaithersburg 20877. For more information call 301-519-9400.
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Republican Central Committee Seeks Precinct Chairs for District 18
Do you want to get involved at the grassroots level in a very important election year? Are you concerned you don't know how to do it? We will help you every step of the way. Attend Precinct Training (a two hour class. Look for the next training in January) If your precinct already has a chair consider helping as co-chair or choose a nearby Precinct without a chair. You do not have to live in a precinct to be the Precinct Chair of that precinct.
The following precincts in District 18 are without Precinct Chairs:
Argyle Recreation Ctr.
Chevy Chase Library
Chevy Chase United Methodist Church
Glen Haven ES
Holiday Park Senior Center
Holy Cross Resource Institute
Kensington Town Hall
Leisure World Clubhouse II
Mckenney Hills Center
Oakland Terrace ES
Rock Creek Forest ES
Rock View ES
Rollingwood School Center
Rosemary Hills ES
Sargent Shriver ES
Sligo MS
Twinbrook Library
Viers Mill ES
Wheaton Community Center
Wheaton HS
Please contact Pat Fenati Fenati@Verizon.net if you have an interest in the position of Precinct Chair in one of these precincts.
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Thousands Come to Capitol Hill to Protest Obamacare and Lobby Congress
Photo by S. Green
Ten thousand to twenty thousand citizens showed up at the Capitol Steps on Thursday November 5 to protest the impending takeover of the health insurance industry through the legislation now being pushed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) had asked concerned citizens just a couple of days before to make a "house call" on Congress to protest the heavy-handedness and lack of transparency required to push such a bad bill on the American people.
The impressive line-up of speakers at the rally included academy award winning actor and civic activist John Voight and talk radio host Mark Levin, as well as Michelle Bachmann and several other members of Congress.
Montgomery County Republicans lobby at Chris Van Hollen's office. L-R Grant Taylor, Lisa Taylor, Regan Taylor and Stella Green
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CONTACT YOUR CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Hon. Moshe Starkman - 19
Treasurer
mstarkman@moshetechnologies.com
Hon. Vincent DeCain - 18
General Consul & Parliamentarian
decainvf@aol.com
Hon. Gus Alzona - 16
augustus@alzona.com
Hon. Robert Dyer, III. - 16
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The Race is On to Prevent:
1. Obamacare
2. the Imminent RE-funding of ACORN
3. the Imminent DE-funding of the DC opportunity scholarship program
It's Never Been So Important to Call:
Senator Mikulski 202-224-4654
Senator Cardin 202-224-4524
and Your Representative:
Rep. Van Hollen 202-225-5341 or
Rep. Edwards 202-225-8699
On the Laura Ingraham show this week, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) discussed her campaign to have 10,000 calls per day to EACH representative and senator from every one of the 50 states - between now and the end of the year!! Can you imagine these offices having the phone ring 10,000 times a day?
We can make this happen! Just pick up the phone on a regular basis every day (not just once) and make three calls: one to Senator Mikulski, one to Senator Cardin, and one to your representative Rep. Van Hollen if you live in District 8 and Rep. Edwards if you live in District 4. Ask your like-minded friends to do the same.
Tell them: 1. No to Obamacare, 2. No to the imminent RE-funding of ACORN and 3. NO to the DE-funding of the Opportunity Scholarship Program alive in the District of Columbia. (This would be a yes for school choice.)
Call Senator Barbara Mikulski at 202-224-4654 or click here: http://mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm
Call Senator Ben Cardin at 202-224-4524 or Click here:
http://cardin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
For Chris Van Hollen, Call 202-225-5341 or Click here:
http://vanhollen.house.gov/Contact/
For Donna Edwards Call 202-225-8699 or Click Here:
donnaedwards.house.gov |
Past Party Line
Newsletters
October 24, 2009
October 3, 2009
September 19, 2009
September 5, 2009
August 22, 2009
August 8, 2009
July 25, 2009
July 4, 2009
June 20, 2009
June 6, 2009
May 23, 2009
May 9, 2009
April 25, 2009
April 11, 2009
March 28, 2009
March 14, 2009
February 28, 2009
February 3, 2009
January 2009
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MCGOP CONVENTION!