Montgomery County GOP

Message from the Chairman:
We Need to Adopt "Lost Republicans"

Among Montgomery County's 125,000 registered Republicans are 24,000 Republicans who voted in the 2000, 2002 or 2004 general elections, but failed to vote in the 2006 election.  The loss of these Montgomery Republicans represents one-fifth of the 120,000 votes that separated Bob Ehrlich and Martin O'Malley statewide in the last election.

We need these voters this year.

A drop in voter turnout between Presidential and off-year elections is unfortunately a common phenomenon. Nationally over 40 million fewer people voted in 2006 than in 2004, a drop of approximately one-third.  The impact on off-year elections can be dramatic when this voter drop-off is higher among a particular party's voters.  Already polling data suggests that Republican voters are far more motivated this year than are Democrats.

This national trend is mirrored in the response that our candidates are encountering this year.  I am hard pressed to recall an election in which Republicans were more enthusiastic about voting.  Independents and moderate Democrats also seem far more willing to consider a Republican alternative than they have been in recent election cycles.

These are certainly encouraging trends.  Nevertheless a top priority for the county party is to encourage every Republican to vote this year, especially those "lost" Republicans from 2006.  

The number of Republicans who missed the 2006 election averages about 100 for each of our county's 245 election precincts.  This ratio lends itself to an effective grass roots effort.  Operating neighbor to neighbor, this is the heart of our Precinct Chair organization strategy.

We all are barraged in an election year with countless broadcast advertisements, direct mail pieces and phone calls.  However the most effective way to cut through all this clutter is through personal contact by a neighbor or friend.   Communication from someone familiar to a voter has long been proven to the most effective method to increase voter turnout.  Advertisements, mail pieces or phone calls from complete strangers are no match with a personal appeal from someone a voter knows or expects to come in contact with again.

We need to make multiple contacts with these "lost" Republicans from 2006, whether from a Precinct Chair or a neighborhood volunteer. Our local candidates will also be making a special effort to introduce themselves to these voters.  We want to encourage voters to use an absentee ballot, if that works best for their schedule.

This year Maryland offers an "early voting" alternative for the first time.  Five early voting sites will be located around Montgomery County for several days prior to Election Day. Our Precinct Chairs and volunteers can familiarize Republicans with this new option. 

I am challenging every Montgomery County Republican activist to "Adopt Lost Republicans" this year.  During the weeks prior the General Election we need to reach out to these voters, familiarizing them with our candidates and their balloting alternatives. 

Come November 2, with any luck, along with the election returns reporting Republican victories, you will also have voice mail messages from some of your neighbors telling you that they just voted.  When that happens, you will know that you will have made a real difference in 2010.  

Mark Uncapher
Montgomery County Republican Chairman

Eric Cary has quite a task: to become State Senator in a Legislative District where the Democrat Party predominates in registrations and organization. However, by all indications, his message of fiscal conservatism is starting to resonate. That message is straightforward: about 60% of Americans feel we are moving in the wrong direction as a country, government is not working for the regular people who pay higher and higher taxes. Eric believes that just talking about getting things done is not going to make it happen. And he believes that his constituency in District 14 believes that too. In this era of new technological approaches to the electorate, Eric has utilized his knowledge of computer technology to build an awesome network of loyal fans on FACEBOOK; Proof positive that his message to the voters is getting through. Eric grew up in the Wheaton area and moved to the Gaithersburg/Damascus area 14 years ago. He attended Bowie State University and UMBC. Currently, Eric is a computer consultant with over 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors.

For more details about Eric and his candidacy, check his website: http://ericcary.com/
And also read an excellent article featuring Eric by the DCExaminer. http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-baltimore/eric-cary-candidate-for-maryland-state-senate-violates-every-stereotype

In his quest for the State Senate in District 18, encompassing Kensington, as well as parts of Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Wheaton, and Silver Spring, Kurt Osuch decided in July to start an ambitious door-to-door campaign engaging as many voters as possible face-to-face. Tough endeavors such as this are not unusual for Kurt, who is a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel, and has served in countries around the world. "It has been a very rewarding experience," says Kurt. "I've listened to thousands of concerned citizens, residents, and business owners and employees. They've been up-front and very frank about their concerns and have offered some potential solutions on topics as varied as the State's spiraling debt, our increasingly unsafe communities, and the problems associated with keeping our educational system in excellent shape." Rain or shine during this exceptionally sweltering summer, Kurt has trekked through all of the thirty-five precincts in District 18 talking to those residents he hopes to represent in Annapolis. "Most of all," says Kurt, "I've been impressed by the voters' knowledge of the issues, their willingness to talk and their courtesy to me as a candidate." Kurt is the only Republican candidate running for the State Legislature in District 18.

For more information about Kurt, please check his website: http://www.kurtosuch.com/ And, you may want to read the article about his candidacy which appeared in the Kennsington Gazette: http://www.gazette.net/stories/06302010/wheanew201759_32557.php

Rob Vricella is running for Montgomery County Council because he wants to reverse the dangerous trend of political mismanagement that is threatening the County's fiscal health and quality of life. Trained as an attorney, and employed as a private sector Real Estate developer for 20 years, Rob has the financial, legal and business knowledge required to identify and implement policies that support real accountability and oversight of government spending. Rob believes that excessive government regulation and taxation in the county are hindering economic growth and discouraging new investment. In order to control spending, Rob believes the County Council must begin to take a closer look at the school system's bloated administrative bureaucracy, and the chronic payment abuses in county government. As a life-long resident of the D.C. metro area, Rob is aware of the transportation frustrations of Montgomery County residents, and the need for quality transportation to support economic growth. This candidate for the District 1 County Council seat has done his homework. He has closely examined and analyzed the county's major problems, and he has solid ideas and plans about how to fix them.

For more information about Rob and his stance on the issues, visit his campaign website at http://robvricella.com/

Pick Up and Display Yard Signs for
Your Favorite Republican Candidates!

The GOP table at the county fair was a great place to stock up on yard signs and bumper stickers, but if you missed that opportunity, just visit the candidate's website for information about where and how to obtain yard signs.

Young Republicans Raise "Change You Can Believe In"
For A Second Year - Donations Support Local Pregnancy Center

For the first time, the State of Maryland is implementing Early Voting for the Gubernatorial Primary Election. Montgomery County will open 5 Early Voting Centers from September 3 - 9, excluding Sunday, from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Voters are able to vote on the same voting equipment used on Election Day, but at a time that is more convenient.

Early Voting Centers:
Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center,
14625 Bauer Drive, Rockville 20853

Germantown Recreation Center,
18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown 20874

Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center
14906 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville 20866

Montgomery County Executive Office Building
101 Monroe Street, Rockville 20850

Silver Spring Civic Building
8525 Fenton Street, Silver Spring 20910

The Maryland Senate Republican Slate Reported on August 9th, that the Senate Republican Caucus has joined with the House Republican Caucus in opposition to the waiver requested by the Maryland State Board of Elections so that ballots do not have to be sent to military and civilian personnel serving overseas in compliance with federal election laws. The full statement follows:

(Annapolis, MD) Today, The Joint Republican Caucus of the Maryland General Assembly released the following statement in response to the Maryland Board of Elections' request for a waiver of the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act.

"This federal law exists to ensure that those who are fighting to defend our democracy, have the opportunity to participate in it" said House Minority Leader Anthony O'Donnell. "This waiver request is just one more slap in the face to the Maryland men and women who are serving our country, and a reminder that the O'Malley administration and Democrat leaders in the legislature consistently disregard the importance of, and sacrifices made, by those honorable citizens."

Moreover, The Washington Times reports that many other states have failed to implement one or more of the key provisions of the MOVE act, and the U.S. Dept. of Justice is doing little to enforce the new law. This failure will prevent thousands of military personnel from exercising their right to vote. For the full article, click the following link:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/12/justice-delayed-for-military-voters/

Maryland GOP Chairman Audrey Scott
Reacts to Latest Election Poll

Maryland Public Service Commission to Hold Evening Hearing for Public Comment on Pepco Quality and Reliability

As part of his plan to get Maryland working again, Bob Ehrlich announced Friday August 20th that his first budget as Governor will restore 25 percent of the local transportation aid that Governor Martin O'Malley raided last year.   The restoration will equal approximately $60 million and will help local governments maintain deteriorating roads, improve public safety, and strengthen Maryland's economy. 

Ehrlich's announcement comes two days after Martin O'Malley told The Frederick News-Post he couldn't restore local transportation aid and five days after he told NPR that "there was no more room to build roads" in Maryland.

"We can't get Maryland working again if our commuters are languishing on unsafe, deteriorating roads," Ehrlich said.  "The severity of the O'Malley Administration's fund transfers needlessly puts commuters at risk, squanders economic productivity, and shortchanges the local governments charged with keeping our roads safe and well maintained for residents.  I fully recognize the budget crisis facing our state, yet I also recognize we will not get our economy moving again with residents traveling on unsafe roads." 

As Governor, Bob Ehrlich enacted an ambitious plan that generated $247 million in new transportation funding per year and helped launch 123 new road, bridge, and transit projects statewide.  The O'Malley Administration has failed to enact any similar plan in four years.

According to The Gazette Newspapers, Montgomery County's share of the highway user funds went from $39 million to $1.3 million. Prince George's County's share dropped from $33.5 million to $1.2 million. Frederick County's dropped from $16.4 million to $563,000. Baltimore County's portion plunged from $37 million to $1.2 million.  St. Mary's County's went from $6.9 million $223,000. Baltimore City had its share cut by $66 million.  Somerset County saw its transportation aid drop from $2.9 million to $96,000.

From the Maryland Public Policy Institute: Hide and Seek
by John J. Walters

The Potomac Women's Republican Club has committed to helping out with receptionist and administrative duties at our headquarters every Monday afternoon (1-4 p.m.) from September 13 until November 1. This is a very welcomed offer as the campaigns will be in high gear at that time.

Many thanks to the PWRC for reaching out to help MCGOP in this way!

Would you or your club also be willing to take on a time slot at headquarters as well? If so, please contact Mark Uncapher at 202-423-5344 or mark@uncapher.net

There will be a lot of activity at headquarters, especially after the September 14 primaries, but beforehand as well. We will need help throughout the week, morning hours Monday-Friday. Afternoon hours Tuesday-Friday. Anything you can do to help would be much appreciated. There are yard signs to distribute, phones to answer, volunteers to sign up, and much more!

In this Issue

Message from the Chairman

Know your Republican Candidates

Young Republican Raise "Change You Can Believe In"

Information About Early Voting

MD Fails to Deliver Ballots To Troops

GOP Chairman Scott Responds to Latest Polls

Hearings on PEPCO Reliability to Be Held

Ehrlich Pledges to Restore Transportation Aid

From the Maryland Public Policy Institute: Hide and Seek

Receptionist and Administrative Help Needed

Learn About GOP Candidates

Upcoming Events

Next Precinct Training Aug 10

Help Wanted!

Quote to Remember

Click here for the Montgomery County's GOP Candidates Page
The candidates page include links to the various candidate's websites. In order to identify your specific district (whether for Congress, for legislature, for county council, for school board), simply check here: Board of Elections

Upcoming Events 

Precinct Training Session
Saturday, September 18

MCGOP HQS
10:00 a.m.-12:00 Noon
15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville

Learn how to Organize Republicans in your Precinct (there are more than you realize!) and to elect Republicans in Montgomery County 

This training session is fun, free and informative For more information call Dan Cuda at
301-926-1095 or e-mail at dcuda54@juno.com 

Organization Committee is looking to fill these volunteer positions:Newsletter Co-Editor
Help prepare the MCGOP newsletter which is put together on a Constant Contact template. The co-editors coordinate and review major news items of MCGOP interest and gather stories and photos which are easily plugged into the layout of the newsletter. To get an idea of the features and information included, take an overall look at this newsletter and click on some of the archived copies listed below.

Volunteer Welcome Chair
Responsible for contacting new volunteer prospects, identify activities for them to get involved with, communicate with volunteer contacts, follow-up up to make sure the volunteer "hand-off" to committee chairs and other leaders has been completed.

Contact Mark Uncapher Mark@uncapher.net

Quote to Remember

"Politics should share one purpose with religion: the steady emancipation of the individual through the education of his passions."