Montgomery County GOP

Message from the Chairman:
Take Heart - You Are Not Alone

During the past few days, the last of our Republican candidates have filed for office. I am very encouraged by the caliber and commitment of those who are running this year.

Recruiting the best possible candidates to represent our values and ideas is the most important activity our party engages in. We cannot just wait for candidates to come to us. We seek them out. We recruit people with existing roots in their communities, neighborhood organizations, churches, synagogues and businesses. We seek candidates who can that both instill confidence with voters, who have the "heart" to run and are qualified to serve.

The top of the Maryland Republican ticket - with Bob Ehrlich for Governor and Mary Kane for Lt. Governor - sets the tone for our entire field of candidates. The current poll results, which at best show Ehrlich in the lead or at worst in a statistical dead heat, are a clear indication that Maryland voters are giving their Republican alternatives careful consideration this year.

We have the opportunity to make this a "crossroads election" by engaging in a robust debate about the direction of our community. Democratic politicians have argued for years that our state and county's high taxes do not matter because residents are willing to pay them for the public services they get. Increasingly, this is no longer true. Montgomery County's unique quality of life is at risk because of the county and state's hostile business climate. Additionally many of our services are in decline. Without an improvement, we can only expect a continued slide.

The campaign statements this year of many Montgomery County Democrats make fascinating reading. After years of pushing for tax hikes, spending increases and an out-of-touch social agenda, they are now campaigning to make Montgomery County and Maryland's economic climate more competitive. Where were they when the O'Malley tax increases passed in 2007 or when the country's first carbon tax was passed a few weeks ago in Montgomery County?

Imitation is more than a form of flattery. This "battlefield conversion" of some the most liberal politicians in our state is a measure of how profoundly the political debate has shifted in the past two years. A recent poll found that only 11% of those surveyed believe Maryland's economy is in good condition, whereas 45% believe it is in bad condition. Since we have already tried the Obama-O'Malley way, and we are not getting the results they promised, why would we want to continue in the same direction?

If ever there was a time to actively make the case for conservative values and policies, it is 2010. However I am reminded that with nearly every conversation I have with a new Precinct Chair, they invariably comment that: "but there just are not any other Republicans in my precinct." I usually try to respond by giving them a voter list. Their response then, as after looking through the list, is that they never knew that so many of their neighbors were Republicans too.

So take comfort, there are far more like minded people around you than you may realize.

What applies to precinct chairs, applies even more so for our candidates. It is not easy being a candidate, there are just never enough hours in the day to do as much as could be done. And it can certainly take the courage of one's convictions to make the Republican case. For every group sending a questionnaire that supports spending restraint, at least a dozen expecting a candidate commitment opposing cuts for "their" cause.

This is where those of us who shares the views of our candidates we can make a real difference. Over the past two years, the Montgomery County Republican Party has trained hundred of people as Precinct Chairs and Precinct Volunteers to be effective grass roots ambassadors. Our program encourages them to reach out directly to their neighbors. Your active, visible support, whether with lawn signs, campaign contributions or hosting events can make a significant impact on this election.

You are not alone - even in Montgomery County - and your support can make a real difference this year.

Mark Uncapher
Montgomery County Republican Chairman

One of the first tenets of Alcoholics Anonymous is the need for addicts to recognize problem drinking. That allows them to stop and to begin the recovery process. Would that Maryland officials have reached that point in recognizing the state's spending problem. Instead, they celebrate, like last week when discredited credit ratings agencies reaffirmed the state's AAA rating, the highest possible. This will allow Maryland to borrow money cheaply and delay hard budget choices by sinking further into debt.

Treasurer Nancy Kopp called the credit reaffirmations "significant" and a recognition of "good public fiscal management" even as the prior weekend the co-chairmen of President Barack Obama's debt and deficit commission called state debt "a cancer" and something they cannot tax or grow their way out of.

Gov. Martin O'Malley used the opportunity to once again compare Maryland to other states. "Since January, we've added 38,000 jobs to Maryland payrolls, a growth rate twice that of the rest of the nation. And Maryland's unemployment rate remains about 25 percent below the national average," he said. To show the full extent of leadership's denial, legislators created a commission in the 2010 legislative session to study what should be done to address massive unfunded pension liability that will strangle the state's ability to pay for core services in coming years. Together with unfunded health care liabilities, the bill is over $30 billion. The group has yet to meet.

Here is why officials and legislators need to stop patting themselves on the back and spending money the state does not have:

Credit ratings agencies are as credible as Bill Clinton is faithful. They accelerated the housing crisis by giving high ratings to mortgage-backed securities based on no documentation and fraudulent loans. As Michael Lewis pointed out in "The Big Short," they gave AAA ratings on bonds backed by migrant workers, housekeepers and others making less than $20,000 a year holding $750,000 mortgages.

Even Wall Street bankers didn't take them seriously. "Guys who can't get a job on Wall Street get a job at Moody's (Investors Service)" was one of many derogatory quotes Lewis mined from sources describing the quality of the people at the agencies. "Brain dead" was another description of agency employees.

The state is in serious trouble. While the ratio of Maryland's $9.5 billion of outstanding bond debt to personal income falls within arbitrary "affordability" guidelines, it does not take into account the $30 billion in unfunded pension and health care liabilities and $40 billion in unfunded transportation projects. And don't forget the billions more in debt offered by hospitals, nonprofits and other groups through the state that taxpayers could be held liable for if any of those groups default. If taxpayers can bail out Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort, they will be on the hook for other allegedly privately financed projects.

To fix the problem, legislators should fully fund state employee pensions and health care in next year's budget. They should also refuse to include as revenue potential federal dollars like the nearly $400 million expected for Medicaid this year that will likely not arrive. These changes would force state leaders to confront the truth, something they have been denying for decades.

Marta Mossburg is a senior fellow at the Maryland Public Policy Institute. Contact her at: mmossburg@mdpolicy.org

Union Rally Proclaims State House "Owned" by Special Labor Interests

The Baltimore Sun reported labor union leaders believe with Martin O'Malley as Governor that their unions OWN the State House property:

"Joslyn "Josh" Williams, president of the Metropolitan Washington Council of AFL-CIO..."Are we going to let our piece of property be taken over?" he asked.

"No!" enthusiastic O'Malley supporters replied."

Think that they were speaking rhetorically? Think again. Last May the Seante Republican Slate Committee reported how the President of AFSCME parked in a spot reserved solely for the Governor of Maryland at the bottom of the steps of the State House. If a regular Marylander parked here, they would be ticketed and towed almost immediately.

Moreover, you may remember that at the request of unions, O'Malley pushed for The Fair Share Act. The Fair Share Act allowed unions to require union dues from non-members. O'Malley's liberal allies in the State Senate including Senators Astle, DeGrange, Dyson, Garagiola, Kasemeyer, Klausmeier, Miller and Robey all voted for The Fair Share Act because evidently they, too, believe the unions own the State House property.

Who do you believe owns the State House: the People of Maryland or Martin O'Malley, John Astle, Ed DeGrange, Roy Dyson, Rob Garagiola, Ed Kasemeyer, Kathy Klausmeier, Mike Miller and Jim Robey's special interests?

Ehrlich and Kane cut the ribbon at their Montgomery County HQs

Kane poses for a picture with supporters.

America has always been a country of immigrants, and most people agree that this is a good thing. Many of us are children, grandchildren or great grandchildren of immigrants. But in the old days, when our ancestors came to America from other countries, they desired to assimilate with American culture, and most of them struggled to do so. Here is an excerpt from a speech given by Teddy Roosevelt in 1907:

'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin.

But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.'

Chairman Shelley Ellington is seeking clubs and campaigns that can help cover shifts in the Republican tent.

Potential volunteers should contact Shelley at sdellington56@msn.com

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

Bond-Rating Delusions

Unions Proclaim State House "Owned" by Labor Interests

Ehrlich-Kane Open Headquarters in Rockville

The New Immigrants

Montgomery County Fair Tent Volunteers Sought

Receptionist and Administrative Help Needed

Learn About GOP Candidates

Upcoming Events

Next Precinct Training Aug 10

Help Wanted!

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

Come to the Grand Old Picnic!
Sunday August 29, Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Smokey Glen Farm
16407 Riffle Ford Road
Gaithersburg, MD

Tickets: $35.00 Adults,
$25 children 3-11
Free children under 3
Pay Online!

For more information, e-mail event chairman Denise Siegel at
desiegel@cvty.com or call 301-581-5897

Meet Republican candidates, mingle with GOP friends and enjoy great picnic food, including barbequed chicken, burgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings.
See you there!

Upcoming Events 

MCYR Pool Party
Saturday, July 31st, 1:00 - 5:00
Amberlea Farm
14200 Dufief Mill Road
North Potomac, MD
Location Phone: 301-762-7214
Contact: Mike Gibble
president@mcyr.org

MCGOP First Monday
August 2nd, 7:30 - 9:00
Montgomery County Republican HQ
15833 Crabbs Branch Way,
Rockville, Md 20855
The first Monday evening of each month The Montgomery County GOP hosts an event in which Republicans can meet candidates and discuss concerns and ideas.

The first Monday evening of each month The Montgomery County GOP hosts an event in which Republicans can meet candidates and discuss concerns and ideas.
In August Gus Alzona will conduct a presentation "How to manage a credible campaign on a shoestring budget"
He will cover subjects ranging from the use of new technologies (internet, etc.), handling the press/media relations, how not to abuse your volunteers, sign-waving, message conveyance, etc
Mark Uncapher, mark@uncapher.net Mark Uncapher
mark@uncapher.net

Prince George's County Lincoln Day Dinner
August 3, 6-9 PM
Speaker: Congressman Thaddeus McCotter
Location: Comfort Inn Conference Center
4500 Crain Highway
Bowie, MD
Location Phone: 301-464-0089
Contact: Heather Olsen
hlolsen@yahoo.com
301-459-2580

Montgomery County Young Republicans
Happy Hour
Thursday, August 5th, 5:30 - 7:30
Location varies
Contact: Michael Gibble
president@mcyr.org

Volunteer Orientation &
Precinct Training Session
Saturday August 10, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 Noon
MCGOP Headquarters
15833 Crabbs Branch Way Rockville, MD
Contact Dan Cuda at 301-926-1095

Montgomery County Young Republicans
Membership Meeting
Tuesday, August 17th, 7:30 pm
Growlers of Gaithersburg
Contact: Michael Gibble
president@mcyr.org

Grand Old Party Picnic
Sunday August 29th, 12 noon
Smokey Glen Farm
16407 Riffle Ford Road
Gaithersburg, MD
Tickets: $35.00 for adults;
$25 for children 3 to 11; children under 3 free. (no pets allowed)
Pay Online!

National Federation of Republican Women
Annual Conference
September 10 - 13
Orlando, Florida

Rural Women's Republican Club
Saturday Night in the Country
October 9th 5:00 pm (dinner at 7:00)
Location: Isaac Walton on West Willard Road in Poolesville.
Featuring singing auctioneer Anne Lynn to run the fun auction of neat stuff.

Precinct Training Session
Saturday, August 10

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