I got a call the other day from Ariel, our new region chair about an opportunity to work for Tom Lee at the Orange County Republican Executive Committee Lincoln Day Dinner. At the time I thought this might be a good opportunity for me to get out and meet some more Movers and Shakers.

To my surprise I saw several of our YRs there as well. Michael Patterson, Adam LoveJoy, Heidi Watzak, Abby Birch, and our representative from Tom Feeney’s office. Several of them were there working for candidates as well. This is a great showing for our club.

There were also several other representatives from Seminole County. Sandy Adams, Jim and Virginia Baumford, Sandy and her girls, Mike Ertel, and several others.

Pretty much all the major candidates for office were there including Katherine Harris, Will McBride, Peter Monroe for Senate. Also spotted were Bill McCollum and Joe Negron for Attorney General. And of course Randy Johnson and Tom Lee for CFO.

The Marco Rubio, Speaker of the House of Florida was the keynote for the evening. I was very impressed with this Young Republican. He is truly an example we should all apire to.

Probably the best part of the evening for me was meeting Katherine Harris and eating Dinner with Tom Lee at Table 2. When I got home I kicked myself for not getting Katherine’s autograph. But I hope to see her on the campaign trail again in the near future. When the evening was over Tom thanked me for coming out to help and gave me a hug. Now that’s a candidate I’d vote for!

As predicted yesterday, many liberals have been spotted crying in their milk. They just can’t bring themselves to say one good thing about the death of Zarqawi. Yesterday on the evening news, they all seemed to come out in favor of the attack. But that was when they had a camera staring at them in the face. Cowards!

But only a few hours later when talking to the paper or writing their blogs their attitudes had changed. I guess that’s so they can say” I was for it before I was against it.”

Here are a few of the comments reported in papers and blogs. Nancy Pelosi comments can be seen on the News page.

The comments below are what liberals really think about the killing of Zarqawi yesterday but didn’t have the guts to say to a tv camera.

"This is just to cover Bush’s [rear] so he doesn’t have to answer” for Iraqi civilians being killed by the U.S. military and his own sagging poll numbers, "Iraq is still a mess — get out." -Rep. Pete Stark, California Democrat.

Zarqawi was a small part of "a growing anti-American insurgency" and that it’s time to get out.
"We’re there for all the wrong reasons," -Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, Ohio Democrat

As the civilized world justly celebrates the long overdue killing of Abu M al-Zarqawi, it must recall that his death was brought about by what has come to be known as “targeted assassination” or "targeted killings." This is the same technique that has been repeatedly condemned by the international community when Israel has employed it against terrorists who have murdered innocent Jews.- Alan Dershowitz

I suspect this will only get worse in the days to come. As all Democrats seem to know is doom and gloom. Their leader Nancy Pelosi is already using this as a stepping stone as part of a larger debate on the war in Iraq. (ie. reasons to bring the troops home immediately).

But we as Americans and Republicans need to stand for Freedom at all costs. The founders did no less. In the famous words of Patrick Henry, “Give me liberty or give me death.”

Just Yesterday, I was forced to watch the movie Uncovered, a moveon.org anti-war, anti-Bush film about Iraq. And again, I found myself defending our President, our troops and the war on terror.

This morning I woke up to the wonderful news that terror mastermind Al-Zarqawi, Bin Laden’s #2 guy was dead. This is a good Day for Freedom, A Bad Day for Liberals.

Liberals who refuse to acknowledge that the war in Iraq is part of the larger war on terror. And further refuse to acknowledge Al Qaeda’s presence in Iraq. Today they are crying in their milk. Because their case is weak once again. Everything that liberals have professed about this war is about to be exposed as a lie.

The confirmed kill of Zarqawi is good for Iraqis who’s freedom has been further extended. And I rejoice with them in that freedom. And it is good for our troops- who work hard to secure our freedom daily. And I am grateful for their sacrifice. And it is also good for Bush. And I am glad for his unwavering position.

But more than that I hope this restores American’s confidence in our President. He deserves nothing less tha our respect and support. If we can get the #2 guy, the #1 guy can’t be far behind. And because of that I stand today defending our President, our troops and the war in terror.

Over the weekend we sent a full delegation of 5 to the FFYR Annual Convention in Boca Raton. That Delegation included: our President, Jason Brodeur, our Vice President, Clay Archey, Past President, Alex Setzer, Webmaster, Jennifer S. Wilson, and member Michael Patterson.

The convention started off with a bang when we attended the Lincoln Day Gala and saw perhaps the most powerful man in Washington, Mr. Karl Rove. I was moved by his speech and it was an honor just to be in his presence. But the best part of the evening for me wasright before we went in to the dinner. We had just finished standing for a picture with him when I turned around he was shaking hands and greeting several people in our group. I reached out my hand and said Hi. He greeted me with a smile and shook my hand. His grip was indicative of his personality powerful and firm and something that we all as Republicans should strive for.

In Rove’s speech he referred to the It Factor: When you’re it everyone wants to be it and talk to it. And that night Karl was it.

But while Rove was the biggest dignitary we met, he was not the only one. Over the weekend, the YRs met, and talked to some very powerful people in Florida as well. Some of the candidates that we rubbed shoulders with included: Peter Monroe, Joe Negron, Randy Johnson, and Tom Lee.

Joe Negron, candidate for Attorney General gave a great speech at lunch on Saturday. His name was on everyone’s mind when we voted in the straw poll. And thus he beat out Bill McCollum in the poll almost 2:1.

The Senate Race was a statistical dead heat with McBride receiving 37.1% of the vote and Harris receiving 35.5%. These two candidates were only separated by one vote.

In the CFO race, Tom Lee edged out over Randy Johnson. This was mostly a comment on the candidates style.

The weekend was full and informative. Besides shaking hands and going to dinners, we got some recognition for our club. Jason attended the New Executive Committee Meeting and was elected to office. The Tropical Gala was fun but not all we hoped for. While we did not win any awards, we did bring home a consellation prize, the first annual FFYR Softball Tournament Trophy.

We did not let that get our spirit down. We resolved to come back to Miami next year in force and sweep the awards. But there was one award that we won hands down: Best After Parties. We were it. Our place was the the place to be. And everyone who was anyone was in our room.

Gov. Bush will be in Orlando this afternoon to sign the Doggy Dining Bill into law.

“The legislation gives local governments the authority to decide whether to let restaurants allow dogs to eat with their owners in outdoor dining areas. The bill started taking shape after many Orlando businesses started allowing dogs on outdoor patios- some even offering separate pet menus. State of Florida health inspectors ultimately shut down the practice, citing health code violations. Gov. Bush will hold the bill signing ceremony at Sam Snead’s near Lake Eola.”

Hopefully this legislation doesn’t come back to bite the Restaurant Owners in the butt. What if one of these dogs gets into a fight with another dog? or worse yet bites a patron? And just who is on poop partol? I can see the bus boys loving this one.
“Sir can you come over here and clean up this mess?”

It won’t be long till restaurants are forced to provide separate dining areas for people with dogs and people without.

While this may seem like a good idea on paper. I’m not sure I want to be sitting next to poochie drinking my cafe latte.