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Romney Wins Florida

January 31, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Romney’s negative campaign ads against Gingrich worked and helped him win Florida.

The campaign has been ugly on both sides in the last week, but it was Romney that struck first against Gingrich going after him on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Gingrich struck back pointing out Romney’s involvements with Fannie and Freddie and Goldman Sachs. This week it was revealed that Goldman Sachs was Romney’s primary campaign contributor yet nothing seemed to stick. In the end, Romney was able to outspend everyone in the state – running a well placed media campaign.

Romney won voters making over $100,000 and those who describe themselves as moderate or liberal. Conservatives and those who associate themselves with the Tea Party overwhelmingly voted for Gingrich. Evangelicals split evenly between Gingrich and Romney. Pro-choice people voted for Romney while pro-lifers voted for Gingrich. Voters believed that Gingrich is the only true conservative candidate but think that Romney is the only one to beat Obama.

Here’s how it broke down:

Romney: 47%
Gingrich: 32%
Santorum: 13%
Paul: 7%

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Perry Out, Endorses Gingrich

January 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Today Rick Perry announced that he is officially suspending his campaign for President.

Despite his warm greeting and initial surge in the polls, his poor debate performances caused his numbers to drop significantly. In the end, he was unable to garner enough support to stay in the race.

He had hoped to turn things around in South Carolina, with his southern connection, but he was unable to generate enthusiasm among voters there. In the end, he decided to endorse Newt Gingrich and return to his beloved state of Texas.

Newt was able to garner more support in South Carolina after his excellent debate performance earlier this week. Another debate is scheduled for tonight.

With Perry out, news of Romney’s offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands, and tapes from Newt Gingrich’s first wife surfacing, it is unclear how things are shaping up in South Carolina. But we will just have to watch Saturday to see who will come out the victor.

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Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.

January 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Martin Luther King, Jr. showed the nation that one does not have to be elected, wealthy or born with a great pedigree to leave an indelible mark on the nation and the world. Conviction was all Martin Luther King, Jr. brought to the fight of equality, yet look at the battle he waged! He was a grassroots activist.

Although primaries have already started and debates are still raging, let us remember that the fight is not over. Grassroots activists with a conviction as deep as Martin Luther King’s have the ability and responsibility to make a difference.

So go be active in your primaries, but remember in the fall we all join together for a common cause with a common purpose based in conviction and carried out in the grassroots.

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Huntsman Drops Out Before SC

January 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Today, Jon Huntsman officially dropped out of the race for President, just one week before the South Carolina primary, scheduled for January 21, 2012.

Huntsman’s campaign never gained traction, even in his home state of New Hampshire where is placed a disappointing third, despite all the time and money he spent there.

Despite his recent attacks on Mitt Romney, his campaign announced that he would be endorsing Romney for President.

Leaving the field with five candidates standing- Romney, Santorum, Paul, Perry, and Gingrich. Perry who finished near last in New Hampshire is hoping for a vault from the voters of South Carolina so that he can continue his campaign.

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Romney and Paul take NH

January 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Romney and Ron Paul were the clear winners in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday night. Romney was first with 39% of the vote, Paul second with 23% of the vote. They both capitalized on the independent vote, with New Hampshire’s open primary laws.

Huntsman who campaigned hard, spending lots of time and money in NH came in third with 17% of the vote. Gingrich and Santorum tied for fourth place receiving 9% of the vote.

Perry, bringing up the rear, received less than 1% of the vote. He is looking forward to South Carolina, where he hopes to do well with Southern voters.

South Carolina primary will be held on January 21.

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GOP Race Shapes Up in Iowa

January 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The Winners: Romney and Santorum practically tie in last night’s caucus result. Only 8 votes separated the two. The night was a bit disappointing for the Romney campaign who thought they had this all sewed up. But Santorum showed that he is a serious candidate and he has what it takes to win. Santorum capitalized on the values voters.

But don’t rule out Ron Paul who was able to get 25% of the vote. His campaign is highly organized and he has converted a lot of conservatives who are fed up with the status quo in Washington. As long as the media keeps ignoring him as a serious candidate Paul gathers more support.

The Losers: Gingrich, who came in a distant fourth blamed Romney and others for the negative ad attacks in the last few days. He is on to New Hampshire and he is out for blood, vowing to get back at Romney.

Perry, Bachmann and Hunstman are the big losers of the night who remained in single digits. Huntsman just pulling 1% of the vote. Perry is reassessing his campaign but says he will stay in till South Carolina- where he thinks he can connect with southern voters. Bachmann dropped out of the race but urged her supporters to keep the eye on the prize – occupying the White House in 2012.

New Hampshire votes January 10.

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Why Iowa First?

December 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

You can thank the Democrats and George McGovern for that. In 1968, a new rule change forced Iowa to hold its caucus before the New Hampshire primary. The caucus was moved up to allow time for printing of materials via mimeograph machine.

George McGovern, the dark horse in the race showed an impressive 2nd place finish in Iowa, launching his campaign and allowing him to clench the nomination for President.

In 1972 the Republicans moved their caucus date to coincide with the Democratic caucus. It has been first ever since.

Other states have challenged this rule in recent years. This will be Florida’s second challenge who moved their primary to January 31. The original date of the Iowa Caucus was scheduled for February. Iowa will now be voting on January 3, a month earlier than scheduled.

It is yet to be seen if Florida will be penalized for its latest move – especially since the GOP Nominating Convention will be held in Tampa, FL this August.

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2mo Payroll Tax Cut a Joke

December 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Independent Groups Agree a 60 Day Payroll Tax Cut Extension is “Unworkable”

• SHORT-TERM SENATE BILL “NOT WORKABLE”: “As lawmakers fought, payroll specialists told Congress on Monday that the two-month change in Social Security payroll tax rates envisioned in the Senate bill was not workable.” (New York Times, 12/20/11)

• “SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEMS, CONFUSION, & COSTS”: “Pete Isberg, president of the NPRC today wrote to the key leaders of the relevant committees of the House and Senate, telling them that ‘insufficient lead time’ to implement the complicated change mandated by the legislation means the two-month payroll tax holiday ‘could create substantial problems, confusion and costs affecting a significant percentage of U.S. employers and employees.’” (ABC News, 12/19/11)

• “UNPRECEDENTED COMPLICATIONS”: “Payroll processors are warning that a two-month payroll tax-cut extension passed by the U.S. Senate would be difficult to implement. … [T]he Senate-backed two-month extension of the tax cut that could create unprecedented complications.” (Bloomberg, 12/20/11)

• “CANNOT BE IMPLEMENTED PROPERLY”: “Officials from the policy-neutral National Payroll Reporting Consortium, Inc. have expressed concern to members of Congress that the two-month payroll tax holiday passed by the Senate and supported by President Obama cannot be implemented properly.” (ABC News, 12/19/11)

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New NLRB Rules Hurt Businesses

December 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In the past month the National Labor Relations Board formally adopted new rules which drastically hurt businesses by modifying representation and case handling procedures. The new rules go into effect April 30, 2012.

The Board adopted several provisions which limit an employer’s ability to challenge a unit’s appropriateness, penalize an employer if it does so, and essentially removes the Board from any involvement in a representation case until after an election takes place. This limits an employer’s free speech and due process rights by restricting its ability to communicate with employees after learning of union activity.

An employer’s ability to challenge a bargaining unit prior to an election is practically eliminated. With the inclusion of a reduced election period (potentially less than 25 days if units are challenged) the employer has a greatly reduced ability to educate employees on the costs and impact associated with joining a union once it is notified of an organizing effort.

Communication and training are key to avoiding the pitfalls associated with union organizing drives. Under the new rules, if you wait until a recognition petition arrives, it is already too late. Many times an organizing drive can be thwarted before it begins if you give employees an opportunity to learn the truth about organized labor.

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

December 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Christmas for my family has always been surrounded by anticipation. Welcoming family and friends on a frigid Christmas Eve in Chicago. Waking up and being pulled out of bed by my little girl excited to see what was under the tree. Enjoying the feeling of being in Church with those I hold most dear, rejoicing in the birth of Jesus.

Christmas is also about redemption and hope. All of us remember those who sacrifice and those who suffer, especially at this time. The men and women far from their loved ones sacrificing their special moments with their own family on Christmas, sacrificing so much so that we can be free. Others are hurting financially, not knowing where their next paycheck may come from.

Christmas gives us a reason to come together to step out into the world and make it better. As 2012 fast approaches, we know that together, we can make a difference for our Country and touch those who are hurting the most, to give them hope. I am excited about what the New Year will have in store, and the prospect of working with each and every one of you to make a positive impact on the lives of those who live in our County.

I, together with my family and our entire Board, would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May the Lord bestow every blessing upon you and your loved ones during this Holiday Season!

Al Schwarz, Chairman
Republican Party of Seminole County

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