My plan is simple. I want to win as many Republican seats as possible in 2011 and 2012. I am squarely on the GOP team. I do believe in every word of the 2010 NC GOP Platform. I have listened to Rush Limbaugh since 1988 and have been a registered Republican since I first registered to vote in 1983. I would hope that all of our candidates would believe in the GOP Platform, too.
We all know the nation can’t survive without some strong fiscal, Conservative leadership being put in place. Obama cannot be re-elected! And we know every vote counts. The Democrats are organizing. They are coming for our children. We need to get busy.
When I moved here 7 years ago, I went directly to the GOP headquarters building across from the courthouse to get involved. I was somewhat welcomed, but found there was no activity. I couldn’t get a good handle on the dates for meetings or anything. Nothing was printed or published. And no one called. In January of 2010, I went back. I have taken the Republican member seat I am entitled to – welcome or not. I’m not going anywhere. I have been active for one year and I have seen the ill effects of this exclusive group on new people trying to get involved. Many Republicans are concerned and engaged, this is not the time to put up the barriers around the party. This is the time to throw open the doors and roundly welcome everyone inside. Democrats are leaving their party. Unaffiliated voters are registering as Republicans. We all want change. We want to help. I don’t care who the chairman is, I just want something productive to do.
I have felt very welcomed by Burke GOP, Forsyth GOP, Catawba GOP, and Iredell GOP and even at the State Convention where I had many friends. Yes, I travel out of town to good GOP meetings. I have asked many people in this group many times how I could help, but my offers were not received. I watched as the 2010 Primary was coming up and there was little activity and no information on candidates, except word of mouth (reliable or not). I jumped into the TEA Party with both feet just to learn and give the process a voice for the people. Not to undermine the GOP, but to bolster it and push it into some kind of meaningful activity.
I’ve never really felt welcome in the Caldwell County Republican Party. Many I know never came back to meetings, because of the obvious barrier to new people. There is no shared work within the group. In fact, there is no work going on in this group – except Gary Whisnant’s efforts. I don’t see him being rewarded or praised by Ron. (There is obvious division there.) There is nearly no communication from the Executive Committee to the members – you have to work hard to get information. I’ve even been intentionally misled by some. Sadly, as I have gotten to know many on the Executive Committee, they confide in me that Ron never calls them and they don’t know what’s going on. I wouldn’t be running for this position if I saw a well organized and active party, but I don’t. I talked to so many people about running, none would. So I am running.
At the ladies meetings, where the fund raising is really supposed to happen for the party, events are planned, re-scheduled, put off, and then canceled. Kay shakes her finger at the 8 or 10 of us who attend the meetings and lectures us all like errant children. If you’re not thick skinned, you won’t last in this group. There is NO work being done there either, because work is not being shared. I know Kay is overwhelmed, but all she has to do is ask. She claims she asks, but she doesn’t. She always says, “Well, I’ll get back to you on it.” And nothing happens. One example of rejected participation: I was working on a nice website for the ladies club after the 1/24 meeting, but it was discovered before it was complete. I had planned to present it at the 2/28 meeting and give it to the club. I would make any changes they wanted. The presentation would be complete with passwords and admin rights available for anyone interested at the meetings, so that many of us could post and update the site to keep us all informed and up to date. This type of shared work wouldn’t over burden one person and could potentially be a lot of fun. One of our biggest problems in the group is there is no communication. As for the website I made, Kay blasted the “illegal website” at the last Executive Committee meeting and made me take it down. SHE didn’t want it. I was only trying to help. Who wouldn’t want a free website?
I want to utilize everyone’s strengths for the good of the party (Caldwell County GOP). Gary has many strengths, like networking. Ron has many strengths. Ben Griffin has many strengths including good decision making. The Austin family has given so much time energy. I hear Sam Yearkick has fabulous fund raising talents. The younger members of the party have unique strengths. The older generation in the party has deep wisdom that cannot be over looked. The pool of talent and strengths is vast in this group, but each should be recognized for their strengths and allowed to shine – to make the whole party better. No one will be turned away. I don’t want to tear apart the Caldwell County Republican Party, I simply want to energize it and grow it.
Fund raising will be key in the next presidential election. We all know the Dem’s/Soros are going to pour billions of dollars into the election. Events, events, and more fun events need to occur to attract new members and retain old ones. This county is 44% Republican and we should have more than 20 people at a meeting AND IT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 30 minutes, especially during an election cycle.
I think it was wholly unfair to all the Republicans in this county for Ron not to announce the Feb. 21st precinct meetings at the Feb. 8th meeting and not to make them widely known. Instead, the meetings were a surprise to everyone. Ron knew about the meetings that night. They cheated me as much as the cheated everyone else in Caldwell County. That’s not open and transparent leadership.
We must “stand on principle and never be out worked,” 25-year old Josh Mandel, Ohio Treasurer of State, said no truer words at CPAC 2010. These words inspire me to the depths of my core.
I do not have any plans of “us” verses “them” after the election, that was merely shorthand for possible votes for me. I will not divide the party. If I should be lucky enough to win, I put behind us the problems of the past and begin a new journey towards an active, vital party and more Republicans in office.
I will travel on behalf of the county GOP. I will keep an open line of communication between me and the executive committee AS WELL AS THE MEMBERS. I have no desire to rule in darkness, but only in the light of day with the consent of all.
We all know the country can’t survive without strong fiscal, Conservative leadership being put in place. Obama cannot be re-elected! And we know every vote counts. The Democrats are organizing. They are coming for our children. What will we do? Re-elect Ron?
Respectfully,Christine Gates
abcgates3 [at] yahoo [dot] com 754-8039 Please ask, if you have any questions or concerns. “Silence gives consent.” ~Pope Boniface VII “Evil flourishes when good men do nothing.” ~Sir Edmund Burke
“The greatest tyrannies are always perpetrated in the name of the noblest causes.” –Thomas Paine
“History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower
Caldwell TEA Party 
Christine,
Wow, your message is ditto in my county. We had a one chair show going on here. On top of that our building collapsed in 2009 and still isn’t built. We have been fortunate to have a building donated to the GOP in 1987. Poor as a church mouse and just as quiet.
I too am running for chair in Polk County. One of my members of the 912 Project is running as vice-chair. We are not interested in turning it into a “Tea Party”. Our interest is making the GOP a group of the “community”. So many ideas and would love to share them with you.
We have our convention this Saturday. Even though there are the “old” GOP not thrilled about me running, they have relented. It is imperative that we start from the ground up to save our State and Federal government from the tyranny.
Good luck to you and I will keep you in my prayers for the convention Caldwell.
Debbie A.
Amen, Debbie!
It has been readily apparent to me as well, that from coast-to-coast, at local, state and national levels the GOP is long on great intentions, but woefully short on follow-through. Victory in 2010 was largely the result of Tea Party activists that held candidates feet to the fire. Already we’re seeing too little resolve and too thin-skinned reactions from our newly elected leaders. In the words of ‘Ronaldus Magnus’, this is no time for pale pastels, but strong colors in focus and leadership. I would be happy to help you in any way, and would cherish a real opportunity to help turn this nation around quickly, as it truely is almost passed the point of no return. Turf wars and hard feelings are irrelevant in the times we now face. Leaders must rise to the occassion and LEAD. The people will follow if we give them something to look to and strive for. Americans of all walks of life are waking up to the reality we have all allowed to happen by complacency, distraction and brainwashing. Call me/e-mail me and let’s get the hard work of saving America under way now while there’s still time! Respectfully, Ben Simpson. Blowing Rock, NC. 268-4340. 295-6700
Thank you, Ben. I will call you.
Want to be Party Chairman here is what you get for all your hard work. But if you still want it I wish you nothing but good luck. Just keep in mind no one will give it to you. You will have to take it.
WANTED
Position Available:
Local political organization seeks chairman / manager. Qualified candidate must be willing to work an average of 50 hours a week and be on call 24/7. Please note: “selected candidate must be able to provide own phone, pager, car, insurance office space and expense monies.”
This Individual should have a minimum of four years of political campaign background in both local and state politics. Several years of proven recent fund raising experience; strong leadership abilities; a solid background in budgeting and strategic planning; outstanding communication and organizational skills; and the ability to speak before audiences of 5 to 500.
It would be a tremendous plus if this person also has computer, digital camera, scanner, printer, and has extensive experience in publishing, direct mail, data base development, Internet, e-mail and other business-related software. Professional blogging and website development experience would be a plus.
This individual will be expected to attend early morning {7 A.M.} and late night {9-10 P.M.} meetings daily / weekly. The qualified candidate will assist other board members in short and long term planning on behalf of the local and state party organization. This person will also manage the organizations extensive volunteer base {25,000 members} and should be willing to attend all volunteer committee meetings. This individual will have a proven track record in the development and implementation of all special events and fundraisers held on behalf of the organization.
This candidate must also comprise character, moral strength, an outstanding personality, and be insensitive and willing to accept without retaliation personal attacks from RINO’s, whining party members, unqualified lazy losing candidates, and liberal news journalists.
All interested applicants should contact {ASAP} the Burke County Republican Party for IMMEDIARE consideration. The BCGOP is an equal opportunity employer and will place into consideration all individuals including but not limited to individuals of all races, nationally, religions, and recently exiled liberal democrats.
Benefits include an opportunity to speak at the annual Lincoln Day Dinner {which you must also organize as outlined above}; and that warm fizzy feeling that comes with this position. Sorry we do not offer salary or additional benefits at this time.
Donnie, I am so in!!!! I am very willing to do all these things. Thanks for outlining the job. 🙂
You have my full support. I know how dedicated and tenacious you are, and you will be a great addition to any cause you choose to tackle. I fully agree that apathy is apparent at all levels of government, and I am really proud of and inspired by you. If we all put in half the effort that you do, we could solve our problems.
Christine:
Best of luck on your run. I value people who want to serve, whether or not I agree with them on all issues.
One question, what do you mean by: “They are coming for our children”?
That is a great question, Don. What I mean by “They are coming for our children” is the Democrats are coming for our adult children’s votes. The Left focuses so much energy to win their hearts and minds in school and on social media with emotional, and as I see it, flawed arguments. They want their votes. It is the challenge of a lifetime to earn the young adult vote in 2012.
Your avatar clearly demonstrates your mindset: a fluffy with an AK 47. That’s sick; as is your claim that the democrats are coming for our children.
I’m an independent, but after reading this piece of garbage I’m going to look elsewhere for leadership.
Thank you, Tony. We are all entitled to our own opinions. I like my light-hearted avatar.
I don’t understand what is sick about saying “democrats are coming for our children”? I am referring to Dem’s wanting our adult children’s votes. You can’t deny the Left works hard for the young people’s votes. I don’t think that is sick, why do you?
Please keep your reply respectful, so we can continue this dialog.
Well, you can’t make everyone happy but I am in full support of Christine as being a positive improvement to the Republican cause and great for Americanism in our Country and County. It has taken the Tea Party to help put a backbone in the Republican Party and to remind how serious the problems are for our Nation. While surely the Democrats are having misguided (“progressive” socialist, marxist, communist) bad impacts for our U.S. Republic — it is to say that the Neocon ideology of the Republicans has also made for bad results. Having the Republicans stay the same and doing things in the same way will produce the same bad results. We should be striving to be Constitutionalists with sound principles.
Someone commented: ==============================
“We all know the Dem’s/Soros are going to pour billions of dollars into the election.”
What about all of the big corporations like Koch Industries who spend quite a bit more money than Soros/the Democratic Party? How do you feel about them trying to manipulate voters into fighting for causes which benefit their own interests instead of the average working class American? Is that deception tolerable since they pretend to care about conservative social issues while manipulating you? Do you think it is acceptable for them to buy elections since they continuously mention the three Gs – God, Guns, and Gays? Unfortunately, it seems you are being distracted and manipulated in order to benefit big businesses. Not that it really matters terribly much on a county level, however. But it is a terrifying microcosm of the misinformation in this country.
=======================my reply
Since this person’s email address is “spam@…..com” I am not going to approve your comment, but I will post it and comment about it.
I am in favor the freedom of any one spending more for whatever reason they choose. The Koch brothers are American-born, Conservative patriots. Soros is a non-American who has worked collapsed the monetary systems in several European countries (UK, Greece, Romania, etc…) The mere fact the Soros funds any political organization in America should send up red flags with the Federal Elections Commission, but Clinton/Gore set the precedent for raising foreign campaign funds. That, by the way, was buying votes. China bought Clinton’s Most Favored Nation trading status with Charlie Wong’s bundled campaign funds.
I choose to read and follow causes that it its alleged the Koch brothers support like FreedomWorks. I support their ideology of smaller government, lower taxes, and personal responsibility. I am not being manipulated, I just agree. I choose not to follow or read any information put out by Soros and all the groups he funds like Organizing for America, MoveOn.org, etc…. The reason I don’t is simple: I don’t agree with their ideology.
Koch and FreedomWorks is not buying anyone’s votes with ideology they already agree with. Your understanding of “vote buying” is incorrect. Votes are bought with promises of free healthcare, more unemployment benefits, free access to universities, more public school goodies, more benefits in the hands voters, subsidies, bailouts, Cash for Clunkers, and the list goes on.
The Conservative movement isn’t “buying votes” from anyone when they say – you need to be more responsible for your own life. But from a Christian point of view, that resonates with hardworking, decent, people who want to keep more of their own money and make their own decisions on where to spend it.
Pingback: GOP Convention SATURDAY 8:30am | Caldwell TEA Party