The Monthly Speaker for March 21, 2019 will be: Alan Clarke - Reg. Field Coord. for The Leadership Institute.
Allen Clarke is Leadership Institute’s Regional Field Coordinator for Maryland, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, and New Jersey. In those states, Allen gives help and resources to the students and conservative groups who are actively involved on campus.
Before becoming a Regional Field Coordinator, Allen was LI's Field Representative for South Carolina where he was able to recruit more than one-thousand new students and ten new conservative groups into LI’s network.
Before coming to Leadership Insitute, Allen received his B.A. in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, with a minor in Political Science. While at Liberty, he was involved in the Washington Fellowship Program. During his fellowship, Allen interned for Congressman Scott Rigell (VA02) where he also helped on Congressman Rigell’s re-election campaign. In addition to his internship, Allen was sent to Alaska by the Dan Sullivan for Senate campaign to help the staff.
The Luncheon Speaker for Thursday, February 21, 2019 was:
Jack Wilson - Chairman, Republican Party of Virginia
Jack Wilson began his discussion with providing some personal background information which highlighted the fact that he has been active in GOP politics since his college days. In his discussion he highlighted a three point program for the resurgence of the GOP in Virginia.
First, is the unification of the party with emphasis of support by all candidates for current candidates, and support for the core issues. The vetting of new candidates and those running for re-election must be unity. They will be asked for their support of the party platform (planks) before selection is confirmed.
Second, is the registration of new voters who will vote for GOP candidates. A goal is 100,000 new registrations. He stated that while voting districts are all the same size, that identification of probable GOP voters in the districts is key to success.
Third; Increased and better messaging to women and minorities in general. The party cannot be seen as the party of "no" and must move forward showing the numerous ways in which we are better for many reasons than the high tax ways of the democrats. He said a goal is to reach out and gain the support of 20% of the African American community by speaking and messaging them. He stated the current "Richmond Debacle" can only help this as it shows the hypocrisy of all three.
Jack briefly discussed the Notham-FAirfax-Herring issues, and said that the RPV took stands early on, strangely in concert with most of the democratic organizations and their leaders.
Question #1- Please provide some information about the redistricting plans.
This is an ongoing problem where the dems believe they can continue to redistrict until they can virtually assure them selves of a large majority in both Houses. The court issues, and the continued gerrymandering just has to be dealt with.
Question #2- What are some of the issues dividing the GOP legislators?
The majority are holding the line on taxes, although some want their pet projects to be funded from the surplus whereas the majority want money back to the taxpayers. The ERA amendment is a tough one for some members as they have a vocal voter base.
Question #3- What is RPV plan to support local units?
Advocating for use of the RNC database to identify voters. Its accuracy is far better than previous DB and actually was able to predict the closeness of the Florida governor and senate races. There will be help for the registering of voters.
Question #4- Why didn't the RPV take an offensive position on Northam?
The RPV did ask for his resignation once he admitted the photo. Also for Fairfax and Herring. There were press releases and radio talk show airings. The RPV is pushinh on Northam and Herring, and various press releases seemed to have cause a significant swing in a Northern VA election where the dem pulled 15% less voter margin than usual in a stronghold area.
Question #5- Comments please on primaries versus conventions.
Primaries force the party message to go out to very large numbers, where convention may only be 1-2 thousand. He said that primaries are often a very good way to highlight the core issues/differences in platforms.
Question #6- It seems like because the GOP and Republicans have principles that they adhere to, that this is pulling the party down. That said, the dems have none and their voters seem to have no memories. What can be done?
The democrats have a unique talent of making people forget all of their bad things, bringing everybody into lock-step mode, and then saying whatever they think a group of voters wants to hear. The GOP cannot do this. The have business sense along with a conscience. The media supports the democrat rhetoric all the time. It makes headlines. The Republicans need to be talking and showing these changes of opinions and positions every chance given.
Question #7- Why can we not get elected Republicans to be Pro Trump?
Great question! Unlike the dems, we have people who have individual opinions and are trying to capture everyone as their supporters. This a lot of folks, and is fueled by the dems, who seem to have endless TV time to highlight those who would stray from the Trump camp on any issue.
