Convention Shortened Due to Gustav
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Notes from Sunday, August 31
Around here there are opportunities to attend a myriad of functions that involve a meal (breakfast or lunch) and a celebrity. The celebrities are people like Mary Madelyn and Jon Voight. Conservative leaders are all over the place as well, from Newt Gingrich to Anne Coulter.
This Monday is going to be a scary proposition for Gulf Coast residents and the political leadership in Gustav affected states.
The Convention has been abbreviated from 10 hours to about two. The two hours will be perfunctory tasks.
One is to adopt the Platform that was completed last Wed.
The platform was already setting the tone for an outstanding convention to give Sen. McCain a strong document. The next day was the announcement of Gov. Sarah Plain, which has been received with phenomenal enthusiasm around the convention and the incredible excitement around the country.
I’ll mention just a few lines from scattered places in the Platform Doc.
“All Americans should affirm that our first obligation is the security of our country. To all those who defend it, we owe our full support and gratitude.”
“Border security is essential to national security.”
“E-verify must be renewed and receive the federal government’s full support. It does not mean a national ID card.”
“It does not mean a driver’s license for illegal aliens…. we oppose amnesty.”
“To protect our service men and women and ensure that America’s Armed Forces remain the best in the world, we affirm the timelessness of those values, the benefits of the traditional military culture, and the incompatibility of homosexuality with military service.”
“We simply must draw more American oil from American soil if we are to have the resources we need to achieve energy independence.” Sarah Palin as VP could bring ANWAR back into serious consideration.
I believe, and I have heard many say that this platform is both the most conservative platform and the most forward thinking platform in the history of the Republican Party.
The Senate Republican Caucus will send you a copy of the platform upon request, or you can click here to go to the 2008 Platform online.
Stay tuned for more timely information from Minn.
Senator Mike Fair
Palin Pick for McCain VP
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Notes from Friday, August 29
Obviously, the buzz of the day is about Senator John McCain’s vice presidential pick - Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. I can tell you that the people I have spoke with about Senator McCain’s choice have been very excited. As I wrote earlier in the week I have noticed a real sense of excitement growing as the week progressed and today’s announcement only added to the excitement. This was a real GRAND SLAM choice for Senator McCain.
I am sure there will be more than enough information about Gov. Palin available through other media sources, but here are just a few of the things that people are excited about in relation to her.
1. She brings an exciting element to the ticket.
2. She has cut taxes and fought corruption in state government.
3. She pushed through a strong ethics reform bill in Alaska.
4. She supports exploring our natural resources in an effort to gain energy independence.
5. She is an avid sportswoman that understands the need to protect the environment.
6. She will be a tremendous boost to the American family.
7. She is a strong Pro-Life advocate, and is a mother of five.
8. Her oldest son is a member of the armed forces. (He will be heading to Iraq on Sept. 11)
9. May appeal to disenfranchised voters from the other party.
Senator McCain’s move today provides the Republican Party with a new boost of energy and excitement. Click here for more information.
Conservative Values Core of 2008 Republican Platform
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The Republican party is known to be the “conservative” party. However, the platform will surprise some as to just how conservative it is. Here are just a few of the amendments passed today.
1. The Mexico City Policy - This policy prohibits federal monies from being given to Non-Government Organizations that promote abortion as a method of family planning in other countries.
2. We support a commitment to continued clean-coal production and utilization.
3. We support strengthening our connections with both Canada and Mexico through increased trade and a continued development of our shared values and common purpose.
4. We support sanctions being expanded to all sectors in Iran, not just the energy sector.
5. We support Jerusalem being an undivided city and the capitol of Israel.
These are just a few examples that illustrate the committee’s commitment to conservative principles.
The convention begins next week and I expect it will demonstrate to the American people the level of enthusiasm that Republicans are experiencing nationwide about the conservative platform. The energy and excitement of the convention will also show the delight with which the McCain campaign is embracing these conservative principles.
The platform developed for 2008 is truly a grassroots-driven platform. The Republican Party conducted an extensive online effort to reach out to the American people and get their input on platform issues. This year’s platform has been significantly reduced from previous years. The working draft of the platform is 48 pages, whereas in years past it has grown to more than 100.
The platform is an easy to understand and readable document that outlines the core values of the Republican Party. You can find a link to the 2008 working draft of the platform draft by clicking here.
I’ll have more updates soon as we head into the convention.
Senator Mike Fair
Committee Work Begins
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The RNC released the official list of those serving on the PLATFORM COMMITTEE today. As I mentioned yesterday, I am the Co-Chair for the “Protecting Our Families, Preserving Our Values Subcommittee.” The subcommittee is being Chaired by Pennsylvania State Senator Jane Orie. She serves the 40th Senatorial District in Pennsylvania.
Just to give you an idea of how the process works. The PLATFORM COMMITTEE will produce the overall PLATFORM for 2008. Each subcommittee has the responsibility of producing resolutions that will be adopted to make up the PLATFORM. C-SPAN2 carried some of the committee hearings live.
U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) is the PLATFORM Committee Co-Chairman. I had a chance to speak with him earlier today, and he was kind enough to pose for the photo above.
One thing I have noticed is a growing enthusiasm among those working on the PLATFORM committee and it is spreading through everyone here. It seems that we are building momentum at a good time, as we head into the convention.
Here are a couple of highlights from the subcommittee’s work. I think most socially conservative Republicans will be pleased with the direction the PLATFORM is heading. A few topics discussed during the subcommittee included: law enforcement, rights of religious people in the market place, sanctity of human life and traditional marriage. We also had a couple of notable conservative Constitutional lawyers on our subcommittee: Jim Bopp from Indiana and Kelly Shackleford from Texas. We were very fortunate to have such a strong subcommittee.
I will say I personally feel the statements concerning the sanctity of human life are stronger than they have been in the past.
Overall, I think the work from our subcommittee will be well received by Republicans everywhere.
Look for more updates later.
Senator Mike Fair
