After a much needed-week off to recover from a sinus infection, your blogger spent the week away from her computer catching up on her reading. She didn't read a single email or write any blog posts. The rest was much needed.
Tonight, we are live blogging the Wake County Convention, at 7:18 p.m. at the Daniels Middle School Auditorium in Raleigh.
Wake County Chairman David Robinson, also a candidate for state party chairman, introduced a speaker from the Media and Public relations committee who stated that the main goal of that group was to take back the Wake County school board, "which has been all over the papers this week". Your blogger notes that the Wake County schools are one of the state's worst and your blogger's child will never darken the door of a government school here.
Ron Margiotta is the lone conservative member of a very liberal Wake County School Board. Margiotta asked for our help in voting on more fellow conservatives to join him on the Board. Margiotta noted the current public dissatisfaction with the Board. He emphasized that we need to continue that momentum all the way to October. Margiotta also supported smaller school districts, which he argued would be more responsive to the parents in their communities. He also thanked Wake County GOP Chairman David Robinson for his support.
Ron stated that County Sheriff Donnie Harrison was one of the best sheriffs in North Carolina. Ron called Sheriff Harrison a hero. Ron wants to gives this county "back to its parents and the taxpayers." Ron joked that he was shocked by all the liberals and leftists in this county when he moved here. He said he had expected "a bunch of Russell Capps and Donnie Harrisons".
Former Guilford County GOP Chairman Marcus Kinley claimed to be the best qualified candidate running for NCGOP Chairman. He claimed to be a great fundraiser. He bragged about running his own business, as a stock broker. He claimed to have great skills in customer service. He talked about how the GOP has strayed from its principles. Marcus said he had no motives for political advancement beyond NCGOP Chairman. He was very long winded.
Chad Adams (left), formerly of the John Locke Foundation roused the audience. He said he is the only NCGOP Chairman candidate to have visited every NC county. He took credit for defeating numerous land transfer tax initiatives. He also stated he wanted to be a "full time Chairman" with no other motives to use this office as a stepping stone. He said he was not the status quo candidate, but the candidate of "fundamental change".
Bill Randall (right), of Wake Forest, is retired military and is upset that the
GOP has conceded the black vote both in North Carolina and nationally. This is wrong as many blacks are just as conservative as anyone else. We have to expand our base. He added that "we as a nation have forgotten God". He stated that we are now ashamed to even mention our faith and say "one man, one woman, one lifetime," and the "sanctity of life" are vital.
Former Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer said the greatest problem this country faced was how both parties have strayed away from the principles of small government. He also argued that as a country, we've strayed from properly following our Constitution.
Fetzer (right) reminisced of how he became the first Republican mayor of Raleigh in 1993 and how the conservatives changed things in Wake County. He also spoke of the need to re-elect Senator Richard Burr, his college roommate and close friend.
He said we must take ground from the Democrats and we must do it by raising money. Fetzer says he's raised millions and millions of dollars. We also need to recruit the best candidates. Finally, we must build the best grassroots organization. Fetzer urged us to make sacrifices that we'll need to accomplish our goals.
Newly-elected Wake County Chairman, Claude Pope honored now-former County Chairman Robinson and his team with kudos and his vision for the future including taking on liberal Raleigh mayor, Charles Meeker. Your blogger wishes Pope and his new team all the success in the world.
Editor's Note: All Photos by Katy Benningfield, copyright 2009. Additionally, Rob Benningfield contributed to this report.
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