MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

This past election left us a little depressed and wounded but we must look on the brighter side. Although Tim Bee lost and several other candidates lost, including myself, we gained as a state more Republicans in both the Arizona House and Senate. With the possible departure of Gov. Napolitano going to the Obama team this will move Secretary of State up to Governor. With the Republicans in charge of both the houses and a Republican Governor we should be able to present bills and get them passed without worrying about the infamous Janet No Veto. With this goes greater responsibility to get this state on the right track of fiscal conservatism and smaller government and getting the budget under control. The Democrats that were elected will do as they always do and whine that since they are not in control they can't get anything done. Well if we as Republicans can get things done and at least try to solve this economic crisis we might very well be able to get more people over to our party and get even more Republicans elected in 2009 and 2010. Additionally, with President-Elect Obama taxing and spending every dime we have and capitulating to every government that threatens us we should be able to win over the hearts and minds of all people living in Pima County. As things get worse under the Obama administration, which they will, we will be the shinning light. Don't throw away those McCain bumper sticks quite yet because when things get bad you can put them on your car and say "see I didn't vote for him". Now what we need to do is get our voter registration drives going, talk to more people becoming Precinct Committeemen, walk your neighborhoods and get to know all the Republicans, Independents and those Democrats that know they should be Republicans. We can't just sit and wait for things to happen we must make them happen which means dedicating just a few hours a week. We are a great party with great people but we must motive ourselves and other people to make the change that we need. Ask yourself, who have I registered to vote, have I got someone to become a PC or have I worked on a campaign lately; if the answer is NO it is time to put the remote down and ask what can I do for the Party? Think about it, our Party was founded as the anti-slavery party and we have voted for more civil rights legislation than the Democrats ever have (they just keep feeding the Kool-Aid to all that will listen). We need to stop being this elitist organization, work together, recruit minorities and build this party up to the place where we have the majority in Pima County. This is not an impossible task but takes work, a cooperative effort and a determination to be the most inclusive party. This does not mean that you must change your moral or beliefs but that you are at least willing to listen to another point of view. I spent several years working with the Russians (the old Soviet type solders and KGB officers) and if you think about the worst Democrat you know they pale in comparison to dealing with these Russians I had to deal with. However, as bad as these Russians were we always managed to come to some form of agreement. We can do the same with the Democrats in Pima County and win them over and maybe even convert a few to our side.