The Polk County Republicans present “A Barn-burner at Living History Farms” where you can hear all declared GOP Gubernatorial Candidates speak out. Click the image at right to view the invitation!

This fundraising event will be held at Living History Farms Flynn Barn (11121 Hickman Road in Urbandale) on Sunday, October 11, 2009 at 5:30p (buffet dinner catered by The Iowa Machine Shed starts at 6:00p). Parking will be available at the Visitor Center, and a shuttle will take you to the barn. Handicapped assistance will be provided.

Tickets cost $30/single, $50/couple and $65/family

If you would like to RSVP, purchase a ticket, or have a question please contact:

• Connie Schmett – connieschmett@polkgop.com or 515-238-3611
• John Bloom – johnbloom@polkgop.com or 515-494-7458
• Will Rogers – willrogers@polkgop.com or 515-669-1648

The following piece addresses specific thoughts about the direction of the Republican Party. While the writer is actively serving as Communications Director for the Polk County Republican Party of Iowa, the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Polk County Republicans, the Republican Party of Iowa, or the Republican National Committee.

If you’ve followed The Conservative Reader earlier in 2009, you would note that we discussed a need to rethink the Conservative/Republican agenda. We have not yet dug into that process deeply, although many have been voicing their opinions about what needs doing.

There has been a substantive effort on the part of some Christian Conservative Republicans to promote an agenda that honors God with a level of apparent intolerance to those who do not agree with them. “No Compromise” is their war chant. While their positions certainly fall within the same realm as my own, their approach, ability to listen, and ability to acknowledge that they will not achieve the political utopia they seek (especially not on their own power), are all sadly lacking in the true message of the very God they are trying to serve. Interestingly, some of these folks have even stated some of the clear Christian principles that come in opposition to their behavior: Love, Mercy, and the need to change hearts through the power of God’s Grace and not through human Law. Instead, one hears little more than condemnation, personal attacks, and hatred. These folks could do themselves and the world a greater service by listening more and saying less. Regardless, I hope they continue to speak out about what is right (without the personal attacks), because that is a message that the World needs to hear. But Politics is never the final playing field of Truth.

Contrast that with the efforts of Doug Gross, who in the August 30 Des Moines Sunday Register delivered an Op-ed piece recommending complete abandonment of our efforts to drive back the social diseases that have infested society and have been embraced by the courts. Gross, who has been an unsuccessful candidate for Governor, believes that the key to the Republican Party’s success in 2010 will be a complete focus on fiscal issues and minimizing of [...]

Retired editor of the Des Moines Register, Richard Doak, is concerned about the welfare of the GOP. He says to restore the GOPs greatness don’t look to Reagan, instead look further in the past to Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.

I attended the event this evening and while George did not make any comments that sounded like “Hey, I want to be your next President”, this was definitely seemed like a pre-exploratory event. He had some great comments about the current state of affairs, and took questions which I also think he answered well. Some in New York (see comments on this post) have speculated about him running for other posts in that state, others have suggested he could be a possible contender for President in 2012. Even if he does not run for anything, he certainly provides a strong sense of some of the things the GOP needs to do to take back the People’s Government.

There were about 90 people at the event tonight, including a number of Republican/Conservative activists that I’ve gotten to know, former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Joseph Heuertz (and other leaders) of the Drake College Republicans, John Bloom, Polk County Republican Chair (along with probably a dozen members of the Polk County Republican Central Committee, one of the sponsors of the event), Steve Rathje, David Van Ahn, Kim Schmett, Ed Failor Jr. (Iowans for Tax Relief), Craig Robinson (The Iowa Republican) and [...]

The deductibility of Federal Income Tax on the Iowa Income Tax is in jeopardy. Iowa Democrats have officially brought the issue to the table in the Iowa House in HSB 284 (currently in the Ways and Means Committee). Iowans need to stand up against this bill, as it is a direct increase in the income tax obligation of Iowans. After rejecting sound recommendations from Iowans and elected Republicans, the Democrats are anxious to fix the mess they have created by raising our taxes.

There will be a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 31, 6:30 PM (meeting commences at 7:00) at the Iowa Statehouse in the House Chambers. This is the public’s best opportunity to be heard. If you can, please plan to attend. If you don’t want to see your taxes raised, now is the time to act. Attend the hearing. Contact your contact your State House Representative and Senator. Doing nothing will allow this to proceed.

Matt Strawn, Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, had comments on this in the past few days:

Democrats release Plan to Eliminate Federal Deductibility to Force YOU to Pay a Tax on a Tax: Elimination of Federal Deductibility looks like it is on the Democrats’ “Must Do” List before Session Ends. This could be Death Blow to our Economy!

It is becoming increasingly clear that [...]

Read The Complete Article

Tags: Federal Deductibility, Matt Strawn

As we mentioned yesterday, tonight was the Polk County Republican Party election for Chair and Co-chair. John Bloom of West Des Moines was elected Chairman and Will Rogers of Des Moines was elected Co-chairman.

There was a good-sized. group, including about 80 Central Committee members at Hillside Elementary School in West Des Moines. The meeting lasted about two and a half hours.

The new leaders are both committed to working to build a stronger party, including improvements in the use and management of technology, and soliciting more active participation by committee and other party members in priortizing the party’s work, plugging people into areas where their talents can be used effectively, unifying the message of the party, and getting Republicans elected.

We look forward to [...]

Tomorrow night at the monthly Polk County Republican Central Committee meeting, the committee will elect a new Chairman and Co-chairman. Ryan Anderson, John Bloom and John Gruber have all announced their intention to run for Chairman. Will Rogers and Art Smith (yes, one and the same) have announced their plans to run for Co-chairman.

This election will be another version of the Republican Party of Iowa election earlier this year. Most observers and insiders are aware that the party is struggling to get a handle on its identity and purpose. As Republicans, we have clearly missed some critical opportunities to get our message into the public eye in a way that is both clear and compelling. Party leadership at many levels (not necessarily within Polk County) has been challenged by mixed priorities, including priorities of personal power.

Everyone is fairly convinced that change is needed.

Our hope is that whomever is elected, that they will be [...]