WASHINGTON, D.C.
2442 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-3011
(202) 225-5034

Legislative Office
Chief of Staff – Nancy Fox
Senior Policy Adviser – Steve Wilson
Scheduler – Tina Wei
Legislative Aide – Kathleen Hazlett
Legislative Aide – Dan Ostermueller
Legislative Aide – Marissa Watkins
Legislative Correspondent – Jeff Brabant

Open: Mon. – Fri., 9am to 5:30pm

NEW JERSEY
30 Schuyler Place, Second Floor
Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 984-0711

Constituent Service Center
Constituent Services Manager – Pam Thievon
Scheduler – Michelle Moallem
Constituent Services Representative – Joan Hamilton
Constituent Services Representative – Kristin Jones
Staff Assistant – Judy Ceballos
District Staff Assistant – Mary Provost
District Staff Assistant – Bernie Tyson

Open: Mon. – Fri., 9am to 5pm

Fellow CWA! poster Sharon Soon and myself.

Here is a brief synopsis of the day’s events:

Congressman Frelinghuysen was the first major speaker to address the conference and he touched on some of the things going on in Washington, such as proposals that will lead to nationalizing health care. He urged everyone to be ‘vigilant’ in opposing the very left-wing legislation coming from the new administration and Congress. And on another note, in no uncertain terms the Congressman said that Nancy Pelosi’s claims of not being briefed on interrogation methods were ‘a lie.’

Minority Leader Alex DeCroce spoke to the attendees about the prospects of winning this year. He said he was ‘charged up’ about this election cycle and felt we had opportunities to win in areas of the state where Republicans haven’t been successful recently. He also urged people to run for office and to not ’sell themselves short’ and that the party needs people ‘from all walks of life.’ The Assembly Leader spoke of the importance of this year’s elections and that in this state (and the nation) we have ‘gone too far left’ and need to bring things back in the other direction.

Matt Rooney of SaveJersey gave a talk about blogging. Matt did a nice job and emphasized the importance of those of us on the right using blogs and other social networks in getting our message out. Obviously, the Democrats and the Obama campaign used these tools to their advantage last year, but if I may inject my own opinion here, I believe we are catching up quite fast in this regard.

Keith Davis, Atlantic County Chairman, effectively laid out Corzine’s long list of failures, calling him the worst Governor in the country (hard to disagree with that!). But Keith also pointed out what he felt were the two biggest challenges we Republicans face: unity and money. Keith called for the party to come together after the June 2nd primary, going on to say we have the right message this year and were poised to bring back competence to Trenton.

Assemblywoman McHose was next up and addressed several issues. She mentioned that the dying print press has led to fewer press people in Trenton and, ergo, less watchful eyes there to report on things going on in the legislature. Assemblywoman McHose also spoke of women in politics, mentioning that the legislature is composed of more women now than at any time before and that she has had a hand in forming Women’s Caucus. She is also working to pass legislation to further transparency in government. Two such pieces of legislation are the Party Democracy Act and the Transparency in Government Act – the latter of which is being co-opted and watered down by Democrats in Trenton. The Assemblywoman also went on to rail against the DEP, an agency that she said is ’strangling’ the state.

Assemblyman Webber followed and also touched on a number of issues. He touted his role in defeating taxpayer funded elections. The Assemblyman also spoke of the need to use technology and for YR’s to get online and network. He spoke of the YR’s as not just the future of the party, saying ‘we are the now of the party’ (the Assemblyman himself only being 37). He urged them to run for office themselves if they saw fit and not to hold back or wait their turn.

Assemblywoman McHose and Assemblyman Webber then fielded questions from the audience and on issues including how to build a better relationship with the YR’s to education. With regards to education, each Assemblyperson put forth some good ideas on state aid and school choice but did not convey a clear idea with respect to combatting the liberal indoctrination so many kids are subject to in schools today which was the premise of the original question. 

Mark Campbell of Campbell Campaigns gave en enjoyable, funny, yet very informative talk about what Republicans need to do to win elections. Mark advocated being a bigger tent and increasing the number of women YR’s. He said the party must be the party of fiscal conservatism and smarter government. In New Jersey, he said voters are asking themselves a) who is most like them and b) would act like them. Not surprisingly, Mark said that likeability is the #1 factor in being elected. Additionally, he pointed out that younger voters vote their hopes while older voters vote their fears. The key, of course, is finding the right way to connect with each voting bloc, as well as being able to communicate in an understandable way with those voters who do not pay close attention to politics. The Republican message, Mark said, needs to ‘resonate on pocketbook issues.’ Lastly, Mark also emphasized the role of YR’s in building the party, although he feared there weren’t enough up and coming leaders right now.

Keynote speaker Andrew Wilkow ensued and delivered an address totally in keeping with his radio program. The conservative talker was not shy about saying the party needed to return to its roots and ‘must advance with principle.’ Wilkow urged conservatives to stand tall and avoid terming themselves ‘moderate’ just to get along and be popular. Wilkow said Democrats are merely promise-makers — making promises ‘whether they are right or wrong, whether they work or not.’ He also accused Democrats of wanting to change people’s entire lives (think health care) because of the issues experienced by the few.

Wilkow, who is also a New Jerseyan, called COAH ‘unworkable.’ In a scenario where people are being shoehorned into ‘affordable housing’ throughout the state, Andrew remarked that ’either others have to pay more or everyone must get less.’

Andrew said that we needed to educate voters and have a ‘rational discussion’ with them. He rejected the idea of consensus as just a recipe for turning good ideas into bad ones. He also stated that the only obstacle we have in our way is government (Amen to that!).

Wilkow also took questions from the audience and was someone who appeared to me to be ‘the real deal.’ He stayed for some time afterwards and was more than happy to talk to those of us in attendance who sought him out. Andrew, if you happen to read this: thanks for coming!

The conference ended with appearances from GOP gubernatorial candidates Richard Merkt and Chris Christie. All in all, it was a great day for those of us who went. While the party still has rebuilding to do and tough challenges ahead, this to me represents a real step in the right direction. No matter who you might be supporting in the primary, I think we can all agree that it’s time for the Republican Party to start fighting back in this state and no longer act like a doormat. Not only do we owe it to ourselves, but we owe it to the voters to give them a clear choice.

For more on the event check out the NJYRF Facebook page.

Cross-posted at Conservatives with Attitude! and Red County.