July 11, 2017

The Left screams "racism" as President Trump delivers one of his greatest speeches thus far in Warsaw, Poland where he expressed a firm commitment to Western Values and Faith. President Trump showed his admiration for Poland and its fight for freedom, faith, culture and their history under four decades of communist rule. His fundamental question was, "does the West have the will to survive," yet some liberal writers criticized his speech saying that "defending Western civilization is nothing more than a defense of white racism."

July 26, 2016

Trump has my Back!

I attended my first convention last week, and it was the experience of a lifetime. For one who loves the political process, it is like the Super bowl and the World Series rolled into one. Of course you don’t confront your adversary face to face, but comparisons will, of course be made between the Republican Convention and the Democratic Convention. So I’d like to share my impressions of the Republican Convention and a few of the highlights.

Before I jump into my experiences in Cleveland, I can’t help noting how far to the left the Democratic Party has slid. FDR, Harry Truman, JFK, and Lyndon Johnson were staunch anti-communists. All were patriots and all wore the uniform. All understood that our liberties come from God and not man. Now the Democrats nearly nominated socialist Bernie Sanders, and not a single Democratic voice, or the media said there was anything wrong with the notion of a socialist economy. The opening night of the Democratic Convention, not a single American Flag was visible, and the Pledge of Allegiance appeared on the teleprompter, because evidently, the Democrats have forgotten the words.

Convention Security

So, back to Cleveland. My first impression was how seriously Cleveland took security. You may recall that prior to the Convention, Black Live Matter and other groups were threatening “to shut down the Republican Convention.” Well, the Cleveland Police, the Secret Service and Homeland Security constructed a literal ring of steel around the Quicken Loan Arena, known locally as the “Q.” The ring of steel was staffed by heavily arms law enforcement in full tactical gear. Many downtown garages were closed to help encircle the Q. Convention delegates and others cheered the cops when we saw them coming and going, a fact that they might have contrasted with the Democrats who have taken the side of Black Lives Matter.

We arrived from our hotel in buses that were ID’d at the entrance to the steel cordon. Not one single protest occurred anywhere near the Q. A group of about 25 staged a half-hearted protest against Trump downtown somewhere, but it lasted less than 1 hour and dispersed.

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First Day Rule Fight

The delegates were seated on the floor by state. New York and Florida had the prime position because they are Trump’s first and second home. Monday the Convention was a full day and the day we voted on the rules and the platform.

There was some controversy about the Convention’s refusal to allow a “vote your conscience” rule. That rule would have freed up delegates to vote for a candidate other than Trump. A noisy but tiny minority demanded a full roll call of all the delegates. Given that there were over 2500 delegates, that would have wasted about 4-5 hours. In fact, 99% of the delegates were for Trump by statute and by personal choice. The noisy minority was easily defeated and was heard from no more. I was interviewed by CBS who was trying to stoke the controversy, but I stated that a roll call would have made no sense and that the entire delegation was now for Trump.

Most Noteworthy Speeches

Each day, the RPOF arranged 2-4 breakfast speakers prior to the convention. Then the convention averaged between 16-20 speakers. Many of the speakers inspired standing ovations, so were up and down our in our chairs about 200 times per day. Quite a workout when you are wearing a coat & tie. I’ll just share some of the more memorable moments from each speech:

Frank Luntz Pollster

“Academia controls our children. 58% say they'd vote socialist. Sanders has engaged this group and engaged them ideologically. We need to recapture the youth vote.”

Willie Robertson Duck Dynasty Star: “The media have been so wrong so long about Donald Trump”

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Marcus Luttrell Navy Seal and Author of Lone Survivor speaking of the VA mess:

“The hell veterans return from should not be return to hell from the VA"

Mark Geist &Tiegen Special Forces Fighters and Survivors of Benghazi on Obama and Hillary Betrayal:

"Hillary betrayed all of us & lied. She never sent help and we didn't know if we were coming home. Elect Trump, he'll have our backs and leave no one behind"

Sheriff Clarke of Milwaukee:

We can't be great again if we can't be safe again"

Ben Carson:

"Secular progressives want to keep kids dependent, not educate them." And "It’s Impossible to be Free if You're not Brave.”

Donald Trump, Jr. spoke on 2 occasions, but my favorite was when he stood with the NY Delegation, just ahead of we in Florida, and put his father over the top. He did his Dad proud saying:

“I have the incredible honor of not only being a part of the ride that’s been this election process and to watch, as a small fly on the wall, what my father has done in creating this movement – because it’s not a campaign anymore, it’s a movement -- speaking to real Americans, giving them a voice again. It’s my honor to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count tonight....

Congratulations, Dad, we love you”

Dick Morris Campaign Strategist:

"Hillary’s grown addicted to a royal lifestyle. The Clintons have created a racketeering organization. Her e mails were hidden to cover her corruption.” And Morris statedthat Trump needs to point to how Hillary rigs the system: “The average voter is angry at insider elites. Hillary is the ultimate insider who rigs the system for her benefit.”

Rudy Guliani brought the house down both at the RPOF breakfast and the Convention when he indicted Hillary. The crowd was chanting “Lock her up….lock her up.”

Ambassador John Bolton, one of the last of the tough guys said:

"Obama had overseen the destruction of America's strength. Hillary will be an Obama third term."

Trump Acceptance Speech

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Of course, Trump’s acceptance speech was the highlight of the evening. The entire packed convention gave him at least 15 standing ovations. Media commentary that his speech was “dark” was an obvious play to make Planet Obama seem like all is well. The speech laid out what problems we face and how we will solve them. It was blunt and powerful.

Cruz and other Naysayers

The word was out that Cruz was not going to endorse Trump. However, during the first 20 minutes of the speech, the crowd was hopeful that he might. However, as the speech dragged on and became repetitive, the crowed started to shout “Trump…Trump” hoping to encourage Cruz. When Cruz said: “vote your conscience” he was rightly and loudly booed.”

The delegates, alternates and guests all recognized that a Trump alternative is Hillary, and if it is Hillary there will be no 2020 election. She will make herself president for life. It’s now or never and do or die. As Laura Ingraham said: “You boys with your bruised egos, it’s time to get over your hurt feelings, honor your pledge, and support our nominee, Donald J. Trump.

April 24, 2016

Dear Fellow Republicans,

The Republican Presidential primary has generated some of the highest voter turnout in history, and passions are running high. Cruz supporters vow to stay at home if Trump is the nominee, and Trump supporters say it’s Trump or no one. I hope those folks pledging never Cruz or never Trump really understand that any Republican staying at home is, in effect, voting for Hillary. 

Think for a moment what that would mean before you cry: “What difference would that make.” Imagine a Supreme Court with Justices Obama and Holder. Imagine the elimination of our First Amendment rights as people of faith are punished for “hate speech” simply for professing their belief. Imagine a SCOTUS ruling that says that the Second Amendment means that guns are ONLY for an organized militia and not private individuals.

Imagine “free college” with the curriculum managed by the Federal Government and hostile to free markets and American Exceptionalism. 

Imagine federal agencies fully weaponized to crush the opposition i.e. Republicans, and imagine all authority residing in the executive branch. Imagine Obamacare used to withhold healthcare from political opponents i.e. Republicans.

And finally imagine America unilaterally disarmed and Israel abandoned to Iran and ISIS. That will give you some idea of a Hillary presidency.

Think twice before you vow to sit it out if your man is not the nominee.

Bill

Bill Korach, Chairman

St. Johns County Republican Party

April 04, 2016

Dear Fellow Republicans,

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) Congressional District 6 Caucus met Saturday, April 2, 2016,  at the Volusia County Republican Headquarters in Holly Hill, to elect 3 Delegates and 3 Alternate Delegates to the Republican National Convention in July in Cleveland  to represent Congressional District 6.  The Caucus is made up of GOP County Officials  from Volusia, Flagler,  St. Johns and Putnam counties.

One Delegate and two alternate Delegates were elected from St. Johns County; Republican County Chairman, William Korach was elected Delegate; Paul Porter and Stuart Epperson were elected as Alternate Delegates. Remaining Delegates were from Volusia County; CD-6 Caucus Chairman, Tony Ledbetter and Republican State Committeeman,  Alan Burton who were elected Delegates and Joseph Fieldus, Volusia County Trump Campaign Chairman was elected as an Alternate Delegate. 

Florida has a total of 99 delegates. If the the front runner has the requisite number of delegates (1237) going into the convention then the convention will be uncontested. If the front runner has less, than votes will be taken at the convention to determine the Republican candidate for President of the United States.

Bill

Bill Korach, Chairman

St. Johns County Republican Party

March 15, 2016

Dear Fellow Republicans,

The polls just closed in St. Johns County and thanks to your hard work and great GOP candidates, we drove a record turnout. 59% of Republican voters showed up at the polls! That is more than double the 27% that turned out for the 2012 primary. In fact it is the best turn out on record for St. Johns County. Some radio reports say that SJC had the best turnout in NE Florida! The job of the Republican Executive Committee is to turn out the vote and that we did. Our church outreach, military outreach, adopt a voter, ground game, social media and our new office all worked to drive Republican voters to the polls. Great Republican candidates on our side and a weak Democratic field depressed their vote and gave us the day.

I’m proud of all of you. Now, on to the August primaries, the general election and victory!

Bill

Bill Korach, Chairman

St. Johns County Republican Party

February 13, 2016

Dear Fellow Republicans,

I’m sure most of you have now heard about the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. He was a legal giant and the intellectual leader of conservatism on the Supreme Court, and an advocate of Constitutional Originalism. He deplored the notion of a “living Constitution” or a Constitution that can be manipulated according to the time and the trends. He said at a Princeton legal forum recently: “The constitution is not an organism. It’s a legal text. It means today what it meant when it was adopted.” He further stated: “Every tinhorn dictator of the world has a bill of rights. With the right structure, you will preserve freedom even without a bill of rights. If you don’t have the right structure, even a bill of rights will not save you. They are just words on paper unless the structure of the government prevents the centralization of power in one party or one man.”

Scalia said the first half of his recent book defends originalism.

“There is no other objective criteria,” Scalia said. “You either adopt originalism or essentially you say to your judges, ‘Come govern us.”

I am sure you share with me the belief that this current president must be blocked from appointing a left-wing “Living Constitution” legal hack. It is in the power of the Senate, and specifically in the hands of Sen. Mitch McConnell to block any Obama appointee. This grave responsibility should be left to the next president. And let me add, no Republican candidate for president or any office worth his/her salt will permit an Obama appointee. If you feel as I do, I strongly urge you to contact your elected officials and candidates in this matter of National urgency.

Bill

December 17, 2015

Dear Fellow Republicans,

I want to wish each of you a Merry Christmas. We have much to be thankful for this holiday season. Last year the Democrats outraised us 2 to 1 even though we have a huge majority in St. Johns County. So far this year we have now outraised them by 2 to 1. We now have an office and will plan to have our January meeting at out new location and an open house shortly thereafter. We are planning a Lincoln Reagan dinner on February 27 with Congressman Ron DeSantis called “Murder in the First” where we will call the Obama Administration out on the attacks on the First Amendment. More to come on this later.

 I hope that you enjoy your friends and families and rest up for our great task at hand in 2016. I don’t need to tell any of you that this country cannot suffer through another term of the far left party that the Democrats have become. Whoever the Republican candidate he/she will be far better than Hillary. The threat from Radical Islam is greater than ever, and has underscored the blind feckless Obama approach to National Security. At the same time the Obama Administration threat to our civil liberty, particularly the First and Second Amendments, looms large.

I urge you to stand fast in freedom and recall this Christmas Season the words of the Apostle Paul to the Galatians:

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5

Bill

November 16, 2015

Dear Fellow Republicans,

I want to share my impressions of the latest Sunshine Summit with you. I was joined by a number of REC members including Shanna and Harlan Mason, Tom Rivers, Faith Martin, Liliana Kurpanik Herb Fischer et. al. who will also be eager to share with you when we meet at our new headquarters for our Christmas party in December! I should point out that when we became aware of the Islamic-terrorist murders in Paris late Friday, the tone of the candidates and the staff changed to focus on that horrible reality, and the feckless/ non-existent Obama foreign policy.

The Thursday night Statesman’s Dinner kicked off festivities at the Disney Contemporary Hotel with former VP Dick Cheney as keynote. He was proceeded by Sen. Rubio with a powerful message about the American Dream. While the American Dream and American Exceptionalism was a popular topic, Rubio handled it with his usual skill and wit. He called on the Federal Government to stop undermining the family, quash the Iran deal, and stop undermining national security. Many felt Rubio gave the best speech of the event.

I’m not sure how he snagged the spot before Cheney, but that gave him a chance to reprise his speech again on the first slot on Saturday. On both occasions his talk was punctuated by standing ovations, and shouts of support. VP Cheney was excellent, particularly on his scathing critique of Obama’s foreign policy mess. He spoke, as always, without bombast, buu with powerful indisputable facts.

Sen. Cruz’s speech was my personal favorite. He followed Rubio, but I assure you his talk did not suffer for it. He offered a message of hope saying the country was in a similar mess under Carter when Ronald Reagan won. He reminded us that Reagan was not the establishment choice. He spoke of his planned actions on his first day in office that would include:

• Rescinding the Iran deal

• End Common Core

• Move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem

He said this would cause many journalists to check into therapy! He ended by thanking the crowd and then jumped off the 4-foot high stage onto the floor to shake hands. It was the best flourish of the day and repaid by the crowd all on their feet chanting “Cruz, Cruz, Cruz!!!!”

The Donald went on at the end of the day when news was coming in about the new terror in Paris. His first remark was that until he arrived, the place was empty. This drew some ripples of unrest and boos since the place was packed for Cruz and Rubio. It caused me to cringe and wonder why he felt the need to attack fellow Republicans when he still hold the lead in many polls. However, he recovered quickly and his talk was powerful, given without notes and spoke to the need for “people who know what they’re doing.” Trump noted he had predicted Osama bin Laden would do major damage to the U.S. back in 2000, before the 9/11 attacks before turning to immigration. Trump insisted he had changed the debate on immigration despite the attacks against him. 

“I’ve taken a lot of abuse from those characters back there,” Trump said, indicating the media. “A lot of abuse.” “It’s a serious problem,” Trump said, noting “rough dudes” crossed the border illegally and were now active with gangs in Los Angeles. Trump vowed they would be removed if he was president and called for a “real wall,” a “Trump wall,”  to secure the border, reminding the cheering crowd that he had a background in construction and real estate. 

Trump pounded away at former U.S. Sec. of State Hillary Clinton, the favorite for the Democratic presidential nomination. “She will set this country back so far, so fast,” Trump said before jabbing U.S. Sec. of State John Kerry for the deal with Iran over its nuclear program. 

Vowing to find generals like World War Two commanders like Douglas MacArthur and George Patton, Trump promised to restore America‘s military prominence. 

“We’re going to find someone so tough and so smart and we’re going to build up our military,” Trump said before getting back to immigration, promising to triple the size of the Border Patrol. Trump trashed the current political leadership as “incompetent.” “They don’t have common sense,” Trump said. 

Insisting illegal immigrants were taking American jobs, Trump insisted the nation’s unemployment was far above the government’s numbers and called for America to get tough against illegal immigration.

“We’re going to defund sanctuary cities," Trump said. “Sanctuary cities are a disgrace.”

Trump closed his trademark high octane style by saying that “We are going to make America Great Again!”

Jeb Bush gave the best speech of his career, delivered with energy and passion. He was introduced by Jeff Atwater, who knows something about great speeches. Bush spoke to his success as a conservative governor who got things done. He was cheered on by a crowd that mostly was not Bushites, but appreciated his good effort.

Ben Carson is a thoroughly decent guy, and always speaks on point, but my nagging question: “Can he take on Hillary?”

Pacing back and forth on the stage, Carson took aim at “political correctness” at colleges and universities across the nation, calling out the recent controversies over race and academic leadership at the University of Missouri before talking about how his mother raised him, encouraging him to pursue an education and rise out of poverty. 

“I didn’t mind being poor,” Carson said. “That was something I could change.”

Turning to public affairs, Carson praised education as the gateway to the American dream but called out liberals for being more concerned with getting less fortunate Americans angry instead of encouraging them to succeed. “If you get a good education, you get to write your own ticket,” Carson said. “I want to create ladders of opportunity.”

Carson insisted it wasn’t the government’s responsibility to provide those ladders, calling out Democratic presidents like Woodrow Wilson and Lyndon Johnson. “Everything is not only worse, it’s much worse.” 

Continuing on that theme, Carson said it was up to individuals to help others rise up and the government could not help much there. Carson said that America’s divisions, immigration policy, cuts to military spending and economic policies were leading to the destabilization of the nation, a gameplan that America’s enemies would follow.

“Any semblance to what’s going on now is purely coincidental,” Carson said to a cheering crowd. Calling for America to “turn things around,” Carson insisted the stakes were high next November and noted 93 million Americans--including 30 million evangelicals--did not vote. “We have to convince them when they don’t vote, they are voting, they are voting the wrong way,” Carson said. 

Those at the top of the polls were not the only ones to give powerful speeches.

Gov. Christie, appearing on Saturday afternoon when the Paris terror attack was all over the news, said he changed his speech to focus on that horrific event. He said it was personal for him recalling that his wife Mary Pat was in New York near the Trade Towers on 9/11. He said he didn’t hear from her for 6 hours, but she made it home. He said some of his friends and neighbors did not make it home.

“Terrorism is not theoretical,” Christie said. “I went to the funerals. I saw the carnage.” Noting Friday‘s terrorist attacks in Paris, Christie said it was time “for action and resolve” against Islamic terrorism. “We have seen evil visited on innocent people once again,” Christie said, calling out “Islamic jihadists.”

Christie listed the nations and American communities impacted by Islamic terrorism and said there was a “desperate need for strong leadership” from the White House. 

Christie vowed to “build a strong nation that protects American interests” and insisted he will push back against political correctness and the “Washington elite.” Saying he came from a “law and order perspective,” Christie turned to immigration. 

“Our borders must be secured, our laws must be enforced,” Christie said, warning about “ISIS slipping across our borders to commit unspeakable acts against the American people.”

Christie called national security the “first and most important priority” of any American president and pledged that would be his main focus if he is elected president. 

Saying he has “been through the fire” against liberals in the New York media market, Christie said he would be a “blunt, outspoken president of the United States who will lead the world again.”

Christie went back to Obama, hitting his “legacy of inexperience” for economic slowdowns, raising the national debt, increased raising tensions and a weak foreign policy.

Gov. Jindal, who stands pretty low in the polls, stood tall at the Summit and gave a great speech. He opened with an attack on Trump for attacking fellow Republicans, but then spoke to his concerns about threats to the First Amendment. He also attacked establishment Republicans as the “surrender caucus.”

Carly closed the event with a powerful national security exhortation:

“I am angry that just yesterday morning our president, against all evidence, declared ISIS contained and took a victory lap,” Fiorina said. 

As she has throughout her presidential campaign, Fiorina took aim at former U.S. Sec. of State Hillary Clinton, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, hitting her handling of the Benghazi attacks and the reduction of American military forces in Iraq.

Insisting America was an exceptional country, Fiorina praised America’s role on the global stage, even as she hit Obama’s management of global affairs. 

“Because we are exceptional, we must lead,” Fiorina said. “We must have the strongest economy and the strongest military on the face of the planet,” she added, vowing to “invest in the military” and restore economic prosperity by embracing free market solutions. 

But one of the best speeches of the weekend was delivered by Walter Hill, Florida State Rep. from Escambia County. It was old time religion as he opened with “Do we have a cause?” The former Air Force Officer reminded the audience about David’s victory over Goliath, equating it to the American victory in the Revolution. Rep. Hill is welcome in SJC anytime.

My final thought as I departed, was any of these men and Carly, would make a vastly superior leader than Hillary in this most consequential election. So, regardless of our favorite, let us always mobilize for the nominee.

Bill