Robeson County Republican Party

Republican Legislator G.L. Pridgen Featured in Drudge Report Story - Rush Limbaugh

2012-02-14T22:06:00.000-05:00

The top story on the Drudge Report today featured comment from Robeson Republican Legislator G.L. Pridgen. The story was also picked up by Rush Limbaugh and other news sources around the nation.

A Hoke County child's lunch box in Pridgen's District that Hoke County shares with Robeson was searched by school inspectors checking that the mother packed a nutritious lunch as even lunches from home must be inspected. The mother says she has to watch the child eat vegetables so she saves the vegetables for eating at home when she can make sure the child eats them. Otherwise she knows the child we throw it away - so she packs the other nutritious items she knows her child will eat.

So the mother packed a Turkey & Cheese sandwich along with a banana, apple juice and potato chips for lunch. A state inspector ordered a lunch tray for the child as it didn't meet federal requirements under the Obama Administration guidelines. The child was not permitted to eat her lunch from home as she was told something was wrong with it.

The mother questioned why the child hadn't touched her lunchbox when she came home. What did the child eat?

The child just ate three chicken nuggets that day. She wouldn't eat anything else on the tray. It seems to meet Federal Guidelines, the child doesn't have to eat the food - it just has to be in front of them. State inspectors put a tray in front of the child that met their guidelines even if it was items the child would not eat.

The mother called Representative Pridgen who is helping bring attention to the bizarre situation as the mother knows what she can get the child to eat. Yet the Government seems to know better than mom. So instead of eating turkey, cheese, banana and apple juice - the child eats three chicken nuggets instead, because it is sitting beside food the government says needs to be on the tray.

But to the Government it doesn't matter if they eat it - as long as it is provided. It doesn't matter that mom makes her eat vegetables at home when she can make sure the child eats them under supervision. Pridgen was shocked to learn that inspecting home lunches is a Federal practice.

See Civitas Story linked from the Drudge Report here: http://www.nccivitas.org/2012/state-inspectors-searching-childrens-lunch-boxes-this-isnt-china-is-it/

See the Rush Limbaugh Transcript here: http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/02/14/federal_agents_inspect_your_child_s_lunch

Republican Womens Club Officers

2012-02-05T09:59:00.001-05:00

The Robeson County Republican Women’s Club recently elected new officers for 2012. They are President Hila Wilkerson, front left; Vice President Brenda Pope; chaplain Linda Metzger; secretary Wendy Pridgen, back row left; immediate past President Cheryl Ermini; and Treasurer Renee Rossi.

The Republican Women's Club is vital to the success of the Republican Party in Robeson County. The Robeson County Republican Party relies heavily on their leadership as they continue to grow and do important work in our county.

The Party congratulates the new slate of officers as we enter a new election cycle. The work of the Republican Women's Club is an indispensable part of the success of Robeson County.

Civitas Institute on NCAE & SB 727

2012-01-12T18:07:00.001-05:00

The Below is from the John W. Pope Civitas Institute:
NCAE: A Giant Chasm Between Rhetoric and Reality
Last week the North Carolina General Assembly successfully overrode Gov. Perdue’s veto of SB 727- No Dues Checkoff for School Employees. The legislation ends the practice of the state collecting dues check off payments for members of the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE).

The reaction from NCAE members was swift. On the day the legislation was approved, NCAE President Sheri Strickland issued a statement, “The Association believes the passage of this legislation – an override of Governor Perdue’s veto — to be a retaliatory action against NCAE for standing up for public school students and educators. The message from the legislature is clear – if you stand against cuts to public education, we will teach you a lesson.”

NCAE has constructed this theme of Republican retribution for NCAE’s criticism of the majority party’s education policies. That explanation ignores relevant facts:

•Dues check off was ended because the practice aided the radical policies of groups like the National Education Association (the parent group of NCAE) not the interests of children.

•NCAE portrays itself as having members from both political parties and as supportive of both Republican and Democratic candidates. A look at NCAE’s contributions to political campaigns, however, reveals 99 percent of NCAE political contributions went to Democrats.

•If NCAE is truly concerned about teacher salaries and securing more classroom funding, why has NCAE executive compensation increased 24 percent from 2006-2009 while, over the same time period, the salary of the average teacher in North Carolina only increased 12 percent?

For More Click Here to go Directly to Civitas including info on where NCAE dues really go!

Robeson County GOP Meetings 2012

2012-01-08T09:00:00.001-05:00

There will be a County GOP meeting 6:00pm Tuesday, January 10th at Village Station on Roberts Ave.

The goal of this meeting is to outline organizational plans for the 2012 election cycle and get updates from our operatives on current campaign developments. Another goal is to develop meeting plans which we hope to schedule the 2nd Tuesday of each month based on current feedback.

County Redistricting goes to DOJ - New Local candidate Ad!

2011-12-10T02:58:00.000-05:00

County Redistricting now goes to the Dept. of Justice. It is unclear the exact impact the lines will have on elections as the methodology used to determine the lines is always ambiguous at best. The Party is currently reviewing map lines in order to determine the consequences of county-wide re-districtng for both school board races & county commissioner districts.

In other local news- Robeson County resident Dr. John Whitley has released one of the first political ads of the season: See Below -

GOP Town Hall

2011-11-09T19:42:00.000-05:00

NC House Speaker Thom Tillis held a Town Hall meeting in Lumberton recently. Speaker Tillis has been holding meetings throughout the State to discuss actions in the NC Legislature these past sessions and to gain feedback. It is the first time a House Speaker of either Party has visited Lumberton to hold such meetings in recent years.

GOP Chairman Phillip Stephens (left), NC House Speaker Thom Tillis (Center), GOP Chief Political Operative Lee Grantham (Right).

Why Robeson Can't Recruit Business?

2011-10-30T18:32:00.000-04:00

Maybe now we know why Robeson has trouble recruiting industry. According a published report today by the North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation, two Legislators with the Robeson County delegation are not business friendly.

The rankings of the non-partisan organization score Legislators based on voting records of key business issues. A score of 70 or above is considered business friendly.

Robeson's two Democratic Legislators, Charles Graham (with a score of 33.9) and Garland Pierce (with a score of 32.7) were not considered friendly toward business.

Democratic State Senator Michael Walters, however, scored the second highest in the State at 77.1.

Republican Representative G.L. Pridgen scored the highest in business-friendly Legislators among the Robeson delegation with a score of 86.9. It took 100 years since the Civil War to elect a Republican Legislator from Robeson, so this is a sign of improvement toward attracting business to the area.

The message is clear. If Robeson wishes to appear business-friendly, it needs to elect more representatives like Democrat Michael Walter or Republican G.L. Pridgen.

Robeson County Surgeon Announces Run for Congress in the 8th District!

2011-09-19T19:43:00.002-04:00

Dr. John Whitley (R), who resides in Fairmont, NC announced his candidacy for the 8th Congressional District Seat today. The seat is currently held by Democrat Larry Kissell.

Whitley is a Neurosurgeon who was raised in Kannapolis, NC which is in the western part of the 8th District. He will seek the Republican nomination.

See his complete announcement here!

Whitley is the only candidate that was born and raised in the 8th District. His family runs a well-known funeral home business in Cabarrus County. Whitely currently lives on a farm in Fairmont where he rescues animals.

He joins Vernon Robinson (R) who is a former Winston-Salem City Councilman. Robinson has also run for State House and Senate seats as well as other runs for US Congress. Click here for Robinson's Link!

Another fellow candidate is Dentist Scott Keadle (R), an Iredell County Commissioner. Keadle ran for US Congress in the 10th and 12th Districts in the past. Click here for Keadle’s Link!

The other announced candidate is Daniel Barry (R). He is an investment advisor and serves on the City Council in Weddington, NC which is a Charlotte suburb. Click here for Barry’s Link!

Stunning GOP Victory

2011-09-14T01:47:00.000-04:00

Around midnight, the Associated Press is calling the race for Republican Bob Turner in the NY Special Election to fill Democrat Anthony Weiner's seat. With 66% of the vote in, Turner has 53% of the vote to Democrat David Weprin's just under 47%.

The win is significant as Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-1 in the District once believed a solid Democratic seat. The Democratic National Committee began to pour money into ads when polls showed Weprin losing to the 70 year old Turner. The race was considered the first test of strength for Obama going into the 2012 elections.

The Democratic Seat hasn't been held by a Republican since 1923. Turner is a retired TV Executive and has never held public office. Weprin has two decades of public service.

In another special election in Nevada, Republican Mark Amodei is also leading Democrat Kate Marshall, 56% to 39% with ten percent of the precincts reporting. Both the NY and Nevada campaigns linked themselves to Obama and urged voters to send a message to Obama.

In New York, even former Democratic Mayor Ed Koch supported the Republican. While the Democrats deployed former President Bill Clinton in support of the Democrat.

In 2008, Obama won this District by 55% of the vote. Al Gore won it by 67% in 2000.

Executive Committee Meeting Report

2011-09-06T23:34:00.000-04:00

The Executive Committee of the Robeson County Republican Party met this evening. The Featured Speaker was Dr. Mike Beitler, Republican Candidate for Secretary of State.

Dr. Beitler is a business professor at UNC-Greensboro, Business Consultant and host of the "Free Markets" radio show. He is the author of three books and a former Chief Financial Officer.

He is an inspiring leader who knows what businesses need to succeed in North Carolina. His website is: http://beitlerfornc.com/

Local Political Report: Although there have been rumors of county commissioner candidates who have the name recognition & ability to raise the thousands of dollars needed to mount a campaign, it is just that - a rumor. The Party is still searching for viable candidates who have both the necessary credentials & ability to survive expensive campaigns. It is hoped that serious candidates with name recognition will emerge and be vetted by the Spring.

State Report: There will be a Town Hall meeting at Robeson Community College on October 27th at 5:00pm featuring State Speaker Thom Tillis.

Federal Report: The Congressional report is a mirror image of the local Political Report. The field is still too early to tell. Operatives on the ground reported tonight that no candidate has announced in the 8th Congressional District that currently lives in the 8th District.

However, veteran politician Vernon Robinson has visited Robeson and is one of the known candidates who is running for the 8th Congressional Seat & actively campaigning. He is speaking at the Women's Club meeting on Sept. 22nd at the Village Station from 11:30am - 1:00pm. His website is: http://www.robinsonforcongress.com/

The seat is currently held by Larry Kissell (D). Robeson County is now in the 8th District; however, most of Robeson may not have gotten the memo as operatives report that 7th Congressional District Congressman Mike McIntyre continues to raise funds locally. McIntyre lives in the 8th but will be running in the 7th which he currently represents before re-districting.

The local Party is monitoring the Congressional, State & Local Re-districting process which still hasn't cleared the Justice Department. We will watch all the lines closely.

County organizational meetings will soon be initiated at all levels.

The latest statistical analysis is almost complete and much will be publicly released soon. Overview: Democrats have lost 12% in Registration over the past decade. Republicans have gained 18%. Unaffiliated have gained 136%.

Statistical Analysis

2011-08-17T22:17:00.003-04:00

Lumberton #1 Registration by Party

Legend: First two bars (DEM 1999 & 2011) Second two bars (GOP 1999 &2011) Third two bars (Unaff 1999 &2011) Last bar (Total registration 1999 & 2011). A reprint error caused the labels to reprint in black so they are not visible.

The Summer of an off year is a great time to perform routine but necessary statistical analysis on demographic data. Our research will be posted from time to time as a benefit to those who follow our Weblog.

Today's brief is from the largest Precinct in the county - Lumberton #1.

In the past decade the Precinct has actually decreased its total voter registration slightly from 4,427 in 1999 (BLUE in Chart) to 3,562 (GREEN in Chart) by 2011.

Democratic Registration dropped from 3,130 to 2,206 in the past decade. A 42% decrease.

Republican Registration dropped from 901 to 828 in the past decade. A 9% decrease.

Unaffiliated Registration rose from 396 to 528. A 25% increase.

The Republican shift is within statistical normalization comparative to population shifts. In other words, not statistically significant. The Democratic shift however is not and was absorbed by Unaffiliated registration.

Lumberton #1 is one of the few precincts in the county that realized a decrease in registration by Republicans which is simply reflective of demographic shifts. In fact, Lumberton & Red Springs are essentially the only areas in which Republican registration has fallen due to these population shifts as the losses were small.

Democrats on the other hand have suffered losses in virtually every precinct in Robeson. Of 41 Precincts, Democrats have only made gains in 8 and those were small.

Unaffiliated voters have enjoyed a stellar rise in every single precinct in the County.

At the end of an election day, once turnout variables are factored into the formulas - it takes fewer and fewer conservative Democrats voting with Republican & Unaffiliated voters to swing an election.

In future reports we will reveal where those losses and gains are located. The results are surprising.

Re-Districting Task Complete

2011-07-28T14:32:00.002-04:00

"Fair and Legal" was the comment from State Rep. David Lewis as the NC Legislature voted on the most recent version of re-districting maps. The measure passed along party lines and now goes to the Feds.

Once signed off by the Justice Department, the new maps become law for the next decade placing most of Robeson in District 8 and only a small sliver in District 7.

Six Veto Overrides in an Hour!

2011-07-25T19:30:00.002-04:00

The NC Legislature over-rode Six bills today that were vetoed by Gov. Perdue from Medical Malpractice caps that Republicans say will make NC a more attractive place for physicians to putting NC on track for off-shore drilling.

Gov. Perdue had stated she did not totally disagree with many of the bills and wanted some adjustments before she signed them; however, the NC Legislature handed the Governor veto over rides on six today. More are expected with or without adjustments.

The Legislature is in special session completing re-districting which they plan to finish by July 28th. Please continue to submit your opposition to Johnston County being included in District 7 by following this link to the public comment page: NC Legislature Public Comment Submission.

We actually join Democrats in calling for Johnston to be removed from District 7 as this Raleigh suburb is not a community of common interest with the coast. We'd like to see Onslow and the city of Wilmington restored to the District. If Robeson must be divided - we also believe dividing by I-95 (and not through the city of Lumberton) is appropriate division of interest as evidenced by West of I-95 leaning Democrat in Federal Elections and East of I-95 leaning Republican.

Please submit your opposition today as it may come to the floor this week. We need 8 NC Legislators to oppose the re-districting plan to force the change.

Second Draft of Congressional Maps Released Today!

2011-07-19T23:13:00.005-04:00

The Second Draft of the Congressional lines was released today by the NC General Assembly. This was the result of public comment and a desire to insure competitive and legal Congressional Districts.

The majority of Robeson is now in the 8th Congressional District. Only a small portion above St. Pauls and Parkton are in the 7th Congressional District as the 7th was shifted.

Democratic politicians had criticized the split in Robeson, leaving professional political operatives bewildered as to why Democrats would take this position. It was clear if Robeson was not split that it would be in the 8th placing Congressman Mike McIntyre in the same District as Congressman Larry Kissell. This would be bad news for the Congressman.

But Congressman McIntyre complained of Lumberton being split although every major NC city was split. What’s more the Congressman complained that somehow Robeson’s voice would be diluted under the first draft. Other cities in NC complained the opposite as Wake for example, gets only three Congressional Representatives instead of the four with the first map.

So while other counties liked having more congressional representation, Congressman McIntyre desired less. Today he got it. If he runs in the District where he now lives, he will be forced into a primary against Democratic incumbent Larry Kissell, which is worse than had it been left split.

Congressman McIntyre has the option of abandoning Lumberton and still run in the 7th. It is an option he may take as he would not have to fight an incumbent in a primary. But it would clearly be awkward given his past positions.

In both versions, Democrats have the majority in three Congressional Districts. There are no Districts where Republicans are in the majority. In both versions, Democrats outnumber Republicans in ten Districts. In all thirteen Districts, a combination of Democrats and Unaffiliated constitute a majority.

So despite the complaints of Democrats – the Legislature has created three strong Democratic Districts and ten other Districts where Democrats can win without a single Republican vote.

As for Robeson, the Democratic Congressman is certainly in a difficult position but it is the position Democrats say they prefer. Republican operatives are bewildered.

But as of today, most of Robeson is in the 8th. Only a small part is in the 7th. Lumberton is no longer split. The complaints of Democrats should now be eliminated not only in Robeson but across the state as the Legislature has accomplished much more competitive Districts than the 2001 map.

Warriors Meet - Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-02T22:47:00.005-04:00

Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano was in Pembroke today for 4th of July Festivities. He is shown here with a fellow warrior - Delano Cummings author of the book "Moon Dash Warrior".

Pantano is a member of the Lumbee Warrior Association and was showing his respects to fellow warriors on this Independence Holiday in Pembroke even though the area will not be within the 7th Congressional District where he is a candidate.

Clearly, Pantano is a class act.

While Pantano was at the Festivities in Robeson - the current 7th Congressional Congressman was touring Italy. Pantano is ironically of Italian descent ( so the Italian guy was in Robeson on his own dime & time while the Robeson representative was in Italy on the taxpayer dime & time on a taxpayer funded junket).

The Lumbee tribe will be in the 8th Congressional District and have a consolidated voice in Congress next election as tribal members living in nearby Scotland and Hoke Counties will be included within the same District.

Re-Districting Maps!

2011-07-01T19:38:00.007-04:00

Re-Districting maps were made public today. Robeson has been split between two Congressional Districts. Congressman McIntyre is already complaining. In reality he should be happy. Had the County not been split, he would have been forced into the 8th Congressional District with Democratic Congressman Larry Kissell.

Robeson should get to know the name of Kissell as he, Schuler and Miller are the three Democrats most affected by re-districting. Their Districts are now decidedly more Republican. Kissell will run against a GOP contender to represent western and northern Robeson. Kissell is in an unlikely position to hold the seat and McIntyre would have been in a worse position being unknown in that District. The west end of the 8th is decidedly Republican. Kissell will not be able to hold on to the seat.

The new 7th District cuts up I-95 then carves out the middle of Lumberton. McIntyre lost about 3% right off the top. McCain won the 7th with 52% in 2008 but would have garnered 55% in this new District. Bush took 56% of the old 7th, he would have taken 59% in this new District. Keep in mind, McIntyre won his last election with about 53% so the loss puts him on the most level playing field of any Democrat.

The new 7th Congressional District consists of 42% Democrat, 32% Republican and 26% Unaffiliated. So of the four Democratic Congressmen affected – three are expected to lose and McIntyre’s is a toss-up at best. McIntyre’s challenger is Ilario Pantano, a former US Marine. The re-districting plan picks up Onslow county and the Marine Base there.

Clearly, the lawsuits will now begin regarding re-districting as they did when Democrats gerrymandered the State a decade ago. The Democrats horrendous map has stood for the past decade. There is little reason the Republican map will not stand for the next.

At best, Republicans expected a county represented by a Democrat & a Republican as a result of re-districting as the 8th was expected to be a Majority-Minority District - it's not. As it turns out, Robeson actually has the chance of being represented by two Republicans.

Operations level Republicans are still studying the maps. But so far, things will be interesting as Republicans have a lot of work to do.
8th Congressional District West & North Robeson - 7th Congressional District South East Robeson = Dividing Lumberton.

Robeson GOP Historical Moment: Jan 1956

2011-06-30T13:43:00.004-04:00

We've all heard the story. The Robeson GOP once met in a phone booth. Well, the story is true - in a sense.

Robeson Republican Party Chairman Ed Hodges of Fairmont, Wade Kinlaw of Lumberton, Fred Keith of St. Pauls, J.W. Sellers of Lumberton, George Miller of Fairmont and E.B. Parker of Fairmont attended a $100-a-plate Eisenhower dinner in 1956 according to a Robesonian article.

The dinner was held in Winston-Salem and the Robeson Republicans were immediately referred to as "The Phone Booth Boys" in memory of a day several years earlier when Republicans sought a meeting place at the Lumberton Courthouse. W.D. Reynolds was the county manager then and assigned the Republicans a phone booth which in his opinion was big enough to hold the expected attendance - apparently as a joke.

Other news stories list impressive attendances for Robeson Republicans greater than one would expect in a Democratic county so the county manager simply seems to have been having fun with local Republicans - nevertheless, Mr. Burt Benson discovered that local Democrat "Peavine" Reynolds perpetuated the joke for years.

The rest is history. It actually happened in the mid-1950's and the joke has perpetuated to this day.

Pantano: Forbes Interview

2011-06-29T07:51:00.001-04:00

Junket - A Trip or Tour by an Official at Public Expense

2011-06-25T20:18:00.003-04:00

Taking a vacation this summer? You should be in Congress working for Southeastern North Carolina like Congressman Mike McIntyre. Even his wife is sacrificing a local celebration of their anniversary - for the good of the District.

If you’re a Senior, you’re probably not concerned about your anniversary either. You may even listened in on Congressman McIntyre’s phone based Town Hall for Seniors this week - he wants to show he cares about the District.

You probably are not taking a vacation either this year. Gas prices are terrible. Unemployment is high. Congressman McIntyre understands this and sent out a survey this week asking what you thought could be done about job loss. He wants to show he cares about the District.

In fact, Republican operatives wondered why so much activity from the Congressman’s office in a non-election year. Why so much concern in one week?

Friends over at the Huffington Post answered the question, breaking the story along with the Washington Post.

After showing concern for the desperate situation in the District this week- Congressman McIntyre and his wife Dee, joined five other House members on a trip to Rome. It was a bi-partisan junket as it looks better that way.

To be fair, the Congressman announced the trip – articulated value and said the government would be reimbursed for his wife’s expenses. Nevertheless, the Huffington Post is steamed along with the Washington Post.

Despite rising local gas prices- a government jet at Andrews Air Force Base, fueled by voter paid fuel, departed Friday on a 10 day trip. Cultural tours of Rome, lunch at the Velando restaurant near the Vatican and more for the Congressmen awaits them this week.

Two Republicans and Four Democrats went along for the ride. Joining Congressman McIntyre (D-NC) was Theodore Deutch (D-Fl), Ruben Hinojosa (D-Tx), Tom Marino (R-Penn), Dan Burton (R-Ind) and non-voting Guam member Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam). McIntyre, Burton, Hinojosa and Deutch took their wives along and according to the reported itinerary, McIntyre and his wife Dee will celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary in Rome.

After Rome this weekend, they will visit other European capitals including Moscow. They will be back in time for parades on July 4th.

The stated reason for the trip according to the Washington Post is to “examine the European financial crisis” and “foreign operations of the U.S.” Something that can’t be discovered by diplomats already overseas or maybe something that can’t be discovered with a computer and a Wi-Fi connection no doubt. Maybe everyone would have felt better if a stop to see the troops was included. But it is now being reported by all the news services.

Taxpayers will get a bill for about $70,000 according to reports for just the 3 day weekend in Rome, not to mention the other 7 days. The reports center the Rome business around a 30 minute meeting with the US Ambassador to Italy on Monday.

Congress stacked up $15 million worth of foreign travel in 2009. Luggage service and meals are included. Even the liberal Huffington Post is steamed. Republicans and Democrats do this all the time.

Is Congressman McIntyre and other bi-partisan junkets really studying the European financial crisis (if so, does it have value) or just contributing to our own financial crisis at taxpayer expense? Congress has its perks. It’s something liberals and conservatives can agree on.

Enjoy your summer vacation.

Robeson GOP Historical Moment: September 1973

2011-06-14T19:22:00.004-04:00

Lumberton Attorney Fred Musselwhite accepts the gavel from Col. Frederick Weber outgoing GOP Chair to become the leader of the Robeson County Republican Party in 1973. Juliette Hardin was Vice Chair, Sara Davis Secretary and Norman Morton treasurer. Norm Morton would later become chairman of the Party.

Delegates to the State Convention were John Armstrong, Bruce Barton, B.E. Benson, Paul Brooks, Leroy Hardin, Eula Mae Harrell, Horace Hunt, Fred Keith, Carl Moore, Doug Murray, Charles McIntyre, Vicki Ransom, Juddi Revels, Ray Revels and Clyde Register.

An overflow crowd of over 100 was reported to have attended the county convention.

NC State Convention

2011-06-05T17:11:00.008-04:00

The NC State Convention was held in Wilmington, NC this weekend. Pictured is only part of the Delegation from Robeson representing Republicans from across the county at the convention in which former US Congressman Robin Hayes was elected as State Chairman.

Delegates from Robeson also attended break out sessions such as one with NC Legislators in which House Speaker Thom Tillis spoke of passing the NC budget through the Legislature the night before.

Over 1,000 delegates from 90 North Carolina counties joined the Robeson delegation which included NC Legislator G.L. Pridgen (R) shown here with Scotland County Vice-Chairman Charles Brown and Robeson's Bo Biggs.

In addition to meeting with politicians and political operatives - Delegates also interacted with vendors such as former pastor Gordon Lawrence, author of the book, "Great Men Bow Down".

The next big GOP news will be the release of Re-Districting work by the Legislature. It is still unclear where the exact lines will be drawn but Republicans are optimistic that the Districts will be fair and equitable.

NC Legislator G.L. Pridgen (R) is shown here with NC Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby and Lee Grantham.

Pridgen Energy Bill Passes Committee

2011-05-29T10:00:00.004-04:00

Raleigh – Representative Gaston (G. L.) Pridgen will introduce, as the primary sponsor, House Bill 585, “NC Energy Independence Study,” for House vote. The Bill passed favorably out of the Public Utilities Committee. This legislation is an Act to direct the Environmental Review Commission (Commission), with the assistance of the Department of Commerce (Department), to study the development of natural gas, oil, wind, solar and other energy sources capable of energy production in NC. Enactment of HB 585 will be for the purposes of NC becoming more self-reliant as to its energy supplies thus more independent of foreign energy markets, which are volatile and steeply fluctuating due to current energy and political crises.

Representative G. L. Pridgen (R-Robeson) pointed out that independent energy solutions will not happen overnight; this Act will facilitate action by the Commission and the Department to identify prospective energy companies that explore for and produce energy, which are capable of large scale energy production. They will be invited to North Carolina to present specific proposals for the production of energy to the Commission and the Department. We need to actively pursue all alternatives to avoid the potential of being completely cut off from foreign fuel due to political unrest and instability in the Middle East.

The Commission and Department shall also consider actions that would promote the development of NC’s energy sources capable of large scale energy production. They shall consider the use of incentives, including tax credits and other financial incentives, and changes to State law to reduce the regulatory burden on energy development and production. The Commission and the Department shall present their findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals to the 2012 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

NCGOP State Convention, June3-5, Wilmington

2011-05-11T09:28:00.003-04:00

Early Bird registration ends May 13th (Friday) for the NCGOP State Convention. If you haven't been to a convention, this is the closest one we've had to Robeson in years.

Click this link to go to the Convention Website for the latest news and to register.

Robeson Democrat registration has now fallen below 75%. One out of every 4 Robesonians is either Republican or Unaffiliated. Two of the three are conservative Democrats with one of those two thinking about switching Parties. The ratios are even more favorable in certain Precincts.

Quote of the Day:

Thanking Obama for killing Bin Laden is like going into McDonalds and thanking Ronald McDonald for the hamburger. We should thank the guy on the grill cooking the hamburger, not the clown.

Atlas Shrugged Movie Released Today!

2011-04-15T21:17:00.002-04:00

Visit the Official Atlas Shrugged Movie Web Site!

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand & featured on Sean Hannity opened in theaters today! Since it was produced as an independent film as liberal Hollywood refused to support it - the closest the film is being shown to our area is Charlotte, Raleigh & Wilmington.

Although 655 people from the 28358 zip code have demanded it be shown closer according to the Movie Website if you go the the link to request it be shown in your area.

Clearly, it is a movie of our time if you had a chance to read the 1,000 page book. Great Stuff.

Robeson GOP Convention News

2011-03-24T08:35:00.011-04:00

The Robeson County Republican Convention was held this week at the Lumberton Lion's Club.
Refreshments were served as delegates registered for the Convention and toured booths set up by the folks from FairTax.

The convention was preceded by an ongoing Video Review of the previous election cycle.

After reports from standing committees, the elected officials were recognized who were in attendance.

The convention heard from Councilman Don Metzger, Commissioner David Edge and Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano. NC Legislator G.L. Pridgen sent his regrets as he had a conflicting meeting convention night.
Linda Metzger updated the convention on Robeson Republican Women activities.

With the conclusion of Precinct organizational matters the convention viewed a motivational Video Review of the District 7 Race followed by a Keynote address by

District 7 Chairman Frank Williams who helped lead those efforts.

A Business session adopted a plan of organization for the upcoming term and the delay of the District 7 Convention was discussed due to redistricting. New Officers were selected for the upcoming term along with Executive Committee members:

Phillip Stephens, Chairman
Linda Metzger, Vice Chair
Hila Wilkerson, Secretary
Bo Biggs, Treasurer

Executive Committee:

Burt Benson
Jim Parker
Lee Grantham
Gervais Oxendine
Ron Maynor
David Edge, Official
G.L. Pridgen, Official
Don Metzger, Official
Twenty-Four Delegates were also selected from the County Convention to represent Robeson at the State Convention which will be held in Wilmington in June.

The Convention especially would like to thank the many volunteers who make the success of the Republican Party possible. The Republican Party is the clear conservative voice of Robeson through these dedicated volunteers helping to advance the success of Robeson County.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T18:19:00.003-05:00

This past year will be remembered for the tremendous strides Republicans have made in the region. The Republican Party extends a warm season's greetings & a Happy New Year as we continue to build on the success of 2010.

The first official item of business in 2011 will be the swearing-in ceremony of NC State Legislator G.L. Pridgen who officially becomes the first GOP Representative from this Legislative District and the first from Lumberton from either Party in decades.

The Ceremony will be held at 2:30 pm Monday, January 10th at the Robeson County Courthouse located at 500 N. Elm Street, Lumberton with Judge Robert Floyd officiating.

There also will be another ceremony at noon, Wednesday, January 26th at the Legislative Building located at 16 West Jones Street, Raleigh. Seating for the Raleigh event is limited - RSVP by January 19th for this event.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T10:29:00.003-05:00

This has been a productive year for Republicans. The political gains will reverberate for some time helping to advance our county, state and nation. Thank you for being a part of these historical advances.

The job is not over - its just beginning. Please continue to pray for our nation through the holiday season and help us lend feet to those prayers as we protect the banner of freedom into the next year.

Again, Thank you for your continued support...

Merry Christmas from the Robeson County Republican Party!

David Edge (R) - Robeson County Commissioner!

2010-12-06T22:08:00.003-05:00

David Edge was officially sworn in as the first Republican County Commissioner to serve Robeson since the Civil War. Edge downplays the distinction, saying he is ready to get to work and is just a regular member serving on the board. This provides an honorable and humble beginning for the next fiscal board which was seated tonight.

The commissioner meeting room was crowded with citizens and county officials along with the entire GOP leadership in North Carolina as State GOP Chairman Tom Fetzer attended the event along with District Chairman Frank Williams. The entire local contingent of GOP Leaders was present as well to witness the historic event.

David Edge was sworn-in by the Honorable Judge Hubert Richardson whom Edge knows well. His wife and family were present.

Republican Commissioner to be Sworn into Office Monday!

2010-12-02T21:01:00.004-05:00

David Edge will become the first Republican County Commissioner to serve Robeson County since the Civil War. He replaces Tommy Wellington for the District 6 seat on the board and will be sworn into office at 6:00pm Monday, December 6th.

The ceremony will be held in the county commissioner meeting room located at 701 North Elm Street, Lumberton prior to the begining of the December county commissioner meeting. A brief reception will follow.

State GOP Chairman Tom Fetzer and District GOP Chairman Frank Williams are both expected to attend the historic event. Republican friends and supporters are asked to attend to show your support during this historic occasion.

The True Story of Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T08:57:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving from the Robeson County Republican Party! Please take 8 minutes & 45 seconds this Holiday to discover how Thanksgiving is connected to the discovery that Socialism does not work by the Pilgrims. They scrapped Socialism and insured God is the basis of their Society in the New World. Here the true story from Rush Limbaugh that is left out of politically correct textbooks Below:

The True story is how the Pilgrims rejected a communal society and set up a system of Capitalism which not only saved the colony but attracted more settlers from England.

County Manager Resigns!

2010-11-22T17:03:00.002-05:00

Just off the wire - County Manager Ken Windley to resign Nov. 30th. Click Here For Full Story.

NC Senate has 31 Republicans!

2010-11-16T21:31:00.004-05:00

NC GOP majorities in Raleigh remain solid. There are only a few races left in the state the GOP is monitoring.

Yesterday at 5:00 pm was the deadline for filing post-election recounts. Democrat Incumbent John Snow did not ask for a recount by the deadline making Republican Dr. Jim Davis the 31st Republican in the N.C. Senate. Snow had trailed Davis by 161 votes.

Over in the house there are four races we are still monitoring.

One is over with Republican Stan Larson down 348 votes in Pitt County. The margin is just over 1% so there will be no recount leaving Democrat Marian McLawhorn as the winner.

GOP Challenger Harry Warren in Rowan County is up 158 voters over incumbent Lorraine Coates. The recount is tomorrow.

The two other races are in Cumberland. GOP challenger Johnny Dawkins is behind Democratic incumbent Dianne Parfitt by 110 votes and GOP challenger Jackie Warner is behind Democrat incumbent Rick Glaser by just 48 votes. Both will have a recount.

This leaves 67 seats in the NC House if Warren's lead still holds in Rowan. There is an independent in Rockingham county that will caucus with the Republicans as well which essentially brings the majority in the House to 68. The two close races in Cumberland have the potential of pushing the majority to 69 or 70.

Note: There are 50 members in the NC Senate & 120 members in the NC House.

In US Congressional races - Republican Renee Ellmers who defeated Democratic incumbent Bob Etheridge by 1,489 votes will face a recount this week as well.

Government Review

2010-11-06T23:31:00.002-04:00

As the Election ends - Here is the best quick review on why we are a Republic & not a Democracy. It also explains more accurately that the terms Left & Right are misused.

This 10 minute video clearly demonstrates the differences between Democrats & Republicans. It's worth the watch - Enjoy.

RNC & DNC political operative fun

2010-11-05T21:40:00.007-04:00

In some countries the losing candidate may be jailed or face other forms of persecution for attempting to challenge the status-quo. Fortunately, reasonable Americans understand the value of our two-party system.

This week Democrats won some and Republicans won alot. Other years it has been the other way around. Either way, the only ones who complain bitterly about that process and persecute opposing sides are folks who are either small minded, have mental disorders, are too far left or right ideologically or are simply not Americans and should be watched with suspicion.

Other countries fail to understand how professional political operatives fight each other in a campaign then eat lunch together afterward. Democratic strategist James Carville even married GOP strategist Mary Matlin.

So to relieve the post campaign tension - here's what our friends in D.C. did.

In 1992, a life sized donkey was placed at the front door of the Republican National Committee offices as a fitting prank by Democratic operatives when Democrats took the White House and Congressional majorities. Republicans were amused and stored the donkey given to them.

Tuesday night Republicans paid their Democratic brethren back. The same donkey, shown here, was delivered after midnight to the steps of the Democratic National Committee to be given back to the Democrats. Only it was covered with GOP campaign material and "Fire Pelosi" shirt.

It seems a tradition has begun between them.

Congressman McIntyre makes Hit List from National Leadership - State & Local Leadership will soon follow for other 2012 Seats

2010-11-03T22:40:00.013-04:00

Less than 24 hours since the re-election of Congressman Mike McIntyre and he already has made the National Republican Congressional Committee's Top Ten Hit List.

Read the report from CQ Politics: CLICK HERE!

A total of 19 States are now controlled by a Republican Governor and Legislature - Zero switched to Democrat. The Legislature in North Carolina is Republican for the first time since 1870!

So this election is more than being in power for the next two years after being out of power for over a century. Republicans can expand their influence into the next decade as this Legislature will have the opportunity at redistricting based on the recent census.

Controlling re-districting is the biggest prize in this election as Republicans gained about 66 House Seats and 30 Senate Seats.

Robeson Republican GL Pridgen unseated incumbent Doug Yongue who is a 16 year veteran of the Legislature and powerful chair of the appropriations committee. Pridgen will be rewarded nicely for breaking that stronghold - a big asset to Robeson.

As David Edge takes a GOP seat on the County Commissioner board there are already reports that no one saw it coming as incumbent Wellington responded to reporters that he just got caught up in a Republican wave.

Never thought you'd hear a complaint about a Republican wave in Robeson did you? Democratic strongholds usually mean waves don't get through. The GOP Leadership from Raleigh to Washington has noticed the fissures in what can now be described as a former Democratic stronghold - you heard it here first.

The Robeson GOP can report that its not just a wave - the water is actually rising. This is important news for candidates who don't swim. The only ones who didn't see it coming are those that weren't looking or noticing it was getting wet.

Now the NRCC has already posted the 7th Congressional Seat on the target list for 2012 and this has filtered down to the local GOP organization with marching orders to fulfill more target lists.

Like the Crimson Tide - the GOP will continue to consistently help the voice of conservatives be heard and relentlessly fight the liberal agenda. That is our mission - working with Republicans and our Conservative Democratic brethren to fulfill that cause

The Robeson GOP Weblog is your source for local conservative news with over 200 views to our site in under 24 hours. Stay here for the latest and remember...Roll Tide!

Historic Election Night!

2010-11-03T14:56:00.010-04:00

Historic - is the only word that could describe Election Night for local Conservatives. The gains & successes are immeasurable. Here’s a rec-cap:

The local Republican Party accomplished 4 huge tasks that political observers across the state didn’t believe could ever happen in Robeson County individually, much less occur all at one time.

1. Help Re-Elect a Republican Senator
2. Elected the First Republican Legislator from Robeson
3. Elected the First Republican County Commissioner
4. Made tremendous progress toward breaking single Party monopoly on the Congressional Seat.

Seating three Republicans from a Democratic stronghold like Robeson is earth shattering to most observers and disconcerting to Democrats who never had to campaign against Republicans before.

Clearly, it would have been a home run to win in all the races from County & State level to Washington. But in a county where Republicans rarely get to bat in local races and when they do they strike out at the plate – Election Night proved to be a game winning triple play.

Now the Republican Party strategy is clear to political observers after the election. During the campaign it was less obvious on the outside.

From Day one the intention of local Republican strategists was a synergistic effort with no wasted motion. Candidates were advised from the beginning the projection that the only way for Republicans to win in a Democratic stronghold was for conservative candidates to work with area GOP strategists in mutual coordination between campaigns. Campaigns agreed to mount joint efforts.

A large grassroots effort was mounted. Usual networks were put into place. Candidates, staff, volunteers and supporters understood Republicans were entering the race as one large team.

It is no accident that the Precincts in which Burr, Pridgen and Edge won overlapped. Even the Precincts Pantano held the closest margins were in these same Precincts. The idea was to create a tidal wave that would carry as many candidates to shore as possible. The candidates did an excellent job.

Senator Burr knows the best the local GOP can do is to hold as close a margin as possible against Democratic challengers. By doing this he is able to absorb any losses in other areas of the State. But he came to the county to help with visibility and show support for the efforts here. His election was not as difficult once Democrats stopped funding their candidate. But the momentum in the federal races would help propel local ones while local candidates had boots on the ground with federal candidates mounting the air war.

With the exception of the local Republican crowds - no one seemed to notice the ground game as a result of grassroots efforts - just the highly visible air war which always gets contentious in tight races.

Local strategists informed the Pantano campaign from the beginning that the Congressional strategy in that race would necessarily mirror efforts for Burr in that Pantano would not win Robeson – but margins would need to be held close in order to give Republican leaning counties the room they needed to finish the job. The Pantano Campaign calculated their needs to match their strategy in other counties - supplied them to the local team and staff seamlessly intergrated the efforts with the overal GOP strategy.

Supporters in that campaign can take pride in the fact that Robeson clearly met the goal margins it set at the beginning of the election season. The goal support was achieved, the fundraising effort was achieved while excitement and turnouts were exceeded.

But while the Pantano campaign met their goal margins in Robeson and won eastern counties like Pender, Brunswick & New Hanover – the wins in the east did not meet the projected margins. Pender & especially New Hanover were much too close.

The casual observer may not notice but Robeson margins were nearly a perfect storm. In a Precinct like Lumberton #1 where 1,345 votes were cast – Pantano lost by only 195 votes and in East Howellsville that cast around 466 votes, Pantano lost by only 10 votes.

Deeper regression type analysis of straight party tickets and voting in uncontested races reveals a lot of hard core Democrats peeled away from the Party. Senator Michael Walters received the same number of votes uncontested (around 16,000) that McIntyre received while District Attorney Johnson Britt and Sheriff Kenneth Sealey received 17,901 and 19,024 respectively which was several thousand more uncontested than the Congressman received. This reveals fissures in Democratic Party support that are occurring.

The Congressional race momentum helped move voters in Representative G.L. Pridgen’s Precincts to the polls where he won Robeson and Hoke. Commissioner David Edge certainly was able to tap into that excitement along with the fact that a close race was in the offering.

Edge won in Lumberton 1, Lumberton 2 and West Howellsville, which were GOP target Precincts for Burr & Pantano as well. Local strategists understand that Robeson is clearly too large of a county to expect wholesale conversion of over 900 square miles of county.

As a result of this success – Republicans now control the NC Senate & House and locally Robeson has Republican legislator G.L. Pridgen who will sit at the re-districting table. Re-districting changes will reverberate through the state for a decade and Robeson finally will have a word in the fight for fair and equal representation.

A Republican on the Board of Commissioners simply brings a new dynamic to the board with fresh ideas. Commissioner David Edge will be on the cutting Edge of county progress. His presence there is a signal of the progress Robeson is making toward bi-partisanship and growth.

The Republican party believes Congressman Mike McIntyre will be a better Congressman after this election.

From the beginning Republicans stated that area conservatives have nothing personal against our local representative – this was politics, it was business, Republican operatives did their job and his campaign did theirs. That's the way it works.

The election is over and McIntyre is our Congressman who we look forward to working with for a better region. He has also said as much so already the cooperation has begun.

He can comfortably rest in the assurance that area Republicans will support his efforts within the region. It is now time to find the common ground as there is plenty of time before the next referendum.

The future for the New Republican Party in Robeson is bright -

Plans for 2012 are already in place. Targets are set for other seats and gaining more ground in supporting the conservative movement. Republicans should be proud of the progress thus far. Excellent groundwork has been laid.

This has not occurred in over 100 years. It is an historic moment. We plan to continue to build upon it with your help. Please stay involved – stay engaged.

We have a Governor’s race in 2012, the Congressional seat is up again and there are about 3 county commissioner seats and 2 of them are targets. The commissioner strategy is developing, the Congressional race groundwork is in place and there are already meetings at the highest levels regarding the Governor’s race.

Another coordinated effort has begun just one day after the 2010 election (actually, while the teams were together from around the state - it started hours after the 2010 results were in) - Robeson is now part of the overall state strategy which means if you are receiving this - you are a participant in that team.

We need you – Don’t miss any of it. Thank you for your support this election cycle. This isn’t the end; it is only the beginning. Today is the first day of a new era in local politics that you helped make happen.

The GOP picked up more US House Seats than any time since 1948 - and the NC Legislature control is Republican for the first time since 1870. Robeson picked up its first seats for state and local races since the Civil War.

The Republican Party thanks you for your support. We have long range plans and thanks to you - the strategy from our brighest strategists is working.

Elections Central!

2010-11-01T14:02:00.002-04:00

Final Staff & Volunteer Meeting - 5:30 pm Monday, Nov. 1st GOP Election HQ on Fayetteville Road.

Polls Open Tuesday, Nov. 2nd: 6:30am to 7:30pm

List of Polling Sites: CLICK HERE
Monitor Election - County Results: CLICK HERE
Monitor Election - Statewide Results: CLICK HERE

Thanks in advance for the hardworking staff, volunteers, contributers & voters during the 2010 cycle. Please make phone calls, emails and personal contact tomorrow to get Conservative Supporters to the polls.

We need you on our side to help make history - If historians or your grandchildren ask if you were a part of changing the political landscape dominated by a single party for over 140 years - will you be able to say that you helped do something that hasn't been done since Grant was President? We need your help!

We will be switching to Election Day Operations this evening. The above links will provide you with real-time information shortly after the polls close. So this is still the place to receive the latest in conservative news.

Our latest Videos include:

CLICK HERE for a look at the 2010 Campaign Trail

CLICK HERE for a look at GOP Body Language Footage from the Campaign Trail

Thank you & Remember to Vote!

Pre-Election Countdown!

2010-10-31T23:56:00.002-04:00

District 7 Early Voting Status:

Democrats 38,192
Republicans 30,941
Unaffiliated 15,605
Libertarians 83

In Robeson:

Democrats 3,298
Republicans 676
Unaffiliated 436
Libertarians 2

It is important to turnout the Conservative Vote Tuesday. Please begin focusing those efforts that will help provide a huge coservative turnout.

See Verne Strickland's lastest Installment regarding the race here: Click Here!

Final Staff & Volunteer Meeting in the War Room at the Robeson County Election Headquarters 5:30 pm Monday November 1st!

Democratic Consultant says GOP will take McIntyre's Seat and possibly the State Senate!

2010-10-30T22:39:00.002-04:00

NC: By Ned Barnett | 10.29.10 | 3:29 pm

North Carolina Democrats looking for a glimmer of hope in this election should avoid having a conversation before Nov. 3 with one of their prominent campaign consultants, Brad Crone.

Crone reads the polls like a Democratic Cassandra — seeing gloom and doom on the Nov. 2 horizon.

What troubles him most are survey results showing that 18 percent of North Carolina Democrats say they are leaning Republican, and independent voters are breaking for the Republicans by a margin of 64-36 percent.

“Add those numbers up and it’s going to get pretty hairy for Democrats,” said Crone, who founded his Raleigh consulting firm Campaign Connections in 1991.

In the state’s four most closely contested congressional races, Crone, who has consulted in more than 100 North Carolina elections since 1992, offered these assessments:

In the 11th CD, Democrat Heath Shuler beats Republican Jeff Miller.

In the 8th CD, Larry Kissell holds off a challenge by Republican Harold Johnson.

In the 2nd CD, Bob Etheridge “is in a dogfight” with Republican Renee Ellmers that is too close to call.

In the 7th CD, longtime Democratic incumbent Mike McIntyre “is toast” in his race against Republican Ilario Pantano. Others see the race as close, but Crone said the political tide Down East is strongly against an incumbent. “I’m just concerned that eastern North Carolina has the potential of being a blood bath because of what I call the angry white male vote,” Crone said.

In the General Assembly races, Crone sees it as likely that Republicans will take control of both chambers for the first time in 112 years. He says flatly that “the Senate is going to the GOP.” He predicts Republicans will come out with 27 or 28 seats in the 50-seat upper chamber.

In the House, Crone said the contest is so tight there is a 40 percent chance the chamber could end up split 60-60, though it could go to Republicans by a margin as high as 63-57.

As for turnout, Crone expects it to be traditional for midterm elections, about 40 to 42 percent, with a high percentage of voters over 50 years old. He says many of the younger voters who turned out for the 2008 presidential election will not vote in this election.

Robeson GOP Note: This only happens if the GOP continues to PUSH HARD - Work your contacts this weekend - Help Get Out the Vote! As long as Obama is in the White House & Pelosi is Speaker - Do we really want a Democrat representing the District!

Vote Republican this Year!

Historic! - Help Get Out the Vote!

2010-10-29T23:54:00.001-04:00

The 72 Hour Push is on! Help Get Out the Vote! November 2nd!

Pantano Front Porch Commercial Hits Airways - New Endorsements!

2010-10-28T17:39:00.003-04:00

Today Pantano received the Guardian of Senior's Rights Award from the National Non-Partisan Senior Citizens Group - The 60 Plus Association.

The annoucement from entertainer Pat Boone - and just in time...

The oppositions tone in the McIntyre Camp has been sour of late. The McIntyre campaign is angry and has thrown every insult and misrepresentation it can trying to find something to stick.

From vicious attacks on Pantano's military record - wrongly stating Pantano's support of the Fair Tax (forcing Mcintyre to pull the ad) - the most egregious was posting photos of Pantano's wife in the lowest of tactics (which McIntyre must enjoy seeing as it is still up since September 24th which really is subhuman even in this business even though Pantano has asked him like a gentleman to request their removal) - to trying a tactic that failed against Reagan in scaring the elderly by saying Pantano will take away their Social Security. Something Pantano has not said and will not do - but the Democrats have demonstrated they can and will.

Afterall, McIntyre had a chance to save it in the past and didn't.

The McIntyre campaign even has the audacity to remind us of their double standards - They insult the fact that Pantano was born in New York but chooses to live here after loving North Carolina being stationed at Camp Lejeune - But they try to bring a New York Congressman who was born in Chadbourn but moved to New York and ran for office. Notice the irony.

You see, they are proud when a Democrat moves to another state and serves - but Republicans aren't held by the same logic - then they remind everyone they have a double standard. Neat isn't it?

Yes, the tone is sour in the McIntyre Camp. Notice their angry misleading Social Security ad - watch it and you see angry, angry, angry. Then watch Pantano's response below just out today and ask yourself who is the calm voice of reason we need in Washington.

We have to hand it to Pantano. He is truely conducting himself like a Southern Gentleman.

Please help circulate this ad!

ALIPAC & Palin Endorse Pantano while McIntyre shifts Team - Brings in Outside Help

2010-10-26T22:35:00.005-04:00

SC State Rep. Tim Scott (R-SC House) was the first black Republican to be elected to the SC House of Representatives in 2008. He has been in public service for over 13 years and is running for the SC 1st Congressional District that borders the 7th Congressional District in NC.

Rep. Scott was on hand (seen here with Pantano) for a couple of significant announcements that the Pantano Campaign made to supporters in Wilmington this evening.

Americans for Legal Immigration (ALIPAC) have pulled their earlier endorsement of Mike McIntyre & are now endorsing Ilario Pantano. In transferring their support to Pantano (originally awarded to McIntyre in 2008) the group states in their announcement that they feel Pantano will be more aggressive about securing America's borders.

McIntyre had touted their support earlier in the campaign and was happy to have their endorsement. Conventional wisdom predicts the McIntyre Campaign will now downplay the importance of ALIPAC as much as they played it up when they supported him.

Gov.Sarah Palin's Endorsement of Pantano was another huge announcment released by the campaign this evening as well. In her statement to the press (which has been released to all the news agencies) is that Palin feels Ilario Pantano will help bring common sense back to Washington. Look for both stories in your local news media sources.

As these stories are breaking - the McIntyre campaign is already reporting that US Rep Edolphus "Ed" Towns who was originally from nearby Chadbourn and is now representing the 10th Congressional District in New York - will be visiting the area to help him campaign.

Yes - You read that correctly. The same campaign that doesn't think someone born in New York who comes to North Carolina to serve as a Marine can't represent the District unless born here - somehow reverses that logic and gets someone born in this District but representing New York to come stump with him. It's okay when Democrats move to serve. Just not Republicans and a little ironic, isn't it?

There has also been another silent shake up at the McIntyre campaign which seems to have now pulled in an outside manager and abandoned his long time local managers - who quite honestly have been capable of handling his campaign in the past. Apparently, local folks born and raised in Lumberton don't know about local issues & the local people like someone from outside the county. Again, its okay when Democrats pull in outside help - only Republicans can't do that.

Sure, we're making fun of the Democratic situation but Republicans just find it ironic if not hypocritical. In all honesty, US Rep. Towns is a 14 year veteran of the US House and a well respected member of Congress. Republicans are honored to have him in the County to stump for McIntyre who sure needs the help these days. Chadbourn should be proud of his success.

So we're sure McIntyre is honored at the Palin endorsement of Pantano as well.

Lastly, it is reported by the Pantano Campaign that although McIntyre says he doesn't work for Pelosi - she has dumped nearly $500,000 into the area to help defeat Pantano according to the campaign. How much would she have spent if he did work for her?

2010 Election Compilation

2010-10-25T19:45:00.002-04:00

A collection of this years Election Cycle messages! It's worth the watch & thanks to the folks that put it together...Remember Vote this Week then secure 10 more to vote conservative as well.

Happy or Hostage!

2010-10-24T20:19:00.011-04:00

Here's a photo of the mayor's who have endorsed Congressman McIntyre. Why are these folks not smiling?

Well, there are a couple of reasons.

One mayor actually contacted the GOP and wanted more details about Ilario Pantano. The mayor was a little agitated because he hadn't heard from McIntyre in 14 years - then suddenly he gets a call from McIntyre asking for this endorsment. It seems some mayors are unhappy because this is the first time they've gotten a call in years.

Then there is the case of mayors that are in contact with the Congressman quite often. They wish to stay in an incumbents good graces and must stick with the Party line - just like McIntyre must do when he votes for Pelosi. They really can't risk offending the Congressman now can they? So like good soldiers, they pony up their endorsment. Understandable - Nothing wrong with that - But they are unhappy nevertheless.

Just look at them again. Are they Happy or being held Hostage?

You decide...

Then there is the happy crowd on the streets of Wilmington at the Press Conference with the Mayors. Some are supporters, some are reporters and we imagine some are just passing time on their lunch break.

Across town a little later Ilario Pantano held his own press conference. Do these folks look like they are happy or like they are held hostage? Again, You decide...

The differences in the campaigns is stunning.

A poll is running this week on the Weblog. McIntyre still refuses to acknowledge or apologize for the Democratic Party posting photos of Pantano's wife online and photos of Pantano in a publicity shot with his shirt off.Which by the way, he did to publicize support for wounded soldiers in a Patriotic Project he worked on. If you want to actually know why he has his shirt off in a publicity shot - just watch the project here that he is promoting and contrast that with what the Democrats are trying to denigrate.

His wife is shown in a photo taken when she was a model and the cover photo from Vogue Magazine has her (fully clothed) but pictured next to a near nude black male which is supposed to be scandalous apparently. Vogue just thought it artistic. We won't post it because she isn't running for Congress, they dug it up from 25 years ago,she is a wonderful wife & mother and family's are supposed to be off limits - but not according to Democrats or McIntyre who are doing everything they can to get elected.

Well, opposition researchers have McIntyre photos of their own and a lot of negative personal material on McIntyre that is real and incredible; however, they have so far witheld it trying to maintain the high ground. The question this week is should the Pantano Campaign begin releasing this information against McIntyre in response to McIntyre's personal attacks against Pantano which include a whisper campaign against Pantano's honorable military service?

We can't promise the Pantano campaign will decide based on the informal poll. But the Democrats don't want the public to focus on the economy they've created, McIntyre's support of Pelosi and the stimulus and other Democratic failures.

They want to make this campaign personal calling Pantano an outsider although he chose to live here and contribute to the District after being stationed here as a Marine. How many other military families have chosen to live here & help grow the area?

Everytime McIntyre praises where he was born (Lumberton) and where he has lived for the past 14 years (Washington) and complains of where Pantano was born (NY) and where he has chosen to live (Wilmington by way of Camp Lejeune)- he offends every military family that has done exactly the same and chosen to live here because of choice not chance.

We thought McIntyre supported military families who moved to the area?

We guess this is just one of many hardships military families face and the discrimination promoted by even Congressmen against military families who wish to move here and continue to serve...

So should Pantano focus some on what the Democrats seem to want to focus on - personal attacks? Or should Pantano continue to promote fighting against the Pelosi agenda that even the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee says McIntyre is running from?

The poll question inquires if Republicans should ask Pantano to release to the public what they have just as Democrats have done - even though family and personal issues are involved.

One week left - Don't be held hostage - Be Happy and Vote!

Election Progress Stats!

2010-10-22T20:10:00.003-04:00

After a week of early voting (EV) – Brunswick and New Hanover counties are breaking the 10,000 voter mark each followed by Pender and Bladen which have topped 3,000. Cumberland and Columbus have realized over 2,000 voters each and Robeson broke 1,500 today, October 22nd. Duplin and Sampson counties have the lowest turnouts with around 1,000 voters. The split by Party is nearly equal as is the breakdown by gender. Wilmington has had the most active EV activity with over 8,000 votes cast in that city alone.

Even Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight Forecasting Model dropped McIntyre again today to a 52.9% chance of a Democratic win in the 7th Congressional District Race from its peak this week of a 57% chance on October 15th. It also has tightened the projected actual election results to 49.2% for McIntyre and 48.7% for Pantano while widening the margin of error from 8 points in previous models earlier in the month to a margin of error of 9, representative of the low variability of data as Election Day approaches.

Three public polls have been released in this race. Two favored Pantano while one favored McIntyre. FiveThirtyEight places most weight on the poll with the closest split and next highest to the only poll showing a McIntyre win. FiveThirtyEight places almost no weight on the poll which had the highest Pantano lead.

The final analysis after one week of voting is that the race is most likely dead even. Previous challenger Will Breazeale shaved only 4 percentage points off of McIntyre’s usual 73% range margin. The question will in regards to turnout whether Pantano can move the ball the needed 24 percentage points District-wide.

So far, that ball is moving. But it still has a long way to go until Nov. 2nd. Pantano supporters are urged to push hard during the next week.

The most active Precinct has been Lumberton #1 which will be key to David Edge winning the Commissioner Seat. G.L. Pridgen’s race for the District 46 House seat has seen 918 Democrats and 330 Republicans (3 to 1 registration ratio) voting with the top voting Precincts in Scotland and Hoke. Brawleigh Graham’s run for the 47th House seat has 581 Democrats voting to 164 Republicans (5 to 1 registration ratio). John Harry in the 48th House seat race is up against 1400 Democrat votes so far to 147 Republicans (over 10 to 1 registration ratio).

Statewide over 119,000 Democrats have voted and over 100,000 Republicans. It is expected that Senator Burr is doing well in the Senate race.

Locally, the Congressional Pantano/McIntyre race and the County Commissioner race between Edge and Wellington appear to be the tightest races statistically. The District 46 race will be a nail bitter with the heavy Scotland turnout in that gerrymandered District while Districts 47 and 48 will be interesting depending on turnout.

Races have tightened. Voters have one more week of early voting. The final push begins.

The Robesonian - The Rest of the Story...

2010-10-21T17:42:00.013-04:00

McIntyre dominates the 24 hour news cycle today. He is in the toughest fight of his political career having never faced a serious challenge like Ilario Pantano. McIntyre’s local newspaper hasn’t faced such a challenge either and they feel the pressure to keep things fair & balanced - which is a struggle in a tight race.

The McIntyre hometown newspaper does refer to a polling website in its Thursday edition as picking McIntyre to win then revisits its previous day’s story of more money McIntyre brings to the region in the form of a $20 million check that creates 51 jobs. Doing the math that’s $392,156.86 per job created. But that’s another story.

The story refers to FiveThirtyEight as a polling site. This is a little misleading and by press time their reported numbers have already changed – so we will provide a little clarity which a print edition is unable to do.

FiveThirtyEight is actually a polling aggregator which creates mathematical formulas to project winners based on actual polls and weighting them. This creates a model. It’s not reality nor is it an actual poll, that’s why statisticians call it a model.

To the credit of FiveThirtyEight, their model was quite successful in the 2008 Presidential election as such models are more accurate the more data you feed it as in a General Election but the same models bombed in United Kingdom elections and they usually tank in mid-terms.

Also the founder Nate Silver is known for putting partisanship over math sometimes. He describes what he does as providing data driven arguments. He arguably is one of the most credible to be honest despite his leanings – he only leans the math a little bit.

The story refers to Nate Silver, the founder of FiveThirtyEight as non-partisan. The paper has been misled as many other media have as well.

Nate Silver’s claim to fame started by forecasting the performance of baseball until his political analysis started being published by the left wing group Daily Kos which is now published by the New York Times. To his credit, Nate Silver does utilize acceptable statistical methodology – but he is far from non-partisan.

FiveThirtyEight is reputable – just not non-partisan. Its data is also more accurate in General Elections and less accurate in mid-term elections.

The reason is because it doesn’t generate its own polls but weights polls in its models that are conducted by other organizations on a particular race. In General Elections there are a lot of such polls. A lot of data results in more accurate models. There are only three polls that are factored into this election’s model which is a lot less than a General Election.

So in mid-term elections, there are fewer polls. Less data results in less accurate models. The story doesn’t reveal that the math falls well within the margin of error.

What’s more is we can tell when the reporter wrote the story as this modeling is dynamic – not static. The reporter cited the October 15th chance - not yesterdays (Oct. 20th) which was the latest - deadlines are a bummer in the print business.

The reporter reports a 57% chance of a Democratic win based on the FiveThirtyEight model; however, as of October 20th (Yesterday) the model projects a 55% chance on their website because the model continually changes.

The reporter apparently wrote the story Oct. 15th because it was 57% then – it’s fallen. October 8 the model had Pantano at a 51% chance of winning but it went unnoticed by most media despite the fact that it’s the first time in 140 years a Republican had been predicted to win over a Democrat for this seat.

Most importantly, The actual projected vote based on the model is McIntyre 49.4% to Pantano 48.5% with a 8.6% MARGIN OF ERROR.

We think The Robesonian is trying hard – they really are doing a great job. They have actually been accused of being Pro-Pantano which is just as unfair as being accused of being Pro-McIntyre.

But the election is close and voters are exposed to liberal media every day so they are cynical. It’s easy for McIntyre’s hometown paper to get accused of bias – so we don’t want to do that and we won't.

It’s just our job to provide balance and point out what in our opinion is a minor foul and maybe even an unintentional one. Let’s forgive the local newspaper – but we just want to provide needed clarity to the record in a dynamic model that a print edition cannot provide.

Remember – It’s not a poll, it’s a model.

Nate Silver is a brilliant statistician, but he’s liberal.

The data is based on just three polls, too few for any accuracy (hence the wide margin of error).

The report is a chance of Democratic win, not projected vote.

The chance is dynamic, not static. It’s already changed and fallen from when the reporter pulled the data a day before the paper went to press.

The projected vote is incredibly close by even this model (49.4% to 48.5) and the margin of error is extremely wide (8.6%). No sane person can make an honest projection from that.

Give the Robesonian a break – but go out an vote!

Top Ten Ways to Not Get Re-Elected to Office...Classic Satire from the Political Front

2010-10-21T08:28:00.003-04:00

Satire is a time-honored tradition in politics & a great way to relieve stress at this time of year. Mark Twain & Will Rogers were two of the most famous writers of this literary genre.

"Suppose you were an idiot. And Suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain

"The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets." Will Rogers

To continue with the tradition of these famed writers - our satirist has come up with a few based on feedback from local politics this season. Any resemblance to actual persons is sheerly coincidence. Enjoy, Have Fun...

Top Ten Ways to Not Get Re-Elected to Office

10.Let your Party attack the wife of your opponent – Stand by quietly – Pretend to be a man of principle.

9. Donate campaign funds to pro-abortion colleagues - Say you’re pro-life.

8. Don’t touch a gun - Get a rubber-stamp NRA endorsement – Keep reminding folks of that endorsement while running against a former Sniper who hosts steel challenge shoot-outs with supporters – Watch how well it sets with NRA members.

7. Help your Party raid Social Security - Go on TV telling Seniors it’s your opponent they need to worry about like he’s the incumbent – Hope they don’t notice your Party is spending it all.

6. Introduce Bill expressing fondness for an ancient Scottish Citizen – Make a Trip to Scotland with the Family shortly thereafter – Enjoy the Scottish countryside.

5. Remind folks you serve on the Armed Services Committee – Visit the troops – Run against a war veteran who was a troop – while you’re at it, have the Party attack his service – Watch the red-blooded Patriotic votes roll in.

4. Vote for Pelosi – But say you won’t vote for her - Work for Pelosi as her Senior Whip – But run Campaign saying you don’t work for her – Convince folks your message isn’t Bi-polar.

3. Write check to Carolina Panthers out of Campaign Fund – Take the family to the stadium – Enjoy the game.

2. Say you hate Government Pork - Brag about your own Government Pork – Bring big checks to emphasize the point.

…and the number 1 way to Not get re-elected…

1. Twist the arms of 64 Incumbent Mayors – Add to list of rubbery endorsements – Pretend endorsements translate into votes – Forget voters are mad with incumbents.

Senator Burr Opens Local GOP Election Headquarters!

2010-10-19T16:37:00.009-04:00

US Senator Richard Burr and his wife Brooke made a quick stop in Lumberton Tuesday for a noon Ribbon Cutting to officially open the Robeson County Republican Party Headquarters located on Fayetteville Road between Carolina Grain & National Welders.

Area voters and volunteers filled the Headquarters for the visit which the Senator was able to squeeze into his schedule at the last minute.

Despite having less than 24 hours to plan for the event - the opening succeeded in attracting a standing room only crowd which caused a brief traffic jam as the parking lot filled with supporters.

County Commissioner candidate David Edge & NC House candidate Brawleigh Graham were on hand as well as representatives from the campaigns of NC House candidate G.L. Pridgen and NC 7th Congressional District Candidate Ilario Pantano.

Senator Burr thanked the many volunteers for their tireless efforts after a prayer and the pledge of allegiance to the US Flag by Rev. Ron Maynor who also serves as the Pantano Campaign Coordinator for Robeson.

Robeson County Republican Party Chairman Phillip Stephens welcomed the crowd, the Senator and his wife before introducing Burr's Campaign Coordinator for Robeson Lee Grantham who spearheads Senator Burr's events.

Burr asked supporters to help him change Washington this election. He is confident Republicans will prevail but reminded the crowd there are still 14 days left to work.
Sitting US Senators have cut the ribbon on the Robeson County Republican Party Election HQ for the past couple of election cycles nearly creating a tradition among local Republicans. Many years ago local Republicans joked that they met in a phone booth - times have changed as with each election the local Party has required larger and larger accomodations for its operations.

The Party HQ is open daily until Election Day.

New Pantano Ad!

2010-10-18T22:04:00.001-04:00

Super Saturdays!

2010-10-18T11:21:00.002-04:00

The Robeson County Republican Party Election HQ is working in shifts until Election Day. The mid-day shift on Saturdays is treated with food shown here off the grill as they eat, call & work in mini-shifts.

Brenda Pope is the Scheduler. Contact her at: thetarheel@carolina.net

or catch Ron Maynor who is coordinator for the Pantano Campaign and Lee Grantham who coordinates for the Burr Campaign. These coordinators and schedulers will find a place for any volunteers.

We have two weeks left!

Robeson Delegation meets with Burr!

2010-10-17T17:45:00.005-04:00

Representatives from the Robeson County Republican Party met with Burr in Fayetteville this weekend. Senator Burr is swinging through the State on the Republican Road to Victory Tour.

Burr expressed the importance of this upcoming election which will determine whether the nations financial crisis is turned around or not. He says this election will seal the fate of our children and grandchildren.

Also there to greet Senator Burr was 7th Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano.
His opponent Mike McIntyre has recently turned the Democrat disinformation machine into overdrive in recent weeks since falling in the polls. McIntyre has utilized personal attacks not only against Pantano but his wife as well (which even in Chicago politics is seen as off-limits).

Now McIntyre is using another age-old tactic of trying to scare the elderly into thinking Republicans will take their Social Security. The same Social Security the Democrats have already spent, refusing to allow retirees any other options on how to save Social Security from the government.

Senator Burr and Congressional Candidate Pantano wish to change all that. Voting begins again this week - Encourage conservatives to vote now! Dirty tactics don't work if the election isn't even close. Vote Early!

Americans For Prosperity Ad

2010-10-16T09:48:00.000-04:00

Voting Begins Thursday!

2010-10-13T22:14:00.004-04:00

Mark Twain is popular for saying there are, “Lies, damned lies and statistics” and in 1954 a guy by the name of Darrell Huff wrote a book entitled, “How to Lie with Statistics” to illustrate the point. A Doctoral Level Statistics Professor hates it when I joke about that book – but we are exposed to the dark side (and power) of numbers in politics every political season. Now you can’t say a particular study is not credible until you see the methodology – but in general you have to look at a lot of variables when someone tries to sell you a number.

You have to really know how a number is derived and what validation procedures were put in place. You also can’t get excited when they throw out big words like confidence intervals, parametric testing and that sort of thing. A valid study insures there is not a built-in bias in the sample population and the design is solid. It’s pretty straightforward, particularly today with Standard Statistical Modeling Software which does all the calculations for us. The secret is in the design of the study. That’s where the magic happens.

The Democratics know about this magic. That’s why this week an “independent” poll was released by a polling group called Grove Insight.

Now you can see a lot of the methodology the Civitas utilized in sponsoring a poll that had Pantano up. They released the questions they asked and detailed demographics of the sample size that was analyzed. To be fair, we’ve not asked which specific tests they ran but they are free with that information as well in their designs and are pretty good about picking acceptable parameters.

Grove Insight is an interesting organization that McIntyre utilizes. They say McIntyre is ahead.

Well, they were created for what they call in their literature, “progressive candidates”. They also see themselves as “finding a path that achieves your desired outcome” – all their publicity quotes, no spin.

They are really good and they are successful for Democrats. They believe in what they call, “using the right language to talk to their audience” and use “innovative research methods.” Grove Insight also says on their website that they, “…have a wealth of experience asking the right questions, the right way.”

Having examined the source of the latest polling data - the Democrats released a lot of polls from Grove Insight simultaneously this week. Again, they appear to be a credible organization – no doubt. But keep in mind that some organizations do polling with a goal in mind and the polls they released were conveniently contrary to earlier polls in races that had Republicans up. It’s just that somehow; Grove Insight Polls always seem to favor Democrats.

In the past, Grove Insight has declined how they define “likely” voters, how they constructed their sampling or what methodological designs they chose. But you can find a lot of their polls and interestingly, they always seem to have the Democrat on top – every time.

But Republicans aren’t complaining – it’s just interesting. Quite frankly, we hope they put out more polls like this. It keeps supporters from becoming complacent. Grove Insight: the polling choice of Democrats for their Progressive Candidates – not conservative candidates – their “Progressive Candidates.”

Keep this in mind as you vote in One-Stop : Be sure to bring more friends to vote Republican as well since Grove Polling says the GOP is behind - Help Us Catch Up!

...and Remember: Burr - Pantano - Pridgen - B. Graham - Edge in local Races.

The Congressional Formula is: 39 Seats plus McIntyre = Pelosi.
39 Seats plus Pantano = No Pelosi.

VOTE This Week!

Breakfast for Agriculture

2010-10-12T20:42:00.003-04:00

Gillis Farms - 7:30 am Monday 10/18/10 2701 Gillis Hill Rd., Fayetteville, NC.

Join the Gillis Family in Welcoming 7th Congressional District Candidate Ilario Pantano. It is a free event & open to anyone interested in the Agricultural Community.

Robeson Farmers & Agribusinessmen are encouraged not to pass up this opportunity for this meeting. The Gillis Farm is located just inside of Cumberland but the Gillis Family farms thousands of acres that stretch over Cumberland, Hoke and Robeson. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet the Gillis Family a couple of weeks ago and it was a fantastic experience to see the operation they have there.

The Family stretches back over 5 generations on this Farm and they are true area leaders of agriculture. Pantano will meet with the agricultural community and discuss governmental concerns and its affect on our agricultural community.

Please pass the word along to area Farmers & Agribusinesses. Call 910-850-3859 for more information.

Jill Pantano at Linda & Don Metzger's This evening

2010-10-12T16:39:00.003-04:00

Jill Pantano - wife of Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano, will be at Don & Linda Metzger's 603 Yorkshire Place, Lumberton at 6:00pm sponsored by the Robeson County Republican Women's Club.

Come out to meet Jill.

Don't Forget - One Stop Voting Begins Thursday!

Election Begins Next Week!

2010-10-09T11:51:00.002-04:00

Forget what the campaigns say - Forget what the media says - Forget what the Parties say...

The Election doesn't start November 2nd. It starts next week!!

In order to stop the Socialist Machine and the Liberal Pelosi Agenda - Republicans need to take 40 seats in the House for control to stop the direction of the Obama Administration. It will be close.

Now, we can't do anything about the other 39 seats - but we can do something about the 7th Congressional Seat. That's our job. Even the New York Times reports Pantano with a 51.7% chance of winning (to McIntyre's 48.3%). Could this be the 40th seat? Who will you support? Do you want to wake up November 3rd to find out that Republicans only have 39 seats and Pelosi continues with her campaign to destroy America?

One Stop Voting begins Thursday. Tell your friends - Don't wait. Join the fight to take back control of Congress - you will make history this election.

McIntyre Campaign Violates Republicans with Latest Unethical Tactic?

2010-10-06T16:12:00.004-04:00

“I feel violated,” said voters in calls that flooded GOP Headquarters across District 7 today. Republicans were angry due to the latest tactic by the McIntyre camp in the Congressional Race - a tactic that in all fairness has been used by Republicans in the past (but not Pantano to date) – but always used by campaigns when desperate and terribly behind in the polls.

The tactic is called “Push Polling” and is far from a legitimate poll. The National Council on Public Polls (NCPP) calls the practice an “unethical political campaign technique” in which the caller masquerades as a legitimate political research organization. According to the NCPP, these are not polls at all – but political telemarketing and vehicles of misinformation designed to attempt to influence voters by feeding them false or damaging information under the guise of conducting a “poll”.

The NCPP says this damages the political process as it attempts to injure an opponent without revealing the source of the information or the context. Many states have even introduced legislation to make the practice illegal without disclaimers.

In McIntyre’s version, his out-of-state company calling Republican voters pretends to involve them in a “poll” asking what appears to be legitimate information they are gaining from the voter. They then ask who the voter will be supporting in the upcoming election between McIntyre and Pantano.

If the voter indicates they are supporting Pantano – the call then turns. With the sound of a boiler room operation in the background as described by the angry voters receiving the calls, the voter is then asked politely if they were more likely to vote for Pantano if they knew that he had been accused of murder (referring out of context to his Marine career of killing two terrorists in Fallujah that has been widely publicized - which incidentally was an incident in which Pantano killed terrorists just weeks after the bodies of dead Americans were dragged through the streets of Fallujah). They also ask if they were more likely to vote for Pantano if they knew he once worked for Goldman Sachs (he was a trader there years ago and was not in management).

The tele-marketer then switches to questions about McIntyre. Naturally, the questions are flattering toward the Congressman. They ask if the voter would be more likely to vote for McIntyre if they knew he saved Social Security for seniors, for example.

Push poll tactics help malign an opponent by pushing voters to a pre-determined view while avoiding direct responsibility for the distorted information. It is a risky tactic because as credible evidence emerges that the poll was ordered by the campaign it has been proven to have serious repercussions among voters. It also is a signal that a campaign is desperate. Erskine Bowles used the tactic unsuccessfully in N.C. in the past as has GOP candidates as well when they were down in the polls.

In fact, McCain won over voter sympathy when he accused Bush of push-polling and Bush denounced the practice. Politicians know it’s wrong. The practice is illegal in New Hampshire and has been condemned by the American Association of Political Consultants.

Those are the tactics the McIntyre campaign has resorted to and voters feel violated. They are telling their friends today about what they are discovering about the real McIntyre who will most likely deny responsibility for the unethical tactic - which is the reason you do push polling – to avoid direct responsibility.

Mike McIntyre – push polling: A practice condemned by the American Association of Political Consultants and now an unethical practice engaged in by the McIntyre campaign.

It seems some candidates just keep avoiding responsibility for what their Party does.

How Does Mike McIntyre Spend Your Money?

2010-10-05T23:21:00.001-04:00

Robeson GOP Rally Draws Unprecedented Crowd with Pantano!

2010-09-30T23:40:00.007-04:00

Lumberton, NC- Over 200 Pantano supporters crowded the Southeastern Farmers Market on US 74 for an evening of politics & BBQ – Robeson County Style today. Even with a Tropical Storm blowing through the region, it still failed to dampen the spirits of the evenings’ Republican Party Rally which has proven to be another storm that also has been blowing through the county as well.

What's more is the Rally coincided with both the opening of the Robeson County Fair & one of the Republican Candidates (G.L. Pridgen) having a conflict with a previously scheduled meet/greet event himself (...by the way - he packed his event as well despite two Republican events going on in the county simultaneously).

The S.E. Farmers Market was electrified with voter enthusiasm.

With standing room only along the back wall of the arena – voters ate home-cooked BBQ, beans and slaw before hearing about the All-Star Line up Republicans have on tap for a local ticket in the upcoming elections:

US Senator Richard Burr
US Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano
NC House Candidate G.L. Pridgen
NC House Candidate Brawleigh Graham
County Commissioner Candidate David Edge

The event attracted both Republicans and conservative Democrats in numbers seldom witnessed in Robeson for Republican candidates and with an energy and excitement level reminiscent of the Ronald Reagan era. The event highlighted the need for change, local economic growth and the necessity of a strong local Republican Party to provide the needed balance in government our forefathers intended.

In keeping with the tradition of the Party – the event kept God, Country & Honor as central themes respecting not only local conservative politicians, but their opponents as well – while clarifying the clear differences in how to grow the local economy and strengthen our nation.

The Guest Speaker for the event was Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano who just recently pulled ahead of his opponent in an independent poll.

VIDEO: PANTANO takes the Lead!!!

Pantano articulated his plan for the region, his sincere love of both his country that he has fought for and his chosen home here in District 7 in general and Robeson County in particular – whose behalf he is ready to go to war for once again - but on another front in Washington.

Although it was officially a local GOP Rally – it was clear that the unprecedented crowd was there to see Pantano who has become a superstar in the Republican Party drawing crowds that Robeson hasn’t seen for a Republican candidate since Grant was President.

Special thanks to the dozens of volunteers that made the event possible and apologies for volunteers having to stand through much of the event. It was truely an Historic Evening in Robeson Political History.

Photos by Andy Andrews - except President Grant which is courtesy of the Library of Congress

Pantano Surges ahead - GL Pridgen in the News!

2010-09-29T19:39:00.004-04:00

Ilario Pantano pulled ahead of McIntyre 46% to 45% among registered voters according to an Independent Civitas Poll released today. Among most likely voters he leads 52% to 42%.

Republicans favor Pantano 81% - McIntyre 14% and unaffiliated voters favor Pantano 61% - McIntyre 34%. What isn't being noticed is the biggest margin. Voters were asked to rate on a scale 1 to 10 their likelihood of voting with 1 not likely to 10 certain to vote.

Among the 10's (folks certain to vote) Pantano was favored 84% - McIntyre 57% ( a 27 point difference). If you run probability scores on those ratios things aren't good for the McIntyre camp. But Pantano voters shouldn't let up yet - Republicans want to continue building on this foundation which is just that, a foundation.

In other news - NC House Candidate G.L. Pridgen spoke at the Scotland County GOP meeting this week and a story in the Laurinburg exchange featured Pridgen. Click Here for full Story.
Don't forget - Bring friends to the S.E. Farmers Market Thursday at 6pm for a GOP Rally featuring Ilario Pantano. Free Food - Bring the Family - Rain or Shine.

Monday Work Detail & Training Session

2010-09-26T19:02:00.002-04:00

Join us Monday - Sept. 27th from 5pm - 7pm at Campaign Headquarters located on Fayetteville Road next to Carolina Grain.

We will be organizing the BBQ-Rally that will be held Thursday - provide Sign Pick-up & make phone calls.

We will also discuss organized campaign marketing efforts - set up materials and time permitting will conduct the first of many training sessions for poll workers, staffers and campaign leaders.

This will be an important organization session. After this week we plan to be open on a continuous basis staffed by volunteers. Don't miss it.

Robeson GOP Victory Pig Pickin'

2010-09-24T21:17:00.005-04:00

Just like the old days - BBQ with Fixings, Friends & Politics!

Come join us for an old fashioned Pig Pickin' at the Southeastern Farmers Market on US 74 : 6pm - 8pm Thursday, Sept. 30th to kick off the campaign season.

Free to the public but certainly donations are not only welcome but encouraged to benefit the local GOP Party in its Get-out-the-Vote & Registration efforts.

Local Officials will be on tap to speak - educate - & entertain - with Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano scheduled as a featured speaker among others. Bring a Friend!

Photos By Mark Stanley Photography:Contact us for your own copies of GOP Event Photos by Mark or our local GOP Photographer Andy Andrews

Pantano Packs another Home in Robeson with Local Supporters!

2010-09-22T22:07:00.007-04:00

Lumberton - District 7 Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano spoke at the home of Dr. Sydney & Teresa Short this evening to a standing room only crowd. Typical of local Republican events - the evening was a moving experience starting with the US pledge of allegiance followed by prayer for all candidates from both parties and all ideologies as we all serve one God.

Pantano reiterated his love of country and committment to a better 7th District and a better Robeson County which has suffered tremendously during the current economic climate. He laid out his focus on job creation and protecting our freedoms and values which have recently been eroded by the Obama-Pelosi administration.

Pantano has spent a lot of time in Robeson and support for his campaign continues to grow locally. He will speak at a GOP Victory Rally for local candidates next Thursday - more details later but begin making plans to attend and meet the local candidates.

To volunteer for local GOP get-out-the-vote efforts please contact the local Republican Party. To volunteer for the Pantano Campaign CLICK HERE.

NRCC Ad that's in the News!

2010-09-21T19:39:00.000-04:00

GOP Notified of New Ad Release

2010-09-18T08:01:00.003-04:00

Top Ten Reasons that a Democratic Campaign might be in trouble

2010-09-16T20:24:00.004-04:00

10.You agree to Debate & 75% of the crowd supports your opponent

9. At the Debate – the 25% that are your supporters had to be bused in for the event although the debate was closest to your home county

8. Your opponent is kind to your supporters - shakes their hands- they reciprocate by posting personal attacks against him. The contrast is noticed.

7. Your opponent is invited to speak at Ground Zero - you aren’t.

6. Your opponent appears with Sean Hannity who tells him he should be in Congress on National TV.

5. The NRCC declares your opponent a “Young Gun” thus targeting you for defeat.

4. A poll shows your opponent with a 7 point lead among likely voters

3. The NRCC makes a $45,000 ad buy against you with more planned

2. You are forced to run ads making you look like a Republican

…and the number one reason a Democratic Campaign might be in trouble.

1. Days before the official opening of the local Republican Party campaign HQ, it not only opens just blocks from your home but the parking lots surrounding it are full and inside is standing room only…

Bonus Reason – All this happens in one week.

Interview with Former Lumberton Attorney & McIntyre Supporters

2010-09-14T07:57:00.005-04:00

Doug & Peggy Murray were long time supporters of McIntyre and his campaign. Like many former supporters & friends of the Congressmen they are concerned with the direction in which the nation is heading.

See their interview posted at Carolina Talk Network with Verne Strickland by clicking on this highlighted link!

This story comes on the heels of Ilario Pantano reaching "Contender" status by the National Republican Congressional Committee & polls showing Pantano ahead of McIntyre among committed voters and within the margin of error in other voter categories.

Please continue to share this news with friends.

In other news, we will be making an announcement soon regarding the Robeson GOP Campaign Headquarters.

Final Debate

2010-09-09T20:22:00.003-04:00

Hope Mills Shrine Club
4461 Cameron Road

Doors open at 6:30pm for reserved seating - 6:45 for the general public - FRIDAY Sept. 10th!

Please plan to be there to show your support and see the final debate which will prove to be historic! It is extremely important that we have a large turnout of Pantano Supporters!

See you there.

Campaign Messaging Secrets

2010-09-03T10:08:00.004-04:00

What if a car mechanic pointed out the nice expensive paint job he did on your car exclaiming all he’s done to make it look nice; but you point out to him that the car won’t crank? Then you understand the construction of cause and effect arguments of logic.

If you thank the mechanic for all his hard work and ask him to work on your non-functioning car some more because he says next week he’s going to put more money by putting new hubcaps and a nice chrome kit on it – then you don’t understand cause and effects.

Here’s a messaging hint to campaigns. Average voters don’t see the difference in these logical constructions. But don’t blame them. Voters have been lied to by politicians so much, by so many sides and have endured political spin so much – that even if you point out that the car still doesn’t work, they think you are just being partisan because look at that nice paint job. The superficial argument of what a politician has done works – even if it’s like the Texas saying that the politician is, “all hat and no cattle.”

So what do you do?

To build credibility in a campaign – any campaign be it political or any other messaging – you have to connect the dots and point out the construction of the concept. It’s easier than you think and in fact, simpler is better.

In 1984, the Wendy’s franchise had this very problem. Competitors talked about their burgers and even showed consumers their wonderful product. Wendy’s got caught up arguing from the same construction with, “No, look at me.” When they changed tactics trying to point out the flaws in competitors, Wendy’s arguments were then just more noise in the crowd of partisan burger flippers. Both tactics flopped because either way they were playing the same game.

On January 10, 1984 three elderly ladies were aired viewing a very large, nice burger. Inside was a small piece of meat. Two ladies poked it and talked about how big it was and how fluffy it seemed. They actually were agreeing with the competitors recent ads touting big burgers and fluffy buns. Then they were interrupted by 81 year old Clara Peller who angrily asked, “Where’s the Beef?” Sales at Wendy’s jumped 31% that year and the three words became a national catchphrase. Walter Mondale tried using the phrase but it didn’t work as well because a campaign has to make its own connections. He missed the point.

A campaign must actually illustrate that the competitor is answering questions and they sound good – but they are answers to the wrong question. Show the constructions just like lifting the hood on the newly painted car to point out the engine won’t work. Just saying the engine won’t crank won’t work. The problem and it’s construction must be illustrated.

Many campaigns can start by verbal jujitsu to defuse the argument and change the direction using the opponents own power they have created with their own argument. Do this by showing that all the answers the opponent is providing are perfect examples of what is wrong. It’s not that the answers don’t sound nice – it’s the questions that are all wrong – let the opponent indict themselves then show the construct.

Some politicians tout how much money they have brought to their District, for example. They painted your car. If you argue with them that they didn’t fix your car - then back and forth you go.

But if you change the question you get better results. If bringing money is the cause that is supposed to create the effect of prosperity – where’s the effect? Show it – ask it – illustrate the construction of their own argument.

Robeson is one of the poorest Counties in the nation. If a politician wishes to argue that this has lifted up the District – where’s the beef?

The opponent will not understand and will point to this building, that fire department and some other paint job on the car that he or she worked hard on. So the question is then raised – so are we number one economically as a result and does the car now run? Don’t ask a question you don’t already know the answer to and keep the message simple and focused regardless of whether the opponent changes tactics to adding a chrome kit trying to entice someone with something shiny.

Reagan did it this way – in debating Carter, he kept mocking Carter every time Carter criticized him saying, “There you go again.” Reagan was masterful at stagecraft. Reagan then framed the construct as I’ve tried to illustrate by asking, “Are you better off than you were four years ago? Is there less employment…than four years ago? Is there less….?” You get the point.

Keep asking – where’s the beef? Use your own message - then stay on message. Here's an example of effective messaging using an opponents own construct - Enjoy & Good Luck with your campaigns -

Pantano Wins Debate!

2010-08-21T12:16:00.002-04:00

Well - Naturally, each campaign is going to claim victory, but you won't see the above WECT Flash Poll on the McIntyre website nor will you see a link to the whole debate as on Pantano's site or WECT's site.

McIntyre sticks to the valid points he has going for him and made strides to paint himself as a conservative. But although McIntyre had his supporters, the crowd was clearly a Pantano crowd.

Unlike McIntyre who sifted through notes - Pantano is fast on his feet in such situations creating a dichotomy between McIntyre serving on Armed Services Committees, voting for anti-terrorism legislation and visiting the troops against Pantano actually serving as a Marine, fighting terrorism and being one of the troops actually in harm's way that the Congressman speaks of visiting.

In essence, the difference between talking a good fight and actually fighting.

Pantano's winners are his true conservatism, ability to frame the issues and his military service. McIntyre's winners are he is the local guy, has made some conservative votes to try and balance his liberal WHIP position and he's the incumbent - to be fair.

The Blue Dog Democrats may believe opposing debate & views is un-American. You'll be able to tell they believe this if the McIntyre camp is angry after this debate because Blue Dog's in North Carolina have never been challenged and had a free ride.

The rest of Americans think debate is a healthy thing. You decide.

Note: A WECT flash poll had Pantano winnning the debate at 64% to McIntyre's 36%. Although that may be skewed somewhat - it probably is representative of the District's leanings from RNC research.

Robeson & Columbus may be fairly decent for McIntyre due to his incumbency & local standing alone. The rest of the District he's lost because those messages simply aren't resonating & even in Robeson and Columbus they are waning.

DEBATE Night!

2010-08-19T18:53:00.002-04:00

Ilario Pantano (R) & Mike McIntyre (D) square off in their first candidates forum 7:00pm Friday, August 20th at Cape Fear Community College North Campus, 4500 Blue Clay Road, Castle Hayne, NC.

Doors Open at 6:45pm - First come, first serve. The debate will also air on WECT TV channel 6.

The Debate comes on the heels of a Press Conference today by Pantano who signed a Term limit agreement. When first elected McIntyre promised to cap his service at 12 years according to news reports but has served 14 years. McIntyre released a statement stating that term limits are only fair if all members of the House and Senate follow them although McIntyre had to have known that other members didn't follow them (term limits) when he promised to a term limit himself if the District would elect him. He also added that he has been strongly encouraged to continue serving as another reason he hasn't kept his promise.

It also comes after a damaging report from the Citizens Against Government Waste ( a taxpayer watchdog group) listed McIntyre as a wasteful government official with taxpayer money - scoring a 5 (wasteful) out of a possible 100 (superhero).

Senator Kay Hagan scored 8. US Senator Burr scored 92. See the links in the article below to read the full report published by Bane Windlow at Carolina Politics online.

Pig Book Rankings

2010-08-19T08:42:00.004-04:00

The Citizens Against Government Waste is a watchdog group for taxpayers. It releases its PigBook every year regarding wasteful spending that regardless of ideology, everyone agrees is wasteful.

The 2009 Rankings have been published by Bane Windlow on Carolina Politics online. A ranking of 100 is a taxpayer superhero. A ranking of 0 is a wasteful tax abuser.

Click here to see the article: Citizens Against Government Waste 2009 Rankings.

US Senator Richard Burr Scored in the hero range at 92.
US Senator Kay Hagan Scored wasteful at 8.

US Congressman Mike McIntyre was more wasteful than even Hagan with a score of 5.

Read the article published by Bane Windlow at Carolina Politics Online.

2010-08-17T22:38:00.002-04:00

The Executive Committee of the Robeson County Republican Party officially submitted a letter of intent to the Director of the Robeson County Board of Elections (Mr. Dock Locklear) today regarding their decision not to pursue filling the vacancy on the ballot for the District 13 Senatorial race that was created upon the withdrawal of candidate Marc Boudreau recently. Members of the Hoke County Republican leadership have not disagreed with the decision which was coordinated with the GOP leadership of the 8th Congressional District of which Hoke County is a part. Robeson is within the 7th Congressional District.

“We simply do not have a viable candidate nor is there sufficient time to fill the vacancy and generate a campaign,” says Phillip Stephens, Robeson GOP Chairman. “We congratulate Senator Michael Walters. We know him to be a conservative businessman and trust he will serve the District honorably.”

Stephens adds that the executive committee encourages citizens of the District to consider their Republican candidates with whom they will be concentrating efforts in the absence of a State Senatorial candidate. These candidates include US Senator Richard Burr, US Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano, NC House Candidate G.L. Pridgen and District 6 County Commissioner Candidate David Edge.

North Carolina General Statutes permit the executive committee of a political Party to certify the name of a nominee to replace a vacancy that occurs on the ballot after the primary but at least 75 days before the general election. The deadline for certifying any nominee replacement is 8-18-10 for this election.

A Historical Lesson about District 7 Strategists should know

2010-08-14T20:48:00.013-04:00

Robeson County is a key strategy Democrats will use to attempt to hold on to the 7th Congressional District Seat they’ve held since the Civil War. They understand that Robeson’s cache of Democratic votes has historically been central to this seat. Let’s review.

The 1996 election was Mike McIntyre’s first and closest race against Republican Bill Caster. It was a virtual tie in every county except Robeson, Columbus and New Hanover. Columbus didn’t have enough votes to swing very much (McIntyre 8,000 to Caster 3,500) and Caster won New Hanover (his home) by 28,000 to McIntyre’s 18,000. Robeson weighed in with about 18,500 McIntyre to Caster’s 4,000. It’s an interesting race to look at – analysts from both sides should take a look.

Incumbency and Robeson became a key to Democratic control but it hasn’t been the first Robeson gambit. Fayetteville native Charlie Rose
held the seat before McIntyre and depended on his agricultural connections and rural Robeson to hold the seat despite his populist stances otherwise.

In fact, with the exception of Congressman Alton Lennon (we will get back to him in a moment – remember his name), who was a Wilmington native and held the seat from 1957-1973 prior to Rose – the seat has essentially been held, at least in the past century by someone in the western part of the District who could claim ties to the mammoth votes in Robeson. Much further back gets more difficult to analyze because the District lines were much different.

For example, Frank Carlyle
served before Lennon and was an attorney in Lumberton. Bayard Clark was from Elizabethtown and practiced law in Fayetteville. By now we’re approaching 100 years ago and the Robeson model isn’t valid much beyond that point due to re-districting. But you get the point.

Now back to Lennon– his name is key and it’s a secret strategy Democrats will play (in fact, they’re already playing it). You see, it doesn’t matter that Pantano is a Republican (They don’t care about that) as much as it matters that he is from New Hanover.

Democrats are masters at divide and conquer strategies. Trust me, I’ve worked as a small cog in that Democratic machine – they know what they’re doing. In Robeson it’s never been a battle between Democrats & Republicans – it’s been between various Democratic groups. They have experience in this strategy and the quicker other strategists learn this – the better off they will be. Here’s how it’s going to work.

With a wink & a nod and some not so subtle messages – Democrats will encourage Robeson voters to vote for McIntyre solely on the premise that he’s from Robeson. Now the words you’re going to hear are all the things he’s done for Robeson, bringing home the bacon (home meaning Robeson) and so forth.

Now when you examine this premise you find that the grants and loans McIntyre brings to the District are the same federal programs available to anyone who qualifies and applies. McIntyre just gets to bring the check – Charlie Rose just didn’t feel the need to hand out the checks, he had his people do that. McIntyre actually is smart to spin it his way though – it’s nice publicity and you really can’t blame him on that one. Just understand it for what it is. The Congressmen generally did not create these checks and programs in years past nor could they use their political position to swing these grants and loans – regardless of who is in office. But it’s sure a nice photo op.

Lennon was the last eastern Congressman.The McIntyre camp wants to send the message that you really don’t want someone from New Hanover in that seat do you? As if to say that Robeson will miss out on pork if they let that happen.

The first problem Republican (or Democrat for that matter) strategists need to understand is that the first supporting evidence that a Congressman influences these Federal grants and loans is simply hyperbole.

The second problem they have is that one has to be careful providing bringing home the bacon as evidence of what a western Congressman can do when the result has been that there is less industry and economic growth in Robeson than ever. Despite this pork strategy – Robeson is not only one of the poorest counties in the State, but nation.

Now to be fair, that isn’t directly a Congressman’s fault – but if you’re going to claim a victory lap on progress and growth you’ve at least got to show progress and growth. To use logical principles, you’ve got to use them in the proper construct - let's not fudge.

The third problem with the divide and conquer strategy is its difficult to make an argument that the native of a particular county will be biased to a particular region without admitting bias. You just can’t do it. The strategy backfires.

Which means the final problem is that this strategy should infuriate Wilmington voters both Democrat and Republican alike. It’s not about Democrats and Republicans in all respects – Robeson is a Democratic voter cache and forget ideology, if you can convince folks to vote for the hometown guy – you don’t need ideology. That's their plan.

In fact, its key. If you talk ideology and connect local Democrats with Washington – it’s a winner every time. But that’s not what you’ll see from the McIntyre camp, they want it viewed as the local guy versus the outsider and watch them paint it in that perspective. That’s their winner and they know it. Watch them play it – if I was working for the Democrats, I’d play it all day.

The Achilles’ heel is two-fold. One - Convincing voters that someone will not just cast a few votes against socialist ideology and then later support it but will fight socialism. Two – that an eastern Congressman like Pantano will be just as accessible to Robeson as the hometown guy. It’s all about fighting and accessibility to swing that strategy the other way.

So to Republican strategists – that’s one of their strategies. Don’t let them use it. Expose it for what it is. All you have to do is deconstruct it - as it fails the logic test. Deconstruct the argument because it fails with deconstruction.

Leave it as superficial spin and it wins. Deconstruct it, piece by piece and it fails.

Remember, it’s as much about East versus West as it is Democrat versus Republican in their playbook. Fighting Ideology (not just cursory votes) and Access. It’s that simple to fight it.

Am I wrong? Sure, I could be - but I don't think so. Look at the map - Roll the logic, numbers & history in your mind a time or two - Then you decide.

You're Invited! - Pantano Meet & Greet

2010-08-12T17:25:00.004-04:00

Please join a meet & greet event featuring Ilario Pantano at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Ron Maynor, 3-5pm Saturday August 14th located at: 1492 Russ Road (just off Barker Ten Mile Rd) Lumberton.

This is not a fundraiser - it is simply an opportunity to meet Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano who challenges Congressman Mike McIntyre in November.

Please bring anyone with you that hasn't had the opportunity to meet Mr. Pantano on Saturday. Help spread the word and take advantage of this event to meet the candidate and speak with him in person. RSVP Ron Maynor at 740-3001

Senator Roundtree Ad

2010-08-10T22:41:00.002-04:00

Be sure to forward this ad so that it gets wide exposure in Robeson. Please continue to circulate it.

Republicans Thank the Democratic Executive Director

2010-08-04T23:10:00.006-04:00

As the 7th Congressional District Congressman, Mike McIntyre’s life must be a dichotomous experience. Since he is Nancy Pelosi’s Senior Party Whip, he clearly has a vested interest in advancing his leader’s agenda – socialist or otherwise. However, in a District that voted for McCain within a State that went to Obama – he has a conservative image to either create or maintain. Senior Party Whip for Pelosi and Conservatism are mutually exclusive concepts just so we’re clear.

But the Democratic Party isn’t as Schizophrenic. McIntyre probably wishes they were.

While 7th Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano was holding a fundraiser in the District with Emmy Award winning Actor Kelsey Grammer – Nancy Pelosi’s Senior Party Whip conveniently scheduled himself to meet the US Coast Guard Diligence returning to Wilmington. Now no one, especially Republicans, have a problem with McIntyre meeting with the Diligence Crew. In fact, that’s where he needed to be as our elected Representative. We’re proud he was there and if you ask his opponent Pantano – I’m sure he would agree.

But not the Democratic Party – No, they wish to apply some logic and spin.

In a story posted on the Star News Online Cape Fear Watchdogs Blog dated August 2nd, the Democratic Party Executive Director tried to help McIntyre out by opining that Pantano fundraising with “people who use to be famous” while Pelosi’s Senior Party Whip was meeting with the Diligence Crew represented that “today’s events make it clear”, he said, that McIntyre had his priorities right and insinuating that Pantano does not, of course. Okay, how clear is that?

Well, first, they need to define what “people who use to be famous” means. Grammer has won either an Emmy or a Golden Globe every few years for the past two decades and has active productions which keep him busy 6 days a week. I thought Democrats were cultured. This alone just makes me confused. So I digress.

The Democratic Executive Director does the Pantano Campaign a favor by handing them a stick with which to beat Nancy Pelosi’s Senior Party Whip with, when they question who has the right priorities between McIntrye and Pantano. Now Pantano is a former Marine Sniper (Semper Fi), so he recognizes what a cheap shot looks like and has as much ignored the insult. So let me illuminate just how outrageous the Party accusation is in reality and the vain attempt at political spin. In other words, if we’re not going to use the stick - let’s at least look at it.

Grammer (who is a rare conservative among Hollywood liberals) is more than just an actor trying to help a Congressional Candidate. He and Pantano met a few years ago when they both were involved in producing a documentary film entitled, “Warriors: In Their Own Words,” which gave a voice and support to wounded veterans. They raise money and awareness for wounded soldiers through the project. Their connection goes beyond the Congressional campaign.

Now forget about politics for a moment and visit “The Lives Out of Combat (LOOC) Foundation” at www.looc.org. Then when you’re ready to think about politics again, click over to watch the trailer of their documentary, “Warriors…In Their Own Words: The Film” on their site. While you watch it ( Pantano is one of the soldiers featured in the film which has no political affiliation) think about the Democratic Executive Director statement that McIntyre is the one “honoring those who serve our nation” and implying Pantano is not. Try to draw distinctions as you watch.

Again, McIntyre indeed honors the military in general and he honored the Coast Guard Crew in Wilmington with his visit. There is no question about that. But the attempt at syllogism by the Democrats makes ones head spin at their ineffective reasoning, poor spin and terrible research.

Oh, I’m sure they can pull some legislation Pelosi’s Senior Party Whip co-sponsored, regarding the military and point out some great things such as the VA clinics and such. Those are good points and deservedly so.

Then Republicans can show Pantano’s honorable service in the US Marines as a sniper then later leading a platoon after 9/11. Then the continued support he has provided after his service to the military. All great as well, but not a necessary construct right now because the Democrats have plans to besmirch Pantano’s service later – I know their playbook and it isn’t pretty what they’re thinking. We’ll save that ammo for now.

Pantano hasn’t asserted that McIntyre didn’t honor the military by vacationing at the beach while Pantano was serving in the desert. It’s an illogical analogy. But it’s an analogy modality that the Democrats are willing to try. My guess is McIntyre wishes they wouldn’t keep trying to help.

So if the Executive Director of the Democratic Party wants the public to draw distinctions between who “is honoring those who serve our nation, (as) Ilario Pantano is focused on rubbing elbows with people who used to be famous,” in their words. Then let’s draw distinctions just as the Executive Director suggests within the context they suggest of the Grammer/Pantano relationship and McIntyre visiting a Coast Guard Cutter.

Watch the film Grammer & Pantano helped produce, understand their actual friendship & relationship, remember Pantano’s honorable service to our country as a Marine, not once – but twice, observe the scheduling for McIntyre for that day coupled with criticism aimed by the Democratic Party - just within the construct they wish to conclude. Then draw your own distinction.

Sure, my job is to help get Republicans elected and we spin all the time too. But it’s nice to be logical and fair. I’ve got Democratic colleagues who cringed on this one. I would too. Watch the film, you’ll see what I mean – clearly, the Executive Director has never seen it or he wouldn’t have tried to help Pelosi’s Senior Party Whip.

So it looks like McIntyre will need to not only separate himself from his leader Nancy Pelosi – he may need to separate himself from his whole Party if they keep helping him draw distinctions with this logic. On behalf of Republicans, we would like offer our thanks for the help.

Emmy Award Winning Actor Kelsey Grammer visits Lumberton with Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano

2010-08-02T20:03:00.007-04:00

Kelsey Grammer was the special guest at the home of Don & Linda Metzger in Lumberton for a luncheon fundraiser on behalf of District 7 Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano. The local event featuring the 5 time Emmy Award winning actor exceeded expectations in this largely Democratic stronghold bringing out Democrats as well as Republicans while exceeding typical fundraising goals for Robeson.

A little over 60 people attended the private event to hear Pantano and meet Grammer. Also speaking were NC House candidate G.L. Pridgen and Robeson County Commissioner candidate David Edge. Pridgen has a chance to unseat incumbent Douglas Yongue from Laurinburg. Electing Pridgen would place the seat with a candidate from Robeson while local businessman David Edge may upset Tommy Wellington and become the first visible Republican since the Civil War to sit on the commissioner board – bringing fresh leadership to Robeson.

Pantano is running against Nancy Pelosi’s Senior Party Whip Mike McIntyre. McIntyre has created a conservative image over the years but is poised to vote along Party lines as evidenced by a recent “The Sun News” article in which he voted with Democrats regarding a dispute with Republicans on how to extract a tax demand on businesses hidden within the Healthcare Law that the Congressman voted against but seems willing to fund.

Ilario Pantano wishes to show how Nancy Pelosi takes advantage of these Blue Dog Democrats in this manner to advance the Obama Socialist agenda. Pantano still doesn’t attack McIntyre directly and spoke of his honorable service in the US Marines at the event along with his plans to stand up to the Socialist Agenda facilitated by the Democratic Congress.

Pantano has outraised McIntyre (and every other NC Congressional Candidate Democrat or Republican) for the second straight quarter. The Robeson event continued his success as Pantano raised more money in Robeson than has ever been raised for a Republican candidate since Reconstruction after Abraham Lincoln’s term (another great Republican).

Grammer and Pantano met during filming of the 2008 documentary, “Warrior…In Their Own Words,” according to Politico. The film benefited families of soldiers wounded in combat. The McIntyre campaign shouldn't want to have a discussion of who has served this nation with honor - but in a release today their camp complained about the event & questioned Pantano's priorities by accepting Grammer's help in a Star News article.

District Chairman Frank Williams responded that, "Simply put, the Democrats felt compelled to attack Ilario Pantano because they know his common-sense message is resonating with voters...and that he is a big threat to their big-spending agenda", as published in The Star News.

But the relationship between Grammer & Pantano is deeper than the McIntyre campaign realizes. They criticize the relationship as "rubbing elbows with famous people" for political purposes - but it isn't that at all - In reality they have worked together to serve our wounded soldiers: Watch the film trailer/program that this famous person helped produce that they criticize: Warriors: The Film.

Pantano served in the US Marines and has been a Wall Street Trader. He was brought to national notoriety when he was charged for shooting two terrorists during the Gulf War – an investigation found the shooting was justified and the charges were dropped. Pantano wrote a book about the experience and has been the center of national attention ever since.

The Pantano team departed the Metzgers and headed for an evening fundraiser in Wilmington. The Lumberton and Wilmington events were the only two stops on the schedule for the day exclusively focusing on the two cities with Kelsey Grammer. The event was organized by the Robeson County Republican Party - The Pantano Campaign and assisted by the Robeson Republican Women’s Club.

2010-07-27T22:42:00.005-04:00

That's right - 5 Time Emmy Winner Kelsey Grammer will be at the home of Don & Linda Metzger Monday, August 2nd for a fundraiser on behalf of Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano. To Attend - Please select one of the Donation Levels Below:

You can save these images and print them or simply send a check for the selected amount and include the information requested below.

Please help with the success of this reception - Donate to the Pantano Campaign Today & Come Join Us at the Luncheon Monday with Kelsey Grammer.

For more information contact Lee Grantham at 910-734-7449.

Encourage friends to donate and attend as well; however, space is limited.

RSVP by July 30th in order to attend!

Make Checks Payable to: Pantano for Congress.

Mail to: Pantano for Congress PO Box 11280 Wilmington, NC 28404 or Contact Lee Grantham, Dr. Sydney Short or Phillip Stephens.

The Spin Begins!

2010-07-27T00:11:00.004-04:00

It's great to see campaigns go to work - you get to take a look at the fighters.

The Pantano Campaign was recently cited in local news media as having raised more money this past quarter than McIntyre. The McIntyre camp responded with the notion that this wasn't as important as how much money one had in the coffers.

Here's is a no spin guide - Both campaigns are right, but for different reasons.

The rapidity of money raised is a benchmark for excitment & momentum in a campaign - That one goes to Pantano.

The amount of money in a coffer is a measure of how long the politician has been in office to raise money signaling if the individual is a career politician - That one goes to McIntyre.

There you go - enough said. Thanks for the opportunity to clear that up & separate the grassroots from the career politicians.

Robeson GOP Internal Polling Beta Test Complete!

2010-07-24T15:20:00.002-04:00

The Robeson County Republican Party has conducted internal polling Beta Tests involving a conservative focus group to assess the efficacy of their research methodology in preparation for the 2010 election 100 days away.

The focus group was a representative model of conservatives in the county with 32.5% responding to the test survey. The initial sample size would generate a wide confidence interval of 20 (which means results could swing 20 points either way) however, the effect size was much larger as participants expanded the survey to their respective email lists. With 46.2% forwarding to listservs of about 25 people that broadened the sample size – the confidence interval was then effectively lowered to a more acceptable level of 5 (meaning the margin of error is 5 with a confidence level of 95%). This methodology will need adjustment but should serve conservatives well in gaining feedback mechanisms over the next 100 days.

The survey was sent to a Republican Listserv with 84% Republicans responding and 16% Democrat. Of the total, 92% resided in Robeson County.

42.3% of Respondents described their friends on their email lists as being comprised of 50-75% conservative. 19.2% said over 75% of their friends were conservative totaling 61.5% of contacts on the email list as being over 50% conservative leaving 38.4% as being less than conservative.

92.3% of Respondents said they would vote this election. 65% said they would forward political material to their friends, 57.7% were willing to work at a polling site, 46.2% would hand out literature and 30.8% would join a phone bank. Statistically, this is a very politically knowledgeable and active group.

A design flaw regarding one question prevented a few respondents from being allowed to choose the same rating for different candidates, but this error was quickly corrected but should be noted for validation purposes. The candidate question asked respondents to rate the chances of four Republican candidates in November based not only on their vote, but what they hear in their communities on a scale of Poor, Fair, Good and Excellent.

All candidates rated highest in the “Good” category:

Senator Richard Burr (52.2% Good followed by 47.8% Excellent)

Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano (52.6% Good followed by a split between Fair 21.1% & Excellent 21.1%).

NC House Candidate G.L. Pridgen (47.4% Good followed by 31.6% Fair & 10.5% Excellent)

County Commissioner Candidate David Edge (47.4% Good followed by 36.8% Fair & 15.8% Excellent)

One respondent commented that he/she believed that Congressman Mike McIntyre was in trouble everywhere except parts of Robeson and is in trouble even in Robeson citing the positioning of the VA clinic as just one bit of evidence.

Clearly, the focus group was a Pro-Republican crowd despite some respondents being Democrat. But 100% believed Republicans can win in Robeson.

The survey was simply a Beta Test but achieved credible methodology as long as one understands it was an internal conservative focus group. Yet among conservatives, confidence intervals were achieved within 5 points of error meaning that conservatives in Robeson clearly believe that all the Republicans appearing on the ticket in November in Robeson have good chances of winning.

In the final analysis, over 52% of conservatives in Robeson feel Senator Burr and Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano can win. Conservatives are split as to whether NC House candidate G.L. Pridgen and County Commissioner candidate David Edge can win. Nevertheless, 47.4% say they both have a good chance and 10.5% give Pridgen an Excellent chance while 15.8% give Edge an Excellent chance.

So if you add the chances of Good & Excellent which have the highest confidence levels of getting elected you get:

Senator Richard Burr 100%
Ilario Pantano 73.7%
G.L. Pridgen 57.9%
David Edge 63.2%

Robeson County has never seen polling numbers like these for Republicans. Though a Beta Test, the numbers are historic and impressive and since Robeson is largely a conservative county, very revealing. Thank you for those who participated in the polling.

ALSO SEE VERNE STRICKLAND’S LATEST COLUMN REGARDING ROBESON- CLICK HERE or go to:

http://www.examiner.com/x-42565-NC-7th-Elections-2010-Examiner~y2010m7d23-Robeson?cid=email-this-article

David Edge Campaign Kickoff!

2010-07-21T21:23:00.003-04:00

County Commissioner Candidate David Edge will kick-off his campaign Tuesday, July 27th at 5:30pm at the home of Don & Linda Metzger - 603 Yorkshire Place, Lumberton.

Please RSVP David Edge at: David_Edge@yahoo.com

David Edge (R) challenges Democratic incumbant Tommy Wellington for the District 6 Seat. He is a member of Trinity Holiness Church and is Owner/President of Image Supply, Inc. in Lumberton.

While other Republicans have run from their conservative credentials & many times filed for office as Democrats in order to appeal to the heavy Democratic populace - David Edge is a man of conviction and principle. He will not change the name on his registration card for superficial political purposes and will win or lose as a Republican. That message is resonating with voters.

Republicans and conservative Democrats seem to appreciate a man finally running on principle - someone who wants good government and is not simply trying to get elected by playing superficial political gamesmanship. David Edge didn't seek to become a politician - he simply wants a better Robeson County. David Edge just wants good government - not simply a political office.

District 6 is the perfect forum for this message. The District is heavily conservative regardless of Party Affiliation and this is the year for conservatives to win races across the state.

Voters have a chance in David Edge to make history. Seating an openly Republican candidate on the Board of County Commissioners hasn't occurred since the Reconstruction after the Civil War.

Republican Don Metzger broke precedent on the Lumberton City Council by being seated as a councilmen in this non-partisan race seen here (center) with wife Linda Metzger (Right)who serves as the Robeson GOP Vice Chair and District 7 Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano (Left) - and there are Republicans in other non-partisan seats as well.

But the Board of Commissioners is highly partisan. Electing Edge will signal a seismic shift in local politics sending a message that will resonate to Raleigh and beyond to Washington that conservatives stand united (Democrats & Republicans) in Democratic strongholds like Robeson against socialist agendas advanced by Democratic leaders such as Nancy Pelosi.

Help send a message - send Republican David Edge to the Robeson County Board of County Commissioners!

The Facts on Ads

2010-07-10T10:58:00.002-04:00

See todays (Saturday) Robesonian for Anthony Dent's Excellent response to the latest attack ads against Senator Burr -

Well if Elaine Marshal wants to post smear ads about Senator Burr - let's just stick with the facts:

Watch in her own words what she & Democrats want to do to "fix" the deficit problen that they created - TAX our way out of it of course. View just a few seconds of advertisment the see her confess to her desire to increase taxes as her solution to fixing the Obama deficit.

Elaine Marshall Considers Tax Increases
- Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

Join the Fight this Independence Holiday!

2010-07-02T20:12:00.005-04:00

Pantano says that over a hundred years of control by one Party isn't a Democracy, it's a Dynasty. With a Socialist Agenda invading Washington - we need men & women who will stand against it and preserve the conservative values our nation was built upon.

This is our Congressional Candidate for the 7th District against Mike McIntyre.

Please watch Pantano's video to learn more about him - then visit his website at: http://www.pantanoforcongress.com/

Join the Fight for Freedom!

Campaign's Begin!

2010-06-05T22:17:00.012-04:00

Traditionally, the campaign season kicks off after the State Convention. The event is being held this weekend in Winston-Salem,NC - the home of US Senator Richard Burr as he heads the Republican Ticket this season.

The Robeson County Delegation was on hand to meet with fellow Republicans - attend workshops, meetings and strategy sessions as well as hear speakers & presentations regarding the upcoming election.

Congressional Candidate Ilario Pantano met with the Robeson Delegation and plans to spend a lot of time in Robeson prior to the election. Please watch for announcements regarding his upcoming visits.

In addition to Burr & Pantano - there will be other candidates kicking off campaigns this summer. David Edge is gearing up for a Commissioner Race & G.L. Pridgen kicks off his run for the NC House 7:00pm Tuesday, June 8th at the Zion Hill Baptist Church Ball Field. You are invited!

Pantano opens his campaign HQ Saturday June 12th from 1pm - 4pm at 2250 Shipyard Blvd, Suite 10B, Wilmington. Pig Picking Tickets for the event are $25 and will feature comedian Jerry Carroll.

The Victory Regional Field Office will be located in Wilmington this year as well. We are happy to welcome Mariana Salamanca (former McCain Southeast Deputy Communications Director) back to NC to head up the Regional Field Director Post there. We will be looking for volunteers to conduct survey/poll calls for the regional office - please be ready to pitch in - we will need your help!

Campaign season has begun - Welcome to Victory Campaign 2010!

Republicans: Get Out the Vote!

2010-04-30T22:12:00.003-04:00

Republican Candidates are vying for the chance to challenge Democratic Congressman Mike McIntyre in the general election. Although challengers are not uncommon in Robeson, a Republican debate among those challengers is unprecedented.

The NC 7th Congressional District Republican Party held such an event at the Robeson County Courthouse recently, cosponsored by the Robeson County Republican Party and the Robeson Republican Women’s Club. Highlights of the forum can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/user/RobesonGOP.

Now before you say a Republican can’t beat a Democratic incumbent because the 7th District has been represented by a Democratic Congressman since the 19th Century – consider that John McCain carried the District by 5 points in a Presidential election year when North Carolina went to Obama. Things could get interesting.

Commercial airline pilot and Army reservist Will Breazeale lost to McIntyre in 2008 by a 2-1 margin. Actually not bad and he’s back utilizing the same aggressive campaign strategy as last election. At the Robeson debate, Breazeale challenged McIntyre’s hometown crowd often by attacking the incumbent on a myriad of issues. Breazeale has signed a bonded term limit agreement guaranteeing not to exceed three terms in office if elected.

Randy Crow was also a candidate at the debate. Analysts don’t consider him to have front-runner status though. Crow is funding his own campaign and has sought more than a dozen political offices according to published reports as both a Democrat and Republican. He is a retired businessman and supports issues championed by Ron Paul.

Ilario Pantano is the newest candidate and an interesting one. A recent press release from the Pantano campaign reports that Pantano raised more money than even McIntyre during the last several months or Breazeale in the past several years. According to the report, Pantano has raised over $100,000 since January compared to McIntyres $83,935 and Breazeale’s $8,294. If anything, this signals the first time in McIntyre’s 14 year career in Congress that a Republican challenger has beaten him on anything.

Pantano entered the Marines at age 17 and became a sniper. After his military service he completed a Bachelor’s degree in economics and worked on Wall Street before starting his own company. But after 9/11, Pantano returned to the Marines as an officer. It was there that he gained national attention after being charged for killing two Iraqi insurgents. He was interviewed by the national media, including Sean Hannity, after the controversial court martial which dropped the charges against him. Pantano wrote a book about the experience and even served as a deputy in New Hanover county after an honorable discharge from the Marines.

During the Robeson debates, Pantano took a different strategy than Breazeale. Pantano would not attack McIntyre directly. Pantano says his strategy is not to attack someone’s strength to defeat them. McIntyre is well-liked and Pantano believes McIntyre even agrees with conservatives on most issues. But he believes Washington forces Democrats to compromise their conservative values today. He cites issues on prayer and military policy as examples.

Pantano’s position is that Washington capitalizes on McIntyres Democratic credentials to enable them to advance their socialist agenda. He says he wants to show Robeson how a Republican can deliver on conservative issues without compromising conservative values – something even a good Democrat can’t do when working with this administration adding that McIntyre personally is a good guy.

It’s a unique strategy and it’s garnered the attention of the Young Guns program of the National Republican Congressional Committee that helps elect upcoming candidates. Pantano has joined Breazeale as a frontrunner.

So Republicans have something to vote for this election. A returning candidate with an entrenched campaign that has experience going after McIntyre for several years now and an up and coming candidate supported by the National Republican Congressional Committee who has already out raised McIntyre this quarter and has a unique strategy. Both decorated servicemen. Both frontrunners.

Republicans have a choice in the primary. Please vote & tell your friends!

Robeson Debate Synopsis: Vote Today!

2010-04-20T08:40:00.006-04:00

In case you missed the NC 7th Congressional Candidates Forum recently – Following the below report on the debate is a clip of highlight footage. A basic analysis of each candidate’s strategy is listed below according to published reports & the Robeson debates:

Will Breazeale – Lost to Congressman Mike McIntyre in 2008 and is a commercial airline pilot who also runs on his credentials as an Army reservist officer. Local news reported press releases from the Breazeale campaign early, that Pat McCrory initially endorsed Breazeale but McCrory changed that endorsement to Pantano according to “The News Reporter” of Whiteville, once Pantano entered the race. Breazeales views are essentially similar to his greatest opponent (Pantano) on taxation & other conservative issues.

The greatest difference is in their campaign strategy as Breazeale has elected to attack McIntyre aggressively & head-on since entering the race, stating in news reports that, “I don’t like Mike.” Breazeale has signed a bonded term limit if elected.

Randy Crow – Has sought more than a dozen political offices according to published reports as both Democrat and Republican including President of the United States. He is a retired businessman who admires Ron Paul and has taken controversial positions in his various runs for office.

Ilario Pantano – Enlisted in the Marines at age 17 becoming a sniper. Later became a stock broker in New York then re-entered the Marines after the attacks on 9/11 serving as a Marine Officer. During combat Pantano was accused of murder upon killing two terrorists, but a military hearing dropped all charges. As a result Pantano made national news and has been interviewed by Hannity on Fox News and other networks. He wrote a book about the experience and holds a Masters Degree in National Security Policy currently working as a deputy for the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.

His strategy is different from the Breazeale strategy. Pantano does not attack McIntyre stating that McIntyre is a nice man and given the chance he probably even agrees with Republicans on many of these conservative issues. According to Pantano, his campaign does not wish to attack into that strength of McIntyre but rather demonstrate that Democratic leaders such as Pelosi take advantage of McIntyre’s Democratic credentials in order to enable them to advance their socialist agenda. He says he wishes to show what a Republican can do for Robeson and not be taken advantage of by Democratic leadership.

One Stop Voting has begun. Please vote for one of these Candidates TODAY!

POST HOC: Candidate Will Breazeale wanted to make the following corrections to the published reports from which we obtained the background info on his opponent -

Breazeale challenges the fact that Pantano has a Master's Degree - The Pantano campaign agrees on the technicality. Pantano is actually working on his Master's Degree.

Breazeale wishes to also challenge that Pantano had to turn in his badge at the Sheriff's Dept & is no longer a Deputy - The Pantano campaign agrees on that technicality as well. Pantano voluntarily turned in his badge when the new Sheriff took over and had all auxillary deputies turn in credentials. Pantano voluntarily did as well since he was in auxillary capacity.

Breazeale also wished to point out that McCrory is supporting all Republican candidates and not just Pantano now - We've not heard back from the McCrory campaign.

Congressional Candidates Forum

2010-04-14T19:14:00.003-04:00

The Robeson County Republican Party & the Robeson County Republican Women's Club are sponsoring a Congressional Candidates Forum in conjunction with the NC 7th Congressional District Republican Party:

7:00pm Thursday, April 15th at the Robeson County Courthouse located in downtown Lumberton.

Confirmed candidates include GOP frontrunners Breazeale & Pantano. Come & meet the candidates Thursday evening. Open to the General Public.

Politics has Changed - Join the Movement!

2010-03-25T20:15:00.006-04:00

Former Clinton advisor, Dick Morris recently stated that there now is no such thing as a Blue Dog Democrat. The day of conservative Democrats are over & if you find one – it is indeed rare. Oh sure, there are plenty of folks who say they vote for the person, not the Party – but Morris says those days are over and those who think otherwise are just fooling themselves.

There are now only two kinds of politicians – Democrats & Republicans. Dick Morris believes that the most conservative Democrat is still way left of the most liberal Republican and that the only difference between a moderate Democrat and a liberal Democrat is their asking price for their vote. This means Robeson Democrats are an extinct species and politics will change fast thanks to the current administration in Washington.

The entire Republican leadership has a plan. RESTORE the Medicare cuts, DEFEAT Democrats in 2010, then DEFUND appropriations to Obamacare before it bankrupts the country & once Obama is defeated in 2012, REPEAL it and REPLACE it with a sane plan that increases competition across state lines, includes tort reform, strengthens Medicare, expands Medicaid modestly and establishes state high risk pools. We’ve got to get the incentives right!

The tenth amendment to the Constitution expressly limits the power of the Federal Government. Congress continues to ignore those limitations. Your help is needed to reinforce those limits by helping folks to understand that last weekend’s vote changed politics.

Dick Morris may be insightful in that there is no longer such a thing as a Blue Dog Democrat. A Southern Governor recently said that the South had more state by state restrictions on Medicaid to contain costs. The Obama plan just signed into law now will force Southern States to adopt the more liberal Medicaid rules of the North. Once that happens, industry will no longer want to come to the South – they will have one more reason not to come. Which is even another reason Robeson must change its politics to survive. We can no longer depend on the largesse of Democratic policy to lift Robeson from poverty. Why?

Well, already there are mounds of evidence that liberal policy is not working – it hasn’t since the Civil War. It has been said that you cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. Clearly, when half the population believes they don’t have to work because the other half will take care of them – the working half will soon decide that it does no good to work because someone else is going to benefit from their labor. Is this not already happening?

Medicaid already fails to cover 60% of health expense incurrence’s; therefore, 40% of physicians refuse to accept Medicaid patients and now Medicare is about to experience the same fate. Will the Government force the healthcare industry to expend more money than it will pay them? Sure it doesn’t make sense, but does anyone doubt this will happen?

The healthcare plan is noble, but has the incentives all wrong and backward – we’re not surprised. This is the same government that pays more to women who are single and pays arithmetically more as the single woman has more children as long as she doesn’t work and doesn’t get married; then the government funds studies trying to figure out why there are so many single, unwed mothers and they are having so many children and at a rate that has skyrocketed since the legislation was enacted. They fail to see cause & effect in their legislation.

You see, the incentives are all wrong. But we can get them right.

First – understand that politics has changed as of a week ago.

Also understand that Robeson will be hit the hardest if we don’t turn things around and now we know what politicians to trust and which ones not to trust. If anything, the rules are clearer.

Please talk to your family and friends about switching their registration to Republican if they already haven’t. Take them to the Board of Elections today…now – don’t wait. If they insist on voting in the Democratic primaries – fine.

But still take them – and at least get them to register as unaffiliated. We must do our part now to send a message. Register Republican – Vote Republican – Join the Movement!

HealthCare Showdown!

2010-03-18T22:15:00.003-04:00

This is the last showdown on Healthcare. Below are the swing Congressmen that need to hear from the American People either by PHONE (numbers below) or EMAIL (Go to their official Websites...)

FRIDAY- Will be the last day they will likely see "official" Phone or Website correspondance - Saturday there is a rally at the Capital in Washington & reportedly they may vote on Sunday.

Please Help! Tell them to vote NO on the Healthcare Bill!

...and just in case - please keep the pressure on our local Congressional leaders from NC to vote NO as well.

PLEASE CALL! DC OFFICE LOCAL OFFICE
Harry Mitchell (202) 225-2190 (480) 946-2411
Gabrielle Giffords (202) 225-2542 (520) 881-3588
Ann Kirkpatrick (202) 225-2315 (928) 226-6914
Jerry McNerney (202) 225-1947 (925) 833-0643
John Salazar (202) 225-4761 (970) 245-7107
Jim Himes (202) 225-5541 (866) 453-0028
Alan Grayson (202) 225-2176 (407) 841-1757
Bill Foster (202) 225-2976 (630) 406-1114
Baron Hill (202) 225-5315 (812) 288-3999
Mark Schauer (202) 225-6276 (517) 780-9075
Gary Peters (202) 225-5802 (248) 273-4227
Dina Titus (202) 225-3252 (702) 256-3462
Carol Shea-Porter (202) 225-5456 (603) 743-4813
Tim Bishop (202) 225-3826 (631) 696-6500
John Hall (202) 225-5441 (845) 225-3641 x49371
Bill Owens (202) 225-4611 (315) 782-3150
Mike Arcuri (202) 225-3665 (315) 793-8146
Dan Maffei (202) 225-3701 (315) 423-5657
Earl Pomneroy (202) 225-2611 (701) 224-0355
Steven Driehaus (202) 225-2216 (513) 684-2723
Mary Jo Kilroy (202) 225-2015 (614) 294-2196
Zach Space (202) 225-6265 (330) 364-4300
Kathy Dahlkemper (202) 225-5406 (814) 456-2038
Patrick Murphy (202) 225-4276 (215) 826-1963
Christopher Carney (202) 225-3731 (570) 585-9988
Paul Kanjorski (202) 225-6511 (570) 825-2200
John Spratt (202) 225-5501 (803)327-1114
Tom Perriello (202) 225-4711 (276) 656-2291
Alan Mollohan (202) 225-4172 (304) 623-4422
Nick Rahall (202) 225-3452 (304) 252-5000
Steve Kagen (202) 225-5665 (920) 437-1954
John Boccieri (202) 225-3876 (330) 489-4414
Jason Altmire (202) 225-2565 (724) 378-0928
Rick Boucher (202) 225-3861 (276) 628-1145
Suzane Kosmas (202) 226-6299 (407) 208-1108
Betsey Markey (202) 225-4676 (970) 221-7110
Scott Murphy (202) 225-5614 (518) 828-3109
Glenn Nye (202) 225-4215 (757) 326-6201
Allen Boyd (202) 225-5235 (850) 561-3979
John Tanner (202) 225-4714 (731) 885-7070
Bart Gordon (202) 225-4231 (615) 896-1986
John Adler (202) 225-4765 (732) 608-7235
Brian Baird (202) 225-3536 (360) 695-6292
Frank Kratovil (202) 225-5311 (410) 420-8822
Dennis Kucinich (202)225-5871 (216) 228-8850
Ed Markey (202) 225-2836 (781) 396-2900
Michael McMahon (202) 225-3371 (718) 351-1062
Chris Murphy (202) 225-4476 (860) 223-8412
Gerry Connolly (202) 225-1492 (703) 256-3071
Brad Ellsworth (202) 225-4636 (812) 465-6484
Marion Berry (202) 225-4076 (870) 972-4600
Henry Cuellar (202) 225-1640 (956) 725-0639
Jim Barrow (202) 225-2823 (706)722-4494
Lincoln Davis (202) 225-6831 (931) 490-8699
Joe Donnelly (202) 225-3915 (574) 288-2780
Mike Doyle (202) 225-2135 (412) 261-5091
Luis Gutierrez (202) 225-8203 (773) 342-0774
Marcy Kaptur (202) 225-4146 (419) 259-7500
Daniel Lipinski (202) 225-5701 (312) 886-0481
Jim Matheson (202) 225-3011 (801) 486-1236
Bart Stupak (202) 225-4735 (989) 356-0690
Harry Teague (202) 225-2365 (575) 393-0510

Robeson County Convention

2010-03-16T23:55:00.006-04:00

The Robeson County Republican Party would like to express its appreciation to the Convention & Party Officers, Republican delegates, attendees & guests as well as the Candidates for another successful county covention.

We'd also like to thank the FairTax Team for attending as well as our official GOP Photographer Andy Andrews for these great shots documenting this historic time in our history as Republicans plan to not only take the NC Legislature but will impact races from the local County Commissioners to the halls of Congress.

The next planned event is a Congressional Candidates forum April 15th - Stay Tuned.

A Special thanks to the candidates:

David Edge - County Commissioner District 6 Candidate.

G.L. Pridgen - NC House 46 Candidate

Brawleigh Graham - NC House 47 Candidate

Will Breazeale - US Congressional District 7 Candidate

Katherine Jenerette - US Congressional S.C. District 1 Candidate

Ilario Pantano - US Congressional District 7 Candidate

Robeson County Republican Convention

2010-03-04T18:47:00.003-05:00

The Robeson County Republican Party will hold its Annual County Convention 6:00pm Tuesday, March 16th at the Robeson County Courthouse.

Events include:

Republican Candidates Forum
New Political Video Ads for Robeson
Speaker: District 7 Chairman Frank Williams
State Convention News & State Delegate Selection...and more!

Keep Checking Here for the latest convention updates & news!

Phillip Stephens, Chairman
Robeson County Republican Party

Businessman David Edge Files for County Commissioner Seat!

2010-02-26T20:41:00.007-05:00

Robeson County Businessman David Edge (R) filed to challenge the District 6 County Commissioner seat currently held by Tommy Wellington (D) - Wellington, a Democrat, will first face Ray Cox (D) in the Democratic Primary. Edge is unchallenged in the GOP primary.

The 57 year old Edge has been a Republican for 35 years. He and his wife Kathy have three children and three grandchildren. They are members of Trinity Holiness Church where Edge serves on the Advisory Board. He is Owner/President of Image Supply, Inc.

"I have never had a desire to be a politician. But things have to change and it must start at home. We have to step up." says Edge.

Edge says he would like to change the misconception that the Democratic Party is for the small person. "The Democratic Party will only keep the small person down and Robeson County is a perfect example of that." He says.

If voters in District 6 send Edge to the Board of Commissioners - the District would guarantee its place in history as Edge would become the first Registered Republican Commissioner to serve on the Board since the Civil War - truely an Historic event, which could cast tidal waves of political change across the landscape of Robeson politics.

Commenting on Robeson being primarily a Democratic County since the Civil War with a persistent high poverty rate - Edge says, "If you always do what you have always done, you will get what you always got."

It seems David Edge may have - The Conservative Edge!

Glenn Beck at CPAC

2010-02-22T18:44:00.001-05:00

G.L. Pridgen Files for Legislature

2010-02-13T17:41:00.005-05:00

Republican G.L. Pridgen from Robeson has filed as a candidate for the District 46 seat currently held by Douglas Yongue of Laurinburg. Click Here for Local News Release.

District 46 is a very Conservative District and within the grasp of Pridgen who is a communications specialist having worked for Southern Bell Telephone and served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his Military service.

Even though nearly half of District 46 is in Robeson County, Yongue has been able to hold on to the seat as a Democrat from Laurinburg. This coupled with the fact that President Bush carried the precincts in Yongue's District may prove a challenge that Yongue will be unable to overcome with the sentiment turning sour against State Democrats.

Doug Yongue has held the seat for 8 terms and is a retired educator. He is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee responsible for developing the state's annual budget which makes him a target for voters unhappy with the budget crisis our state faces.

Yongue is also vice chairman of the Ethics Committee, another seat Yongue holds in which voters have been less than enthusiatic in regards to the ethics of Legislature Leadership recently and which Yongue has been silent.

Representative Yongue also has introduced Legislation such as House Bill 71 entitled "Four Year Terms", in which Yongue attempts to extend terms of General Assembly Representatives from 2 to 4 years. Elections every 2 years has been written in State Law since 1972 but Yongue and other Democratic sponsors would like the terms extended.

Pridgen promises to put a new face to the District - Fresh, Bold, New Ideas with Conservative Leadership.

We The People...

2010-02-04T08:50:00.002-05:00

Thanks to those who were able to attend the brief meeting last night. Again, I apologize for the short notice & scheduling difficulites but we wanted to just touch base before candidate filing begins Monday.

Again, please continue to recruit candidates particularly for House & Commissioner Seats.

Our next meeting will be the County Convention in March.

Scott Brown (R) MA, will be sworn in today. Obama's Illinois Senate seat is next up.

Enjoy Ray Stevens latest above...

Bold & Fresh

2010-01-30T22:17:00.013-05:00

Bold & Fresh Guy from Robeson meets Bold & Fresh Tour

N. Charleston, SC – Bill O'Reilly said ego had nothing to do with it when they called it, 'The Bold & Fresh Tour.' "We couldn't really call it, 'Arguing with Idiots', now could we?" He said.

It is a rare opportunity to see either Glenn Beck or Bill O’Reilly in person. To be 15 feet from both of them is even more rare and proved to be an uplifting experience as our sister state hosted the Bold & Fresh Tour in North Charleston today. Over ten thousand people packed the coliseum, which joined other sold out venues across the nation in Florida, Virginia, New York and California that have been included on the tour.

See a local reporters view of the event here.

In order to properly represent the conservative movement in Robeson County, I personally sacrificed myself to dive into this sea of conservatism that some commentators have called an angry mob of Tea Party goers. At great personal risk that comes with participating in a mob, I had to see for myself.

Besides, I wanted to bring you not only photos - but good news that the conservative movement not only exists, but is gaining momentum among not only Republicans - but Democrats and Independents as well.

My vantage point was four rows from the stage. Close enough to see that Beck, who was just voted America’s second favorite TV personality behind Oprah Winfrey, is every bit as passionate as you’d expect. He’s truly a down-to-earth regular guy and mounted the stage dressed in a plaid shirt and blue jeans. It was freshly pressed.

It was also close enough to see that O’Reilly must have a great make-up guy for his Fox TV show The Factor, as he looks much older in person (Sorry, Bill). Beck was relentless in his jesting about O’Reilly’s age but O’Reilly showed his soft side by taking it in stride. Especially when Beck opined that FOX put Don Imus on the air so there would be someone who looked older than O’Reilly on FOX.

What makes the O’Reilly and Beck Tour a great show is that it is not about political ideology. It’s about common sense and discourse with substance. It’s also about the ability to disagree without being disagreeable.

For the record, O’Reilly is an independent on the political spectrum and Beck is touted as being a Libertarian. And although there probably were more Republicans in attendance than any other party of record, there were clearly a healthy number of Democrats as well. It would not be unreasonable that there were an equal number of both.

But all the attendees agreed on the principles and common sense reasoning of O’Reilly and Beck, not unlike Robeson where Republicans and Democrats can agree in principle to nearly all issues and have equal distaste for many politicians who are more concerned about their political careers than the people who sent them to Washington. Republicans and Democrats both seem to forget common sense once they get there. So neither is spared on the Bold & Fresh Tour.

Beck began by railing on Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of S.C. The home crowd applauded at the suggestions that their Senator, well, “Sucks...” Beck never was subtle. “Lindsey Graham Sucks…Put that on a bumper sticker and it might sell” said Beck. So much for O’Reilly and Beck shilling for the GOP as their first victim was a Republican.

“The Republican Party asked me to go speak at one of their events,” said Beck.

“I told them that ‘No’ they didn’t.” He continued.

“Yes, we do.” The GOP insisted according to Beck.

“No, you don’t.” Beck replied.

But when the GOP persisted, Beck went and spoke at the Republican function. Beck says they finally told him afterward that maybe they shouldn’t have had him to speak after all.

This is why FOX news has been voted as the most trusted news source by Americans. These guys simply call it as they see it. Regular Republicans and regular Democrats can appreciate that.

But although O’Reilly and Beck believe the GOP is a ship without a rudder, it still is on a more principled course than the Democrats who supposedly have a rudder. The problem is that the President is steering the country in a direction contrary to the basic foundations of our nation and O’Reilly and Beck disagree on this issue a bit.

O’Reilly believes Obama is a brilliant guy, just misguided. Beck believes Obama is a brilliant guy and knows exactly what he is doing. Nevertheless, the disagreements between the two are polite, interesting and engaging.

O’Reilly’s healthcare plan is simple. Allow insurance companies to compete across state lines and tort reform. Tort reform in the shape of the English model where the loser of a suit pays all court costs which cuts out frivolous cases. And as for the drug addict without insurance who shows up in the emergency room for care. Get his social security number and if he ever makes any money in his lifetime, just garnish part of it to pay the bill rather than forcing responsible people to pay it.

As for the terrorist trials that are going to cost $200 billion dollars, he says let the military courts do it. Congress has already passed legislation to let them and it will only cost $39.95.

The two are truly an odd couple. O’Reilly is the Harvard educated God-father of ‘No-Spin’ , in-your-face journalism with an edge. Beck is the new kid on the block who never went to college but is a voracious reader and backs his opinions with fact and steeped in humor.

Behind me sat a businessman who knows local Republican Burt Benson. Beside me were some Democrats wearing camouflage shirts enjoying the show with a beer and scattered around were folks of differing ages, gender and races sharing the same ideology of common sense government. Even met a lady who drove from Texas to see the event.

Interestingly, those who oppose O’Reilly and Beck sharing their views retort with emotion devoid of facts. We heard that there were two protestors outside…two. One held a sign saying that “O’Reilly and Beck were the mainstream media” (as if that was a negative sign) and another held a sign saying, “Volume does not equal truth.” They failed to provide the truth of which they spoke, however. They didn’t have the facts outside, but had they come inside they’d have seen a lot of facts. Facts liberals don’t have.

Apparently they think $200 billion to hold a civilian trial for terrorists who have not only confessed but are proud of their guilt, is a better deal than $39.95. They also want to pay for the methamphetamine addict’s health care bill and somehow don’t understand that we already have Medicaid to cover such folks.

O’Reilly and Beck think its ok to disagree. In fact, they think the discourse is healthy. But for some reason, liberal progressives don’t like opposing opinion.

And that’s why the tour is so popular. Real Americans who agree on the basic principles of our nation think its okay to disagree over how to advance those principles.

But if you don’t agree with those basic foundational principles of our nation, you are repulsed by these people; Republicans, Democrats, Independents and Libertarians, all sitting together enjoying an evening of common sense, facts and humor.

Liberals and progressives would hate the show. But the mob was peaceful, loved the show and O’Reilly and Beck move on to the next city. I think the Democrats next to us wanted to buy the guys a round of beer.

Rest assured - Not only is the conservative movement a reality...It's Growing.

One Team - One Goal - Victory

2010-01-21T23:32:00.003-05:00

When Senator-elect Scott Brown can win in a state where Republicans are outnumbered 3-1 then Republicans can win anywhere. First Virginia & New Jersey - now Massachusetts. Consider the fact that the only place a Democrat has won since Obama took office is in the New York Congressional District where Obama didn't campaign for the candidate.

Now is the time to run candidates from the courthouse to the statehouse. Filing begins at noon Feb. 8th. Please begin recruiting solid Republican candidates to fill every race. Conservative candidates can win if they:

1. Run a Positive, Issues-oriented campaign.

2. Understand the Tea Party movement is real - Americans are sovereign and they will throw out leaders that forget it and this includes Republicans as well as Democrats - neither Party should forget this.

3. Hope President Obama campaigns for your opponent.

4. Most Importantly - Offer a clear plan for success. Voters are not stupid & their voices should not be ignored. Clearly spell out your plan and forget about nebulous terms like "create jobs" "support family values".

Be clear and specific on how you will create jobs and how you will support values. Be clear and specific on what taxes you'll cut, what you will do and what you will not do. Americans are tired of politics as usual and the Democrats failed to deliver on the sunshine they promised last election. They are going to pay just like Republicans have paid. The difference is that Republicans need to learn from those mistakes.

Please - Talk to those who you believe will be good candidates. Send their names to the Party. We need to run candidates for every office. Below are some helpful links on healthcare policy issues:

The current healthcare policy brief can be found here!

The Republican Plan brief can be found here!

One Team - One Goal - Victory

Republican Scott Brown Wins!

2010-01-19T21:23:00.002-05:00

With 75% of the Precincts reporting - The News services have projected a WIN for Republican Scott Brown in MA!

Game Changer Today!

2010-01-19T08:56:00.003-05:00

Do you have friends or family in Massachusetts?

If so, call them today and ask them to vote for Republican Massachusetts State Senator Scott Brown in the Special Election Today to fill Senator Ted Kennedy's seat. It will be a game changer as Dick Morris calls it.

The only way Democrats will be able to achieve their socialist agenda with a Republican holding the Massachusetts seat is if they rush another vote on his drive over to Washington, DC before he can take the oath of office.

Call anyone you know in Massachusetts today!