Dear Fellow Republicans,
I am very excited to tell you about a special guest coming to Alabama in August. An Eagle Scout, he went on to join the Texas A&M Corp Cadets, and then became a pilot and Captain in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the Air Force, he worked with his father as a cotton farmer, and then ran to serve in the House of Representatives in his home state. After three terms in the State House, he served two terms as his state’s Agriculture Commissioner. Seeking higher office again, he became the first Republican Lieutenant Governor in his state. He is now a three-term Governor andrumored 2012 Republican Presidential contender. I’m referring to Texas Governor Rick Perry, Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association and ourkeynote speaker at the Alabama Republican Party Summer Dinner. </br>
Governor Perry has made headlines in the past few years for his staunch belief in state sovereignty and his willingness to take on the Obama administration and federal government intrusion. I recently met with Governor Perry in Dallas and I can tell you that he is genuinely excited about coming to Alabama. Governor Perry is an outstanding speaker and will capture the attention of all in attendance. I know that he will have much to share with us about the future of our Party and our nation. I hope you will make plans to join us for dinner on Friday, August 12th, at the Ross Bridge Resort in Birmingham to hear Governor Rick Perry. As you may know, Ross Bridge Resort is one of the finest facilities of its kind in the state. And, we have some great news about the price of the hotel rooms. We have negotiated an outstanding rate of $99 a night, but you must book your room by July 12th in order to get the discount. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 1-888-236-2427. We have several exciting things in store for that weekend, so mark your calendars. You can contact Britney Mitchell at Party headquarters to learn more- bmitchell@algop.org or 205-212-5900.
Having a potential Presidential candidate in the state is exciting news. And, as you may have heard, our state and presidential primaries will be held the second week in March next year. In 2008, the presidential primary was moved from June to February in order to participate with other Super Tuesday states and have a voice in the selection of our nominee. The state primary was held in June as usual. The change in dates for next year was necessitated by rulings from the RNC and DNC that only four states (Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada) could hold their presidential primaries/caucuses prior to March. States that violate this rule will lose one half of their delegates. At the recommendation of the ALGOP, legislation was recently passed moving both the state primary and presidential primary to the second Tuesday in March. This accomplishes two things: it eliminates the cost of having two separate primaries, saving the state $4 million, and it allows us to have a voice in selecting our presidential nominee. This was the best choice for our taxpayers, our state and our Party. Now that the presidential primary date has been decided, ALGOP has notified each presidential candidate and potential presidential candidate that our presidential primary will be March 13, 2012. We are working to get the candidates to Alabama so Alabama Republicans can be exposed to the candidates. We want our voters to be prepared to make an informed decision on who they want for our nominee when we go to the polls in just 9 months. We must have the strongest candidate possible to defeat President Barack Hussein Obama next year!
For the Cause,
Bill Armistead, Chairman
Alabama Republican Party
To read the entire June 6, 2011 newsletter, click here.