Kickoff

Pam Krushansky, thanking the larger-than-expected crowd for turning out. Introductions of the Executive Committee. Representatives of four Presidential campaigns will have 5 minutes to speak, in this order.

1 -- Ron Paul (Gabriel McCall); talking about prior to Bush, two wings of the GOP -- Rockefeller (international adventurism) and conservative. Ron Paul is the only true conservative running (never voted for an unbalanced budget, never voted for a Congressional pay increase, etc...) Cited Paul's (exceedingly admirable) 50-year marriage (to the same woman). Anti-UN statements. In all, a respectable presentation.

2 -- Rudy Giuliani (Dan Casto of Wood County GOP Executive Committee); "Why do I support Rudy?" Most qualified, experience as Mayor, as Assistant U.S. Attorney, qualifies to make tough decision. Only canidate to clearly and succinctly tell us what we're going to do. Cites Rudy as #3 in the DoJ, where he took on the mob at the risk of his own life. Cites his ability to win Democrat votes, cites George Will. Didn't take care of NYC problem by raising taxes, but by cutting spending and taxes (23 times); reduction of welfare rolls, reduction in crime. Plays to security--Rudy cleaned up New York, led in aftermath of 9/11 attacks. Cites 12 Commitments, especially commitment to protect the nation from terrorists and to cut taxes, appointing Scalia-Thomas-Alito-Thomas justices. Strong conservative governance record. Man of intellect, what you see is what you get. [I'm impressed at the positive tone of the presentations -- T.O.]

3 -- Fred Thompson (Jim Mullins); Thompson biography -- son of a used car dealer, self-made man, college, law school, etc. At 27 appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney for Middle Tennessee, went to be Republican lawyer of Watergate Committee (where he originated the phrase "What did the President know, and when did he know it"). Cites Thompson's crusades against political corruption. Thompson as a sturdy man of character. Thompson the Senate candidate (was trailing badly, but got in his red pickup truck) and turned it around. He was a citizen legislator, not a career politician, and honored his promise to not run a third time. Thompson shepherded Roberts through the Senate. Running on a simple conservative platform -- smaller government, lower taxes, judges who will apply the law not create the law. As president he will not let us down.

4 -- Mitt Romney (J.B. McCuskey); three main reasons I'm supporting Governor Romney -- 1, my wife is supporting him and I might be in trouble otherwise; 2, Governor Romney's record creating jobs and wealth in the private sector -- the government doesn't create jobs, the private sector creates jobs; 3, Governor Romney's a strong social conservative. Cites Jay Sekulow, who J.B. has a close relationship with and has worked for. Jay's support for Romney is based on Romney's strong defense of traditional marriage, and the fact that the purpose of the pro-life movement is to win hearts and minds.

In all, very good presentations all around, and very positive -- no attacks on the other candidates, which is pleasant.