State of the Union

We need some spending sanity

'The American people expect more of us'

House Republican Leader John Boehner: "A bill that was supposed to be about jobs, jobs, jobs has turned into a bill that's all about spending, spending, and spending."

Party to the People Tour

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine kicked off his 2009 "Party to the People" Tour in Franklin County on Thursday night at a forum hosted by the Grandview Area Republican Club.  "We're getting out of party headquarters in Columbus and hitting the road to hear directly from Republicans where they live," said DeWine.  "I want to have a conversation with people about our state and our party, and I hope it gives them a sense of ownership in our agenda for leading Ohio."

DeWine plans to conduct similar forums in all 88 counties this year, giving Ohioans an opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to learn more about the Republican Party.

Reforming the GOP

Great round-up of op-eds in the Wall Street Journal today on how the Republican Party can reform itself and regain its momentum:

Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan:  Our party has become too fearful of our own ideas. Since 1997, congressional Republicans began a steady retreat from principled leadership to political expediency. A party built on spending discipline and government reform succumbed to the siren songs of government expansion and earmarked giveaways. Republicans squandered the opportunity to limit and reshape the relationship between the federal government and the individual.

GOPAC Chairman Michael Steele: Our challenge lies not in beating Democrats, but in uniting around a message that solidifies our ranks and attracts new people to our cause. We have to listen to what Americans are telling us about their hopes, desires and needs, and then translate that message into proposals for meaningful action squarely grounded on the values we Republicans have always stood for.

Republican National Hispanic Assembly Chairman Danny Vargas:  Sadly, too many Americans view the GOP as out of touch, intolerant, the party of the rich, and unable to govern effectively. To be successful and regain the majority, we must change these perceptions and communicate more effectively with all segments of society, expand the base and allow for varying view points, while remaining true to our core values of limited but effective government, individual liberty and personal responsibility, and respect for traditional values.

A Message from John Kasich

Congratulations to Democrats on their victories in elections across the country yesterday.

As pundits continue to analyze the exit polls and the final election results, we Republicans must take a minute to look in the mirror, and then refocus on the daunting task before us.

Now is not the time for hand-wringing or finger pointing, which has already begun.  Now is the time to dig in and start rebuilding for the future.  We must figure out how to reorganize and restructure ourselves so that we can once again command the confidence and respect of not only the members of our own party, but voters of all stripes.

In recent years we've lost our way, but that ends today.  From here forward we must be committed to winning the battle of ideas in this country and in this state.

Ronald Reagan once captured the imagination of a country that he called a shining city on a hill.  Like Ronald Reagan, I'm hopeful about the future of our party and our country.  But as we get ready for the fight ahead, we must return to the fundamentals of what it means to be a Republican.  We must communicate clearly what we stand for, and make the case for why our ideas are better.  We must reassert the importance of limited government, lower taxes, fewer regulations, individual responsibility, and restrained government spending.

America is not about entitlement, but about being given the opportunity to pursue the American Dream, whatever that dream may be.  As Republicans we must find new and innovative ways to think about the role of government in our lives so that we are free to pursue new opportunities and create prosperity.

Here in Ohio, our economy is in a death spiral, our tax system is burdensome, and people are fleeing the state.  We must redouble our efforts to reinvigorate businesses and foster an environment that creates jobs.  This will require new leadership and a new vision as we seek to overcome these problems.

The path ahead for our party is not easy, but we must embrace this challenge.  I know together we can make a difference to reposition our party, revitalize our state and reconnect with voters to ensure a better America and a better Ohio for ourselves and the next generation.

Visit Recharge Ohio.

Rep. Danny Bubp Interview from Baghdad, Iraq

OhioGOPtv - McCain Town Hall in Lima

Mourning the loss of a friend

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett issued the following statement today regarding the death of former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow:

Life seems awfully unfair when we have to say goodbye too soon to people like Tony Snow.  His infectious joy and courage gave hope to so many people, and his untimely loss is just impossible to comprehend.

As a former Ohioan, Tony had a special place in his heart for his friends in the Buckeye State.  He was always full of energy and optimism and always anxious to help us here even in the face of his own physical battles.  We've lost a dear friend and a colleague, and our love and prayers go out to Tony's family at this difficult time.  This is such a profound loss for all of us.

Don't Hope for a Better Life, Vote for One

OH Rep. Josh Mandel: "Star on the Rise"

Powerline has a post up about Ohio Rep. Josh Mandel, Republican from the 17th District outside of Cleveland.  He was recently invited to speak before a meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA.  The former Marine-turned-legislator did not disappoint:

From the moment he began his speech, however, the Republican Jewish Coalition audience hung on his every word.

He was lucky that he could finish talking in his allotted 15 minutes, as he was interrupted by applause 13 times.  When he finished, the audience of mostly jaded, been-there, done-that political junkies gave him a rousing standing ovation, and a couple dozen well-wishers mobbed him as he walked off the stage.

One observer -- who has been to countless political events -- said simply, "Josh is a world-class speaker."

The post also includes details of Mandel's now famous campaign work-ethic, where he knocked on almost 20,000 doors on his way to victory in 2006 and wore clear through three pairs of shoes in the process.  Read the full post here.