The Hangover is OVER!!

I have given everyone a rest, for the most part, but now it is time to get back to work. Here in Milam County Tuesday night was a good night to be a Republican as we carried the load for the GOP by taking 10 out of 11 local races and carrying Milam County for every elected spot on the State and Federal ballot including all four spots on the 3rd Court of Appeals. Even Mitt Romney carried nearly 70% of Milam County.

But even with the great success Tuesday night was for the Milam County GOP, the United States is still in turmoil. And NO, it’s not just because as a country we re-elected Barack Obama as President, but because for all the talk of a faltering government in Washington, we voted as a country to essentially send the same people back to Washington to do the same job (or lack thereof) that they have not been doing for many years that has the United States in such a mess.

What we needed was a new direction in Washington and since Tuesday all we have been hearing is more of the same. It is true that we are approaching a fiscal cliff the likes this nation has never seen; unfortunately, we have a dysfunctional leadership vacuum in Washington that appears to still remain even following the most expensive elections ever on record.

Now I am a principled Republican and I agree with the conservative principles of the GOP for the most part and while I am unmovable in my core beliefs, I also understand that we have a country to run and we must do what is best to govern; that is not what has been happening for at least the last four years….actually, more like the last 8+ years.

We all get it; the Republicans are conservative and the Democrats are liberal; the Republicans believe in plan “red” and the Democrats believe in plan “blue.” But let’s be honest, neither of those two plans are going to make it through, what we need is a plan “Purple” that blends to two plans into an agreeable national plan that allows our country to improve and not to regress as we have the last few years.

And it is possible – It’s Called COMPRIMISE!

Compromise has been given a bad name in recent years as it is thought of as giving up on your ideals – BUT IS IT? Can’t we see compromise as a spirit of cooperation to create a successful piece of legislation that will get through the legislative process and help govern the country?

No one has to sacrifice their beliefs on an issue, just maybe take the time to compromise a little in the negotiation process to move forward. You bring your ideas and beliefs to the table as a basis for the negotiations and then you agree to create legislation that will accomplish what is best for the citizens and the country.

This can be done and has been done before. In the 1980’s, President Reagan learned to work with a democrat legislature by passing tax reforms and immigration reforms that occurred even with the “Iran-Contra” affairs having taken place. In the 90’s Bill Clinton was able to work with a Republican Legislature that passed welfare reform and balanced the budget even after he had been impeached.

THIS CAN BE DONE!!

What we need is leadership – Good, Positive Leadership!! We need positive Leadership from the President that seeks to work with the congressional leadership in a bi-partisan manner that benefits America and not demigod a certain class, race, sex, or any other demographic for political expediency. We need Leadership from Senator Harry Reid that allows the Senate to vote on legislation coming from the House regardless of his feelings on the legislation and how he believes the senate will vote on it. We need Leadership from John Boehner that doesn’t just tote a party-line but reaches across the aisle in a manner that shows that he can treat the Democrats in the House in a manner that the Republicans in the Senate would like to be treated. As a matter of fact, we need all of this from all the leaders in Washington.

THIS CAN BE DONE!!

As Americans, we agree to disagree about certain issues and to have enough respect for those differing opinions that we do not degrade an individual for having them, but work with those individuals to find common ground and work in a manner that benefits us all.

No one came out of last week’s election with a mandate; everyone came out of the election still an American and as such we need to work together to make this the country we all want it to be. President Bush had a mandate early in his presidency as did President Obama – it doesn’t exist anymore.

Following last Tuesday’s vote, the government in Washington is truly a government of the people; and the government of the people needs to govern for the people – not for themselves or their parties.

THIS CAN BE DONE!!

I’ll put my soapbox up now,
Bill

Bill Torrey is the Republican Choice for DA!!

Many times while acting as the Republican Party Chair for Milam County I have had the opportunity to report on things that are pleasant in nature. Normally I get to come to you with good news and spread cheer; today I have to address an issue that might be unsettling for some, but I feel it necessary for me to address it all the same.

When I took over the reigns as the Milam County Republican Chairman I did so with the goal of creating a local Republican Party that would be filled with quality individuals so that the voters of Milam County could have a solid conservative choice on the ballot and end the years of single party governance.

My goal was to create an atmosphere where those with conservative beliefs could run for office as a Republican and change the mentality of “You have to run as a Democrat if you want to win in Milam County.”

Milam County has always been a Conservative place to live and raise a family. The beliefs and values we hold dear here in Milam County are the very same conservative beliefs that have made this country great; people who are hard-working, independent, self-reliant, charitable, and God-fearing just to name a few.

Those working in the Republican Party of Milam County had been working for many years with little success to show for it in the local elections. But in 2010 a tremendous group of candidates rose to the occasion and took on the task of running for local office under the Republican Party Banner that represented their beliefs and values.

Likewise, this year a record number of Conservative candidates came forward and put their name on the GOP ballot, many of them switching parties much to the consternation and abusive rhetoric of local liberals who called them “traitors.” Prior to this election I let it be known that any of those incumbents who wanted to switch parties would be welcomed to; however, they had to understand that many of them would probably have a challenger in the primary – and many of them did!

In the end, those who switched parties did so not to easily win an election, but because they felt that their core beliefs and values more closely matched those of the Republican Party. Several of the incumbents who switched parties had to win the primary in order to represent the party on the ballot in November; in short, they earned their place on the ballot.

In the last week it has come to my attention that a group calling itself Republicans for Kerry Spears has filed paperwork to raise money for their cause and has begun to place signs about Milam County. I just got a note from a concerned Republican saying they saw a yellow sign near one of Kerry Spears signs that supported their cause.

This disturbed him because as a Republican he knows how important it is to support those candidates brave enough to take a stand and run as a Republican in a county that has made it a practice in the past of only voting Democrat. I have also had anonymous letters and phone calls telling me that some of the Milam GOP Candidates are not truly Conservative and that they are really Democrats.

Anonymous letters and phone calls to me are the most ridiculous forms of communication and are very reminiscent of those hate groups in the past who spewed their venom while roaming around in the dark behind cover. This I find quite humorous as the candidates that have chosen to hoist the Team Obama banner and remain in the Democrat Party are the very candidates who say to the State and Federal Democrat Party that they want Milam County to be a Pro-Obama Liberal Stronghold.

I am not sure what those who make up this group calling themselves Republicans has against our Republican Candidate for County Attorney, but Bill Torrey is the Republican Candidate for County Attorney and is the only the candidate the Republican Party of Milam County is supporting in this year’s General Election.

Bill Torrey chose to step forward and run as a Republican to represent the conservative values and beliefs he and Milam County hold dear. His opponent chose to remain in the Democrat Party and to continue to support the liberal Obama agenda that tears at the very fabric of American Society.

The Republican Party in Milam County has worked hard to establish a strong Conservative Republican Party here in Milam County and we will continue to work hard to maintain that high level of civility while we make Milam County a better place to work and live. It has not always been easy, especially when attacked by those on the other side of the political spectrum, but it is worth it to know we can hold our heads high while we work to make things better for Milam County, for Texas, and for our country.

In closing I will say that America is a free country and that everyone has the right to vote for whomever they feel will do the best job. I have believed that all of my life. I spent 14 years in the Navy defending that right and have worked the last three years as the Milam GOP Chair to ensure that everyone in Milam County has a right to vote however they see fit. Regardless of who you chose to vote for on November 6th, just remember that Bill Torrey is the Republican Candidate for County Attorney and that his opponent has chosen to be Barack Obama’s choice.

Thank You,
Bill

Time to get busy!!

Well the holidays have passed and hopefully everyone is getting settled back into their normal routine. Along with that normal routine, it is now time to get serious about the up-coming election.

If you think we still have plenty of time, well standby. The first in the nation Primary/Caucus takes place this evening and our own is around three months from now. I know three months sounds like a long time, but ask one of our local GOP candidates, they’ll probably have a little different opinion.

Tonight the Iowa Caucus took place and it appears to be between Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum. But it’s just Iowa and while all primaries are important, I just want to remind you that the folks caucusing in Iowa only make up around 1/10th of 1% of those who will vote in nationally in November. So while all votes are important, just keep in mind that this caucus just gives us a starting point. We still have a good two or three months before we know who the likely GOP nominee for President will be.

Our local Candidates have been quite busy getting out and meeting the good folks of Milam County. They’ve been out putting up signs and knocking on doors. If you haven’t met them yet well stand by, they’ll be by before too long.

If you’d like to meet them all then get some tickets to the February 9th Reagan Day/Texas Independence Celebration to be held at the Cameron VFW post. The Republican Women of Milam County host this event and it will feature and wonderful dinner and will be attended by all the local candidates and most of the state candidates who have already confirmed their attendance.

So get your tickets and come out to enjoy a good night of fellowship with your fellow Milam County Conservatives, meet the candidates, and enjoy an awesome meal; details can be found at http://www.milamgop.org/.

By the way, if you haven’t been to our website then check it out. We have a list of candidates, elected officials, party leadership, and events along with several other bits of information. Check out the candidates list and get involved. All these candidates can use your support and would love to have you help them. For details, give me a shout or email me at williamwhitmire@yahoo.com and I will be happy to help you out.

Hope you all are ready for a busy election year and a successful November as we help ensure Barack Obama can spend all of 2013 in Hawaii!!

Talk to you later,Bill

A "Conservative Democrat" - Part 2

So Bill White, a supposed “Conservative Democrat” wants your vote for him. Bill White wants you to believe that he is a true conservative, even though he was a willing advisor to Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign; and since Obama’s election to the highest office in the land, Bill White has continued to advise Obama on a Cap and Trade policy that will cripple the Texas economy that is home to the number one business market of any state in America.

Bill White is a willing accomplice to the Obama agenda, an agenda that is as far from conservative principles as one can get. As talked about before, the days when someone could be a Conservative Democrat are over. But on top of that, Bill White has proven himself a liberal by his past stance on immigration, gun rights, abortion, and taxes. Many liberals try and make Bill White out to be a conservative, but it is only a smoke screen.

As Mayor, Bill White’s policies cut the number of law enforcement officers in Houston, allowed illegal immigration to flourish, and drove the city of Houston to near bankruptcy. These are the policies that are threatening our country based on the current policies pushed by the Barack Obama, the candidate Bill White endorsed and worked for in the 2008 presidential election. Bill White believed in these policies in 2008 and no matter what his campaign says in 2010, his beliefs in a liberal agenda cannot be hidden and will be put in place should he become Governor.

Texas is Strong, Independent, and Flourishing under conservative leadership that has led the way for a nation of states looking for leadership. So the question is, do you want Texas to continue to be a leader of the nation under the leadership of Rick Perry, David Dewhurst and Greg Abbott, or do you want to become a bankrupt state like California under the leadership of someone like Bill White?