What's Ahead in 2006

Like every election year 2006 will be a busy and exciting one. At the forefront of Cobb County politics will be the infamous Cobb School Board, Public Prayer, Illegal Immigration, SPLOST and the local elections.

Which ones will dominate the news? which ones were the top issues of 2005?

Check the calendar link and try to attend some of the events listed. Continue to check back here as the year develops to stay on top of Cobb Politics and to get involved and participate in the occassional on-line poll.

The Conservative Sentinel will be here for you 24/7.
Truth Never Sleeps!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Isakson Joins Soros Backed Republican Moderates

I was dissappointed to hear on Michelle Malkin's blog today that Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson had joined the George Soros backed group of "moderate" Republicans known the Republican Main Street Partnership.

This group was behind the scuttling of the ANWR drilling amendment in the Energy bill.

The group is backed by a 527 of which George Soros is a major contributor.

I have always been a big fan of Johnny Isakson , but being a proud "Radical Right Wing Conservative" this is a sad day fior me.

What else is Senator Isakson willing to compromise on?
Illegal Immigration?
Tax Cuts?
Reduced Federal Spending?

What do you think?
I'm sure Senator Isakson would like to hear your opinion.
I certainly would.

Al

Tom Price Addresses GOP Breakfast

October 15, 2005 - Tom Price, U.S. Representative from Georgia's 6th District addressed the first Cobb County Republican Breakfast of October with a report on what was going on in Washington D. C. He said the following issues were the top priorities of the Republican Congress and would have serious effects on the citizens of Cobb County.

1. War on Terror
2. Taxes and the Fair Tax. - The Fair Tax movement has taken Washington by suprise according to Congressman Price, who says he has been inundated with requests for the Fair Tax book. Appearantly the grass roots movement has resulted in serious consideration being given by the Congress. Congressman Price said that President Bush's Commission on Tax Reform charged with fundemental reform dropped the ball and just wound up "tweeking" the system. The results of the Fair Tax movement will be evidenced in a fair tax vote on the House Floor sceduled for April 15th 2006.

3. Illegal Immigration - Congresssman Price has said Immigration Reform will be the button issue in '06. Look for passage of H.R. Bill 3693 and other legislation related to the Hostettler letter sent to President Bush on October 4.

4. The Budget Process - Congressman Price simply stated that the budget process was out of control and advocated a return to the Gramm - Rudman balanced budget approach.

Meeting Of The Mouths

Meeting of the Mouths - October 1, 2005


October 1, 2005 – WSB hosted a potpourri of talk show entertainment last Saturday at the Cobb County Civic Center. The 90 minute forum started at 10:30 AM and drew a crowd so large that parking spilled over to the Lockheed Credit Union and the ballfields.

The show featured legal expert John Carlson, Hollis Gillespie of Creative Loafing, consumer advocate Clark Howard, talk show hosts Neal Bortz and Sean Hannity, CNN’s James Carville and Neal Cavuto of Fox News.

Gillespie and Carville worked the issues from the left, Sean Hannity from right, and Neal Bortz stirred the pot with his Libertarian viewpoint.

Carville was especially entertaining as he relished wearing the black hat like some WWF bad boy. He continually taunted the largely conservative crowd by declaring Bill Clinton “The Best President Ever!”. I found myself laughing most of the time as he and Bortz and Hannity traded barbs while still managing to cover relevant political topics.

The audience was treated to photo ops and book signings after the show. This was part of a nation wide tour to encourage political discussion.

Ralph Reed Brings Out The Big Guns Early.

Reed to Dean: "I will buy your ticket to Georgia"

June 17, 2005 - Refering to the sudden drop in popularity polls for Democrats after a visit to Georgia by controversial Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean, Ralph Reed offered to buy his airplane ticket for his next trip to Georgia.

His first major political rally of the campaign was an unqualified success dispite the lack of media coverage. 1500 people attended the June 17th rally at Cobb Galleria.

Reed continues to draw negative press from the likes of the Atlanta Journal Costitution and Internet websites like the political vine. Despite this he has built up an impressive grass roots volunteer force 16 months before the November 2006 Election. Forget about the Indian Casino scandel, My money says a big win for Ralph in the primary and general elections.

Sam Olens introducing Ralph Reed

Cobb County Commissioner Sam Olens introduces Ralph Reed to the throng of 1500 gathered for the Freedom Rally in support of Ralph Reed. Could this be a foreshadowing of Olens running for State Office after the end of his current term ??

Sean Hannity "passing the baton"

Sean Hannity, above, called Ralph Reed "the future of the Republican Party", in the mold of Reagan and Bush. Hannity recounted working with Reed during the 2004 election when Reed was in charge of Bush's Southern Campaign.

Hannity spent time in Atlanta as a local talk show host prior to joining Fox TV and getting a nationally syndicated show which he broadcasts from New York.

Zell Miller Addressing Ralph Reed Rally

June 17, 2005 - The State of Georgia further solidified it's place as the Republican anchor of the South with the entry of Ralph Reed into the Lt Governor's race. Although he will have to win a tough Republican Primary first, Reed looks to be the man to put the State's second seat into Republican hands.

Above Zell Miller is addressing the June 17th Freedom Rally at the Cobb Galleria which drew a standing room only crowd of 1,500. Reed interned for Miller in the Lt. Governor's office when Miller was serving in that capacity prior to becoming Governor.

Busting the Myths Of Illegal Immigration

Cobb Town Hall Addresses Illegal Immigration

June 1 2005 - Radio Station WGKA and Citizen Georgia hosted a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday night at the Theater on the Square in Marietta. The first topic addressed was that of illegal immigration and it's effects on Cobb County. Althought the invited opposition of Mexican Consulate representative Remedios Gomez Arnal and Sam Zamarripa failed to show up, State Senator Chip Rogers presented his side of the debate and answered questions from the audience for an hour.

I think it's time to bust some of the "myths" associated with this hot button issue. I think it is going to be THE number one issue in the 2006 elections at both the State and National level reaching emotional pitches usually reserved for the Abortion debate.

Myth #1 If you are against Illegal Immigration you are a racist.
Illegal Immigration is not a racial issue, Although Mexico is the biggest violator, our borders fall victim to Asians smuggled into the West Coast from the Pacific, Eastern Europeans brought in by the Russian Mafia, and Canadians invading the U.P.

Myth #2 Illegal Immigration helps the economy.
Illegal Immigration hurts the economy, the drain on public services caused by the excess burden of illegal immigration has forced hospitals to close and valuable law enforcement resources to be diverted from domestic crime issues. They divert millions of dollars from the U.S. economy when they send money out of country.

Myth #3 All Illegal Immigrants just want to come here to work hard and support their families.
This is a generalization that belies the truth. The South American Gang M-13, increased drug smuggling, and murderers coming into the U.S. and then fleeing back into Mexico to avoid extradition, are all results of our porous borders.

Myth #4 It is wrong to deny anyone social benefits.
When State resources are used by someone in this country illegally, because the availability of that resource is less than it's demand, you are denying that resource, education or health service, from a tax paying American Citizen.

Myth #5 Illegal Immigration doesn't hurt anyone.
Illegal immigration is not fair to the millions of legal immigrants who have played fair and spent great time and expense to enter the country in pursuit of the American Dream. It artificially inflates our taxes, by the requirement of additional social services. It threatens our national security by providing a cover for possible terrorist infiltration, and it diverts money from the U.S. economy.

I hope these points will help in the debate that is sure to continue for years to come. This issue is more than a matter of legality. It has social, economic, moral,and national security implications which will be felt for generations.

Al Meyer

SPLOST Debate at WGKA Town Hall

Bill Byrne To Run For Governor?

May 24 2005 - Bill Byrne was seen at the Cobb County GOP Breakfast last Saturday looking and sounding like a man who was about to enter a race. He appeared with his wife and State Representative Bobby Franklin. Byrne addressed the current displeasure of conservative Republicans with both the State and National parties. He expressed his view of how in his opinion the grassroots activists have been ignored at both levels.

Byrne ran unsuccessfully against Sonny Perdue in the 2002 Republican gubernortorial primary and he may be itching for a rematch. Stay tuned!

Al Meyer

Florida Governor Jeb Bush Delivers Keynote Speech at GA GOP Convention

State GOP Chair Alec Pointevent

Senator Chambliss at GOP Breakfast

Senator Isakson at the GOP Breakfast

Savannah Riverfront from the Convention Center

Congressman Tom Price with Cobb Delegate

Ralph Reed Addressing Supporters in Savannah.


May 13, 2005 - I followed a caravan of SUVs festooned with "W" bumber stickers out of the metro Atlanta area early Friday morning May 6th to participate as a state delegate in the GOP Convention being held in Savannah, GA .

I arrived at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center about 11:30 AM after a 4 hour drive at more than legal speed. The first activity on my list was the Forum on Immigration Reform sponsored by the Christian Coalition. The forum was chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, U.S. Representatives Charlie Norwood and Nathan Deal, and State Senator Chip Rogers. The legislative members described the policy approach of immigration reform as being a four part strategy, each with independent legislation to address the areas of Border Control, Identification Integrity, Visa Reform, and Immigrant Labor Reform. They all stressed that Immigration Reform was a local as well as a national issue and asked conservative activists to pressure local government officials at the city, county, and state levels (i.e. mayors, sherriffs, city council members) to take steps to help implement national policy. I could go on for days about this subject, but I will save it for another post.

The forum concluded about 2 o'clock as the full convention convened on the floor of the auditorium. The attendence on the floor was extremely light (517 delegates and 105 alternates).
The convention was called to order by Alec Poitevint, the State GOP Chairman with the invocation by Sgt. Todd Rhodes of the Savannah Police Department and the and the posting of the Colors by the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department.
Mary Flanders led the convention in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Randy Evans of Roswell was appointed Interim Convention Chairman and Interim Convention Parliamentarian.
State Senator Eric Johnson gave a welcoming address.
Sue Everhart was presented a special recognition for her work with the Convention.
New Senate Majority Leader Tommy Wilkins was announced by Bill Stephens who is vacating the post to run for Secretary of State against Cathy Cox.
The following auxillary groups reported to the floor:
GA Federation of Republican Women - Val Betz
Black Republican Council - Rufus Montgomery
GA Indian - American (not to be confused with American Indian :)) Republican Council - Narender Reddy
Hispanic Outreach - Sora McFarlane
GA Young Republicans - Marc Oburg
GA Association of College Republicans - Justin Palmer
GA Teenage Republicans - Jade Morey

After the reports the following politicians addressed the floor:

U.S. Senate - Senator Johnny Isakson
Public Service Commissioner - Stan Wise
State Insurance Commissioner - John Oxidine
State Superintendent of Schools - Kathy Cox.

Several candidates for the various GOP primaries also addressed the crowd with Randy Evans introducing each. The big Battle Royale in this catagory will the Lt. Governor's race between Ralph Reed and State Senator CaseyCagle of the 49th District.
The Convention recessed around 4:00 PM.
Later that evening the Governor addressed a crowd of supporters at the Westin Ballroom during the Governor's Dinner.
At 9:00 PM I attended the Right to Life prayer service. First Lady Mary Perdue addressed the audience which included Ralph Reed and several representatives from various Pro-Life groups.
The evening concluded with a Majority Party Celebration.
I drove back to my hotel room around 11:30PM

Neil Warren at the Cobb County GOP Breakfrast

April 16, 2005 - Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren addressed the Cobb GOP Breakfast on Saturday. Sheriff Warren spoke on the recent Fulton County Courthouse shooting along with issues addressing the Cobb Sheriff's department.

One issue needing attention is the expansion of the Cobb County jail facility. The facility is currently at 1950 beds for approximately 2200 inmates. The expansion is one of the projects proposed for funding by the new SPLOST tax referendum.

The proposal is for $10 million over the next 4-5 years for an additional 500 beds.

Sheriff Warren also addressed Cobb's integration efforts with Homeland Security initiatives for improved communications between first responders.

In response to a question, Sheriff Warren also cited a correlation between the increase in illegal immigration into Cobb County and the increase in meth amphetamine activity in the metro Atlanta area.

Al Meyer

Sixth District Republican Convention

April 2, 2005 - The Sixth District Convention was held at the Roswell City Hall on Saturday morning, April 2 from 10 AM to 12 noon, The meeting was very brief and included an appearance prior to the convention by Ralph Reed, candidate for Lt. Govenor.

The convention began on time and the delegates heard presentations from U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, Congressman Tom Price, and Govenor Sonny Perdue among others.

The following business was conducted: Sue Everhart said farewell as Sixth District Chairman. Former State Chairman Rusty Paul was elected as the new Sixth District Chairman. The nominating committee presented it's report of delegates and candidates for the District and the nominating committee's slate of candidates was accepted by a voice vote.

Pam Hull of the resolutions committee presented a resolution honoring Connie Medura for 43 years of service.

The Rules Committee adopted the current rules without changes and the meeting was quickly adjourned with everyone looking forward to the State Convention in Savannah in May.

Respectfully;

Al Meyer
Precinct Chairman
Rocky Mountain 2

Legislative Family Day at the State Capitol

March 12, 2005 - Saturday was deemed "Legislative Family Day" by the state house. An opportunity for the working men and women of Georgia to see their legislators at work doing the people's business. It was supposed to be a fairly low key event in which the House and Senate passed non-controversial legislation and visitors got to see how everyone in government got along.

Well not so fast.

The day started out innocently enough with legislators posing for pictures with their children and grand children on the House floor. The Speaker welcomed the packed gallery of visitors to the day and gave an overview of the agenda for the day. While I stayed in the House side, I imagine the scene was much the same on the Senate side.

After the Speaker had called the session to order, various legislators made their way to the podium to recognize one one group or another, welcome family members etc.

That was when Alisha Thomas (now Morgan) approached the podium and conducted what I can only refer to as an act of political immolation. Apparently the representative was upset over the debate being closed on a piece of legislation passed the night before dealing with photo I.D requirements for Georgia voters. She said she wanted to "set the record straight" and began a very loud and emotional discourse about being called the "new Cynthia McKinney", and how you can call her Cynthia McKinney, but don't call her Jesse Helms, yada, yada, yada. Needless to say, the majority of the visitors in the gallery, myself included, had very little idea of which she spoke. The bottom line is she continued her self centered rant over several admonitions from the speaker telling her that time had expired. As the tirade grew longer, the initial shock of the visitors began to wear off and a loud chorus of boos errupted from the gallery. It was only when it became apparent that she was going to be physically removed from the podium, that Alisha Thomas left singing a spiritual hymn. The Speaker promptly appologized to the public, hinted at the disciplinary action to follow, and the rest of the session continued without further fireworks.

Actions like this are not uncommon for Alisha Thomas Morgan and have been excused for too long by her fellow legislators because of her youth. She does nothing to promote her agenda by this type of grandstanding, and only does a disservice to her constituents by alienating herself from the rest of the House. Somehow though, I think that this type of selfish disrespect is less about her constituents and more about herself. If this was a politically calculated move on Representative Morgan's part, I suggest she enroll in remedial math.

The truly historical aspect of the day was witnessing the repeal of the embarassing "Jim Crow" laws from the 1959 - 1960 era which stilled remained on the books of the Georgia legislature.
These laws were placed on the books in reaction to federally mandated civil rights and desegregation rulings. While these laws have long gone out of practice, it was a good sign of how far the state has come, ( even though we still have a long way to go), in the fight for equality of all citizens. My question is, why did the Democratic leadership fail to do in 45 years, what it took Republican leadership only 1 to accomplish?? Maybe it just wasn't a priority then??

After the votes were completed, we made our way down to the rotunda where we were treated lunch at the taxpayers expense with food from Chick-Fillet and the Varsity. We were joined in line by Warner Brothers cartoon characters and several dozen homeless people wearing red T-shirts saying "Working Families standing up for Georgia". After a 45 minute wait in line alongside Tweetie Bird, all this taxpayer got was a bag of chips.


All the best;

Al Meyer
Rocky Mountain 2 Precinct Chairman

The Cobb County Republican Convention

For those of us who didn't overdose during the November elections and prefer to Mainline our political junkie habits, the Cobb County Republican party held it's county convention last Saturday at Pope High School in East Cobb. Speaking as a veteran observer of this specific Cobb County ritual, it was a relatively tame and gracefully short affair compared to some of the more marathon events I endured in the past. Gone (or at least in cognito) were the Flaggers, and rebellious in-fighting some of us had to endure in the past. The crowd of about 185 delegates came, did what they needed to do and left without much blood shed.

The convention was dedicated to the memory of Col. William G. Gustafson, Cobb County Republican Chairman from 1991 to 1997, a time best remembered by Conservatives for Newt 's Contract with America.

The convention was called to order about 10:05 by Chairman Anthony-Scott Hobbs. After an opening prayer by the Rev John Roddy and pledge by Col. Al Rowe, Lori Hullett sang the National Anthem.

After some brief welcoming comments by the Chairman, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson provided some brief remarks on U.S. Senate activity followed by comments on the U.S. House of Representatives by Dr. Tom Price.

Other speakers included Bob Barr, State Senator Chip Rogers, State Senator Judson Hill, 6th District Chair Sue Everhart, State Senator John Wiles, and State Representative Judy Manning.

Both Tom Price and Chip Rogers mentioned Immigration Reform as a top priority and John Wiles spoke on his efforts at judicial reform at the State level.

Fred Allen presented the voting strength report from the Credentials Committee of 155 delegates, plus 30 late arrivals who were added by voice vote.

The agenda was adopted and Calvin Rhodes was elected Convention Chairman.

Frank Molesky and Dawn Strickland presented Nominating Committee report in charge of selecting the County Officers and the Delegates to the State and District Conventions.

The County Officers ran unopposed and were accepted by voice vote. Sorry I didn't get all the officers, but by this point, Robert's Rules of Order had all but been discarded and the train was moving so fast that I couldn't keep up with the notetaking. :)

Suffice it to say the Officers included, but were not restricted to Chairman Anthony-Scott Hobbs, Vice-Chairman Michael Altman, 1st Vice Chair Debbie Ellis, Asst. Treasure John McWilliams, etc.

The Delegates to State and District Levels broke down as folows:

• 5th District - 18 Delegates and 18 Alternates
• 6th District - 176 Delegates and 160 Aternates
• 11th District - 38 Delegates and 38 Alternates

I imagine out of those delegate positions assigned we would be lucky to have 100 total delegates show up at the state convention.

Martin O'Toole presented the Report of the Rules Committee. The Rules were accepted with out change.

The Convention concluded with a rapid fire reading and accepting of the Resolutions Committee Report by Michael Opitz filling in for Richard Gruetter , after which the meeting was adjourned.

Saturday I will be checking in on the special legislative session at the state capitol.

'Till then;

Al Meyer

Welcome to Cobb County's Newest Conservative Forum

March 03, 2005 - I hope this page will provide a forum for the discussion of political thoughts and ideas both locally and nationally. Cobb County is one of the bastions of conservative thought for both Georgia and the nation, producing the likes of Newt Gingrich and others. I plan to give an insite into the Cobb County political process, both the players and the processes which will determine the direction of the County over the next several years. For those curious about how the GOP works at the local level or wanting to find out how to become active at the local level this will be the place to begin. I plan on posting relevent links to both local and national organizations, discussing current political liturature, local, state and national legislation, and current events. I plan on throwing out my take on all these topics and hope you will take the time to do the same. I think there is a real need for easily accessable, intelligent discourse at the local level on polical matters.

I believe a well informed electorate is a well armed electorate better able to protect our freedoms and democratic traditions. Just as the printing press was a catalyst for the Rennaisance, the emergence of the electronic media will give cheap and easy access to area of political thought and encourage participation from areas of the electorate that have been more or less shut out until now by educational and economic barriers.

The elctronic media is also going to play an important role for the future of politics in Cobb County. As the demographics of Cobb, like the rest of the country go through dramatic change, the political organs of the county will take a cue from Howard Dean and rely more and more on a grassroots effort aided by the electronic media to access these new voters.

2005 may have only just arrived but the election campaigns of 2006 are already in motion. While Sonny Perdue will likely run unopposed in the GOP primary, the race for Lt. Governor is getting geared up with Ralph Reed and John Oxendine announcing early.

I will be attending the Cobb County GOP Convention this Saturday March the 5th at Pope High School for the election of State Delegates. I will be taking good notes posting my impressions here after the Convention. I don't expect a large turn out because of the non-election year and a lot of voter burnout after the Presidential election last November. This is the time of the campaign season to really get a good jump on the competion. It will be interesting to see who comes out early.

Until then;

Al Meyer
Precinct Chairman
Rocky Mountain 2 Precint
Cobb County Republican Party