TRP Monthly Review
We were reminded this month of the tremendous power that mother nature can cast upon us. In a short moment, the earthquake in Haiti left millions homeless, thousands dead, and countless individuals desperately searching for lost loved ones.
Having personally been a part of mission projects in the country, I know Haiti was a place already in extreme need even before the earthquake. On behalf of the Tennessee Republican Party, I’d like to extend our prayers and thoughts to those that have lost so much during this tragic event as they work to rebuild their lives, families, and homes. It should also be reminder to all of us the many blessings we have as a country.
January has been an exciting month for Republicans with the election of Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate. This epic election follows recent GOP victories in New Jersey, Virginia and locally in three big state legislative special election wins. The bottom line – Republicans are gaining momentum and Democrats from coast to coast are in trouble.
While Democrats did everything they could to downplay the election results in New Jersey and Virginia this past November, they’ve been unable to stymie the message that came out of Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts on January 19th. Voters are angry and they are rightfully forcing Democrats to take ownership of the big-government, job-killing policies they’ve been pursuing against the wishes of the American people. A poll commissioned by the Republican National Committee of 500 likely Massachusetts special election voters should give every Democrat pause. Some key findings from that poll follow:
- 53 percent believe the country is on the wrong track;
- 53 percent disapprove of the President’s handling of health care;
- 53 percent answered “total unsatisfied” when asked “how satisfied are you Democrat Congressman and Senators are listening to the concerns of people like you”; and
- 52 percent answered “yes” when asked if they would “consider voting for a Republican in order to send a message to Democrats and make them listen to the concerns of voters”
Not only do these findings paint a very bleak picture for Democrats, but they paint a very bleak picture in a state that has been considered a liberal stronghold for decades.
Following the election of Scott Brown, we heard from our President when he took to the airwaves for his first State of the Union address. It was predicted by the media we would hear a speech filled with talk of bipartisanship and cooperation, but instead we heard more partisan rhetoric and President Obama’s intention to plow ahead with a number of failing policies the American people have already said they don’t want.
The President’s speech follows a tumultuous year here in our state. Tennesseans have suffered the loss of nearly 90,000 jobs resulting in a statewide unemployment rate of almost 11 percent. Middle-class families were hoping the President would give them a renewed sense of hope about the future, but instead they got more empty rhetoric from someone who has failed time and again to make good on the promises he has made to this nation.
The good news is that, come November, we are going to send a message to Democrats. We’re going to tell them that we don’t want their government takeover of health care. We’re going to tell them we’re tired of the out-of control spending. And we’re going to tell them that the time of broken promises and empty rhetoric is over. It’s time to put this economy back on track so that Tennesseans can get back to work and small businesses can prosper. Democrats’ days are numbered and in exactly nine months and three days, voters are going to close the door on this era of big-government and big-spending.
As always, I’d like to thank each and every one of you for your continued support. Like you, I’m looking forward to a successful year for Republicans here in Tennessee and across America.
Sincerely,
Chris Devaney
Chairman
Tennessee Republican Party
DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE HITS HAITI: On Tuesday, January 12, the country of Haiti suffered a massive earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale. Media reports indicate the initial quake was followed by more than 50 aftershocks. The quake has effected more than three million people and death tolls are expected to be in the hundreds of thousands. The citizens of Haiti are lacking food, water, and health services, but aid is flowing into the country from all over the world. Below are links that provide information on how you can help victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
- Access the American Red Cross HERE.
- Access the Haiti Earthquake Relief page on the White House website HERE.
REPUBLICAN SCOTT BROWN WINS HISTORIC ELECTION IN MASSACHUSETTS: Voters in Massachusetts sent a strong message to Democrats this month when they elected their first Republican senator since 1972. Republican Scott Brown beat Democrat Martha Coakley 52-47 percent. The special election was held to replace the second-most senior member of the U.S. Senate, Sen. Edward Kennedy who passed away last August. Media reports suggest Senator-elect Brown will be sworn into office on February 11th.
From the Tennessee Republican Party:
- Devaney: Massachusetts Election a Sign of More to Come for Republicans – Press Release (01/19/10)
From Tennessee Senators & RNC Chairman Michael Steele:
- Senator Lamar Alexander – Alexander Congratulates Massachusetts Senator-Elect Scott Brown – Press Release (01/19/10)
- Senator Bob Corker – Corker Says Scott Brown’s Election Sends a Signal: Go Back to the Drawing Board on the Current Health Care Bill – Press Release (01/19/10)
- Chairman Michael Steele – RNC Chairman Michael Steele Statement on Scott Brown’s Election to U.S. Senate – Press Release (01/19/10)
In the News:
- In epic upset, GOP’s Brown wins Mass. Senate race – Associated Press (01/19/10)
- Republicans Hail “Historic” Brown Victory In Massachusetts – Chattanoogan (01/19/10)
- Dems reeling, soul-searching after Mass. Loss – Associated Press (01/20/10)
- Scott Brown Senate win leaves Obama, Democrats scrambling – Christian Science Monitor (01/21/10)
- Brown looks to Feb. 11 swearing in – Politico (01/26/10)
IN STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH, OBAMA DOUBLES DOWN ON FAILING POLICIES: It was more of the same from a President who hasn’t been able to make good on his promises of “change we can believe in.” During his speech, President Obama signaled he’ll be focusing more on the economy, but still plans to pursue big government policies such as a government takeover of health care. And in a stunning move, the President attempted to bully the members of the United States Supreme Court by publicly expressing his discontent with their recent ruling on campaign finance restrictions.
From the Tennessee Republican Party:
- Devaney Statement on President Obama’s State of the Union Address – Press Release (01/27/10)
From Tennessee Senators & House Members:
- Sen. Lamar Alexander: Alexander: In State of the Union Speech, President Should Focus on Jobs, Debt and National Security – Press Release (01/25/10)
- Sen. Bob Corker: Corker Responds to President Obama’s State of the Union Address – Press Release (01/28/10)
- Rep. Marsha Blackburn: Blackburn Comments On State Of The Union Address – Press Release (01/27/10)
- Rep. John Duncan: Duncan Responds to State of the Union Address – Press Release (01/28/10)
- Rep. Zach Wamp: Call for Fiscal Sanity – Press Release (01/27/10)
In the News:
- Obama Bids for Rebound – Wall Street Journal (01/27/10)
- Alito’s State of the Union moment – Washington Post (01/27/10)
- Voices of Voters: Few Minds Were Changed – New York Times (01/28/10)
OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE:
- In a sign of desperation, Tennessee Democrat Party State Executive Committee Members voted to give TNDP Chairman Chip Forrester and a top aide a $25k bonus for election victories in November. Read more HERE.
- The Tennessee General Assembly passed a number of education reforms during a special session earlier this month. Read more HERE.
- Tennessee’s unemployment rate shot up from 10.3 percent in November to 10.9 percent in December. Read more HERE.
- Republican Mark White was elected on January 12th to State House District 83 taking the place of Republican Brian Kelsey who was recently elected to the State Senate. Read more HERE.
- Please take a look at your Republican U.S. House and Senate Members’ websites to find out what they’ve been doing on your behalf over the last month.
TRACKING CHAIRMAN DEVANEY: During the month of January, Chairman Devaney has attended a number of events around the state. Following is a list of some events in which Chairman Devaney was involved:
01/09 – Attended Robertson County Republican Party Meeting
01/12 – Attended Cocke County Republican Party Meeting
01/14 – Attended SCORE Gubernatorial Forum on Education
01/22 – Live Interview on Thunder Radio 1320AM in Coffee County
