April 2003 Newsletter

SILICON VALLEY REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED NEWSLETTER

Diamond Award Club

OCTOBER 2004

President: Laura Ann Riffle 263-0990

1st V.P & Program: Doris Whitney 997-0581

2nd V.P. Alice Story 733-3248

Shirley. Harvey Newsletter Editor (408) 253-1591

In the September 1^st San Jose Mercury News “One Liners” section: “It is amazing that in 2004 it is so important to some people that a presidential candidate served in the military, and yet those same people twice elected Bill Clinton, who ’loathed’ the military” – Margie Fraiser, San Jose. Great job Margie!

Thanks to all of you who attended our “Party for the President” on September 2^nd. We had more than a dozen guests… some of whom may join our organization. And, thanks to the demonstrators who picketed outside the Ramada. They made us feel like we were really accomplishing something by honoring George W. Bush! Thanks, also to Bill Reed, Jane’s husband, who won the 50/50 drawing and then turned around and donated his winnings back to our club! Yeah, Bill!

Thanks to Alice Wilson for hosting the board meeting at her home in Boulder Creek. You can’t beat sitting out under the Redwood trees, sipping cool beverages and feasting on the great food Alice’s son, Doug, prepared for us. It doesn’t get any better than that! Thanks, Alice and Doug!

SOON… our Region VIII mini-conference will be held at the Ramada Sunnyvale on October 7^th from 10am until 2pm. Shirley Harvey has invited some great guests including Bill Jones and Duf Sundheim. Cost is $25 and checks must be sent to Shirley Harvey by October 4^th. If you can’t come for the whole day, please come for part of the day.

This year’s Trunk & Tusk Dinner will be “A Tribute to Senator Bruce McPherson” featuring Abel Maldanado and Jeff Denham. To those of you who are current paid-up TNT members, the dinner is complimentary. To those who are not, it’s $200 per person or $350 for a couple.

Let’s spend every bit of energy or time we have on getting Republicans elected in November. President Bush, Bill Jones and a whole host of local candidates need your help!

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

The Nom. Comm.-----Jane Reed, Alice Wilson and JoAnn Barr is happy to report that we have a grand slate to present to the group for SVRWF 2005 Officers.

SVRWF members will vote on this slate and any floor nominees during the November 4^th Meeting.

MEMBERSHIP

Patron: $40.00

Alice Story

The Presidential debates are coming up and provide an excellent opportunity to share your support for President Bush and Vice President Cheney with friends, family and neighbors by hosting a party in your home.

* September 30, 2004 - First Presidential Debate - Open your home and invite undecided friends and neighbors to join you as we watch the President talk about foreign policy issues important to voters.

* October 5, 2004 - Vice Presidential Debate - This will be one for the history books as the Vice President takes on the trial lawyer. Sparks will surely fly.

* October 8, 2004 - Second Presidential Debate - The candidates engage in a town hall discussion with undecided voters.

* October 13, 2004 - Third Presidential Debate - President Bush and Senator Kerry face off for the last time before the election. The third debate will focus on domestic policy.

The news is good. While the polls show the President ahead in the race, there is still much to be done. We can't afford to rest now.

Chairman, Bush/Cheney ’04 Campaign

IN MEMORIUM

Sidney Carter Lt. Col. (Ret.), husband of Georgia Carter, a long time member of SVRWF, died September 9, 2004 on the couples 57^th Anniversary. He was a Pilot and Squadron Commander in the 8^thAir Force stationed in England during WWII. Sidney worked 17 years for the San Jose School District, following his retirement. He has been President of the Lions Club, Retired Officers Club, and the Moffit Field Golf Club. Sidney and Georgia met while attending Heidelberg University in Germany. He is survived by Georgia and their son Sidney. Our condolences to Georgia and Sidney.

The Bush-Cheney campaign, seeking to ensure that all of their supporters make it to the polls, has begun to push Absentee/By Mail Ballots for the upcoming election. A web site has been set up to aid registered voters in obtaining absentee ballots for the November 2 election. The web site allows voters to request an absentee ballot or find a list of early voting locations in their areas. The National Federation encourages you to utilize this web site if you will be unable to vote on Election Day, and to pass this important information on to friends and family. Go to www.GeorgeWBush.com/VoteEarly for more information.

Anniversary of September 11 Observed

The nation observed the third anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Saturday. In New York, two beams of light shone straight up into the night sky, echoing the size and shape of the towers. The lights remained until sunrise Sunday morning. The lights on the Empire State Building went dark at 9:11pm for one minute of silence. Family members of those who perished also toured the site that day. In Washington, D.C., a memorial service was held at Arlington National Cemetery, attended by family members of those who died when the Pentagon was attacked. President Bush also marked the day during his weekly radio address, which was taped in the Oval Office and attended by September 11 families. The President stated, "Three years ago, the struggle of good and evil was compressed into a single morning .... America will never forget the ones who have fallen - men and women last seen doing their duty, whose names we will honor forever." The President also pointed out advances in the War on Terror and heralded the thousands of military and public service members currently active in the fight. To read the entire radio address, go to: www.whitehouse.gov.

A third hurricane, Ivan, struck the U.S. coast this week, causing major damage and 28 deaths in Alabama and Florida. Two more hurricanes, Jeanne and Karl, may also hit the U.S. and are being watched closely. Both states have suffered billions of dollars in damage, and large portions of the population are currently without electricity or water. The American Red Cross is asking for monetary donations rather than supplies in order to best aid the victims. Those wishing to donate can contact:

Our hearts go out to all Alabama and Florida Federation members during this trying time.

Representative Christopher Cox (R-CA), Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee in the House of Representatives, has unveiled the 2005 Republican Freedom Calendar. The calendar showcases the many advances in the Civil Rights Movement that have been spearheaded by the Republican Party for over 150 years. According to Mr. Cox, "The history of our party is as remarkable as it is untold." Cox says the calendar was designed to introduce these Republican achievements to today's students, families and citizens and to better inform them of our heritage. Copies of the calendar can be downloaded at: http://www.policy.house.gov/2005_calendar/

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is based on four key principles: accountability for results, local control and flexibility, new options for parents and scientifically proven teaching methods and programs. Test results show America's children are making progress. Additionally, NCLB is not an unfunded mandate as the Democrats claim. States currently have $16.8 billion in unspent funds, all of which has been available to them for over one year.

President Bush continues to lead challenger John Kerry in all but one of the most recent polls. Since the end of the Republican National Convention, Bush has led Kerry in all of the major polls, in some by double digits. This week three new polls were released by the Pew Research Center, Time and Gallup.

The Pew poll showed the candidates even at 46% among registered voters, although Bush pulled ahead of Kerry for a 1% lead among likely voters.

The Time and Gallup polls follow other recent polls and show President Bush ahead of Kerry, 52-41% (Time) and 54-40% (Gallup), with Ralph Nader gathering 3% in each. President Bush also continues to gain momentum in traditionally Democrat states, such as Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. According to the Washington Times, Kerry has been forced to start defending his own turf rather than expand into new territory due to President Bush's aggressive campaigning. The President is thought to

be ahead in the following battleground states: Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Kerry Losing Ground Among Women

The latest Time poll shows that John Kerry has lost ground among women and actually trails President Bush among women by 1 point, 44-45%. The latest AP/Ipsos poll shows the candidates even among women. Pundits point out that the trend is mostly due to Bush's popularity among women rather than any anti-Kerry feeling. However, Kerry's ever-changing positions and his focus on Vietnam have not helped him gain female support. Having the well-spoken and supportive Laura Bush by his side is also seen as a boost to Bush.

Seventeen members of Congress, in an open letter to Democrat candidate John Kerry, have asked for an apology over remarks that they feel defamed National Guard members. All seventeen are National Guard or Reserves veterans. The group accused Kerry of slandering the honor and sacrifice of all men and women who have worn the uniform and stated that, "Anyone who joins the National Guard or Reserves, our nation's oldest military branch, should be commended, not degraded." The letter was organized by Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina.