Minutes - 2004

On March 23, 2004 Life members, as well as the Annual members (around 200) of the Republican Senatorial Inner Circle assembled at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. Life members assembled at 5:30 PM for a Photo Op with senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole—and thereafter assembled with the Annual members in the Grand Ballroom for the Medal of Freedom Dinner. We were addressed by Senator George Allen, the NRSC Chairman, and Senator Elizabeth dole, the Inner Circle Chairperson. The Honorable Bob Dole was presented with the award of the Medal of Freedom. In his acceptance speech he spoke of the 3 years he spent in recovering from wounds received in the service, and his determination thereafter to work for disabled persons. This led him into the U.S. government where he served for many years.

We all assembled at 8:00 to 8:45 AM for a Continental Breakfast. The Chairman, Senator George Allen, and the NRSC Political Director, Patrick Davis, gave a detailed video report concerning the various candidates running for office in several states, and to the likelihood of their being elected. Their prognosis was very optimistic.

He said, “that since he had been in the Senate the last 15 months, the constant subject in the Senate has been Homeland security. As the President pointed out, the first duty of the Federal government is to protect its citizens. That’s a job that must be done and no one else can do it. America has removed a dangerous cancer in the world. If Saddam Hussein had been left in power he would have been a threat to a peace loving society everywhere.” In June Senator Cornyn visited the troops in Iraq and found the morale very high. He said that he was raised at a time when we were engaged in conflict where the morale of soldiers were in doubt. This was the conflict we had with Vietnam. He was proud of the fact that the men and women in uniform today were volunteers, and that they are “the best trained, the best equipped, the most professionally trained forced on the planet. Of course, you hear the drip, drip, drip of criticism that weakens our country today. We cannot allow that to happen. If you listen to the news media, they talk about all that is going wrong in Iraq. But from my personal observation a great deal that is good is happening—the rape rooms and the torture chambers are no more, mass killings have been stopped, and we have our Commander in Chief to commend for that.” He observed the mass graves where around 400,000 had been buried, but thought that there were more graves, which he had not seen. He knows that President Bush is doing everything he can to track down and eliminate the terrorists. He quoted Ronald Reagan, “The world that sees America which is militarily strong is not enough. The world must see America as morally strong.” This is the Republican belief. It was then opened for questions from the floor.

He stated that the Heritage Foundation is not political and favors no party. They collect facts on various subjects. One of interest was the number of U.S. forces around the world and what they would do in the future. He stated that there were 115,000 troops in Europe right now; 100,000 in Asia, 7,000 in the Middle East and northern Africa; another 8,000 in southern Africa; and another 25,000 in Afghanistan and neighboring countries, and add another 100,000 in Iraq.

We are in these countries to prevent some dominating power from taking over. We’re there to help them establish stability. He said that the job of the Foundation was to research the situations in various countries taking into consideration their politics, their economies, and make recommendations of where troops should be deployed in the future. They find it difficult to predict conditions around the world where conflicts may arise. He said that reducing the number of troops in Europe was under consideration. He said that we need to exercise more restraint in where we’re getting involved around the world. The session was then opened for questions from the audience.

She spoke of the 9/11 attack, and the fact that we were militarily powerful enough to strike at the Taliban immediately. It is of the greatest importance that we all do what we can to protect America, and that the priority of all of us should be to keep America strong. She elaborated on this. The session was opened for questions from the audience.

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A Look at the Economy.

Nick Calio, Senior Vice President for Global Affairs of Citigroup

Senator Conrad Burns of Montana

The gist of their comments concerned the fact that President Bush inherited a deep recession when he became President. He immediately set out to turn the economy around by tax rebates and tax cuts while keeping interest rates low, particularly the mortgage rates. Again last May there were more tax cuts. There were set-backs from 9/11 and the Afghanistan and Iraq war, but we are beginning to see, although slow, an upturn taking place in the economy. That is why it is so important that President Bush continue in office. The Democrats threaten to roll back the tax cuts, perhaps raise taxes, which will counter the continued upturn in the economy.

The question of outsourcing was addressed. The administration is working on establishing a system of tax credits, which will make it disadvantageous for businesses to outsource, or send jobs abroad. This session was opened for questions from the audience.

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We assembled for Lunch at 12:30 in the crystal Room. Steve Forbes spoke to us about investing in Corporate ventures. He also answered many questions from the audience concerning small and large businesses. A few preliminary plans for Inner circle members were discussed for the upcoming Convention—one, an opening reception to take place on the Intrepid.

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During the afternoon session more details concerning the 2004 presidential election were discussed by John McLaughlin, McLaughlin and Associates. And there was an open Forum with Chairperson, Senator Elizabeth dole. She opened this session for audience participation and questions. Most of the questions concerned economies in their respective regions as there were members from all U.S. regions present.. Senator Dole reiterated concerning the tax cuts and the low mortgage interest rates. Someone stated that the Alternative Minimum Tax canceled out his tax cut and wondered what was being done about it. Senator Dole said that this problem was being worked on, but unfortunately there wouldn’t be any relief this year.

At 6:30 PM buses took us to the National Republican Senatorial Committee Headquarters, 425 2^nd Street NE, where we enjoyed a reception. Past NRSC and Inner Circle Chairpersons and some members of the United States Senate were present.

This concluded the Spring National Republican Senatorial Inner Circle briefing. Walter and Meredith McSherry send their greetings and good wishes to the Club. Walter is a delegate tot he convention, and stated that there would be a large south carolina delegation coming.

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Republican Senatorial Inner Circle, 425 Second Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20002; Tel: 800-877-6773; Fax: 202-675-4943; www.NRSC.org