MCRC Straw Poll Shows Gingrich, Palin in the Lead

The length of presidential campaigns seems to increase with every election. A few Republican candidates have already announced their intent to run for the nomination in 2012, and the list of other possible contenders is growing.  The officers of the Montgomery County Republican Club (MCRC) thought it might be interesting to gauge sentiment among Republicans at this early stage.

Last week, the MCRC conducted an informal, unscientific straw poll of attendees at Monday's MCRC meeting and Thursday's Montgomery County Republican Executive Committee meeting (those attending both meetings were allowed to vote only once). Participants were asked to indicate a first choice and a second choice for President. 

Counting only first choice votes, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin tied for first place. Tying for second were Haley Barbour, Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney, and Allen West.

Combining first and second choice votes, first place went to Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich came in second, and Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindal tied for third.

Regardless of which candidate you support, we urge you to get involved in the process. Meet the candidates at one our local club meetings.  Engage other voters by starting a neighborhood discussion group.  Volunteer for a Republican candidate or for the Republican Party.  You can have positive impact on the outcome of the 2012 elections.

Next River Region Republicans: Tuesday, March 22nd.

The River Region Republicans will meet for lunch on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at the Farmers Market Café at noon. Their guest speaker will be John R. Cooper, who was recently appointed by Governor Robert Bentley to serve as Director of the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Please make plans to join us!

Registration Still Open for 2011 Legislative Days

With 30 clubs and over 1,600 active members, the Alabama Federation of Republican Women played a significant part in the Republican Party's success in Alabama in 2010. To celebrate that success and begin looking toward 2012, the AFRW will host its annual Legislative Days next Wednesday and Thursday, March 23rd and 24th. Both days will include a variety of workshops, motivational speakers, and social gatherings. A schedule is available at www.afrw.org/news.html. If you are interested in attending, you can still register.

Interested in sponsoring the event? Further information is available here and here.

Rep Greg Wren (AL House 75) at MCRC, Monday March 23rd

State Representative Greg Wren, District 75, will speak to the Montgomery County Republican Club on Monday, March 21st.  Representative Wren will give an  update on the current legislative session.

Network with fellow Republicans and learn more about volunteer opportunities in the River Region.  The meeting will be held at the Faulkner University Dining Hall.  Doors open at 6:45 p.m.  Bring a friend!

Nat King Cole Society to Honor MCREC Member Amos Harris

The Nat King Cole Society will host its 17th annual Birthday Bash and Scholarship Fundraiser honoring Cole, and along with it, the 80th birthday of the Society's founder, President and CEO Amos Harris, at 3 p.m. on Sundary, March 13, in Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church at 454 Dexter Avenue.

A reception will follow immediately afterward at the Legacy Center behind the church at 455 Washington Avenue.

Admission to the event is a $20 donation to the Nat King Cole Society, and tickets can be purchased from the Society at P.O. Box 1687, Montgomery, AL 36104, or calling Amos or Rozelia Harris at 264-8080, or Board Member George Noblin at 395-8501.  The Society is a non-profit 501-C-3 organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

Always a lively event, the Birthday Bash will feature musical and other tributes to Nat, who was born in Montgomery on St. Patrick's Day, Mar 17, 1919.  Guest artists will perform the music of Nat King Cole, and the Society will  again present a $500 scholarship to an outstanding student from each of Montgomery's public high schools.  This year's scholarship recipients will also perform, and several previous scholarship winners and a boyhood friend of Nat will appear as well.

 

Amos is also the spiritual leader of the Nat King Cole Society, and despite some major health issues, he continues to devote countless hours and personal financial resources to the advancement of the Society, the only one of its kind in the world.  Amos has two major passions--the Nat King Cole Society and the Republican Party, and he has been and continues to be a loyal and active participant in both.

Over the years, several members of the Montgomery County Republican Party have served on the Board with Amos, including Pat and Jim Wilson, George Noblin, and Clarence Hampton.

Mark Your Calendars for March

March is shaping up to be a busy month. In addition to the usual club meetings, the 2011 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature begins today, and the Alabama Federation of Republican Women will be hosting the 2011 Legislative Days on March 23rd and 24th.

 The Montgomery County Republican Club will meet Monday, March 21st, 6:45 p.m., at the Faulkner University Dining Hall.  The River Region Republican Club will meet Tuesday, March 22nd at noon at the Farmer's Market Cafe downtown. The Montgomery County Republican Executive Committee will meet Thursday, March 24th at 6:00 p.m. at GOP Headquarters.

With so much happening, March is an excellent month to invite a friend to visit one of our local republican groups.  We hope to see you (and your friends) at these events!