The SCGOP Blog

Greenville GOP, Upstate conservative groups unveil cooperative agreement

SCGOP Chairman to implement model at state level

Greenville, SC – February 8th, 2010 – The Greenville County Republican Party and the Upstate Coalition of Conservative Organizations – a group that encompasses many Tea Party activists and a number of other groups – today announced a cooperative agreement aimed at having the two groups work together on mutual goals.

The four areas of agreement are as follows:
- Increasing precinct involvement
- Improving Communications between the Republican Party and all Coalition groups
- Creating a Liaison between the Republican Party and the Coalition groups
- Working closely to make the Republican Party more conservative.

SCGOP Chairman Karen Floyd lauded the agreement as the model that would be implemented for the state Party’s efforts to build coalitions with conservative groups statewide, and named Patrick Haddon today to oversee that effort:

“There is far more that unites us as conservatives than divides us, and I give all the credit to these groups for moving forward in this cooperative spirit,” Floyd said. “More and more Americans are waking up to realize that as government’s role grows, our liberty shrinks. I have been proud to see so many activists – Republican and independent – rise up to make their voices heard for the principles of lower taxes, individual liberty, and limited government. This is part of our Party reaching out and listening to those very citizens.”

Harry Kibler, spokesman for the Upstate Coalition of Conservative Organizations, worked to forge the initial agreement with the Greenville Republican Party:

“We are all interested in the same goal – a more conservative South Carolina,” Kibler said. “While we may not always agree on how to meet that goal, we think this agreement is a start. Having our groups work together will be of great benefit to the Republican Party and the state of South Carolina.”

Patrick Haddon, Greenville Republican Party Chairman and state 1st Vice Chairman, will head up the effort at the county and state level:

“A more conservative South Carolina will be a more prosperous South Carolina, and our goal is to elect the most conservative candidates to the most offices possible,” Haddon said. “Working together with these new activists will add strength and energy to our Party for electing conservative leaders. I am pleased to be part of this effort at the state and county levels.”

-###-

It’s never easy when a friend dies, especially a friend who is a real part of your family. This week my dear friend Bob Holtzmacher passed away. He was a member of our South Carolina Republican family, a true patriot who Mr. Greg Shorey says “set a high standard of dedication, which others would do well to emulate.

I sat down to write about Bob’s commitment to our party, our state, and our nation, but then I read Mr. Shorey’s words which describe exactly how I feel about the loss of this true patriot. I hope you’ll take a moment to read them while remembering to keep his wife Ardith and their entire family in your prayers.

- Karen

From Mr. Greg Shorey:

I just wanted to share some genuine thoughts about a friendship that I will always cherish. Bob and I first met when we had adjoining slips at the Dataw marina. Bob worked religiously on his bright work as tried to keep up mine. It took no time to discover we were both ardent conservatives with similar concerns. I acquainted him with the Republican activity in Beaufort and Bob soon became an active member of the Beaufort Federation of Republican Men. ..ultimately it’s President. The club gained great influence under his direction addressing issues of community concern.

Naturally Bob became active in the County Party, regularly attending Precinct meetings and County Conventions, becoming a member of the County Executive Committee. His leadership was apparent leading to his election as Chairman of the Beaufort County Party. Serving as Parliamentarian was a challenge as Bob moved to restructure Party organization, wisely dividing the County into logical districts, with Vice Chairs in each. Party by-laws did not provide for such organization, though it would make sense to do so. Success was the result of Bob’s dedicated leadership and the State Party recognized him as County Chairman of the Year. Bob’s unwavering commitment to
conservative principles were evident in all he did. He and Ardith hosted many Party events and candidates significantly assisting fund raising. Often we attended similar events within the County and elsewhere together. He never missed a County or State Convention. Bob set a high standard of dedication, which others would do well to
emulate.

If anyone ever wants an example of a true patriot and committed constitutional conservative, just follow the example of BOB HOLTZMACHER! His commitment to community carries equal value, including his service on the Board of the Beaufort/Jasper Water & Sewer Authority and many other examples of public service. Bob had
many other interests, beyond boating, politics and government. I sponsored him as a member of our Frogmore Fidelity Investment Club and it was not long before he became it’s President, in recognition of his extensive research as we considered an investment in a particular stock. His recommendations were usually money- makers for the Club.

I did not know Bob before we were near Dataw neighbors. I only wish that I had, as my life would have been enriched that much sooner. What great memories I will always have of a great friend.

Columbia, SC – February 5, 2010 – South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd will be in Greenville on Monday (February 8, 2010) to join the Greenville County Republican Party and Upstate Liberty movement/Tea Party activists for a news conference. The groups will be announcing a new cooperative agreement aimed at advancing common conservative principles and goals. At the event, Floyd will discuss how the new Upstate model may be implemented on a state level.

The news conference will take place at 11:00 a.m. at the Greenville County Republican Party Headquarters (850 Wade Hampton Blvd). For more information or directions from your location, contact Joel Sawyer.

-###-

Columbia, SC – February 4, 2010 – South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd today issued the following statement on Democratic gubernatorial candidate and lobbyist Dwight Drake’s “jobs” plan that he unveiled earlier today at the Statehouse:

“If Mr. Drake’s plan sounds familiar, it should, since it is nearly verbatim the jobs plan proposed last year by Senate Republican Majority Leader Harvey Peeler,” Floyd said. “Of course, Mr. Drake spends so much time at the Statehouse lobbying for our tax dollars that it is easy to understand how things like whose plan it is might run together for him. That being said, repackaging a Republican proposal is preferable to the budget-busting, debt-loaded proposals coming from Democrats in Washington and their counterparts here at the state level.”

-###-

After spending the day in Columbia at the headquarters, now I’m in Charleston for a series of meetings before finally settling back home in Spartanburg tomorrow. It seems like there’s a million things happening as we inch closer to primary season and I wanted to take a few minutes to give you an update.

Last week’s debate was amazing. The turnout was fantastic and I have to tell you, it was one of the best moderated debates I’ve ever seen. Joe and Mika were simply fantastic. They asked tough, pointed questions of each of the candidates while keeping a great flow. I could not have been more excited.

Speaking of Joe and Mika, I’m being told that her book signing was one of the largest the Charleston Walden Books has ever had. After a tough journey into South Carolina, I’m glad we were able to give them a bright Palmetto State welcome.

Read the rest of this entry »

Columbia, SC – February 2, 2010 – South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd today issued the following statement on House Republicans’ successful passage of a bill re-affirming our citizens’ rights to make their own healthcare decisions:

“Our House Republicans stood tall today for our state’s right to set its own policies, and our citizens’ rights to make their own healthcare decisions,” Floyd said. “Our Party stands for responsible spending and protecting individual liberty, and we are pleased that both the Senate and House have now passed this important piece of legislation that goes to the core of those principles.”

Defeat Democrats’ opposition to our Second Amendment rights

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s House Republicans approved a resolution criticizing the Federal Government for blatant attempts to grab power and abridge the rights reserved for states and the people in the U.S. Constitution.

“This bill is a key part of our ‘Unfinished Business’ agenda of items we approved last session,” said Rep. Kenny Bingham, the House Majority Leader. “We are glad the Senate sent this resolution back to us 11 months after House conservatives recognized the threat and registered our protest.”

The House first approved H. 3509 last February and sent it to the Senate. The resolution approved Tuesday is a Senate version of the House’s initial resolution.

“Last year, this resolution was uncontested and passed without rhetoric and without debate,” said Rep. Mike Pitts of Laurens.

This year, the Democrats spent more than a week fighting the resolution with every procedure they could summon. To stall debate on the resolution, Democrats sent member after member up to argue against a South Carolinian’s right to bear arms under the provisions of the Second Amendment. Democrats spent 4 days delaying the resolution.

The resolution was overwhelmingly approved 86-27.

Reps. Eric Bedingfield of Mauldin and Jeff Duncan of Clinton, proposed an amendment fixing wording approved by the Senate that indicated support for abridging an individual’s right to own a gun.

“I’m sure this was an oversight by the Senate leadership, but it is an oversight that had to be corrected,” said Rep. Bedingfield. “Each of the 10 amendments included in the Bill of Rights protect vital freedoms that we take for granted way too often.”

In addition to expressing support for an individual’s Second Amendment rights, the resolution also expresses South Carolina’s concern over the Federal Government’s power grab of large sectors of the American economy, including the automotive, banking, and healthcare industries.

“It’s clear that many of my Democrat colleagues support the Obama-Pelosi agenda and this resolution stands in opposition to those dead liberal ideas,” Rep. Bedingfield said.

- # # # -

Columbia, SC – January 28, 2009 – South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd today issued the following statement on the state Senate’s passage of a bill that will require photo ID for voting in South Carolina, and provides for an early voting process:

“A secure and accessible voting process is the hallmark of our democracy, and this bill is one key to making that voting process as secure as possible,” Floyd said. “This bill is incredibly important to the state Party and our Executive Committee, and we are proud that our Republican majority in the Senate made it a priority so early in the session.’

-###-