January 2010 Meeting Minutes of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans as Submitted by Kimberly Hill

1. TBYR Meeting
January 26, 2010
I. Andrew Dorsey called the meeting to order at 7:08 pm.
II. Pledge and Invocation
III. Announcements:
Trey Rousmann was introduced as a candidate in District 1. He stands for fiscal
responsibility, economic development and is a veteran of the Iraq war.
AJ announced all the great things that are going on in the country with the Republican
Party. Republicans took the governorship of New Jersey and Virginia. Scott Brown
also took the Senate seat in Massachusetts where voter registration shows that only
11% of the voters there are Republican.
AJ announced that we currently have 5 members running for a position.
IV. Ashley introduced Dr. McManus, a professor of Public Administration and
Political Science at USF. Dr. McManus reviewed the big questions that will be
answered this year.
• Marco Rubio vs. Charlie Crist - currently with the margin of error included they
are neck and neck.
• Donations – small donors will not be a factor, neither party will get those types of
funds.
• Will Democrats out raise Republicans? – The Supreme Court ruling on Campaign
Finance reform could have a significant effect. The media will follow the money
and show where it is coming from. This could hurt the GOP by showing who
gives to them and thereby enforcing the Wall Street/Rich Republican stereotype.
• Incumbents under fire. She believes that every 20 years or so we have a knock
down drag out fight and the public votes out incumbents. Entitlement to a seat
didn’t sit well in Massachusetts and she believes that it won’t anywhere else.
Office hopping could also be a detriment to candidates.
• How many of the 6 amendments will be passed in Florida.
• How much money will be put into 4,5 and 6? She thinks that it is our
responsibility to force candidates to say where they stand on these issues at the
beginning.
• Crist’s session will be made or broken on how this session is run. Taxing,
spending and borrowing are going to be the major issues during this session.
• Minority voters are a ? Will they come out in droves to vote like they did for the
Presidential election.
• If there is an all women governor race will that get out the young voters?
Dr. McManus stated that the 3 issues that could change the complexion of the 2010
race are the unemployment rate, terrorist plot/national security, and Haitians coming
to Florida.

2. V. Upcoming Events
Shane from the UT College Republicans announced that the doors will open at
10:30 tomorrow for the President’s visit if you already have tickets.
Ash announced that we will be having a State of the Union watching party at
Spice in DT Tampa next to Gilligans. They will have specials on food and
drink for us.
VI. Board Reports
President:
AJ announced that next weekend is the FFYR quarterly where they will be
naming nominations for the state. It is also the Reagan Day Gala Dinner.
AJ advised that CPAC is from February 18 – 20th in Washington D.C. Rubio
is the first speaker of the conference and a number of influential conservatives
will be there. If you are a student it only costs $25 for the 3 day admission.
AJ announced that the Southern Republican Leadership Conference is on
April 4th in New Orleans. Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin will both be
speaking there. Admission is $300. The YRNF will also be there the same
weekend for their conference.
Vice President:
Ash announced that he wouldn’t be here for the next few months because he
would be in Tallahassee for the 2010 legislative session. He explained that
since October they have had committee weeks but the session starts on March
2nd and lasts for 60 days.
Treasurer:
Scott announced that we have $698.60 in our account but we do have some
Accounts Payables and Receivables to shake out. Scott reminded everyone to
invite their friends to join and to renew our own memberships we haven’t
done so. AJ added that we would have member emails going out this week to
let you know of your membership status and when you are set to renew.
Membership:
AJ announced that Jose Herrero resigned as Membership Director at the end
of 2009. We will be looking for someone to fill that position.
Political Affairs:
Dan Sullivan announced that he has resigned from the Political Affairs
position but will stay involved in the club. He recently took a job at the St.
Pete Times and does not want his affiliation to become a problem.
The schedule for the next few months is as follows:

3. February: County Commissioner, Jim Norman here to speak.
March: TBYR Open House
April: District 47 Candidates
May: Rose Ferlita, County Commissioner & Tony Bunton for District 11
Marketing:
Please follow TBYR on twitter and facebook. We are posting videos online
from our meeting and other events.
Social:
AJ announced that James has stepped down from the Social Director position
to focus more on the Community Affairs side of the club. We will be looking
to fill that position.
AJ announced that we will be helping the Rough Riders with float security at
Gasparilla. We currently have 14 people signed up.
Community Affairs:
Adam announced that we raised $1,370 for our club and the Spring of Tampa
during the auction at the TBYR Christmas Party.
Communications:
Ashley announced that the Runner’s Club will be running on the 31st at Alafea
State Park. They will also be participating in the Gasparilla Distance Classic.
This Thursday there is a Runner Meet and Greet at the Starbucks on S.
Howard Ave.
AJ opened the floor:
AJ announced that Jim Greer is stepping down from the RPOF Chair position
so an election will be held in February. Debra Cox Rousch from Hillsborough
County is running for Vice-Chair.
AJ raised a vote of the board to induct Adam Smith as the Community Affairs
Director. Adam was voted in unanimously.
Meeting Adjourned @ 8:37 pm.