By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Thursday, August 21, the Jefferson and Shelby County based Rainy Day Patriots gathered at Hoover Tactical Firearms to discuss their plans going forward.
Alabama Legislative Watchdogs Chairwoman Ann Eubank said that their conservative candidates did not fare so well in the June Republican Primaries. Eubank listed Corey Harbison’s victory over Rep. Mack Buttram in Cullman as one bright spot. Eubank said that conservatives need to raise more money, be better organized, and more prepared next time.
Eubank said that there is considerable discussion about bringing all the Tea Party and conservative groups in the State together into one organization. Eubank said that the Rainy Day Patriots is the largest such group in the state, closely followed by the Wetumpka Tea Party; but at one point they knew of 62 groups operating in the state.
Eubank said that she was sorry that Sen. Scott Beason (R) from Gardendale lost his primary for Congress, but said however that “Gary is a friend,” of the tea party movement. Eubank said that Scott Beason or somebody like Beason would be an ideal leader for the new statewide conservative group.
The Vice President of the Republican Women of Shelby County Dawn Ray spoke to the group about the importance of the Republican Party taking control of the U.S. Senate in November to stop the Obama agenda. Ray is working with the group, Stop Obama Now and asked the group to help the GOP take Senate seats in Louisiana and Arkansas. Ray said that Joan Reynolds had been asked by the Republican National Committee to organize busloads of Alabamians to go to Louisiana and Arkansas to campaign door to door and work phone banks against entrenched incumbent Democratic U.S. Senators Mary Landrieu and Mark Pryor.
Ray said that the Republicans only need to net six pickups to replace Harry Reid as Speaker. Ray said that both Republican candidates: Bill Cassidy and Tom Cotton, were members of the House and were strong, credible candidates.
Ray said that they need volunteers and that their rooms and at least one meal would be provided. Buses will be leaving weekly, on September 8 all the way to the election. Ray said for more information contact Joan Reynolds at[email protected] or phone 334-303-9999.
Steve Johnson from the Alabama Watchdogs for Energy Freedom addressed the group. Johnson said that he and other coal advocates traveled to Atlanta for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hearings on controversial proposed new regulations to cut carbon dioxide emissions at coal fired electricity plants. Johnson said that they wanted to testify but the EPA would not let them. Johnson said that they need more people to get involved. Where they had a handful of persons present, the environmentalist group, Black Warrior River keepers had three busloads of supporters for the new regulations.
Johnson handed out “Energy Makes America Great” bumper stickers and red T-shirts. Johnson warned that the new EPA regulations would require that coal plants reduce their carbon emissions by 44%. Johnson warned that this would cost people their jobs and would lead to higher power bills for Alabama consumers.
Elizabeth Beshears, the Executive Director of Alabama Citizens for Media Accountability, spoke to the group about her work which is devoted to exposing liberal bias in the Alabama media. Beshears was highly critical of “Montgomery Advertiser” columnist Josh Moody. Beshears asked the Patriots to bring instances of liberal media bias to her attention.
The Alabama Legislative Liaison for the Convention of States Project, Ret. Major Terry Richmond spoke to the group about lobbying the state legislature to ask for a Article V convention to get the federal government under control. Major Richmond insisted that under the resolutions the Convention of States Project has endorsed the delegates would have a mandate to reform the federal government and the prospect of a runaway convention hoisting a new government on us would not happen.
Eubank said that the Alabama Legislative Watchdogs will be focusing on repealing the Common Core Standards going forward. Eubank said that she would be debating the subject with Common Core advocates at the historic 16th Street Baptist Church on Saturday, September 13th from one to three pm. Eubank handed out ‘Stop Common Core’ yard signs.
Eubank said that they were going to encourage more parents to opt out of the standardized testing associated with the Common Core Curriculum on “National Opt Out Day.”
The Rainy Day Patriots are organizing a non-partisan candidate’s forum before the election.
