The NY Conservative

January 2012 Volume 18 Issue 1

Forty-Fifth Annual Conference Kicks Off Our Year-Long Celebration of Our Golden Anniversary
Last Year we celebrated
recapturing Row C, a fitting reminder of our success and determination as we begin our fiftieth year of making a difference in New York. In September, the Conservative Party turned out and provided the margin of victory to elect Bob Turner to Congress (see related article on page 2). We are, as they say, on a roll. As 2012 begins, plan on being with us in Albany on January 29-30 for our Political Action Conference the kick-off event of our Golden Anniversary year. This highly-anticipated event will reunite many of those who helped make the Conservative Party a political force to be reckoned with across New York. Some longtime friends who will join us include Senator Al DAmato, Governor George E. Pataki, Hon. Herb I. London, Senator Serphin R. Maltese, David Keene, the President of the NRA to name just a few. New friends who will be speaking include Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, Senator Lee Zeldin from Long Island, Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin from the Capital Area and the man responsible for bringing us back to Row C, Carl Paladino. Well celebrate all year and hope that you will be with us, especially as we kick off 2012 with our conference. With old friends and new allies gathered together, you can expect lots of fun memories and great insights from those who have carried our banner for the past 50 years and those who will carry it in the future. Of course 2012 wont be just a celebration. The new year brings new challenges, and now more than ever those of us involved in politics must be ready for a fight. This is the year we need to be informed so we can educate our neighbors, families and friends with the truth, not the spin they are subjected to in the biased news media or by dishonest political ads. Mark your calendar for January 29 and 30, 2012 you will not want to miss our look back over the years and our plan for the future. Rest assured, when our conference concludes on Monday evening, you will have spent two days down memory lane and two days preparing for the year ahead two days with friends old and new. But most of all these two days will prepare you to be the voice of reason in a year when others cast reason to the winds. We are eager to take on the challenges that await us and we are excited to begin a year that will prove how right the conservative movement is.

FIVE DECADES!
What were you doing fifty years ago?
Were you involved in politics or were you playing in the sand box? At times fifty years seems so very long ago and other times it seems like yesterday. If you danced to the music of Ray Charles, the Four Seasons, or Connie Francis, you may have been old enough to collect signatures for petitions to help get candidates fed up with the status quo on the ballot for the Conservative Party. If you are familiar with Katy Perry, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga, you probably still have the energy to continue the tradition of collecting petitions. It wasnt easy getting a political party started, but back then, we were reminded by top television shows like Wagon Train, Bonanza and Gunsmoke that our living conditions were far better than the hardships endured when the West was settled. The Lucy Show, The Beverly Hillbillies and The Jetsons all debuted in 1962 and that November, with David H. Jaquith as our gubernatorial nominee, the Conservative Party launched a political revolution in New York State. We did not occupy anything or pitch tents (and tons of garbage) in public places to create havoc. We simply reached out to our neighbors, friends and families and asked them if they were satisfied with the direction New York was heading. The leaders of the movement had a plan: they had met and discussed the best way to launch an Five Decades! Continued on Pg. 4
4 Article Continued from Page One 5 Photos from 2011 and Save the Date! 6 Excerpts from the Executive Director

contents

2 One Lesson 2 Conservative Republican Takes Back 9th CD 3 Conference Registration Form

ONE LESSON
Readers of our blog know that on Tuesdays we end with Thomas Sowells latest column. He is one of the best conservative intellectuals to follow if you need to convince your liberal friends they are misguided. Dr. Sowells biography reads like the American Dream a young man who left his Harlem home early a high school dropout who found the next years difficult, until he eventually joined the Marine Corps. He became a photographer in the Korean War, and after serving his country, went to Harvard to earn a degree in economics. This high school dropout graduated from Harvard, magna cum laude in 1958 and went on to continue his education at Columbia University where he earned his masters and a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago. His columns are full of wisdom and understanding and written in a way that makes all of us understand the economics of America and how the values and principles that created our way of life is the true hope for society. His November 30, 2011 column is one that should be circulated and read by all Americans. In it, he takes to task a talk show host who considers himself conservative but told his audience Most political battles are won by seizing the center. Moreover, he (the talk show host) added, Anyone who believes otherwise ignores the electoral experience of the last 50 years. That is exactly what most political pundits will tell you also. You need to reach the center, the Independents, those who consider themselves middle of the road. Thomas Sowell, like us, knows better. He wanted to know when Ronald Reagan seized the center; he also wanted to know when Franklin D. Roosevelt seized the center. He then explained that neither did which is precisely why they won. As we go to press, the Republican Party is struggling to find their presidential candidate. The media is gleefully watching as the polls indicate the fluency in deciding who will challenge their candidate, Barack Obama. The media exaggerates every flaw in a Republican candidate, every misstatement, every perceived flipflop, every real flip-flop, while completely ignoring the current administrations crusade to transform the very fiber of what made America the beacon of hope in the world. The media embraces the leftist ideas as the center and vilifies those who understand that government is incapable of solving societys tribulations. The one lesson every candidate must learn is to be true to the values they believe in. As much as we conservatives do not agree with any of the ideals President Barack Obama has promulgated, it is obvious that he is committed to them. Thomas Sowell ended his column writing, Candidates should certainly reach out to a broad electorate. But the question is whether they reach out by promoting their own principles to others or by trying to be all things to all people. Whoever our candidate is, he or she must be committed to their ideals and they must NOT try to please all of the people, all of the time. The voters will see through that charade and stick with what they have. America cannot afford four more years of an administration pushing an agenda that government must control our every segment of our lives.
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Conservative Republican Takes Back the 9th Congressional District

Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it, stated William Penn, the Elder, in a speech to the UK House of Lords in 1770. When it comes to the writings of this great statesman, Senator Charles Schumers protge, Anthony Weiner, was obviously not an A student. This years election cycle was not scheduled to include an exciting race for Congress, but that is certainly what happened in the ninth Congressional District. For the last 88 years, Democrats held the seat. In fact since 1874 Republicans held the seat for only 6 years. Political Pundits yawned when Bob Turner announced he would run, as he had in November 2010 when he lost to Weiner, by almost 20%. They said Turner couldnt win. But as we all know, political pundits are not perfect and they certainly misread the tea leaves in the 9th CD. Their first mistake was writing off Bob Turner without having any idea of his character and ideas, and his commitment to making a difference for his neighbors and fellow citizens. The political experts couldnt accept Bobs determination to go to Washington and put an end to out-of-control spending and they had no concept of his ability to draw on his lifes experiences, cross the political divide and bring people together to get the job done. It was a short campaign period from June 21 (the day Weiner resigned) through September 13, the day designated for the special election. Thats a total of 84 days in the summer, when most people are not thinking politics. There were debates to be held, neighborhoods to be canvassed, people to be convinced in a small window of time designed by the Democrats to favor their candidate. They didnt know the determination of the citizens in the 9th CD to have someone represent them who understood them. Time was of the essence and money was tight but hope was never lost. The first poll out showed Bob Turner was in the game. Suddenly, everything changed. The political pundits took a second look at Bob Turner, which forced the media to take a second look. Could a Republican win the 9th CD? Another poll showed he could. September 13 arrived. Bob Turner defied the odds and stunned the political establishment by winning the election and becoming the first conser vative Republican to win in the 9th CD since 1923. Congratulations Congressman Turner. Heres to a long run as a conservative voice in Congress. We know that you, unlike Anthony Weiner, understand the meaning of William Penns words.

Registration Form for the 45th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference (CPPAC)
January 29 ~ 30, 2012
Holiday Turf Inn, 205 Wolf Road, Albany, New York 12205
Meet Conservative Party leaders and grassroots activists from across New York for a two-day series of seminars and panels all focused on issues and campaign strategies that will help you better understand and approach the key challenges facing our state and the entire nation. (See related article on page 1.) These seminars and panels include conservative leaders who have shaped our Partys history, as well as those who are guiding us into the future and preparing conservatives for the most import election in our lifetime. Registration begins at Noon on Sunday and the last session on Sunday will end at approximately 6:00 PM. Mondays registration begins at 8:30 AM, Sessions begin at 9:00 AM and lunch is scheduled for 12:30 PM. The evening concludes with a Cocktail Reception and Dinner beginning at 6:30 PM. Attendance for the Sunday afternoon or Monday morning seminar sessions only is $25.00. A special $15.00 rate for the conference only is available for students with a VALID student ID. The fees for the meals and cocktail hour are explained below and include the cost of the Seminars. For more information call the Conservative Party Albany office at 518-356-7882 or e-mail your questions to cpnys@nybiz.rr.com.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS: You are responsible for making your own hotel reservations. Call 1-518-458-7264 or 1-800-HOLIDAY (1-800-465-4329) 24 hours a day. The block of rooms is under Conservative Party of New York State. Special rate of $106.00 is good until Saturday, January 14, 2012 ONLY. (Holiday Turf Inn will not honor this rate past this date.) To register for the conference, fill out this form and return it by Monday, January 23, 2012 to: NYS Conservative Party, 325 Parkview Drive, Schenectady, New York 12303-5644. Checks should be made payable to: NYSCP Conference Account. CPPAC fees are not tax-deductible.

Please PRINT the following information:

Name: Address: City: Day Tel:

You may photocopy this form for your reservation or for additional reservations.

State:

Zip:

Evening Tel:

E-mail Address (print): Party Position (if any): Congressional District:

Rates per Person (All prices include Sunday and Monday Seminars.) q Sunday and Monday Seminars Only: $25.00 ($15.00 for Students with valid I.D.) q Monday Luncheon: $35.00 q Monday Reception: $50.00 q Monday Dinner: $50.00 q Monday Lunch, Reception & Dinner Package: $135.00 (See below for Special Pre-Paid Pricing.)
Pre-Paid Package Specials: CHECKS MUST BE RECEIVED BY Monday, January 23, 2012. q Monday Lunch, Reception & Dinner Package: $125.00 q Reception & Dinner Package: $95.00 q Lunch & Reception Package: $80.00 Enclosed is my check for: $_____________ for payment in full for the above named person(s). Page 3

Five Decades! Continued from Pg. 1

organization that would help change the direction New York was taking. Diligence and hard work the same principles of Americas Founding Fathers is what made the dreams of our founders change New Yorks political spectrum. As we enter our golden year, it is fitting that the Conservative Party is home to so-called ordinary people who are really extraordinary in their understanding of the issues. Throughout our great state people are concerned about government spending, and have begun to connect the politicians fiscal irresponsibility to their own lives. Grassroots citizens know what it is like when the credit card bill is due and incurring interest at an alarming rate, with no way to pay it off. Homeowners across the state understand that borrowing from the equity doesnt help. Getting another job is not an option with the high unemployment rate. Therefore, people have made the conscience decision to cut spending on unnecessar y items and take the required steps to decrease their debt load. They want the same from their government at all levels. The majority of citizens are prepared for and support fiscal conservatism. Unfortunately, it is the noisy wheel that gets the most attention, especially from the media elites who have made heroes out of the Occupy Wall Street radicals after vilifying the respectful Tea Party movement. And unfortunately, many elected officials have become so comfortable with the perks of the public sector that they have forgotten what it is like to work hard and often struggle in the private sector. J. Daniel Mahoney and Kieran ODoherty first discussed the idea of a Conservative political party in 1958. In November 1960 they introduced the idea while at lunch with a group of Republican lawyers who were lamenting the direction their Party was heading under Nelson A. Rockefeller. The idea was considered impractical, but our founders were not ready to give up. They understood that New York State was headed in the wrong direction and that the Rockefeller Republicans had an agenda that did not include fiscal restraint. New York was, after all, the epicenter of liberalism, between the media and the already established Liberal Party. The future Federal Judge Mahoney and Post Master ODoherty certainly had their work cut out for them, especially when even their friends thought the idea was admirable, but unrealistic. Mahoney and ODoherty studied Election Law, recruited Bob Saunders, Paul Cheney, Dick Doll and Paul Franklin, and spent every other week meeting in Bob Saunders conference room, planning the impossible. Fortunately, Mahoney and ODoherty were acquainted with two legendary figures in the national conservative movement: Bill Buckley and Marvin Liebman, who joined the cause. Fifty years ago, New York State was the political capital of the United States and had a Governor determined to be President and even more determined that this upstart group of men would not disturb his plans. Rockefeller did all he could to destroy the principles of those drawn to the very ideals that propelled the early Pilgrims to seek a new country. Rocky met the same fortitude that made the Pilgrims successful and New York was forever changed. It took 4 years from the very first thoughts of forming a Conservative Party for the dream to become a reality. I just cant imagine the occupy movement being able to plan, organize and stay committed for four long years when everything possible is done to thwart the dream. It then took 8 years for the Party to win its first statewide campaign the election of U. S. Senator James L. Buckley. The first run in 1968 made it possible for the win in 1970. Those active in the early years understood it takes long-term planning, organization and a good message to be able to effect changes. As the old saying goes: Rome was not built in a day. Today, the majority of people are losing patience. Society as a whole expects change to take place overnight an example of the societal attention disorder inspired by the advances that make every day living easier. Lets face it, fifty years ago, no one had a remote control for their television; executives planned programs based on a good lead in show, and if you started the night with CBS, you stayed with it. The remote control and cable stations changed that concept; seriously do you know anyone who gets up to change the television channel or stays on one station all evening? Society is accustomed to fast paced change and wants, unrealistically, immediate change. Think of the passage of the Health Care Bill, when Speaker Pelosi, stated emphatically that we would know what is in it after it was passed. Needless to say, thats not how legislation should be passed. The Conservative Partys influence has been thoughtful, reasonable and steady, knowing that a meteoric rise certainly brings a meteoric fall. The fifty years we have been active have provided New Yorks citizens with many accomplishments: From New Yorks Electoral Votes going to President Ronald Reagan to the victories of Senator Al DAmato, Governor George E. Pataki, Borough President James P. Molinaro, all of whom have been responsive to the conservative platform and worked to improve the lives of New Yorkers. As we begin our fiftieth year, we are filled with the same excitement that we had during the very first months of planning our goals. Conser vatives understand America and New York are at a crossroads: do we continue the vision of our ancestors or do we allow those who see government as our provider keep the reins of our great country. The Game begins now and we are here to continue what we began in 1962.

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Scenes from 2011 See You in 2012!

Photo credits: (left) Ronald L. Glassman; (right) Shaun Marie

Senator Tom Coburn, MD (R-OK) addresses attendees at the Conservative Partys 49th Annual Dinner.

2011 CPPAC attendees listening to New Yorks newly elected Conservative-endorsed Congressmen sent to Washington, DC, to help stem the out-of-control spending.

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The NY Conservative

inside
n n n n n Five Decades! The Conservative Party Marks Its 50th Anniversary One Lesson: Be True to Yourself 45th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference (CPPAC) CPPAC Registration Form January 29~30, 2012 9th Congressional District Taken Back by Conservative Republican

New York State Conservative Party Albany Office 325 Parkview Drive Schenectady, New York 12303

Excerpts from the Executive Director:

It is true, time goes by a lot faster the older we get. Our Party is preparing to celebrate its Golden Anniversary and at times it seems as if it was only last year that we planned our 40th Gala with Vice President Cheney. My active involvement with the Conser vative Party began in earnest during the Duryea campaign for Governor and it has been exciting and challenging ever since. Do you remember what made you get involved? Moreover, why you have stayed involved? Politics can get discouraging, as we realized this year when elected officials who broke their word betrayed us, but it is also exhilarating when you win a battle. As fast as time flies by for us, unfortunately, those in our Armed Services do not savor the same experience. Yet their commitment and courage has not wavered. They are still keeping us safe back home and bringing terrorists their just reward. God Bless all of them as they deal with the dark realities of war and may God protect

them and bring them safely home when their job is done. 2012 will be an exciting year, as we will have the opportunity to replace our President. No matter who our candidate is, it will not be an easy race, despite what the polls say now. We, conservatives in New York Sate and throughout America, know what is at stake and we know what we are up against. We also know we are right in knowing it may very well be now or never to change the direction Barack Obama has imposed upon us. Our very nature is to be free from government intrusion in our daily lives, yet this man believes government should control every moment possible. If we wanted that, we would move to Cuba or Venezuela. Those who do want that life style are free to go since we do not have any fences on our borders. The Legislators will be looking for more ways to get your money in the upcoming legislative session. They like to hoodwink voters into thinking they are doing us a favor by eliminating this or adding that, when all they are doing is buying your vote with your money! This may

be the year that voters take Peter Schweitzers advice to throw them all out, albeit he writes about the federal level, it is good advice at ever y level, if they are unresponsive to what is best for all of us. As they deliberate, hopefully they will reflect on this quote by Frederic Bastiat, If the natural tendencies of mankind are so bad that it is not safe to permit people to be free, how is it that the tendencies of these organizers are always good? Do not the legislators and their appointed agents also belong to the human race? Or do they believe that they themselves are made of a finer clay than the rest of mankind? May God bless you and yours as He has blessed my children and me. May God continue to keep America safe and give strength to our elected officials to make the right choices when they consider legislation. Welcome 2012 with the enthusiasm of a youngster going to sleep on Christmas Eve and the wisdom of an adult knowing life is the challenge that makes us strong. Sincerely,

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