FRANKLIN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY 101 WEST NASH STREET P

Republican strategist Marc Rotterman told Franklin County Republicans at their June 14 meeting that the G.O.P. could be in trouble if several things are not fixed before the 2008 elections. He cited illegal immigration and wasteful spending, just to name a few, that have driven the conservative base away from the Republican Party.

Rotterman also warned that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee and she also has the support of middle class women.

He said America has had two failed baby boomer presidencies: Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Rotterman further said that currently we have an $8.6 trillion debt and that in six years in office Bush has spent more money than Clinton did in two terms.

He also said that the G.O.P. was hurt in last year's elections because the leadership failed to deal quickly with the Mark Foley sex scandal. Another failure, the lack of response to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, showed that the Bush administration was slow to respond and appeared to be incompetent.

After the 2004 elections Bush had political capital and should have led with making tax cuts permanent but instead his signature issue was reforming social security which failed Rotterman said.

Iraq is the 800 pound gorilla and "we're there now," and if we leave, Rotterman said, "Al Queda has part of a country for a base." He said overwhelming force should have been used and now it costs $9.6 billion per month to pay for the war in Iraq.

"This immigration bill is a disaster. Here's a novel idea. Why don't we enforce the laws already on the books and build a wall?" said Rotterman who received an applause.

Sen. Elizabeth Dole "did the right thing" by opposing the amnesty bill. Rotterman said that South Carolina Republican Sen. Richard DeMint said the bill should not tie border security to amnesty.

The average illegal Mexican household in America costs taxpayers about $20,000 to $30,000 in welfare annually he said.

President Bush authorized a $1.2 billion 750-mile wall but there is no funding. However, Rotterman said that Bush wants Congress to authorize $30 billion to fight AIDS in Africa.

Rotterman said we need to set priorities.

If Bush did build a wall and dealt effectively with illegal immigration Rotterman said Bush's approval numbers could increase by 20 percent.

Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson are all possible contenders for the Republican nomination for president, Rotterman said, and Giuliani says he will deal with illegal immigation and will build a fence.

Sen. John McCain is collapsing and has no money in the bank, he said. Rotterman said he would "never vote for McCain," because of his stand on immigration and the McCain/Feingold bill on campaign finance reform.

Rotterman warned that Hillary's people are "viscous" and are raising a lot of money. He said independent women will vote for her.

Bush cannot be viewed as a conservative, he said, however he has done a good job in appointing judges who follow the constitution. Rotterman said Republicans will have to distance themselves from Bush if they are to win in 2008.

Giuliani did a good job cleaning up New York as well as handling the 9/11 crisis, he said is seen as authentic and competent and Romney has a good chance but the Mormon issue could hurt him with Evangelicals.

He added that Newt Gingrich is the "idea guy" and the bridge to Reagan. If Fred Thompson does not catch on, Gingrich could announce his candidacy this fall, said Rotterman.

Rotterman said Republicans could lose as many as 10 seats in the Senate in 2008 and also take losses in the House.

He said conservatives have to hope that Mrs. Dole does well next year because the better she does in the election the better the G.O.P. will do.

Promoting our vision of lower taxes, less bureaucracy, less government and a stronger defense are important for the G.O.P. if we are to win next year said Rotterman.

More oil refineries should be built but none have been built in 30 years. Rotterman said that should be a top priority of the Bush administration. He said that the refineries could be built on closed military bases.

Republicans at the meeting told Rotterman that they agree with him on building a fence, controlling wasteful spending including cutting the fat out of pork barrel projects.

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