Republicans play hard and use "hot button" issues in AL. governor's race.

[MelissaB]

Just got this in email. They know what the "hot buttons" are and aren't afraid to use them. Are other Repubican chairs doing this across the U.S.?

For Immediate Release
Friday, July 14, 2006
Contact: Tim Howe 205.212.5900

ALABAMA GOP CHAIR PURCHASES PLANE TICKET FOR DEMOCRAT PARTY HEAD HOWARD DEAN TO VISIT ALABAMA

Birmingham - In advance of a Friday night Birmingham appearance by Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman, state GOP chair Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh said she hopes to soon lure his counterpart for a visit, and she has even purchased an airline gift certificate for his use.

"The Alabama Republican Party is proud to host our national chairman and hear him outline the GOP's conservative vision for our nation and our state," Cavanaugh said. "Alabamians deserve to hear where the Democrats want to lead us, as well, so we have extended an invitation to Howard Dean and bought a plane ticket for his use. He should come to our state, stand next to Lucy Baxley and outline, precisely, where the Democrats stand on issues like abortion, taxes, Second Amendment rights, and gay marriage."

A letter of invitation offering the plane ticket was sent to Dean on Friday, and Cavanaugh said she would carry the voucher from Southwest Airlines with her to various speeches and events until Dean accepts.

Cavanaugh noted that a visit to Alabama would allow Dean, who once said "I still want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks," to reach out to southern voters.

It would also allow him to explain to Alabamians certain statements he has made that seem outside the mainstream, such as, "The issue is not abortion. The issue is whether women can make up their own mind instead of some right-wing pastor, some right-wing politician telling them what to do."

The GOP chair said the Alabama Democrat Party and its candidates accept thousands of dollars from the national party and, every four years, unite behind its liberal presidential candidates, but claim they are "different" when state elections occur.

"The Alabama Democrat Party can't hold hands with the national party when nobody is looking and run away when it's convenient," Cavanaugh said. "To paraphrase another well-known Alabamian - there's not a dime's worth of difference between the national and Alabama Democrat parties."

TEXT OF LETTER TO HOWARD DEAN

July 14, 2006

Chairman Howard Dean
Democratic National Committee
430 S. Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC 20003

Dear Chairman Dean,

During recent preparations for the Alabama Republican Party's Annual Summer Dinner, which is being keynoted by RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman, I was struck by the fact that very few, if any, of the national Democrat Party leadership has made a recent high-profile trip to our state.

While Chairman Mehlman, Vice President Cheney and even President Bush have made recent, highly-publicized visits to Alabama, we have not had the courtesy of a visit from yourself. I know that several years ago, while still governor of Vermont, you visited our state to talk politics with Don Siegelman, who was recently convicted on federal corruption charges, but I am unaware of any recent trips you have made.

Because I know, especially during this election year, the importance of pointing out each party's' vision for both our state and our nation, I would like to extend a special invitation from the Alabama GOP. I have purchased, on your behalf, a voucher for a round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to Alabama. It is available for your use to come to our state, meet with your party's gubernatorial nominee, Lucy Baxley, and publicly outline the positions of the national Democrat Party on any number of issues.

Should you decide to take me up on this offer, please contact the state GOP headquarters, and we will be happy to make arrangements.

With best regards and deep hopes that we will see you in Alabama soon,


Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh
Chairman, Alabama Republican Party

[bluestateguy]

1. HIs name is "Twinkle"?

OooooKaaaay...

[KingFlorez]

3. It's a woman

But it still sounds rather silly for an adult to have a name like that

[Selatius]

2. Hmm, will Howard Dean take this head on???

[bluestateguy]

4. Perhaps he should

but only if Baxley agrees to appear with him, otherwise the whole thing would backfire.

Then Dean should say that he will accept the invitation, but only if he is invited nicely, and that he is not the Chairman of the "Democrat Party". He is the Chairman of the "Democratic Party".

[MelissaB]

5. I missed that!

:rofl:

[sinkingfeeling]

6. So is Twinkle the chairman of the Alabama Republic Party?

[MelissaB]

7. It's a heck of a name, eh?