By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Last week the Chairmen and Executive Directors of ten southern states met in the Birmingham/Hoover area. The 2012 election was a major disappointment for Republicans. Despite a nearly stagnant economy, President Barack Obama was reelected and the Democrats actually grew their majority in the U.S. Senate. As a result, the Republican National Committee created several new programs in an attempt to grow the Republican Party and perform better in the 2014 and 2016 elections. One of those new programs implemented by the RNC is regional meetings of RNC leaders from states with similar backgrounds. This initiative was supported by Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead and the RNC Regional Meeting in Alabama is the first such meeting.
In a written statement. the ALGOP announced that the party, “Was proud to host the first of these meetings, where we were able to share our ideas for the upcoming election cycle. We believe that communication between states with similar backgrounds is key to our collective success as a party in the future.”
The goal of the Southern Republican Parties is literally to, “Drive Red State Democrats into extinction,” This task begins in the U.S. Senate where reclaiming the US Senate for Republicans is one of their most pressing goals for 2014.
ALGOP Chairman Bill Armistead said, “Of course, our first priority is to ensure that we don’t lose any of the current seats that we now hold in the US Senate. In Alabama, that means reelecting Senator Jeff Sessions to a fourth term. Across the rest of the nation, that may mean protecting seats that are in danger or have a sitting Republican who is choosing to not run for reelection.”
The Republicans have to take six Senate seats that are currently held by Democrats. In 2014, four seats in the South that is currently in Democratic Party hands come up for election. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D) from West Viriginia is retiring. Democratic Senators Mark Pryor in Arkansas, Mary Landrieu in Louisiana, and Kay Hagan in North Carolina are all viewed as vulnerable by Republicans in the 2014 elections.
Chairman Armistead said, “Of course, our first priority is to ensure that we don’t lose any of the current seats that we now hold in the US Senate. In Alabama, that means reelecting Senator Jeff Sessions to a fourth term. Across the rest of the nation, that may mean protecting seats that are in danger or have a sitting Republican who is choosing to not run for reelection.” If the Republicans hold on to the House and control the Senate, then they can effectively hamstring President Obama’s legislative agenda while pushing back much more effectively through the budget process. Of course to really turn the country onto a conservative course the Republican party will need to elect Obama’s successor in 2016.
Chairman Armistead said, “As you can tell, Republicans have some great opportunities ahead of us and plenty of work to do in advance of the 2014 elections. I am excited that the RNC is actively taking steps to fix the problems of the past and encourage collaboration among states. Teamwork will lead us to victory in 2014 and I am proud that ALGOP was able to lead that charge this week by hosting the GOP Southern Chairmen in Birmingham.”
