By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Tuesday, Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead announced that the Summer Dinner with special guest, Governor Scott Walker (R) from Wisconsin was a success.
Chairman Armistead said, “Nearly 1,000 were in attendance and everyone seemed to really enjoy hearing how Gov. Walker turned around Wisconsin during the 3 years he has been Governor. The speech that the governor made was incredible. It was obvious to everyone present why liberals in Wisconsin tried to remove him from the governorship – he doesn’t play their game! Governor Walker is a unabashed conservative who isn’t afraid of Democrat threats or liberal media bias.”
Chairman Armistead continued, “It became very apparent that Governor Walker shares our Alabama values and those attending the dinner responded appropriately. Governor Walker summed up our 2014 and 2016 messages very succinctly when he said; “I don’t want to make it harder to get government assistance. I want to make it easier to get a job.” Now it is our job to articulate that to America, refusing to let the media define our message for us.”
Chairman Armistead said, “One of the great joys I have in serving as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party is bringing movers and shakers in the Republican Party to Alabama so they can get to know us better and vise versa. Some of the speakers we have had since I became Chairman include: Gov. Rick Perry (TX); Sen. Jim DeMint (SC); Congressman Allan West (FL); Gov. Bobby Jindal (LA); Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (TN); Gov. Rick Scott (FL); Gov. Mike Huckabee (AR); Neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson; Fox News Contributor Frank Luntz; and others.”
Chairman Armistead said that more national figures will be coming to Alabama starting in September because candidates who are considering running for President in 2016 are now more receptive to visiting Alabama since the legislature moved the state’s Presidential Primary date up to March making Alabama one of the early states.
Alabama Republican National Committeeman Paul Reynolds said that the Republican Primary Season is going to be faster paced and shortened with an earlier convention so that the eventual Republican nominee has more money left for the General Election.
The Republicans have not won a Presidential Election since 2004. 2004 is also the last election where the Republicans have been given control of the U.S. Senate by the American people.
Governor Walker faces a tough re-election battle in 2014 in Wisconsin. If he is re-elected by the people of Wisconsin many political pundits expect Walker to be a potential candidate for President to replace President Obama, who can not run again due to term limits.
Bill Armistead is a former Alabama Senator, a former candidate for Lieutenant Governor, and is a longtime member of the Alabama Republican Steering Committee.
The Alabama Republican Party holds two major dinners each year, the Summer Dinner in August and the Winter Dinner.
