RLC National Convention 2009 - Jax, Florida: The Faces of Republican Liberty

These are some of the first photos to be released from the Republican Liberty Caucus National Convention held in Jacksonville, Florida last weekend. In front you can see Phil Blumel (to the left), and Maryland delegate John Orlando (looking at the camera). This was taken at the Saturday night banquet.

Dave Nalle, new RLC National Chairman has an in-depth write-up on the event over at his "Republic of Dave" blog. Here's one excerpt:

Sarah Lovett, Will Pitts, Mark Cross and all the great folks at the dynamic and growing RLC chapter here have really gone above and beyond to put on a great convention for their state and to generously share so much of what they’ve done with delegates from other parts of the country and the national organization. Their efforts on behalf of the national RLC have been above and beyond the call of duty and they are an example for other states to follow in how to manage rapid growth and deal with the struggles which come with that growth in positive and productive ways. It’s very clear from the hard work and dedication I have seen here that they are going to be enormously successful in reawakening the Republican Party in Florida to the ideas of individual liberty, responsible government and fiscal responsibility.


Just reporting the official events doesn’t really do justice to what was going on in Jacksonville. The real action was in the hallways and the atrium and over meals and drinks, where delegates from all over gathered enthusiastically to share ideas and pick each others’ brains and find ways to work together to help make the RLC bigger, better and more effective in getting its message out. I got to meet and talk to an inspiring group of activits, from long-time RLC members like Phil Blumel, Eric Dondero-Rittberg and Jeff Palmer to enthusiastic newcomers like Will Pitts, John Orlando, Steve Wright, Bryan Haddock, Dan Halloran and too many others to name. They all had good ideas and the enthusiasm to make those ideas a reality. To get a feel for the convention check out the photo collection assembled by Michael Para on Facebook.

I came away from the convention convinced that we can really accomplish great things with the RLC if we can export the kind of energy I saw in Jacksonville nationwide in this time when the GOP is looking for renewal and inspiration, which we have in abundance.

Note - LR Editor and Publisher Eric Dondero is to the right, in the above photo seated with local Jax RLCer Jon Anderson, and a lovely local Jacksonville Republican Precinct Committeewoman.


In the photo at the bar, CEI's Ivan Osorio makes a point to other RLC beer drinkers. New York delegate, a candidate for NYC City Council, in the background.

To join the group, which has become the "conscience of the Republican Party," go to www.rlc.org.