Here are some reflections on the 2012 MDGOP Fall Convention held November 30 – December 1 in Ellicott City. Maryland State Senator and Chair of the Maryland Republican Party Alex X. Mooney issued the call to the 2012 MDGOP Fall Convention held at the beautiful Turf Valley Conference Center in Howard County last weekend. He urged the Maryland Republican Party to focus energy on liberal Democrats who are intent on forcing the spend and tax agenda on all of us by suggesting that we combine and coordinate  efforts to register voters, and to recruit and train candidates, staff and volunteers to help Republicans achieve success in 2014 and beyond. 

St. Mary’s County Republican Central Committee Chair Mary Burke-Russell concurs with Chairman Mooney’s comments. Overall, she found the Convention to be informative and uplifting after the disappointment of the election.

Registration opened on November 30 followed by a welcome reception hosted by the Howard County RCC. Congressman Andy Harris, whose victory resulted in his honor of being the highest-ranking Maryland representative in the House of Representatives, was the featured speaker at the breakfast the next morning. District 2BDelegate Neil Parrott of Hagerstown, Md. described Maryland as being the most gerrymandered state in the entire U.S. regarding Congressional districts. In fact, he used the word “ludicrous” in reference to the situation. This ballot item passed because it was engineered by Democrats; they had more money to push the bill.  He believes that the Republicans need to reinvent themselves.

After breakfast, RCC members and those registered for the convention were able to choose from workshops on Immigration, public speaking, and MDCRIS. At the conclusion of the luncheon, the MDGOP General Session was called to order. The group was treated to brief remarks from Dan Bongino, 2012 candidate for the U.S. Senate, and from Tony O’Donnell, Maryland’s 5th district minority leader who challenged Steny Hoyer in last month’s election.

Louis Pope, Maryland National Committeeman, stated that the Republican Party does not need to change its basic principles – it just needs to “sell them better”!  He continued that Obama won with 51% of the vote…this is not a mandate!  Mr. Pope strongly believes that Republicans will win in the future and that they have successfully held the U.S. House o