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ELEPHANT EARS
By Jeff Mosesso
Precinct Committeeman
Pct 25
September 24-25, 2022, Fairgrounds Gun Show
REC and Florida Victory Tables
This was a slooooow show. Both days. Productivity down considerably from previous shows. Returning to HQ many table items that would have before been taken by attendees.
When you can look from the back of the show and see all the way to the front entrance which is normally blocked by row upon row of attendees… it is a sloooow show. Interactions were way down compared to June’s show. Sunday’s show was a little more active than Saturday with more info cards and brochures taken by attendees.
Some possible reasons for a low turnout for a show weekend that should have drawn many more attendees for us to interact with and inform:
· The Biden economy/so-called “inflation reduction” plan is showing its true colors and folks just don’t have the money to spend.
· The track of expected Hurricane Ian shifted people’s attention from the gun show to Walmart, Publix, and Lowe’s for needed supplies.
· The Elks Lodge and other organizations are now hosting gun shows, creating competition.
· And just maybe, law-abiding people don't want their gun show purchases tracked by credit card companies to create a prohibited-by law, Democrat-championed, ATF-operated National Firearm Registry.
Not complainin’ or blamin’ the low turnout for low table productivity, just sayin’. More about this in Future Actions below.
Volunteers working the tables:
REC –Carol Smykowski, Chris and Rick Allen, Harry and Barbara Anne Oehler, Lamarre Notargiacomo, Barb DeFrino, Jan Mooney and Jeff Mosesso.
Florida Victory – Ryan Butler, Fran and Tom Murphy, Richie Star, Shawn Jordan, Skip Broomel, Doug Broomel, and Kathy and Mike Carlin.
Kudos to FV for having new wallet cards with the slate of endorsed candidates for voters to have handy at the voting booths.
Kudos to Paul Westcott across the aisle for his efforts to garner votes by putting in the time needed to be successful seeking Hospital District Seat 4.
Hat Tip to REC members stopping by to say Hello: Ray Mello, Judy Harrington, Carol Maxwell, Joann Binford, John Ubbink.
REC Volunteers passed out brochures for our candidates and information on committees and clubs provided by Republican HQ to those who stopped by the table. One enthusiastic young lady took some of everything for her activities – she’ll be at one of our REC meetings in the near future, I’ll bet. American flags and Constitution booklets were also given out and were well-received by both kids and their parents.
Florida Victory did well – sales of DeSantis 2022 merchandise were good, and they obtained three voter registrations.
Two Guest Cards were issued to attendees interested in our REC October meeting.
Best “T” shirt messages seen at the show:
Winner – “The Constitution Does Not Have to Be Rewritten. It Has to Be RE-READ!”
Runner up – “It Is DONKEYPOX That Is Destroying America.”
Honorable mention – “If You Cannot Stand Behind Our Troops, Then Please Stand IN FRONT Of Them.”
Best magnet message:
“I REFUSE To Discuss Gun Control with People Who Are CONFUSED By Bathrooms.”
Encouraging Comments from Attendees:
I asked attendees as they walked the aisle in front of our table if they were going to vote. The overwhelming responses were “YES!” “You Bet.” “I wish it was tomorrow.” Many were given wallet cards with the slate of REC-endorsed candidates just for good measure.
A man passed by the table, and I asked if he was registered and ready to vote. “Yes, and yes.” I passed him a wallet card with the candidates’ names for his voting trip and he stated, “Don’t worry, I am voting for All of Them!”
Once again, parents get Special Acknowledgement for raising their children as Americans:
A dad, a veteran, stopped by with his young son who was given an American flag. Dad got the booklet and in response to my comment that his son is not getting this info in school, he noted “Don’t worry, he’s being brought up Right.” “And when he’s bad, I call him a Democrat.”
A dad and his two kids walked by the REC table. I asked Dad if it was OK to give the kids an American flag. He said “yes," and they were given out to them. I told Dad that the US Constitution book was also for the kids and stated that they were not getting this information in schools. His immediate response was, “Yes They Are, We Homeschool!” And then he waved his hand across the gun show saying, “And class is in session right now.”
What a Statement! Dads Rule!
Future Actions:
1. The next Gun Show is November 5th & 6th, however, I do not plan on reserving a table for REC items. I believe we have passed the point of diminishing returns for our money and time spent there as all attendees coming to the gun shows have either previously registered to vote, are from other counties, or care not to register. I believe also that most attendees there have passed beyond considering candidates for each office and have made up their minds on who they will vote for. There may be some potential new registrants that come to the show, but it is not cost or time effective for us to have a table when we have HQ available for those so motivated.
So, that being stated and accepted, this weekend’s gun show, and Elephant Ears will be the last for 2022. We can start up again to register voters, collect information from new folks who want to volunteer time and/or become REC and Clubs members, and pass out candidate and voter info for 2024 if the members so desire. I’ll keep all posted on future shows.
Until Then:
Get Out the Vote Activities!
2. Focus on the newly released “Commitments to America”!
Show all Voters Our Credible Plan to Stop the Nonsense, to swing their votes to our side.
3. Emphasize the stark contrasts between Republicans vs. the Socialists.
Republican Party: Upholding our Traditional American Values and Founding Principles for All People
Socialist Party: Ideology and actions promoting Big, oppressive government at the expense of our Freedoms and Rights while protecting their Favored classes of People.
4. Highlight Democrat Party and Biden Administration Failures. There are many – List Them!
Counter with the Republican Commitment and Agenda to Recover.
5. Ask the fence-sitter/still undecided Voter to get them thinking and motivated to Get Out and Vote Republican:
“Are you better off now than you were two years ago?” “If No, Do You Know Why?”
“Do you want your Freedoms back yet?” “Will you help us restore them?”
“Do you know that we have a plan to fix the Mess left by Biden/Harris/Pelosi/Schumer?”
6. Post-Election Actions:
Rather than sit on our Posteriors in-between elections waiting for something to do, let us agree to be engaged for the benefit of our Posterity with local and state political activities. In keeping with the objectives, missions and defining characteristics of the REC, RPOF and RNC, we should commit for 2023 and beyond to:
· Promote An Informed Electorate Through Political Education.
· Foster Loyalty To the Republican Party.
· Increase Republican Registrations.
· Seek And Encourage Qualified Republican Candidates for Local, County, State and Federal Offices.
· Work to elect Floridians with Integrity.
· Promote The Principles Upon Which Our Nation and Our State Were Founded: Freedom, Liberty, Personal Responsibility, And Accountability.
· Fight For Our Proven Agenda and Take Our Message to Every American.
“The Republican Party's legacy… compels us to patriotically defend America's values.”
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