Term Limits Referendum Unveiled, Protects City Council Incumbents

After months of public hearing, the NYC City Charter Revision Commission finally unveiled the referendum to restore term limits.... well, sorta.

Here it is:

Term Limits: The proposal would amend the City Charter to:

• Reduce from three to two the maximum number of consecutive full terms that can be served by elected city officials; and
• Make this change in term limits applicable only to those city officials who were first elected at or after the 2010 general election; and
• Prohibit the City Council from altering the term limits of elected city officials then serving in office.

Basically it means those City Council incumbents elected in 2009 to their first or second term would have an extra term in office which they could pursue, but anyone elected after November of 2010 wouldn't. This portion of the referendum has already come under fire from critics, including from Conservative Party Chair Mike Long, who called it“a self-serving, special interest bill for those councilmembers who are (now) sitting on the City Council.”

Tell us what you think.

Gallup: GOP has UNPRECEDENTED 10-Point Lead!

How about some good news for a change? From Gallup:

The last Gallup weekly generic ballot average before Labor Day underscores the fast-evolving conventional wisdom that the GOP is poised to make significant gains in this fall's midterm congressional elections. Gallup's generic ballot has historically proven an excellent predictor of the national vote for Congress, and the national vote in turn is an excellent predictor of House seats won and lost. Republicans' presumed turnout advantage, combined with their current 10-point registered-voter lead, suggests the potential for a major "wave" election in which the Republicans gain a large number of seats from the Democrats and in the process take back control of the House. One cautionary note: Democrats moved ahead in Gallup's generic ballot for several weeks earlier this summer, showing that change is possible between now and Election Day.

READ MORE HERE!

Truer Words...

Photos From Grand Opening!

Chairman Eaton and Sen. Marty Golden help open the NEW Campaign Headquarters on 7620 17th Ave. with Brooklyn GOP Candidates. Click on the Photo to see more on Facebook - and join the group while you're there!

And don't forget - Brooklyn GOP Radio's first show from the Campaign HQ airs today at 1 PM!

BREAKING NEWS! Brooklyn GOP Opens Campaign HQ!

This is BIG news, folks! Direct from Brooklyn GOP Chair Craig Eaton:

Please join us on Thursday Evening, August 26, 2010 at 7:00 pm for the GRAND OPENING of the Kings County GOP "2010 Candidate Headquarters" located at 7620 17th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.

Come meet the KINGS COUNTY GOP SLATE, candidates for State-Wide Office, elected officials, District Leaders, Vice Chairs, friends, neighbors, and volunteers from around this great County.

Refreshments will be served - please let us know if you would like to attend - RSVP via email to kingscountygop@aol.com.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday.

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You can bet Brooklyn GOP Radio will be there - we're making arrangements to do a LIVE broadcast from the brand spankin' new HQ! So stay tuned!

The closest subway stop is the D or M at the 79th Street. Hope to see you there!

Brooklyn Tea Party At Ground Zero Mosque Demonstration

Wanted to pass this along from "Friend of the Show" Dr. John Press who, along with other Brooklyn Tea Party members, attended this weekend's demonstration against the Park51 Mosque.

Here's the note from Dr. Press:

I tried to get several of these speakers to come to our BROOKLYN TEA PARTY SEPTEMBER 19th RALLY at the 69th St. Pier from 3 to 5 pm. Let's see if any pan out. I hope you're making strides in contacting speakers for us also!

***

Notice that today's rally wasn't just about the mosque. Like ours, it too is about being pissed off at the ruling elites not listening in general. We'll tag the budget, Arizona, and health care on to it. But if we could have our rally be anywhere as awesome as this one, I'd say we've awakened a sleeping giant.

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Thanks for your activism! Let's roll !!!

Dr. Press and the Brooklyn Tea Party are looking for volunteers to attend the September 11th gather nearing Ground Zero as well as to help with their own gathering on September 19th.

8/21: Nicole Malliotakis Featured on The Show!

Another strong Republican candidate stops by Brooklyn GOP Radio as Nicole Malliotakis, candidate for the 60th AD, will talk about her campaign, her many endorsements and her race against Assemblywoman Hyer-Spencer.

A little about Nicole from her campaign website:

As a liaison for the late Senator John Marchi and Governor George Pataki, Nicole worked with civic groups, not-for-profits, and government agencies to enhance our quality of life.

Most recently, as a public affairs manager, Nicole focused on the state’s energy, economic and environmental policies while working with community organizations and elected officials to make Brooklyn and Staten Island better places to work, live, and raise a family.

If this wasn't enough, we then welcome Tom Tracy from Courier Life Publications. Tom recently wrote a piece on Michael Grimm's refusal to debate Michael Allegretti before Primary Day. We'll get Tom's take on the whole situation.

Click Here to Listen!

August 14: An Afternoon With The Chairman

He's the man who made this show possible. Brooklyn GOP Chair Craig Eaton will be on air LIVE with host Gene Berardelli to talk about this year's slate of candidates, current events, the future plans of the Brooklyn GOP and a whole lot more!

Don't dare miss this episode of Brooklyn GOP Radio! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!

UPDATE: Technical bugs strike again! We're uploading the local copy we make here so you can hear the interview later this afternoon. All links have been updated!

POST-SHOW WRAP: This is the first time Skype dropped out on the live show. That's the risk you take with VOIP unfortunately. Luckily, we were able to get a lot of time with Chairman Eaton before Skype totally dropped off (you have see at the end that he had a little trouble hearing the show).

The Chairman hit on the theme we've been talking about for months - GET INVOLVED! There are so many opportunities, from volunteering on a campaign to get out the vote, or working (and getting paid!) as an election inspector or volunteering for the long haul to becoming a County Committee member. There's more than enough work to go around.

Go sign up at BrooklynGOP.com NOW.

The Chairman also - once again - put out the call for people who have different ideas for party growth to step up to the plate. Everyone isn't in agreement on everything all the time. It was good to see the Chairman encouraging the exchange of ideas. But this is something I've known for a while. Brooklyn GOP Radio is proof positive of that. This show and blog wouldn't be around if it wasn't for the Chairman's open-minded approach to leadership and his trust in Russell and I to run with this idea.

Well, next week we do it all again. Until then, folks!

Challenging "Obamacare": Va. Court Frames The Issues

For those of you who are interested in the debate over the constitutionality of "Obamacare", I encourage you to read Judge Henry Hudson's Decision - the first of what will probably be many opinions offered by multiple courts.

While steeped in the examination of federal jurisdiction and the sufficiency of this legal claim that was the primary issue before the Court, I think that Judge Hudson does a very good job of framing the new legal issues that the Federal Courts will be wrestling with for a while, specifically its discussion of the Commerce Clause.

Happy reading!

Aug. 7: Blakeman, Kone on Brooklyn GOP Radio!

This Saturday's show boasts one of the best lineups ever!

We'll open with Bruce Blakeman, the GOP designee running for unseat Kristen Gillibrand from the U.S. Senate seat she was handed by Governor David Paterson. He'll talk about his campaign, the issues, his opponents and his new ballot line.

By the way, Brooklyn GOP Radio urges you to download Bruce Blakeman's independent petition, makes some copies and get all your friends to sign it. You can turn them in to the Brooklyn GOP (1662 Sheepshead Bay Road, Brooklyn, NY 11235) or to the Blakeman campaign.

We keep the momentum going with Susan Kone, GOP Candidate for Congress running against Rep. Jerrold Nadler. Susan is an attorney who has stepped up for the Brooklyn GOP. Check out Susan's Facebook group Tune in and get to know Susan and the vibrancy she brings to the Brooklyn GOP!

Tune in this coming Saturday for the latest political news and views right here on Brooklyn GOP Radio! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!