May 22 – NH Republican Women’s Summit in Manchester

May 6th, 2010

RNC Co-Chair Jan Larimer Women’s Summit – May 22

NH RNC Chair Phyllis Woods, is pleased to announce that the RNC Co-Chairman, Jan Larimer, will be coming to New Hampshire to participate in a New Hampshire Republican Women’s Summit which is the first such “Mini” Summit held by a state in the country on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the Wedu Conference Center, 20 Market Street, Manchester. It will begin with a luncheon at noon and the program will begin at 1 pm and go through 4 pm.

The Summit is free to all interested Republican women but due to space limitations, please RSVP to Phyllis Woods at parishoner@comcast.net or by calling 603-749-2177 by May 18th to reserve a seat. According to Co-Chairman Larimer, “The goal of the summit is to recruit, register, and train a strong base of women activists and candidates to build the Republican party and portray the GOP as the automatic option for female voters and win elections.”

Phyllis Woods on Annual RNC Meeting

May 6th, 2010

Remarks before the NH State Committee at their Annual Meeting
April 17, 2010

The RNC has had some rough going lately. I won’t deny it, spin it, or sugar coat it. Serious, inexcusable and unacceptable mistakes have been made. I intend to be part of the solution. We’ll fix the problems and the problem maker! I’ve networked and forged alliances with principled conservatives on the committee. We’re determined to resolve our internal problems. We share your concerns and have brought them to the Chairman. We’re committed to ensuring that every donor dollar goes to our core mission of winning elections. You deserve nothing less!

But in fairness we can’t let our problems or the press define us. We’ve had successes and there is cause for optimism. (People are focused on the disaster unfolding in Washington and there’s an “American awakening” building in reaction to the most liberal administration in the history of the Republic.)

After the passage of the Healthcare Bill, the RNC organized a “Money Bomb.” They asked people to donate $40 to take back 40 House Seats and fire Nancy Pelosi! In 24 hours we raised $1.5 million dollars!! People all across the country are rising up and pushing back. They have no stomach for an ideological agenda being forced on them against their will.

Even with Democrats in control of Congress and the White House the RNC has outraised the DNC 9 out of 14 months and we have over 556,000 new first time donors.

The RNC will have the resources needed to elect conservative candidates who believe in the fundamental principles of lower taxes and smaller government that the American people are clearly demanding.

There is ample evidence that Americans are frustrated and dissatisfied with the country’s direction; they’re showing it by electing Republicans! We’ve seen it here in NH where we’ve won 7 out of 8 special elections (due in no small part to the efforts of our fabulous state staff!) but it’s happening everywhere. Besides the races in New Jersey, Virginia, and Massachusetts that you’ve heard about, last year the RNC won 26 out of 37 special elections.

Despite the challenges, the RNC continues to succeed in fundraising, recruitment, and candidate development.

The RNC is dedicated to building a strong victory program. We’re making significant investments in field staff, office space, telephones and computers so our state parties have the infrastructures to win in November. In New Hampshire we will be hiring in-state local activists to lead that victory effort.

As your Committeewoman I’ll continue to be accessible and accountable and remain involved in the unglamorous work of fundraising and grassroots party building here in NH. At the RNC I’ll be serving on the Ethics Committee and the Rules Committee where I’m pledged to work to preserve our first in the nation primary. As a member of this small group of leaders who are dedicated to renovating the party from the bottom up and the inside out, I’m absolutely committed to staying the course. Our success is crucial; the future of our country depends on it!

I think we’re on the brink of a Republican resurgence like we’ve never seen and nothing should distract us from that goal. I am grateful for the honor of representing you on the RNC. Thank you all for the support you’ve shown me.

Phyllis Woods
RNC National Committeewoman for New Hampshire

Phyllis Woods on Resignation of Sean Mahoney

May 6th, 2010

In light of the recent resignation and protest statement by our National Committeeman, I think it’s appropriate that I make my feelings known regarding the events that took place by the RNC that have been in the press. To put it into perspective, a twenty-four year old, mid-level staffer made an imprudent decision to violate policy and reimburse an inappropriate expense for entertainment at a Voyeur club in East Hollywood. She knew better, was wrong to do it, and she paid the price by being terminated immediately. Her actions were a flat out violation of RNC rules and procedures.

The good news is that someone picked up on this questionable expense and because of the transparency which we practice, it was made known and dealt with publicly. There was no attempt to hide, diminish, or excuse such a violation. The funds were returned and an effort was begun to further tighten policies to assure that this would not occur again. Subsequently, additional changes were made as a new Chief of Staff was put in place as well as a new Communications Director who are expected to provide a fresh approach and a different direction for the organization.

The fact that our Committeeman from New Hampshire was the only one of our 168 RNC members to resign his position should not be construed to mean that the rest of the members condone, tolerate, or dismiss such actions. What happened was indefensible and an embarrassment to us all. It should not have happened and we wish it had not happened, but the appropriate response was swift and definitive.

Frankly I think the incident has received far more press than it deserves when compared to the magnitude of the challenge we are involved with in correcting the course of our country. The role of the RNC is to raise funds and elect Republicans and that is our focus and our goal. This has been an unwanted and unnecessary distraction.

Despite the fact that the Democrats control congress and the White House, the RNC has outraised the DNC nine out of fourteen months and has over 370,000 first time donors. March was a record breaking month, raising $11.4 million. The proof has been in the successes we’ve experienced in major races throughout the country and in special elections here in New Hampshire. The RNC played a major and defining role in the Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts races and brought their considerable manpower, resources, and funding to those states. The GOP is now in play in areas that have formerly been Democrat strongholds like California and Nevada.

We are on the brink of a Republican Resurgence the likes of which we have not seen before and nothing should distract us from this mission. All of our energy, time, resources, and attention must be brought to bear to take back control of Congress and put our country on the right path to prosperity and preserving our freedoms and liberties.

I cannot fault anyone for their decision to fight corruption and waste in the way they see fit but as for me, I will stay the course and do the best job I can to represent New Hampshire honorably on the RNC along with Gov. Sununu. We will defend and protect our first in the nation primary and speak out to preserve internal integrity and accountability. I will work from within to advance Republican principles of limited government, personal liberty, and fiscal responsibility. New Hampshire will have a seat at the table and your concerns will be heard, that’s my commitment to you.

Phyllis Woods
Republican National Committeewoman for New Hampshire