Co-Chairman Josh Findlay went through announcements:
-Team Leader Program (Andrew Laarhoven) has three committees: Fundraising (Chaired by Bryan Cruce), Issues and Awareness (Chaired by Matt Ralston), and Grassroots Campaigning (Chaired by Natalie Stroud).
-Goddard Express Trip
-Chairman Everhart will speak next Wednesday
-See Kristin Bernhard for Dawgs for McCain sign-up
-See Ian Gunn for Dawgs for Life sign-up

Executive Director Greg Wilson introduced Dr. Ralph Reed as the speaker for the night.

Dr. Ralph Reed, was the first executive director of the Christian Coalition and Director of the Southeast Region of George W. Bush’s Presidential Campaign in 2004. He was also Chairman of the UGA College Republicans in the 1980s.

Dr. Ralph Reed spoke to the UGA College Republicans on October 17th, 2008 about his thoughts on the upcoming election:

It will be an extremely close election. The South is Republican, the Northeast Democratic; the nation is still split and both bases are energized.
Reasons why Democrats have the advantage:
1. It is a "Change Election" - people get tired after 8 years
2. Democrats benefit from the "wrong track" mindset
3. The issues benefit the Democrats: for 48% the economy is the bigest issue and most economic concerned voters vote Democratic.
McCain did turn economic issues to his advantage by making it into a tax issue. 66% of top paying taxpayers are small businesses or limited liability corporations that file under the owner’s name and would be taxed under Obama.
The second issue is Iraq/War on Terror - 20-25%
The third issue is health care which benefits the Dems.
4. Turnout rate benefits the Democrats in the electorate. The gap is closing for Republicans but we are still down.

Why can’t Barack close the deal?
1. People want a Democrat but not Obama. He is the most out of the mainstream candidate nominated in the modern era. He has the most liberal voting record in the Senate. He was one of only two members of the Illinois state senate to vote against the death penalty for cop killers. He promotes K-12 sex education and STD avoidance. He opposed the Born Again Infants Protection Act (while in the Illinois State Senate) which passed 98-0 in the U.S. Senate. He supports a tax increase of over $1 trillion. He voted to raise taxes on people with $42,000 salary.

2. He’s going to regret pissing off Hillary Clinton and her supporters.

Palin has energized grassroots Republicans, helped move women into McCain’s caamp, and allowed McCain to borrow the "change" mantra.

Dr. Reed thinks the election will come down to 4 states and if one candidate can win three of those four, he will win the election: VA, CO, FL, OH.
No Republican has been elected without Ohio. Florida, Virginia, and Colorado are all important battle ground states. New Hampshire couuld also affect things.

Q & A:
What can be done to help Rick Goddard (8th District)? He needs Saxby to overperform and strong grassroots. He is the best chance to steal a seat from the Democrats in the country.
Why is VA a battleground? Demographics are changing - influx of "creative class" and federal workers in Northern Virginia. Traditional Republican exburbs are trending Democratic. Obama has also increased turnout among minorities.
VP Analysis: Palin couldn’t be part of the good ol’boy network to be a change agent. Biden doesn’t bring anything to Obama.

Ian Gunn
Secretary, UGA CRs