Greetings All,

Please excuse the late notice on this email but it is written in response to late breaking news that President Obama will be coming to the University of Md. in Prince George's County this Thursday to deliver yet another speech on health care reform.  As best that I can determine this is a last minute decision by the President.  Even my counterparts in the Democrat party appear to have been unaware of the event until late today. 

I believe that the late notice is a deliberate tactic, designed to thwart our efforts to organize in opposition to the bill.  I believe that the administration was shocked by the huge turnout at the 9/12 Taxpayer March On D.C., in opposition to his plans.  And I believe that they are now desperate to counter that bad news with a staged event in support of the President's plan.  

Given the time and location of this event, you can expect the Comcast center to be filled with students who are unaware of the details of the health care bill, the impact of its Trillion dollar price tag on their future, or the failure of the bill to even achieve its core mission of reducing health care costs.  While the timing, venue and audience offers many advantages for the President, there is one major flaw to his strategy.  Its called "the truth".  Everytime the details of his bill have been exposed, or the alternatives to it are discussed, it has been rejected by the informed citizen. 

On Thursday, September 17 we will have an opportunity to tell the truth to the students at the University of Md.  Our goal is to deploy a truth squad that will hand out flyers informing them of the major flaws in the current bill, offer common sense, affordable alternatives that actually reduce the cost of health care insurance, and counter the propoganda of the administration with facts.  All of this activity will take place outside of the Comcast center just prior to the President's speech. 

As usual we are forced to respond in a hurry-up offense mode.  I'm certain that none of you had planned on attending a political event in the middle of a work day.  But this is important.  The President is betting on you being too distracted by work, and other obligations to take the time to voice your opposition to his health care bill.  Only your personal sacrifice will prove him wrong.

If you are interested in making a difference on this issue, please let me know by email.  I will be sending out a 2nd email later today with details on how we will deploy for the event.  For the moment we will be acting on the following information:

What: Health Reform Rally with President Obama

Where: University of Maryland, Comcast Center
1 Terrapin Trail
College Park, MD 20742

When: Thursday, September 17th

Truth Squad Setup: 8:00 a.m.
Doors Open: 9:00 a.m.

Start Time: 11:00 a.m.

Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, so please arrive as early as possible.  Remember, there will be security and parking restrictions so plan accordingly.

Security: All attendees will go through airport-like security and should bring as few personal items as possible. No bags, no sharp objects, no umbrellas, no liquids, no strollers, and no signs will be allowed into the venue.

Parking and Transportation: Parking is extremely limited around the Comcast Center and the use of public transportation is strongly encouraged. The University will provide free shuttle buses from the University of Maryland-College Park Metro Station (Green Line) to and from the Comcast Center starting at 6:00 a.m. until two hours following the event.

I hope to hear from you soon.  Please make the sacrifice.  This issue will decide the future of the country.  Its time to take a stand and make a difference.

Regards,

Mykel Harris, Chair
Republican Central Committee for
Prince George's County