Republican group wants to be voice of conservatism

Conservative Leaders Announce Creation of Resurgent Republic
Non-Profit Group to Serve as Public Policy Resource

Washington, D.C. (April 28, 2009) – As the White House and Congressional leaders seek to move the country dramatically left, some of America’s most prominent conservative leaders, strategists, academic voting behavior experts and professional pollsters have come together to form Resurgent Republic, an independent, not-for-profit organization that aims to shape the debate over the proper role of government.

Resurgent Republic will promote market-oriented policies, lower taxes and economic growth, and strong national security policies. It will help policy makers, think tanks, interest groups and others advocate for policies that are consistent with conservative principles, and oppose policies that stifle job creation, weaken national security and undermine values that have made America a great country.

Ed Gillespie, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee and counselor to President Bush, and Whit Ayres, a respected public affairs professional with a long track record of helping to influence public opinion, are the original board members.

“Our nation is at an historical juncture and the actions we take today with regards to promoting free market principles will have an impact for a generation or more,” said Gillespie. “Resurgent Republic will serve as a strategic resource for the general public, policy makers and Congressional leaders.”

Resurgent Republic will conduct survey research and focus groups to gauge public opinion about policy proposals under consideration by the White House and Congress, and make survey and focus group results publicly available. In addition to disseminating public opinion data and analyses, Resurgent Republic will sponsor panel discussions on issues featuring members of its various Advisory Boards.

The organization will establish an online presence with www.ResurgentRepublic.com, a website where the public can go to find the latest research and public opinion projects.

Resurgent Republic will release its first survey on Wednesday, with an emphasis on President Obama’s budget.

Resurgent Republic’s Advisory Board consists of some of our most respected and successful leaders including:

The Honorable Haley Barbour, Governor of Mississippi and former RNC chairman;

The Honorable George Allen, former chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC);

The Honorable Bill Paxon, former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC);

The Honorable Vin Weber, former member of the House Republican Leadership;

The Honorable Mary Matalin, former Assistant to the President and former executive director of the Republican National Committee.

The National Survey Research Advisory Board is comprised of professionals who have decades of combined experience in public affairs, including several of the nation’s governors and senators. They include:

Glen Bolger, Public Opinion Strategies;

Linda DiVall, American Viewpoint;

Ed Goeas, the Tarrance Group;

John McLaughlin, McLaughlin and Associates;

Jan Van Lohuizen, Voter Consumer Research.

The Academic Advisory Board is comprised of renowned political and behavioral scientists with a record of research on public attitudes and behavior. They include:

Gary Andres, Ph.D. Research Fellow, American University, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies;

David Brady, Ph.D. Professor, Stanford University, Department of Political Science and Graduate School of Business;

James W. Ceaser, Ph.D. Professor of Politics, The University of Virginia;

William F. Connelly, Jr. Ph.D. John K. Boardman Politics Professor, Washington and Lee University;

James G. Gimpel, Ph.D. Professor of Government, University of Maryland, Department of Government and Politics;

John R. Petrocik, Ph.D. Professor and Chair, University of Missouri, Department of Political Science;

John J. Pitney, Jr. Ph.D. Professor of Politics, Claremont-McKenna College;

Daron Shaw, Ph.D. Professor, University of Texas at Austin, Department of Government.

Contact:
Jim Dyke, 843.722.9670
Jim Dyke & Associates
jim@dykeassociates.com