Jerry Kassar’s Common Sense: Today’s Conservatives

Ronald Reagan’s 102^nd birthday was last week. Although I was involved in conservative politics a bit before his election in 1980, I came of age during those eight years. In fact a whole generation of young conservative activists can trace their interest to the leadership of President Reagan.

Interestingly, it did not stop with those who were old enough to stamp envelopes, hand out literature, attend rallies or make phone calls for Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984. Many contemporary conservative leaders consider Reagan their inspiration.

And that is what makes Reagan different. The power of his words, the success of his actions and the goodness of his character transcend time. It is why Reaganism became a movement that in turn became a major part of his legacy, a legacy that conservatives fall comfortably back upon when confronted with today’s often-ignorant criticisms of what the right is all about.

Several thousand young conservatives will gather with their older brethren in mid-March at the national Conservative Political Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C. There will be many panels concerning current issues, objectives and possible actions.

The conference was originally developed by Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) in the late 1970s. YAF was the nation’s largest young conservative membership organization at the time, with 70,000 members and supporters.

YAF was succeeded by the Young Americans Foundation which runs many educational programs aimed at presenting conservative thought on college and high school campuses. It also owns and operates the Reagan Ranch, which was the scene of many historic events.

I was honored to serve as a national director and vice chairperson of the New York State group for several years during the Reagan presidency. Needless to say, these were exciting times for me, and ones I will always cherish. Today, the conference is organized by the American Conservative Union (ACU) of which the New York State Conservative Party is the New York affiliate.

This year’s CPAC will highlight local conservative Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis. She will be speaking and participating at a panel that is entitled “Top Ten Under Forty,” which focuses on rising conservative stars.

Considering over 10,000 people are expected at the conference — including numerous governors, U.S. senators and congressmembers, and all prospective Republican Presidential candidates as well as many former candidates — her appearance on the “Top Ten Under Forty” panel is a significant honor.

Locally, Conservative Party State Chairperson Mike Long, Brooklyn Conservative Party Vice Chairperson Frances Vella-Marrone and myself will be in attendance.

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Speaking of today’s conservatives, Bay Ridge Conservative Party leader Liam McCabe has re-organized the Eugene Walsh Conservative Club into the Brooklyn South Conservative Club. The club, which has its roots all the way back to the founding of the Conservative Party in 1962, will be holding an event on the evening of Thursday February 21 at the Dyker Beach Golf Course catering facility.

That night, guest speakers and honorees will include Congressmember Peter King, mayoral candidate Joseph Lhota and Mike Long, who will receive the first annual Eugene Walsh Memorial Award.

Congressmember Michael Grimm, State Senator Marty Golden (who I serve as chief of staff) and Assemblymember Malliotakis are also scheduled to attend. Tickets are $100 per person, which includes a cocktail hour and full dinner.

If you would like more information, contact Liam at 917-932-4869.