05/24/10 Greenwich Resident Tom Tom Foley's Convention Speech

For Immediate Release May 24, 2010 Press Contact: Liz Osborn (203) 998-0773 Tom Foley's Convention Speech Stamford, Conn., -- On Saturday, May 22 Tom Foley's candidacy for governor was endorsed by the Connecticut Republican Party. The text of his acceptance speech is below. "Mr. Chairman, Delegates, Friends, and loyal Republicans: Thank you for the confidence you have placed in me. Thank you for the honor of your endorsement today. Thank you for moving me closer to the opportunity to serve our great state at an important time. Republicans have been blessed this year with excellent candidates. Mike Fedele, Larry DeNardis, Oz Griebel, and Duffy Acevido are all formidable candidates for office. All of them have contributed to the dialogue and all have observed Ronald Reagan's Golden Rule - "Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican." - well, most days anyway. If elected, I will not be serving alone. Alongside me will be a very special person who you will be very proud to have in Hartford. Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to introduce to you the next first lady of the great state of Connecticut - my lovely wife, Leslie. I would like to thank my staff and all the volunteers who have worked unbelievably hard and unbelievably well on my campaign. Justin Clark, the three Chris's, Ben, Courtney, Schuyler, Bill, Melissa, Liz, Diane, and so many others. Thank you for your commitment. I also thank all of you who have supported me today, but particularly those who came on board early and publicly - Jay Berardino, Jen Harvey, Joe Borges, and Sonya Dean to name just a few. Today you have done something special and bold. You have endorsed a candidate for the highest office in the state who has never run for or served in elected office. You have responded to the mood of the electorate for a change in direction and for new leaders who can take us there. This is the way our government was designed to work. Ordinary citizens motivated by civic duty - originally serving part-time and as volunteers - to draft our laws and structure a limited and unassertive government. This is the spirit I will bring to the office of Governor. I have a vision of Connecticut that I am sure we all share: A vision of Connecticut thriving again with good jobs and growth opportunities for everyone from all corners of our state. A vision of Connecticut reclaiming its place as the economic engine of the Northeast - the regional leader in innovation, ingenuity, and industriousness. The place where the Sam Colts, Eli Whitney's and Igor Sikorskys of the 21st century want to build their businesses. A vision of Connecticut where its citizens are not just proud of where we have been, but where we are going. A vision of Connecticut celebrating and leveraging its best assets - its excellent schools and universities, its promising young people, its well-educated and highly skilled workforce, its history, culture, and natural beauty. A vision of Connecticut where its towns and local leaders control their local affairs and are not interfered with by an intrusive state government. A vision of Connecticut working well, in control of its destiny, and the destination of choice for young people. Connecticut can be this place, but it is not today. We have a lot of work to do. Jobs are leaving our state because employers are not made welcome. High taxes, an inefficient bureaucracy, and a bloated, over-reaching state government drain economic energy, stifle innovation, and rob us of opportunity. Our citizens are not happy with where we are. Too many of our young people see better opportunities elsewhere. We can change this. I have a plan for getting us back on track. A plan for getting us heading in the direction of that vision we share for Connecticut. A plan that will work. Don't be discouraged by those who say things have gone too far - that we can't make Connecticut work again. Nothing is impossible. We can get this done. I know we can fix even our most intractable problems with the right plan and the right leadership. We can get Connecticut working again and Connecticut can, once again, set the pace for our neighbors and for our country. But first, we must get elected in November. I make you this pledge today. I will work as hard as I can to win and I will work as hard as I can to get other Republicans elected so we can take back our state, take back our ideals, our dreams, and restore the sound principals that made our state and our country so great. To achieve our vision for the future of Connecticut we need to elect more Republicans to the House, more Republicans to the Senate, and more Republicans to statewide office. Let's not miss this opportunity. It won't be here forever. Let's work together toward victory in November. The time is ours. Our opponents will be singing from our song book. They will be saying they are the party of jobs. They will be saying they are the party that will pare back government, reduce deficits, and clean-up the mess in Hartford. But if we stick to what we are known and trusted for, the voters will not be fooled. We are the party of limited Government. The party trusted to create jobs, economic growth, and opportunity. The party that best provides safety and security for our citizens. The party that protects individual freedoms. And the party that will keep our taxes low. If we stick to our principals and stick together we will win. Our vision of Connecticut will be ours to make real - and we will get it done. When November comes, the voters will not be fooled. They will ask themselves, "Why should I trust a Democrat talking like a Republican when I can have the real thing!" Thank you for your endorsement today. I will honor it and honor your confidence with a victory in November. A victory the Republican Party and the citizens of Connecticut rightfully deserve." Tom Foley for Governor Larry J. Lawrence, Treasurer Approved by Tom Foley PO Box 110384 Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 335-2010 Please send your comments, news tips and press releases to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com