Editor's note: The following email from Chad Adams came to my inbox this morning. Posted in its entirety.

Dear Republicans,

Christmas is a time to give thanks and the end of a year is a time to reflect. In the hearts and minds of Republicans it should be a time of great enthusiasm and optimism. There is nothing more exciting that optimism. It inspires and motivates, it brings people together, it reminds us why we engage in this great debate to rekindle the fires of freedom that lie within all of us.

The political left in this state and nation has attempted to usurp more personal freedom than at any time in our history. It has done so without regard to public opinion or the Constitution. On healthcare, climate change and debt limits our Congress has turned a deaf ear to the impact on our already struggling economy.

In our own state, outrageous regulations, $800 million in new taxes, multi-million dollar incentive deals gone bad, and massive investigations into potential criminal wrongdoing by our former governor have damaged our economy and out ability to trust government in general and that is our call.

It is imperative that Republicans remind our fellow North Carolinians that our party has is relevant and can make a difference. The Republican Party is not just another party with the same problems. It needs to show our state that it has a vision for the future.

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We've had some disclosure of the discussion to hire Russell Peck as executive director of the NC Republican Party.

According to a message sent this morning by Chairman Tom Fetzer, Peck has been hired with a formal start date of Dec. 1.

Fetzer states:

I am pleased to announce that Russell has accepted our offer and will begin work on December 1. He will join us less than a month after helping to engineer a thrilling victory for Republicans in New Jersey's gubernatorial race this year. Many of you remember Russell from his work last year as North Carolina's Victory Director, during which he built a statewide organization that did a fantastic job in a less than ideal political environment.

Russell has the experience and ability to help lead the NCGOP to victory next year. I'm looking forward to working with him, as I am sure you are as well.

Some are already questioning the combined salary of $200,000 for a full-time chair and a full-time executive director.

So what will be the yard stick? Control of both houses of the state legislature? Reelection of Sen. Burr? Is their a congressional seat that is feasibly in play?

We would love to hear your perspectives on these developments.

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Hall of Fame Winners

1st District - Eddy Browning of Washington County

2nd District - Mayor Abe Elmore of Harnett County

3rd District - Ann Sullivan of Wayne County

4th District - Joyce Cotten of Chatham County

5th District - Andrea Kepple

6th District - Donna Peeler

7th District - Representative Frank Iler of Brunswick County

8th District - Bill Babb

9th District - Iris Jacobson

10th District - Representative Stine Isenhower

11th District - David Sawyer

12th District - Jonnette Powell

13th District - Bill Peaslee

Charles Raper Jonas Award - Governor James Holshouser

J. E. Broyhill Award - Bob Pruett

John P. East Award - Debbie Beatty

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Editor's note: Former NCGOP Chair Frank Rouse sent the following email to a large group of party activists on Monday night.

Highlights of the Central Committee Meeting on Saturday:

In preparing for 2010, the budget was proposed to the Central Committee and then passed by the Executive Committee. Operating revenue and expenses to be balanced equaled a little over $950,000. The larger increases in line items on the expense side occurred in Payroll and Internet Web Hosting and Design. In relation to payroll, Steve Long presented to the Central Committee the position breakdown of: Full-time Chairman - $125,000, Executive Director $75,000, Political Director $50,000 and others for a total payroll of roughly $458,500.

Other notable news: Kieran Shanahan was appointed by the Chairman and approved by the Executive Committee to serve as Finance Director. Mark Stephens has been retained as a Direct Mail consultant and a new direct mail vendor has been contracted.

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Editor's note: Former NCGOP Chair Frank Rouse sent the following emails to a large group of party activists on Monday night.

Expanded Edition, Fetzer violates NC/GOP Plan of Organization

...On Monday Chairman Fetzer sent the following email to some members of the Central Committee.

From: "Tom Fetzer"
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:28:57 -0500
Subject: ED Search

Central Committee-

The ED Search Committee (myself, David Ruden, Wayne King, Phil Strach with Steve Long absent) met today to interview Russell Peck. After interviewing Russell for 2 hours at the culmination of a process that began in September, it is the committee's unanimous recommendation that the Central Committee officially offer the job to Russell Peck (resume attached).

Pursuant to that, I would like to call a conference call of the Central Committee tomorrow at 5:00 PM. Since our Plan of Organization requires 10 day written notice to call a meeting of the Central Committee, our legal counsel Phil Strach recommended that I ask your unanimous consent to call such a meeting.

So, by this email I am asking your unanimous consent that the Central Committee waive the 10 day provision for this meeting only. If anyone objects, simply reply to this email and let me know that by midnight tonight. In that case, we will send out written notification of a conference call meeting on December 3rd.

We feel that time is of the essence because, having just led the successful Victory effort in New Jersey, Russell is in demand and there are other offers for his services. Also, we would very much like to get the ED position filled as soon as possible so we can hit the ground running in the new year.

The members of the Search Committee unanimously ask that you grant this unanimous consent and that you join us for a conference call tomorrow at 5:00 so we can deliberate on this matter. Russell has told us that he is available to start quickly.

We had tried to interview Russell in time to make a recommendation to the Central Committee this weekend, but one of our members was out of town and not available until today.

We hope you will accommodate our desire to conduct this meeting in an expeditious manner.

Thank you for your consideration.

Tom

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The North Carolina Republican Party's 7th Congressional District has launched a new Web site: http://www.ncgop7.com.

Please take a moment to check it out (especially if you live in southeastern North Carolina).

 

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"Senator Hagan is going to have to make a choice. Does she stand with the millions of North Carolina seniors she represents, or will she stand with the Obama-Pelosi crowd who wants to cut senior benefits to pay for their health care experiment?" NCGOP Chairman Tom Fetzer

Raleigh - NCGOP Chairman Tom Fetzer today called on U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-Greensboro) to stand with the people of North Carolina instead of the "Obama-Pelosi crowd" when it comes time for her to vote on health care.

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"For too long now, liberal Democrats in the State Legislature have not been held accountable for their mismanagement of the public trust. On November 2, 2010, they will be held accountable and the citizens of North Carolina will get their voices back." NCGOP Chairman Tom Fetzer

Raleigh - NCGOP Chairman Tom Fetzer kicked off a statewide budget tour this week, leaving little doubt that the ultimate goal is winning a majority in the State House and Senate. "For too long now, liberal Democrats in the State Legislature have not been held accountable for their mismanagement of the public trust" said Fetzer. "On November 2, 2010, they will be held accountable and the citizens of North Carolina will get their voices back."

The date refers to next year's Election Day when every member of the State House and Senate will be on the ballot for re-election. Fetzer believes the recently passed state budget, which raised taxes and cut education funding, is indicative of the arrogance of politicians who have been in power for too long. "To raise taxes $990 million dollars during a recession is unthinkable; but to claim it was done to save education is unconscionable" said Fetzer. "These priorities do not reflect the hard working people of North Carolina and our citizens deserve representation that will speak for their values, not the liberal special interests."

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