One of the most intriguing stories of the week focuses on the “10th Amendment Movement” - a systematic reaction to, what some state leaders see, as too much federal intervention. As a nation structured to provide individual states with specific rights, the United States is uniquely designed. However, some leaders feel that the rights originally guaranteed by the 10th Amendment have been impeded by federal regulations. According to FOX News,

“Fed up with Washington’s involvement in everything from land use to gun control to education spending, states across the country are fighting back against what they say is the federal government’s growing intrusion on their rights.”

While succession is surely off the table in all cases, sovereign resolutions have been passed by states seeking greater autonomy.

In other news, perhaps the teleprompter should be given an official administration name. FOX News’ Anne Marie Riha reports that Obama’s infamous teleprompter was blocking Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s face during Obama’s official announcement of her selection. It was not until Sotomayor stepped up to the microphone and spoke that the media were able to get a clear shot.

And after many claimed the Obama Administration was sitting on important information relating to Gitmo detainees’ terror activity following release, the Pentagon has revealed evidence that some terrorists have, indeed, rejoined terror networks following their release. This is a major point for Republicans to remember when discussing national security and the potential/impending closure of Guantanamo Bay.

In other GOP-related news, one of the most pertinent issues surrounding partisan politics is the selection of Supreme Court justices. Republicans have been fearful of Obama’s potential power in choosing liberals to join the High Court. This week, a dose of reality was infused when he selected Sonia Sotomayor. While Obama has called her a bi-partisan choice, this is only a half truth. Gloria Borger explains the following, via CNN:

“Actually, Bush 41 appointed [Sonia Sotomayor] to the court because he had cut a deal with then-New York Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan: The senator got to choose a couple of nominees in New York. His pick: Sotomayor, so Bush recommended her.”

Click here to read about Senate Republican reaction to Sotomayor. One cannot deny she is qualified, but her interpretation of the constitution is the true measure that will define her in the eyes of the GOP.

In GOP reformation news, The Houston Chronicle published an intriguing piece this week about the paths back to power that GOP members are currently debating. The Chronicle sums the party’s issues up as follows:

“After eight years of the Bush presidency and the worst economic slump since the Great Depression, only 22 percent of Americans call themselves Republicans, according to a survey released Thursday by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center.”

Particularly interesting are the two divergent models seen in the south - the Texas Model and the Florida Model:

“The Texas model, embodied by Gov. Rick Perry and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, stresses conservative ideology and strives to present clear philosophical contrasts to Democrats .

The Florida model, embodied by former Gov. Jeb Bush, current Gov. Charlie Crist and retiring Sen. Mel Martinez, believes in outreach to moderates, independents and minorities, and moderation in tone if not always in substance.”

And over at the Huffington Post, Earl Ofari says that Colin Powell should ditch the GOP. Ofari also writes, “Despite his impeccable military credentials, unwavering party loyalty, towering prestige, and diplomatic savvy, Powell always stirred unease, even deep furor in the bowels of most conservative Republicans.” Party loyalty? Ofari, please provide examples of this alleged party loyalty. The military credentials I’ll give you; Powell is surely qualified and has made sacrifices for America, but this has nothing to do with party affiliation or allegiance.

That’s all for now. Stay tuned for more GOP renewal news and information!

With Colin Powell and Rush Limbaugh exchanging blows, Karl Rove said he’d choose Limbaugh if he “had to pick between the two.”  Check out CNN’s coverage of Rove’s comments here.

RENEWtv filmed today!  See episode two below!  Starting June 1st, we’re on live every Monday at 6 p.m. EST.  Stay tuned for topical clips, the launch of the RENEWtv YouTube page and plenty more. Today’s show is co-hosted by Kellen Giuda, founder of Parcbench.com and the NYC TEA Party Organizer!

This is the first in a new series of reports I will issue here on RENEWtv’s interactive portal. The Renewal Report will highlight the best news and information surrounding GOP renewal and the regeneration of our democracy. Please send news tips and pieces for consideration to: submissions@renewthegop.com.

Gallup has released an intriguing poll that shows some important movements and developments within the GOP and America. According to Gallup, “…Americans have inched to the right on a handful of the 15 issues rated, including divorce, use of animal fur in clothing, gambling, and embryonic stem-cell research.” Aren’t these some of the same issues liberals – and Meghan McCain – are urging the GOP to abandon?

In other news, the Young America’s Foundation found that for the 16^th year in a row, the vast majority of America’s colleges and universities invited liberal commencement speakers to speak to (indoctrinate) students. According to YAF, “[Ben Stein's] views on Intelligent Design stirred the faculty at the University of Vermont to the point where Mr. Stein’s invitation was eventually rescinded. The school president decided to host a more “neutral” speaker: Howard Dean.“ Unbelievable. Hope, change, diversity and tolerance, indeed!

And if you care about national security and/or transparency, you’ll be interested to know that HotAir.com reported (based on a NY Times piece) a potential conundrum from President Obama – a man who has incessantly pledged transparency and accountability. Apparently, one out of every seven detainees held at Guantanamo has gone back into terrorism upon release. Some sources say the administration purposely withheld a report containing these details.

Yesterday, a comprehensive health bill was introduced in the Senate. Unlike ObamaCare, this plan would maintain and sustain a competitive marketplace, while giving the American people full power over their health. See what The American Spectator has to say here. If the Republicans want to show capitalism operating in its truest form – and if Americans want to see health care properly reformed, this plan is a step in the right direction.

And Newt Gingrich penned an intriguing piece about Nancy Pelosi. The former Speaker of the House wants her to step down. He writes, “The controversy swirling around Speaker Pelosi isn’t political — she may think it is, other liberal Democrats may think it is, and the media may want it to appear that way. But this isn’t about politics.  It’s about national security.”

The “party of no” label that has been bestowed upon the GOP is beginning to lose its luster.  According to FOX News, following the Republican introduction of two bills in the House, Minority Leader John Boehner said, “President Obama has outlined a responsible strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, and he deserves support from Democrats and Republicans in Congress as our troops, intelligence professionals, diplomatic officials, and allies work to ensure security in the region.”  The move separates Obama from his own party and – importantly – showcases support for movement in the Middle East that will lead to further sustainability. 

And be sure to check out The Moderate Voice’s quote of the week.  It’s a gem.

If we’re going to keep hammering away at Obama’s penchant for deficits, we must also be ready to accept  – then rectify — our own deficiencies. The GOP’s public support deficiency became a bit clearer this week after the release of a new Gallup poll that covers the Party’s losses in detail. According to Gallup,

“Since the first year of George W. Bush’s presidency in 2001, the Republican Party has maintained its support only among frequent churchgoers, with conservatives and senior citizens showing minimal decline. “

Males. Females. Whites. Young people. Midwesterners. The unmarried. College graduates. Low income. Middle income. Upper income. These groups all have one thing in common – they have all shown a decrease in affiliation to the Republican Party between 2001 and 2009.

While the parties were evenly distributed in 2001, now 53% of the nation identifies with the Democratic Party, with only 39% identifying with Republicans. But, there is a silver lining. According to Gallup,

“Aside from education, for which the parties were basically at even strength in 2001, the Republicans’ losses tend to be greater among groups that were not strong GOP supporters to begin with. These include self-identified liberals and moderates, church non-attenders, and lower-income and young adults.”  

In other words — people who weren’t strong advocates of Republican policy to begin with.

Another positive is the unwavering level of conservative allegiance. The GOP has only lost one percentage point (in terms of I.D.) amongst members of this group. It is here, I believe, we need to focus if we want to reclaim the party and stabilize our democracy.  Moderating is not going to appease the solid, conservative base.

Gallup notes that the Party has not lost support since Obama took office and attributes the major decline to the Bush administration’s handling of Hurricane Katrina and the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court.

While the Party is surely in a tough spot, hope is far from lost. The public is already displaying differentiation from President Obama’s agenda. While his approval rating remains high, polls show a gap in his opinion and the notions held by the majority of Americans on several key issues of importance. But rather than focus on these deficiencies, we must look toward rebuilding the tenants of our own party – conservative ideologies that polls show majority support for.

Every week, President Obama gives his weekly address, delivering it on YouTube to an audience of tech saavy Americans. This is a brief message to announce a new segment called “Politispeak,” where Obama’s own words and footage will be fact checked!

Get ready for the truth — and lies — exposed! Remember, we’re looking for your thoughts, perspective and content. Send any and all material to submissions@renewthegop.com!