Derek Hankerson on Trump vs. Reagan

Is Donald Trump the return of Ronald Reagan? How are they similar and how do they differ?

Speaking at the Abacoa meeting on Monday, Derek Boyd Hankerson, who was the NE Florida Regional Coordinator for the President in the 2016 election, made the case that they are much more similar than many would admit.

Getting his start in politics for the 1984 Reagan-Bush ticket, he did opposition research for the legendary Lee Atwater. A good start, given that campaign’s 49 state blowout win over Walter Mondale.

Obviously, President Trump is something new in American politics, but he shares with Reagan many characteristics that make both men different from “typical” politicians. Both have roots in the entertainment industry – Trump as producer and star of the Apprentice and many years of beauty pageants, and Reagan as a prolific movie star and television host of “Death Valley Days” and “General Electric Theater”. Both were elected in times when people were calling out for radical change from their far left predecessors. Both were dismissed by the media and other politicians as lightweights who could not win a national election, and both were considered at the same time extreme and simplistic.

The two men shared deep passions and held strong principles and they were persistent in selling their agenda. Both were Democrats before they were Republicans, and both were divorced. On policy, they both favor a strong national defense, protected gun rights, low taxes and fewer regulations. Both believe that America is an exceptional country and would “Make America Great Again”.

Derek then suggested some differences between their presidencies. Trump was a newcomer to politics whereas Reagan had been Governor of California and President of the Screen Actor’s Guild. Significantly in the 36 years between, communications technology has changed enough to provide President Trump an advantage that Reagan lacked – the ability to circumvent the liberal media in a direct way and every day. Trump’s mastery of all types of media, particularly Twitter and cable news, allows him to eliminate the gatekeepers. Furthermore, his showman’s instincts let him “mess up the heads” of his detractors in a way that has never before been practiced.

Derek ended with the goal that we all share – “Trump 2020!”

There were several other speakers at this meeting, including Dawn Witherspoon. Dawn’s husband, a local paramedic, was killed in an auto accident by a drunk illegal immigrant from Guatemala. She told a compelling tale of the considerable resources that are available in the area, particularly Jupiter, to aide illegals, but very little assistance is available for their victims. When her husband’s killer was about to be released by a judge on $5000 bond, to then disappear into the illegal community or leave the country, she reached out to Representative Brian Mast who was able to get an ICE hold on him.

Her story is very timely given the recent news of the death of Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson. He was also killed by a drunken illegal immigrant, who had also been deported multiple times.

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There were also several short remarks from other speakers. Governor candidate Bob White introduced himself. Iris Scheibl spoke about the March election in Palm Beach Gardens that will present 4 changes to the charter – including a weakening of term limits (Vote no on all 4 questions!!). David Caulkett of FLIMEN described for us the upcoming meeting regarding the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. Gardens councilman Matthew Lane spoke about his approach to evaluating city contracts.

Upcoming meetings will include a forum for Governor candidates on April 2, and the Tax Day Tea Party rally in Wellington on 4/15.

Patrick Hedger of Freedomworks at Wellington on March 7

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As Director of Policy, Patrick Hedger manages the Regulatory Action Center at the FreedomWorks Foundation. Patrick previously worked at FreedomWorks from 2012 to 2014 as a policy analyst. Before re-joining FreedomWorks, Patrick served as Policy Director of the group American Encore and as a senior policy analyst at the Charles Koch Institute. In these previous roles, Patrick produced research and analysis on domestic economic policy across a wide range of areas. He also developed policy alternatives and issue campaigns aimed at reversing the intrusion of government in the economy while defending free-market principles. Patrick continues this work at the FreedomWorks Foundation, with a focus on regulation and red-tape.

Education: B.A.: Government and International Politics, George Mason University; M.P.P., George Mason University, School of Public Policy.

Wellington Chapter RSVP:

Patrick Hedger of Freedomworks at Boca on March 6

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As Director of Policy, Patrick Hedger manages the Regulatory Action Center at the FreedomWorks Foundation. Patrick previously worked at FreedomWorks from 2012 to 2014 as a policy analyst. Before re-joining FreedomWorks, Patrick served as Policy Director of the group American Encore and as a senior policy analyst at the Charles Koch Institute. In these previous roles, Patrick produced research and analysis on domestic economic policy across a wide range of areas. He also developed policy alternatives and issue campaigns aimed at reversing the intrusion of government in the economy while defending free-market principles. Patrick continues this work at the FreedomWorks Foundation, with a focus on regulation and red-tape.

Education: B.A.: Government and International Politics, George Mason University; M.P.P., George Mason University, School of Public Policy.

Please RSVP:

Patrick Hedger of FreedomWorks at Abacoa on March 5

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As Director of Policy, Patrick Hedger manages the Regulatory Action Center at the FreedomWorks Foundation. Patrick previously worked at FreedomWorks from 2012 to 2014 as a policy analyst. Before re-joining FreedomWorks, Patrick served as Policy Director of the group American Encore and as a senior policy analyst at the Charles Koch Institute. In these previous roles, Patrick produced research and analysis on domestic economic policy across a wide range of areas. He also developed policy alternatives and issue campaigns aimed at reversing the intrusion of government in the economy while defending free-market principles. Patrick continues this work at the FreedomWorks Foundation, with a focus on regulation and red-tape.

Education: B.A.: Government and International Politics, George Mason University; M.P.P., George Mason University, School of Public Policy.

Please RSVP below.

Derek Boyd Hankerson at Wellington on 2/7

Mr. Hankerson will speak of the vast differences between 1984 and 2016 from 2 perspectives.

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Mr. Hankerson was born in Chicago; however, he grew-up in Prince George’s County Maryland, 15 miles outside the Nation’s Capital has held 3 Presidential Appointments, worked for 3 Presidents and 2 Vice Presidents.

He has been actively engaged in government and politics for 34 years and started his career at Reagan-Bush 1984 Presidential Campaign where at the age of 18 when he first served as staff on Reagan- Bush 84 in the Political Division in Washington, DC and worked with” African Americans for Reagan-Bush.” He has served on every GOP Presidential campaign as staff except Governor Romney and Herman Cain as either the political or advance staff!

To include having served a President Trumps Northeast Regional director responsible for 9 northeast counties in the primary and then sent to St. Lucie county as part of Victory 2016 Field Operations in the general, which was flipped red for the first time while electing congressman Brian Mast and President Trump. In fact, St. Lucie put President Trump over the top in Florida.

Mr. Hankerson is a faculty member, world traveler, who conducts primary research, is a published author who give presentations and lectures on accurate American History including the African-Diaspora and the great migration on Africans in the New World, on Florida’s rich multi-cultural past, international history and presidential politics.
Mr. Hankerson served as Producer of Freebooters Productions, which was an Independent Film and Digital Production Company located in St. Augustine.

Over 15 years in business he created marketing campaigns, produced and co-produced documentary films, educational training and curriculum programs that have expanded education related to the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, the Original Underground Railroad south to Spanish Florida and those indigenous people to the New World.

Mr. Hankerson has been the catalyst connecting St. Augustine and the first coast to Fort Mose, the National Park Service (NPS) Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Project, and the NPS Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.

He has also produced a number of documentaries related to Florida’s rich history and served as the 2 terms Putnam County Tea Party chairmen.
His great, great, grandfather was appointed by President William Howard Taft as a Florida postmaster, and other relatives served as elected officials in numerous states as republicans!

Wellington Chapter RSVP:

Derek Boyd Hankerson at Boca on 2/6

Mr. Hankerson will speak of the vast differences between 1984 and 2016 from 2 perspectives.

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Mr. Hankerson was born in Chicago; however, he grew-up in Prince George’s County Maryland, 15 miles outside the Nation’s Capital has held 3 Presidential Appointments, worked for 3 Presidents and 2 Vice Presidents.

He has been actively engaged in government and politics for 34 years and started his career at Reagan-Bush 1984 Presidential Campaign where at the age of 18 when he first served as staff on Reagan- Bush 84 in the Political Division in Washington, DC and worked with” African Americans for Reagan-Bush.” He has served on every GOP Presidential campaign as staff except Governor Romney and Herman Cain as either the political or advance staff!

To include having served a President Trumps Northeast Regional director responsible for 9 northeast counties in the primary and then sent to St. Lucie county as part of Victory 2016 Field Operations in the general, which was flipped red for the first time while electing congressman Brian Mast and President Trump. In fact, St. Lucie put President Trump over the top in Florida.

Mr. Hankerson is a faculty member, world traveler, who conducts primary research, is a published author who give presentations and lectures on accurate American History including the African-Diaspora and the great migration on Africans in the New World, on Florida’s rich multi-cultural past, international history and presidential politics.
Mr. Hankerson served as Producer of Freebooters Productions, which was an Independent Film and Digital Production Company located in St. Augustine.

Over 15 years in business he created marketing campaigns, produced and co-produced documentary films, educational training and curriculum programs that have expanded education related to the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, the Original Underground Railroad south to Spanish Florida and those indigenous people to the New World.

Mr. Hankerson has been the catalyst connecting St. Augustine and the first coast to Fort Mose, the National Park Service (NPS) Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Project, and the NPS Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.

He has also produced a number of documentaries related to Florida’s rich history and served as the 2 terms Putnam County Tea Party chairmen.
His great, great, grandfather was appointed by President William Howard Taft as a Florida postmaster, and other relatives served as elected officials in numerous states as republicans!

Please RSVP:

FreedomWorks at Boca on Thursday 1/4/17

For over a quarter century, FreedomWorks has identified, educated, and actuated citizens who are enthused about showing up to support free enterprise and constitutionally limited government.

They are not primarily a “think-tank,” content to study the issues and publish papers and reports. FreedomWorks breaks down the barriers between the beltway insiders and grassroots America.

FreedomWorks members know that government goes to those who show up. That’s why they give them the tools to break through the media noise and provide the same access to Washington as the big-moneyed lobbyists.

Preserving liberty depends on all Americans having access to their elected officials—not just special interests. FreedomWorks holds Washington accountable to the citizens that put them in office.

FreedomWorks was originally founded as Citizens for a Sound Economy in 1984. Founded to fight for liberty, they brought together some of the best and brightest minds of the liberty movement. Since then, they’ve expanded their ambitions from a free-market think tank to a service center for the grassroots freedom movement across the whole country.

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Please RSVP:

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Allen Page is the Southeast Director for FreedomWorks. He has been With FreedomWorks for 16 years. Allen works closely with the conservative and liberty minded groups in the southeast. Before joining FreedomWorks, Allen worked in grassroot campaigns for former Rep. Coble, former Senator John East, former Senator Jesse Helms, former Senator Duncan Faircloth and former senator Steve Symms.

Education: B.A,. Elon College

Kathy Hartkopf is a grassroots coordinator for FreedomWorks. She works directly with FreedomWorks activists, educating and empowering them to stand together for lower taxes, less government, and more freedom. Kathy joined FreedomWorks (then Citizens for a Sound Economy), as a grassroots activist in 2000, when CSE formed in her county to help citizens fight an egregious bond referendum.

Education: A.A., Peace College; Graduated Fellow of the Institute of Political Leadership, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and East Carolina University.

FreedomWorks at Wellington on Wednesday 1/3/18

For over a quarter century, FreedomWorks has identified, educated, and actuated citizens who are enthused about showing up to support free enterprise and constitutionally limited government.

They are not primarily a “think-tank,” content to study the issues and publish papers and reports. FreedomWorks breaks down the barriers between the beltway insiders and grassroots America.

FreedomWorks members know that government goes to those who show up. That’s why they give them the tools to break through the media noise and provide the same access to Washington as the big-moneyed lobbyists.

Preserving liberty depends on all Americans having access to their elected officials—not just special interests. FreedomWorks holds Washington accountable to the citizens that put them in office.

FreedomWorks was originally founded as Citizens for a Sound Economy in 1984. Founded to fight for liberty, they brought together some of the best and brightest minds of the liberty movement. Since then, they’ve expanded their ambitions from a free-market think tank to a service center for the grassroots freedom movement across the whole country.

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Wellington Chapter RSVP:

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Allen Page is the Southeast Director for FreedomWorks. He has been With FreedomWorks for 16 years. Allen works closely with the conservative and liberty minded groups in the southeast. Before joining FreedomWorks, Allen worked in grassroot campaigns for former Rep. Coble, former Senator John East, former Senator Jesse Helms, former Senator Duncan Faircloth and former senator Steve Symms.

Education: B.A,. Elon College

Kathy Hartkopf is a grassroots coordinator for FreedomWorks. She works directly with FreedomWorks activists, educating and empowering them to stand together for lower taxes, less government, and more freedom. Kathy joined FreedomWorks (then Citizens for a Sound Economy), as a grassroots activist in 2000, when CSE formed in her county to help citizens fight an egregious bond referendum.

Education: A.A., Peace College; Graduated Fellow of the Institute of Political Leadership, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and East Carolina University.

Pacific Legal’s Mark Miller at Abacoa on 1/2

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PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL; March 12, 2014: Florida attorney Mark Miller, a veteran of business, property rights, and constitutional litigation, has joined Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) as managing attorney with PLF’s Florida (Atlantic Center) office based in Palm Beach Gardens.

Background, Practice Areas and Expertise:
Mark Miller is Managing Attorney for PLF’s Atlantic Center in Florida. Consistent with the Atlantic Center’s mandate to pursue the range of constitutional cases that PLF litigates, Mark represents clients in federal and state cases ranging from property rights, to economic liberty, to other constitutional violations.
He has represented clients before local zoning boards and all the way up to the Supreme Court of the United States. Mark is Board Certified in Appellate Practice by the Florida Bar, one of approximately 168 attorneys in Florida to have earned that recognition as an expert in appellate practice.

Education, Honors and Bar Membership:
After graduating with Honors from the University of Florida College of Law, Mark elbow clerked for U.S. District Judge Henry Lee Adams, Jr., in the Jacksonville Division of the Middle District of Florida, and Judge Emerson R. Thompson, Jr., of Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal. The Stetson Law Review and the Florida Bar Journal both have published his works. Martindale-Hubbell has rated him an AV® Preeminent™ attorney, the highest ranking Martindale-Hubbell offers, and one that reflects the opinion of other members of the Florida Bar about Mark’s ethical standards and legal ability.

Super Lawyers has named him a Florida Super Lawyer for 2014-15 and 2015-16. He is Vice-President of the Martin County Bar Association, founded and chaired the Martin County Catholic Lawyers’ Guild for several years, and has served as a member of the board of directors for a number of charities. The James Madison Institute has named him an adjunct scholar. He is a member of the Florida Bar, the New Jersey Bar, and several federal circuit and district court bars.

Please RSVP below.

November Wellington Picture

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