Though she can come across as the sweet, grandmotherly type, Lantana' s Rose Baird believes some things are worth fighting for. "I see our Constitution assaulted on so many levels," she said at a Republican gathering Tuesday. "I'm determined to do what little I can do as precinct chair to stop it." Baird is Chair of Republican Party Precinct 419, which includes Lantana and Copper Canyon and she's active in Victory 2010, a grassroots organization rooted in the Denton County Republican Party, but with values closely aligned with the Tea Party movement sweeping across many large areas of the country. She works with some equally energized volunteers, meeting on the theme, "The Road to Victory Begins on the Front Porch." The group has a public meeting every second and fourth Tuesday at Andrews Restaurant in Argyle, where citizens from around the area meet to do what they can to influence Congressional and Legislative races this fall to ensure a Republican majority.
    On other weeks, Baird meets with other precinct chairs under the leadership of Jana Inge, area leader for Argyle, Bartonville, Lantana, Copper Canyon and surrounding areas, to plan actions and meetings. About 25 people showed up at Andrews Restaurant on Tuesday for dinner and an inspirational speech from Mike Murphy, Denton County volunteer director for Victory 2010. Coming from Frisco to speak to the gathering, Murphy insists that the stakes are high, even in staunchly Republican Denton County. "Our republic is in danger," Murphy told the gathering. "Our way of life is under assault from within and without." If Republicans can take control of the U.S. House of Representatives or U.S. Senate, they can slow and begin to reverse the expansion of federal spending and government control, Murphy said. He called on conservatives to talk to their neighbors and make sure everyone is registered to vote. He notes that Denton County's population is growing and with redistricting coming up, soon will have even greater legislative clout. He said his own city, Frisco, is the fast growing city of more than 100,000 people in the United States.
     "We have 360,000 registered voters in Denton County. We need to register 40,000 more by November," Murphy said. With Texas economy flourishing, Denton County should be adding population and voters, he said. "The most important job in politics is the precinct chair," Murphy said. He noted that when presidential candidates go to Iowa and New Hampshire, they want to see and meet with the local leaders who know and listen to the voters of their neighborhoods. Precinct chairs organize areas with neighborhood captains and block captains who knock on doors to educate voters, help them register to vote, if they are not already, and make sure they have plans and transportation to vote. While few Republicans see much danger for Republican incumbents locally, they are looking at opportunities to help candidates in Dallas and Tarrant County win districts currently held by Democrats.
     During discussions, the conservative activists said they are seeking to drum up support for Pastor Stephen Broden, who is challenging longtime Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson in a Dallas County race. Members were encouraged to participate in precinct walks for the candidate in Dallas and DeSoto on Saturday or attend a barbecue to raise funds for Broden on Saturday night in Fort Worth. Baird encourages people wanting to actively participate in conservative causes to contact her at rose.m.baird06@gmail.com. She's looking for people to serve as block captains and neighborhood captains. She's also well informed on upcoming events and opportunities for Republicans to meet candidates and become more educated about their causes and what they can do to make a difference.