INTRODUCING: RON JOHNSON

On Saturday, May 22, 2010, a bombshell was dropped on the Wisconsin State Republican Convention in Milwaukee, and the explosion came from Ron Johnson, the conservative who'd thrown his hat into the ring just 5 days before. The Oshkosh businessman won the endorsement of the Party after 64% of the delegates had been wowed by the whirlwind courting affair with him in the days prior, all but ensuring the nation that he would be the candidate who could unseat Russ Feingold on November 3, 2010.

Dick Leinenkugel, the big name Wisconsin beer magnate who had been in the race for nearly 6 weeks, promptly dropped out prior to the vote and gave his support to Johnson. David Westlake still hung on; and Terrance Wall, the other Republican challenger, stepped aside a few days after the convention closed. So who is Ron Johnson?

Ron was born in Mankato, Minnesota on April 8, 1955. He moved to Minneapolis when he was 10-years-old and at an early age he started mowing lawns and shoveling driveways to earn money. He delivered papers, caddied at the local golf courses, and at one time even helped bale hay on his uncle’s dairy farm. He took his first official job the age of 15, as a dishwasher at a Walgreen’s Grill. He paid his own taxes and became the night manager before he was 16.

He met his wife, Jane, during his senior year of high school and attended college at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, living at home and paying his way the old-fashioned way, working full-time in order to pay for all of his college expenses. When he graduated in June 1977 with a BSB in accounting, he had $7,000 in the bank, and he married Jane on August 20th of that year. He took a job out-of-school as an accountant at a company called Josten’s a Manufacturer of school products: class rings, diplomas, Announcements, caps & gowns, all the while attending night school to earn his MBA. By 1979 he had completed all of the course work for his MBA except for his final thesis when another opportunity called. His brother-in-law, Pat, who had started a pallet manufacturing business in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and had the bold notion to convert the complex into a plastic sheet extrusion company. He invited Ron to help start the transition with him.

So in 1979, Ron and Jane moved to Oshkosh where Ron helped his brother-in-law start the business they called PACUR. Ron was the lone accountant and co-machine operator, trading 12 hour shifts with Pat during first year with the company until they could train other operators. Over 31 years, PACUR has grown from supplying a single customer of specialty plastic to the largest producer in the world. The majority of their plastics are used in medical device packaging and high tech printing applications. An American company in the proudest tradition, PACUR still likes to say: “We don’t export jobs, we export plastic.”

Ron and Jane’s first daughter, Carey, was born with transposition of the Great arteries. Ron then learned first-hand the great innovation and miracle technology available in the greatest health care system in the world. In having overcome her initial challenges and become a successful young woman, Carey, also has been witness to the birth of her siblings Jenna and Ben. As Ron and Jane’s raised their family, Ron took over sole-proprietorship of PACUR in 1997 and its growth continued to skyrocket.

Having the capital to help in sustaining a community, tax records recently released by Johnson campaign show that Ron and Jane have donated $2,195,495 to charity since 2005. RON JOHNSON

I interviewed Ron just recently at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair in Chippewa Falls and he was able to outline for me his campaign vision and the issues that were important to him in his fight to oust Russ Feingold.

1. YOU DECLARED YOUR CANDIDACY FOR THE US SENATE ON MAY 17 OF THIS YEAR. WHAT FACTORED INTO YOUR DECISION TO RUN AGAINST RUSS FEINGOLD?

What I always say is the final straw for me is when they passed the health care bill because I do view that as the greatest single assault on our freedom in my lifetime. I think that is true. I think it will lead to rationed care. I think it will dramatically to lower quality of care and we are not going to have the types of choices we have in terms of getting healthy care. I realize that our health care system isn't perfect but it is the finest health care system in the world. There is a reason that the Premiere from Newfoundland came down to America to receive his heart surgery. There are all kinds of news reports about people with brain tumors, who can't get MRIs in Canada, and they come to America. We are going to lose that. I supply into the medical industry. I know that America is the engine for medical innovation. This is where the advancements in medicine largely occur. This is where treatments are advanced, this is where medical devices are invented, this is pharmaceutical life-saving drugs are invented and when we harm that system, when we destroy that system, medical innovation is going to come to; maybe not a grinding halt, but it is not going to advance as we have grown accustomed too and the way that Americans want it.

2. YOU HAVE RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS FOR 31 YEARS AND MADE IT EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL. WHAT KINDS OF PERSPECTIVES AND QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU BELIEVE THIS WILL HELP BRING TO THE US SENATE?

Well when you do run your own business for 31 years, certainly what I've gotten out of it was an appreciation for the power and the wonder of the free market system. If are going to have a healthy economy, if we're going to continue be the society that has 5% of the world's population and 25% of the world's goods, that’s because of freedom and the free market system. You need to have an appreciation of that. You need the perspective of somebody who understands that is what made America great.




Ron and Scott Walker, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate


3. WHAT WOULD YOU DESCRIBE AS RON JOHNSON'S CORE PRINCIPLES?

The other aspect of the health care bill is that it will add to the deficit, I mean it will not add dimes, it will add trillions. The example I always use is, you know, when they first passed Medicare. They estimated out 25 years in 1990 and said it was going to cost 12 million dollars, it cost 111 million dollars or almost 10 times the original number. So I think this health care bill will blow up an already broken budget. As conservatives, we didn't like seeing 2-, 3-, or 4-hundred billion dollar a year deficits. Now we're talking 1.5 trillion and we're talking a national debt of 13 trillion dollars, it is simply unsustainable and the career politicians like Russ Feingold have known this. They have known for decades and they have done nothing to solve other than to spend more money and to incur more debt, which is going to make it more difficult for us ever to solve these problems. The long and short of it, is the health care bill, in terms of assault on our freedom as well as what represents as far as worsening our already broken budget and at some point in time, people like me, people in the private sector have to take our perspective to Washington and actually take with them the desire to actually fix these problems. On the Military, people who serve in our Military over the generations, they are our finest and they deserve our support in long-term. The number 1 priorty of governments, the number 1 reason governments are formed; and you can go back to the caveman days, they got together to protect the clan, it was for protection and so the number 1 goal, the number 1 responsibility of our government is the defense of our nation, protect the people, securing our borders so that's where I stand in terms of the Military. It's one of the few things that government does well, because it has to, because it is our number 1 priority. In terms of social issues, I was just endorsed by the Wisconsin Right-to-Life. I do believe in the culture of life, I just do; Russ Feingold, unbelievable that a guy would vote for partial-birth abortions, that I find a particular barbarity. Certainly we need to do away with that as a really good, solid first step. I'm a very traditional human being and believe that a marriage is between a man and a woman - period.

4. SOME GRASSROOTS CONSERVATIVES ARE SUSPICIOUS ABOUT YOUR LATE ENTRANCE INTO THE RACE. CAN YOU DESCRIBE TO ME THE KIND OF CONSIDERATIONS YOU WENT THROUGH BEFORE DECIDING TO FULLY COMMIT TO THIS SENATE RUN?

Let me give you the quick history. I never even seriously thought about his. When I gave my TEA Party Speech in October, it wasn't because I was thinking about entering politics; after that speech, people were coming up to me and saying, "Hey, that's a really good speech, someone like you oughta consider running." I didn't even think about it really, until they passed the health care bill, and then all of the sudden those little comments made me think, "Well maybe someone like me should, because at some point in time someone like me has to get off of the sidelines in order to address these problems." I didn't even mention this to anybody until January 22nd during a chamber meeting and then it takes a couple of months to kind of start talking to people and set up meetings. What got me an endorsement, there is no conspiracy, what got me an endorsement I believe is before I decided to run I went and talked to talk radio hosts. I heard the way they weren't treating the current crop of Republican contenders very kindly and so I wanted to see what their reaction to me would be to me. I did meet with Charlie Sikes and before I went there I took copies of speeches I had given, the TEA party, and a Lincoln Day Dinner keynote address. Charlie, apparently, we got along pretty well, and then he liked those speeches to the point to where we read them on air for 16 minutes and we had that podcast and so we used that podcast before the conventions. We sent it out to the county chairs, we got it in the hands of delegates, and then for 2 days at the convention; I didn't set the rules I mean the vote was already scheduled for Sunday so we had Friday and Saturday for me to meet with delegates and I talked until I was hoarse, from 1:30 in the morning Friday and 1:30 in the morning on Saturday and I talked to a lot of people who had already heard the message, who had already heard my speeches read. Not only did we send out podcasts of those speeches but we sent out copies of those speeches, you know links, because we can use the Internet these days and so when we won that convention, people knew my message and I viewed that endorsement far more as an endorsement of my message than of me. Because, hey, I know I'm pretty new on the scene. The delegates there, a lot of them did meet me and I always ask people as I am on the campaign trail now, "I can't talk to everybody. If I've conveyed my character to you, if you're convinced, and you believe that I am sincere about wanting to fix these problems, sincere in my ideas and beliefs in those speeches I actually wrote, then spread the word," and I think those delegates in that convention did a good job of spreading the word.




Ron, his wife and daughters (left), with former Wisconsin Lt Governor Margaret Farrow and son Ben (right) at the State Convention

And that's what I'm relying on here in the State of Wisconsin during this campaign. I'm meeting up, I'm traveling all over, I am working hard. I am talking to as many people as possible. If somebody comes up to me now, they're seeing my TV ads, and before I get up to them they're saying, "Hey Ron Johnson, you've got my vote!" , the first thing I say is I thank them sincerely for that support and I say, "Help me get a hundred more." Because that's what's going to be required. We need the level of involvement, and commitment, and grassroots support and ground game unlike conservatives have ever done, because it's that important and I think people realize that. And the encouraging thing as I have gone about the state is that I don't if you're a Democrat, independent, a TEA party guy, or Republican people are just as concerned about the direction of this country than I am. They realize that there is something different going on here. This is whole magnitude of spending and debt unlike we've ever seen before and it is simply not sustainable so I've got a great deal of hope that something pretty good is going to happen this next election.

5. SUCCESS IN THIS RACE DEPENDS LARGELY ON TAKING THE MASK OFF OF RUSS FEINGOLD. WHAT ARE YOU AND YOUR CAMPAIGN DOING AND GOING TO DO TO EXPOSE WHO HE IS AS A LEFTIST AND SOCIALIST?

First of all, let me say, I agree that Russ Feingold is a very politically left person; he is as liberal as they come and he has an 18-year record now and people do know; it's not just you and me, that realize that when he has bucked his party is when it doesn't count. You know he'll buck his party on this finance reg. bill because he knows he is in deep trouble and he has an election ahead but when his party has needed him, and from my standpoint, yeah I'm running, but as an American citizen all I need to know about Russ Feingold is he voted for the health care bill, he was the 60th vote on that, and he voted for the stimulus, he was the 60th vote on that. That's all I need to know; that right there is damage enough, I don't need to know any more about the guy, I don't need to know what he prior to that. He voted the 862 billion dollar stimulus bill that already costs about 1 trillion with interest, that has done nothing, and 3 days before he voted on it he issues a press release saying that it would create 2.5 million jobs in its first year, 9 million jobs after 3, and that should show the people in Wisconsin this guy doesn't have a clue about what it really takes to create jobs. It isn't government, it isn't government spending, it isn't sucking money out of the private sector and turning it over to the government. And you're basically propping up states other than Wisconsin. That's one thing Wisconsinites have to realize is that when they take this money, when our Federal tax dollars go to Washington, it goes to California, it goes other places; you know we only get 86 cents of the dollar back from the federal taxes we give out to all of these other local and State governments and they're blowing it. And again, those aren't creating long-term sustainable jobs that actually do provide tax revenue and actually do create wealth and success and drive an economy.

Independence Day 2010

(As was done last year), we want to wish you and yours a Happy Independence Day!!

May God continue to bless our great nation!



"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." - Thomas Paine


"Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the Democrats believe every day is April 15th." - Ronald Wilson Reagan

BIDDING A TURNCOAT GOOD-BYE

BY SCOTT SCHNEIDER

Recently, the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans (WICR) found themselves stabbed in the back by one of their own, when outgoing chair Lora Rae Anderson slammed the Republican Party, claiming they were not inclusive enough of more liberal-minded young people, then promptly bolting for the Democratic Party only one month after she left her position as WICR leader. WICR political director Patrick Testin, as well as newly-elected WICR chair Charlotte Evans had a few words to say to Lora Rae and to all Republicans who may have found their faith in the College Republicans shattered due to Lora's actions. Here is Patrick's WICR official press release regarding the matter:

Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans: College Republicans bid Anderson farewell
5/26/2010

STEVENS POINT, WI: On Friday May 21st, former Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans Chairman Lora Rae Anderson left the Republican Party to join Mike Tate and his cohort of “liberal attack dogs” in the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Anderson recently landed a spot on MSNBC for a publicity stunt stating that she left the Republican Party because the party was ignoring the more “liberal-minded” young members.

While it is unfortunate that the former state chair Anderson has radically shifted her views, WICR is proud to stand for young conservatives. WICR chapters have seen their memberships increase. Over the past year, more and more people have rejected the liberal policies coming out of Madison and Washington D.C. and we expect to see more young people join WICR. Anderson herself stated in May 2009 as she addressed the Republican Party that “most College Republican chapters are bigger and more active than Democratic chapters . . . College Republicans are persistent, strong, committed, moral characters” and that “Republicans are some of the hardest workers I know, and Democrats are some of the most agitated people I know.”

Since that speech, however, she has slowly moved to the left and has embraced many liberal ideologies that have put her at odds with many in the party. Last week, Anderson issued a statement and had a press conference with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin where she declared, “The health care reform bill allows young adults like me to be carried on our parents health insurance until we’re 26…I’m not looking for a government handout. I just want to get my life started on the right foot.”

The majority of Americans, however, do not support the liberal health care mandate and are in line with Anderson’s statement on September 8, 2009 where she said, “thanks for not paying attention to those who don’t agree with you, Mr. President” when commenting on the fact that Republicans had real solutions to the healthcare crisis without getting Americans into a massive amount of debt. While the DPW and MSNBC have latched onto Anderson’s newly developed extreme views, the growing College Republican chapters do not want the government to leverage their futures and bury them under debt.

Much like Senator Specter, Anderson has shown she is far more concerned about her own self-interests and is willing to drastically change her principles for personal gain. We just hope that Anderson’s selfish media grab isn’t a condition for paid employment with Mike Tate and the DPW. Patrick Testin, political director of WICR, states that “we do find it interesting that in Mike Tate’s blitzkrieg to get Anderson in front of a camera, he and the rest of DPW have failed to do their homework on Anderson, who has a history of saying controversial things on social media sites.” On September 24, 2009, Lora Rae Anderson posted on Facebook that she “thinks: (3rd district Congressman) Ron Kind is a [censored].” On September 8, 2009 Anderson stated she believes Planned Parenthood are “disgusting racists”. Matt Rossetto, vice chair of WICR said, “Statements like these should suit Anderson well if she is to have a future in DPW under Mike Tate’s leadership, who has proven time and time again he is willing to use tasteless racial politics.”

WICR wishes Anderson the best of luck in her future. Meanwhile, WICR will continue to move forward in promoting conservative values and principles. Chairman Charlotte Evans stated, “While it is a pity that my predecessor left the party, it is evident that big government is not a solution to her problems. We are on the verge of a Republican revolution similar to 1994 that rejects the growth of the government and its out of control spending, which is why we are encouraging students to sign the national College Republican ‘Don’t Put It On Our Tab’ petition.” WICR will unite to recruit, train, mobilize, and engage college-aged students that support fiscal and individual responsibility to elect conservative Republicans in November when the great state of Wisconsin turns RED in 2010.

Contact: Patrick Testin
Email: wicrpolitico@gmail.com
Phone: 715-412-1922

HAWAII SPECIAL ELECTION SHOWS THE POWER OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN.

BY SCOTT SCHNEIDER

The Republican Party may have narrowly missed the chance to send shock waves through the nation last week by not being able to take the Murtha open seat in the Pennsylvania race but they have renewed vigor after taking the open seat in the Hawaii on Saturday night and Republican women may have had a huge hand in it. Charles Djou took the formerly Democratic seat with 39.5% of the vote after Colleen Hanabusa and Ed Case split the opposition vote and failed to combine for 60%. The seat, which opened up after Rep. Neil Abercrombie's retirement from congress presented a huge opportunity for Republicans to score a victory in what has been one of the biggest Democratic strongholds in the nation, and squarely in the district where President Obama spent a part of his childhood. And what may have led them over the top didn't necessarily involve the traditional underpinnings of a GOP campaign. The Federation of Republican Women likely played a huge role in helping to put Djou over the top.

"Our women in the ground were very involved in the Djou campaign," National Federation of Republican Women president Sue Lynch told me at the Wisconsin Republican State Convention in Milwaukee on Sunday. "In fact, Mrs Djou (Stacey Kawasaki Djou)is a member of the Federation in Hawaii."

Late last week, Lynch put out a YouTube video calling women to action for both Tim Burns and Charles Djou campaigns.

"If you're willing to help us make calls, send a check, or even be deployed to Pennsylvania to help Tim, that would be great," Sue remarked. "We need to send a message to the Democrats of what's to come in November and with your help we can do that."

It's often said that behind every great man, there is an equally great woman and though the Burn's race in Pennsylvania fell short, the Djou race in Hawaii District 1is a shining example of how much Republican women, both young and old have begun to shape the face of modern-day elections in conservative America. Long gone are the days where man's better half in the GOP were simply relegated to backrooms where they stuffed envelopes, made phone calls, and arranged baked cookies on a silver platter. Today's Republican woman is out front and center, running campaigns, running for campaigns, and facilitating the outcomes of those campaigns. They bring vigor and organization, as well as a protective passion and zeal to their candidates that only comes from the maternal instinct for protection of children, God, and country that naturally runs so strongly in all of them. The results can be seen in the increasing numbers of women who are rising up through the ranks of grassroots leadership, campaign and organizational staffing, county and State committees, as well as those who are actually running for State and National office. As of this election cycle, 112 Republican women are running for congressional office according to the RNC and strong female candidates like Mary Fallin of Oklahoma and Carly Fiorina of California are joining the ranks of Michelle Bachman and Sarah Palin who have already made their mark along with several others as this new kind of strong, conservative feminist woman who working and toiling, taking on the slings and arrows of the pioneer to bring about a new guard outside of the good ol' boy's club.





Carly and Mary, the new faces of GOP women.






Such women, I believe, aren't at all in competition with or opposed to men's leadership roles in the Republican Party but rather compliment and enhance those roles and fortunately they've been able to shed the bonds of yesteryear because as far as I'm concerned they can only be assets to the Party.

"The good news is that we have a Republican woman candidate over there as well," Lynch also informed me. "Her name is Ramsey Wharton running for a congressional seat and so we are going to be watching that one real close and making things happen there as well."

Ramsay Wharton is a former news anchorwoman who is running for the 2nd District seat in Hawaii. Indeed, another strong woman candidate who seems to be heading up a growing list of strong women candidates in the 2010 election cycle on the GOP side. It's a foregone conclusion the NFRW and it's state chapter in Hawaii will be sending all of it's forces this summer and fall to help secure another victory in a deep blue state.

CR's HELP MAKE STATE CONVENTION A ROUSING SUCCESS.

With headline speakers Karl Rove, Tim Pawlenty, and Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans were among nearly 1,700 attendees to one of the largest State of Wisconsin Republican Conventions in recent memory. The group, consisting of nearly 35 members, trickled into the Hyatt-Regency Hotel in downtown Milwaukee, throughout the day Friday, May 21 but a core group arrived early in the morning Friday to help set up for the festivities and then along with others worked into the afternoon assisting candidates, promoting their campaigns and agendas. The main event on Friday evening was the chairman's reception held at the historic Harley-Davidson Museum. Celebrated Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty addressed a raucous crowd in the packed Rumble Room. Ryan talked about the insanity of health care reform and the Democrat's budget and fiscal messes while Governor Pawlenty spoke about similar issues and inspired those in the crowd to commit themselves to core values of fiscal conservatism. Soon after, shuttle buses provided rides back to the Hyatt where hospitality suites opened up for the remainder of the evening.

Convention started in earnest early Saturday morning and Charlotte Evans, the new WICR chair, spoke to the 1000 plus delegates in the Frontier Airlines Center, assuring them that the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans were thoroughly and completely committed to the cause of bringing the State of Wisconsin back to Republican control in 2010. Wisconsin Republican Party Chair Reince Priebus addressed the crowd about the importance of uniting together to elect GOP majorities and clean up after the Democrat's failing policies. The high point of the convention that morning was the official Party endorsement of Scott Walker in the gubenatorial race. Scott won the endorsement over his closest challenger, former congressman Mark Neumann, by an overwhelming percentage setting the stage for the State Party to throw it's weight behind his campaign to defeat Tom Barrett, the hand-picked successor to governor Jim Doyle on the Democrat side. The rest of the convention was a long, drawn-out process with several votes and re-votes to make party endorsements in two crowded, multi-candidate Statewide races; one being Lt Governor and the other being the Senate race against stalwart Democrat Russ Feingold.

Perhaps the highlight of the entire convention occurred Saturday night during the Chairman's Banquet where Karl Rove was introduced as the keynote speaker. In the, hot and packed standing-room only venue, 600 of the convention followers heard the Architect of the George Bush 43 ascendancy give over an hour-long speech about the pressing issues of the 2010 election cycle, as well as some of the amazing experiences he has had in lifetime of giving speeches.

"And if you don't believe you go talk to the man who figured this all out," Rove said after introducing in detail, the major shenanigans in the health care bill. "His name is Paul Ryan."

The crowd rose to it's feet.

"The principle they forgot when it came to health care was this," he continued. "The American people pay attention. We're not that dumb. We're not that stupid. Think about this. If you go and take a look at the polls from January, February, and March of last year people by a margin of 2 to 1 supported health care reform. They thought it was a good idea, 'Yea, let's explore. We need to improve our system.' But then we started reading and watching. The President kicked off on March 5 of last year a 51-week drive for national health care. He gave 58 speeches, 2 nationally-televised addresses to the nation. He had a 59-41 margin in the Senate, he had a 255 to 178 in the house and this may shock ya, I know there are a lot of idealistic young people in here but the national media is sorta liberal and didn't challenge him. And guess what happened! People educated themselves, they talked to the doc down the street, they talked to the nurse, they talked to the hospital administrator, they talked to the drug saleswoman, they talked to the pharmacist. . .they educated themselves about it. By August of last year we were on fire and by the time it came around to the vote if you take all of the polls taken in the couple of weeks leading up to the vote, it was about 38% favoring bill presented by Obama and the Democrats in congress and 60% opposed and the strongly opposed outnumbered the strongly supported by 2 to 1. That's because the American people educated themselves."

Rove then completed his speech with a touching story about his experiences with wounded and fallen soldiers in the Military and in particular one individual soldier who had been shot 8 times, was in the process of having his face reconstructed, and was now more than willing to go back to Afghanistan for yet another tour of duty.

The convention wrapped up Sunday afternoon, after an endorsement of recently-announced candidate Ron Johnson in the Feingold Senate race, a long half day of votes, and a kick-off campaign rally by Walker and Johnson, weary delegates finally departed for home and while some of the College Republicans stayed around to help clean up after the festivities, many took after the weary convention-goers and slowly left Milwaukee, bringing their renewed passions back to home cities to help turn the tide in the State and national legislature.

OBAMA ADMININSTRATION GETS A CLUE ABOUT MIRANDA RIGHTS FOR TERRORISTS?

It seems reality has slapped Attorney General Eric Holder alongside the head. In response to the foiled Times Square bombing plot, Holder earlier this week stated that the Obama Administration was looking in to modifying its previous stance regarding the use of Miranda rights for suspected terrorists. Apparently, there's something about a couple of near-disastrous terror strikes on the US homeland that can persuade even the most terrorist-coddling commander-in-chief and his trusty judicial branch sidekick that giving Al-Qaeda/Taliban-trained operatives the option to "clam up" while being arrested for suspected or attempted acts of homeland Jihad may not be the most effective way to deter and combat terrorism on both US soil and abroad.

According to the Politico from May 10:

“I think we also want to look and determine whether we have the necessary flexibility — whether we have a system that deals with situations that agents now confront. … We’re now dealing with international terrorism,” Holder said.


“I think we have to give serious consideration to at least modifying that public-safety exception [to the Miranda requirements]. And that’s one of the things that I think we’re going to be reaching out to Congress… to come up with a proposal that is both constitutional, but that is also relevant to our times and the threats that we now face.”

So the cabal government officials who have threatened to practically expose everything the CIA has done with water boarding, extolled the virtues of giving citizen's rights to non-citizen Al-Qaeda killers and treating them like ordinary criminals, repeatedly apologized for America in European and Middle Eastern countries, and offered to talk to Iranian President Ahmadinejad without preconditions may have finally realized that hamstringing potential terrorist investigations by cutting off the interrogation, may not be such a great thing. It's funny what happens when a President and members of his cabinet who approach the War on Terror with anti-American, Marxist ideals and things happen in the real theatre of that War that totally and completely disprove and discount the elitist idealism.

“The [Miranda] system we have in place has proven to be effective,” said Holder, who has drawn criticism for administering the self-incrimination warning to Shahzad, a recently naturalized American.


He told the Senate Judiciary Committee in April that “the giving of Miranda warnings does not necessarily mean that the information flow stops. I think quite the contrary. What we have seen over this past year with regard to Zazi, Abdullah Mutallab, Headley, all of whom were given Miranda warnings. The information flow was substantial. "

Oh really? If Miranda warnings were so darned effective, then how did suspected bomber Faisal Shahzad come so close to hatching the plot in the first place and how did he come so close to leaving the country after it was foiled? The entire theory that Shahzad acted alone was quickly thrown out the window soon after his arrest when it was "discovered" that the Taliban in Pakistan, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, were fully behind the planning and attempted implementation of the plot.

Again, the Politico:

Eric Holder, making his first Sunday show appearance as Attorney General, told ABC’s Jake Tapper on “This Week” that investigators have “now developed evidence that show that the Pakistani Taliban was behind” last weekend’s attempted bombing of Times Square.

If the investigations were going so well and the Miranda warnings were effective, then A) Why did the Administration not fully realize the threat from the Pakistani Taliban? B) Why change the edict in the first place?

What it looks like to me is that a group of acting cast members led by Obama and Holder fully embraced the notion that if we just play "nice" with the terrorists and show the World how "just" we are by keeping their best "constitutional" interests in mind that we'd completely placate radical Islam's and therefore, the Muslim world's, unjustified hatred of us and their insatiable thirst for violence against us. And now after a couple of near-scares and the possibility of this philosophy putting them on the receiving end of anger and blame in the event of a successful terror attack, they are scurrying to loosen the shackles in which they've handcuffed themselves. I call it "foot-in-mouth governing"; the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants change on-the-fly executive-ship that occurs after the notion sets in that, "oops, we got lucky" and "we'd better fix this or else we won't be so lucky next time,"; the lessons learned by a naive administration.

Now if only they all could have the same revelation about their philosophy of trying terrorists in civilian courts instead of Military tribunals.

CRs REPRESENT MIDWEST AT CLUB 100 REAGAN RANCH RETREAT

Three Wisconsin CRs represented the college campus conservatives at this year's Young America Foundation Club 100 Reagan Ranch Retreat held near Santa Barbara, CA from Thursday April 29 through Saturday May 1, 2010. Bobby Hamill and Jacob Kampen, of UW-Eau Claire; Charlotte Evans from Marquette University were all participants in the Club 100 event, part of a group 15 of the most active campus conservatives in nation as awarded by the Young America Foundation. http://www.yaf.org/Club100.aspx

"Essentially what it is, it is for those top students in the nation who are active with Young America Foundation throughout the year," Bobby Hamill said of the program. "By hosting different speakers or putting on different events such as 9/11 Never Forget, Freedom Week, No More Che Day, and other events that the Young America Foundation holds. So they have a point system and those students who have 100 points or more get awarded with a trip out to California that Young American Foundation provides for and it has a whole bunch of different events."

Organized primarily by Young America's Foundation Vice President Patrick Coyle, the first event of the three days was an overnight stay at the cabins in the El Capitan Canyon, where the gathering enjoyed a barbecue and were later joined by Southern California talk radio host Mark Larson. Ann McElhinney, writer and producer of the anti-Global Warming film Not Evil Just Wrong, spoke as well and then joined the group around a campfire.



Bobby and Karl








"One of the best things, obviously, was getting to hear from Karl Rove," Bobby Hamill said of his experience. "He had a phenomenal talk about his book (Courage and Consequence) which was interesting but everything he spoke about was great. He spoke a lot about his time serving with President Bush and working with him in the Oval Office, especially his experience of 9/11, what he remembers from that was pretty powerful, all of the stories that he had regarding that date, that was pretty neat. It was a great chance to spend all of this time with other College students and other University Students from around the country who share the same passion for politics as you do."

Rove joined the students for a private reception on Friday afternoon on the roof of the Reagan Ranch Center in downtown Santa Barbara where he personally signed copies of Courage and Consequence. He then was the keynote speaker at a luncheon downstairs where he regaled the audience with his 9/11 accounts.

"The biggest thing that I actually would say is that the world of political activism is a small one," Charlotte Evans recalled about her important experiences at the retreat. The new chair of the Wisconsin CRs found herself in familiar company, despite the small number of activists who were awarded a trip to the event. "I ran into people whom I knew before, my roommate who I actually met last year at the Young America Foundation convention in Washington DC and that was kind of funny and everyone I met had already met someone else that I kind of knew. And it was really neat to be in the same environment that Ronald Reagan was in and how he was grounded and not only how he had the conservative values but also the traditional conservative lifestyle as well. You don't need to be a rich politician, you can be a real person, and you can be genuine person, you can be successful in politics, and you can be the best President we ever had."



Charlotte and Karl







After horseback riding at the Circle B Ranch, Reagan-style, indeed the culminating event of the weekend was a tour of the Reagan Ranch. High up in the mountains, Rancho del Cielo— meaning "Ranch in the Sky" is 688 acres of rolling, tree-covered hills that served for 25 years as a home and then as a retreat for Ronald Reagan during his presidency. Ana Lightle, tour guide, took the young activists through the ranch home, talked about his persona, his presidency, and how it helped him to become such a great leader.

"It is just really cool to talk to other campus activists," Charlotte recalled. "To see what other ideas they have and find out what was successful for them and figure out how we can implement that on our campus and learn from their mistakes and things that worked for them and things that weren't successful and things that got them in trouble and how we can build off of that so that Wisconsin doesn't have similar problems. I am just grateful that I got to go. I would actually consider almost everybody to be middle class there but they were differing degrees of middle class I suppose. There were people there who were in fancy dresses and had their hair all nice and I was there in my 'plaids'. Being able to ride horses on the mountains and being able see Reagan Ranch from their was cool too."

2010 AWARD WINNERS FOR THE CLUB 100 REAGAN RANCH RETREAT SPONSORED BY THE YOUNG AMERICAN FOUNDATION.

•Travis Korson – George Washington University
•Danny Laub – St. Louis University
•Mick Paskiewicz – DePaul University
•Ryan McNicholas – University of California - Santa Barbara
•Charlotte Evans – Marquette University
•Chris Garcia – Pepperdine University
•Katie Poedtke – Fordham University
•Lauren Scirocco – Ramapo College
•John Masko – Wheeler School
•Kiana Dunn – San Pasqual High School
•Scott McAfee – Emory University
•Stephen Barkley – UNC-Greensboro
•Bobby Hamill – University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
•Michael Boglovits – UNC-Greensboro
•Jacob Kampen – University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
•Matt Capristo – University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
•John Eick – UNC-Chapel Hill
•Blayne Bennett – Arizona State University
•Janie Abel – Canisius College
•Joe Naron – George Washington University

DETRACTORS OF ARIZONA LAW CRYING "RACIST"

BY: SCOTT SCHNEIDER

It took literally nanoseconds after Arizona Republican Governor Jan Brewer signed the nation's toughest (and most sorely needed) illegal immigration reform into law, for the Civil Rights multiculturalists started heaving the "racist" label at anybody who would remotely stand up for, defend, and associate themselves with the ideals put forth in the language of the bill. By now nearly everyone has heard about President Obama's argument that "Washington's failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others" and Pima County Arizona sheriff Clarence Dupnik, who says he won’t enforce the law because it is “racist” and “disgusting”. But what about Hispanics themselves who are actually in favor of the illegal immigration law that Governor Brewer put on the books on April 24th? Contrary to what some may believe, a great number of Hispanics who live in America are actually law-abiding citizens who are behind the enforcement of immigration measures and border security. Seeing their illegal brethren come across the border from Mexico bringing their gang warfare, drugs, litter, and overcrowded ghettos cause headaches in the Country into which they've peacefully and legally assimilated themselves must leave many of them scratching their heads and feeling ashamed. They stand up for a law that should have been enforced by the Federal Government long ago and are called racists themselves. CNN has a shining example of what I am referring too:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/04/30/arizona.hispanics.immigration

Phoenix, Arizona (CNN) — Sue Schwartz says she’s been called a racist so many times she doesn’t mind the label anymore. If wanting immigrants to enter the country legally, like her great-grandparents from Mexico, and obey the laws of the land makes her racist, then so be it, she says firmly. . .

The story goes on to chronicle how Schwartz and friends of hers have been labeled a traitor by the law-breaking riffraff of her own Hispanic neighborhood (or "traidora" which is the word in Espanol). She proceeds to talk about how the illicit human traffic has taken all of the entry-level jobs away from her granddaughter who has been searching for one since she was 15. According to Schwartz, she can't get a job at the Hometown Buffet because "She doesn't speak Spanish". Another acquaintance of Schwartz, Martha Payan, said she's had her "apartment broken into and her car hit by an illegal".



Uhem. . .excuse me? The real shame is in letting the inmates run the asylum.


All of the chicanery by the illegal Mexican neighborhood thugs is to be expected but the real shame is on the leftists who continue to fan the flames of this non-citizen revolt by appending the label "racist" to anybody who even remotely sides with enforcement of SB 1070. The use of the term "racist" in situations such as this, is a classic Saul Alinskyian tactic that simply detracts from the legal and social ills that passage of this law aims to remedy. The Left cannot argue against the fact that immigrants illegally crossing the border from Mexico into the United States and taking up secret residence, unchecked and unaccounted-for, is morally, legally, and criminally wrong and for the United States Government to sloppily enforce the law as it pleases when it pleases is an irresponsible dereliction of its constitutional duties. It then turns to the usual name-calling and chest-beating intimidation tactics so often used to shout down opposition that can beat them with reason. Feelings matter, not subject or substance, and cries of racism invoke feelings that are stronger than breaking the law itself. Sue Schwartz and her friends become unwitting victims in this war of words. She's Hispanic, she's law-abiding, she believes in being responsible as a citizen of the United States of America. For that she is branded a racist and a traitor not only by the Left but by people who share her own blood lines.

60 percent of Americans say Arizona's tough new immigration law is "about right" or "doesn't go far enough." Are you listening, Washington?

A new CBS News/New York Times poll shows 51 percent of those surveyed say the law is "about right" and 9 percent say it "doesn't go far enough." 36 percent believe the controversial law - which gives police broad powers to detain people they think are in the country illegally - "goes too far."

This new poll also shows broad majorities of Americans say illegal immigration is a "very serious problem" and that this country's immigration policies need a major overhaul... although people are divided about what the right solution is. . . http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/05/majority-of-americans-support-arizonas-immigration-law/

WISCONSIN CRs DESCEND ON MADISON

By Scott Schneider

Energized by an awakened electorate and a drive to elect a new CR president, members of the Republican Party's youth movement amassed State Street and the Capitol as delegations of Wisconsin College Republicans descended upon Madison this past April 23rd and April 24th for the annual Wisconsin Federation of College Republican Convention. The festivities kicked off officially on Friday, April 23 at 7:30 PM with a reception and social event at Brocach's Irish Pub, a short walk from the Best Western Inn on the Park Hotel, where the group had set up accommodations for the event. Wisconsin Attorney General JB Van Hollen addressed a packed, standing-room-only crowd on the second floor of Brocach's, giving inspiration and encouragement as well as an update on the process he has been undertaking to enact legal action to repeal ObamaCare in the State of Wisconsin, action that has recently been denied by Doyle Administration. Van Hollen appeared on Greta Van Susteren at another location shortly after giving his speech, much to the delight of the many who had gathered at Brocachs. On Van Susteren, as he had told the CRs at Brocach’s, the likelihood of a shift in the House, Assembly, and Governorship in 2010 would give the Republicans a renewed chance to quickly pass through this legislation starting in January 2011.






Members of the Eau Claire College Republican Group (top) and the Riverfalls and Beloit College Republican Groups at the dinner Saturday afternoon.



After a night of fun and acquaintanceship, the Wisconsin CRs turned their attention to the State Capitol where a continental breakfast was served at 7:30 the next morning in the Assembly conference room. The important business of the day ensued at 9 AM in the Assembly Chamber where the Federation came to order for the day. Candidates David Westlake and Terrence Wall, both running against Russ Feingold in the November 2010 Senate race, addressed the chamber; official executive board reports were given, nominations and votes were taken for "Big Tent Republican" and "Old Guard Republican". Lora Rae Andersen, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire member and also outgoing chair, won the Big Tent Award; Bobby Hamill, also of UW-EC, won the "Old Guard Republican". Speakers for the Log Cabin Republicans, Campus Reform, and Young America's Foundation introduced their groups, several amendments were debated and cantankerously voted down, while groups caucused together to discuss the implications of each decision. Elections were also held for Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary. But the most important business of the day was the election of a new Chairman. In a spirited and competitive battle, Charlotte Evans, from Marquette, beat hometown UW-Madison CR member Johnny Koremenos to replace outgoing chair, Lora Rae Andersen.



Members of the UW-Whitewater CRs











After business in the Capitol was finished, the last major event of the weekend was a banquet luncheon held at Zander's Capitol Grill. Gubernatorial candidate Mark Neumann, Lt Governor candidates Brett Davis and Rebecca Kleefisch each spoke to the CRs just before the buffet dinner. CR of the Year award was given to Bobby Hamill from UW-Eau Claire, and UW-Milwaukee won Chapter of the Year. Once decadent chocolate cake slices were served for desert, the weekend wrapped up as various groups said their goodbyes and proceeded to return to their real lives. After nearly 24 hours of fun and fellowship, the Wisconsin Federation of College Republican Convention adjourned, and students returned to their respective schools to once again carry on the vital process of spreading the conservative message across the State of Wisconsin.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON COLLEGE REPUBLICAN GROUP FOR PUTTING ON SUCH AN AMAZING CONVENTION!



Crystal Lee (Chair of the Madison CRs) and candidate Johnny Koremenos








Chair: Crystal Lee
1st Vice Chair: Emily Monske
Second Vice Chair:
Lexi Meleski
Secretary: Lucas Moench
Treasurer: Brian McCulliss
Public Relations Chair: Stephen Duerst
Social Chair: Lauren Peterson
Fundraising Chair: Neil Isono
Community Service Chair: Jerad McHenry
Alumni Relations Chair: Joe Antolik
Director of Web Development: Johnny
Koremenos

News Release: South Dakota Republican Gubernatorial Debate

You are invited to join the SDSU College Republicans for a Gubernatorial debate on April 13^th, 2010 7:00pm-9:00pm in the Volstroff ballroom on the SDSU campus.

Details of the debate:

7:00 pm- South Dakota College Republican officer’s introductions
7:05 pm- Presentation of colors
7:06 pm- National Anthem
7:10 pm- Introduction of moderator (TBA)
7:15 pm- Opening statements by candidates- 3 minutes each
7:30 pm- Start of debate questions

Question topics: Budget, Healthcare, Education, Horse Slaughter, Agriculture, and Jobs.

9:00pm- Closing statements

Mark your calendars to be in Brookings, SD on April 13^th, 2009 at 7:00pm. The event is a free will donation. We will also be raffling off tickets for a signed Sarah Palin book! Come learn the differences between the republican candidates for Governor. Governor candidates include: Dennis Daugaard, Gordon Howie, Dave Knudson, Ken Knuppe, and Scott Munsterman. Have questions contact Joseph Bryant, SDSU College Republicans Treasurer, sdsugop@gmail.com.

Karl Rove - From the Midwest to the Top

I apologize for the delay, in getting this weblog underway... Just as we helped, in the major GOP victories in Virginia (and New Jersey) last fall, the Midwest College Republicans are working hard, this Spring semester, and will be a key part of "The GOP Comeback," in this vital year.

Several CRs, in our Midwest Caucus states, are signed up to post at this site, and will soon be posting region-based news, state updates, event recaps, important perspectives, and other pertinent material, insofar as our efforts, throughout the states of our CRNC Region.

Speaking of Midwest CRNC politics: One name that has been in the news a great deal lately is that of a GOP leader who rose to national prominence, specifically as a result of his involvement, in the Midwest Caucus of the College Republican National Committee.

Many of us have had the chance to #meetkarl, this Spring (or earlier), at events such as County Lincoln Day Dinners.

Former White House Chief of Staff (and former CRNC Executive Director, and CRNC National Chairman) Karl Rove's new book, Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight has quickly climbed onto the bestseller lists, and helps dispell many of myths, about Mr. Rove himself, as well as insofar as the presidency of George W. Bush.



Mr. Rove's Wikipedia encyclopedia entry specifically mentions the CRNC Midwest Caucus. The chapter (#2) of his book, which deals with his CR activities, is available online, for free.

Chapter 2: King of the College Republicans

- Midwest Voices: Left’s one-sided ‘civility’ exposed as Karl Rove is shouted down, Kansas City Star

News Release: Illinois College Republican Federation

The last entry here contained a press release from the Missouri College Republicans, for Independence Day 2009. Below is a release issued the following day, by Matt Zimmerman, Chairman of the Illinois College Republican Federation:


News Release
July 5, 2009
Contact:
Matt Zimmerman, Chair
Illinois College Republican Federation
217.493.5530
matt.zimmerman.icrf@gmail.com


The past week and a half has been an eventful one as concerns the direction of our nation. The Illinois College Republican Federation would like to take the time to address the future.



"Cap and Trade" legislation was narrowly passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 26. Under this bill, industries that produce the most carbon emissions will be heavily taxed for their emissions. Industries such as agriculture and heavy industry will be forced to either lay off numerous employees to pay the increased taxes or go out of business. In good economic times, this legislation would be disastrous. In today's economy, this legislation is borderline insanity. Some estimate that this legislation would increase the average family's energy bill by thousands of dollars a year and will drive up the price of all consumer goods.

While this bill is being sold by the Obama Administration that it will decrease our dependence on foreign energy sources, many argue otherwise. Domestic producers of oil and natural gas will more than likely be forced to close down increasing our dependence on foreign supplies of energy.

One would think that legislators should take time to think this legislation through. Instead, at the last minute, a 300 page amendment, was added to the bill at three in the morning the day before it was voted on. After its passage through the House, reports have surfaced that the bill was not at the Well of the House when it was debated and voted on. The legislators could not have read the bill or the amendment if they wanted to.

With Norm Coleman's concession, Harry Reid will have another crucial vote in passing radical legislation such as this through the U.S. Senate. Forget the questionable ballots discovered in the trunks of cars for weeks after the election -- The Democrats now have complete control of the Executive Branch and both chambers of Congress. One only needs to look at the current state of Illinois government to see what one party rule can do.

The Democratic Party controls every statewide office in Illinois along with near-supermajorities in both chambers of the General Assembly. In under eight years, they have proved that they are incapable of running the state. They refuse to look at ways of reforming our pension systems, education, and social service programs, and instead blame Republicans for refusing to vote for a tax increase.

If the recent history of Illinois is a guide, the future of our country is unappealing at best.

###


--- The Illinois College Republicans are working with candidates at all levels of government across the State of Illinois. We will fill a crucial piece of the puzzle in taking back Illinois and our Country.

On this day...

Statement from the Missouri Federation of College Republicans, issued yesterday by MOCR Chairman Jonathan Ratliff:


As we gather this Fourth of July to celebrate our Independence Day, let us not forget the principles our forefathers held to steadfastly in their fight for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Today, 233 years since the signing of our Declaration of Independence, the Missouri College Republicans continue to fight for these very same principles. We do so by helping to elect candidates who understand that life begins at conception, that liberty is the cornerstone of our great republic and that a free market is the best mechanism to lead the nation to economic prosperity and greater freedom for all. We are doing our part in the fight to preserve the ideals that make America great. The Missouri College Republicans seek to ensure that America's standing as an economic and military superpower, but most importantly as a beacon of hope in an otherwise dark world, continues to exist. Thank you all for your continued support. This weekend, take a moment to reflect upon the principles that have guided America to greatness and remember why our country means so much to so many people.

Independence Day

"Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the Democrats believe every day is April 15." - Ronald Reagan

Commentary Round-up: (TownHall.com, WorldNetDaily, past pieces)

Government Growth Challenging Liberty this July 4th, Carrie Lukas
Let Freedom Ring - Again, Richard Olivastro
Freedom Never Takes a Holiday, Paul Jacob
The People’s Declaration of Independence, Jackie Gingrich Cushman
A Revolutionary Idea: Tea parties from sea to shining sea
AND
Tea partiers counterattack 'bad guys on bad mission', Joe Kovacs
Top tea party speech chosen, WorldNetDaily
Free Men and Free Markets, J.T. Young

And via RenewAmerica:
233 Years Later, a New Independence Push, Michael Reagan
The American Creed, Breakpoint, Chuck Colson
Remembering What the Declaration of Independence is Not, Bruce Walker
Happy Upside-down Day, America, Ted Nugent



Past Pieces:
Educate citizens with the Constitution, Kyle Williams
An independent republic still?, Pat Buchanan

Welcome to the Weblog!

Started Independence Day Weekend 2009, this will be the blog of the Midwest Caucus of the College Republican National Committee (CRNC). Members of our Caucus will use this site to publish updates from the State Federations and chapters within our CRNC Region, and also for news, commentary, analysis, and other material related to College Republicans and contemporary politics, and to our states, our Midwest Region, and beyond.

NOTE: This is a collaborative weblog. Although some of those posting here may be regional or national officers of the CRNC, the entries posted here reflect the views of their individual authors only, and not those of the CRNC organization.


Thanks for visiting... The Midwest is the best!!