Spending the day in Rochester at the GOP state convention in my dual role as delegate and member of the media. Trust me, the media area is much more comfortable than being seated on the floor. The day got off to bit of a rocky start as trying to find a parking spot in downtown Rochester proved to be a serious challenge. Great turnout in CD5 with over 96% of our seats filled.
King is providing excellent blow by blow coverage of the convention happenings so far. Mostly pretty arcane stuff (surprise, surprise) with a bit of heated debate on proposed amendments to the party's constitution. A familiar voice from the world of talk radio--Quentin from Zimmerman--rose to speak no fewer than four times, dropping a Zimbabwe reference (drink!) about thirty seconds into his first appearance at the mike.
The voting for delegates and alternates to the national convention is about to begin and it could get interesting. Check back early and often with King for regular updates. I'll try to post something more if and when time allows. So far we haven't even had a lunch break, so hunger may take precedence over further posting.
King, Michael, and I will be taking to the air at 5pm on AM1280 The Patriot for a complete run down of today's events and interviews with a number of guests. We hope to have Senator Coleman on and--if the current snail-like pace of the convention continues--we may air his endorsement acceptance speech live.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Extra Mayo
Come tomorrow morn, I'll be on the road to Rochester bright and early. The state GOP convention opens at 9am and all delegates and alternates should plan to be registered and in the hall at that time.
We'll be electing delegates and alternates to the national convention, hearing from a number of candidates, and conducting all ancillary party business. I'll try to post updates if anything especially interesting goes down.
See ya in Rochester.
We'll be electing delegates and alternates to the national convention, hearing from a number of candidates, and conducting all ancillary party business. I'll try to post updates if anything especially interesting goes down.
See ya in Rochester.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
It's Not All About You
Yesterday, we attended a Memorial Day service at the Veterans Amphitheater in St. Louis Park as we have for the past few years. Each year a couple of local politicians take the stage and share their thoughts on the day, without a hint of partisanship or evidence of them seeking to gain an advantage from their appearance.
This year Congressman Keith Ellison (MN 5th CD) spoke. Now my wife isn't a hardcore political wonk like Atomizer and she doesn't take things in through any particular political lens as the most hyper-partisan among us tend to do. But she was quite put off by the way that Ellison's words appeared to cross the line between honoring veterans and self-promotion during a campaign season.
Had Ellison merely said that we need to remember the sacrifices that veterans make and ensure that they and their families are taken care of on the home front, he would have been fine. Instead, he went through a laundry list of veterans programs that he supported and talked about veterans having their homes foreclosed and becoming homeless.
What struck a nerve with me was his repeated use of the word "I" as in "I want you to know that I support this bill..." At a time when the focus is supposed to be on honoring the sacrifice of others, a speech sprinkled with said personal pronoun came off as unseemly.
To his credit, the man who followed Ellison, state DFL Representative Ryan Winkler, offered remarks that were short and to the point. He essentially said that the last thing people wanted to hear on Memorial Day was a politician, so he simply thanked the veterans and sat down. His discretion was warmly received by those in attendance.
This year Congressman Keith Ellison (MN 5th CD) spoke. Now my wife isn't a hardcore political wonk like Atomizer and she doesn't take things in through any particular political lens as the most hyper-partisan among us tend to do. But she was quite put off by the way that Ellison's words appeared to cross the line between honoring veterans and self-promotion during a campaign season.
Had Ellison merely said that we need to remember the sacrifices that veterans make and ensure that they and their families are taken care of on the home front, he would have been fine. Instead, he went through a laundry list of veterans programs that he supported and talked about veterans having their homes foreclosed and becoming homeless.
What struck a nerve with me was his repeated use of the word "I" as in "I want you to know that I support this bill..." At a time when the focus is supposed to be on honoring the sacrifice of others, a speech sprinkled with said personal pronoun came off as unseemly.
To his credit, the man who followed Ellison, state DFL Representative Ryan Winkler, offered remarks that were short and to the point. He essentially said that the last thing people wanted to hear on Memorial Day was a politician, so he simply thanked the veterans and sat down. His discretion was warmly received by those in attendance.
Looking For A Few Good Men & Women
We are looking for two good candidates to run for the Minnesota House in SD44 this year. If you are hear the political muse calling or know someone who has and lives in 44A or 44B, please contact Glydewell Burdick at: gburdickjr@comcast.net
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Beating The Bushes
Glyde's looking for a little help in canvassing again this weekend:
Our Canvassing effort got off to a slow start last week. We need to pick it up big time this Saturday!!!
Our Candidates will be depending on the info we generate to guide their campaigns this fall. Since Golden Valley Days will be occupying the area around Golden Valley Shopping Center, We will be meeting at the MTC Park and Ride at 394 and Louisanna AVE at 9:00AM and will fan out from there.
Please RSVP to this email address ( gburdickjr@comcast.net ) so I have an idea of how many will participate.
Our Canvassing effort got off to a slow start last week. We need to pick it up big time this Saturday!!!
Our Candidates will be depending on the info we generate to guide their campaigns this fall. Since Golden Valley Days will be occupying the area around Golden Valley Shopping Center, We will be meeting at the MTC Park and Ride at 394 and Louisanna AVE at 9:00AM and will fan out from there.
Please RSVP to this email address ( gburdickjr@comcast.net ) so I have an idea of how many will participate.
Monday, May 05, 2008
The World Is Your Canvas
Another message from our fearless leader Glydewell Burdick:
To All Republicans!! We need your help!
When: Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Where: Parking lot of the shopping center at Highway 55 and Winnetka Blvd. Near the Lighting Fixture Store.
What: We will be canvassing the voters in House District 44B to gather information for our candidates in this November's elections.
How: We will be surveying voters in this district with a simple questionnaire prepared by the MN State Republican Party. This will give our friends and neighbors a chance to let us know which issues are most important to them and what their concerns are about those issues.
Why: Armed with this information, our candidates can target voters who are likely to support our positions and speak to the issues of most concern to these voters. We will also be able to better focus our resources when the campaigning becomes intense this fall.
Who: This canvassing is a great opportunity to get our and introduce yourself to others in your precinct. I would like all Precinct officers (those elected at the caucuses last February) to participate along with as many volunteers as you can muster. The more on hand we have, the faster we can complete this important work. This is extremely important groundwork for the fall campaigns. We will start this Saturday and continue for the next two weeks until we have covered the district.
There's an old adage that information is power. And when it comes to politics, the sort of micro-level information gleaned from such neighborhood canvassing is an incredibly powerful tool.
To All Republicans!! We need your help!
When: Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Where: Parking lot of the shopping center at Highway 55 and Winnetka Blvd. Near the Lighting Fixture Store.
What: We will be canvassing the voters in House District 44B to gather information for our candidates in this November's elections.
How: We will be surveying voters in this district with a simple questionnaire prepared by the MN State Republican Party. This will give our friends and neighbors a chance to let us know which issues are most important to them and what their concerns are about those issues.
Why: Armed with this information, our candidates can target voters who are likely to support our positions and speak to the issues of most concern to these voters. We will also be able to better focus our resources when the campaigning becomes intense this fall.
Who: This canvassing is a great opportunity to get our and introduce yourself to others in your precinct. I would like all Precinct officers (those elected at the caucuses last February) to participate along with as many volunteers as you can muster. The more on hand we have, the faster we can complete this important work. This is extremely important groundwork for the fall campaigns. We will start this Saturday and continue for the next two weeks until we have covered the district.
There's an old adage that information is power. And when it comes to politics, the sort of micro-level information gleaned from such neighborhood canvassing is an incredibly powerful tool.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Learning The Playbook For The Ground Game
Where: Burnsville City Hall
100 Civic parkway
Burnsville, MN 55337
Community Center Room (lower level)
When: Friday May 9th Noon till 6PM; Saturday May 10th 9AM till 5 PM
What: The Leadership Institute's Grassroots Activist School
The Leadership Institute's Grassroots Activist School teaches you dozens of proven tactics for organizing voters and driving them to the polls. Learn to get more votes and win for your conservative philosophy.
The Leadership Institute proudly brings top-notch campaign training right to your community. The nation’s most effective organizers and consultants train you to win.
You will learn:
· Campaign Strategy
· Precinct Organization
· Voter Contact--Door to Door
· Voter Mail
· Get Out The Vote (GOTV)
· Public Speaking
· Networking
· Fundraising
If you're interested, please contact Shirley Tidmore at stidmore@LIMail.us or the Leadership Institute at 1.800.827.5323 or Maggie Osskopp, Exec. Dir. , CD 2 – 952.250.9248 or 952.882.9694
This is where elections are won and lost.
100 Civic parkway
Burnsville, MN 55337
Community Center Room (lower level)
When: Friday May 9th Noon till 6PM; Saturday May 10th 9AM till 5 PM
What: The Leadership Institute's Grassroots Activist School
The Leadership Institute's Grassroots Activist School teaches you dozens of proven tactics for organizing voters and driving them to the polls. Learn to get more votes and win for your conservative philosophy.
The Leadership Institute proudly brings top-notch campaign training right to your community. The nation’s most effective organizers and consultants train you to win.
You will learn:
· Campaign Strategy
· Precinct Organization
· Voter Contact--Door to Door
· Voter Mail
· Get Out The Vote (GOTV)
· Public Speaking
· Networking
· Fundraising
If you're interested, please contact Shirley Tidmore at stidmore@LIMail.us or the Leadership Institute at 1.800.827.5323 or Maggie Osskopp, Exec. Dir. , CD 2 – 952.250.9248 or 952.882.9694
This is where elections are won and lost.
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