Caffeinated Thoughts |
- Rick Santorum: Sarah Palin Schedule Expert
- Real Men 2011
- Iowa GOP Beefs Up Staff In Preparation for 2012
- Rick Santorum Commits to Steve King’s Conservative Principles Conference
- CPAC Will Have Little Influence on 2012 Iowa Caucus Candidate Field or Results
- Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn Calls on Senator Tom Harkin to Shed Light on Lobbyist Meeting
| Rick Santorum: Sarah Palin Schedule Expert Posted: 08 Feb 2011 11:00 PM PST Rick Santorum must be an expert on Sarah Palin's schedule, at least enough of one to comment on it on S.E. Cupp's new radio show that streams on Glenn Beck's website. Politico reports:
Now I haven't listened to the radio show (and I won't I refuse to pay for internet radio) so it could be that Politico is putting a spin on this, which would like *totally surprise* me, I mean Andy Barr would *never* do such a thing. Regardless, I've seen Senator Santorum take the high road on similar questions like this and I'm disappointed he felt it necessary to respond. He's right he doesn't have the other responsibilities that she has, and he doesn't live in Alaska. The only thing this week that I've that she has is her birthday on Friday and her husband is also getting ready for the Iron Dog Race that will start the following week. I'm sure she has Fox News responsibilities, and she may have some speaking engagements. The point is I don't know, and neither does he. He should have told S.E. Cupp, "I'm going to be there, whether other prospective candidates are is totally up to them… none of my business." If candidates are going to participate in political blood sport let it be over issues, not something petty like this. Candidates don't need to be sniping at one another regarding schedules. CPAC will have little bearing on who wins the 2012 nomination, let's not make it more important than what it really is. Share and Enjoy:                |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2011 05:45 PM PST
I promised a friend of mine that I would promote a local men's conference called Real Men that is happening one day before a truly blessed event, my birthday (February 19th – cash or an iPad are welcome, just kidding… sort of). REAL MEN is a Christian men's conference designed to encourage men to become the men that God is calling them to be. Strong, godly leaders in their homes, churches and communities. REAL MEN 2011 will be Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, at 7 p.m. at Rising Sun Church of Christ in Pleasant Hill, IA. Speakers for REAL Men will be Jan Mickelson of WHO Radio and Fred Stoeker, co-author of Every Man's Battle. Worship will be led by the Pathway Band. For a bonus, yours truly will be getting a couple of minutes in between speakers to talk about how kids need REAL MEN (as opposed to the fake, sissified ones). I know my speaking will truly be the draw. Mickelson and Stoeker… meh. Anyway, this thing is free. You can register here. Share and Enjoy: |
| Iowa GOP Beefs Up Staff In Preparation for 2012 Posted: 08 Feb 2011 05:00 PM PST
"We continue to build upon our successes since the November midterms by assembling a professional, experienced and committed staff in advance of the Ames Straw Poll and First in the Nation Iowa Caucuses. I am confident these additions to our team will make our grassroots activists, elected officials and donors proud," Strawn said. "Collectively, this group brings a wealth of experience in political organization and communications and most importantly, they understand Iowa politics." Chad Olsen was first hired to serve as Executive Director in November and was formally confirmed by the State Central Committee last month. Olsen, a Harlan native, most recently served as the director of the 2010 Iowa GOP Voter Program which set records for voter contacts and returned Republican absentee ballots. He brings vast caucus experience, working every contested caucus since 1996. Casey Mills has assumed the role of Communications Director. Mills served as the Organization Director for Senator Chuck Grassley's successful re-elect. Prior to returning to Iowa, he spent four years working for Grassley in Washington, most recently as his Deputy Press Secretary. Mills is originally from Sioux City. Ryan Gough and Patrick Stewart come to the Republican Party of Iowa following roles as field director and data director respectively for the 2010 Iowa GOP Voter Program. Both Gough and Stewart worked at the Republican National Committee in the political department before coming to Iowa in 2010. In addition to the new personnel at the Iowa GOP, both Kari Putney and Vonna Hall have been promoted to new roles within the organization. Putney, an Elgin native and Iowa State University graduate with extensive event and fundraising experience, was recently named the Iowa GOP’s finance coordinator. Hall, who joined the party during the 2010 cycle, will serve as office manager. Share and Enjoy: |
| Rick Santorum Commits to Steve King’s Conservative Principles Conference Posted: 08 Feb 2011 03:00 PM PST
"I am pleased to have Senator Santorum committed to participating in my Conservative Principles Conference," King stated. "Iowans will appreciate this opportunity to hear from Senator Santorum and work together to shape the agenda of our nation." "I am looking forward to this opportunity to share my views with conservative activists from across Iowa and discuss how we can best tackle the economic, national security and cultural challenges our country is facing," said Senator Santorum. Additionally, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn will also participate in the Conservative Principles Conference. He will serve as emcee of the evening banquet featuring King and keynote speaker Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina. Conservative Principles Conference will be held at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown. The day-long conference will include panel discussions and speakers including several invited 2012 Republican presidential prospects such as Santorum. Doors will open at 8:00 am for the Conservative Principles Conference with the program set to begin at 9:00 am. An evening reception begins at 5:00 pm with the banquet starting at 6:00 pm. Tickets for King's Conservative Principles Conference only are $25 each. Tickets for the banquet are $50 per person. Tickets for both the Conference and banquet are also $50 each. Those interested in purchasing tickets should call 888-722-4704. More information and tickets are available by visiting www.conservativeprinciplespac.com. Share and Enjoy: |
| CPAC Will Have Little Influence on 2012 Iowa Caucus Candidate Field or Results Posted: 08 Feb 2011 01:00 PM PST Whether or not a candidate is participating in CPAC should not be a criteria for who is running in 2012 or predicting how they will do in the Iowa Caucus a year from now. One of my contributors, David Shedlock, has pointed out that the boycott of CPAC has done little to dissuade candidates from going to speak. That is understandable since it is still a large gathering with a lot of media and blogger attention and a chance to speak to a lot of conservatives in one room. Few who will be in attendance have anything to do with the controversy present at CPAC this year as Don Feder sums up in six words – "gays, Grover, knee-jerk libertarianism, and Islamist connections." More on this here, here and here. I understand why people want to attend, and why it is still a big venue. It is an institution, and thus people defend it. Full disclosure, I work for one of the organizations boycotting this year, American Principles Project, and appreciate the decision they made. I consider it a principled stand, but if I had the means and opportunity to go, as a blogger, it would be a difficult decision to bypass the conference because of the speakers and networking opportunity. So I don't begrudge anyone who decides to go and I understand the arguments of those who say conservatives shouldn't boycott and the points of those who say we should. These organizations and bloggers who do boycott are taking a free market approach to where they spend their conference money. I know some will participate in the Values Voters Summit, American Principles Project and others will be heading to the Tea Party Patriots American Policy Summit, and others will be headed to the Republican Leadership Conference (formerly known as the Southern Republican Leadership Conference). My point? There are other options, and CPAC and the American Conservative Union has lost it's luster. It is one event among many. This is why I was surprised when my friend Craig Robinson at The Iowa Republican declared that Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin were not running because of their decision not to speak at CPAC. He said:
Now I appreciate the analysis he gives of the different candidates in the race, but basing who is not running because of their decision not to speak at CPAC is nonsensical. I would say the same if somebody said that a candidate is toast because they do participate. Frankly I think CPAC needs Huckabee and Palin more than they need CPAC, and I think the average voter in Iowa really doesn’t care one way or the other. CPAC's influence is waning as every event and organization has a shelf life. It's not irrelevant, but as an event, it is in decline. Let's not make it more important than what it really is. Share and Enjoy: |
| Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn Calls on Senator Tom Harkin to Shed Light on Lobbyist Meeting Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:15 PM PST DES MOINES- Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn, in a letter sent yesterday morning, called on Senator Tom Harkin to shed light on a meeting organized by his staff that reportedly included more than 400 Washington lobbyists. Reports surfaced late last week that Harkin's staff invited special interest representatives to strategize on how to fend off congressional Republicans proposed spending reductions. "Senator Harkin showed a clear disregard for his constituents and our system of representative government by putting the interests of Washington lobbyists before those he represents. Iowans hold their elected leaders to a higher standard," Strawn said. "I urge Harkin to give a full account of what happened at the meeting to help restore transparency to the legislative process. Failure to do so will leave Iowans wondering who Tom Harkin works for in Washington." Text of the letter sent to Harkin's office is copied below: February 7, 2011 Senator Tom Harkin 731 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Harkin: I write to inquire about your January 24 meeting with more than 400 Washington lobbyists and special interest representatives arranged by your staff person on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Services. Reports from last week suggest that the meeting was an opportunity for "stakeholders" to fight against your Republican colleagues' proposed spending reductions. Labeling lobbyists and Washington special interests as "stakeholders" clearly indicates a viewpoint that such groups comprise your constituency as opposed to those in Iowa who elected you to serve. I find this both troubling and offensive. Unfortunately, this was not the only offensive suggestion included in your staff person's email. As reported by ABC News, the email states: "One thing everyone should be able to agree on now is that a rising tide lifts all boats, and that a higher [Labor, Health & Human Services] allocation improves the chances for every stakeholder group to receive more funding." In addition to running counter to the mandate sent by voters last November, your meeting suggests a lack of respect for our process of representative government. Rather than taking your counsel from those you represent, you called on an army of lobbyists to advise you on how to spend taxpayer dollars. After the reports of the meeting were published on Friday, your spokesperson boasted about the event's success and said that it was an open-door meeting held in the Senate's largest committee room. Her response suggests that you would be willing to bring some transparency to these reports and answer more questions about this meeting for the Iowans who were not privileged enough to receive an invitation to participate. As a constituent, I would appreciate responses to the following: • Who was invited to the meeting, and how was the list of attendees developed? • Who organized the meeting, and under what authority? • Of those invited, who attended the meeting and what interests do they represent? • What was the agenda for this meeting, and what was discussed? • Did any Iowans participate in the meeting? Iowans should be placed in higher regard by both you and your staff with respect to the legislative process. Although you cannot undo what has already been done, on behalf of the Iowans you represent, I look forward to receiving your response. Sincerely, Matthew N. Strawn Chairman, Republican Party of Iowa Share and Enjoy: |
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