Posted by caleb on Jan 31, 2010 in
Local and State Politics Before last year, I’d never heard of anything called “Kansas Days.” I’ve lived in our fair State since right after I turned eight, and think of myself as a Kansan, albeit with some experience in the “Outside.”
Then, when I started college in the fall of 2008 and decided to transform my TV-screaming into real action and became (heavily) involved in politics, I realized the school lunch theme week of “Bison Burgers” and “Sunflower Shortcake” and “Prairie Potatoes” wasn’t the only modern-day celebration of our Statehood. Thank goodness.
This year, thanks to my good friend and political mentor Virginia Crossland-Macha, I attended Kansas Days in Topeka for the first time this weekend. My fellow CR, President (and Vice Chair-elect of the Kansas Federation of CRs) Michelle Bringle-Hucke and her husband, Josh Hucke (of local fame) joined in for the fun, as well.
At the first annual Brownback Red Boots event (that thankfully pre-empted an event where that blasted former governor of Kansas was speaking), we heard a very enthusiastic Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels tell of how his state has managed to do relatively well through the current recession by using some financial common sense and spending less than they take in. Our group was the first to mob meet him after his speech.
George Weston, Sen. Sam Brownback, Michelle Hucke, Gov. Mitch Daniels, and Me
We attended the Second District Meeting the next morning with Virginia and my favorite former national delegate, Mary Alice Lair. It was relatively normal, until it wasn’t: our own Rep. Lynn Jenkins mistakenly said “Senator Tiahrt,” much to my pleasure, and much to the chagrin of Rep. Jerry Moran, who is Tiahrt’s primary challenger, and retiring Secy of State Ron Thornburgh endorsed my family reunion relative, Libby Ensley, to replace him (that’s more of a disclaimer than an endorsement. I’m only related by marriage).
Later on, at the tense KSGOP Winter Meeting, Moran didn’t even show.What DID show, though, was the complete lack of articulated direction. It’s not that the party doesn’t have direction; it’s that they have no way of getting their message out. Their idea of “new media” is a template website and rarely updated Facebook and Twitter pages. Their email newsletter was a great idea, until it died sometime over Christmas. It was recently resurrected, but apparently not as a daily, as before, since I’ve only gotten one this year. We also saw first hand the political might of the tea party movement in the state, as a one group is mounting a campaign against the current platform and, in reality, the process itself. Expect some terse words to fly.
My favorite event by far, though, had to be the Todd Tiahrt for Senate rally. As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, I’ve chosen to personally endorse and support Todd in the race for Sen. Sam Brownback’s seat. You could positively FEEL the electricity and excitement in the air. Everyone in that room seemed to just know that we didn’t just have a shot at winning; we all knew we were going to.
These events are always filled with networking and new names. Many you leave feeling that the other person could really care less about who you are personally and instead only wants what you can give them. That’s to be expected, at least somewhat, since this is politics. That’s why I enjoy meeting other activists and why my favorite new activist acquaintance just happens to be Vicki Tiahrt. Both she and Todd and their family are some of the most genuine people I’ve ever met in politics. They’re no more assuming than my next-door neighbors. In fact, they could very well be my next-door neighbors. That’s how authentic they are. It was refreshing.
In all it was a great weekend. We made some new contacts for our organization and learned so much. Michelle gained a new position, and I met some very helpful and interesting people. I can’t wait to see what God does in 2010.
Tags: College Republicans, jerry moran, kansas, Kansas Days, KSGOP, Libby Ensley, Lynn Jenkins, Mary Alice Lair, Michelle Hucke, Mitch Daniels, Pitt State, Pitt State College Republicans, republican party, Ron Thornburgh, Sam Brownback, Senate, Todd Tiahrt, Vicki Tiahrt, Virginia Crossland
Posted by caleb on Aug 26, 2009 in
Local and State Politics Saturday, August 22 was the Second District’s mini-convention in the State Capitol building in Topeka. Conservatives and Republicans from all over the District converged under the Rotunda for a day of workshops and networking. I attended a social networking class taught by Earl Glynn of the Kansas Meadowlark blog and in a crazy twist of events, found out I was sitting next to one of my followers on Twitter. It’s an even smaller world than I expected.
Overall, it was a great day. I listened to speeches from Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS02) and Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), along with Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS03 and U.S. Senate Candidate). Kris Kobach, candidate for KS Secretary of State, also spoke. Donning my Pitt State CRs Events Coordinator hat, I was able to meet great state legislators like Asst. Maj. Leader Peggy Mast and, the previous evening in Iola, KS, Rep. Bill Otto. I invited both of them to speak at a College Republicans meeting the next time they’re in Pittsburg. We’ve got a great schedule of speakers lining up already for this fall, so hopefully they RSVP soon.
Later that day, I attended the Lynn Jenkins reception. Lynn is one of the few politicians I truly believe in- I pray she keeps that trust.
Once again, Blackberry pictures, so I apologize for the quality.
Rep. Lynn Jenkins in the Kansas House Chambers
Sen. Sam Brownback
Josh Tucker, CR member, and me in the KS House Chambers
Tags: Bill Otto, Conservatives, kansas, kris kobach, Lynn Jenkins, Peggy Mast, Pitt State CRs, Republican, Sam Brownback, Todd Tiahrt
Posted by caleb on Aug 26, 2009 in
Restoring the Conservative Movement Last Friday Pitt State CRs President Michelle Hucke and I worked the Iola, KS Recess Rally, where the focus was Turn Everything Around. My good friend, Virginia Crossland-Macha, was the organizer. The event began at 6:00, and we gave out free hot dogs and water to all attendees. In an encouraging display of conservative Kansas values at work, both Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS02) and Rep. Jerry Moran (R-KS01) were in attendance.
Rep. Jenkins, of course, is the soaring rock star of the second district, having beaten a moderate Democrat in 2008 and wielding her CPA certification as a powerful weapon in Congress against bills such as the ARRA of 2008 and deficit spending. Moran is hoping to win “retiring” Sen. Sam Brownback’s Senate seat in 2010.
The over 350 proud patriots in attendance cheered as they listened to speakers like Kris Kobach, candidate for Kansas Secretary of State, Bud Siebel, local businessman, and AFP-stand in Virginia Crossland-Macha rail on Obama’s proposed takeover of healthcare, his successful enslavement of the auto industry, and the reasons Kansas must become a sovereign state.
It was a truly inspiring evening, and proved to me that Kansans are truly ready for action. After the last speaker, over 85% of the crowd stood up and got in line to sign both the sovereignty petition and Americans for Prosperity’s petition to stop Obama’s healthcare express.
Following are some Blackberry and iPhone photos taken at the event.
Michelle Hucke and Caleb Hays working the sovereignty booth.
Active and engaged citizens
Secretary of State candidate Kris Kobach speaking at rally
Did you attend, host, or work at a recent recess rally or tea party? Post your experience in the comments!
Tags: College Republicans, Conservatism, jerry moran, kansas, kris kobach, Lynn Jenkins, recess rally, Tea Party, Virginia Crossland
As many of you know, I serve the Pittsburg State University Campus Republicans as the Events Coordinator. We’re a new chapter in the Kansas Federation of College Republicans; apparently my university has a problem with holding on to any on-campus Republican organizations. By any means, when we formed our group last semester, we jumped head-first into the election cycle without knowing much about organizing a political group, and since then we haven’t looked back. It’s definitely been a learning experience, but we’ve come out on top every time. This semester we reached the point where we can have actual events besides debate and election result-watching parties.
Suffice it to say, the Tax Day Tea Party in Pittsburg, KS was our coming-out party, and what a success it was! We teamed up with Virginia Crossland of Crossland Construction to put on a massive event that hosted around 500 people from the area. That’s an impressive number when you consider there were at least five other Tax Day Tea Parties in the area! We had Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS02) speak, along with my organization’s Vice President, Jason Billberry, a local city commissioner, and a local businessman. Mark Kinsely from 1310 AM KZRG was our Emcee.
I’ve included some of the best photos below, but you can check out the full gallery here.
Protest Signs
Proud American Patriots
CR VP Jason Bilberry Speaking at Tea Party
U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS02) and Me
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Did you host a Tax Day Tea Party today? Let me know in the comments how it went!
Tags: Campus Republicans, College Republicans, Crossland Construction, Lynn Jenkins, Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University, Tax Day Tea Party, Virginia Crossland
McCain supporters: this is our time.
We can swing this election completely in John McCain’s favor if we all get out and work this weekend. This is our time, this is when we can make a difference. John McCain has said he believes he’s going to win it, and although you may think that just sounds like a politician trying to bolster his support, McCain doesn’t usually say things to that effect unless he, himself, truly believes them (I’d appreciate fact checks on that, too, because I’m pretty sure I’m right). In fact, he said, “I hope it peaks out at just about mid-day next Tuesday,” meaning he’s pretty confident in the momentum that’s been building these past few days. Carl Cameron, an embedded reporter from Fox with the McCain campaign says that’s pretty accurate description of how the team’s feeling, as well.
I know I write about ways to be involved on a regular basis, but it’s because it’s so important! I want you to know that I’m not just talking about these things, I’m trying to do them myself, too. Just last night I called about fifty people for Sen. Pat Roberts, Lynn Jenkins (running for KS-2 Congressional), Bob Marshall (KS Senate-13), Jeff Locke (KS House-2), and Michael Gayoso (Crawford County, KS Attorney). Just a few minutes ago, I made about eight or so calls for McCain-Palin before my cell phone lost its charge.
And with all those calls, you’d think I would have gotten royally chewed out a few times, right? Actually, no, and I’ve only had two people hang up on me. I think that’s pretty encouraging.
Americans are looking for change this election, there’s no doubt about that, but we as supporters of capitalism, free markets, life, and democracy, and as backers of John McCain and Sarah Palin, must do our part to help voters everywhere pick the right change and the right reform, and only McCain-Palin will bring those.
Friends, keep the faith, and keep fighting strong. We can and will win this thing.
Tags: Bob Marshall, Carl Cameron, election, Fox News, Jeff Locke, Lynn Jenkins, mccain, Michael Gayoso, Palin, Pat Roberts, phone banking, Presidential Election 2008
Posted by caleb on Oct 22, 2008 in
Election 2008
[Sorry for the light posting lately... it's midterm season! Ha!]
This past week, I met the candidates. After working with Campus Republicans and Bob Marshall (for Kansas Senate, District 13) in a Get out the Vote registration drive on Tuesday, we walked in the Pittsburg State University Homecoming Parade for Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), KS State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins (for U.S. Congress, KS-2), and my friend, Bob Marshall. We handed out balloons and passed out palm cards and candy. Some of the looks we got from “obvious” Democrats were pretty funny, too. Many wouldn’t even let their children take our candy or balloons!
However, there was one woman in particular who definitely brightened my week. I was passing out palm cards, saying “Pat Roberts!” She looked at me in disbelief and said, “Pat Roberts?! You’re a Republican? Oh my goodness!” (I’m a college student and we both live in a very Democratic county in Kansas). Then, she saw my McCain-Palin pin and cried out, “Him, too?! Oh, my goodness! Give me a hug!” After she released me from her bear hug, she threw her hands in the air and cried out, “Thank you so much! Oh, thank you!” This was all during the parade, mind you!
After a very successful parade (I passed out probably around 300 palm cards, and there were five or six of us), we headed up to the Crawford County GOP booth at the tailgate before the game. Neither Roberts nor Jenkins were able to make it to the parade (Lynn made it all the way to Pittsburg before something happened in Topeka and she had to go back), but the Senator met us at the booth.
Here are some pictures:
Sen. Pat Roberts and I
I even had a “Roberts for Senate” shirt on earlier in the day. Unfortunately, my eyes were closed in this one…
Homecoming Parade for Roberts
Bob Marshall and I:
Bob Marshall and I
I really like Bob. He doesn’t seem like a “normal” politician, and he really listened to my advice. It was a nice take on “democracy,” I thought.
I had really hoped to meet Lynn Jenkins, because I think she’ll do big things when she’s elected to Congress, but I guess now I’ll have to wait until she comes back to Pittsburg!
Remember to support your local GOP candidates financially and especially by voting on November 4th!
Tags: Bob Marshall, Lynn Jenkins, Pat Roberts
