RightOnline 2011 finished up Saturday evening. I’ve attached some highlights of the awesome weekend conference for you to enjoy.
For my full coverage of #RO11, visit this link.
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Presidential Candidate Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN06)
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Presidential Candidate Herman Cain
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Presidential Candidate Former Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)
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Caleb meeting conservative journalist Andrew Breitbart
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Caleb meeting Herman Cain
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Caleb and Melissa Ward meeting their dinner companion, Michelle Malkin
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Caleb meeting conservative speaker Ann McEilhinney
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Conservative blogger Michelle Malkin
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S.E. Cupp
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Kansans with Congressman Tim Huelskamp (R-KS01)
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Kansas Federation of Teenage Republicans with Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS01)
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NetRoots Nation ’11 protestor and security guard
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We picked the ONE restaurant that Pres. Bill Clinton ate at!
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Fitting that their logo looks like Obama’s!
Videos to be added at a later date – slow internet connection is preventing the massive upload from going through. In the mean time, most may be viewed at yfrog.com
Tags: #RO11, americans for prosperity, Americans for Prosperity Foundation, Andrew Breitbart, Bill Clinton, Herman Cain, Melissa Ward, Michele Bachmann, Michelle Malkin, NetRoots Nation, obama, RightOnline, RightOnline 2011, S.E. Cupp, Tim Pawlenty
Members of the NetRoots Nation Conference tried to crash RightOnline 2011. Hotel and AFP security had to push them back.
Tags: #RO11, NetRoots 2011, protectors
The real fireworks happened at the Opening Session at 1:00 p.m.
Videos of the action:
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)
Melissa Clouthier (@MelissaTweets) on the Importance of Twitter
Rep. John Kline (R-MN) – “We are in this fight with you.”
Ann McEilhinney – “What’s a CINO?”
Rep. Marsha Blackburn – Dangers of Net Neutrality
And the big shocker was the surprise welcome by the super liberal Mayor of Minneapolis:
Of course, this was the biggest development of the day:
Yes, really.
More to come…
Tags: #RO11, @MelissaTweets, AFP, americans for prosperity, Ann McEilhinney, Foursquare, John Kline, Marsha Blackburn, Melissa Clouthier, Minneapolis, RightOnline, Ron Johnson
I’m attending Americans for Prosperity Foundation’s Fourth Annual RightOnline conference in Minneapolis, MN.
RightOnline is a conference dedicated to teaching conservative activists on how to use online technologies and how to purpose them to help move America forward. Of course, for people like me, Melissa Ward, Jayvie Canomo, Tabitha Hale, and Teresa Oelke, it’s a great place to meet the people with work with everyday on Twitter and other online avenues.
In fact, I met Nansen Malin, a true #tcot Twitter superstar, in her Twitter breakout session. I kind of… hijacked the session, too. Oops… This tweet sent Nansen an @ reply and displayed on the giant screen in the front of the same room this happened in… The crowd started chuckling, and then I had to ‘fess up!
My bad.
The man who took down former U.S. Rep. Anthony Wiener is here as well. Melissa and I caught Andrew Breitbart as he was leaving an interview in the Media Room.
Playing Paparazzi with Andrew Breitbart
The weekend is just getting started… If you are here and want to meet up, DM me – I’ll be here through Sunday evening!
Tags: #RO11, @Nansen, @OneFineJay, @PinkElephantPun, AFP, americans for prosperity, Andrew Breitbart, Anthony Weiner, Caleb Hays, Melissa Ward, Minneapolis
The Kansas AFP delegation met this afternoon for a lunch meeting in the Coolidge Room at the Marriott Wardman in the District. My perhaps less-than-completely-accurate estimate puts the number in attendance at above fifty Kansans who made the half nation trek to our country’s capital to stand for a movement that truly defends the principles of smaller government and less spending.
As surprise guests, the national director of Americans for Prosperity, Tim Phillips stopped by share some info on the national organization, and to thank us for our involvement.
David Koch, the Kansas native of Koch Industries fame, who is the Chairman of Americans for Prosperity Foundation and has recently been attacked for this involvement, spoke about his desire to take the flak for the sake of the nation for the salvation of the movement and the nation.
Rep. Todd Tiahrt speaking to Kansas AFP Delegation
Then, we had our third and fourth surprise guests (well, some of use knew ahead of time!), Congressman Todd (R-KS03) and Mrs. Vicki Tiahrt who drove in specifically for the AFP Summit and tomorrow’s Glenn Beck rally at the Lincoln Memorial. They haven’t given up the fight.
Mrs. Vicki Tiahrt speaking to Kansas delegation
To paraphrase Mrs. Tiahrt, “You [AFP] are who will take our nation back.” Vicki spoke for a few minutes on the importance of taking our message of opportunity for all and fiscal conservatism to reach new voters, especially those who may have been turned off in the past by misperceptions of the conservative movement.
It was a very informative and up-lifting lunch, and it was great to see Todd and Vicki again. Better yet, I finally got a photo with them:
Rep. Todd and Mrs. Vicki Tiahrt and I at #Dream10
Tags: americans for prosperity, Jarrod Mendicki, kansas, Melissa Ward, Tiahrt, Todd Tiahrt, Vicki Tiahrt, Virginia Crossland
I’m at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. this weekend to attend American for Prosperity’s Defending the American Dream Summit with Virginia Crossland, Melissa Ward and Jarrod Mendicki.
According to the Summit’s website, the general registration sold out – something that excites me. With the almost 2,500 attendees at this year’s fourth annual conference, this shows with certainty that Americans are waking up to the theft taking place beneath our noses.
Nick Gillespie, ReasonTV
I’ve been encouraged by the speakers I’ve had the privilege of hearing from already, including Nick Gillespie of ReasonTV and Matthew Elliott of the UK’s TaxPayer’s Alliance. Mr. Elliott offered an inspirational view of how the new Conservative government in the UK is winning over the population and making authentic efforts to right their financial ship.
Matthew Elliott, TaxPayer's Alliance
If this morning was an example of how the rest of the weekend will go, then I’m excited. Let’s get going… let’s Remember November.
Tags: #Dream10, AFP, americans for prosperity, Defending the American Dream Summit, Jarrod Mendicki, Matthew Elliott, Melissa Ward, Nick Gillespie, ReasonTV, TaxPayer's Alliance, Virginia Crossland
“It’s not so much how long you’ve been in Washington, but how much Washington is in you.”
There is a resounding theme within the far-reaching Tea Party movement: Kick Out the Bums! On the surface, this sounds great – let’s throw out the entire Congress and start fresh! A closer look, however, reveals this may not be the best plan.
Our Founders knew that there was a chance that turmoil and unrest would seize the nation, much as both do now. With freedom as rich as our founders intended, there are bound to be thousands of ideas, and many of them are probably not in the best interests of the nation. All, however, should be given a chance to stand on their own merit.
Therefore, they devised a plan:
a) The House of Representatives is where the sparks fly.
Representatives are elected to a two year term, providing a quick turnaround if constituents are unsatisfied.
b) The Senate is for “measured” discussion.
This is why our Senate is set up in three sections, each rotating out for election every two years, with six year terms. The upper chamber is (supposedly) where cooler heads prevail and ideas are (once again, supposedly) calmly discussed and debated. The bugs are worked out of tricky bills and real legislation is supposed to appear(s).
Of course, as we all know, it doesn’t always work that way.
However, remember when you were young, and you missed recess (again) because that one kid made the teacher so furious (s)he took recess away from everyone? It’s the same with Congressional elections.
Sure, there’s a ton of scoundrels; it’s politics, and we have our fair share of worthless, corrupt politicians that should be fired, but there is a measured number of real, honest people working to shape a better future for America. It’s not so much how long you’ve been in Washington, but how much Washington is in you.
As a voter, I value hard-earned experience. Indeed, career politicians are a major part of the problem, but what about the official who started out as a small business owner, worked his/her way up, realized s/he really had something to offer the public, worked tirelessly for a few terms, and made some real progress – in spite of the Harry Reids and Nancy Pelosis that surround them. Do we throw them out, too?
I say no.
Instead, let us emulate the design of the Senate and carefully consider who is worthy of holding the title of “Congressman”, “Congresswoman”, or “Senator“, and who deserves nothing more than a curt “Ma’am”.
I hope you join me in helping move the Tea Party from protest to true activism.
Tags: corruption, Harry Reid, house of representatives, Nancy Pelosi, politics, Senate, Tea Party
Yesterday, Former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for President George W. Bush, the “Architect”, “Boy Genius” Karl Rove visited the KC Metro Area and Wichita yesterday to announce his endorsement of Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) in his campaign for Kansas’s open U.S. Senate seat.
I caught up with both the Congressman and Mr. Rove at the rally at the Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita. As a volunteer for the Tiahrt campaign, I was asked to help with the book signing portion of the event.
Congressman Todd Tiahrt at Rove Rally in Wichita
Congressman Tiahrt spoke for about fifteen minutes to a very excited and fired-up crowd of over three hundred about his work to take Kansas conservative values to the U.S. Senate. The race in Kansas has been described as a campaign between two candidates with almost identical platforms, but that’s only because the other guy re-shapes the truth. The real truth couldn’t be more different: Kansas’s U.S. Senate race is between a true, honest, movement conservative, and a reluctant Republican.
Karl Rove sees this, too, and he said that’s why Rep. Tiahrt is one of only two Senate candidates he’s endorsing during the primary season (Marco Rubio of Florida is the other).
Karl Rove endorsing Rep. Todd Tiahrt
According to the Wichita Eagle, Mr. Rove said ”this guy here [Tiahrt]” is a “natural fit” for tea party supporters. Said the candidate himself, “‘If Kansas can’t send a conservative, who can?’ he said. ‘We can’t depend on Connecticut.’”
Kansas holds its primary election August 3. Residents can now add or update their registration online.
Tags: Conservatism, conservative, kansas, Karl Rove, Restoring the Conservative Movement, Senate, Tea Party, Tiahrt, Todd Tiahrt, U.S. Senate
On Saturday, May 1, 2010, the Pittsburg State University College Republicans hosted a forum in McCray Hall for candidates running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. Invitations were sent to the two candidates considered viable in this race, Rep. Todd Tiahrt, and Rep. Jerry Moran, both sitting Congressman and from KS-04 and KS-01 Districts, respectively.
Following his pattern of well-documented avoidance of Southeast Kansas, Moran refused to show or even send a representative.
Congressman Tiahrt and his entire debate crew showed up and decorated the entire debate venue with Tiahrt Red signs and banners.
Nearly fifty people and students came to PSU to hear what the candidates had to say, and to personally ask questions. When the great “reluctant Republican” refused to show, Tiahrt was able to offer his plan for Kansas and the nation, unfiltered. As a hardcore Tiahrt supporter, that alone made me very happy.
In all, the event was a great success. The Congressman had a very successful discussion with everyone in the audience, displaying his firm support for fiscal conservatism, life, the War on Terror, immigration reform, and Israel, among others. Many took Tiahrt signs and signed up to support the Congressman in his run for Senate.
Rep. Todd Tiahrt in Pittsburg
The Pittsburg State University College Republicans and the Kansas Federation of College Republicans, along with four other Kansas chapters, have endorsed Todd Tiahrt for Senate.
Tags: College Republicans, jerry moran, kansas, Kansas Federation of College Republicans, KSFCR, Moran, Pitt State College Republicans, Pitt State CRs, Pittsburg, Senate, Tiahrt, Todd Tiahrt
Just so you know, this is one of those blog posts that is going to make some people upset. There, you’ve been warned.
All I ask is that you hear me out. Rip me up in the comments section, flame me on Twitter, but read what I have to say.
I don’t want the Republicans to take back control of the House and the Senate.
Even after two years out of power, they’re still on parole in my book. They’re simply not ready.
Have they had some good moments? Of course. But history is like weather cycles; they’re both doomed to repeat themselves over and over again.
Haven’t we all had enough of this flip-flopping between the parties? They commit atrocities while in office, we vote them out, and then they try to win back our trust by screaming, “But, look! They’re doing it, too!”
We had Republican majorities from 1994 until 2006, and what did we get? Some good legislation at the beginning, at least before the acquiescence of the Contract with America, but by the end, we were dealing with our beloved GOP milking the cash cow for all it was worth and growing government to sizes never before seen, with Medicare Part D, amnesty proposals, and the largest federal intrusion into education ever.
What makes everyone think this time will be different? Has two years truly been enough for them to learn their lesson? They’re not necessarily quick studies. They lost control in 2006, yet we got progressive John McCain as the nominee in 2008. Huh?
Before this gets bandied about, I am not a proponent of a third party. I never have been.
I am a true-blue (er, red?) registered Republican, and yes, Mr. Steele, I get your letters, too. I still think, as I did in 2008, that the Republican Party is our best hope to act as a catalyst for bringing traditional American values of family, frugality, and faith back to Washington, and for giving our States the standing they deserve.
We’ve seen how the Republican Party acts when its in the minority, and, you know what? I like it better. It’s the free market at work: they’re fighting for a majority and, therefore, they’re performing better. They’re willing to take those risks (see: healthcare, energy) in order to do right by those who elected them.
Let’s not open wide the door to the Capitol to anyone who is not a true defender of liberty.
Truthfully, I hope “we” gain forty-five seats in the House, and four or five in the Senate bringing us to the point where we make the Democrats nervous.
Why not just go for the whole thing? I won’t be upset, obviously, if they win majorities, but if they don’t, I’m fine with that, too. We need at least another two years out in the cold, so to speak, to really find who we are as a party. The whole point of the Tea Party movement has been to take over the Republican Party from the inside out (or, for some of you, vice versa). Have we done that yet? Eh, it’s debatable. We’ve had some good progress, with people like Sen. DeMint actively seeking out real conservative candidates, but, as evidenced by bizarre acts like Meghan McCain speaking at CPAC, we’re definitely not out of the woods yet.
So will I be campaigning for Republican candidates this fall? Of course. Will I continue to protest against all politicians who dare step on MY Constitution. Definitely. And will I rejoice if Congressional Republicans prove me wrong and we enjoy a golden age of conservatism and limited government? Yea, I guess I could go for that, too.
Tags: Congress, Congressional elections, conservative movement, Election 2010, GOP, Jim DeMint, mccain, Meghan McCain, Michael Steele, obama, progressivism, republican party, RNC
