ABC Airs Hour-Long Obama Love-Fest, Ignores Administration Hypocrisy

ABC, State the Facts About Health Care

Setting Health Care Right

State Run Media in America?

What ABC Doesn’t Want You to Know

Vote here. Remember, the winner gets $500.

ObamaCARE is poised to be a ratings boon for ABC, it’s on primetime and takes place in the White House…the real one. Grey’s Anatomy fans are worried that the new D.C. based show will be too wrapped up in partisan politics, and may not have as much sexual excitement as the original Seattle surgery show, but ABC has both counts covered.

ABC has rejected any kind of disagreeing viewpoints—Republicans and conservatives were even barred from buying commercials during the show—making its new primetime show perfectly one-sided, and free of beltway bickering—so no, you won’t have to worry about any stuffy Republicans taking up Dr. O’s camera time. For the sex, ObamaCARE’s leading man already insinuated that he’s been sleeping with NBCs Brian Williams. “It wasn’t easy coming up with fresh material for this dinner. A few nights ago, I was up tossing and turning trying to figure out exactly what to say. Finally, when I couldn’t get back to sleep I rolled over and asked Brian Williams what he thought,” the president said at the Radio & TV Correspondents Dinner last week. If NBC has a guy in bed with the president, I’m sure a few ABC correspondents will get to play doctor in the West Wing.

On tonight’s premier the president will be laying out his plan to buy our bodies. What’s up with private health care any way? It’s not like us bible-clinging, gun-toting ruffians know what’s best for ourselves and for our children. Heck, if we can’t manage our own companies, money, or houses, why not just let Dr. O stick his finger in our butts to check for polips?

To get a little more serious, maybe it’s because he just has no clue what he’s doing. I’m not saying a proctology exam by the president wouldn’t send a thrill up my leg, just that a real doctor knows what he’s looking for, the president and Washington bureaucrats would just get their jollies take my cash and move along. Not really what I’m looking for in medical care.

As you watch ObamaCARE tonight, and I’m sure you will (it’s on ABC at 7pm PST), ask yourself one simple question: Who can make better decisions about your medical care, the president and his D.C. stooges or, you and your doctor?

Join in the debate on Twitter using the hashtag #handsoff (my healthcare) or #obamercial. If you’re a College Republican use the #CRNC tag and enter to win a $25 iTunes gift certificate by submitting “the most insightful tweet” about Obama’s socialized health care extravaganza.

The CRNC will be protesting the ObamaCARE premier tonight at the White House, even though their request for a permit was denied (I guess there’s no dissent allowed at all, even off screen). For live updates and pictures from the CRNC ObamaCare protest follow #CRNC on Twitter.

Here’s the interview, and some links to Leigh’s videos.

The convention officially started Thursday afternoon with registration and exhibitions from conservative groups including the NRA, ISI, and YAF. CRs started meeting and getting to know each other, no events were planned for the evening so a bunch of CRs went out to the Hawk n’ Dove at night with CRNC candidate Zach Howell.

Speaking events started on Friday morning with Rep. Frank Wolf from Virginia at 10am followed by Eagle Forum CEO Phylis Schlafly and Rep. Aaron Shock from Illinois. At 11:30 the auditorium was full for a speech from Senator John McCain. The former presidential candidate tried to rally CRs for the mission ahead, talking about how to deal with being lost in the wilderness and how to get the GOP back on track. The day continued with a workshop, that I didn’t make it to, with David All titled “why we lost in 2008,” I figured that I knew why,  since I had just watched Sen. McCain speak before lunch.

Lunch was long, so I missed a speech from former PA Senator Rick Santorum and  “Operation Waiting Game.”

At 4pm CRNC Chairman Charlie Smith announced Leigh Wolf the winner of the CR of of the Year award, and gave him about 15 minutes to speak about conservative activism. The “award” was a free hotel room, a metro card, and an ego boost. Leigh’s speech, although not well attended (there were maybe 20 people in the room), was entertaining and uplifting. Leigh gave CRs from other states a taste of what it’s like to be a CR in San Francisco with a story about exposing Cindy Sheehan as a lefty nut-bag and one about being attacked by hundreds of leftists on campus while tabling for his chapter at SFSU in 2004.

The Lee Atwater Gala Dinner was the big event of the night with key note speaker Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. There was mixed response to the speech, which got a lot of media attention. Some CRs thought Pawlenty’s plans to reach out to “Sam’s Club Republicans” were enlightening and his call for outreach to minority groups inspiring. I was really unimpressed, both by the speech and Pawlenty’s “plans” for the GOPs future. “Sam’s Club Republicans” or “Costco Republicans” or whatever you want to call them are not new, they’re the same middle-class hard working American that both parties court every election cycle. What’s important is how we’ll get them to vote for the GOP in the next election, not pointing out that they exist and probably agree with our core principles. What I want to see is a conservative politician (which I don’t think Pawlenty is) who actually has a plan for courting new Republican voters and knows how to explain our principles to them. Sure, Pawlenty got elected in Minnesota, but the state isn’t turning red under him.

After the Gala Zach Howell held a party in a hotel suite. It was broken up by hotel staff after a while but I’m pretty sure the CRs in attendance were having a good time. The night continued at some DC bars for some, a big group of CRs also went out to see the monuments at night.

Saturday was convention day. The election took a long time with a full roll call vote, but only one position (Midwest Vice Chair) was contested. Zach Howell from Utah was elected chairman, Jeremy Hagen from Missouri – co-chairman, Brand Kroeger from DC – treasurer, Chandler Harris from Alabama – secretary, Michael Antonopoulos from California – Western regional vice chair, Pete Vitale from Michigan – Midwest regional vice chair, Rudy Perciful from Louisiana – Southern regional vice chair, and Tarence Grado from New Jersey – Northeast regional vice chair.

After the convention RNC chairman Michael Steele spoke to the group. I opted out, since I just saw him recently in LA, and chose to join Leigh Wolf and some CRs from California, Michigan, DC and New Jersey  doing a little activism at an anti-Israel protest near the Israeli embassy, pictures and video to come soon.

The “Young and The Restless” party was the big event of the night. CRs enjoyed a wild night with an open bar until 1:30 am, with a DJ, dancing, and even karaoke.

Congratulations to Charlie Smith and the outgoing leadership team for putting on a great convention, and to Zach Howell and the new leadership on their elections. I’ll put up pictures of convention throughout the week.

An e-mail from CRNC Chairman Charlie Smith:

186 nominees and a total of 8,222 submitted votes later, we have a winner.

Now for the news you’ve been waiting for:

Our 2009 College Republican of the Year is Leigh Wolf. If you haven’t done so already, watch Leigh’s video and leave a comment on the blog congratulating him on his accomplishment.

Leigh Wolf graduated from San Francisco State University this spring and most recently served as Co-Chair of the California College Republicans. In 2008 under Leigh’s leadership, SFSU was named College Republican National Committee Chapter of the Year. Ultimately, he was successful in leading the most effective chapter in the country.

Leigh will be honored on Friday during our Biennial Convention in Washington, D.C. During the convention, we’ll also be electing the next National Chairman of the College Republicans.

A special thanks to all of our nominees for their hard work and continued efforts to the conservative cause. Don’t forget to leave a comment on the blog congratulating Leigh on being named the College Republican of the Year today.

Add your comment to the CRNC blog here. Leigh is a  friend of the Dana Report and we’re proud that such a great California CR gets to hold the title of National CR of the Year.

Leigh is also the founder of PatriotAxiom.com, an online hub for in-your-face conservative political activism. Check out his site and show your support by getting active! The CRNC e-mail doesn’t say so, but Leigh is a Marine and will be fighting for our freedom and our nation later this year.

Congratulations Leigh and all the best!

1. Chris Shipp – Vice Chair of Montana College Republicans and Chapter Chair at Carrol College.

2. Leigh Wolf – Former Co-Chair of California College Republicans, his club at San Francisco State has been named the top club in the country, and he’s appeared on numerous national media outlets. Leigh’s also the founder of Patriot Axiom (and hands down the CR Activist of the Year).

3. Chasen Bullock – Southern Region Vice Chair for California College Republicans and Chapter Chair at CSU San Marcos.

VOTE HERE.

A few days ago, we announced a series of great candidates for most of the remaining positions on the National Board.  Today, we are rounding out the ticket, and getting ready to go full steam ahead to convention.  For the spot of Northeast Regional Vice-Chair, I have selected former New Jersey State Chair Terence Grado. [Read More]

1. Chasen Bullock – Chapter Chairman and CA Southern Regional Vice Chair (Cal State San Marcos)

2. Chelsea Maltagliati – 2009 Missouri College Republicans Convention Director (U of Missouri-Columbia)

3. Ron McMullin – Indiana Federation Treasurer (Purdue University)

4. Mary Novick – Chapter President (Franciscan University)

Read their bios and VOTE HERE.

The whole team (-Northeast Vice):

Zach Howell (UT) – Candidate for Chairman

Jeremy Hagen (MO) – Candidate for Co-Chairman

Brand Kroeger (DC) – Candidate for Treasurer

Chandler Harris (AL) – Candidate for Secretary

Michael Antonopoulos (CA) – Candidate for Western Regional Vice Chair

Pete Vitale (MI) – Candidate for Midwest Regional Vice Chair

Rudy Perciful (LA) – Candidate for Southern Regional Vice Chair

Check out their bios at ZachHowell.com.

1. Jessica Bender – Vice President of Chapter Affairs (Arizona State)

2. John Kleinhans – Vermont State Chairman (Lyndon State)

3. Matt Rubin - Chapter President (University of Toledo)

4. Leigh Wolf – Former Co-Chair of California College Republicans, Founder of Patriot Axiom (San Francisco State)

Read their bios and VOTE HERE.

The first round:

1. Nickole Heater, 2008 CRNC field rep who recruited more than 10,000 students in Missouri.

2. Monica Ryskamp, Chapter Chairwoman of the Clemson College Republicans

3. Chris Shipp, Montana College Republican Vice-Chairman

4. Vikram Srinivasan, Duke College Republican Chapter Chairman

You can’t vote on these anymore (fail… sorry) but we’ll let you know about the next two rounds.

Do you know who should be the College Republican of the Year?

Starting today through Friday, May 1 we’re asking you to nominate a College Republican that you feel is deeply committed to the conservative cause.

There are 203,319 College Republicans working hard in all 50 states at the grassroots level. However, beyond college campuses, students’ work can often go unrecognized. This is your chance to thank a successful activist for their efforts in helping our party return to its roots.

Submit your nomination today:

http://crnc.org/activist-year

We’ll announce the finalists on May 15 and allow you, our supporters, to vote for the winner. The College Republican of the Year will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the College Republican National Committee Biennial Convention in Washington, DC this June.

Kate Maxwell–Virginia
Justin York–Florida
Harout Samra–Florida (Former State Chairman)
Benjamin Lynch–North Carolina
Samuel Tasher–North Carolina (Former State Chairman)
Tyson Grinstead–North Carolina (Former State Chairman)
Jacob Sims–Kentucky
Lance Kennedy–Texas
Esther Clark–Georgia
Taylor Hall–South Carolina
Chandler Harris–Alabama
Richard Walters–Mississippi
Rachel Davis–Arkansas
Rudy Perciful–Louisiana

More endorsements will be released in the next few weeks. To see the last set, and find out more information about Zach, check out ZachHowell.com.

STORM, a CRNC tool for networking, organizing, and internal communication, has bombed so far. It’s bulky, hard to use, and not many CRs are even on there, but, CRNC is using public social media to their advantage and it’s going well.  STORM has been updated to MyCR and will soon be fully integrated with Facebook, the opportunities with MyCR are huge. The CRNC site hosts a Twitter feed that posts all Tweets that use the #CRNC tag,  they’ve even added a TCOT style list of CR Twitterers from across the country.

Instant and unencumbered communication are the most valuable features of the new social media revolution. As young conservatives and College Republicans we have the skills and experience to bring technology into a party and movement that’s often seen as old and tired. Get involved, join Twitter (really, if you haven’t yet you’re way behind), and start tweeting with CR leaders including CRNC Chair Charlie Smith, Executive Director Ethan Eilon, Field Director Will Croswell, and Zach Howell who’s currently running unopposed for CRNC Chair.

Check out Zach’s campaign website.

h/t CR Nation

Woah, that was a bad idea.

Details at TruthCaucus