Jobs ‘hormone imbalance’ raises question of cancer Steve Jobs has hormone imbalance Harry Reid personally called Blago about Senate seat prior to arrest
RNC candidates debate party’s future
ABOUT
about TRUTH
1. Nick Miccarelli
2. Dan Centinello
3. Justin Zatkoff
4. Karl Rove
SEARCH E-MAIL AIM ALERTS MAPS
click to search
email TRUTH
crnctruthcaucus
get text alerts
cancel alerts
maps
SILER RESPONDS...
From an email:
The other night, The Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans decided to rescind its endorsement of Charlie Smith and remove Mike Miltenberger from its slate of delegates. Yesterday, we all received a letter from Mike Miltenberger that made a number of wild, far-fetched allegations with no basis in fact. While unfortunate, this is nothing more than a continuation of tactics used against me by members of the NewCRNC team for quite some time. Now that the NewCRNC campaign has decided to finally make these attacks public, I feel obligated to respond.
SMITH CALLS ON GOURLEY TO RESIGN
From a statement:
I am appalled to learn that Paul Gourley and Amanda Hydro abused the trust placed in them by College Republicans around America by taking enormous bonuses without the approval or even knowledge of the other national officers and in direct conflict with the budget passed by the National Board. I believe that was unethical, inappropriate and wrong. Paul’s actions are a disgrace to his office, especially since he hasn’t been there for the last six months. I urge him to take the honorable course and resign, so that we can spare this organization the calls for impeachment.
This entire scandal reminds me again of the desperate need for reform. If the CRNC is to be taken credibly, we must hold ourselves to a high standard, one that is beyond reproach. The amendments that will be considered at the national convention will institute accountability and transparency. We must end the bickering and political infighting of late and focus on the far more important goal of reform. The amendments will do more to fix these problems than any one man could ever do, and that is what we as College Republicans must make our priority.
The team that I have assembled will lead the CRNC with integrity. By working together, we will make this organization more ethical and efficient, a New CRNC of which we can be proud.
Charlie Smith
CR NATL BOARD INVESTIGATES BONUSES
From a statement:
Dear Members of the National Board,
According to our current CRNC staff, led by Ethan Eilon, it has come to our attention on the balance sheets that Amanda Hydro gave both herself and Paul Gourley Christmas bonuses valuing $14,408.32 each.This expenditure was neither outlined in the approved budget for salaries, nor was it approved by the National Officers.
We are disappointed that this decision was made without our knowledge. We will continue to look into this matter, particularly Hydro’s term, and we do not condone these actions.
In an effort to be completely transparent about the CRNC’s finances, we will continue to update you on our findings.
Sincerely
Jess Beeson, National Co-Chairman
Nat Harding, First Vice Chairman
Britton Alexander, Second Vice Chairman
Dan Schuberth, Secretary
Tom Robins, Treasurer
MILTENBERGER DROPS OUT
Friends and Fellow College Republicans,
This is one of the hardest letters I’ve written in my tenure in politics, and as such I hope you will excuse my long windedness and bear with me through the duration; this will most likely be the final statement I make to this organization. As many of you know, I have spent the past several months campaigning for the position of Treasurer alongside the New CRNC team. Today, my candidacy comes to an abrupt end. I am withdrawing my name. In politics, we talk a lot about message, about “spin.” Today, I am not interested in either; today, I have strength left only for the truth.
I am resigning because in these past weeks a former member of the National Board and elements lurking alongside him have been making calls, hindering the process of reform, attacking me personally and obscuring the truth. As disheartening as that has been, it is only furthered by the fact that they poisoned the ears of people I once called friends and turned them against me. I was informed that the new Massachusetts state chair, influenced personally by Brian Siler, was to remove me as a delegate and from there to further attack me in ways still unclear. I will not run without the support of my state, and I will not allow this negativity to burden those who truly do have the best interests for the future of our organization and our party in their hearts, the people with which I have felt privileged and proud to have worked.
MISSISSIPPI CR CHAIR UPSET WITH NEW CRNC
Mississippi CR State Chairman Jessica Westbrook “went national” with the following email:
Subject: Actions of New CRNC not appreciated
It has come to my attention that after I informed the New CRNC of my intent to support John Burris for Southern Caucus Chairman members of the New CRNC have been contacting delegates in my state without my knowledge. They have overstepped their bounds. This is a clear abuse of power by the New CRNC. I would like to know how Kristy Cottrell received contact information for my delegates. That information is known only to the CRNC office. There is a clear coordination that should not exist. Interfering with the matters of my state and issues that have already been voted upon is not a constructive way to build a New CRNC.
I hope this finds all of you well.
Thank you!
Jessica Westbrook
Chair, Mississippi Federation of College Republicans
The Brawl In Urban Sprawl…
04-10-2007
Saturday night promises to be a night for the ages when two heavyweights collide in verbal pugilism. Much in the same fashion of the “Thrilla in Manila” or the “Rumble in the Jungle”, “The Brawl In Urban Sprawl” in Santa Clara California will decide the course of the California College Republicans for years to come. The battle hardened defender of the title from UC Davis, Ryan “The Golden Boy” Clumpner takes on the young and tenacious challenger from UC Berkeley, Josiah “The Raging Bull” Prendergast. Both sides are currently in last minute preparations for the eagerly anticipated contest.
In order to keep this intellectual bout under control, Robb “The Cerebral Assassin” McFadden (of YourCRNC fame) will be the head official. Other YourCRNC members also in attendance will be the gentleman with hands of stone, Phil “Kid Dynamite” Palisoul, and Northern California’s favorite son, Kelso “The Pride of the Irish” Barnett. The three day convention will wrap up on Sunday with the election of the new Chairman. So far, this has been one of the most hotly contested races in CR politics this year.
TELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW...
A California College Republican CR is upset with negative atmosphere within organizational chairman’s race. Defends Clumpner…
SMITH ISSUES ‘AMENDMENT OVERVIEW’
Today Charlie Smith issued the following announcement:
Overview of Potential Amendments
Now that the national board meeting has been formally called, I believe that it is time to begin discussing the purpose for the meeting. Amending the national constitution is a serious issue, and an action that I do not take lightly. Constitutions should not be re-written in response to knee-jerk reactions, and I am pleased to say that has not happened here. Instead, I believe that our constitution should be amended to embrace new technology, provide additional accountability and prevent future mistakes. I am proposing a set of amendments that fall into five different categories: digital credentialing, budget accountability, open elections, alumni board and regional vice chairs. Here is a summary of each amendment:
Digital Credentialing
– Because of technological advances and enhanced communication abilities, it is no longer efficient for our organization to accept only paper credentials submissions. Digital verification services are readily available that will allow state federations to transmit their member information via electronic means.
Budget Accountability
- Providing a more comprehensive budgetary analysis to the National Board will increase awareness about the strengths and weakness of the organization and establish more informed expectations about the ability to implement national programsl. To create this greater understanding, we propose two key changes: The first proposal is the distribution of quarterly budget reports. Like those offered by any corporate entity, these reports will ensure that the National Board understands the budgetary constraints that the organization is under. With a common financial picture, the National Board can move forward as a united front towards the achievement of our shared goals. The second proposal is the creation of a budgetary committee. Through this committee, we can disseminate and articulate information about the CRNC’s financial activity. This committee’s primary focus would be review of block grant distribution and providing a voice for each region during the creation of the annual budget.. This committee would be comprised of the national chairman, the national treasurer and the regional vice chairs.
Open Elections
– Our goal is to ensure that the greatest number of voices are always represented in our organization. To achieve that goal, we propose closing a few loopholes in our election process. While not problematic now, these could become so in the future. At conventions, national officers may only vote as national officers. Essentially, this would prohibit national officers from voting twice, once as a national officer and once as a delegate from their state federation. This would not impact the ability for a national officer to carry a proxy. We also propose amending the constitution to prohibit a national officer from simultaneously serving as the chairman of a state federation. The responsibilities of each position should maintain full attention, without the distraction of juggling multiple obligations. Locking in convention delegates will ensure that elections are representative of each federation. This benefits our organization by preventing the delegates from each state from being switched at the last minute. We will work to find consensus on an appropriate deadline for when a final list of delegates and alternates can be submitted and no longer altered. We hope to create an avenue similar to the one created by the Credentials Committee this year by which State Federations who fail to submit their credentialing information can re-federate their organization by supplying membership list for clubs within the state as well as a letter from the Chairman of their State Party officially recognizing them. In so doing they will be granted the minimum number of votes for the biennial Convention.
Alumni Board
- With so many powerful allies across the country, the CRNC should allow those who would be willing to help our organization a role to do so. Involving elected officials, prominent party members and activists in the form of a trustee board could enhance our fundraising networks and add credibility to our name in the eyes of new donors. However, this provision must be protected from political exploitation. We must install oversight powers within the National Board and make sure that those who are selected and approved represent the entirety of the College Republican movement.
Regional Vice Chairs
– Expanding the second vice chair position into four regional vice chairs will strengthen communication between regions and the national office and assist in the flow of information to state federations. Regional vice chairs would be elected every two years by their respective caucuses at the national convention. They would serve as members of the National Executive Board and sit on the newly formed CRNC Budget Committee.
I believe that these are common-sense changes that will strengthen our organization by improving our efficiency and our effectiveness. Please consider these ideas and contact me with any questions or comments at Charlie@NewCRNC.org. These amendments will begin a NewCRNC.
Charlie Smith
LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND
PA CRs passed a resolution endorsing Charlie Smith and New CRNC at their convention this past weekend.
ALABAMA CRs ELECT CHAIR, ENDORSE SMITH
Kristy Cottrell, from Auburn University, was elected Alabama CR state chair earlier today. The state also passed a resolution endorsing Charlie Smith for CRNC national chairman.
TEXAS HOLDS ELECTION, ENDORSES SMITH
Justin Jordan was elected Texas CR state chairman. The state also voted to support Charlie Smith for CRNC national chairman.
TELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW...
Sean Tamba Matthews elected first black Pennsylvania CR state chairman today in Philadelphia.
Picking the small straw…
03-29-2007
I can think of a long list of jobs that I would rather have than being the US Ambassador to Iraq. Of these, the following come to mind: dog catcher, sewer inspector, garbage man, or being a teacher in Compton. We have a fairly strong economy, our jobless rate is very low, how could this guy not get a better job? Is this a promotion or a demotion? I can’t figure it out. You get the same reaction from people when you tell that you got fired, as when you tell them that you got a job in Iraq. That’s never a good thing.
[UPI]
CR ELECTION UPDATES
LAST WEEK
FLORIDA
The first (actually) contested election in Florida since 2003 yielded few surprises. David Stevens was elected Chairman, as was the rest of his slate of state officers, and Tommy Jardon secured his spot on the National Board. Like Ronald Reagan said, “The closest thing to eternal life on Earth is a government job.” For Jardon, it’s CRs.
MICHIGAN
Long since the home of interesting electoral politics, Michigan did not disappoint. The days of Ryan Cassin and Joe Sylvester are long gone but not the broken hearts. Justin Zatkoff (of bruised and battered fame) vows to “heal” the organization. We all know contested elections are fun, but when the guy who knows what a real beating feels like is calling for healing – you better listen.
THIS WEEK
TEXAS
I’ll try to resist the cowboy metaphors. Eliza Vielma is not seeking another term as Chairman. Saddling up (obvious joke) to replace her, Justin Jordan the now serving Vice Chair, can expect no competition since the Texas Constitution forbids any new entrants to the race. How boring. Right when the rest of the country was ready for a real rodeo (who could resist) of an election – the “law” says there won’t be one.
PENNSYLVANIA
Word has it Nick Miccarelli is moving on to bigger and better things these days and so Sean T. Matthews is running to succeed the two-term chairman. A newsworthy election in PA is one actually with an opponent since PA’s locked down tighter than Baghdad after dark. No such news here, though.
WEEKS TO COME
CALIFORNIA
The home of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and In-N-Out Burgers promises some fireworks with Berkeley CR Chair, Josiah Prendergast, challenging current CCR Executive Director, Ryan Clumpner. Both sides have themes, slates, and websites. This can only get better.
OHIO
I’m calling this one the sleeper. Few remember Brian Siler’s bruising battle to the top of the hill. Winning by only a few votes and without the help of his own chapter, the question remains whether Siler has been able to keep his own chapter and state loyal or whether a challenge arises to his presumptive successor.