Ohio, Washington virtual no-shows at coronation

Two of the state federations viewed nationally as leaders within the CRNC's reform movement are largely absent from the early festivities of the biennial convention taking place this weekend in the nation's capital. With no real possibility at this late hour of a challenge to Charlie Smith's upcoming coronation, it is really no surprise that either of the states, or their sometimes enigmatic former Chairmen, Brian Siler and Brent Ludeman, are absent without leave. While the elections are not the only reason to show up, they certainly are the biggest motivator of attendance. With the election results hardly in doubt, even in each of the "Regional Vice-Chairman" contests, the urgency of appearing drops considerably.

Eagerness for Ohioans to attend the 2007 edition of the CRNC Convention surely did wane after a most disappointing Credentials Report back in the spring that left Ohio with fewer than half of the thirteen delegates that it had expected to receive. On the whole, the number of electoral votes allotted were down from 2005, but members of the Ohio College Republican Federation were caught by surprise at the low number of delegates their state was awarded. After a banner year of recruitment and a hard-fought victory for at least partially electronic credential verification, the expected number was 13 votes. While Ohio could still receive an additional vote if their appeal is successful, it still will fall far short.

Sources out of Ohio have noted that the savings from not sending a full delegation to the convention will allow for at least one extra field representative from the OCRF this fall. In taking a brief look at this fall's electoral slate in the Buckeye state, it is not lost on this College Republican that Columbus and Cincinnati both have major municipal elections come November. Extra feet on the ground organizing and driving out the grassroots volunteers that CRs can ably provide seems certainly to be a welcome asset for party leaders in both Franklin and Hamilton Counties.