Real Reform principals issue statement on amendments

As any College Republican who is active within the national scene now knows, the full slate of amendments were passed today at the CRNC National Board Meeting after weeks of anxious hand-wringing by many who originally saw Charlie Smith's pledge to bring his supporters to the "Yea" column as an unlikely promise to be fulfilled. Real Reform principals Brian Siler and Brent Ludeman, both notably absent from the nation's capital this weekend, have issued a statement of thanks to their fellow CRs for working to pass the important measures.

"The amendments passed today are the result of six plus months of hard work guided by the bold principles and recommendations outlined in Real Reform. We see these amendments as a giant victory for this organization. We are excited that Real Reform was the genesis for the changes that will shape the future of our organization for generations to come. Thank you to all those who helped spearhead this effort and those who voted on the amendments today.

Reform does not end here. Make no mistake about it, the CRNC faces real problems that demand real solutions. The well-being of our organization has been sacrificed for political expediency and self-glorification too often in recent memory. Repeated scandals that never seem to end have undermined the credibility of our organization. We have lost our way.

In order to enact true, lasting reform in the CRNC, the culture of our organization and type of people we put in power must change. The procedural changes and safeguards put in place by the amendments passed today mean very little if the people entrusted to uphold them do not share the values they reflect. While we recognize that change does not occur overnight, we will continue to push for safeguards and individuals that work to eliminate corruption, increase accountability, improve transparency and put the grassroots first. We see today as just the first step.

Thank you again for all of your work in supporting these amendments and the Real Reform movement. Without your continued support, the changes enacted today would not have been possible."

Speculation about potential opposition to Charlie Smith's imminent election continues to foment, but one CR from Ohio noted that he has plans to meet with Siler in Columbus on Saturday, which would seem to put the kibash on such rumors of he and Ludeman riding into D.C. on white horses. Other sources from within the state have also confirmed that with the Midwest Vice-Chairman election all but over for Iowa's Bobby Kaufmann following Minnesota's decision to back Justin Smith, the decision was made to save the funds for an expanded field program come this fall. While some have speculated that Kaufmann could not win without the votes from Ohio, it was indeed the Minnesotan move that sounded the death knell. Sources have also informed RSR over the past few months that the ultimate priority for Siler became the passage of amendments, which seems to be given credence by the absence of any organized opposition ticket at this convention.