Criminalizing Conservatism

We all knew this would happen. When Democrats took Congress, we knew they would begin relentlessly investigating prominent conservatives and Republicans on charges of . . . being prominent conservatives and Republicans! The most recent of these witch hunts involves high-ranking members of the Bush administration being compelled to testify before Congress (in what is tentatively being called the House Pro-American Activities Committee) so that Democrats can trick them in to committing perjury. Rumor even has it that Senator Chuck Schumer has a list of 57 Republicans in the Justice Department! If Democrats went after Al Qaeda as furiously as they are Republicans, there would be no terrorism anywhere in the world.

Their first target was Tom DeLay, who was officially charged in Texas for . . . well, that doesn’t matter, he’s Tom DeLay! The DNC couldn’t be more pleased with the district attorney if they chose him themselves. Ronnie Earle, a staunch Democrat with a history of persecuting Republicans who had dared win elections in Texas (like Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison) actually attended a Democrat fundraiser promising to get DeLay. He made good on his promise by shopping for a grand jury that would bring an indictment against him (I guess the eighth time is a charm). In the meantime, rather than risk attracting negative attention to himself and his party, DeLay resigned his House seat, dropped out of the race for his own re-election, and moved to Virginia. In an unprecedented and ironic twist of American democracy, DeLay was actually forced by a federal judge to stay in the race and relegate the GOP’s replacement to write-in status, thus giving the seat to the Democrats on a silver platter.

Next on the Democrats’ hitlist was Lewis “Scooter” Libby, former Chief of Staff to Vice President Cheney. Since they couldn’t actually prove in a court of law his boss was Satan incarnate, Democrats charged Libby with perjury because he couldn’t remember who told him about the wife of a man with an overactive fantasy life. Even when it was revealed that Richard Armitage was the one who outed Valerie Plame, the investigation continued as zealous as ever. They even found a sympathetic jury to convict him. Perhaps “sympathetic” is the wrong word, as jury members made statements after the verdict wondering why Rove, Cheney, and Bush weren’t on trial instead.

Now, perhaps finally concluding their seven-year odyssey for “George Bush’s Watergate,” they’re going after the Department of Justice because the President fired a few federal prosecutors who serve at the pleasure of the President anyway. Never mind that President Clinton fired all 93 prosecutors so he could provide enough cover to dismiss a single prosecutor in Chicago who was investigating the Chairman of the House Ways and Means committee for corruption. Democrats already succeeded in springing their perjury trap on Libby, now they’re setting it for Rove, Harriet Miers, Alberto Gonzales, and God- sorry, DARWIN- knows who else.

There is no merit behind whatever Democrats are alleging and they even admit no laws have been broken and that the President is within his power to remove federal officials (unless they want to bring the unconstitutional Tenure of Office Act out of mothballs). The sad and simple truth is all their actions are driven by nothing more than an unrelenting quest for vengeance. They’re desperate to get back at President Bush for Iraq, they haven’t forgotten what they imagine happened in Florida almost seven years ago, and they’ll never get over the impeachment of President Clinton. Yes, it seems that at long last, liberals have no sense of decency.

Conservatives Should Not Be Allowed On Television!

With the coming backlash related to comments of one Ann Coulter in the recent Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), it is becoming clear that conservatives are being met with increasing hostility by liberals in the media on the pretense of saying controversial or outrageous things. A number of newspapers have dropped Coulter’s column and a number of other media outlets are refusing to book her for this reason. Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean has made his views on the matter clear by calling on practically every Republican everywhere to condemn her words and disassociate from her immediately.

The effective blacklist levied against Ann is only the most recent attack by liberals in the media against conservative or even differing viewpoints. Liberals dominate the media. Take that as simplistic or misguided, but it is a statement of fact. The left dominates the three-letter broadcast networks, CNN and MSDNC in cable news, NPR, and the lion’s share of American newspapers. What’s more is they constitute a vast majority of the nation’s editors and reporters. Just ask them. Of course, the left is not content with owning the majority of the nation’s media outlets; they want to control them all, as they once did. They want to bring back the “Fairness Doctrine” in order to silence conservative talk radio. They want to return to the good old days where all Americans (and a good portion of the Vietcong) received their nightly dose of news from Uncle Walter.

In so condemning Ann Coulter for her “hate speech,” the left is showing the rest of America how committed they are to freedom of speech (which, the last time I checked, was still part of the First Amendment) and how tolerant they are of differing viewpoints. And it’s not as if the left is just reacting to extreme statements in general. Contrast the visceral “holy-water-poured-on-Satan” reactions to Ann Coulter’s statements with their reaction to what Bill Maher said recently. What, you hadn’t heard? Maher said as many on the left’s blogosphere did that he wished the recent assassination attempt against Vice President Cheney had been successful. So let’s recap: Ann Coulter insults a presidential candidate and is blacklisted by the American media, Bill Maher openly wishes the Vice President of the United States had been killed and is ignored or even praised.

The recent inconsistency of the left in this matter should come as no surprise to anyone who has not had a large portion of their brain removed. Democrats have always been committed to upholding two sets of standards: one set for conservatives and a different set for themselves. It’s simply hatemongering for Senator Trent Lott to congratulate a southern statesman on his 100th birthday, but it is perfectly acceptable for Senator Robert Byrd to say the n-word on national television. It’s OK for Randi Rhodes to imply killing the President of the United States in front of her dozens of listeners across the country, but it’s not OK for Rush Limbaugh to do pretty much anything these days. The simple truth in this matter is that conservatives are committed to freedom of speech and are tolerant of views that differ from their own and liberals, quite simply, are not. Just ask the pack of Democrat presidential candidates who won’t appear on Fox News.

CPAC 2007: Ann Shines, McFeign Stays Away

The big story among conservatives at CPAC 2007 was not the work of the annoying squad of lackeys for first and second-tier Republican candidates, nor was it the speeches of the candidates pretending to be conservatives themselves. It wasn’t even the inspiring words of former Speaker Newt Gingrich, the only man in or out of the presidential race with any positive ideas for the future of the Republican Party and the country. Nor was it the performance of Ann Coulter this weekend, who was her old, controversial, vitriolic, inflammatory, hatemongering self that conservatives like me have grown to love. The story conservatives were talking about at the Omni in Washington this weekend was the cold shoulder they received from phony conservative John McCain.

About the same time the conference began on Thursday, McCain released a statement refusing CPAC’s invitation to speak to what he called "Washington insiders." Apparently three trips to the DC area makes me a Washington insider. Go figure. All this while other candidates and explorers like Sam Brownback and Jim Gilmore had practically bent over backwards to get in long ago. McCain’s “diss,” as American Conservative Union’s executive vice president William Lauderback put it, was not well-received on the convention floor with delegates booing his fifth place straw poll finish. Quite frankly, one has to wonder who McCain hopes will support him after telling the conservative base of the Republican Party- the one responsible for winning three out of the four elections this decade- to screw off. This is especially true with McCain trailing Rudy Giuliani by double digits.

As for the rest of CPAC, the usual activities, speakers, and groups were there, whether they were expected or even wanted by other attendees. Personally, I’m as much at a loss to explain the presence of the Catholic Crusaders as most were to explain the ACLU’s. The purpose of CPAC should not be merely to point fingers at who was to blame for November’s loss, especially since there was plenty of blame to go around. Nor should it be to endorse and impose one form of conservatism over another. The presence of groups from the Libertarian Party to Muslims for America should show how diverse a movement American conservatism really is, and is an asset rather than a liability to that movement in showing the many ideas present on the right side of the spectrum.

CPAC also showed conservatives how much work we have to do to prepare for 2008. The fact of the matter is if the election were held tomorrow, the Republican candidate- whoever it may be- would lose. Badly. Democrats have all the momentum of November’s victory, all the name recognition, and it would seem all the charisma. The current crop is one without a visible front-runner, or at the very least a conservative front-runner. Rudy’s speech largely avoided the domestic issues for which he has drawn criticism from those in attendance. The party needs a serious candidate with leadership experience on the national level; an unquestioned conservative, but one who doesn’t make opposing gay marriage and abortion the cornerstone of his campaign; someone with bold solutions to face our nation’s problems; someone who can show America that conservatism can do for Americans what liberalism was supposed to. In short, the Republican Party and the conservative movement need Newt Gingrich.

Shakeups occur in Michigan, Kentucky, and Connecticut

Over the last few days, several major shakeups have occurred in the state federation elections of Michigan, Kentucky, Connecticut, and a slate of candidates came to the forefront in New Jersey. Michigan has been the most contentious of elections thus far, starkly contrasting the prior three months of the race. Awhile back, Ryan Thompson of Hillsdale dropped out of the race for Co-Chairman and swore off CR politics. Now, as Michigan's Justin Zatkoff, currently Dan Carlson's Executive Director, enters the fray against Steve Japinga of Michigan State, Thompson is back with a vengeance. While he holds many a grudge against Carlson, the outgoing Chairman of MFCR, he resents Japinga and Co-Chairman candidate Jeff Wiggins, also of Michigan State, much more.

Thompson has sent out no less than five blast emails to members of MFCR trashing the pair for their 2008 Primary affiliations, challenging Wiggins' attendance to a college, and bashing both for their dealings thus far in this election. It is essentially a direct-mail hit piece in a College Republican election, something that we never thought would happen, or was necessary. It is ironic in a sense that these emails focused on Japinga's ties to Dan Carlson in the very week when a slate of candidates emerged that appears to have his backing. In any case, the heat seems to be on Japinga and Wiggins, if not from these emails, but from the emergence of opposing candidates in their campaigns. Zatkoff entered the race against Japinga for good after first mulling a run at Chairman back in December and then ending a short run for Co-Chairman a few weeks later. Michigan will be holding convention later this month, so the race is very much becoming a heat to the finish line.


In Kentucky, a long-rumored switch has happened. Morgan Wilkins ended a bid to succeed Brian Weber as KFCR Chairman after seemingly performing well in her first debate against opponent Michael Wray of Louisville. Jeremy Hughes is the man that Wilkins stepped aside for; she had promised to step aside if a better candidate emerged in the race. She will now be moving down ticket, taking a little of the pressure off and, should she win, giving her a year to gain experience and make a later run if she wishes. Hughes is a former deputy of former KFCR Chairman Derek Hall, and a student at Morehead State, which is coincidentally the school of current KFCR Chairman Brian Weber. In an apparently unconnected story, Matthew Ballard, currently Executive Director of the UK College Republicans, is planning to run for KFCR Vice Chairman. Kentucky will be holding convention and elections in April, on the 13th and 14th.

In Connecticut, sources say that UConn student and College Republican David Brewster has met with CUCR Chairman Sarah Armstrong about being a candidate to succeed her in their upcoming elections. Brewster is a relative unknown, and we could not find any connections to current current or past CUCR Chairmen. Not much is known beyond this, but we will be following up on the matter shortly. We are also still waiting to hear if the rumors of another so-called "Opposition" candidate having Connecticut locked up have any grounds.

In New Jersey, a full slate has emerged with the backing of NJCR Chairman candidate Christopher Stark, who is seeking to succeed outgoing NJCR Chairman Frank Luna. Terence Grado of TCNJ will be running for Co-Chairman, and Joseph Grennon of Rutgers will be running for Vice Chairman. The Treasurer candidate is Ben DeMarzo and Executive Director candidate Matt Mowers are both Rutgers CRs as well.

In other news, Iowa CRs elected Ben Johnson to succeed Bobby Kaufmann as their State Chairman. Ohio Chairman Brian Siler was in attendance, but no other national figures were spotted at the convention. Mason Harrison's designated successor, Ryan Clumpner, and his Team Activate appear set to win easily in California. Clumpner, of UC Davis, appears to have no significant opposition, if any real opponents at all. Ohio CRs are playing a game of wait and see with their fast-approaching elections, which will be held April 20-21. The location of Ohio's convention is not yet set, but will be known in roughly ten days. No candidates are announced, but there are rumors of a single ticket emerging, with the focus of the elections being more on issues than on candidates.

"DC" equals Dudes and Cock

The supposedly stellar College Republican hangout Hawk and Dove may as well be known as Cock and Balls. Thursday evening's edition of DC Fest was full of College Republicans glad-handing and feebly attempting to work a room full of their peers, making sure to give each a freshly-printed, but equally ridiculous business card. Not only were all bars inside the joint locked down tighter than Fort Knox during a security drill, but at least half of the attendees appeared to be well beyond the College part of College Republican. In another key shortcoming, random observation revealed the male to female ratio to be at least 6:1, although this figure has been disputed as being quite generous. These things happen, though, when you are trying to challenge the likes of Mainefest and other more established parties. My Sam Adams bobblehead is shaking his head in disgust.

In Time for Valentines' Day: Broken Condom No Problem, says OSU

Ohio State’s daily dead fish wrapper reported on Tuesday that the Wilce Student Health Center would soon be offering Plan B, the new pill that prevents victims of bad hookups from bearing the responsibility of having a child. This is in accordance with the pill becoming available over-the-counter last August. The move should hardly be regarded as surprising or shocking, as it is the latest implementation of Ohio State’s policy on sexual relations, which can best be described as “they’re going do it anyway, so we might as well make it easier for them to do it.”

Yes, the same people who gave you more condoms than you knew what to do with the first day you checked in to your residence hall (as well as extensive, mandatory lessons on how to use them) is now providing you with an additional escape route should any of those condoms fail. The pill has been a point of controversy on both sides of the abortion debate, pro-life and anti-life alike, since it was approved for use in 1999. “There’s no controversy here, we feel it is a part of routine care,” said Dr. Roger Miller, assistant director of clinical services for Student Health Services. Personally, if I’m any indication, sexual activity is anything but “routine.”

The pill marks the latest addition to the vast collection of contraception available to students at little or no cost. This is consistent with abortion advocates’ assertions that abortions be safe, legal, available to all, and taxpayer-funded. The addition is no doubt the university’s response to other pharmacists in Ohio daring to let their primitive notions of “ethics” and “morals” get in the way of 14-year-olds weaseling out of a surprise pregnancy. It is the assertion of this university that moral objections to dispensing Plan B are trumped by the pharmacists’ obligation to provide “treatment” to customers, or at least refer them to where they can get it themselves. It is well known that Unplanned Parenthood is adamant in dispensing this and other products to whoever wants it, regardless of age or circumstance, at reduced cost or no cost at all. And I even know where they’re located on campus.

Perhaps the best course of action for Ohio State and for Ohio pharmacies as a whole is to treat Plan B as they would treat Sudafed. As we all know, Sudafed is a cold medicine of somewhat questionable legality, since its main ingredient can be used to produce methamphetamine. States have tackled this problem not by attacking the meth manufacturers themselves or by enforcing existing drug laws but by making Sudafed virtually impossible to obtain. Therefore, if someone really needs Sudafed, they can get it, but only by jumping through a series of hoops. Pharmacies can place Plan B behind the check-out counter, keep track of how much they have and how much they sell, and make the little harlots ask for it by name with proof of age and identity. Certainly terminating a pregnancy is a matter more serious than treating the common cold. Or at least I thought it was.

Wilkins responds to Oregon's Swanson

Recently Oregon CR Chairman John Swanson lambasted candidate for KFCR Chairman and former CRNC and LI field rep Morgan Wilkins for her actions during the fall election season, and Wilkins has responded in kind to the statement. It looks like we could have a bit of a war of words on our hands here. First, Swanson's statement, followed by Wilkins' reply:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am clearly an outsider looking in – my relationship with KFCR officers in the past has been little more than brief conversations and the sharing of ideas. Maybe there is something I am missing in this equation, but based on what I have observed, I feel obligated to step up and voice my humble opinion.

In any political organization, there are 2 defining forces – those who make progress, and those who do not. Progress is made by carrying your message correctly, respectfully, and in a manner that convinces and attracts. I have every reason to believe that after Kentucky’s chapter growth and stable leadership, progress has occurred – and ought to be continued.

Progress is hindered when a message is either not carried out, or carried out improperly. Too often, College Republicans resort to unconvincing tactics to convey issues to their peers. It is always vital to judge your success based on the degree to which you grow the Republican Party – not the volume in which you shout at left-wing students. I was appalled to see that a representative of our national organization was using such immaturity – with blatant racism and seduction, evidence of which was apparent on several websites. I feel the College Republican National Committee is an organization of integrity, and the act of eliminating this loose cannon from payroll proved that the CRNC lives up to such a standard.

It is appalling to see that after jeopardizing the legitimacy of our organization, this same individual has gained momentum to become a state chair. I believe I speak for more state chairmen than just myself by saying that I have serious reservations to this. Delegates at the KFCR convention: Pretend you’re an HR manager, and you have 2 employees in front of you for 1 job. One was fired from a similar job for failure to perform adequately, and the other has a proven track record and recommended by a successful predecessor. The choice is clear – always aim for progress.

John Swanson
State Chairman, Oregon

John-
In your letter you claim that you are simply an "outsider" who is so troubled with the possibility of me becoming KFCR Chair that you feel the obligation to intervene. You also state several concerns that you have with me as a College Republican, and especially as a leader.

It is very unfortunate that we have never actually spoken to each other, and that instead of addressing me personally with your concerns, you resort immediately to writing a degrading letter on my opponent's facebook wall. Do you call that "progressive?"

You also say in your letter that "It is appalling to see that after jeopardizing the legitimacy of our organization, this same individual has gained momentum to become a state chair."

John, the legitimacy of the organization was not jeopardized by me, but by the person who signed deceitful fundraising letters two years ago; the person you voted for: our national chairman, Paul Gourley.

One event does not compare to the culture of corruption that took over the CRNC years before I even got involved, but one vote legitimizes it: your vote for Paul Gourley. And maybe this could be forgiven, but even today you continue to voice your support for someone who brought shame to our organization. Liberty has no time for moderates.

The KFCR is suffering in many ways that you, as an outsider, may not realize. I am currently working together with many College Republicans across the state to make this federation all that is should be. We are making significant progress.

If you would like me to fill you in on KY matters in more detail in the future, then please feel free to contact me personally.

Respectfully,
Morgan Wilkins

The CRNC campaign thus far, plus what to expect

Colorado's Charlie Smith has had the floor for the better part of a month now, and while he has not used the open microphone very extensively, he is still the lone candidate in the race. For better or worse, whether you agree with his silence since announcing his candidacy or not, no one is exactly forcing him to explain himself.

No platform? No problem, because there is no one there to call him out about running for an office for which he has no plans for. No website? No problem, because no one else can say they have a better one. No announcement of a national chapter and state tour? No problem, because there is no need to get out on the stump for votes when there is no opposing candidate.

This past week, feathers were ruffled when Smith turned down the invitation to appear on a panel at CPAC, a panel which also featured Leadership Institute mogul Morton Blackwell. A group of state chairmen sent him an email expressing their displeasure for this move, but it was largely misconstrued as anger that Smith was appearing to slight the Leadership Institute. The real reason for the email? Well, it is right there in the email, for all to see: how can Charlie Smith claim to not be the CRNC's favored son when they chose him to appear on the panel? In 2005, when it came time for CPAC, Chairman candidate Paul Gourley was tapped to appear on the CRNC's behalf. The CRNC generally gets "their guy" to do this, and while Smith chose not to accept, the very fact that he was asked sends bad signs.

Next weekend is the planned summit of the key players in this election in California, at a pseudo-conference with Michael Davidson that looks to be a much more contentious version of Yalta, where the Churchill and FDR figures will not let the Stalin figure out of line an inch. This is not the first such meeting of the minds, but it is the broadest such gathering of this election season to date. Along with state chairmen and key figures like Davidson will be several key advisors to the former "Opposition" movement, which now finds itself seemingly splintered into a thousand little fragments, a mere shell of its former self.

Charlie Smith has had the ear of Davidson before, but came away without winning the key endorsement. Davidson signing on with Smith would be the death knell sounding upon any hopeful candidate looking get in the race, as California would likely be off the table and in Smith's column. All signs from former Real Reform principals Brian Siler and Brent Ludeman, both of whom will attend next weekend's gathering, point to New Jersey's Frank Luna as the current flagbearer. Luna, however, has been reluctant to commit to a run, taking more of a wait and see approach.

Time, especially in this campaign, is of the essence, simply due to the difficulty of getting College Republicans gathered together in large groups to address. Next month’s edition of CPAC is really the only chance for candidates to have the ears of a multitude of CRs from around the country until July’s CRNC Convention. The March 1 kickoff for CPAC is looming right around the corner, and it leaves only a week and a half after this weekend’s California summit to make preparations for a campaign kickoff. That is roughly ten days to book a location for the announcement reception/campaign kickoff event, get campaign collateral designed and printed, develop a platform for the campaign, organize a street team of supporters to get the word out and promote your candidacy, and get a fully-functioning website up and running. Ten days surely creates something of a time squeeze to say the least.

The next twenty five days will be among the most exciting of the spring for anyone following this CRNC campaign, and especially for those actually involved in it. Imagine this schedule for a random state chairman traveling this weekend to California:

Friday afternoon, February 16: Board plane for cross-country flight, plus connections and layovers en route
Friday evening: Dinner with the other attendees
Saturday, February 17: Meetings and discussions all day
Saturday night or Sunday: Board plane for return trip home
Monday through Friday (2/19-2/23): Classes, midterms, and state federation business
Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25: In the case of Ohio’s Brian Siler, a Leadership Institute YLS and Ohio Board Meeting
Monday through Wednesday (2/26-2/28): Classes, midterms, preparing to travel to DC.
Wednesday afternoon through Thursday early morning: depart for CPAC, hotel check-in, CPAC registration
Thursday through Saturday (March 1-3): CPAC itself, all state federation gatherings, CRNC events, and any other meetings scheduled
Sunday morning, March 4: depart DC for home

In any case, this race will take shape over the next twenty-five odd days, and we will work here to keep you updated on every twist, every turn, every little bit of information that you need to know.

Effects of the Minimum Wage: We Told You So!

There’s an old saying that I’m sure you’ve all heard: be careful what you wish for, you may get it. Teenagers in Arizona are learning that the hard way thanks to their recently-enacted minimum wage hike. Bombarded with the same emotional garbage you and I were hit with this fall over how nobody can ever support themselves or their families on (whatever the current rate was) an hour, voters with the best of intentions passed similar raises in states across the country. Now, not even two months after many of these initiatives went in to effect, workers in these states are suffering from a case of unintended consequences.

Libertarians and conservatives threw everything they could at these initiatives- objective information, logic, charts, and the basic knowledge you learn in Economics 100 courses- but they were ignored by voters and labeled as heartless and unsympathetic to the needs of the poor. Never mind that the vast majority of those on minimum wage are young and work part-time, rather than the struggling single mom with several kids trotted out in the commercials: a whopping two percent of the American workforce above the age of 25 makes the minimum wage, and all of 4.1% of those on minimum wage are single parents. I’m sure most of you reading this have completely forgotten what they teach you in the very first economics course you ever take, assuming you took it at all. Raising the minimum wage makes hiring more people more expensive and thus, more difficult to do, especially for those small businesses liberals love to talk to us about in contrast with the evil corporations. With this in mind, businesses are forced to hire the best workers they can for even the most basic of tasks, since they can’t afford to take risks on the uneducated and inexperienced. I shouldn’t have to explain that if it’s more difficult for you to get hired, it’s more difficult for you to get a job, but even this basic tautology is lost on the political left.

Consider what is currently happening in Arizona. The good people, while feeling warm and fuzzy inside because they think they’ve helped the poor, are now witnessing the havoc they’ve wrought, often while searching for jobs themselves. The recent hike has caused some employers to cut hours, institute hiring freezes, and lay off employees because they simply can’t afford to do otherwise. And guess who the first to get the pink slips were! Businesses, especially in the food industry, are being forced to take fewer and fewer chances on workers with little education or experience, effectively pricing them out of the labor market. For those on the left, that typically means you and me. On the other side of the coin, those who were fortunate enough to keep working were enjoying the benefits of slightly more money. Yes, raising the minimum wage is great . . . if you can keep your job.

While those suffering the consequences of the minimum wage hike would appear to be clear enough, those reaping the benefits are not. Some of the most ardent supporters of the new hike (besides elected officeholders desperate to find some issue that could beat the Republicans) were union members. This would seem ironic since their wages are typically well above the minimum wage. In fact, they’re often contractually tied to the minimum wage, guaranteeing them a certain percentage above the mandated rate. That’s right, the one’s who are really profiting off the short-sightedness of American voters are not the poor, the downtrodden, or the single moms, they’re economically comfortable unionized workers who don’t give a damn about the poor, the downtrodden, or the single moms. All I can say is “we told you so.”

Free food and beverage to be in abundance at CPAC

Let alone the fact that this is a CRNC campaign year, and that candidates in that race will undoubtedly throw open-bar bashes, and you will still find plenty of free plunder to be had during next month's edition of CPAC. Mainefest is always on everyone's calendar for the trip to DC, and we reported last week that Ohio will also throw a separate party during CPAC as well. Ohio has historically hosted an event for all Ohio CRs in attendance, but will for the first time be opening the doors to all. Emails were sent out yesterday to state chairmen inviting them to DC Fest 2007, hosted by Mike Keough's DC Federation of College Republicans on the first day of CPAC at the Hawk n Dove. Please consider this my open plea to OCRF officers to NOT name the Ohio party "Ohio Fest". I thought that a "fest" was usually a title reserved for a hippie convention, but I could very well be wrong.