ethan's blog

This post was actually written off a Release from Ashley Barbera, but I thought I'd cross post for your enjoyment.

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You all may remember that in July, we sponsored a contest on STORM, with the prize being free housing at the Republican National Convention.  The College Republicans who won had a great week in Minneapolis-St. Paul, getting to participate in some great events during the day, and watch the speakers in the convention hall every night.

However, it turns out that one of the winners wasn't a CR.  He wasn't even a Republican.  Michael Connery, a blogger for the leftist site FutureMajority.com, disguised his identity in order to infiltrate STORM and become one of the winners.  His ultimate goal was to obtain embarrassing footage of College Republican leaders in order to harm Senator McCain's standing with young voters, but he failed.

What's worse, another blogger reports that Connery conspired with a Rock the Vote employee to complete his subterfuge, reporting that: "Using dozens of different e-mail addresses, Connery and friends voted up his account. Sarah Burris, an activist with Rock the Vote and a pal of Connery's, has 30 different email accounts registered with storm…He pretended not to know his friend Burgiss (sic), in town working with Rock the Vote, throughout the convention." 

Rock the Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization, subject to strict laws and regulations governing its participation in the election process.  The organization and its employees are legally prohibited from participating in activities that would promote a specific political party or candidate over another.

I have to say, this whole thing is really lame.  This guy lied and tricked his way into winning a College Republican contest.  Other than perhaps fulfilling some childhood dream to be a spy, what exactly did Connery accomplish?  Absolutely nothing.  Meanwhile, the poor CR who was first runner up in the contest was robbed of his or her chance to go to the Convention.  After last week, I can say firsthand that going to a political convention is an incredible experience, and Michael Connery should be ashamed that he stole that amazing opportunity away from a dedicated young activist just so he could try to write a story he could sell to a magazine.

Ethan and Charlie both released statements on the issue:

"This sort of behavior from an employee of a non-partisan organization is completely unacceptable," said Ethan Eilon, Executive Director of the College Republican National Committee. "Sarah Burris' participation in Connery's plot is unethical at best, and is possibly illegal.  The College Republicans demand that Burris be dismissed from her position, and that Rock the Vote issue a public apology for their connection to this matter."

College Republican National Chairman Charlie Smith added: "Connery and Burris' twisted plot of lies and subterfuge is ridiculous behavior in a free and open democracy.  Their sad attempt to embarrass the College Republicans demonstrates the liberal desperation to discredit the conservative youth movement.  Barack Obama's advantage with young voters is rapidly dwindling. Several recent polls have shown Obama's lead among young voters has dropped from 30 points to nearly single digits in only a month.  Connery and Burris' behavior shows that Democrats will clearly do anything to disguise the rapid shift of young voters towards the candidacies of Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin."

 Cross posted from the CR Voice.

Looks like Obama supporters, especially young supporters, are a little disenchanted to learn that their primary minted messiah is little more then a chicago style, back room politician.

 “I think there has been some erosion of the aura of excitement about a different kind of politician that Barack -- they really fueled Barack Obama’s rise. It’s helped him with fundraising, given him these huge crowds at events. I’ve been talking to voters this past week for a story I’m working on, and I’ve had some people, young people who felt that Obama was the candidate of a generation, saying they’re distressed by some of the standard political moves that they’re seeing now.” – USA Today’s Susan Page on MSNBC’s Hardball, 6/2/08

See the full video here.

(promoted by Soren - love to see grassroots groups come up with new ideas. Excellent stuff)

Left to the media it would be standard operating knowledge that the median age of the GOP is about 104.  The reality is there are a lot of really engaged College Republicans and young republicans out there.

We are working hard illustrate that this party is about young people too.

One thing we're doing is the Where is the Red Roadtrip.  Its the quintessential college experience with a cool Republican twist.  Mash that up with some cool new online tricks a la David All Group and we are doing something innovative and interesting that the world can watch (and hopefully donate to).

Now, I know what you're asking yourself: is this post just a shameless plug?  Yes it is, but it comes with a cool video, so enjoy.

Obama is holding a “Change That Works for You” event today with students in Taylor, Michigan.  As any good College Republican knows the change that works is the one that fosters greater freedom, relieves the tax burden and lets Americans pursue happiness, somehow I doubt that is what Sen. Obama is peddling.

The only change he seems to know is how to change positions.  Strap in for a couple of verbal backflips that would make Svetlana Khorkina blush.

Only problem is Obama voted for that bill...(H.R. 6, CQ Vote #152: Motion Agreed To 92-4: R 53-1; D 38-3; I 1-0, 6/23/05, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #158: Passed 85-12: R 49-5; D 35-7; I 1-0, 6/28/05, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #213: Adopted 74-26: R 49-6; D 25-19; I 0-1, 7/29/05, Obama Voted Yea)

Quite a floor routine, what do you think he'll follow up with?  Looks like the uneven bars:

Last month Obama called cutting corporate tax rates "The exact wrong prescription for America."  (NBC's "Meet The Press," 5/4/08)

But now for the dismount:  The WSJ reports Obama considering that fatal tonic he so recently decried  

"Sen. Obama's nod to lowering corporate taxes comes as Republicans have been attacking him for proposals that would raise the cost of doing business, such as his pledge to raise the tax rate on capital gains, and his vow to increase the top income-tax rates, which are often used by small, unincorporated enterprises. He didn't say how deeply he would cut the rate, but said it could be trimmed in return for reducing corporate tax breaks, simplifying the tax system." (Bob Davis and Amy Chozick, "Obama Plans Spending Boost, Possible Cut In Business Tax," The Wall Street Journal, 6/17/08)

I can't believe it myself folks, he stuck the landing.

 Beyond some friends who know Louisiana politics intimately, a year ago not many people I came across knew much about the man from Baton Rouge.  Today his name seems to be on the tongue of every young conservative I meet.  It's been a fascinating phenomenon to watch unfold.

He represents a new breed of conservative.  A new commitment to the values we envision when we hope for America's future, and the personal qualities to reassure a weary public about the ability to deliver.

Jindall represents the beating heart of a movement quieted by 2 decades of being buried in its own success.  The need for reform, a hunger for free markets across the spectrum of american society, the desire to shine a light on the inner workings of government, to rebuild in the image of transparent self-government a system that so many feel has abandoned them.

Many will jump to the conclusion that I am shilling for Jindall as a VP pick for Sen. McCain.  I am not.  While I certainly consider Gov. Jindall capable and qualified, I do not pretend to know what Sen. McCain needs in a running mate, but I have every confidence that he does.  I know that the person he picks will represent our party well, and will fight diligently beside the Senator to protect us from all enemies, foreign and domestic. 

I write about Gov. Jindall because many within the party and pundits from all corners talk about us being lost, about "the fall of conservatism".  If conservatism has faltered it is only because at our core we are a movement of change, and we have become entrenched.  We are guarding the castle, not storming it.  Over the past decade we have not been as introspective as we should have, we have not been as active in creating new solutions as we were in the early '90s.  Today, we have a unique opportunity to renew that search within ourselves, and recommit to the perpetual challenge of making America better, stronger, freer and more prosperous.  It is an opportunity we should not neglect.

When I look for conservatives moving down that path, seizing this opportunity I see Bobby Jindall.  And every day I find more people my age who seem to be looking that direction.

(Great thoughts from CRNC executive director Ethan Eilon. -Patrick)

It wasn't the senior staffers to Barry Goldwaters 1964 campaign who would go on to change this party and this country.  They certainly did a great deal to set the stage, but in reality their greatest feat was to activate an army of young, engaged, thoughtful conservative activists. Young men and women who could think, who could execute, and who recognized the mission ahead.

As it stands, we are failing ourselves as a party for lack of investment in our own survival.  I'm the first to admit a bit of bias because of where i work but I think if we as a party want to pull things back together we need have a vibrant, engaged youth component.  When you look at the voter skews from 2004, 2006, and the disparity in primary results in 2008 one thing sticks out above all others. Younger generations are voting against the Republican brand.