CR Nation

We are what we eat is an old adage that seeks to use food as a vehicle for assessing one’s personality and character.

In this day and age I think it is appropriate that that nature of that adage can be extended to facebook, creating perhaps a more appropriate adage for College Republicans: We are what we facebook.

These statements are made in light of a recent email sent to CR Nation by an anonymous Illinois CR.

Contained within the email was the allegation that Jeremy Rose, Executive Director of the Illinois College Republican Federation, had created an arguably inappropriate and slightly offensive facebook event titled “Drink for Jesus”.

The email further alleged that the group stated within its description the following –

It’s that time of year again folks. Yup, drinking on account of little baby Jesus. So, in honor of our little guy….let’s get wasted!!!…So come one, come all! Lets do this one for Jesus!…No Jewish people were harmed during the making of this message

These allegations were confirmed by CR Nation by simply looking up the facebook event.

In all fairness, CR Nation sought comments from Mr. Rose and Mr. Binning, the Chair of the IL College Republicans. Both graciously compiled.

Mr Binning, in an email, stated –

I understand that there was some concern about the “Drinking for Jesus” party, a non ICRF-event that was associated with my Executive Director, I apologize for this on Jeremy’s behalf for offending anyone who may have been inadvertently offended. That being said, it is important that we come together as one team and put aside our differences, so that we can accomplish our goals over the next 12 months.

Contacting Mr. Rose himself, CR Nation obtained this comment –

Recently is has come to some people’s attention that I signed on to be a host of a Christmas party with the title “drinking for Jesus.” I’d like to apologize if this has offended anyone. It was caviler and irresponsible of me.

I apologize for the distraction this has cause the Illinois College Republican Federation. We have serious issues to attend to and I suspect this came to light due to another individual’s personal grudge. That however doesn’t excuse my behavior. What we at the ICRF have to do is important work and we can all go without distractions like this.

I hope this will just be a bump in the road on the way to the ICRF achieving its goals this year and I look forward to continuing assisting the ICRF in its endeavors.

The initial email claimed that the actions of Rose and Binning constituted “more of the same” and indicated that Mr. Binning and Mr. Rose were not living up to previously made promises to implement “change”.

While I agree that the creation of the event was highly inappropriate, and agree that such an event reflected poorly on Mr. Rose, Mr. Binning, and the Illinois Federation of College Republicans, I disagree that such constituted “more of the same”

When someone makes a promise to make an organization better, they are not promising that they will never make a mistake.

With this in mind, I don’t believe that the creation of the event, in and of itself, constituted more of the same, despite being improper.

What would have constituted more of the same would have been the creation of the event in addition to shady or dishonest tactics instituted in order to cover up or otherwise avoid political fallout from the creation of the event.

Since Mr. Binning nor Mr. Rose sought to implement any type of “shady tactic” to circumvent accountability for the creation of the event, I don’t see how a claim that Mr. Binning and Mr. Rose constitute “more of the same” can be taken seriously.

My opinion, of course, might change if things like this become a regular occurence within the leadership of the Illinois College Republicans.

The Politico reports that Ron Paul is on pace to be the biggest fundraiser for the 3Q ending December 31st among Republican Presidential candidates. This assertion assumes, however, the Mitt Romney doesn’t loan his campaign another three of four million.

The Paul campaign claims that they are having a hard time spending it all. While other campaigns have difficulty with taking in enough money, the Paul campaign have trouble letting it go.

Having trouble spending money? Sounds like Ron Paul needs to hire some Democrats…

I think the surge is working

- John Murtha (D-PA)