CR Nation

Our next president cannot just talk about leadership; they must demonstrate it. Senator Obama is the chairman of an important subcommittee that has oversight of our efforts in Afghanistan. Yet he has not held one hearing on Afghanistan, a place where young Americans are in harm’s way every day. When a chairman of a subcommittee can’t lead, it’s bad; when a president doesn’t lead, it’s unacceptable.

- John McCain in his most recent e-mail solicitation

As reported yesterday, at most major universitites a liberal will be delivering the commencement speech. Here is (a portion of) what YAF has to say about that:

A strikingly disproportionate number of commencement speakers at our nation’s top colleges and universities in 2008 were Democrat Party officials, leftist activists, and members of the old media, according to a survey released by Young America’s Foundation.

Using U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the nation’s top 100 colleges and universities, Young America’s Foundation found that, for the 15th year in a row, commencement ceremonies were flooded with liberals while conservative speakers were few and far between.

Even in instances where conservatives were speaking, leftist faculty members threw temper tantrums. Professors at the University of Georgia tried to get the school to rescind an invitation to Justice Clarence Thomas, citing the much-discredited Anita Hill allegation. At Furman University many professors publicly detested the appearance of President George W. Bush, citing predictable liberal arguments about oil companies, greenhouse gasses, detainees, wiretapping, and the war in Iraq. At Washington University in St. Louis leftist students and professors turned their backs when Phyllis Schlafly was awarded an honorary degree.

To read YAF’s entire two cents, click here.

Infamous and sometimes controversial College Republican Morgan Brooke Wilkins recently returned to her Kentucky home from military training.

Several months ago, Ms. Wilkins chose to join the military and subsequently left to complete her training.

This summer Ms. Wilkins is enrolled in summer classes. Additionally, she plans to enroll in the fall semster and complete a full year of school before deploying to Iraq in June 2009.

Below is a message written by Ms. Wilkins and posted to Facebook shortly after her arrival home.

After thousands of push-ups, countless miles of marching, and almost six long months of military training, I returned home to Louisville, Kentucky this weekend as Private First Class Wilkins. After much sweat, many doubts, and a lot of anticipation, I can finally claim the title of American Soldier.

The unit to which I will belong is the 125th Transportation Company Detachment 1, located in Bardstown, Kentucky. I will work there as an 88M; i.e., a Motor Transport Operator. Put bluntly and in childlike terms, my job consists of driving big trucks and firing big guns.

Shortly after arriving home and reporting to my new unit, I was informed by my Master Sergeant that I will be deploying to Iraq around June of 2009. When I learned this, I felt a combination of fear and relief. The fear was there because of my realization that graduating from training in no way represented the end of my journey, but rather the beginning. My reality is that the most challenging times of my military career are not behind me; they lie ahead. However, I felt relief knowing that my deployment is still twelve months away. That delay will allow me to complete another year of college and it will give my family an entire year to prepare.

Hands down, the best part about returning home from training was seeing my five-year-old son’s eyes light up when I walked through the front door. “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!” he kept shouting, while he hugged me as tight as he could.

I realize more and more everyday what a profound sacrifice my family has made–and will continue to make–because of my decision to join the Armed Forces. My eyes fill with tears when I reflect on the magnitude of their unconditional support and their willingness to care for my son during my absence, even though they didn’t agree with my decision to enlist. The family members of servicemen and women deserve a great deal of credit and respect because with out them, most soldiers would be incapable of serving at all.

So, with a year before my first deployment and my big enlistment bonus in the bank, I look forward to spending the next twelve months not working in the traditional sense. I, instead, will focus on spending time with my family, maintaining a high GPA in school, strengthening my writing, and staying in shape.

I already miss a lot about the training life, even the Drill Sergeants and their 4 AM physical training. Still, I look forward, with excitement and with nervous energy, to what my future in the military will bring.

Dennis Lennox sat down for an exclusive interview with Carly Fiorina on the morning of May 29, 2008.

Carly Fiorina is the Victory ‘08 chairman for the Republican National Committee and a former CEO for Hewlett-Packard. She has extensive private sector experience and is one of John McCain’s top economic surrogates.

For the purposes of reading the interview, which is published in full below, “RM” is Mr. Lennox and “CF” is Ms. Fiorina.

RM: What makes you come here to Michigan to Mackinac Island of all places?

CF: This is an important economic conference – this is an important state. They asked me to come, and I delighted to accept.

RM: What will you speak about this evening?

CF: I’m going to be talking about what’s going in terms of globalization and technology and how that impacts the choices we make in this state and this country. The 21st Century is a different century than the previous one.

RM: In your mind, what stands out about Michigan and how we can improve the state’s economy?

CF: Michigan is last in the country with the worst economy. It’s about 47th or 48th in the country in terms of its tax policies. There’s a reason why new automobile plants are going up in Alabama and South Carolina, but not in Michigan. One of the reasons is tax structure. One of the reasons is there are programs in those states to train workers at community colleges. I don’t think Michigan is thinking about itself in a competitive context. We need to compete for every job. You compete for jobs by creating a business-friendly climate.

In Michigan, 8 percent of the people think the state is on the right track and 92 percent think it’s on the wrong track. Those are stunning numbers – Bulgaria has those kinds of numbers. That says people know fundamental change is necessary in Michigan.

RM: You were one of John McCain’s first prominent business supporters. What made you come out and support his campaign for president when he freely admits he isn’t the strongest on economic issues?

CF: I actually think he’s quite good on economics – his instincts are strong.

I first met him way back in 2000 when I was on Capitol Hill to talk about internet taxation. I remember talking to Senator McCain and really being impressed with the fact he understood the value of innovation. He understood that taxes can kill innovation. He understood why the technology was important, and that really stayed with me.

John McCain is a great and authentic leader. He understands that the role of government is to protect our nation and to unleash the ingenuity and creativity of the American people – not to tax them endlessly – and the role of government is not to solve all problems.

This election really matters. The Democrats will take us down a very different fork in the road towards more government, more taxes and more Washington-based solutions.

RM: What’s your role as chairman of the Republican National Committee’s Victory ‘08?

CF: I do a lot of advocacy work with multiple media formats from blogging to print to television and radio – speaking about why John McCain, why this election matters and why it’s important to get involved and vote.

RM: There’s a lot of talk you’re running for governor of California in 2010. Is that true?

CF: I don’t have any serious plans or considerations, but I get asked this question enough to think about it. Who knows what the future will hold.

RM: What will it take for you to run for governor?

CF: You know … when January comes, I will seriously consider what’s next. It’s May right now and we have a long five months to go until this election.

RM: What will John McCain do immediately as president for the economy?

CF: He would immediately give Americans a choice between filing taxes in the same old way or the choice between a simple, faired flat tax. He would immediately cut the taxes on businesses. We have the second highest tax rate on businesses in the world. There’s a whole series of things he would immediately do.

RM: Again, thank you for your time this morning and welcome to Mackinac Island.

CF: Thanks.

TJ Shope, former chairman of the Arizona College Republican, wonders which, if any, College Republicans were chosen to attend AIPAC this year.

Can we help help a brotha out?