CR Nation

As a sidenote, you’ve probably noticed the number and frequency of our posts have diminished over the last few weeks. That is because the CR Nation staff are College Republicans doing what College Republicans do: We are working hard in our key battleground state to get John McCain elected president. We’ll be spending even less time on the blog this last week, as should you. If you haven’t already, find a local campaign office and get involved. We need all hands on deck.

John McCain cannot win if we do not help turnout Republican voters. These next seven days will determine the next four years. So go volunteer, and then volunteer some more.

Ashley Todd is a CRNC field representative from Texas. The story yesterday was that Ashley had been attacked outside Pittsburgh and had a “B” carved into her face.

Now, Pittsburgh police say that Ashley confessed to making up the story and will face charges.

So what is the real story? What really happened to Ashley in Bloomfield, Pa?

Update II: The CRNC has contacted CR Nation to comment on the story.

Communications Director Ashley Barbera: “When Ms. Todd initially contacted us claiming to have been attacked our first reaction was obviously to be concerned for her safety. We are as upset as anyone to learn of her deceit. Ashley must take full responsibility for her actions.”

Executive Director Ethan Eilon: “We have terminated her effective today. Obviously, we had know idea she was making this story up.”

Update: Daily Kos is having a field day with this story. Comments look like this:

Collage Republicans are terroristsSeriously she is a CR?

Collage Republicans are domestic terrorists. THe group once lead by Jack Abramoff had Links to RENMO Via he white south african governement and to the Sandanistas and to Pinochet (Abramoff and cronies were real nasty). They also believed in agitprop. They were set up to counter the radical left. And engaged in direct action in the US.

I think College Republicans should have to go
back to high school, and those who can’t “rethink” go back to middle school.

More typical of College Republicans…
not all are douchebags, of course, but they do seem to attract more per capita than most orgs.

Sorry for the really long break-travel and the election have kept me busy in the Heartland. But have you noticed Governor Palin’s critics? No, not the Daily Kos crowd or even the ostensibly more reasoned The New Republic.        

David Brooks and Mike Murphy dismissed Governor Palin first. There was Christopher Buckley and Colin Powell’s endorsement. Then Peggy Noonan and Mark Krikorian resort to snottiness when talking about Governor Palin(would you rather have a vice president who drops G’s or who will work to expand the size of government-Hmm…). Krikorian doesn’t realize McCain would face revolt if he backed out of border first and she was talking to Univision! Let’s think about the source she’s talking to. Governor Palin would please those of us who oppose illegal immigration, make no bones about it based on her dedication for preserving the rule of law.

Anyway, Daniel Henninger, Tony Blankely, and the Maha Rushie(Rush Hudson Limbaugh III)  have more on the story. As Charlie Brown would say, Good grief.

Lance Kennedy has announced his candidacy for chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans. Kennedy has a Facebook group with 144 members, at the time this post is written. The platform Kennedy is running on is listed on the Facebook group:

After much thought and consideration I have decided to run for election as Chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans. This is not out of a desire to obtain political office or to add an extra line onto my resume. I am running because I feel that I am the only candidate that has the experience and leadership necessary to change TFCR for the better, and to make it a legitimate auxiliary organization of the Republican Party of Texas.

If elected I promise to:

1. Raise $20-50,000 in the first six months of office. I have raised $10,000 for a student government election at UT, imagine how much more we can raise together for TFCR. We need an experienced fund raiser as Chairman, and I am the only candidate that fits that description.

2. Consolidate TFCR and make all chapters feel welcome. For too long we have let petty things divide us; it is time to make a change in our policies. We must have an active chapter at every school in the State of Texas.

3. Transform TFCR from the organization that it is into a viable part of the GOP. Only a strong leader with connections at all levels of government can achieve this.

4. Help local chapters develop themselves by providing: funding, online resources, and speakers to help increase their presence on campuses.

5. Increase Texas’ prominence in CRNC by implementing reforms and raising significant amounts of capital for local chapters and elections. I want Texas to be THE most powerful state in the national convention, and I know you do too.

I have spoken with Charlie Smith, National Chairman of College Republicans National Committee, who supports these measures and believes that if implemented would improve TFCR significantly. Please join me in this endeavor by electing me as Chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans.

Kennedy claims to have the endorsements of the following current or former Texas College Republicans:

Justin Jordan-Fmr. TFCR Chairman
Andres Bocanegra-TFCR Vice Chairman/Pres. UTA CRs
Rachel Coolidge-TFCR VC of Chapter Relations
Brandon Lighton-TFCR VC of Chapter Development
Allison Miller-TFCR Treasurer
Nickole Heater-President UTEP College Republicans
Terry Duncan-President UTA College Republicans
Ryan D. Ellis-President UT College Republicans
Brian Miller-President A&M College Republicans
Tricia Ridenour-Secretary UTD College Republicans
Tory Sumrall-Fmr. TFCR Treasurer
Rachel Imbriale-Fmr. TFCR VC of Alumni Relations

From this list, it appears that many of the current state executive board members are supporting Kennedy. It will be interesting to see if current TFCR Chairman Ryan Murphy will seek re-election, considering that so many of his own executive board have endorsed his would-be opponent.

“We need tax increases….there are plenty of ‘rich’ people out there we can tax”

Typically, Democrats don’t admit stuff like this, unless they think they can win without hiding the ball…