CR Nation

Check out new Politico’s podcast with new National College Republican Chairman Zach Howell here.

During the podcast, Howell says that “We’re optimistic. We think that ultimately our policies are better for young people, and are more sustainable and responsible.”

Later on in the podcast, Mr. Howell is asked to comment on the old adage “If you are young and conservative you have no heart, but if you are old and liberal you have no brain.”

Again, to check out the podcast, click here.

With about 25 State Chairs and the entire CRNC Executive Board, the bomb-shell announcement of the new administration’s first conference call with the National Board on Thursday was that the CRNC has cut STORM.

On the call, the announcement was made by CRNC Treasurer Brand Kroeger.

According to Mr. Kroeger, after reviewing the books and looking at STORM’s analytics, the CRNC could not justify continuing to pay for the database.

STORM was costing the CRNC upwards of $14,000 per month to maintain, but only generating a little over 100 hits in the same period.

Running the numbers, that means the CRNC was paying $140 per hit – an astounding amount.

Asking around, College Republican leaders seem pleased with the decision, and Mr. Howell’s budget cutting measures.

The CRNC will not be database-less for long. A new database is reportedly being built around the results of a survey of College Republicans conducted several months ago by the CRNC and the David All Group.

The call was also used to introduce Tommy Jardon, former Southern Regional Vice-Chairman, as CRNC Executive Director. In an email following the call, Mr. Jardon said,

As members of the Committee, I consider each and every one of you my “boss.” Please feel free to reach out to me with any comments, concerns, questions, or ideas you may have. I, Zach Howell our Chairman, the national officers, and the entire CRNC are resources at your disposal.

Additionally, we found out on the call that the CRNC Fall Board Meeting will be held November 20-22 at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando Studios in Orlando, FL.

For State Chairs, the CRNC will reportedly cover the hotel and two meals. This board meeting, however, will be the first in which ALL College Republicans are welcome.

To make it more economically feasible for non-State Chair College Republicans the CRNC has secured deeply discounted rates on hotels and other attractions in the Orlando area.

Lastly, the call was used to push efforts to get College Republicans to deploy to the upcoming gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.

Terence Grado, former NJ College Republican Chairman and current Northeast Regional Vice-Chairman, and current VA College Republican Chairwoman Kate Maxwell both talked about their respective states.

Mr. Howell is reportedly meeting with RGA Executive Director Nick Ayers to discuss how the College Republicans can best be of service.

As always, your thoughts?

From Operation Yellow Elephant, a liberal blog:

If Zach can walk across his office without stumbling over the furniture he’ll surpass Mr. Smith.

OYE does link to an interesting article in the Salt Lake Tribune:

Zach Howell’s office is empty, save for a football tucked under a desk and a lone yellow bumper sticker on the wall: “College Republicans make great leaders. You’re following one.”

Howell, a 23-year-old from Sandy, is taking that advice to heart as he assumes his new role as chairman of the College Republican National Committee.

With the Republican Party attempting to chart a new path forward after a thumping in last year’s general election, Howell will play a pivotal role in boosting the youth vote for Republican causes.

“It’s an exciting chance to prove our party is strong and effective,” Howell says from his office six blocks from the Capitol.

Read the article for the full scoop.

This is as close as it gets to meeting in the Oval Office for the ride to the Capitol to take the oath of office.

From Mr. Howell’s website:

Today I’m excited to announce a second group of state Chairman endorsements for Jeremy, Brand and I. This week’s list contains 14 endorsements from 11 different states:

Kate Maxwell–Virginia
Justin York–Florida
Harout Samra–Florida (Former State Chairman)
Benjamin Lynch–North Carolina
Samuel Tasher–North Carolina (Former State Chairman)
Tyson Grinstead–North Carolina (Former State Chairman)
Jacob Sims–Kentucky
Lance Kennedy–Texas
Esther Clark–Georgia
Taylor Hall–South Carolina
Chandler Harris–Alabama
Richard Walters–Mississippi
Rachel Davis–Arkansas
Rudy Perciful–Louisiana

For the 2007 credentialing process, the states listed above represented 38 votes.

In addition to previously announced endorsements and the endorsements listed here, Mr. Howell has received endorsements from states representing 83 votes (in 2007 numbers).

Zach Howell has now picked up endorsements of 19 of the rumored 38 states who sent in credentials this year.

This is Mr. Howell’s second set of endorsements. I am told there are at least another two remaining.