Archive for the ‘Midwest Republican Leadership Conference’ Category

At these events, it is interesting to keep an eye on the press table, particularly at the beginning when they say the Pledge of Allegiance, sing the National Anthem, and give the benediction.

Some reporters stand up, and others do not; for example, the lady from Public Radio spent the whole time feverishly keying into her Blackberry without even looking up.

I said that I had a question for Mike Duncan, the RNC Chairman, but didn’t have a chance to ask him.

Below the fold is what I would have asked and the genesis of this thought process behind it.

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We drew straws. I lost, so I have to cover the talk being given by Mike Duncan.

For those of you that don’t know (and I bet most don’t), Duncan is the future ex-Chairman of the Republican National Committee. Ex if the slide and trend of losses for the party continues.

One of the great virtues of Mike Duncan is that he is not Mel Martinez, the public face (also chairman, however that works) of the RNC. Martinez was recently viciously slammed by Erick over at Red State.

More after the leap.

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1:21 – It is Huckabee’s birthday; audience sings him happy birthday. Jokes about his age.

1:22 – Winning in the Iowa straw poll “meant a lot to us.” Mentions that it should translate forward into the caucuses; there will be a lot of Mitt Money ™ working to try and make sure it doesn’t.

1:25 – Great anecdotes, getting much audience laughter. Again the self-deprecation.

1:26 – When Republicans do what they were elected to do, when they behave like Republicans, they get elected and reelected. Optimistic “about our party and our nation.” Now that’s putting on a brave face.

1:27 – Big applause for border security line.

1:28 – Grew up blue-collar, not blue-blood. Father worked two jobs. Story about growing up using Lava soap. “I was in college before I realized that a shower wasn’t supposed to hurt.” Even Jim Shella was laughing at this point.

More after the leap.

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1:00pm
Governor Daniels is giving the opening remarks before Governor Huckabee arrives. One of the things that I like about Governor Daniels is his ability to tell stories and to get a good laugh. Even though he’s good friends with Senator McCain and currently backing his candidacy, he’s pulling out the punches for Governor Huckabee. He even told a funny story of how he met a fellow Hoosier who told him he “looked like that Mitch guy. Hate it don’t yah!.” Very funny.

Now he’s speaking on how Indiana was eight years in the red before he became governor. And how just after three years in office, Indiana is now in the black and has a surplus.

Now he’s talking about the infrastructure of America and how as a nation we’re behind and only now, after the tragedy in Minnesota we’re only now starting to listen those who told us our nation’s infrastructure is in shambles. But because of the Major Moves legislation, Indiana is in a unique position to be able to fully fund, build and repair our state’s roads and bridges.

(Read more below the fold)

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Here are some pictures from this morning:

We are ready to live blog from the Huckabee Press Availability

Front and Center:

We were able to get some one-on-one time with Gov. Huckabee following his press availability. More on this later.

The dinner is under way:

12:54 – Welcomes folks from out of state; urges them to spend lots of money. Calls attention to Colts tie he is wearing. Mucho self deprecation and modest humor.

12:55 – Indiana is home to the two oldest people on the planet (his friends, “girlfriends”; laughter). One of them remembers the assassination of the president… McKinley.

12:59 – Touts the usual Hoosier virtues; hardworking, helping neighbors, asking for nothing in return. We look after our own, we look after ourselves. A return to the 2004 campaign themes. Hoosier nationalism / patriotism, can’t go wrong there. I am surprised that he is not wearing flannel.

1:01 – We campaigned on our promises, and we are now delivering on those promises. Many anecdotes, all get laughs. The speech seems to be mostly anecdotes thus far.

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By: Brian Sikma, Live at the Midwest Republican Leadership Conference

I just got done interviewing Indiana Republican Chairman Murry Clark about the Midwest Republican Leadership Conference and some issues related to Indiana’s position as a later primary state.

When asked why this conference is good for Indiana Republicans, Chairman Clark said that the event helps unite the Indiana party with the other Midwest State parties. Republicans across the Midwest can come together to discuss the various political issues facing our region. Additionally, the conference helps focus Hoosier Republicans on the common goal of electing Republican officeholders in 2008.

When asked about the fact that Indiana is a second tier state in terms of a primary date, Clark replied that the system is set up so that it penalizes those states that abide by the National Republican Committee’s rules. There are rules governing the way primaries are scheduled, right now, Indiana’s date lags behind other states simply because Indiana is following the rules. Clark expressed his hope that the 2008 National Republican Convention will pass a resolution seeking to remove the inequities now faced by early primary vs. late primary states.

The Chairman said that among the several options open for consideration was a proposal to rotate the primary schedule so that each state would have the chance to, every so often, be a key early primary state.

We look forward to seeing how this proposal works out.

Posting is indexed here.

9:53 AM - The Governor will be here in a few minutes; small room for a rising campaign. Only about a dozen press people.

9:56 - One of the reporters is talking loudly on his cell phone, commenting about the “cheap trinkets for sale” outside and the hawking of bogus polls saying that Republicans are going to win everything. I want to see polls like that, because I don’t think that there are any.

 9:58 - More reporters have started to trickle in at the last minute. They should have gotten a bigger room.

10:01 - Punctuality may not be a virtue common to governors of Arkansas with presidential ambitions.

10:05 - Yeah.

10:10 - Showtime.

More after the leap.

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9:45am - We’re here and set up. We’re about to head into the morning briefing with presidential candidate Gov. Mike Huckabee.

9:55am - The press conference is about to start and we have questions ready. We’re taping and getting it recorded as well. Hopefully we’ll have that on the site soon.

10:07am - The Guv is running a bit behind right now.

10:10am - The Guv has arrived and shaking all of our hands. Good entrance.

10:11am - We need to return to the values that got Republicans elected in the first place. “We lost in ‘06 because we didn’t act like Republicans.”

10:14am “Seismic shift” since the Ames straw poll. Has seen a boost in his campaign, but warns of a money driven election cycle. It’s an obvious shot at Mitt Romney. (more…)