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Everyone is bright eyed and bushy-tailed after a late night of pizza, pitchers and politicking. We’ll be breaking the fast at 8:30 and gaveling in at 9 so check back soon for all the updates…

All three of us in attendance, Daniel, Justin and I are liveblogging.

9:00 AM - Gaveled in and Roll Call

Agenda
1. Elections
2. Resolutions
3. Awards
4. All other business

9:07 AM - 3 Minute nomination speeches, 6 minute candidate speeches

9:08 AM - Marquette has nominated Ryan Wrasse for chair and UW- Madison nominated John Connors
The first nomination speech is Levonne Dirkson from Madison for John Connors

Themes of Levonne’s speech: America has not seen it’s best days, optomism is key.

3 key issues for next year:
1. Fundraising - John raised $5000 for Marquette
2. Reach out too all chapters - John has visited a number of campuses (the list is at rebuildwi.org
3. Communication

9:13 am - John is speaking - More people this year, celebrates huge attendance

Click read more for the latest updates.

Clap line: Will crush Hilary Clinton
Marquette Business Major
Came from “the largest and most active College Republicans at Marquette” this is debateable but is based on an education rating site, link to come later.

John is running through his experience with Scott Walker, Mark Green and Americans for Prosperity

Will have Political Director (steering committee) and Executive Director (day to day releases, etc)

CDCs will be abolished, 4 regional directors (who will be paid) - this is against our constitution so it would need to be ammended.
“so CDCs will actually do something” did not make many points

9:20 AM - Quick QnA with John.
Nate Nelson raised the question why Tom wouldn’t run if Ryan Wrasse won, is he more loyal to the CRs or to John Connors. John responded that this is competition and competition makes the club better.

How much came from Marqutte University Student Government? “5000 was from private donors, I can’t call myself a fundraising guru”

9:25 AM - Daniel Suhr is up nominating Ryan Wrasse
Says hello to the “50/50 split of Men and Women”.
“Ryan is the most qualified candidate Daniel has seen”
“politics from the grassroots up”
“not a country club Republican, as you’ll see on the gun range this afternoon”
“Ryan was the youngest county Republican chair in it’s history”
“served WICR board’

Daniel Suhr, polished as usual folks.

9:28 AM - Ryan Wrasse is speaking, ” sometimes opportunity seeks you”. Friends drafted him. Nate Nelson, enough stories to last a lifetime. Remembering the stories with friends. Referencing first GOP president Abraham Lincoln.

“Team oriented game plan to deal with day-to-day needs”
Will appoint a communications director, focus on Wisconsin.
To review the constitution immediately, will have the changes by 2008. - Ed’s note: We need to revise the constitution!

Fundraising should not be sole goal. When it comes to fundraising we reap what we sow, we must be active and work with incumbent law makers. 90% of fundraising for operational use, 10% to be saved.

“Not a vote for me but, a vote for each of you”

9:35 AM - Why did you run? Oneida county chair for 3 years in order to build networks between young and old Republicans. Wants to do the same with Wisconsin CRs.

“What is you biggest personal influence?” Hard question but definitely my family, great grandmother first woman to vote in Milwaukee after suffrage movement, many more examples of family influence… Touching answer, solid too. Unconventional but very GOP.

9:37 AM - What do you think of the endowment? Will remain open, no heavy hand. Will work with the leadership team. Strongly supports a longterm plan for financial solvency.

Would you support abolishing CDCs? WIll remain open but thinks building support in the party structure would be more effective. Wouldn’t support paying CDCs.

9:41 AM - 5 minute break and then voting. Too bad the Alumni table at the convention doesn’t have a vote Shawn, Jordan and I sent up our “votes”

9:52 AM - 34.5 John Connors 59.5 Ryan Wrasse
Congrats Ryan!!!

John is a close personal friend of mine and I think he will lead well elsewhere. I hope the state organization can unite the state as well this year as Mary did.

9:53 AM - First Vice Chair speeches limited - Mike Hahn and Tom Burton Nominated. Tom Burton declined, thats really too bad, he is a great leader and an activist. Nomination speech for Mike - Personal reponsibility, fundraising, great choice.

Mike - Politics is about more than money, we have the right principles and we must promote them to bring this state and country in the right direction.
Mike Hahn will be the First Vice Chair.
Congrats Mike Hahn!!

9:59 - Greg Torres nominated for 2nd Vice Chair - My summary:New leaders, new members, stronger future.

10:03 AM- Emily Pedley nomination speech from our new Chair, Ryan Wrasse. ( Ed’s note: Emily is quite the powerhouse, I met her last night and she was already giving me recommendations on handguns (her father is a county Sheriff)). She is working hard building Platteville and would be a great addition to the team as a representative from a smaller school. Criminal justice major.

Likes to talk and likes to drive!

This is a tough choice, two great candidates. The Alumni chapter is going Emily with our imaginary votes:-)

10:13 AM - 64 Pedley 30 Torres
Congrats Pedley!!

10:15 AM - One Nomination for Secretary. Jackie Goessl will be Secretary

Congrats Jackie!!

10:19 - Time for resolution

10:21 - GOP3.com has now been designated through a resolution as the official blog of the Wisconsin State College Republicans convention for the third year running!!

10:23 - Now there is debate surrounding a resolution to discourage candidates from running as slates and refusing to run on their own (the situation with Tom).

Pro: Slates decrease our talent pool, cause contention. This would stop it.
Cons: Hard to enforce, against personal freedom.

Resolution passes

10:50 - Resolution against the United Council of the UW schools passed.

10:51 - Quick recess.

11:12 - Financial Report - Doing well.

11:13 - Now for the fun stuff - AWARDS! Winners will not be announced till tonight, the suspense is overwhelming!!

CR Of The Year Nominations: Nate Nelson, AJ Zahn, Tom Burton
Winner:

College Republican Chapter of the Year Nominations: Edgewood, Platteville, Madison
Winner:

Old Guard Nominations: Daniel Suhr, Mattie Duppler
Winner:

Ted Kennedy Award (for, shall we say, “alcoholic prowess”) Nominations: Daniel Suhr, Chris Frye (I hear this speech is going to be a great one ;-)), Jenn Webber, Ryan “White Shaq” Meyer
Daniel - Post Bar-Closing Capital Tour
Chris Frye - Late night Perkins Trip, Martini Cuff Links, Slept in the Pool
Ryan Meyer - Showed up soaked…
Jenn Weber - “Trick Knee” that has not acted up since

12:06 - CDCs were just selected and today’s meeting is over. Now it’s off to the shooting range or the brewery for a tour.

• Gop3.com at the Republican National Convention - August 28th, 2008
• Obama in his Vice President's Own Words - August 23rd, 2008
• Wednesday Hero: Pvt. Nathan Z. Thacker - August 20th, 2008
• Wednesday Hero: Spc. Matthew A. Koch - August 13th, 2008
• Wednesday Hero: Senior Airman Kimberly Bickford - August 6th, 2008