Doesn't quite have the same ring as "I'm going to Disneyland!", but I suspect I will enjoy my time more at the Republican National Convention as an alternate delegate more than I would waiting in line with thousands of kids and their impatient parents.
As part of the McCain Unity Slate at the Colorado State Convention, I will be part of the action this September from the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. I couldn't be more excited (or terrified)! I've never done anything like this, but I certainly hope this is the beginning of something truly amazing. I am so glad you're along for the ride.
I have been in a fund-raising frenzy ever since I heard the great news. I will leave at the end of August for a week-long trip to the great state of Minnesota. All delegates and alternate delegates are responsible for paying their expenses...hotels, airfare, food, transportation, etc. And all delegates, (from both parties) are encouraged to fund raise through friends, family and other contacts to help ease the financial responsibility.
I'm through my email lists, BlackBerry, address books and business cards to organize every person I have ever met. Phone calls will be made. Letters will be signed, sealed and delivered. There will be many schmoozing sessions over coffee between now and August.
There's still that part of me that wonders, what if people don't want to contribute to my campaign? For as many reasons as I think people should contribute to my campaign and the journey to the Midwest, I can think of twice as many for people to not participate. I am asking my friends and family, Democrats or Republicans, to help me get to the Convention. It's important to for me to be a part of something bigger than myself and I know my friends and family are with me in this endeavor.
So now...the work begins.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Catching the Political Bug
I Caught the “Political Bug”
First of all, I am going to participate in The White House Project’s “Go Run” event in late March. The event is designed to prepare women to run for public office in the near future. I’m working on developing that confidence in myself and I think this event will be a great start to it….which leads to me to…
Things Are Falling into Place…I am getting ready to attend my county assembly and state and congressional district assemblies in the near future. Honestly, I am a bit nervous, but I think that this is has been one of the greatest challenged I’ve ever faced. I have to walk into situations where I know no one. No one is introducing me to anyone else…I’ve had to do that myself, and that is daunting to someone who is used to always knowing someone in the room.
Not only am I one of many anonymous delegates, I have to try to get everyone in the room with a vote to pick me. What makes me stand out from the rest? This is why I love politics.
Standing in a room with 60 other women, and about 5 men, I realized that this is the starting point for so many things to come. Several women in the room were already candidates getting ready for a race that won’t end until November. The strength and resolve of women is fascinating to me. I’ve heard that I should leave the politicking to men. Tonight State Speaker Andrew Romanoff applauded loudly and cheered when City Councilwoman Faith Winter said that more women should enter the political arena as it was possible that women might be able to do a better job. I couldn’t agree more.
This doesn’t make me anti-male. Give me a break. I love men. But I do believe that for too long women in this country have been told to keep quiet and let the men do the important work. Women must have a vested interest in the future of their communities, and what better way to do so than to serve your community? Public servants aren’t in it for the money (state reps make $30,000 annually). I have to believe they do it to serve their fellow man.
I hope to be a public servant someday. When I think about what I have “gotten” from my community, it seems only appropriate to give back.
First of all, I am going to participate in The White House Project’s “Go Run” event in late March. The event is designed to prepare women to run for public office in the near future. I’m working on developing that confidence in myself and I think this event will be a great start to it….which leads to me to…
Things Are Falling into Place…I am getting ready to attend my county assembly and state and congressional district assemblies in the near future. Honestly, I am a bit nervous, but I think that this is has been one of the greatest challenged I’ve ever faced. I have to walk into situations where I know no one. No one is introducing me to anyone else…I’ve had to do that myself, and that is daunting to someone who is used to always knowing someone in the room.
Not only am I one of many anonymous delegates, I have to try to get everyone in the room with a vote to pick me. What makes me stand out from the rest? This is why I love politics.
Standing in a room with 60 other women, and about 5 men, I realized that this is the starting point for so many things to come. Several women in the room were already candidates getting ready for a race that won’t end until November. The strength and resolve of women is fascinating to me. I’ve heard that I should leave the politicking to men. Tonight State Speaker Andrew Romanoff applauded loudly and cheered when City Councilwoman Faith Winter said that more women should enter the political arena as it was possible that women might be able to do a better job. I couldn’t agree more.
This doesn’t make me anti-male. Give me a break. I love men. But I do believe that for too long women in this country have been told to keep quiet and let the men do the important work. Women must have a vested interest in the future of their communities, and what better way to do so than to serve your community? Public servants aren’t in it for the money (state reps make $30,000 annually). I have to believe they do it to serve their fellow man.
I hope to be a public servant someday. When I think about what I have “gotten” from my community, it seems only appropriate to give back.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Super Tuesday Digest
What an exciting time to be involved in politics at a grassroots level! I went to my first Caucus last night and learned so much about the political process. This is the kind of stuff you can't really be taught in high school or college, you have to be there to soak it all in.
When I got there, there were only four other people from my precinct. I was a little disappointed, but when we all got to talking, I liked having a small group as we were able to have great conversations.
The whole process took us a little longer than it would have if we had precinct leaders. Apparently, there are none for my precinct. It's a two-year commitment and involves getting to know your neighbors, encouraging them to vote and hosting precinct events. I am now a precinct leader.
I was also elected to be a delegate to the county assembly, multi state house and multi state senate district assemblies, and the state convention. I am excited and nervous, but the process to becoming a national delegate is now officially underway.
I understand why people don't get involved in the political process. It takes a commitment and sometimes the bureaucracy is astounding. But if you can get past that and try to learn something from each interaction you have, I think becoming a political animal is so worth it.
Why read about history when you can make it?
When I got there, there were only four other people from my precinct. I was a little disappointed, but when we all got to talking, I liked having a small group as we were able to have great conversations.
The whole process took us a little longer than it would have if we had precinct leaders. Apparently, there are none for my precinct. It's a two-year commitment and involves getting to know your neighbors, encouraging them to vote and hosting precinct events. I am now a precinct leader.
I was also elected to be a delegate to the county assembly, multi state house and multi state senate district assemblies, and the state convention. I am excited and nervous, but the process to becoming a national delegate is now officially underway.
I understand why people don't get involved in the political process. It takes a commitment and sometimes the bureaucracy is astounding. But if you can get past that and try to learn something from each interaction you have, I think becoming a political animal is so worth it.
Why read about history when you can make it?
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Let's See How Far We've Come
I am definitely starting to freak out about this whole delegate thing. I am definitely going to put forth the effort, but it's a daunting task. No one knows me and really has no reason to vote for me to be delegate to the Republican National Convention...except for the following:
- I am the best kind of Republican...the unexpected one. People who meet me expect me to be a liberal...apparently because I'm a woman and a minority, but I'll take the stereotype...and blow it out of the water.
- I loved Reagan long before it became cool to invoke him and his ideals during any and all casual political conversations, fistfights or presidential debates.
- I'm fiscally conservative and I believe in small government.
- I LOVE nominating conventions and watch them like it's the World Series (actually, in all honesty...I would rather watch the World Series...unless it was during a national convention) and would represent my party and state with honor.
- I've volunteered for the Republican party in the past two general election cycles and have volunteered for Governor Bill Ritter's campaign. I was also an intern for Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) in 2007. I will continue to serve the electorate as it sees fit.
- I am the best kind of Republican...the unexpected one. People who meet me expect me to be a liberal...apparently because I'm a woman and a minority, but I'll take the stereotype...and blow it out of the water.
- I loved Reagan long before it became cool to invoke him and his ideals during any and all casual political conversations, fistfights or presidential debates.
- I'm fiscally conservative and I believe in small government.
- I LOVE nominating conventions and watch them like it's the World Series (actually, in all honesty...I would rather watch the World Series...unless it was during a national convention) and would represent my party and state with honor.
- I've volunteered for the Republican party in the past two general election cycles and have volunteered for Governor Bill Ritter's campaign. I was also an intern for Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) in 2007. I will continue to serve the electorate as it sees fit.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Opposites Attract
The life of a blogger is just like everyone else...only we are always looking for "material". I have nothing today except that I had a great night with my friend, MacKenzie. We are political opposites, which is probably why we get along so well...but tonight...we were out with the boys and trying to be charming, smart and politically astute all at the same time. Interesting evening...
Regardless...I think something should be said about political people being friends with other political people...even if we don't agree on much fundamentally. MacKenzie and I have been friends for years, and if there's a Republican or a Democrat in the White House in January 2009, we will continue to be friends and care about each other and each other's families. Everyone says they want to be the politician who "crosses the aisle". I really don't care what side of the aisle you're on. There's lots of work to do. Stop glad handing. Stop talking. Listen "I don't care of you get along...I care if you get something done." (Thank you, Chris Matthews!)
Regardless...I think something should be said about political people being friends with other political people...even if we don't agree on much fundamentally. MacKenzie and I have been friends for years, and if there's a Republican or a Democrat in the White House in January 2009, we will continue to be friends and care about each other and each other's families. Everyone says they want to be the politician who "crosses the aisle". I really don't care what side of the aisle you're on. There's lots of work to do. Stop glad handing. Stop talking. Listen "I don't care of you get along...I care if you get something done." (Thank you, Chris Matthews!)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Kicking and Screaming
Oh, Doug Bruce.
By now, you've all heard about when State Rep. Doug Bruce did on Monday, January 14 in the state house. He kicked a Rocky Mountain News photographer to teach him a lesson about manners and decorum. Yes, you read that right.
I'm going to keep this as brief as possible, because I know many people have their own opinions about what happened. I'm not attacking Bruce's politics, I am attacking the way he treats other people. He says he was trying to teach RMN photog a lesson about manners and decorum -- Bruce feels that while House members are gathered in prayer, photographers shouldn't be snapping photos.
That may be the case...however, it's not a rule in the House, and the photographer wasn't breaking any other rules. No one has the right to assault another person unless they are being attacked and need to defend themselves. Bruce wasn't being attacked. He was about to be sworn in as a state rep (God Help El Paso County!) and was in the VERY PUBLIC State House of Representatives in the State Capitol, which is PUBLIC PROPERTY.
If you can't stand the heat...get out of the kitchen.
By now, you've all heard about when State Rep. Doug Bruce did on Monday, January 14 in the state house. He kicked a Rocky Mountain News photographer to teach him a lesson about manners and decorum. Yes, you read that right.
I'm going to keep this as brief as possible, because I know many people have their own opinions about what happened. I'm not attacking Bruce's politics, I am attacking the way he treats other people. He says he was trying to teach RMN photog a lesson about manners and decorum -- Bruce feels that while House members are gathered in prayer, photographers shouldn't be snapping photos.
That may be the case...however, it's not a rule in the House, and the photographer wasn't breaking any other rules. No one has the right to assault another person unless they are being attacked and need to defend themselves. Bruce wasn't being attacked. He was about to be sworn in as a state rep (God Help El Paso County!) and was in the VERY PUBLIC State House of Representatives in the State Capitol, which is PUBLIC PROPERTY.
If you can't stand the heat...get out of the kitchen.
Monday, December 24, 2007
On Being a Delegate (I hope!)
The challenge before me is simple. Get elected to be a delegate for the Republican National Convention, in Minneapolis, MN, in September 2008. It sounds simple. I mean, how hard can this be? Turns out, there are many red-blooded Republicans who also believe that this great honor should be bestowed upon them. I can understand that. These are Republicans who have participated in the process for years, know the "who's who" in Colorado Republican politics and have paid their dues (literally and figuratively).
But then, there is me. Recent college grad and lover of (almost) all things political. The Democrats will be in Denver soon. And I plan to head for the Land of 10,000 Lakes in search of the Democrats conservative rival. I've wanted to be a member of the political process since Reagan was elected the first time. I've watched party conventions my entire life and although the outcome is decided before the convention even begins, I see the value in being a part of history and getting involved int he Democratic process.
At breakfast this morning, a friend and I had a conversation about political involvement in this country, which is probably best assessed by looking at voter turnout. We believe we have a RIGHT to vote because we're Americans. We also have a RESPONSIBILITY to learn the issues and be educated voters.
In the coming months, I will be making myself very well known to the Republican party in Colorado. The Caucus is on February 5, which is the beginning of a long and eventful journey.
But then, there is me. Recent college grad and lover of (almost) all things political. The Democrats will be in Denver soon. And I plan to head for the Land of 10,000 Lakes in search of the Democrats conservative rival. I've wanted to be a member of the political process since Reagan was elected the first time. I've watched party conventions my entire life and although the outcome is decided before the convention even begins, I see the value in being a part of history and getting involved int he Democratic process.
At breakfast this morning, a friend and I had a conversation about political involvement in this country, which is probably best assessed by looking at voter turnout. We believe we have a RIGHT to vote because we're Americans. We also have a RESPONSIBILITY to learn the issues and be educated voters.
In the coming months, I will be making myself very well known to the Republican party in Colorado. The Caucus is on February 5, which is the beginning of a long and eventful journey.
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