OH, Historic Day!!!!

Today was a historic day to be a CD5 MN Republican. WOW.

I've been doing this for 10 years, and today was HUGE.

The 5th Congressional District (CD5) Convention was today, and the party standard got a wake-up call. OH did they. So, the agenda for a CD Convention is to give candidates for US and MN congress the nomination, elect delegates and alternates to the National Convention, and vote on party platform resolutions.

To be elected as a delegate or alternate to the national convention, tradition mandates you've participated in the party for years. However, all individuals interested in running for either of these positions (in CD5 there are three delegates and three alternate spots) is required to come before the nominating committee and be interviewed. Then, on the day of the convention, the nominating committee makes a recommendation on which of those candidates actually be elected. All other candidates that interviewed, however, can be nominated on the floor and then be added to the ballot.

Well, the three alternates and three delegates were selected by the party officials...and the six individuals were all old guard. SERIOUS old guard. With the "I've been in the party and volunteering for years, I deserve this" mentality. So, per usual, other individuals were nominated for the positions, and we went to a vote.

NONE of the "recommended" candidates were elected!!! NONE!

Ooooh would you believe how shocked and angry and upset the old guard party was?! The people around me (who've been involved for YEARS and always vote the party line) were besides themselves. "You don't even know these people, how can you vote for them?!" they asked. "I've never seen this happen before, ever." they uttered in disbelief.

Turns out I wasn't the only one sitting in my precinct caucus and my BPOU convention thinking "gosh, you people make it hard to want to be a Republican!" Turns out there are a lot of us who are sick and tired of the old guard congratulating themselves and supporting themselves and not doing much to make sure the GOP is RELEVANT to a new generation.

I think more people would be republican if we actually did what we say we stand for! I don't want government in my life. Bottom line, I think more government does more harm than good. And yet, you see republicans constantly voting for legislation that increases the government involvement in my life.

I am SO excited! I think this is a momentous occasion....this is the start of us reclaiming the GOP. I was contemplating not taking my spot as a delegate to the State Convention because I didn't think I could put up with more of the same CRAP for two days. Non-stop glad-handing makes me want to vomit. Talk about the issues, get them done, and then congratulate yourself when you can say that you've increased the number of people voting republican. Until then, you're ineffective and irrelevant.

Next goal - figure out how to ensure this new movement stays active and involved. I don't want to show up in two years for the next round of this and be the lone "New" Republican standing. I want this same group to show up and vote and continue to influence. Because as we saw today, when you show up, you CAN make a difference!!!

GO GOP!!! :o)