Wow! NOW we're moving!

            Kicking off day 2 of the TWC RNC program was a slightly more entertaining and interesting morning session. We heard from Chairman Jo Ann Davidson, Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee as well as Chairman of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2008 Republican National Convention! Following Chairman Davidson was Former Congressman Tim Penny, from Minnesota’s 1^st Congressional District. To wrap up the day our Scholar in Residence, Meena Bose and our Faculty Leader, Former Oklahoma Congressman Mickey Edwards spoke to us about how the parties have evolved over time.

Having Chairman Davidson here was especially exciting for me. Not only is she a major figure in the Republican Party but she is also a major figure in Ohio! Earlier this summer I was invited by the Marion County Republican Party Chairman, John Matthews, to attend an event launching a new PAC for John Kasich called “Recharge Ohio”.  Mrs. Davidson was in attendance at this event and Mr. Matthews made sure to introduce us. That night we talked a minute about my goals and some experiences and left it at that. Today she told me she remembered our first encounter! I took this opportunity to reaffirm our existing connection by handing her one of my ONU business cards and asking her to call me if she needed help with anything throughout the convention. We will just have to wait and see if this develops into anything, this is definitely exciting to think about!

Mrs. Davidson’s speech focused on how the convention was set up, why we have conventions and the relevance of conventions in the future. She told us something I had never exactly thought of before but once she said it made perfect sense. Did you know that the rules and platform of the party are all decided upon only once every 4 years and aside from officially nominating our Presidential Candidate are the reasons we hold these conventions? I sure didn’t! She explained to us that many people are starting to say there is no reason to hold the conventions any more since we now have technology to make these meetings possible without having to travel away from our home pc. She continued by saying that she completely disagrees with this view, after all, conventions BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. There is no sense of unity or ability to actually connect in any way other than in person. How would the party operate disconnected? Not only do conventions bring people together but they serve as a way to get the party base fired up for the election. Everyone goes home with a new message and the energy to carry their mission to spread that message as far as they can through to the election. Would that even translate into a completely digital setting? Nope.

Our second speaker was Former Minnesota 1^st District Congressman Tim Penny. All I have to say is, I thought this man was incredible! In an obviously joking manner he explained his short stay in Washington by simply saying he never should have gotten there in the first place. After 6 terms in Congress he left Washington since he felt that was not where he belonged. Soon after leaving he left the Democratic Party to become a registered Independent. He says this will be a very consequential election, unlike any in recent memory since both parties are now running candidates they never would have picked. He also pointed out that he believes the party systems are broken, his generation dropped the ball and it is up to us, the youth of today, to change things. Penny is just as disappointed with the game of politics as most Americans are. It is hard to get anything done in Congress when there is constant bickering among parties. It is time Congress got rid of the long late summer recess and started going to work to actually get something done. Honestly, after listening to Mr. Penny speak, I’m ready to elect him for President!

After the morning session Andy and I were invited to be interviewed by a reporter from the St. Paul Star Tribune. He asked us what we were doing for the convention, hoped to get out of it etc. I’ll be looking online for that tomorrow.

Once the interview was over it was time to walk back to the hotel, change and meet up with our group at lunch. We were able to lump our afternoon small group session in with lunch in order to save time.

To finish out the day we were taken on a tour of Minneapolis – St. Paul. We were able to tour the Minnesota State House and saw a number of other interesting sites by way of bus tour. To conclude the tour we were dropped at the Minnesota State Fair where I tasted the best cookies EVER. The tour guide and bus driver made sure we knew to get the “bucket of cookies” so we did. Anthony bought some to share and YUMMIE!!!! Take the awesome cookies, add some Hilary and you have an interesting end to a long day. Tomorrow gets even better when we will have a tour of the Xcel Center and the TWC reception.

Until then! ~ Miranda

Chairman Jo Ann Davidson addressing the group

Ohio Students as we talk to Chairman Davidson

Ohio students + Former Ohio Resident Anthony Moretti with Chairman Davidson

The State Capitol of Minnesota

Look at previous pic closely and guess....

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