River Falls, WI September 30, 2008: Students at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls are beginning to take an active role in the election by helping State Representative Kitty Rhoades in her re-election campaign for State Assembly.
On Saturday, after the UW-River Falls Homecoming parade, students from UW-RF as well as UW-Eau Claire will assist Rep. Rhoades by going door to door to deliver Representative Rhodes’ message of fiscal responsibility in the state. UW-RF sophomore Rachel Engebretson said “it is great to have such a strong conservative candidate that shares the same values as me and other students.”
The 30th assembly district is shaping up to be one of the most competitive races in the state.
Students have walked in a number of parades, and they will also be conducting lit drops in the 30th assembly district to help turn out the vote in November. The events are a part of a statewide effort entitled College Republicans Assisting Assembly Majority, or CRAAM. College Republicans from throughout Wisconsin have been city to city and campus to campus to aide Republican candidates in winning their Assembly races.

Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans, CRAAM in the 91st Assembly District

La Crosse, WI - The UW-La Crosse College Republicans kicked off the WICR CRAAM program this past Saturday after receiving Stampy. The day long event brought together old members and new additions to La Crosse College Republicans, providing all with an opportunity to support Dave Hegenbarth’s candidacy and conservative principles. The day started with a picnic at Myrick park, where the UW-La Crosse College Republicans were joined by State Senator Dan Kapanke. Kapanke addressed the group and fielded questions from the group regarding issues and the upcoming election.

Following the picnic the group headed to the heart of the 91st Assembly District and spent the afternoon distributing literature throughout the city of Trempealeau for Assembly candidate Dave Hegenbarth. After canvasing throughout the city, the La Crosse College Republican chapter headed back to campus where Stampy will spend the week before heading to Northwest Wisconsin with La Crosse College Republican for the next CRAAM session.

“We are proud to be making a difference for Republicans throughout the La Crosse campus area”, according to La Crosse College Republican chairman Andy Matz. “We are proud to help candidates such as Dan Kapanke and Dave Hegenbarth, who are willing to fight for students across Wisconsin”.

The event is part of a statewide effort by the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans, entitled College Republicans Assisting Assembly Majority, or CRAAM. College Republicans from throughout Wisconsin have been going from city to city and campus to campus to aide Republican candidates in winning their races. You can follow all of Stampy’s adventures on the CRAAM website at wisconsincrs.org

Authorized and Paid for by the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans,
Jeffrey J. Bloomer, Treasurer

Wednesday, September 3rd was the second to last day of the convention. Our morning breakfast is becoming harder to get up for after two long days of business and social activities. Non-the-less our breakfast speakers included New York Congressman King, a Wall Street Journal Author, and a Wisconsin native, former Governor Tommy Thompson.  All focused on the importance of the upcoming election and Wisconsin’s role as a swing state.  As usual, Thompson’s speech got the room fired up and ended with his trademark “isn’t it great to be a Republican”.

Before the convention began we spent the day in Wisconsin. While back in our home state we were given a harbor cruise and a shopping day in Hudson.  While on the ship we listened to political songs from a barbershop quartet. By the time we got back it we needed to quickly change and head to the Xcel center for business.

Without a doubt Wednesday night will be one of the most memorable nights of the convention. With keynote speakers of Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, and Governor Palin it was a night of remarkable speeches.  Romney started the evening out, Huckabee got us relaxed, Giuliani got us warmed up, and Governor Palin gave us hope for the future.  On our way home the most of the talk was centered on how we finally felt ready for the upcoming election and our chance to help America.

Thankfully, I rode one of the first buses to the hotel and arrived quickly after the convention. Many of the later buses arrived much later because of disturbances on the street. At one point our hotel was even protected by police officers in riot gear.  The matter cleared up quickly and the day finally ended with a get-together hosted by several organizations in a nearby theater restaurant.
S.G.

Tuesday is back on our regular schedule. During our breakfast we hear from another group of speakers including Karl Rove. Mr. Rove who seems to have a place in his heart for Wisconsin, shares his insight and knowledge from the past few years. Most of his speech centered on the importance of Wisconsin in the upcoming election. After he talked he is asked what was his most memorial experience from the White House. His answer centered around a visit to one of the families of the Iraqi War Veterans. A father of an enlisted son needed clearance to enlist in the Navy and President Bush could authorize it. Mr. Rove explained that many great citizens are willing to make such sacrifices to serve this country and keep our country strong.

The rest of the morning was spent relaxing around the hotel, walking around downtown Minneapolis, and talking to reporters. Today in true Wisconsin tradition we have two parties planned - one party before the convention and another afterwards. Before the convention we had cocktails and warm appetizers in an old club house just inside the security perimeter at the Xcel center. Once the convention began we listened to a variety of speakers, including President Bush from a satellite T.V. and the two keynotes of Fred Thompson and Senator Lieberman.

Both of the keynote addresses were well received. Sen. Lieberman’s assessment of John McCain as “the right man” to lead American regardless of political parties fitted well in with the convention’s “Country First” theme. Sen. Thompson was enthused as he delivered his speech praising John McCain. I overhear one Republican delegate who remarked, “If Thompson had been that enthusiastic in the primary he would have had my vote”.

After the convention, I watched Mike Huckabee play with his band “Capitol Offense” at the Arkansas party. Gov. Huckabee was quite skilled with his bass…even singing songs with the words changed to explain Republican policies. The evening ended at a Wisconsin party at one of the local British themed restaurants.
- SG

On Monday we begin the actual business portion of the convention. Every morning the Wisconsin delegation has breakfast together, listens to speakers, and is informed about the day’s schedule. On Monday we heard from the Governor of Indiana, McCain’s Campaign manager, Carlton Fiorina, and a former Vietnam POW. The speeches were all short but effective as they talked about McCain’s campaign and character from completely different angles. After breakfast we have a few hours to get ready before leaving for the opening day of business on the convention floor.

Security is tight as we finally head to the convention around 12:30. Due to the hurricane, floor time at the convention is moved earlier and shortened. At our first meeting rules, platform, and other committees report as well as the election of convention leaders. We meet many Republicans from around the country and listen to stories from other campaigns and candidates. Everyone from the Texas delegation is wearing a cowboy hat – making them easy to pick out in a crowd. All of the delegates and alternates scurry to find their seats when the opening gavel is heard. All of Wisconsin’s delegates and alternates pair up to make sure that everyone gets time to be on the floor of the convention. At about 3:30 I switch credentials with a delegate to join Wisconsin on the convention floor. Later, First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain both address the convention to inform us with the information of charities that are helping the Gulf Coast states. “Country First” remains the theme for the convention and we are constantly reminded how in this time of need we are not Republicans but Americans. Just after five o’clock the convention is adjourned, for the night, and we head back to our hotel.

For anyone willing to help with the Hurricane Relief please go to www.causegreater.com for more information.

Yesterday was opening registration for the 2008 Republican National Convention. Republicans from all across the country are gathering to get ready for the upcoming presidential election. Most delegates and guests can be seen wearing John McCain stickers and tee-shirts. “Country First” has become the theme as we prepare for not only our convention business, but also helping and remembering our brethren in the Gulf Coast region. Many delegations are planning on fund raisers and other ways to help our countrymen in the hurricane affected regions.

Most of the Wisconsin delegation had a fairly easy trip to the convention. Starting from Shawano the trip was only about 4 hours to get to the hotel. For our Sunday events we had lunch with the entire delegation and listened to our state leadership from back home. Our Chairman Reince Preibus, Speaker of the Assembly Michael Huebsch, and County Executive Scott Walker all gave inspiring speeches about the future of our Party. Limiting government and lowering taxes is a central theme for many of the speeches. On Sunday evening we went to the Minneapolis Convention Center for the premier of “An American Carol”. The movie tells the story of a anti-American film director who learns to appreciate America. It was entertaining to see the movie while being surrounded by fellow Republicans. Needless to say most of us laughed at the same parts. After the movie most of the delegations had their official pictures taken and walked around the convention center hall.

Monday is the actual start of the business portion of the convention. Most of the floor time has been shortened and moved up because of the hurricane. It will be interesting to see how the delegations react across the country once we begin our votes on the floor…

- Sol Grosskopf

MADISON, WI — The Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans will unveil its new website on Wednesday, August 27th. The website will allow the Wisconsin College Republicans to match the technologies of today with their members’ enthusiasm.

The website will also include videos from Chapters across the state and monthly updates by Wisconsin Federation of College Republican leaders. As state Chairman Sol Grosskopf explains, “By utilizing these resources we will be able to reach more students and generate a greater impact for the upcoming election.”

The new home page provides easy access to the Internet’s most popular sites for college students, allowing College Republicans to strengthen their grassroots movement online. Links include social networking sites like Facebook and the College Republicans National Committee’s new program STORM. State Vice Chairman, Lucas Fuller added, “Our new site makes use of the many valuable resources on the Internet to help spread our message of a promising future through fiscally conservative policy.”

The website will occupy the current domain name of the WICRs, wisconsincrs.org, and be administered by WICR Executive Director Nick Herro. The website will also provide a simple way to stay in touch with Wisconsin College Republicans, track their involvement in local campaigns and provide financial assistance.