From: Colorado GOP [Chelsey@cologop.org]

Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 8:15 PM

To: erich.feigel@broomfieldgop.org

Subject: Memo to Colorado Republican Leaders

MEMORANDUM
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

To:  Colorado Republican Leaders

From:  Dick Wadhams, State Chairman

The Colorado Republican State Executive Committee unanimously adopted a resolution at our regularly scheduled bimonthly meeting in August stating clear support for Ken Buck for U.S. Senate and Dan Maes for Governor along with all other Republican candidates nominated for statewide, congressional, state legislative and county offices in the August 10 primary election. The resolution is attached.

Our Republican nomination process was open and fair from the beginning of this election cycle to any candidate who chose to compete and any Republican who wished to participate in our precinct caucuses, county and district assemblies, the state assembly and primary election.

Unfortunately, the turmoil in the governor’s race has raised unfortunate misconceptions about the role of the Colorado Republican Party and, even more specifically, my role as state chairman.

I have been inundated by emails and phone calls by those who have the misconception that Colorado Republicans do not support our nominee for governor, Dan Maes. At the same time, I have also received emails and phone calls from people who believe I can arbitrarily reverse the result of a primary election and find a new candidate for governor.

First of all, the Colorado Republican Party and I, as state chairman, support Dan Maes for Governor. Period. Dan won our nomination fair and square.  We are working directly with Dan and his campaign in our Victory voter identification and turnout operation.

Second, neither the state chairman nor any committee within the Colorado Republican Party can arbitrarily remove a duly-elected nominee. And that’s the way it should be.

My role as state chairman is first and foremost to do everything I can to help strengthen our county organizations so that we can motivate Republicans to vote and so we can identify supportive unaffiliated voters to vote as well. We have worked hard to stay in close touch with our county leadership through campaign schools and webinars and I have been privileged to speak to more than 350 Republican events across our state.

I have always seen our caucus-assembly process as a critical part of building our county organizations and I am proud that a record 25,000 Republicans participated in our precinct caucuses in 2010 which vastly exceeded turnouts in previous non-presidential election years. We welcomed and encouraged the participation of those who are involved with the Tea Party/9-12 movements across the state.

Our 2010 Colorado Republican State Assembly was efficiently executed without going deep into the evening—we adjourned at 2:45 pm!—despite having to designate candidates for six statewide offices. The integrity of our balloting process was unquestioned.

More than 407,000 Republicans voted in the August 10 Primary Election, exceeding Democratic turnout in their primary by more than 68,000.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of our county organizations will be enhanced by our Victory operation which is up and running months earlier than we were able to do in 2008. We will soon have all fourteen offices open around the state with staff in place as well who, led by Victory Director Chuck Poplstein, are charged with the responsibility of working directly with our county leadership to help elect Republicans at all levels.

While our statewide and congressional candidates are the most visible, we are placing a special emphasis this year on legislative candidates as we drive towards majorities in both houses. We have assigned Ben Engen to work directly with legislative candidates across the state to ensure they get the maximum benefit from Victory.

Beyond the organizational responsibility, my role as state chairman is to serve as a public spokesperson for our party in keeping the heat on Democratic elected officials and supporting our Republican elected officials.

Whether it is opposing the failed “stimulus” bill signing in Denver by President Obama or Bill Ritter’s flawed U.S. Attorney nominee or the Buescher-Carroll scheme to bring ACORN fraud to Colorado’s election process or the Obama Administration’s attempt to bribe Romanoff out of the Senate race, we have tried to keep the heat on Democrats while our nomination process went forward.

Finally, I have no regrets whatsoever how we conducted our nomination process. It was not my role or the state party’s to determine who could or would run or who would win. It was my responsibility to ensure a fair nomination process open to any candidate who wished to compete and to any Republican who wished to participate in it.   And that is exactly what occurred in 2010. Every person who considered running and chose to do so or not to do so made their own decision, it was not made by me or the Colorado Republican Party.

It has been an honor and privilege to serve as state chairman and I look forward to the next ten weeks as we stand poised to elect a new generation of Republican leadership on November 2, 2010.

A RESOLUTION
of the Colorado Republican State Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the Colorado Republican Party unanimously adopted the following resolution in substance on Friday, August 13, 2010, with specific language approved on Friday, August 20, 2010, concerning the 2010 Primary Election:

Whereas, the process of selecting Republican candidates begins with precinct caucuses, county and district assemblies, the state assembly, and the circulation of nominating petitions signed by registered Republican electors; and

Whereas, over 407,100 Republican voters in Colorado participated in the 2010 Primary Election, and thereby expressed their preferences for who they desired to be the Republican Party’s standard-bearers in the upcoming election; therefore

Be it Resolved, that:

The Executive Committee of the Colorado Republican Party congratulates and commends each of our Republican candidates who were successful in their respective Primary Elections, and pledges our unified and enthusiastic support in the upcoming General Election to each of them; and

Be it further resolved, that the Executive Committee, acting as authorized on behalf of the Colorado Republican Committee, specifically congratulates Ken Buck for his successful campaign to become our Republican Nominee for U.S. Senator for Colorado; the Executive Committee strongly believes that Ken’s impressive record of public service, and his mainstream conservative principles and policy positions, makes him the best and strongest candidate to defeat Michael Bennet in November; the Executive Committee believes that Ken will help lead our Republican team to victory, and we are proud to stand with him; and

Be it further resolved, that the Executive Committee, specifically congratulates Dan Maes for his successful campaign to become our Republican Nominee for Colorado Governor; the Executive Committee strongly believes that Colorado voters will respond positively to Dan’s background and experience as a successful small business owner and entrepreneur; his conservative and common-sense values, as well as to his demonstrated grit and determination to challenge the status quo,  makes him the best and strongest candidate to defeat John Hickenlooper in November; the Executive Committee believes that Dan will help lead our Republican team to victory, and we are proud to stand with him; and

Be it further resolved, that the Executive Committee congratulates each of our winning candidates and nominees for statewide office: Attorney General John Suthers, candidate for Secretary of State Scott Gessler, candidate for State Treasurer Walker Stapleton; and candidate for Regent of the University of Colorado Steve Bosley; and

Be it further resolved, that the Executive Committee congratulates each of our winning candidates and nominees for U.S. Congress: Dr. Michael Fallon in the 1^st Congressional District, Stephen Bailey in the 2^nd Congressional District, Scott Tipton in the 3^rd Congressional District, Cory Gardner in the 4^th Congressional District, and Ryan Frazier in the 7^th Congressional District, in addition to Doug Lamborn in the 5^th Congressional District and Mike Coffman in the 6^th Congressional District; and

Be it further resolved, that the Executive Committee congratulates each of our winning candidates and nominees for the Colorado State Senate, for the Colorado State House, for Regent of the University of Colorado, for State Board of Education, and for County and District offices throughout the state; and

Be it further resolved, that the Executive Committee expresses our fullest confidence that each of our Republican candidates for public office will ably articulate common-sense solutions to the challenges facing Coloradans, will each effectively represent our Party’s principles of limited government and individual responsibility, and will successfully communicate our Party’s belief that these principles lead to increased personal freedom, economic opportunity, strong families and communities, and a prosperous nation.



On this Memorial Day, I trust you’ve had some time with your families and I know that you have remembered all of our troops currently serving, our Veterans and those that have sacrificed to keep us free in this greatest country on earth. I’ve enjoyed my weekend with Linda in Northern Michigan. We watched Taking Chance last night – a hard film to watch but appropriate for Memorial Day weekend.

There are many many displays of patriotism and flags flying everywhere here in what some refer to as flyover country. If it is flyover country, they better not fly too low lest they get tangled in all the stars and stripes. It is great to see indeed. Enjoy your families and friends and I’ll see you soon so we can continue our quest to preserve our freedoms.

Erich

P.S. – I’ve included a link to Red Skelton’s presentation on the Pledge of Allegiance, which I’ve shared before but is well worth repeating, HERE.

and

One from 2008 – Gene Simmons and Kiss’s Tribute – really, HERE.

July 15th
Broomfield High School Auditorium
Evening. (Roughly 6-9 but exact details to be determined)
Free
Open to the public
 
Loose tentative agenda:
6:30-7 meet and greet
7-8; Candidates speak for 5-7 minutes
8pm- Senate Forum begins
8:45-9- Meet and greet
 
We will invite all media and all candidates should put it on their website calendars. Please publicize this everywhere. This should be a very exciting and well attended event.!! The auditorium seats 600. We hope to have it near capacity. This is 3 weeks before one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country.
 
 

May 22, 2010.

Pictures on FLICKR:
State GOP Central Committee Meeting 21 May 2010 HERE.
HD33 Assembly 21 May 2010 HERE.
CD2 Assembly 21 May 2010 HERE.
BBQ 21 May 2010 HERE.

The Main Event – Our 2010 Assembly HERE.

The last two days were the most fun I’ve had in a long time. And, we sure had some great results. How ’bout Ken Buck, JJ, and Dan Maes? The roof came off the Budweiser Event Center today. I’ll bet the papers will be very interesting tomorrow and given that I saw Lynn Bartels there, I expect some fair coverage. Don Beezley will be on the primary ballot for HD33; Stephen Bailey and Bob Brancato for CD2. One thing is for sure, it ain’t the same old Republican party and the new folks that have joined us have shown that hard work pays off. I knew all of you newbies would be great for our party — THANKS so much for your leadership!

Results – (over 3500 ballots cast):

U.S. SENATE
Robert Greenheck: 2%
Cleve Tidwell: 15%
Steve Barton: 1%
Ken Buck: 77%
(Jane Norton and Tom Wiens are petitioning onto the ballot.)

Candidates need to get 30 percent of the delegate vote to get on the primary ballot outright. If they get between 10 and 30 percent, they can petition on to the ballot.

Thank you so much to all the Delegates and Alternates that stepped forward and did the work to make it all happen and to our County Officers and helpers. We only had 3 delegate no-shows today and were able to promote alternates to vote 42 of our 43 allocated ballots (one person had to leave for an emergency after the cutoff time).

Let’s get some rest and then launch the next phase to our big WIN in November. We are off to the races.

Erich

A great time was had by all who attended our annual Lincoln Dinner on Saturday night April 24th. We heard from our Master of Ceremonies, Mike Holler, author if “The Constitution Made Easy”, Jon Caldara, who gave an emotional speech about this countries’ wonderful healthcare system, Stephen Green, Editor of PJTV, who told us to redouble our efforts to save the country and Tom Tancredo who talked about guns and our freedom. It was a great venue with a very nice and comfortable setting at the Omni Interlocken Resort Hotel. Thanks to all who turned out to support our party. Your donations to our party are important, especially this year, to ensure we win and stop the move away from Constitutional governance. And, a special thanks to Joan Griep who put together a great event.

UPDATE 5/6 – I received Ryan Springers photos this afternoon and they are now added to Rick’s photos – see Flickr HERE.

Erich Feigel, Chairman

We’ll have an “Open Mike” meeting on Thursday July 8th at our normal monthly meeting. All those that want to tell the group what you’ve been doing, what works, doesn’t work, suggestions etc. can have the microphone. We’ll leave plenty of time for crosstalk so come and share your experiences from the path.

Sill Terhar Motors at 7pm on July 8th. All registered Republicans welcome.

Update: 7/9/2010 – Great night, lots of good ideas and even more came to me today. Will compile and get ‘em out. Thanks to all that came and participated.

Erich

Our next Central Committee meeting will be held on May 13th at 7:00pm.

We resume our normal schedule after arriving on the other side of the Caucus and Assembly and Lincoln Dinner. Remember to park outside the gates at Sill TerHar so you don’t get trapped inside the gates at 8pm when they are locked.

At this session, we will distribute the Credentials for the upcoming State Assembly on the 22nd. You MUST have the credentialed badge and a photo ID to gain entry to the Budweiser Center on Saturday. I will cover the schedules for both days at this meeting. Also, the State GOP is looking for volunteers to help with bag stuffing and other tasks. Call Cary Chan at the State GOP HQ at 303 758 3333 if you want to help (you get to watch the proceedings as well). Don’t forget the BBQ on Friday at 5pm on the 21st — see www.cologop.org for details and to sign-up on-line.

See EVENTS PAGE to review all events. Also, see our calendar on this website.

This link takes you to a Flickr page to see the photos of the Caucus. At the top you can hit browse (or scroll through the pictures). Once you hit browse you can select slide show if you wish. 101 Photos.

These are the Broomfield and State wide results of the preference poll taken last night at the Caucuses.

This is a video that Scott Brown ran in the MA elections. It is well done and the message sharp and to the point. Watch and learn. Click HERE.

EF