Convention multimedia

Convention mascot
Originally uploaded by WisPolitics.com.

Click the links below to see photos and listen to audio from the 2007 GOP convention.

PHOTOS

WisPolitics convention photos

AUDIO

Presidential candidates

• Former Gov. Tommy Thompson convention speech
• Former Gov. Tommy Thompson press conference
• Pre-convention interview with former Gov. Tommy Thompson
• U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., convention speech
  -- Excerpt: Brownback discusses family, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre
• U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., Brownback speaks with reporters

Elected officials

• Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch convention speech
• U.S. Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner convention speech
• U.S. Rep. Tom Petri convention speech
• U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan convention speech
• Former U.S. Rep. Mark Green convention speech
• Former U.S. Rep. Mark Green interview

Prayer breakfast

• Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen
• Outgoing RPW Chairman Brad Courtney

Other

• New RPW Chairman Reince Priebus
• Outgoing RPW Chairman Brad Courtney convention speech
• Interview with Waukesha County GOP Chairman Don Taylor

DPW chair Wineke reacts to Republican convention

Republican attacks on Gov. Doyle's budget plan and the tax increases he has proposed at this weekend's RPW Convention shows that the party is "out of touch" with the concerns of average voters, said Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman Joe Wineke.

"If they want to defend ExxonMobil, go right ahead," he said, referring to criticism of Doyle's plan to assess a franchise fee on oil companies. "They rail about a tax increase on big oil that is going to be used to fix highways. I just think that they're missing the boat."

He said he was also puzzled about Republican attacks on the Wisconsin Covenant program Doyle has proposed that is aimed at greater access to Wisconsin universities.

"What the governor has done is create a Covenant program that is wildly popular with parents," said Wineke.

The DPW chair also wondered why President Bush was hardly mentioned at the convention.

"Heading into '08, they have a wildly unpopular president, and they're not willing to defend him at their own convention," Wineke said. "What they don't seem to get is that the angst and anger of American people is not that they're wrong on abortion or stem cell research or health care. They don't understand we don't want to be in an unpopular war, and a lot of the conservative wing has figured out that these guys aren't very conservative."

-- By Greg Bump

Priebus: RPW needs to rebuild credibility

The RPW executive committee elected its youngest-ever chairman following the state convention on Saturday, tapping 35-year-old Kenosha attorney Reince Priebus.

Priebus said the major challenges for the party will be to build the Republican brand, to rebuild credibility with the voters, to rebuild party structure, and fundraising.

"Our donors and our major donors want to see that the Republican Party is back and our candidates are following through on promises, and we have a winning agenda in place to win in 2008," he said in an interview with WisPolitics.

Priebus, who took on Dem Sen. Bob Wirch in 2004, says serving as chairman may not preclude him from a future run for office.

"Certainly I'm far too young I think to say that this is the end of the road ... if you play your cards right I certainly don't think it should shut any doors," he said.

Listen to the interview here.

Fred Thompson, Walker top WisPolitics Straw Poll

LAKE GENEVA -- State GOP activists voting in the annual WisPolitics.com Straw Poll this weekend favored former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson for president in 2008 and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker for governor in 2010.

Fred Thompson received 95 votes, compared to 84 votes for former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson. Mitt Romney was a distant third with 41 votes. Tommy Thompson and Sam Brownback, who got 14 votes, addressed the convention in separate speeches.

Straw poll voters heavily favored Walker as their favorite for the 2010 GOP gubernatorial nomination. He received 142 votes, or 46 percent of ballots cast. Walker dropped out of the GOP primary for governor last year, clearing the way for former U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay, to win the nomination. Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle beat Green in November. Green received 62 votes in this year's straw poll.

In last year's straw poll, U.S. Sen. George Allen, R-Va., edged New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as GOP activists' choice for president. Allen lost his Senate seat last fall, while Giuliani finished fourth in this year's straw poll. Tommy Thompson was the overwhelming favorite to face Democratic U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl last spring, and J.B. Van Hollen was favored for attorney general. Thompson decided not to run against Kohl, while Van Hollen went on to win the party's nomination and the office.

In this year's WisPolitics straw poll at the Wisconsin Republican Party convention in Lake Geneva, 306 total ballots were cast by convention delegates, alternates and official guests. There were an estimated 500 people at the convention.

WisPolitics, since it was launched in 2000, has conducted straw polls at state Republican and Democratic party conventions and considers them but one measure of a candidate's popularity and viability.

Paper balloting was conducted Friday and Saturday at this year's convention. WisPolitics.com also will conduct a straw poll at the state Democratic Party convention next month.

WisPolitics.com is an independent non-partisan political news service based in Madison, Wis. WisPolitics also operates these companion sites: WisOpinion.com, WisBusiness.com and IowaPolitics.com.

2007 STRAW POLL QUESTIONS, RESULTS 306 total ballots cast

**Which Republican candidate do you support for president in 2008?

-Sam Brownback 14
-Jim Gilmore 0
-Newt Gingrich 12
-Rudy Giuliani 35
-Chuck Hagel 0
-Mike Huckabee 0
-Duncan Hunter 3
-John McCain 10
-Mitt Romney 41
-Ron Paul 1
-Tom Tancredo 8
-Fred Thompson 95
-Tommy Thompson 84
-No response 2
-Write in 1


** If a 2010 primary for governor were being held today, which Republican would you choose to be the party's nominee?

-Scott Fitzgerald 3
-Rick Graber 0
-Mark Green 62
-Mike Huebsch 3
-Ted Kanavas 5
-Bill McCoshen 3
-Paul Ryan 24
-J.B. Van Hollen 42
-Scott Walker 142
-Write in 18
-No response 4

-- By WisPolitics Staff

Schimming wins contested at-large seat

Below are the results of todays RPW Executive Committee elections.

Chairman: Reince Priebus of Kenosha

1st Vice Chair: Bill Johnson of Hayward

2nd Vice Chair: Darlene Ross of Shawano (was at-large member, she will replace Edythe Cooper of Mukwonago)

3rd Vice Chair: Todd Lohenry of Algoma

At-large: Brian Schimming of Madison won the three-way race, beating out Linda Hansen of Crawford County and Char Rasmussen of Ladysmith.

Secretary: Dave Anderson of Malone

Treasurer: Cathy Stepp, former state Senator from Racine

Quittin' time

With the convention ending and the executive committee cloistered away deciding leadership questions, people start taking down signs and closing up shop

Resolved

Republican delegates just finished passing resolutions to the Republican Party platform, after a little more than an hour of debate and action.

Among them, Republicans passed a resolution concerning illegal immigration. The wording was changed after a delegate said the term "alien," which was used several times in the resolution, is as offensive to many Latinos as the "N-word is to blacks." The word alien was changed to immigrant.

Petri: We're going to find a way back to victory

U.S. Rep. Tom Petri, R-Fond du Lac, said Republicans have been in tough times before, and they have survived.

Petri also took a jab at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying she's leading Democrats and moderates down the road of unelectability.

Petri spoke later in the day, apart from other speakers, because he was at a dedication ceremony for the "little white schoolhouse," the birthplace of the Republican Party in Ripon.

Listen to Petri's speech here.

-- By Matt Dolbey

Sensenbrenner: GOP has lost its brand identity

U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner told delegates today that Republicans have lost their brand and gave no reasons for voters in 2006 to vote Republican.

"We lost that brand identity and as a result we did not give the voters the reasons to vote Republican last year that we have given them in the past," Sensenbrenner said.

Sensenbrenner noted a number of areas that have brought trouble for Republicans like the Iraq war, the response to Hurricane Katrina and the passage of bills bloated with earmarks.

Sensenbrenner pointed to his own record, which he said led the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to "beat up" on him "time and time again."

"Scott Walker and I kind of have a joke--whether it's his week or my week to have two or three bad editorials from the ultra-liberal editorial writers in the Journal Sentinel, plus a cartoon or two," Sensenbrenner joked.

But despite media "poisoning the well," Sensenbrenner said he captured more votes than any member of Congress, Republican or Democrat, in the last election.

"I was able to point out that solid record to the people in my district," Sensenbrenner said. "They responded ... there was a Republican brand."

Listen to the audio: http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/20070511sensenbrenner1.mp3

-- By David Wise

Huebsch: Taxes are becoming "just ridiculous"

Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch of West Salem slammed Gov. Jim Doyle's proposed budget for the 2007-09 fiscal biennium, often calling Doyle's spending and taxing "ridiculous." He also called the budget's proposal to raise the fee of elk hunting licenses, while making sure to point out there is no elk hunting season in Wisconsin, "hilarious."

"How much further can they go?" Huebsch asked. "That is where the state Assembly will be that goalkeeper, and we will stand in the way of Jim Doyle and his tax increases."

Huebsch also promoted Assembly Republicans' victories, including the Assembly passage of the "Frankenstein" veto ban and a voter identification bill.

Listen to Huebsch's speech here.

-- By Matt Dolbey

Ryan: Dems didn't win, GOP lost election

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, says the Republicans' bad performance at the polls in November is due to straying from their roots.

"The Democrats did not win the last election, Repulicans lost it," Ryan said.

"Some people think it's all because of the war. No way," Ryan continued. "That had something to do with it obviously. I think it's because we did not walk our talk in many areas."

Ryan then listed off failure of public earmarks on spending bills, overspending and losing core values.

Interestingly, Ryan said he hopes Republicans don't regain control of Congress in next fall's election.

"I don't want to go back in the Republican majority if we're going to be just like we were before. I want to make sure that we come up with the ideas and the principles and the actions, and then get back in the majority and act on those ideas and principles and actions."

Listen to Ryan's speech here

-- By Matt Dolbey

Thompson says pollsters, experts have it wrong

Gov. Tommy Thompson told reporters after his address before the convention today that he isn't disappointed in his low showing in Iowa polls because pollsters are surveying the wrong people.

"They're polling the state," Thompson said. "They're not polling people that are going to the caucuses. We are systematically organizing the caucus voters."

Thompson also deflected concerns about his low fundraising, saying that he intends to win Iowa, which will boost his fundraising and earn him free coverage in what he said will be a "media frenzy."

"This race is really set up for a candidate like me," Thompson said. "I know I'm going against what the political experts are saying."

When a reporter asked him if he intends to stay in the race if he doesn't come in near the top in the Ames straw poll Thompson expressed confidence he will win.

"Why do you ask such a negative question like that?" Thompson said. "Why would I even be involved if I don't intend to win?"

Thompson began the press conference with a somewhat humorous history lesson about how Iowa used to be a part of Wisconsin.

Listen to the press conference here.

-- By David Wise

Thompson says he's got ideas

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson said he's running for president because "I believe I've got ideas."

"I've got ideas that nobody else is talking about," Thompson said.

Thompson said the troops in Iraq should be funded fully, receiving thunderous applause. Thompson also called for Iraqis to vote to determine if U.S. troops are wanted, calling the battle in Iraq a "civil war." Staying on the military, Thompson said if elected, he would add 100,000 troops to the U.S. Army and 50,000 troops to the Marines.

He also urged Republicans to get back to identify themselves better.

"We are the party of July 4, not April 15. We are the party of red, white and blue, not the party that waves the white flag," Thompson said.

Thompson received a warm welcome and standing ovation at the RPW convention, and shook hands with delegates and chatted for awhile after his address.

Listen to his speech here.

-- By Matt Dolbey

Stepp vying for RPW Treasurer

There's not much of a contest in the RPW Executive Committee elections later today because most of the candidates will be unopposed.

Here's the line-up, according to outgoing state Chairman Brad Courtney:

Chairman: Reince Priebus of Kenosha

1st Vice Chair: Bill Johnson of Hayward

2nd Vice Chair: Darlene Ross of Shawano (was at-large member, she will replace Edythe Cooper of Mukwonago)

3rd Vice Chair: Todd Lohenry of Algoma

At-large: Three-way race between Brian Schimming of Madison, Linda Hansen of Crawford County, and Char Rasmussen of Ladysmith

Secretary: Dave Anderson of Malone

Treasurer: Cathy Stepp, former state Senator from Racine

Priebus said he will be appointing a new finance director for the party, replacing Mike Martin. "In order to rebuild the brand and the credibility of the party, you have to have some money, too," Priebus said. "I want to get the best possible people to build the financial backbone of the party, and that's why I'm bringing Cathy in."

Van Hollen: We're going to thrive as a party

AG J.B. Van Hollen said he will fulfill his pledge of fighting crime and restoring integrity by focusing on enforcing the law instead of enforcing opinions.

During the campaign Van Hollen said he promised he was going to enforce the laws and make sure Wisconsin has a law-abiding citizenry, but that he was "also going to make sure that there weren't political lawsuits brought against people who violated my opinions."

"There were only going to be legal lawsuits brought against people that violated the law," Van Hollen said. "I'm pleased to say that we've set an example in out first four months."

Van Hollen said under him, the DOJ accomplished more in the last four months than it had in the past four years.

"We were able to do that because we didn't come into this job focused on who the attorney general is; we came into this office focused on what the attorney general can do," Van Hollen said.

Van Hollen vowed to continue to work to get the crime lab backlog under control. "I'm going to guarantee you that before my term is over are going to have done everything in our power to get rid of that backlog at the crime lab and I'm convinced that we're going to be able to get that done," he said.

Van Hollen said he'd continue to focus on combating crimes against children and will be aggressive in fighting public corruption.

Van Hollen said the Republican Party will see success in 2008 by sticking to its roots and ideals.

"We're not only going to survive as a party, we're going to thrive as a party," Van Hollen said. "We're going to set an example by governing the way this party has always said we're going to govern."

-- By David Wise

Green: "I sleep well at night"

Former U.S. Rep. and 2006 GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Green says in an interview with WisPolitics that the FEC ruling this week that his transfer of campaign money from his federal to his state account was legal is "too little, too late, but it doesn't bother me."

"I think the fact that some folks were willing to do or say almost anything, and the Election Board is a classic case, in an effort to try to blur the lines and distract attention from problems that they had, I think is unfortunate," Green said.

"I sleep well at night. I know that we followed the rules and did what was right, and now the FEC and the state Supreme Court have certainly backed that up."

Looking ahead, Green said Republicans shouldn't be talking about 2008, that they instead should be focused on getting their message to the voting public.

"I think Republicans have to get back to the very simple idea of telling people what we stand for," he said.

As for himself, Green indicated he's not finished as a candidate.

"I certainly don't plan on walking away from public life in the long run," he said.

Listen to audio here.

Fitzgerald vows Republicans will take back state Senate

Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald vowed that Republicans will win back the state Senate in 2008 by sticking true to Republican ideals.

Fitzgerald, of Juneau, called for a focus on lower taxes, less government, reigning in spending, reforming government and economic freedom.

"We didn't lose the elections because of our ideals," Fitzgerald said. "We lost because Republicans in Wisconsin and in Washington and around the country lost our grip on these ideals."

Fitzgerald said the party will defend challenges faced by Sen. Alberta Darling, Sheila Harsdorf and Dan Kapanke and take on Democrats Bob Wirch, Roger Breske and Dave Hansen.

Fitzgerald bashed Gov. Jim Doyle's budget, calling it a "disaster" and the worst budget he's seen since he's been in the Senate.

Fitzgerald highlighted a long list of tax and fee increases that he said rewards Doyle's friends while burdening taxpayers.

"The Democrats want to raise your taxes when you're born and again when you die," Fitzgerald said. "They even want to raise your taxes on paying taxes."

-- By David Wise

Green slams WEAC, trial lawyers and casinos

Former gubernatorial candidate Mark Green said attack ads from WEAC, the trial lawyers and casinos swayed voters in Wisconsin in November.

Green also managed to put in some jabs at the State Elections Board, saying it was "outrageously manipulated."

Green tracked Republican losses to the public not knowing the GOP's principles, convictions or optimism, but rather saw "too many Republican leaders who lost their way."

Listen to the audio here

-- By Matt Dolbey

Tommy is in the building

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, now a presidential hopeful, has arrived at the Grand Geneva Resort.

A box of white "Tommy Thompson President 2008" t-shirts has been opened up, and many delegates are slipping them on.

Courtney: Party played a part in Van Hollen's election

Outgoing RPW chair Brad Courtney said he likes to believe that Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen was elected due to the efforts of members of the Republican Party.

"I'd like to think the party had a big role in him winning by 10,000 votes, instead of losing by 10,000 votes," Courtney said.

He added the other bright spot of the November 2006 election was keeping the Assembly, though Republicans "lost more seats than we should have."

Courtney also urged the delegates to call in to talk radio stations and spread the Republican message by blogging.

In closing, Courtney said he hopes he made a difference, though he recognized he was not the party chair for long.

"I don't know if you can establish a legacy in eight months, but if you can, I hope it would be I really care about the grassroots," Courtney said.

Listen to the audio here.

-- By Matt Dolbey

Conventional

The RPW convention has started.

The convention started with a prayer, roll call vote and an introduction by First Chair Reince Priebus.

-- By Matt Dolbey

Republicans for Choice

There are tables set up outside the convention hall for the Tommy Thompson and John McCain presidential campaigns and Milwaukee Co. Exec. Scott Walker has a table offering free coffee.



There are also the usual vendors plying their campaign wares, and a table promoting tourism in the Stevens Point area.

The usual information tables for Pro-Life Wisconsin and Wisconsin Right to Life are also present.

But there is one table that isn't normally a fixture at state GOP conventions, one displaying a red, white and blue sign reading, "Republicans for Choice."

Manning the display Judy Hartig-Osanka, a delegate from Racine County, is the state chair of Planned Parenthood Republicans for Choice. She said the organization hasn't had a booth at the state GOP convention since 1990 or '92.

Response has been mixed.

"People come by and say, 'I really support Planned Parenthood; my daughter's been there,'" Hartig-Osanka said.

"I hope by inviting us here today and by the comments people are making as they come by, I think people are glad to see diversity, and they're glad to see us here."

But as she was talking to a reporter, a group of three women delegates came to the booth who weren't appreciative of the message.

One said, "The Republican Party doesn't stand for choice."

Said another, "We don't have a choice to kill, and that's what you're doing."

Hartig-Osanka said her mission isn't to change minds.

"I'm not here to try to change their opinion," she said. "My position is they simply don't have the right to force their opinion on me."

-- By Greg Bump

Reynolds considering "Clean Sweep" PAC

Former West Allis state Sen. Tom Reynolds says he's working on putting together a political action committee to encourage candidates to run in Republican and Democratic primaries.

Reynolds said he is considering calling it 'Clean Sweep Wisconsin' with a 'broad common-sense platform that would appeal to the average Wisconsin voter.'

Reynolds said he hopes to develop a platform that would attract Republicans and conservative-minded Democrats.

Since his electoral defeat Sen. Jim Sullivan in November, Reynolds said he's been enjoying his family life and working to rebuild his printing business, which he said he scaled back while he was in the Senate.

-- By David Wise

Van Hollen keynote at prayer breakfast

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen keynoted this morning's prayer breakfast, and over eggs and bacon he told the gathering of about 100 of how his faith has shaped his political career.

"A big reason I cherish the Republican Party is because of the level of faith," he said.

During his often self-effacing, 20-minute speech, Van Hollen said, "My dad believed in the Republican Party and my wife and mom believed in the Lord. So what do you get? Me."

Listen to audio here.

Registration numbers

According to the RPW, 387 people pre-registered for the convention. There was not an official count of how many have registered at the event so far, but many more are expected to show up today.

Courtney addresses prayer breakfast

Outgoing RPW chairman Brad Courtney addressed this morning's prayer breakfast, telling the more than 100 assembled that he was stepping down to spend more time with his family.

"There may be several people who can be chair of the Republican Party, but there's only one person who can be dad to my three teenage daughters," Courtney said.

Courtney said he has a "wonderful" eight month run as chairman, and said he depended on prayer during his tenure - especially when he had to do media interviews and public speaking.

"Before I spoke in front of different groups across the state I always prayed to God," he said.

Courtney said he also prayed for Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman Joe Wineke, who he debated on live radio six days into his stint as RPW chairman, and Dem Gov. Jim Doyle.

"They may be political rivals, but we're not mortal enemies," he said.

Listen to audio here.

The Grand Ole Party

GOPparty
Originally uploaded by WisPolitics.com.

Republicans refresh themselves with adult beverages at the Grand Geneva at the close of the first night of the RPW annual convention.

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, Sen. Ted Kanavas, and a joint Senate and Assembly Republicans all hosted hospitality rooms.

Van Hollen's room had a baseball theme, complete with Brewers memorabilia and Snappy, the mascot from the minor league franchise the Beloit Snappers. The dance floor was occassionally occupied, and one GOP-er likened the boogie situation to that of a "7th-grade dance."

Ryan's room, hosted by the first district GOP, featured Republican campaign signs spanning from Ryan's congressional campaigns to runs for the Wishau School Board. A table in back featured foods from the 1st District, from Burlington's Nestle chocolate to Pleasant Prairie's Jelly Bellies to Racine Danish Kringles.

Kanavas held a smaller, crowded room with micro-brew Spotted Cow and free Greek food. The room had a golf theme, with Kanavas staffers donning Titleist visors and the tables decorated with golf playing cards. One posted on the tables called Gov. Doyle's budget "1.78 billion over par."

The RACC and CERS room hosted a karaoke machine, which featured rousing renditions and crowd pleasers of "Baby Got Back," Toby Keith's "I ain't as good as I once was." Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald belted out Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds." Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch dismissed rumors of a potential duet with Fitzgerald, tapping a beer and joking "only after a lot more of these."

-- By Andy Szal and Matt Dolbey

Walker: Brownback's speech "outstanding," but he's still backing Tommy

Milwaukee County Exec. Scott Walker said he thought Brownback delivered a "powerful message" but said he's still standing behind Wisconsin's favorite son.

"I will continue to support Tommy, but I'm certainly glad we have other candidates visiting Wisconsin as well," Walker said.

Although other states' moving their primaries up have lessoned Wisconsin's importance in the primary, Walker said the state will become key in the general. "In the fall of 2008, almost any strategy you look at requires Republicans to do well in the Midwest," Walker said. "That means probably Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota."

"There's going to be a lot of visits to Wisconsin."

Walker said the anti-tax and fee stickers circulating around the conference are sending the message needed to secure Republican gains in 2008.

"For Republicans to get the Senate back in 2008 and hold the majority in the state Assembly, they've got to hold the line on taxes," Walker said.

Walker said things weren't all bad for Republicans in 2006. Walker said the good news is that the state has its first Republican attorney general elected in 20 years and Republicans still hold the Assembly, which he said is hopefully a roadblock to tax increases. On the national level, Walker pointed out that U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, who he called a "Reagan Republican" on fiscal issues, is sitting as the top Republican on the House Budget Committee.

"That suggests that even the federal Republicans are starting to turn things around," he said.

-- By David Wise

Abducted!

Elephant
Originally uploaded by WisPolitics.com.

Republican delegates taking the elephant to an undisclosed location.

Taylor stepping down as head of state county chair's association

After 10 years of leading the state's RPW county chairs association, Don Taylor is stepping aside.

Taylor, 74, will remain chairman of the Waukesha County Republicans.

When he took the job as head of the county chairs he had two goals in mind, Taylor said: to get the county parties and state party working together, and to beef up county parties.

"We went through a period when the parties, Democratic and Republican, across the nation got enamored with television and raising money for television and putting all their efforts into television, and they kind of let the grassroots slide," he said.

Former party chairman Rick Graber, now U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic, came on at about the same time, and their goals for cooperation between the county parties and state party meshed.

"Today, I really think the county parties and state party are really working together in harmony," he said.

Taylor, who is backing Sen. Brownback for president, said the Kansas Republican's values match the conservative values of Republicans.

You can listen to the Taylor interview here.

-- By Greg Bump

Symbol of the GOP

Elephant
Originally uploaded by WisPolitics.com.

The symbol of the GOP stands proudly near the registration booth at the RPW convention. The "bling" on his ears are stickers proclaiming no taxes and fees.

Brownback's funnies

Brownback
Originally uploaded by WisPolitics.com.

Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback nearly lost Wisconsin. Despite meeting with much applause during his speech to the RPW Convention, joking with the crowd for nearly the first ten minutes, and being the only presidential candidate not named Tommy Thompson to come to the convention, it was almost for naught because of a football analogy.

Brownback was beginning to tell a story about how a good offensive line is needed for a quarterback to move the team down the field, much like a family is needed to lead the country forward. The problem is, Brownback chose the wrong quarterback.

"How many passes can Peyton Manning complete," Brownback started, "greatest quarterback in NFL history ..."

Manning, in Packer country? The room erupted in a shocked awe that lasted nearly a full half-minute.

"That was really bad," Brownback said. "I apologize. I apologize. That was Bart Starr. Okay, let's take Favre then ..." This met with a relieved 10 seconds of applause, hooting and laughter.

"I'm not sure how I can recover from this," Brownback said.

He managed to keep his speech light-hearted throughout while delving into some tough issues like tax reform, family values, abortion and the war on terror. Brownback began his speech more like a motivational speaker than a presidential candidate, telling long anecdotes and jokes for the first eight minutes, including reminding the crowd that Mother's Day is Sunday.

Brownback also brought some levity national issues. He said his hybrid car gets more than 40 miles per gallon, but made sure to say that when his 17-year-old daughter drives, it's probably around 20-something miles per gallon.

Brownback also poked fun at U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, a 37-year-old congressman who is known for his boyish looks.

"This guy looks 23, what do you think? Would you card him before you served him?" Brownback joked after making Ryan stand up before the crowd.

On a serious note, Brownback said he hopes to see Ryan go to the "Senate and beyond," making sure to add, "but just not in 2008."

He did tell a football story that got a favorable response, talking about his alma mater Kansas State University's prowess, or lack there of, on the football field.

"We play football there now, we didn't when I went to school. ... They even put out bumper stickers that had 'I-70, K-State, Nothing.'"

He talked about the Wisconsin tie to Kansas State football. The first bowl game KSU played was against the Badgers about 12 years ago.

"We lost to 'em in the Independence Bowl, but we were so happy just to be there, we were going, that's great! We made it! We finally got that far."

Listen to Brownback's attempt at the Manning football analogy here
-- By Matt Dolbey

Baas: Brownback's message "refreshing"

Milwaukee County delegate Rick Baas, who finished behind democrat David Cullen in the 13th Assembly District race in 2006, said Brownback's speech was "refreshing."

"I think that he talked about the kind of America people want to live in," Baas said, "but because of the noise and the clutter in the political conversation that we're having as a nation it's often overlooked."

Baas praised Brownback for espousing a positive message.

"For a change we have people talking about hope and a positive outcome instead of constantly being concerned with trying to paint something in a negative light," Baas said."We understand that things are challenging. We're adults; we understand that the world is a tough place.

"From that perspective, it was refreshing to hear somebody running for the high office who can be positive and wasn't ashamed to be an American and didn't want to apologize for the things that we've done."

-- By David Wise

Brownback heads back to Kansas

Brownback2
Originally uploaded by WisPolitics.com.

Brownback briefly chatted with convention attendees after his evening address. Brownback has headed back to Kansas for his daughter's graduation ceremony tomorrow.

Brownback keynote speech

Presidential hopeful Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, told delegates at the RPW convention that the United States needs to focus on "faith, family and freedom," and said American troops cannot "cut and run" from the war in Iraq.

"We've got to win the war on terrorism. We shouldn't be backing down and saying we're shying away from winning the war on terrorism," Brownback said, garnering loud applause in response. "Ladies and gentleman, there's not an alternative to winning this war on terrorism."

Brownback proposed dividing up Iraq into a three-state, one-country nation. He said exterior forces are all that is holding Iraq together right now.

Brownback also hit on renewable energy and urged support for further oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Brownback, who said his family owned a hybrid car, said the United States has to develop more ethanol for common uses so the nation can "rely on the Midwest and not the Middle East." Brownback received a mixed reaction for promoting ethanol and corn-based biofuels, with some delegates applauding while others apparently sat on their hands.

Brownback then hit on tax reform, saying there needs to be a new tax code, and more specifically, that the tax code has to be "dragged behind the barn and killed."

"Republicans lowered [tax] rates, now let's get a new system," Brownback said.

Brownback also said that the GOP has let people down on government spending, and government needs to become more limited. Brownback also said Social Security should be optional and should come from personalized accounts.

Brownback also hit on his values credentials, especially his view against abortion.

"I believe every life is special," Brownback said, and proceeded to say Republicans must stand as a party that's pro-life.

Brownback continued on values, saying the U.S. has to regain itself as a faith-filled, family-centric country.

"We call for a separation of church and state, and not a removal of faith from the public square," Brownback said, saying faith powered Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Brownback also criticized the nation's high-rate of single-mother births, and said the U.S. has to redefine marriage between a union of a man and a woman, which met with much applause.

Brownback said the nation's number one fear is cancer, and said he hopes within ten years a cure could be found.

Listen here.

Brownback: Give us the chance to run a campaign

U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas told reporters before he addressed the convention that despite his low showing in the polls he's staying in the race "the whole way."

"We're in early May of 2007. Fundraising is picking up ... and I think there are significant inconsistencies with the so-called front three in our primary race with the base of the party," Brownback said.

"Give us the chance to run a campaign."

Brownback said the first three states are retail politics states and said he made his 21st visit to Iowa today.

"We've got a good ground game going there. The caucus is a ground-game operation," Brownback said. "Let us conduct a campaign before people determine who the victor is in this race."

Brownback noted that he is a first-time national candidate. "We have to put together a national fundraising effort; we're doing that," he said. "It takes some time to get known across the country."

Brownback emphasized his pro-life position during a question about some GOP candidates who donated money to Planned Parenthood.

"I don't think we're going to nominate a pro-choice candidate," Brownback said. "This is a majority pro-life party with a pro choice wing in it."

In his roughly ten minute talk with reporters, Brownback also praised the federal response to the Greensburg tornado disaster, discussed his plan to make Iraq a loose republic of three states, and spoke out against embryonic stem cell research.

*Listen to the audio: http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/20070511brownbackavailability.mp3
-- By David Wise

Brownback speaking

Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, the keynote speaker, is now addressing the delegates.

Filling up

ConvoRoom
Originally uploaded by WisPolitics.com.

The main room for the speeches is steadily filling up with delegates and guests, as they wait for Sen. Brownback to address the crowd. The mood appears upbeat, with loud chatting and laughter nearly drowning out the music.

Some of the songs on the playlist are James Brown's "Living in America" and a trach of the UW marching band playing "On Wisconsin."

-- By Matt Dolbey

Golfing with the AG

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen's best-ball golf outing today at the Grand Geneva drew about 40 today.

"We had great weather, but I got a little sunburned," said Van Hollen. "I remembered to put sunscreen on my face, but not the rest of me."

Van Hollen said he didn't keep score and switched from group to group throughout the outing. But, he said, he did catch up with one group that was playing scratch golf and he parred a par 4 hole.

-- By Greg Bump

Schimming to make bid for GOP at-large spot

Brian Schimming, Madison public affairs consultant and WIBA-AM radio personality, will be nominated tomorrow for the at-large member of the RPW executive committee.

Schimming will be vying for the spot, vacated by Darlene Ross of Shawano, with Crawford County GOP chair Linda Hansen and Char Rasmussen of Ladysmith.

Republicans here don't expect anyone to mount a challenge against Reince Priebus, who is expected to take over as party chair for Brad Courtney.

-- By Greg Bump

Thompson to wing in tomorrow

Former Gov.-turned-GOP prez hopeful Tommy Thompson will fly in tomorrow for his speech, and will have to leave shortly after to head to Washington and then the second Republican debate in Columbia, SC.

Appropriately, Thompson will also present the the Tommy G. Thompson grassroots activist award. He is scheduled to speak at 11 a.m.

Darrin Schmitz, political director for Thompson's campaign, said TGT is on a tight schedule, but things are going "great."

He said at Cedar Rapids, Iowa events following the first debate in California, Thompson drew more people than Rudy Giuliani.

"The governor's been very up-front about our strategy, which is to focus heavily on Iowa and do well in the Iowa straw poll," said Schmitz, adding that Thompson is also making gains in early primary states New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Schmitz said fundraising is also picking up, saying the campaign is on pace to meet its budget.

Budget is hot topic over cold drinks

On this warm day, the bar area of the resort is a good place to find legislators trying to cool off.

Assembly Majority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald and Reps. Kitty Rhoades, Robin Vos, Mark Honadel, Don Pridemore, Dan Lemahieu, John Murtha and Scott Newcomer could all be found rubbing elbows in the bar before dinner.

Honadel, of South Milwaukee, said the convention is a great chance to "get together with like-minded people."

Fitzgerald, of Horicon, said this is a chance to re-energize the faithful. "I think after the last election cycle, we're trying to get people recharged."

Fitzgerald said Gov. Jim Doyle has done Republicans a favor with his budget.

"I think he did us a big favor by putting almost $3 billion in new taxes in the budget," he said. "I think it's rallied our base to come out and support Republicans."

Honadel said that is the message Republicans should hit home.

"When I'm around my district, I tell people I want them to keep more of their money in their pocket, and whether they're Democrats or Republicans, they like that," he said.

-- By Greg Bump

Loeffelholz doesn't rule out running again

Former GOP state Rep. Gabe Loeffelholz of Platteville said he'd "like to win back the seat for our side," when asked if he was considering running for the state Legislature. Loeffelholz lost his seat to Rep. Phil Garthwaite, D-Dickeyville, in November.

"I haven't ruled it out," Loeffelholz said, adding he'll decide in the early spring if he's going to run again.

As for now, Loeffelholz said he's remained active in the Republican Party, works on his farm with his son and was recently elected as town chairman.

-- By Matt Dolbey

RudyMobile's here

RudyMobileSide
Originally uploaded by WisPolitics.com.

There's no need to ask Larry Smith who he's supporting for president-"Vote Rudy Giuliani President" is painted in bold letters on the side of his van.

Smith, a Winnebago County delegate, said he's been painting his vans for more than ten years to support candidates and causes, starting with "Dole for President" in 1995.

Among other names that have been painted on his vans include Mark Green, George Bush, Bob Dole and Scott McCallum.

"Mike Ellis 2010" was the most recent paint job, which Smith said he did after Ellis told him he'd run for governor if Green lost.

The van Smith brought today isn't the original. He said he retired the first van about two years ago because it had too many miles on it from taking it all around the state, catching photos with candidates next to it along the way.

At one point, Smith said he had a message on the van highlighting the role of service members in preserving freedom. Smith said a police officer approached him when he had the van parked across from an anti-war protest and told him he had gotten complaints that they felt harassed by his presence.

Smith said the officer told him to keep it up.

--By David Wise

Lake Geneva Convention

If there was a doubt about what the theme of this year's GOP convention will be, it is answered by the stickers affixed to delegates lapels here at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva.

The stickers have a large red circle with a line through it - think "Ghostbusters" - with "Tax Increase" and "Fee Increase" printed on them. At the registration desk, a five-foot tall, very life-like elephant is also bearing the stickers, with red, white and blue baloons tied to its upraised trunk.

In the lobby across from the hall where the county chairman's dinner will take place in a couple hours, there are three tables set up. Side-by-side are tables for John McCain and Tommy Thompson, both GOP presidential hopefuls.

Next to Thompson is a table for the Walthworth County GOP, which is holding a raffle to raise funds. There are five items up for raffle: a homemade crochet throw, a basket of assorted wines, two Lake Geneva cruise tickets for the 3rd annual GOP cruise, two 40-yard line tickets for the Sept. 1 UW-Madison Badger football game, and a pair club tickets for a Milwaukee Brewer game. The raffle tickets will set you back $5 each or 3 for $10.

-- By Greg Bump

McCoshen pondering gubernatorial bid

To Bill McCoshen, there are several keys to a successful run for governor: fire in the belly, vision and timing.

And the former aide to Gov. Tommy Thompson says he's got the next 1,200 days until the 2010 gubernatorial election to figure out if he's got all three for a bid of his own.

"I've never made it a secret that at some point in my life I'd like to run for governor," said McCoshen, owner of Capitol Consultants Inc. "I'm just not sure when that point will come."

McCoshen, 42, served as Thompson's chief of staff, managed his 1994 re-election campaign and later ran the Commerce Department. Now working as a contract lobbyist, McCoshen said there are no plans to sell Capitol Consultants as he ponders and bid, and he won't "run away from" his profession, should he decide to run.

He pointed out Haley Barbour was a lobbyist when he ran for and won the governor's office in Mississippi and that freshman Dem state Rep. Cory Mason of Racine won his seat last fall after working as a lobbyist.

McCoshen said he will take a series of factors into account as he decides whether to run for governor, including how the fields on both sides shape up.

"Truthfully, any statewide race is going to take a couple of years anyway," McCoshen said. "It's certainly not too early for people to start thinking about it."

-- By JR Ross

Van Hollen hosts fundraiser

Supporters of Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen will tee it up this afternoon at the Lake Geneva Grand Resort Highlands Golf Course.

The $250 per person fundraiser for the state's top elected Republican begins with a 1 p.m. shotgun start.

The outing is being held at the same resort as the GOP state convention, which begins this afternoon.

-- By JR Ross

Thompson talks prez race

To Tommy Thompson, it's simple.

There's a perception Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney are the big three. Money flows to that perception. The more money that flows to them, the bigger that perception grows. The more the perception grows, the harder it is for others to get out their message.

Still, Thompson continues to argue he's in good shape to win the Aug. 11 straw poll in Iowa, a feat he believes will transform the race for the nomination and the question for dollars.

Thompson spoke with WisPolitics Editor JR Ross this week as he returns to Wisconsin for the GOP convention. He is scheduled to speak to delegates Saturday and promises to deliver a message of optimism. He also told Ross he can handle the criticism thrown his way after he told a Jewish group making money was part of their tradition and saying during last week's debate that employers should be allowed to fire workers for being gay.

He said he has apologized for the remark, calling it an awkward attempt to compliment the Jewish group, and said he misunderstood the question in last week's debate. He does not tolerate discrimination and insists his record is one of openness and diversity.

"I just want people to know where my heart is and what my intentions are and my ideas, and if I can do that, I can overcome just about anything," Thompson said.

The former governor and U.S. HHS secretary also spoke with Ross about the controversy swirling around Paul Wolfowitz, how history will judge President Bush and his plan for Iraq.

U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who is scheduled to address the convention Friday night, was unavailable until Friday afternoon's media availability. Come back to the blog Friday evening for news on his remarks.

Listen to the full Thompson interview:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/070510TommyThompson.mp3

-- By JR Ross

Straw poll rules

WisPolitics is conducting a straw poll at both party conventions this year. Results from the GOP straw poll will be released late Saturday afternoon.
The following are the rules for this year's poll:

--A list of possible candidates will appear in alphabetical order on a paper ballot for each question. A blank-line labeled "Other, Please specify" will follow the names.

--All convention delegates, alternates, and official guests will be eligible to vote. Only one vote may be cast per person. WisPolitics staff will stamp the credentials of all voters and use other means to ensure nobody votes more than once.

--Ballots with more than one name marked will not be counted. Ballots with an illegible write-in name will not be counted. WisPolitics will be the sole judge as to whether a ballot should be counted.

--The results will be counted by WisPolitics staff and released at www.wispolitics.com on the Saturday of the convention.

Here are this year's questions for Republicans:

If a 2010 primary for governor were being held today, which Republican would you choose to be the party's nominee?

Scott Fitzgerald
Rick Graber
Mark Green
Mike Huebsch
Ted Kanavas
Bill McCoshen
Paul Ryan
J.B. Van Hollen
Scott Walker
Write In

Which Republican candidate do you support for president in 2008?
Sam Brownback
Jim Gilmore
Newt Gingrich
Rudy Giuliani
Chuck Hagel
Mike Huckabee
Duncan Hunter
John McCain
Mitt Romney
Ron Paul
Tom Tancredo
Fred Thompson
Tommy Thompson
Write In


-- By JR Ross

Convention background

This year's GOP convention is taking place at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva.

U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas will deliver the keynote at Friday night's County Chairs Banquet. A list of top state GOP-ers will address the convention on Saturday, including former guv and presidential candidate Tommy Thompson, Van Hollen, Huebsch and Fitzgerald, former U.S. Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Mark Green, and Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner, Paul Ryan and Tom Petri.

See the convention agenda

While the state GOP extended invitations to all '08 GOP hopefuls, only Thompson and Kansas Sen. Brownback took them up on it. However, the Giuliani and McCain campaigns have made inquiries about having representation there.

See tourism info from the Geneva Lake Area Chamber of Commerce & Lake Geneva Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Sequel in Lake Geneva: Tommy returns as prez candidate

There were some grumbles last year that former Gov. Tommy Thompson's presence at the state GOP convention was a distraction from the coronation of Mark Green as the party's candidate to take on Dem Gov. Jim Doyle.

At that time, there were still "will he or won't he" rumors flying that TGT would jump into the guv's race, speculation that some in the party didn't appreciate.

"Last year was different, with the public flirtation," concedes one GOP insider. "There was some grumbling about that, but in the end I don't think it hurt Mark Green, and I don't think it detracted from the convention.''

Even in a year when the party is looking to the future, don't expect those hard feelings to carry over this year, party faithful say. As Wisconsin's "favorite son" and the face of the Wisconsin GOP for more than two decades, Thompson is still a powerful figure in state party politics, they say.

"I don't view Tommy speaking at convention so much as the party clinging to its past; it's a new step for the party and new step for Tommy," says the insider.

GOP-ers see this as a chance for Thompson to shine before his most adoring audience, as he tries to stake out a constituency for a prez campaign struggling for legitimacy. In most media reports from the recent Republican prez debate in California, Thompson received scant notice. And blogger comments were sometimes cutting.

A blogger at Redstate.com opined: "Who really won? Fred Thompson. None of the men on that stage really stood out tonight. Tancredo, Ron Paul, Tommy Thompson, and Jim Gilmore just made you wonder why on earth they were there."

And National Review blogger Jim Geraghty called TGT "rather bland,'' adding: "Not a bad performance, you can see the guy is smart and he made a good governor and cabinet member, but he didn't really stand out as the leader in the room. As someone once said about (Joe) Lieberman, he's a guy you want at the table, but not at the head of the table.''

-- By Greg Bump

GOP in transition as it enters annual convo

State Republicans view this as a time of transition for the Wisconsin GOP, with new faces at the top of the party and new leadership in the Legislature.

At the annual state convention at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, state Republicans hope to regroup, unify and build for 2008.

"There are a lot of new faces at the top of the Republican Party of Wisconsin now," said RPW executive director Mark Jefferson, only on the job himself for a few months. "There is an opportunity to bring in some new blood and talk about what went wrong last time around and build a strong foundation for the upcoming year."

He's talking, of course, of a 2006 election that resulted i