I am a Republican, which means I have no love for Deval Patrick. But I really have no love for anyone who increases our sales tax rate by 25% and approves of $1 BILLION in new taxes. Seriously…do you think it’s too late for England to take us back?
2:21pm
The Redhead Republican entourage is LIVE BLOGGING at the New Media Summit being held here in Worcester, Massachusetts. Hosted by Rebuild the Party and co-hosted by the Massachusetts Federation of Young Republicans, the Summit represents hope for the Republican Party in Massachusetts and New England at large. Over 100 people- candidates, activists, and technologists-have gathered in search of new knowledge. After today, a new group of Republicans will be armed and ready to take on Democrats, empowered with new skills and optimism.
Today, Redhead Republican will update as the Summit progresses. Redhead Republicans Karen Sautter (Massachusetts) and Jennifer Shoemaker (Indiana) will offer their perspective on the content today. The stage is set for some fireworks in Massachusetts. Let’s get it done!
2:30pm (Karen)
Rob Willington shows Red Turn Media video on why we are here. Republicans are hungry for victory and are ready to learn about how to engage people online to get our message out. But we can start making a difference by using Voter Vault effectively.
2:37pm (Karen)
Twitter. Oh God. I really need to be using Twitter more effectively. What a great idea for a training video!
2:44pm (Karen)
Jeff Perry speaks. We have an opportunity for a resurgence in 2010. We have an unpopular Governor, poor economic climate, and ethical scandals. The stars are aligning for the Republican Party. Let’s hope so because the opportunity is ripe for the taking.
2:47pm (Karen)
Jeff Perry: We are at a disadvantage. So many activists think that just getting a name on the ballot gives us a 50-50 shot. What are they smoking! Electronic media even comes close to replacing the personal contact that our Party people need to have with communities, at least on the local level. The people in the middle aren’t going to read a blog or read your mailing. Electronic media enhance and supplement but don’t replace personal contact with voters.
2:52pm (Karen)
God, I need a diet coke. Why is there no diet coke!?
2:55pm (Karen)
All speeches in the state legislature are taped. Hmmmm….
3:05pm (Jenn)
Video cameras on the campaign trail…Helpful to personalize candidates and show citizens what’s going on while on the campaign trail.
3:09pm (Jenn)
Video shown of The Guy from Boston…”never forget what it means to be free…”
3:12pm (Jenn)
The Guy from Boston…”new media is…well…new…I guess…” lol
3:15pm (Jenn)
Gotta watch more videos from The Guy from Boston…hilarious but good points…
3:17pm (Jenn)
Massachusetts State Rep Karyn Polito is wearing red patent leather high heels!!! So Redhead Repulican…
3:53pm (Jenn)
Todd Van Etten and Bob Ellsworth from the RNC New Media speaking about the RNC…new media…and data. Gotta love the data!
3:56pm (Jenn)
And the RNC…and new media… 
BTW…Karen got her Diet Coke and brought me one too!
4:02pm (Karen)
The RNC wants developers of content, code, etc. to go to the new gop.com website to provide input and help out. I like that they are soliciting input, and it sounds like they are open to building a tech coalition. Refreshing! And the questions during this session are great. Last guy asked how we can engage bloggers to expand their influence and utilize them to build our email database. And THANK GOD for diet coke!
4:38pm (Karen)
Michael Graham is hilarious as usual. People want to react and be involved, so dynamic and fresh content is a must to make new media work. Ok - but what content? Content matters! Sayeth the Redhead.
4:45pm (Karen)
Stop following me!!! On twitter. Sayeth Graham of Michael. I need more followers on twitter. @karensautter
4:46pm (Karen)
The oldest form of new media is Talk Radio. Do you agree? I’d say conversation is the oldest of new media. Isn’t the conversation the substance of what we do as activists?
5:04pm (Karen)
Wrapping up…
Well, that’s all folks. We heard a wide variety of points of view. And we are encouraged to go out and become skilled in technology and new media. Thank you to all our speakers!
What do Bill Ayers and Barack Obama have in common?
This week, Redhead Republican welcomes honorary Redhead, Rachel Hoff, to the Hall of Flame! Hoff shares with us how ice cream and universal health care are related.
Check out my latest video:
Monday Morning Granola from Karen Sautter on Vimeo.
“Why should I vote for you?”
It’s the question every politician has (or should have) a genuine answer for. Not a prepared response or a canned phrase. A real answer. And any candidate I have ever voted for - with the exception of that one time I wrote in my dog instead of voting for an unopposed Democrat-has convinced me in both word and deed that the answer to my question is this:
I am a leader.
Unfortunately, I live in Massachusetts where the answer to this question is typically ‘my Dad’s work colleague’s sister’s brother-in-law skied on the same mountain as one of the Kennedys’ or some other nonsense answer.
Nationally, the picture is no different. Our Congressional leaders spend more time telling us they are leaders in ‘Wag the Dog’ fashion than demonstrating leadership. Actually, that’s not true. They’re leading us to a slow, cold death of the American dream. For our generation, that means we’re stuck paying a debt that we will pass on to generations to come. An ugly truth, sugar-coated by liberals in the name of the common good. A call to action never came wrapped in a prettier bow.
For our Party, that means the time is now to step up to leadership. Not just high-profile individuals, but everyone and especially young conservatives. The 2008 election cycle FINALLY blew the hinges off the bolted door between young conservatives and our Party. We, as young activists, have one of the biggest opportunities of our lives to show our Party and our country what we are made of. Most leaders can find the courage to walk through that door, but it takes strong leaders to sit at the big kids’ table and bold leaders to sit at the head of the big kids’ table.
We must elect bold leaders to lead the Young Republican National Federation for our sake, for the sake of our Party, and especially for the sake of our communities. Democrats don’t ask permission to take what they want and neither should we. And there is only one YR team whose members have the confidence to stand up to the liberal machine and effectively compete with them because they already have effectively competed with them: Rachel Hoff and the Next Level team.
What is bold leadership? Bold leaders show up without fail and without fear of failure. Bold leaders create opportunities for all. Bold leaders are not afraid to push the envelope because our liberal competitors have no boundaries. Bold leaders go to bed at 2am and gets up a 3am to get the job done. Bold leaders command, not demand, respect. Bold leaders own their mistakes and improve. And most importantly, bold leaders inspire other leaders to take that next step toward the big kids’ table. That is Next Level, mind, body and soul. And we aren’t waiting to be elected - we’re doing this now. We’ve been doing it for years and succeeding in our own backyards. Let us do it for you.
So when it is time to pull that lever this summer, choose a team of proven, bold leaders. We aren’t worried about what our Party thinks about Young Republicans. We’re getting ready to show them how it’s done. And since Obama ain’t sending any of us a check anytime soon, we’re going to get creative with our resources. We already have. Give us a chance to boldly go wherever Young Republicans need to go to defeat liberalism. That’s the next level. Join us!
I had the privilege of attending the Spring Young Republican Board Meeting in Orlando last weekend. Rachel Hoff presented YR Next Level’s platform. Take a look:
Next Level Platform Presentation from Next Level Young Republicans on Vimeo.
It’s no secret that the YRNF is involved in one of their most important election cycles in years. And Your Very Own Redhead Republican is supporting one of the teams running! Led by one of the most capable and productive leaders in the Young Republicans, Rachel Hoff, the YR Next Level team promises to be on the cutting edge of technology. And within their first week of campaigning, Next Level has released their first web ad (yes, first, because there will be more!):
YR Next Level from YR Next Level on Vimeo.
Wow. I can’t wait to see what else they come up with.
They elected a smart, charismatic, energetic person to lead our Party. Congratulations Michael Steele!
