The Trail of Waste

As the new CRNC chairman comes onto the scene to survey the damage and pick up the pieces from ex-Chairman Gourley's reign, a few things have come to light:

• For the most part, since January 2007 (if not sooner), Gourley has not been at the national CRNC office in Washington, DC, but back home in South Dakota. That's correct: South Dakota selling real estate with his father. Talk about working off-site.

• In his absence, Amandra Hydro ran the office. But according to "officials" acquainted with the situation, the rumor is that she delved into CRNC funds to fund a trip she went on with her significant other. The rumor also goes on to say that she also, unilaterally, inflated her salary.
  

It would be interesting whether Mr. Smith discloses how much the previous administration wasted and whether there is any truth to these rumors.

Hoplin plans to run for Rep. Peterson's seat - Roll Call Expose - August 14, 2006

August 14, 2006

The Minnesota GOP's Young Man in a Hurry

By Bree Hocking

Compared to your average twenty-something, Eric Hoplin has done pretty well for himself.
At 28, Hoplin is the deputy Republican Party chairman in Minnesota, a key battleground state. He boasts a network of political contacts reaching from the governor's mansion to the nation's capital. He spent a term at the helm of the College Republican National Committee - the launching pad of such heavyweights as Karl Rove and Grover Norquist - and also completed a stint as the organization's executive director.

While an undergraduate at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, Hoplin convinced then-state party Chairman Ron Eibensteiner to give him an office in the party's headquarters as well as the funds necessary to revitalize the state's then-foundering College Republican group. He led the group from 1999 to 2001, turning it into one of the largest in the country. Hoplin's ability to organize and dispatch College Republican volunteers has also been credited with helping Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) win a Senate seat in 2002.

"When he walks into [rooms] and talks to donors and the movers and shakers he has a way of casting a spell," said David Strom, president of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. "He's very good at devising strategies that work. He's a guy that executes."

Norquist, whose legendary "Wednesday Group" meetings Hoplin attends when he's in town, added, "He's top-tier. He's as good as it gets."

But his single-minded rise hasn't been without controversy.

In 2004, a firestorm erupted within College Republican circles when media reports across the country detailed the misleading and aggressive tactics used by the direct-mail fundraising firm Response Dynamics Inc. on behalf of the CRNC.

At issue were some of the solicitation letters sent out on behalf of the group by RDI, which first signed its contract with the CRNC in 1992. Many targeted senior citizens with letterhead featuring the names of groups such as "Republican Headquarters 2004" and "Republican Leadership Committee." One oft-cited letter indicated that if recipients prayed over an American flag lapel pin and returned it to the CRNC with $1,000, Bush would wear the pin at the GOP convention. That letter bore the signature of then-CRNC Treasurer Paul Gourley, a close ally of Hoplin's and his successor as CRNC chairman.

When the stories first broke, Hoplin, then CRNC chairman, sent a widely quoted memo to fellow College Republican state officials urging them not to speak to the media. "We need the story to go away, which it will ... but only if we all withhold our comments," he reportedly wrote.

Hoplin said he'd had concerns about RDI, which had brought in millions of dollars for the group over the years, since becoming CRNC executive director in 2001. According to Hoplin, soon after being elected CRNC chairman in 2003, he went to his board and "laid out a plan to fix the problem. ... I had authority from my board to take steps to enter into negotiations with Response Dynamics to try and improve our relationship or eventually eliminate them."

Hoplin said he couldn't do so immediately because there was a "clause in the contract that if I terminated them on the first day of my chairmanship they would have been able to continue fundraising until all debts are paid or for another year, whichever one is longer."

To "keep the doors open" and keep funds coming in, Hoplin said he was forced to continue negotiating with the firm in hope it would modify its behavior and refund money to those individuals who felt they had been conned. (According to news accounts, however, RDI President Ron Kanfer was quoted as saying nothing was done without the CRNC's approval.)

Finally, by the spring of 2005, CRNC cut all ties with RDI.

"As a 25-year-old guy, did I make mistakes along the way? Absolutely," Hoplin said. All in all, he said, the CRNC paid $99,200 in refunds to individuals who felt they'd given funds under false pretenses during the time period from when Hoplin first became executive director in July 2001 to 2005. In addition, he said, RDI refunded a little more than $30,000 to a handful of other individuals.

Leading Republicans in Minnesota and Washington have mainly closed ranks around Hoplin.
"I can say it wasn't a huge issue because I continue to be a supporter," said Mike Wigley, a prominent Minnesota businessman and GOP contributor who also serves as chairman of the taxpayers league's board.

"All direct-mail letters are inflammatory, left and right," said Norquist, dismissing the media scrutiny of the fundraising practices as "a cheap shot." "All direct mail targets old people.

"If The Washington Post wanted to pick on any left-of-center group, they could have made all the same criticisms of MoveOn.org or the ACLU or EMILY's List," he added.

But the controversy has continued to dog Hoplin.

In June 2005, the CRNC convention, where Hoplin's successor was to be selected, was marred by accusations of fraud and underhanded dealings. Gourley, Hoplin's anointed successor, was challenged by the former chairman of the California College Republicans, Michael Davidson, for the CRNC chairmanship. Davidson made the issue of reforming the CRNC's fundraising practices part of his campaign. He lost.

Blake Harris, chairman of the College Republican Federation of Alabama, said that within College Republican circles, Hoplin has been a lightning-rod figure.

"You either like him or don't like him," said Harris, who worked for Davidson's campaign. (Hoplin also has been a frequent target of criticism on some Web sites. One of these, "CRNC Chatter," a blog that supported Davidson during the CRNC elections, last year awarded Hoplin the dubious distinction of "Most Likely to Become the Next Jack Abramoff.")

The CRNC's RDI fundraising contract also became an issue in Hoplin's race for Minnesota Republican deputy chairman, with one Gopher State Republican signing a letter criticizing Hoplin's handling of the situation (though that Republican, Glen Menze, has since distanced himself from the letter, saying it actually was written by someone else to whom he owed a favor).

Hoplin's political acumen, however, is nearly universally acknowledged - even among his opponents. He ran for state deputy chairman in June 2005 alongside then-state Chairman Eibensteiner, a close ally of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) and a veteran of Gopher State politics. Eibensteiner ended up losing to current Chairman Ron Carey, in what some have painted as a coup for the state party's socially conservative forces, but Hoplin pulled off a victory in his own, separate race.

"He's smarter than I am," Eibensteiner said of Hoplin.

In his first year as deputy chairman, Hoplin, a devout Republican since the fifth grade, has logged thousands of miles driving around the state meeting with candidates and party activists. He estimated he spends, on average, about two-thirds of his time each week outside of the office.

But he's been noticeably out of the public eye, said several Democrats and one Republican.
"It's hard to link his name with the scandal if his name ID is too low to really count," said Jess McIntosh, spokeswoman for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. "He is conspicuously absent from any high-profile public events."

Eibensteiner, the ousted chairman, placed the blame on his successor's shoulders.
"My sense of it is the new chairman is not using all of his talents. He hasn't been used as extensively as I would have hoped," said Eibensteiner, pointing to what he saw as Hoplin's absence from news programs and other public venues.

Both Carey, who said Hoplin's lower profile is a function of his position, and Hoplin maintain that they have a positive working relationship.

Still, Hoplin hardly is expected to stay in the state party apparatus forever.

Over the years, he's told several Minnesota politicos that he hopes to run for the seat held by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.). In a recent interview, Hoplin downplayed the notion, saying: "In my younger days, I always thought public service meant running for office."

Now, while Hoplin asserts he "wouldn't rule out running" in the future, he's more interested in fighting the war on terrorism, though he's not sure what means that will take.

"I'm talking to four different entities and organizations about how to do that," said Hoplin, whose term as deputy chairman expires in June. Just last week Hoplin, who is married, said he "met with folks at the Pentagon and State Department." If the Twin Cities are selected to host the GOP convention in 2008, however, it would be "very enticing to stay on and work for that project," he said.

"It's not in his interest to necessarily tell people he's running. ... He may just be biding his time and not trying to telegraph his intentions," said Barry Casselman, a Minnesota-based independent political analyst. "He has definitely indicated to me as recently as a year or a year and a half ago that that was a goal of his to be elected to the 7th district."

Meanwhile, Eibensteiner said: "If Collin Peterson ever retires, I would encourage Eric to run for Congress. ... I'd be his finance chair."

SPOTTED: Paul Gouley and Congressman McHenry (R-NC)

Recently spotted at a Hawk-N-Dove function was National College Republican chairman Paul Gourley along with Congressman Patrick McHenry. Congressman McHenry, a former national College Republican Treasurer, was seated at the head of 10-15 person table. Witnesses say that the two were partaking in libations late into the night. Also seated at the table were various former state chairmen, McHenry's Chief of Staff, as well as several blonde interns.

CR Revered - Nate Walton

Name: Nate Walton

Federation: Maine College Republicans

Federation Website: http://www.mainecr.org

School/Year: Bates College/2008

Major/Minor: Political Science/History

Who do you support for President in 2008 and why? It is too early to decide.

Why did you get involved in College Republicans? I have long been interested in politics, so joining the CRs was an easy choice for me since I have always been a strong Republican. Being a very active college freshman in a swing state during the fall of 2004 piqued my interest in stepping up to CR leadership.

What is the greatest challenge for a College Republican leader? The greatest challenge for CR leaders is building a good reputation for their chapters/federations by keeping promises and delivering results. This requires a great deal of hard work as CR leaders must prove to people of much more political experience that they are worthy of trust and respect - through their actions and not their words. When done effectively, the right doors can open - and with them a CR leader’s ability to strengthen their chapter/federation even further.

Where do you see the CRNC in 1 year? I see the CRNC strengthening its Field Program even further, and continuing to provide the knowledge and resources to help state chairmen strengthen their state federations

What's your greatest achievement in College Republicans? I enjoy recruiting new members and motivating them to become active with CRs. My greatest CR achievement is when I organized scores of recently recruited CRs to collect nominating signatures in every corner of Maine to ensure a congressional candidate a spot on the 2006 ballot - and the state party a full slate of candidates for the fall.
What makes a poor state chairman? A poor state chairman is one who focuses more time and effort on state/national internal CR politics than recruiting new members, building additional chapters, and developing strong relationships with the state party by planning and executing effective grassroots activism.

As a student senator you worked with David Horowitz to pass the Academic Bill of Rights. Why was this important to you? This was important to me because academic freedom is an important issue deserving of more discussion and awareness. Liberal hegemony on campus is all too often tolerated and left unchallenged. Because CRs are generally the best organized conservative club on campus, we must lead the fight for academic freedom by hosting conservative speakers on campus and bringing attention to the lack of academic freedom on a statewide level. This is what we have accomplished in Maine, which David Horowitz routinely cites as the example of a successful statewide academic freedom effort.

What are you planning for your state to do during the 2006 campaign season?
I am taking the semester off from Bates to serve as field director for Senator Chandler Woodcock’s gubernatorial bid. I just raised over $30,000 to hire five full-time CRNC field reps who will recruit 2,500 new Maine CRs during the fall of 2005. With polls showing Woodcock head-to-head with the incumbent Democrat, and the Maine House and Senate just seats away from GOP majorities, I am more confident than ever Maine CRs will play the crucial grassroots role towards great Republican victories in November.

Paul Gourley's leadership. Mediocre or very mediocre? I think Paul Gourley has done a good job as national chairman.

Anything else?
No.

CR Revered - Chairman Frank Luna

Name: Frank Luna

Federation: NJ College Republicans

Federation Website: http://www.njcr.org/

School/Year: Graduate of The Richard Stockton College of NJ

Major/Minor: Political Science

Who do you support for President in 2008 and why? To early to say...

Why did you get involved in College Republicans? I was upset with constantly being told I was wrong by liberal professors and I found a group that addressed some of the issues I was interested in...THE CRs.

What is the greatest challenge for a College Republican leader? I think the biggest challenge is raising money. There are so many groups trying to raise money across the country and many are more established than the CRs. Specifically in NJ, the CRs have not made enough of a name for themselves to be considered worthy of independent donations (which is something that WILL change during my tenure as Chairman).

Where do you see the CRNC in 2 years? Hopefully giving more money to state federations. This will enable them to address the fundraising issue mentioned above.

What's your greatest achievement in College Republicans? I get most excited about starting new chapters at schools who previously had none. Any time you can start a new chapter, conservative ideas are spread to that many more people.

What are you planning for your state to do during the 2006 campaign season? Improving communication between NJCRs and NJGOP as well as doing a ton of grassroots campaigning to place a Republican from NJ in the US Senate. I am just going to roll up my sleeves and get to work...I am sure that will include a ton of phone calls and doors to knock on, but no one is bigger than the cause and I am prepared to do whatever necessary.

Who do you support for President in 2008 and why? To early to say...

Why did you get involved in College Republicans? I was upset with constantly being told I was wrong by liberal professors and I found a group that addressed some of the issues I was interested in...THE CRs.

What is the greatest challenge for a College Republican leader? I think the biggest challenge is raising money. There are so many groups trying to raise money across the country and many are more established than the CRs. Specifically in NJ, the CRs have not made enough of a name for themselves to be considered worthy of independent donations (which is something that WILL change during my tenure as Chairman).

Where do you see the CRNC in 2 years? Hopefully giving more money to state federations. This will enable them to address the fundraising issue mentioned above.

What's your greatest achievement in College Republicans? I get most excited about starting new chapters at schools who previously had none. Any time you can start a new chapter, conservative ideas are spread to that many more people.

What are you planning for your state to do during the 2006 campaign season? Improving communication between NJCRs and NJGOP as well as doing a ton of grassroots campaigning to place a Republican from NJ in the US Senate. I am just going to roll up my sleeves and get to work...I am sure that will include a ton of phone calls and doors to knock on, but no one is bigger than the cause and I am prepared to do whatever necessary.


Congratulations Frank Luna for being ranked one of our own CR Revered.

Caucus Rundown 2

The Southern Caucus

The Southern Caucus seems to be the base for the opposition. The Caucus contains 9 states firmly apart of the reform movement, 2 establishment states, and 2 neutral. Blake Harris worked to keep the opposition states in the Southern Caucus, while attempting to cultivate relationships with the two states standing neutral.

The Caucus Elections for the South started with no contested election for any race and stood as Keith Gates for Caucus Chairman, Blake Harris and Eliza Vielma for Credentials Committee, and Scott Wacholtz for Caucus Secretary.

Chairman Wacholtz, a former United States Marine, is well known not just at his school but throughout the state as a tireless conservative advocate. Expect to hear more from him in the future.

Back to the election. Credentials soon became confusing. A week prior to the elections, a third jumped into the credentials race: Lindsay Moffett. The day prior to the election there was rumor that a fourth, Andrew Lamar, would also jump into the credentials race. The night prior to the election, Eliza Vielma dropped out of the credentials race. Reasons for this voluntary bowing out are unknown at this time.

The day of election all were nominated, but Andrew Lamar declined his nomination. He had secured 5-6 states.

Bottom Line: Although some states in the south have become unpredictable, no races were contested. The reform movement still remains strong in the south holding both credentials seats.

As a side note, the College Republican Chairman of Maine, Nate Walton, has a dirty little secret. More like dirty laundry. The dirty laundry? Mr. Walton is such a delegator he has commanded College Republicans to do his laundry for him. That's right, Nate Walton has someone else do his laundry.

Another side note: One certain southern chairman - who will remain nameless - walked out on a $90.00 Hawk and Dove tab. Tsk. Tsk.

Caucus Rundown

Two weekends of caucus debauchery down. Two more to go. The news coverage has been inadequate thus far, so here's the inside scoop in both caucuses.

The Northeast Caucus

The Northeast Caucus stood 6-6 for the longest time. Mike Miltenberger had worked the caucus for more than a year cultivating relationships and slowly turning the Northeast into a place where the reform movement could be competitive.

Miltenberger easily cruised to a unanimous victory as caucus chair despite Nate Walton flirting with a run. Miltenberger earned the spot as easily the most outgoing member of the caucus.

The big battle was over credentials. Team Gourley ran the female combo of Sarah Armstrong and Liz Lewis, who whipped votes all of Friday night. The reform movement pushed Frank Luna and moderate Zach Elmore.

Luna was unable to attend the caucus meeting because of the wedding of a childhood friend. When it came to voting, Armstrong made an empassioned plea that Luna "wasn't dedicated" enough to show up. It worked, as Zach Elmore jumped ship and voted for Armstrong over Luna.

Bottom Line: Elmore's flip puts the reform movement in a tough bind. Armstrong on credentials causes unexpected problems. Miltenberger gets roughed up a bit, but remains the reform movement's star in the Northeast.

The West

The Western Caucus stood 9-4 in favor of Gourley as of April 1st. In less than two months, Washington CR Chairman Brent Ludeman quickly flipped two states and had the establishment afraid of a complete sweep in the West.

Team Gourley rounded up its core supporters (Arizona, Colorado and Nevada) and the Mormon connection (Idaho, Hawaii, and Utah) through Tom Robins, but was dealt a glaring blow. Oregon CR Chairman John Swanson had endorsed Brent Ludeman for Caucus Chairman. Swanson's defection was reeling because only weeks earlier Gourley had traveled to Oregon to help him fundraise and had been considered a loyal member of the establishment "team."

The establishment refused to let Oregon go without a fight. Gourley operatives put the pressure on Swanson day and night for an entire week. Wednesday night, Paul Gourley called again and told Swanson that Ludeman's defeat is "the single most important thing for the future of my administration." Swanson flipped.

Ludeman quickly responded to the situation and offered to run for credentials instead. Swanson turned the offer down. Realizing that a complete sweep was imminent, Ludeman went into overdrive and by Thursday night had Swanson in the undecided column for caucus chair. By late Friday, Swanson was back on Ludeman's side, but credentials was a complete loss.

Bottom Line: Despite having 7 solid votes in the West, Gourley gets credentials, but somehow loses both Caucus Chair and Secretary. Election shows Ludeman's ability to recruit and gain bipartisan support from the establishment.

National Chairman Gourley Convicted For Reckless Driving

Washington, DC - In what has been a eventful weekend with the election of the Western Caucus Chairman and the two credentials committee spot, there is has been another story in the background.

The National Chairman of the College Republicans has a criminal record.

According to documents and reports obtained by an Administration source, Chairman Gourley had been charged - and convicted - of reckless endangerment with an automobile in the fall of 2005. When his November court date came Chairman Gourley was convicted as "Guilty in Absentia" meaning that he either did not either hire an attorney to represent him nor show up to contest the charges.

It is not known whether there was an arrest or booking (mugshot). One source for this story has said that an attending police officer has the discretion of arresting on the spot for reckless driving. He was however assessed a fine for the incident and court costs.

The reader stated that Chairman Gourley was travelling over 90 mph, however this cannot be collaborated as the charge was for more than 80 mph.

Additionally, it was learned that when Chairman Gourley toured Alabama earlier this year he rented one of the most posh rides - a Lexus RX-Model Luxury SUV by national college republican funds.

Chairman Paul Gourley and Executive Director Amanda Hydro were reached for comment before publication and choose not to comment on this story.