So, if, like me, you missed the wonderful North Carolina Conservative Leadership Conference the other weekend, you missed the debate between Republican candidates for governor. But that’s okay — you can still view the debate online! It’s about an hour and a half long, so be prepared to sit down and watch for awhile. But if you want to hear what the actual candidates are saying, why not listen to them talk?
Popularity: 16% [?]
Hooray, it’s today! As you read this (if it’s still Friday), some people have gathered for the grass roots seminar. I might make it there one day (but some of us work for a living).
However, this evening the Gubernatorial Debate is scheduled. After that is dinner where I’m sure there will be a speaker. I’m not sure how quickly I will have stuff up with this one, as I hate to type while people are talking (for the most part). But if there’s not information on this up early this evening, it will be there first thing in the morning. I hope to, by the end of this conference, to have the official Ogre endorsement for governor!
And don’t forget — all day tomorrow should have regular updates on the conference where I truly hope to answer the question: “What defines a conservative in NC today?”
Update: Ogre apparently has a bad case of the flu. How to put this gently… he has gastro-intestinal problems with small organisms that are causing the bowel and the esophagus to contract at an irregular rate, resulting in various fluids being discarded. I’m not sure if he’ll be able to make this evening, but if at all possible, he’ll be there!
Popularity: 17% [?]
Only four days to go until the the conference. This year’s theme is “A Blueprint for North Carolina.” I wonder how that will turn out. You see, most people agree on what is needed, but few agree on HOW to reach that point. For example, nearly everyone believes in “improving education.” However, statists, liberals, and others think it can be improved with more government spending. I think it can be improved with more freedom.
I am quite looking forward to this event, and I invite you, the good reader, to stop on by here starting Friday night where I anticipate much coverage of the event — especially all day Saturday!
Popularity: 14% [?]
Have you signed up to go to the NC Conservative Leadership Conference? There’s just one week to go!
And don’t worry if you can’t get there, it will be blogged right here by yours truly. But if you’re anywhere nearby, be sure and stop in and look for Ogre!
Popularity: 12% [?]
So come on out if you can! That’s in just a couple days. I’d be there in a minute, but I already had plans taking me out of town that I can’t really break. I need to have less stuff going on so I can attend more of these things. Here’s the details as I received them:
Dear Fellow Republicans, Activist and Friends:
I have a serious matter to share with you and I ask that you take the time and carefully read what I am sending you today. With this year of important elections coming and many people not thrilled about the choices of candidates on the ballot we look around and ask where are the GOOD Candidates. Where are those who will stand up for America? For me?I want to share with you why we have many many people who will not put their name on a ballot. They see what happens to good and decent people.
I want to give you the example of what happened to J.D. Hayworth. I am proud to call JD my friend. He has always been ready and able to stand in the breach, take the hits for our Party and tell the truth when sometimes that wasn’t the politically correct thing to do. He is a man of Courage, Faith and a Patriot.
In 2006 you may remember right before the elections the Abramoff Scandal broke. Because he is in Arizona and several Indian tribes are located in and around the congressional district JD represented he received contributions from these tribes in his reelection campaigns. This was how the media tried to tie in JD with Abramoff
Painted with this scandal of which he had no part, ads were run on TV and in the print media all aimed at getting rid of one more REPUBLICAN in Congress. His hometown newspaper in Phoenix, the Arizona Republic led the charge.
After being excoriated by the DNC and the media JD lost his seat by 8000 votes in November 06.
Now the real news……….
ONLY after the election does JD receive complete exoneration from the United States Department of Justice, , “ …The DOJ has now formerly advised the undersigned that you are not now the target, subject or focus of any DOJ investigation, case or proceeding.
This information from DOJ completely vindicates the public Statements you have made since the outset that there was nothing in your congressional office or in your personal activities for the DOJ to investigate or pursue.” Below is where you can go to read the entire letter.
http://coaching.typepad.com/espresso_pundit/files/jd_hayworth_letter_08.jpg
Of course the media who reported the supposed Scandal never ran or apologized to JD for painting him with the brush it did. As the now famous quote goes… Tell me Senator where do I go to get my good name back!
Friends, JD has legal bills of $700,000 dollars. Yes you read it right. Because JD is a stand up kind of guy I only found out about this last night ( He hadn’t told me)
This Saturday JD Hayworth will speak to us at the Guilford Saturday Morning GOP Club. JD has established a trust to help pay off this debt. We can make Checks out to The Freedom In Truth Trust,”The FIT Trust, c/o The KAL Group,P.O. Box 984,Willows, California 95988 . This is not a political donation. And, business checks may be accepted. Whatever you feel led to give, please do!
I have pledged $500 to JD and I am asking you to give at the breakfast to show this SON of Guilford County that we appreciate his service and honor his good name. Let us stand in the breach with such a man, encouraging men and women such as this to run for office!, Letting them know that we stand with them and support them in representing the VALUES that have made our nation the greatest in the world!
Join me Saturday April 5th at the Golden Corral 2419 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 9am ( book signing)
10 am Speech. I’m asking you to consider the above and give to helping JD pay off this debt, whatever you can give. I want to recognize those who decide to give so let me know is you intend to, please.
I hope you will be there. We need you to help keep America Great!
I can absolutely relate to this fellow. Remember, I ran for election in North Carolina. I saw the beast from the inside. I can’t tell you how many times I heard, “because that’s the way it’s done here.” I wish I could be there. If I can change my plans, I will. If you are in the area, please to head on over! Tell ‘em Ogre sent ya. 
Popularity: 15% [?]
So, have you made your plans to attend the Conservative Leadership Conference in North Carolina? It’s April 18th, and there’s still plenty of time to register! And remember, if for some reason you can’t be there, be sure to stop by this very location on the internet –I’ll be live blogging the entire event!
Oh, and one thing I plan to observe a lot over the two day event will be what it is, exactly, that is a “conservative” in North Carolina today. Elizabeth Dole will be there. So will Jessica Lunsford’s father of Jessica’s Law Now. But I’m honestly curious what people there will define as “conservative.” My guess is that I’ll find a very wide range of views and opinions.
Popularity: 10% [?]
So, while Obama offers “Hope” and absolutely nothing else, what do conservatives have to offer? According to Chuck Baldwin, no hope:
After witnessing the philosophizing, postulating, and pontificating of the various conservative speakers (or those to whom I spoke in private conversation), I am left with the very profound and distinct impression that the so-called conservative movement is dead. It is not dying: it is dead. Totally and thoroughly dead.
Quite an interesting read. And I think perhaps, way too accurate. Now I know some people are attempting to start The American Conservative Party. I’m not sure it will work because there’s an awful lot of Republicans who are claiming they’re conservatives — and they’re supporting McCain.
I think a true definition of conservative that’s very simple and clear is: One who believes government is evil.
McCain LOVES government. He honestly believes that government can solve every problem every created — much like Obama and Hillary. If McCain fits today’s PC definition of conservative, then I’m no conservative. But I think this blurring of the meaning of words is quite intentional. You see, if enough people claim that McCain is conservative, then conservatives who believe government is evil might actually vote for him without knowing what he stands for.
So is the conservative movement — where conservative means “small government” — dead? Perhaps. I shall be watching and listening VERY closely at the upcoming NC Conservative Leadership Conference. I will be looking to see what this conference’s definition of “conservative” is. It shall be very telling to see if there is massive, overwhelming support for McCain…stay tuned, for I shall live blog that event soon!
Popularity: 14% [?]
So, have you made your plans to attend? The big event Friday will be a debate between the Republican candidates for governor. I anticipate making an official endorsement for governor here after that debate. And just think, if you attend, you actually might get to meet Ogre in person!
Since it’s in Greensboro this year, I’ll not be getting a hotel, instead I’ll be driving in and out on Friday and Saturday. I anticipate this one will be as much or more fun than the past years. If you’re in or even near North Carolina, come on by!
Popularity: 16% [?]
From the Lance Sigmon campaign:
Lance wins Catawba Co. Straw Poll, 49-14!
Republicans in voter-rich Catawba County today expressed an overwhelming preference for challenger Lance Sigmon in the 10th District congressional race, preferring Sigmon 49-14 in a straw poll over current Republican U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry.
“It is clear from the 77.7% preference these conventioneers expressed for me that my message of maturity, integrity and decency as qualities voters should expect of their elected officials is ringing true,” Sigmon said. “This poll confirms that a candidate’s good character is more important to voters than his ability to attract lobbyist money from outside our district.”
During his brief remarks to the convention, the Newton veteran promised the attendees that he would attend the debate the Catawba County party has scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 18 at Catawba Valley Community College, “regardless whether Rep. McHenry is there or not.”
Sigmon also reminded the convention that “our congressman has said that he won’t attend your debate because he doesn’t consider Catawba County a ‘proper venue’.” Despite several invitations by Republican Party officials, McHenry did not attend the Catawba County convention, either.
Catawba County Republicans met for their annual convention at the 1924 Courthouse in downtown Newton. In 2004, their first primary election in 40 years, Republicans in Catawba County produced 13,758 (33.7%) of the party’s total 40,846 votes in the 10-county district.
Interesting. I sure hope I see Mr. Sigmon at the 2008 NC CLC. I know I’ll be there, as will a LOT of North Carolina conservatives — perhaps debating the future of conservatism and the Republican Party.
Popularity: 10% [?]
Are you ready for the North Carolina Conservative Leadership Conference? It should be a good one this year. Did I mention that the Republican candidates for governor will be there in a debate? And they’ll be trying to woo conservatives from across the state? Oh, this should indeed be good. Remember, Ogre will be there blogging, so if you can’t actually be there, you’ll want to be here for all the coverage! March 18th is the deadline to reserve your hotel rooms at the “discount” rate…
Popularity: 16% [?]
This is the third year of the conference, and I’m quite proud to say that I’ve been to every years’ conference — and been blogging for each of them.
My past coverage is here. Scroll down, it’s a long page. The 2007 Conference is near the top, while pictures and posts from the 2006 conference are down near the bottom. It’s lots of fun! Now I have to go get my camera fixed (ERR 001?).
And hey, if you’re in or around North Carolina (Teach, I’m looking at you) you might want to consider getting registered soon!
Popularity: 10% [?]
Recent Congressional Votes