by Ken Van Doren

Convention has a few surprises

The first surprise was that one of the first things I saw once inside the Friday Night Hospitality room of gubernatorial candidate Mark Neumann was a fellow manning a table on behalf of Scott Paterick’s campaign. Seemed he or his staff did not request a room until all the normal hospitality suites had been booked, and candidate Neumann volunteered to share his space, while the Paterick fan steered people to an out of the way suite on the 18th floor. The second surprise was that the number of attendees set a record. I estimated that there were about 1400 people in the Midwest Airlines Center during the gubernatorial endorsement process. The convention in 2009 in La Crosse only had about half that number.

And despite this being the second year such things were discussed, I found it pleasantly surprising that two pet issues of Congressman and former presidential candidate Ron Paul had high levels of support. The convention overwhelmingly supported an audit the Federal Reserve resolution, and narrowly defeated an End the FED resolution. Last year, when I introduced similar resolutions in Juneau County, they died for lack of second.

And while the first round endorsement of Scott Walker was not a surprise, I felt that the margin of victory – 91%, was. I expected around 70%, maybe less. (See related article, “Is endorsement a good idea?) Perhaps what made it so surprising to me is that most of my closest friends at the convention oppose the endorsement process, but clearly, we are in the minority on that issue.

Another surprise for me was seeing fellow Oak Creek High School graduate and friend Roy Lemmer working the booth of Dan Sebring, Congressional District 4 Candidate. I was further surprised by the fact that he had not even met Dan until he showed up to work the booth. I overheard Roy explain his presence to someone who asked why he was there. Roy stated that he was a Christian, and very concerned about the ethics not only of incumbent Gwen Moore but the federal government generally, and that he did some internet research, liked what he read, and volunteered to make a difference.

Both surprising and disappointing was that The Wisconsin Republican Liberty Caucus had requested a booth, admittedly late, and was denied for “lack of room.” This despite the fact that groups applying later did have their requests filled, and despite the fact that about two thirds of the space in the hallway to the north of the meeting room remained vacant. Members did ply the halls with pieces of literature and conversation, and I met several, including Chairman Michael Murphy and Secretary Paul Sanchez. Perhaps the double header surprise of the convention was Dick Leinenkugel dropping out of the Senate race, after barely being in it, and throwing his support to second round endorsement winner, Ron Johnson, another surprise. Johnson had officially been in the race less than 2 weeks.

Perhaps the surprise with the greatest long range impact was that there were a fairly high percentage of young people in attendance.

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In the interest of full disclosure yours truly was a delegate to the convention. I did a lot of research for this article, staying up late gathering information at the various hospitality rooms, closing down the hotel both nights. One major problem I had was that folks in a few of the rooms were so hospitable that I did not make it to all the hospitality rooms either night. Yes, definitely, some were more hospitable than others, but both because this is a matter of individual taste, and to protect the guilty, we will not dwell on which were more, which were less. I put a lot of faces to the names of those I communicate regularly with on the internet, and had heard of in the news, reacquainted myself with some old friends, made a few new ones, and tried to schedule as many guests for my show as I could. (The Voice of Liberty on www.revolutionbroadcasting. com, 8 p.m., M-F. Yes, I know, shameless self promotion.)

I am sure that in this regard, this year’s convention was like a lot of others. The business, including the endorsement process was slow, tedious and often boring. It took something over four hours to go through the speeches, videos and votes for Lt. Governor alone, only to end with Brett Davis the leader, but no endorsement. And a lot of people were not happy that a happy hour had to be canceled, and dinner (with Karl Rove) postponed. But that is why I butterflied around, meeting various people, checking every now and again to see what important business or speeches were to be attended to, trying to be on the floor when important votes were taking place. A lot more interesting than being nailed to a chair.

I thought Neumann’s speech was very well organized, concisely hit a number of high points, and was well delivered. His message seemed to be well received, the later vote notwithstanding. Significantly superior to Walker’s speech last year. But luckily for Walker he too brought his “A Game” Saturday. Both his speech writing and delivery were several notches above last year.

“Socialistic values have replaced conservative core values here in Wisconsin,” Neumann started. He then rattled off a list of issues he intended to make priorities, including fighting Cap and trade and Obamacare, posting bills five days before they can be passed, backing the 10th Amendment (which reserves all powers not specifically granted to the Federal government to the states and the people), balancing budgets without gimmicks, and term limits.

“The next part is harder. We as Republicans must look in the mirror to see how we contributed to our problems….”

“I will not stray from our core values of faith, family and freedom, lower taxes, more personal responsibility.” He concluded with, “My running for governor is all about our kids and grandkids. They are counting on us to do the right thing so they can live and work right here in Wisconsin.” In his hospitality suite the night before, Neumann told me that the reason he is running for governor is that it is important that state government get on track, and that as a private businessman, he was better qualified and more credible than Scott Walker, who has spent most of his adult life as a politician.

Clearly the convention was primed for the entrance of Walker. His staff handed out signs saying, “I brown bag, too,” as well as a considerable number with his name on them. The vast majority stood and cheered when he entered the room.

“It is time to take back our government” he boomed, “time to give it back to the people. People are scared, but as of November 2 you do not have to be scared, because help is on the way.” He then recounted a bit of personal history, his Eagle Scout status, how his grandmother inspired him with her example to be frugal (or cheap as he likes to accuse his wife of saying).”

He advocated for the principles, “Do not spend more than you have. Smaller government is better government, and PEOPLE create jobs, not government.” He said the way to a better Wisconsin is “NOT by giving control of our kids’ education to bureaucrats in Madison, NOT by raiding the highway fund to subsidize (special interests) while our infrastructure crumbles….

“We are going to take a big train and load it with all the liberals and drive them out of town.”

Convention draws protests

There were at least 3 protests on Saturday outside the Midwest Airways Center. About 35 people gathered to support immigration reform. As I walked over to gather information, Congressional candidate Chad Lee whose wife is Hispanic said to me, “Ask them if they have read the bill.” I was the lone Republican to approach the crowd. The event was organized by Christina Neumann Ortiz and a group called Voices de la Frontera. Christina and others railed against the recently passed Arizona bill S1070 as racist, unjust. “Wisconsin is not Arizona” she said. “We must work for immigration reform that is desperately needed,” and apparently implicating the Wisconsin Republican Party in these “injustices.”

Former Milwaukee alderman Vel Phillips also spoke, looking old and frail. She commented on “the strong leadership of President Obama and his administration,” later saying that he would not let AZ S1070 prevail. (Editorial comment, yes, strong, but mostly wrong.) There was a bit of irony in what follows, as I suspect many at the Republican convention would agree with the following statements. Ms. Phillips said, “states can not bar people against the Fourth Amendment.” The AZ bill has clearly stated protections against profiling, and requires probable cause as stated in the Fourth Amendment.

And finally, “We who have been in the civil rights movement realize the danger when you give police too much power.” Yes Ms. Phillips, and so do many of us who attended the Republican convention, which is why we oppose the numerous laws that attack our constitution and our individual rights.

Later a two-man “911 truth” squad came, and Matt Naus, with a bullhorn protested that 911 was an inside job, that the wars we are in are all over oil, money and power, not national security.

And the last protest I noticed was also the largest at around 50 people, all Mark Neumann supporters who came to protest the convention’s endorsement process. “Let the voters decide” they said. And so it shall be, regardless of what went on in the convention.