By Sue Caro, Chairman
Alameda County Republican Party
Today [Saturday, Feb. 25] we started the day by grabbing a bran muffin and latte in the lobby coffee bar, then headed for a workshop about setting up "the ground game" in our counties for GOTV (get out the vote) by walking precincts.
The basic concept is a Republican volunteer will walk his/her own precinct or neighborhood and contact only the Republicans. Information about voters' frequency of voting will be on voter lists, so if a volunteer needs to discriminate, they can choose to call on less frequent voters, knowing that "high propensity" voters probably don't need to be encouraged to get to the polls to vote.
The next workshop for me as a county chairman was all about fundraising and some of the science behind the "ask." Different people are motivated to donate for different reasons.
We went to lunch in the ballroom and were not disappointed. Michael Reagan started as first speaker in support of Newt Gingrich as Presidential candidate. Then came Herman Cain, who has terrific presence as a speaker and creates a wonderful connection with the audience.
The direct introduction of Newt Gingrich was by his wife, Callista Gingrich. Then, of course, came Newt. A large group of Newt supporters had filled the front of the room and stage, fanning the center, holding up signs that read "Newt 2012" and also graphics of gasoline pumps with $2.50 printed on the pumps.
Newt gave us a fairly long speech dissecting President Obama's recent speech on energy and presenting his opposing view. The crowd loved it, as he is very good at delivering information in a clearly articulate fashion. Today's speech was all about energy policy and how if he becomes President, he would introduce policies that would have gasoline prices stabilize at $2.50 per gallon.
Afternoon workshops about the software for the voter database. Then a "Townhall" with a panel of four successful CYR (California Young Republicans) - two entrepreneurs, one attorney and 24-year-old Ricky Gill, who is running for Congress in the Ninth Congressional District. The panel moderator was radio personality Brian Sussman. Ricky Gill has raised $1 million to run for Congress against Jerry McNerney in a newly drawn district which includes Stockton, Lodi, and Brentwood. CYRs are aged 18-40.
A quick change for dinner in the ballroom with speakers Tim Pawlenty, who was terrific and finished by stating the several reasons he is endorsing Mitt Romney, and Reince Prebus, who is the Chairman of the RNC (Republican National Committee). Reince has turn the RNC around and currently has raised $60 million.
The day ended with another gathering in the Bay Area suite for drinks and catching up on the behind-the-scenes processes. I passed on two or three other hospitality suites and went to my room around 11:15. Tomorrow [Sunday] is the "convention floor" business meeting where all Rules Committee decisions, resolutions, initiatives endorsements and voting for our national committee man and committee woman (CA representatives on the RNC) take place.
Editor's note: For more on the Republican convention
Bay Area News Group: Newt Gingrich speech
Burlingame Patch: California Republicans Cheer Gingrich's Intellect
