HEADLINE: College Republicans vow a "MORE PEACEFUL TONE" (photos)

[Bluebear]

More peaceful tone....yeah, that could happen.


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In 2005, the last time the College Republican National Committee gathered for its biennial national convention, the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington was, by all accounts, transformed into a battleground.





In a close race for the chairmanship of the organization -- a job previously held by Jack Abramoff and Karl Rove, among others -- the "establishment" candidate weathered attacks over allegedly deceptive fundraising practices he oversaw as national treasurer.



One particularly controversial fundraising pitch, which critics said blurred the distinction between giving to the collegiate politicos and donating to President Bush himself, included an American flag lapel pin. Would-be donors were encouraged to pray over the pin and then mail it back to the CRNC -- along with a $1,000 donation. The letter stated that the president might wear the pin as he accepted the Republican nomination.



Despite that scrutiny, and charges of vote rigging, forged letters and below-the-belt personal attacks, Paul Gourley won the chairmanship, which he has held for two years. Today, in the organization's first convention since the scandal, the national board plans to consider amendments to its constitution to make the group "more transparent, efficient and effective....



As of yesterday, Charlie Smith of Colorado was running unopposed for chairman. To prepare for "the greatest opportunity College Republicans have ever faced -- the 2008 election cycle," Smith proposes on his campaign Web site that the "CRNC will aggressively pursue . . . an avenue that has proven extremely successful for many liberal causes, and that appeals to a whole new audience of political donors. We should take a cue from our liberal friends over at MoveOn.org," Smith says.
Britton Alexander, the second vice chairman of CRNC, said: "Sure, it's a little more peaceful this year.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/12/AR2007071202040.html

And now . . . . . The ***REAL*** GOP:

[MsKandice01]

1. The irony of that last photo is priceless...

Absolutely priceless.

[BlooInBloo]

2. And the penultimate.

[LordJFT]

7. yeah gotta love the people that champion english only and can't even speak it correctly

[mcctatas]

3. I'm series...

that is hugh...:rofl:

[Catherine Vincent]

4. "The B*tch in the Ditch"

How classy.

[bluestateguy]

5. "it's my choice to be a stupid voter"

Please tell me that's a photoshopped sign.

[alfredo]

6. Reminds me of this cartoon

[Catherine Vincent]

8. Republican strategist and their aim.

Heh!

[alfredo]

9. And we will not give them a clue.

[dkofos]

10. And they want to rule the world. What a fucking joke!!

[Forkboy]

11. What a bunch of smegheads.

:puke:

[spanone]

12. Somehow, I don't believe them for one second, or nano-second.