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| RNC Committeewoman Kathy Berden, center, with Hank Fuhs, left, and RNC Committeeman Dave Agema, right (DarKen Photography) |
By Brandon Hall
(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)
The organizers of an event for Conservative activists later this month known as Battle Cry say they will deny entry to some individuals to keep the event from being "hijacked or compromised."
Popular RNC Committeewoman Kathy Berden is evidently one of those people.
Jennifer Hensley Thie wrote in a Facebook statement:
"Saddened to learn that the organizers of Battlecry Michigan have refused to allow MRP National Committeewoman Kathleen Offner Berden to register for their event next week. The self-described event is advertised as being for "All true Conservative Republicans who are concerned about the direction of our country". I guess the organizers are now the arbiters of what is a "true Conservative Republican"?
Kathy was called by a woman who would not identify herself who explained they would be refunding her money. I would hope that the many supporters listed on the site, as well as the announced speakers inform the organizers that they disagree with this decision."
So, what's up?
"We are trying to keep Battle Cry "clean" without any rumor or reason to claim that the grassroots have been "hijacked" or "compromised," said one of the event's leaders, Matt Maddock.
Maddock, who lost a hard fought primary battle against State Sen. Mike Kowall in 2014, wasn't talking directly about Berden, but notes organizers will refuse multiple people entry at the event.
"To avoid the errors that blanket the flame like when the Pow Wow (Battle Cry IS NOTHING similar to the Pow Wow, just using it as an example) brought Calley and allowed a dozen or so professional Republican Party apparatus operatives to "crash" their event." Maddock said.
"The republican voters and activists are demanding something different. We are going to provide it. We are going to do what nobody has done in the past. We are embracing the Republicans and legislators who have demonstrated the courage to stand for our party platform. In this political environment it isn't easy to turn away money, but that's exactly what we are doing.
"We are trying to keep Battle Cry "clean" without any rumor or reason to claim that the grassroots have been "hijacked" or "compromised," said one of the event's leaders, Matt Maddock.
Maddock, who lost a hard fought primary battle against State Sen. Mike Kowall in 2014, wasn't talking directly about Berden, but notes organizers will refuse multiple people entry at the event.
"To avoid the errors that blanket the flame like when the Pow Wow (Battle Cry IS NOTHING similar to the Pow Wow, just using it as an example) brought Calley and allowed a dozen or so professional Republican Party apparatus operatives to "crash" their event." Maddock said.
"The republican voters and activists are demanding something different. We are going to provide it. We are going to do what nobody has done in the past. We are embracing the Republicans and legislators who have demonstrated the courage to stand for our party platform. In this political environment it isn't easy to turn away money, but that's exactly what we are doing.
We aren't going to compromise our message or our mission by taking our opponents money. There is no political consultants or professional organizers planning this event, just a bunch of pissed off Republicans that are going to fight like hell to reclaim our party," Maddock said.
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| Maddock, left, with wife Meshawn |
>>>Battle Cry will be held January 29 and 30 in Battle Creek, find out more details by clicking below:
______________________________________________________________
Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.
>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com
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| Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson |
"We aren't going to compromise our message or our mission by taking our opponents money. There is no political consultants or professional organizers planning this event, just a bunch of pissed off Republicans that are going to fight like hell to reclaim our party," Maddock said."
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice sentiment, Mr. Maddock.
It's a shame that YOU could not follow through with it yourself!
"Battle Cry" will be taking place at Firekeepers Casino in Marshall.
Firekeepers Casino was a significant contributor to Safe Roads Yes! ,which for was a supporter of last year's Proposal 1 campaign to raise taxes to "fix" Michigan Roads (H/T to Corinthian Scales for reminding me of this troubling fact).
Sorry, but I cannot in good conscience contribute ANY money which will go towards someone who supported raising my taxes.
So your suggestion is to balance the event being at a casino by inviting in "known RINOs"? Is that your suggestion?
DeleteNo, Bill, I'm saying that finding another location should have been first on the list.
DeleteWhat is the difference between allowing in RINO's and giving money to a business that acts no differently than a RINO?
BOTH should be avoided.
Good point about the casino, however it is centrally located, has a hotel with a convention center and was affordable. That may be why it was picked. Frankly the #1 donor to most "RINO" elected officials is the Michigan Realtor Association------which would eliminate most/all real estate in the whole state. Think about that.
ReplyDeleteOf course the establishment Republicans don't get why Battle Cry would exclude them... the decisions as to who attends Battle Cry are being made based on principles. When was the last time the establishment worried about being principled, following the Republican Platform, or representing the people of the state of MI? The way I see it, the fact that this group will turn down money to protect their event from being hijacked or compromised makes me want to go even more!!
ReplyDeleteAnd with whom is "popular" RNC Kathy Berden popular? Perhaps that is the problem.
ReplyDeleteHUH?
ReplyDeleteBattle Cry supports David Dudenhoefer.
David Dudenhoefer supports Kathy Berden.
Battle Cry opposes Kathy Berden.
kathyberden(DOT)com/endorsements/
It's damned if you do, damned if you don't. So many were pissed off at the Pow Wow organizers for including Calley. Battle Cry attempts to remedy that problem, and it alienates some other people. Oh well. Should be a very solid event, regardless.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Trump? could he bring Palin? Maybe you should rent a big Tent just in case things get out of hand!
ReplyDeleteIf Battle Cry organizers consider C4L to be conservative, then please answer my question. C4L is the party of Ron Paul and Rand Paul. Remember when the conservatives were trying to get rid of B _ t _ _ _ McConnell and Rand Paul backed him for re-election??? So much for the conservatism of the C4L people. How honest is it to pack CPAC to win phony straw polls? Democrats bus them in and C4L packs conventions to win straw polls. So pointing the finger at Rinos, Democraps, and others has four pointing back at you. Good event organizers would know how to keep control and yet include others of opposite view. If you cannot stand on your principles and have to band people from your event what does that say for you?????
ReplyDeleteReally you should read the Battle Cry agenda. It appears to not be designed to train "establishment RINO types". Why would any want to attend?
DeleteSo because Rand Paul made a largely irrelevant endorsement of Mitch McConnell for Senate that means C4L activists across the country who had absolutely no say in that decision should be punished?
DeleteYou're really desperate and grasping at straws, aren't you?
Wait. How are Tom McMillin and Gary Glenn not professional Republican operatives? I don't know the last time either of them worked off the teat of government or party politics. Also, for conservatives, they're sure OK with having their event at a sinful, wicked place.
ReplyDeleteGlenn and McMillin have excellent conservative track records though. And no, I don't think holding a convention for grown adults at a casino is offensive to anyone.
Delete