Hopefully, the closeness of the vote and the suggestions he received pointed out some clear opportunities for improvement. I hope Mr. Carey takes some of these suggestions to heart. If so, it will go a long way to building unity and laying the groundwork for a successful ‘08.

Andy is once again fundamentally correct– unity is the answer, and it is a two-way street. After the close vote, I am more concerned than ever that those who were dissatisfied with Mr. Carey won’t be making the needed effort.

I don’t remember it exactly but something along the lines of don’t blame a good man for the loses that effected everyone across the country.

Even if it was accurate (up for debate by some) it was very inappropriate.
As I recall, at the last election we didn’t allow Pawlenty to speak until after the election.

If you will look over history (back before this year), I have been just as hard on Carey and others. I just point out inconsistency or bad logic (such as Rosie conspiracy theories).
You ten to confuse criticism of your guy as support for the other.
(So if I point out what a moderate Norm is at time, does not mean I am on Frankin’s campaign)

I didn’t call you, But I imagine anyone with knowledge of the party who read your post would notice the problems with it. Even if every affiliate and elected representative is “hand picked” that still leaves over 50% of the “at-large” elected at the CD level.

You are correct that it was not a mandate, but it was a clear victory and the tone on this post is very “Al Gore/John Kerry” like (We would have one if they hadn’t cheated).

I imagine he might had pulled closer to 60 than the 55 he got if the vote had not been such a mess. At least a few undecided might have voted against him based on the theory if he can’t run a meeting how can he run a party. (and I won’t even get into the stupid letter passed out repeating the Autism and Finance accusation - that was a class move, if I recall that was the only “hit” piece at the convention) Regardless he won, Joe lost.

Hopefully he is smart enough to realize that while some of us had some concerns with the other Candidate, a lot of the issues Joe brought up were right on target.

And I hope that whoever gave you the memo will put away their hatchet and give up on Carey.
(Quick not for Rosie - Andy did not give the documents to the paper)

Taking down the party to get one guy is a concern I have, and whoever has a grudge against Carey might want to keep it going since they did not get him here.

So everyone needs to get over it. The election is over. Move on or else MoveOn will get us all.

I do understand the affiliates and reps for the officials, but there were people who were selectively shifted into these positions.

In the end, carey did win, I get that. But it was anything but a mandate, and the “losers” yesterday were able to voice their opinion.

The true test of if yesterday was a success or not will be if carey can figure out how to unify the party again. We’ve had our nose out of whack since before he took over. I feel it has gotten worse under his leadership.

What is he going to do about it? Is he going to take his attack dogs and pen them up so they can save their energy for the DFL now? or is he going to continue to perpetuate the lies and implications about his political opponents.

His supporters have been as if not more divisive in this battle.

That is a problem HE has to deal with. He needs to get them, er you, back to doing what you do best, and exposing the DFLers and liberals.

I offer this word of advice to carey and Flemming, we cannot improve on our election results unless people know what we stand for. We have our message, we need to learn how to sell it,. Frankly, we can’t leave it up to the big name elected ones. they speak in ways that contradicts most of our legislative candidates and grassroots volunteers who are the foot soldiers in the battle of ideas.

We can’t sell, what we ourselves would not buy. that is one of the biggest issues Carey will face in his next term. He will have to make a choice, allow our message to fit the candidates, or just simply let the party speak for our conservative platform.

That is not true Andy and you should know since you ran for CD chair.

The 46 at-large delegates are mode up of:
The Chair, Deputy Chair and at-large delegate for each CD who vote in the at large pool (3 per CD) so 24 are directly elected at the CD level.

Each affiliate (College Republicans etc…) get a delegate and alternate, who are elected by that group, 10 by my last count (but we may have added one more) so now we are up to 34.

One delegate representative for each US Congressman/Senator, 4 in all for 38

Five more that are elected by State Central (Chair, Deputy, Treasurer, And National Committee members (Male and Female).

I don’t remember where the other 3 or 4 come from.

So at least 34 are directly elected at CD or affiliate level, 4 elected by people of the State of MN and 5 elected at State Central.

So if you do the math at least 43 are elected.

Hardly hand picked.