As to specifics, i have no idea what they are. There was the Tosteson Memo about mishandling different funds. There was all the money that was supposed to go to House races in 06, but was diverted, or it wasn’t, according to Carey’s supporters in 07. Frankly no one knows because they don’t want us to know.

State Central passes a budget, but the Chair gets to enact it.

I got too much flak when i did try to post on the internal mishandling, which is a poor excuse on my part, but then again Brodkorb and his minions down at HQ play for keeps. I just got tired of banging my head against a wall. People weren’t willing to change leaders, it wasn’t worth my time since it wasn’t going to win Republican votes for my candidates.

I can tell you that we still don’t have a clue what really has been happening with party finances and reporting. Sutton tried to sweep it under the rug at the Rochester State Central. We no longer use an Intuit software program to track party finances, i guess that is supposed to clear everything up going forward.

So I really can’t tell you about the million dollars. It is above my pay grade or party access privileges or short attention span.

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There have been some questions on why we didn’t allow videotaping or audio recording of the Forum.

The reason we didn’t allow videotaping was because it was a part of the ground rules that all the candidates agreed to in the initial invitation.

One candidate did request permission to videotape. However, after consultation and discussion amongst the organizers, we were not able to secure a rule change. Therefore, we could not accommodate the request.

We did allow live blogging and internet use in the auditorium. There was also NO restrictions for videotaping in the reception area. The only restriction on video and audio recording was in the Forum room.

There was a DFL blogger who was unhappy because of this restriction and was attempting to get the group to toss him out. We explained the ground rules and he asked us to provide him a copy of the ground rules. We agreed to accommodate his request. The DFL blogger was invited to live blog during the event. He was also told that he could video or audio record in the reception area. He was welcome to speak to the guests and candidates if they were willing to chat with him.

We weren’t trying to not be transparent or open. We were trying to focus on providing the best quality event that could be achieved. This was our first Forum and I am proud of Voices of Republican Women’s effort.

I hope that clarifies the restriction on video and audio taping for your readership.

We greatly appreciated your hard work and your effort to capture the Forum in live blog format.

Best Regards,
Jennifer DeJournett
Voices of Republican Women
info@voicesofrepublicanwomen.org
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There’s alot of important information in your post. Thanks for staying active & giving us a firsthand report.

This was my first time seeing all of them in action.

Deputy:

I really like the Palpatine reference I began to wonder if I was at a GOP forum or a Burger King training course with all the talk of ‘customer service’ from Brodkorb. I dont have the history with Brodkorb that you do but I dont get a good vibe from him. Much too repetitive for me. Kept talking about the same points over and over. I did find it amusing when there was the question about how to unify the party there was also a second part to the question about how not to let that focus be distracted by other party obligations. (words to that affect) None of them answered the 2nd part actually, but when the question was asked I could tell how Brodkorb was trying to figure out how to finesse the answer since has, and would keep according to him, the current job he has as Senate Communications something…interesting. Makes it easy to bypass a salary when ya have another full time job.

Quick note: Swinehart kept referencing his job at 3M dealing with technical support or the like, yet this is the same Bob who couldnt keep from letting everyone see the email addresses of the delegates on email he sent out? Interesting

Dorothy had my vote going in but like I said never seen them all together in this format but didnt hear anything to change my mind. Still supporting Dorothy.

Sec/Treasurer: Leaning towards Sturrock. I have nothing against Matthews, just comes across as too much of a rah rah cheerleader. Swanson? Not a chance. As a Vice Chair from a 6th CD BPOU would dealt with facets of the party his lack or response whenever I tried to contact him didnt go over too well.

Chair:

Always gotten same vibe from Sutton, even before learning what has happened to the party over last couple of years. I found it interesting he touts his Exec Direc. accomplishments but as Sec/Tr he was impotent to do anything? Apparently no one had the ability top stand up to Carey?

My support is for Thompson, though I dont see me being disappointed if Ruud got it.

Just my observations of tonight.