Gaging candidate support via Facebook

In the race for MFCR Chair there is only one way to gage support of where each candidate is at. That is via Facebook. While Amanda Zaluckyj and her crew have been releasing names of supporters over the last couple months, Justin Zatkoff has been relatively quiet.

First we will take a look at Zatkoff’s group since arguably less is known of his support. There are 74 people in his group, “Zatkoff 4 Chair.”6 of those are voting members of the executive board, and 24 theoretically should not be able to vote for various reasons; whether that graduated last year, are out of state, are celebrities or they just are not CR’s.

Amanda Zaluckyj has 73 people in her group. 7 of the 73 are voting members of the executive board. For the same reason cited above, at least if the rules are followed, 26 people in her group should not be eligible to vote.

What do the above numbers mean? Well, for starters both Zatkoff and Zaluckyj seem to be fairly evenly matched. However Zatkoff still has to choose members of his slate.

What is bad news for Zatkoff is that there is still quite some time until the state convention. Statistically, he can only go down.

I will attempt to come up with some predictions on school alliances and school turnout based on past numbers.

Northern Michigan University is in the Zatkoff camp.
Turnout is expected to be little to none.

It is questionable if there is actually a chapter at Lake Superior State. If anyone does show, it will be little to none. We are not sure where they fall on the CR race.

Central Michigan University will be solidly behind Zatkoff. The leaders of the organization who Zatkoff has been more then cordial with will bring a moderate amount of delegates. Probably no more than 12.

Ferris State University is solidly behind Zaluckyj. I suspect that they will bring between 10 and 15 delegates because the schools Chair, Robbie Rankey is running on a slate with Zaluckyj.

Grand Valley State University is in the Zaluckyj column. Between 10 and 15 delegates will show.

Muskegon Community College is solidly in Zatkoff’s camp. The Chair is Andrew Boyd’s brother, Josh. We do not believe that Josh Boyd attends MCC. Theoretically this school should have 0 votes. If somehow they do get credentialed they will have one or two people.

Albion College is firmly behind Zaluckyj. They will bring a moderate amount of delegates. Perhaps 10. Albion has consistently had a moderate delegation over the years.

I believe that Alma College is firmly in the Zatkoff camp. I predict they will have a low number of delegates. Probably no more than 5.

Calvin College is solidly behind Zaluckyj. The chapter Chair, Jared Rispens is running with Zaluckyj. We believe they will have a low-moderate turn out. Roughly 8.

Grand Rapids Community College is solidly behind Justin Zatkoff. Chaz Oswald the chair is a McCain campaign loyalist and connected to Justin in more than one way. GRCC’s turn out is expected to be low. Perhaps no more than 5.

Hillsdale College appears to be a tossup. They appear to be disgusted with past MFCR elections. Who they will vote for is unknown. If they will even come to convention is also unknown. If they do, they always have a moderate amount. Maybe 15 delegates.

Kalamazoo College is a tossup. The most powerful member of the group, Lauren Migliore is not likely supporting Zatkoff. I would guess they bring no more than 10 delegates.

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is solidly behind Zatkoff. Whether or not it is a legitimate chapter is a entirely different question. I suspect the turn out to be little to none.

Michigan State University, the largest chapter in the state is solidly behind Zaluckyj. They will have a large turnout. Maybe 25+

Western Michigan University is solidly behind Zatkoff (with a few notable dissidents) I believe they will probably have a moderate turnout given the distance between WMU and OSU. Around 15 delegates.

Delta Community College is solidly behind Zatkoff. If they have a turn out it will be no more than 3.

Northwood University leans Zatkoff. If they are not motivated to support a candidate only a handful will show for convention.

Saginaw Valley State University is a toss up. They will most likely not show up for convention.

Ave Maria is solidly behind Zatkoff. I expect their turn out to be no more than 10.

Cooley Law leans Zatkoff. Turn out will be small.

Eastern Michigan University is solidly Zatkoff. Turn out will be small.

Oakland Community College will turn out a very small number assuming that Jason Zatkoff is actually the chair and not attending Michigan State University as his Facebook profile states.

Oakland University is solidly Zatkoff. My prediction will be that they have the largest delegation in the state despite the fact that it has never produced more than a handful of delegates for state convention.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor is said to be solidly Zaluckyj. The chapter passed a constitutional amendment some months ago to prevent the delegate stacking that happened before the last convention. They will probably have a moderate amount of delegates present. Perhaps between 10 and 15.

Wayne State University is solidly Zaluckyj. Paula Barrett is from Wayne and running on the slate with Zaluckyj. They will have a small to moderate amount of delegates. Maybe 8.

Analysis on the chapter summaries coming soon.

Michigan CR trying to hamper reform? Why?

“Michigan CR” posted the text below earlier this evening:

This past Friday, the Reform Movement met at the Michigan Republican Party to discuss the Constitution. What was going to be a discussion led by the Reform Movement, actually was one led by the MRP Youth Chairman, Matt Hall. Saul Anuzis was no where to be found.

Through several MichiganCR moles, here is the attendance list:

1. Matt Hall
2. Andrew Boyd
3. Lindsay Schachtner
4. Megan Buwalda
5. Mike Compagnoni
6. Dennis Bentley
7. Chris Kulesza
8. Amanda Zaluckyj
9. Jared Rispens

It’s important to note that Hall, Boyd, Buwalda, and Kulesza are all very vocal supporters of Zatkoff. That leaves 5 supporters of the Reform Movement and only 1 Chapter Chair, Jared Rispens.

Amanda Zaluckyj’s spokesman claims “the reform movement is a broad coalition.” Well, Sylvester (I mean, Zaluckyj), where is your broad coalition?

The meeting lasted for nearly two hours and accomplished almost nothing. Zaluckyj, as usual, had little to say, and instead left it up to Matt Hall to talk about reform.

#End of “MichiganCR” post# 

*We contacted Chris Kulesza to confirm that he does indeed support Justin Zatkoff’s reelection. He adamntley denied it.

*There was also one chapter chair present who supported  Zatkoff. The only dispute that occured during the meeting was when Matt Hall agreed with the constitution in it’s entirety with the exception of the clause which gives the state party Chairman the power to remove an MFCR officer.

Michigan CRs post earlier today was at best deceptive and at worst a frightened CR who will go to any length to push his cause.
What one can certainly gather from the meeting is that there is one person within the organization who does not support reform, and that person is anonymous.

Resolutions have been introduced at Michigan State University, Albion College, Wayne State University, Calvin, Ferris and Grand Valley State University to support the “Reform Constitution.”

MSU, which is arguably the largest College Republican chapter in the state has two resolutions pending. One to endorse the “Team for Reform,” and the other to endorse the “Reform Constitution.”

Sources at MSU have told us that both are expected to pass unanimously. We have also confirmed that two MSU CRs were solicited to run on Justin Zatkoffs slate, but turned him down.

One cited the negative stigma it would create to run with someone with such a spotty past. “Everyone makes mistakes, but he just appears to keep ‘em coming… On top of that he’s getting right down in the dirt and warring with members of the organization, that’s not what a leader does.”

The status of Muskegon Community College

An observant viewer of this blog sent me an email two days ago in which Andrew Boyd’s brother Josh Boyd, the Muskegon Community College Republican Chair has a Valpo.edu email suffix on the MFCR website.

I sent emails to both Justin Zatkoff and Josh Boyd on this. Zatkoff responded to the email and Boyd did not respond at all.

Zatkoff stated that he does not respond to anonymous emails.

I emailed him back and pointed out that he has had several anonymous correspondence with “MichiganCR” on several occasions. Sometimes with conspiratorial timing.

Joe Sylvester of the Michigan Conservative Dossier asserts that the website is run by Zatkoff himself.

We here at Reform the CRs are interested in 100% transparency. If anyone from either side would like to present their story, we pledge to consider the points offered with objectivity only.

Reform Constitution gaining steam

Friday night, the Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis facilitated College Republicans at the party headquarters to discuss the reform constitution.

There was a healthy discussion on the “Reform Constitution,” and my sources tell me that there was very little disagreement.

Matt Hall stated that the only provision that he did not like was the provision which grants the State Party Chairman the power to remove an officer for conduct unbecoming of their office.

This provision is an important and contentious one. We believe that the Chair should be able to act against those that are counter productive. This would create a better public image and would spare the organization the civil wars inappropriate behavior creates.

We have to remember that this organization is not about individuals, it is about electing and supporting Republicans. Any activity not conducive to that is counter productive.

Justin Zatkoff sent Andrew Boyd to tape record the meeting. He said that he is not a good note taker.

State Party Chairman on the “Reform Constitution”

At the beginning of this month, Saul Anuzis posted the entire text of the “Reform Constitution” on the Michigan Republican blog and offered the following commentary:

College Republicans are looking to write a new constitution that would ensure “fairness” in the process.

There have been contentious conventions and claims of “gamesmanship” between various factions within the College Republicans.  Some personality based, some based on presidential politics and then some just plain “power politics”.

A group of “reform minded” College Republicans used our state party bylaws and convention rules as a “base” to put together a fair and more open process for all College Republicans to participate in.

It appears to be a big step in the right direction.  It creates an open process and avoids any “manipulative” powers that have been raised in the past as the “main concern”.

I’ve posted the draft below…I wish the College Republicans the best of luck as they work through this process.

Fairness and an open process serves our party well.  I would encourage all of the College Republicans to think long term and adopt a constitution that protects all your members rights and provides for as fair a process as possible.

Good luck.

Saul Anuzis

 
For any of those interested, there will be a meeting at the Michigan Republican Party headquarters to discuss the Reform Constitution tomorrow (Friday) at 6:00pm

On Justin Zatkoff’s Proposed Amendments

Amendment 001- We endorse this amendment

Amendment 002- We think this is a good amendment. Although to take negative actions against a chapter, the bar should be set higher to 2/3rds. Is the chapter chair does not attend meetings, 2/3rds should not be hard to attain.

Amendment 003- This is also a good amendment with the exception of:
The Treasurer “shall receive and distribute funds with the authorization of the Chairman. Expenditure of funds in excess of $100.00 must have the consent of the Executive Committee.”

It should read: “No expenditures are to be made without a majority approval of the Executive Board.”

Amendment 004- We endorse this amendment.

Amendment 005- We endorse this amendment.

Amendment 006- Section 2: SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special Executive Board meetings may be called by the Chairman or by two-thirds of the voting members of the organization.

A simple majority is cause to call a meeting.

You can find a list of proposed amendments here 

Resolution 003

On October 14th, the Executive Board of the MFCR passed Resolution 003 which creates a credentials committee for purposes of determining delegate allotments to the annual convention.

The board chose, Megan Buwalda to Chair the committee, Pete Vitale and Ben Morlock to serve on it also. The decision was unanimous, but that does not make it right, or fair.

Megan Buwalda came onto the scene at Western Michigan University during the last MFCR election. She quickly made website headlines when she turned in a second delegate list from her school to be more beneficial to who she was running with (Justin Zatkoff). We do not know her motivation for certain, but the list that she turned in was accepted over the list of the then chapter chair, Tom Barrett by Dan Carlson. This list undoubtedly helped Zatkoff’s cause.

Pete Vitale, the Oakland University Chair is also serving on the committee. He has endorsed Zatkoff and is strongly said to be running on a slate with him.

Although the board did determine the committee unanimously, it clearly is not a group that can be looked to with impartiality and fairness given past and present circumstances.

Resolution 003 goes on to say that, “Any and all decisions of the committee will be final.”

Not only does this resolution create insurmountable odds for challengers, it also states there is no appeal.

Resolution 003

Welcome

This blog is created with the average College Republican in mind. We are going to take an objective look at the many reasons reform is needed without the constant string of libel that plagues the other blogs and websites.

First of all, we would like to state that reform is needed. Most people could agree with that statement. Even the current MFCR Chairman has proposed amendments to the constitution.

Secondly, elections have caused permanent rifts in this organization because people believe they are constantly the victim of a stacked deck. Sometimes, these assertions are not true and many times they are.

In order for this organization to stay united and speak with one voice, fairness must be mandated to the best of our ability.

We promise to only use facts. If the fact is disturbing or harsh, it may be unpleasant but it doesn’t negate the original statement.

We believe the CRs are generally an intellectual body and will listen to reason. All we have at this point is rhetoric. We will dissect the current constitution and the proposed “Reform” constitution in great detail over the coming weeks while listing the pros and cons of each.

The Proposed Reform Constitution

The Current MFCR Constitution