Linn County GOP Caucus

It is becoming a tradition in Linn County to hold our off-year caucuses in a single venue. The disadvantage is that it becomes a much longer drive for those living in the northern part of the county. The advantages are that it is easier to find one location than 70+, by concentrating a larger number of Republicans in a single place it allows the county party and candidates a forum. This year we had Bob Vander Plaats, Rod Roberts, and three other state wide candidates as well as all three 2nd District congressional hopefuls. And while the speeches went long it was still a good opportunity — in some case the first — for Linn County Republicans to hear some of these candidates.

To me the caucuses are a big family reunion. It was great to see so many friends and colleagues that I have met over the years. Like any family, we have our occasional quarrels and that one weird relation (in case my own family is reading this i am speaking hypothetically). I got an unofficial count of 341 my recollection of the last off-year caucus is that we had closer to 125 in attendance.

There was an electricity in the room. The word for the day was Massachusetts! I know I shouldn't count my chickens before they hatch but Speaker Paulsen has a nice ring to it — much better than Minority Leader Paulsen. (Rep. Kraig Paulsen is from Linn County)

While the turnout was excellent, I did not see any overt indication that there was a huge influx of newcomers, specifically from the Tea Party movement. I am not saying they were not there (a double negative), rather if they were they did not stand out from the rest of the Republican milieu.

Props to the Linn County team consisting of the Central Committee Executives and many other volunteers who made the caucus an administrative and organizational success.