We live in a day and age of rapidly changing communication and technology. The Internet has opened a giant window for people and organizations around the world to share thoughts, ideas, images and news with each other almost at the speed of light. The emergence of social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter have created cyberspace gathering places for those sharing common interests and goals and hold incredible potential for communicating and organizing within the GOP community.

The maxim that ‘information is power’ has never rung more true than in our current political environment. Over the past decade, the RNC has invested the necessary time and resources to build a competitive advantage over the DNC by acquiring and utilizing data to drive decision-making and reach voters. Aside from the commitment and dedication of our RNC Members and GOP activists, our technological innovations in the use of information are the Party’s greatest asset.

But this information is of little use to the Republican Party’s success if it is not freely shared and easily disseminated within the Party, along with the necessary tools and instruction so that campaigns and Party organizations can succeed on their own. Republicans believe in personal responsibility…and I believe this also applies to the use of technology. The open flow of information among our activists and State Parties is the life blood of the GOP and the key to our growth, but we all must take the personal responsibility as RNC Members, activists, and perhaps most importantly, as candidates to integrate technology into our political efforts and campaigns.

If there is one area where I fully agree that the Party has not done enough, it is in promoting what we’ve already done. So while recent technological advancements demand that we continue to create and share information in new and exciting ways, we’ve also come a long way in a short amount of time. For example:

Read More →

We appreciate the RNC Chairman stopping by the front page. — Erick

In recent days, there has been much talk (and justifiably so) of Barack Obama touting tire inflation as the solution to America’s energy woes.  Republicans, together with John McCain, have been arguing for some time that a truly comprehensive approach, including more off-shore exploration, more nuclear power, and enhanced reliance on alternative energies and green technology must be pursued in order to address our energy crisis.  Yet all the evidence is that Democrat leaders refuse to play ball, with the latest proof coming in Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s decision last week to adjourn the House before a vote could be taken on “all of the above” energy legislation.
 
Despite this Democrat inaction, House Republicans refused to adjourn last Friday for the August recess without a vote on a comprehensive bill.  Speaker Pelosi shut off the cameras and turned off the lights in the House chamber in an effort to end discussion of this critical issue – but House Republicans continued to discuss the need for comprehensive energy legislation.
 
Republican Members of Congress are staying in the House all week to urge Speaker Pelosi to hold a vote on comprehensive energy legislation.  And while the cameras are still off, visitors to the U.S. Capitol are witnesses to the unprecedented effort by House Republicans.
 
For that, I would like to offer them my thanks, and I hope you’ll offer them yours.  Millions of Americans are struggling to cope with skyrocketing energy prices, and the Democrats’ refusal to address this issue, to be frank, is unconscionable. 
 
Americans deserve a comprehensive solution aimed at bringing gas prices down and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.  Fortunately, while Speaker Pelosi is unwilling to give act (or even allow a vote on energy legislation), House Republicans and John McCain remain committed to addressing this critical issue in a timely manner.  I hope you will join me in commending their efforts — and calling on Speaker Pelosi to stop the obstructionism.

RedState would like to welcome RNC Chairman Mike Duncan to our front page. — Erick

I would like to congratulate Rush Limbaugh on 20 years of helping fuel the conservative dialogue in our country. His unapologetic conservative bent has inspired many listeners to embrace their own Republican ideals and he has opened up the conversation of what matters most to like-minded Americans. The contributions Rush has made to the conservative movement are too numerous to count. Conservatives have found a voice in Rush, and in listening to him, he has helped many find their own.

I look forward to many more years of listening to The Rush Limbaugh Show and many more years of growth in the grassroots conservative community.