(Orlando, FL) Caffeinated Thoughts was present for the RightOnline Conference (using hashtag #RO13) and the Defending the American Dream Summit (using hashtag #Dream13) hosted by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation in Orlando last Friday and Saturday.Β I tweeted throughout the two days during the sessions I attended.Β I wanted to share a few of those with you.
The first workshop I attended was on Friday was βThe Leftβs Plan for Americaβ with Patrick Ruffini of Engage, Francesca Chambers of Red Alert Politics and Michael T. Moroney of The Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity who discussed their experience attending NetRoots.
@PatrickRuffini “We need a CPAC for actually doing things.” #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
@MichaelTMoroney: We can learn from the left because they do tech really, really well. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
@fran_chambers talked about @michellemalkin effect I concur experienced that with #stopcommoncore#RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
Don’t confuse success with social media with success with digital data gathering & fundraising. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
@MichaelTMoroney: Tech is not a cure all. We need boots on the ground…. Twitter avatars do not vote. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
From Friday morning’s general session with Dr. Arthur Brooks of American Enterprise Institute, Patrick Ruffini, and Soren Dayton.
Brooks: You have seven seconds to get your message out. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
Brooks: We need to focus on purpose not product. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
Brooks: the message we send is that we fight against things. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
Brooks: “I am in this movement because I am fighting for people who can’t fight for themselves.” #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
@PatrickRuffini: We need to solve the talent gap to overcome the technology gap #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
@sorendayton: We win by multiplying, not by adding. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
@sorendayton: It is not enough to have the fanciest database, but making it accessible. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
They also did a Q&A session.
Brooks: Each one of us must be consistent in our own moral philosophy, and learn to communicate that in order to magnetize our movement.
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
Brooks: The most annoying thing about conservatives is that they always answer the questions the media asks. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
Arthur Brooks of @AEI says we need to target primarily to two groups: grown-ups and Americans who love America. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
I then attended a session on Crony Capitalism with Anthony Randazzo of the Reason Foundation, Dan Krassner of Integrity Florida and Todd Rehm of Georgia Pundit.
@anthonyrandazzo: crony capitalism is a non-partisan issue. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
@dankrassner: Florida is corruption capital; 3 mayors arrested just this month. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
No, no it does not. @dankrassner: corruption does not like sunshine. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
Slade O’Brien: Once you give companies subsidies they hire lobbyists to keep the subsidies coming. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
I enjoyed the workshop I attended on creating graphics for social media and websites, but it really wasn’t the type of content for Twitter β perhaps for my Twitter account for 4:15 Communications, LLC, but not my personal one.
Great workshop on graphics with @johntmeyer and @AndrewHClark at @rightonline learning a lot! #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
I did have an interesting dinner with Dave Barnett of The FAMiLY Leader who was one of several Iowans that attended the conferences.
Because of my awesome handle on Forest Gump trivia I won a free water at @BubbaGumpCo
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 30, 2013
The Friday evening session was an awards ceremony with Michelle Malkin followed by Party in the Park at Universal Studios’ Marvel Island.
With Dave Barnett of @theFAMiLYLEADER at the @AFPfoundation activist awards at the Marvel Ampitheater #RO13pic.twitter.com/5pjh4dBHPR
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@afphq chair: “The left doesn’t realize how much they love capitalism. There was no organic food in the Soviet Union.” #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@michellemalkin: the super hero I most identify with is the Hulk. #RO13#dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@michellemalkin: there are times where we need to put the “war” in “Happy Warrior.” #RO13#dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@michellemalkin asks for prayer for @gatewaypundit who is in the hospital needing surgery #RO13#GetWellJim
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@michellemalkin: one of the best things we can do for our kids is to look back before we move forward. #RO13#dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@michellemalkin: Regardless of your race you can make it here (US) more than you can anywhere else. #RO13#dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@michellemalkin: daughter “came out” more as a libertarian than a conservative. “It’s just a phase.” #RO13#dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@michellemalkin: One of the enduring mottos of the Tea Party is “you can’t fix stupid, but you can sure vote it out.” #RO13#dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
From the Party at the Park:
Got to chat with @SenRonJohnson he says he will be coming back to Iowa, but not to run for President. pic.twitter.com/xrPKkWpBAM
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
I started out attending a workshop at RightOnline on Social Media and Blogging, but then spent the rest of the day at the Defending the American Dream Summit.
@michellemalkin: Twitter is a global water cooler, and it is where the MSM we want to influence reside. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@ChadBarth: Pay close attention to what you are saying online and see how that drives offline activity. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@ChadBarth: Don’t afraid to fail, but be open to try new platforms. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@michellemalkin: Don’t dismiss the eggs, the people who have single digit follower counts. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@ChadBarth: one person has an average reach of 262 people on FB, that network has a reach of 68,000. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@michellemalkin: Content is king. If you have content no one else has it spreads like wildfire. Focus local. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@michellemalkin: #StopCommonCore folks are good at taking their arguments to comment sections and social media. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@michellemalkin: address pop culture as a way to pull people in. @LarryOConnor it is the gateway drug. #RO13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
I ran into Simon Conway of WHO Radio over at Radio Row while waiting for my opportunity to interview Michelle Malkin.
@michellemalkin with @SimonRadio1776#RO13#dream13pic.twitter.com/1ZkNHupqQL
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
The last session featured Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), PJTV’s Bill Whittle, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Greg Gutfeld of Fox News.
@SenTedCruz: “A word of warning, tomorrow you will be audited by the IRS.” #ro13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenTedCruz: There was a consensus in DC that #2A rights needed to be limited, but the American people rose up and said protect our rights.
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenTedCruz: Congress and the President needs to listen to the People #RO12#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenTedCruz: Congress and the President needs to listen to the people on Common Core #RO13#Dream13#StopCommonCore
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
A large round of boos was heard when @SenTedCruz brought up Common Core #RO13#Dream13#StopCommonCore
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
Huge applause @SenTedCruz: “We should abolish the IRS.” #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenTedCruz: The single most important thing we can do for regulatory reform is repeal every single word of ObamaCare #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenTedCruz: The single biggest job killer is ObamaCare #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenTedCruz: Sen. Baucus who helped write ObamaCare said it will be a train wreak… Maybe he didn’t read it #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenTedCruz: I along with other senators have pledged not to vote for any continuing resolution that gives even one penny of ObamaCare
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenTedCruz: Some GOP says we can’t win this fight, you lose 100% of the fights you surrender on the outset. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenTedCruz: The GOP needs to do one thing it hasn’t done in awhile – stand up and win the argument #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenTedCruz: How do we win this fight on Defunding ObamaCare when at a stand still? Don’t blink. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
Chant of “Run Ted Run” throughout the room. @SenTedCruz: “Same thing my wife says when I come home from gym early.” #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@BillWhittle: “I am tired of losing to the traitor narcissist weenies.” #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
Agreed. RT @jmansour: I haven’t seen any politician since Bill Clinton command a room like @TedCruz. This guy is electric. #dream13#ro13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@BillWhittle: If we are the villain of every single story that is told we will never win another election. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@BillWhittle: Just wait a second while I ruin my political career and pulls a @marcorubio and takes a swig of water. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@BillWhittle: libs tell kids: wealth is not earned, everyone is specials (so no one is), and we just want to help you. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@BillWhittle: We need to tell three things to young people: freedom, personal property and virtue (but not phrased that way) #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@BillWhittle: If we can’t describe our philosophy, morality and virtue in a story we won’t win. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
“Leave me alone, don’t touch my stuff and don’t be a jerk” – @BillWhittle#RO13#Dream13
β Jacqueline H. (@jacks4118) August 31, 2013
If you’re really a socialist, sell your Xbox, sell your smartphone, sell everything you don’t need & redistribute the wealth! #RO13#Dream13
β Kat Murti (@KatMurti) August 31, 2013
@SenRonJohnson: it is not government that creates prosperity #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenRonJohnson: Far too many Americans are giving up their freedom for a false sense of economic security. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenRonJohnson: Left’s strategy has been to addict Americans to government. Our strategy has been a circular firing squad. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenRonJohnson: We need to engender a healthy distrust of government. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenRonJohnson: 10% approval rating for Congress is too high, it is impossible to convey the dysfunction of DC #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenRonJohnson: You have to inform, you have to persuade, you can’t send people who are worried about reelection. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenRonJohnson: America is worth preserving. The spirit and hope of America is alive and well. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@SenRonJohnson : “The solution doe not lie in Washington DC; the solution lies in the Individual”….”Spread The Word” #Dream13#RO13
β Netizen Kane (@NetizenKane) August 31, 2013
@greggutfeld: @DanaPerino is an adorable version of McArthur #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@greggutfeld: I was surprised there is no opposite group of @AFPhq well there is Harvard, Yale, Vermont… #RO13#Dream13 .
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@greggutfeld: kittens are just rats with great PR #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@greggutfeld: People who come out against business and enterprise hate what they can’t do. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@greggutfeld: It is far riskier to open a business in New York City than it is to walk across the Grand Canyon #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@greggutfeld: I don’t want to know people who don’t work. I am a work bigot. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@greggutfeld: I have something in common with Reagan. He did a movie with Bonzo the monkey; I work with Beckel. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
Not old enough. MT @RandySaffell: @shanevanderhart@michellemalkin@greggutfeld That’s right SHANE I remember! ! You played Bonzo right?
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@greggutfeld: Getting fired is good because it leads to other opportunities. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
@greggutfeld: “Every time I have an opinion I pretend I am drunk.” I channel the drunk inside of me. #RO13#Dream13
β Shane Vander Hart (@shanevanderhart) August 31, 2013
Ben Franklin and I hung out after the last session.
@shanevanderhart has a friend in Franklin! #Dream13pic.twitter.com/vYJOqnlvKi
β Dave Barnett (@davebarnett) August 31, 2013
And there you have my summary of the conference in Tweets.