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State launching investigation on GOP parties

 
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The Michigan Liquor Control Commission is investigating allegations of underage drinking at the state Republicans’ leadership conference on Mackinac Island in late September.

“It’s an open investigation,” said LCC Spokeswoman Andrea Miller.

The investigation stemmed from a Sept. 28 blog post written by Saranac sophomore and Central Michigan University College Republicans member Vanessa Oblinger, which the blog, entitled “A Real Political Party,” said she attended a party hosted by Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox, during which the minors at the party were provided alcohol, the blog read.

“Friday night, we were rewarded with open bars and free dinners,” the blog read. “The X’s on the minors’ hands were washed off and the free drinks showered upon us, but this got old fast.”

Cox’s campaign could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Other parties also were hosted by GOP gubernatorial candidates Mike Bouchard and Rick Snyder, Oblinger said.

Oblinger said she originally intended on going to Snyder’s party, but was turned down at the door because she is under 21.

“My intentions were not bad,” Oblinger said. “The blog was a stupid thing that I just wrote for class.”

Oblinger issued an apology letter to the Snyder campaign regarding the leadership conference events, after the Detroit News reported on the story last week.

“It was with great regret when I read the Detroit News story this morning that implied your campaign had anything to do with my blog posting. That couldn’t have been further from the truth,” the statement obtained by Central Michigan Life read.

The e-mail also said Oblinger attended the Bouchard party as well, but she told Central Michigan Life on Tuesday this was never the case because she was off the island before the party took place.

“The only party I recall being at was the Cox one,” she said.

She also said she never wrote the apology letter in the first place, but someone from the Snyder campaign did, which she approved.

“It was prepared by someone else,” she said. “I didn’t really read over it… it was while I was distracted.”

Jake Suski, communications director for the Snyder campaign, denied it.

“No one directly affiliated with our campaign contacted her or asked her to send us an apology,” Suski said. “I can’t speak for her motivation in making that claim.”

Suski said Snyder’s party did not violate any laws.

“This campaign did not provide drinks to any minor,” he said.

Aftermath

Oblinger said she wants to set the record straight about her blog post and, since the aftermath of the issued statement, she feels she is the victim of a political trick.

“I’m kind of turned off to politics at the moment,” she said. “I understand politics… it’s about trying to win.”

Oblinger said she hopes to stay involved with College Republicans in the future.

Coleman freshman and College Republicans Vice Chairman John Porter said it is not an issue for the organization.

“It was not a College Republican event,” he said. “She was not with us that weekend.”

Other campus Republican groups were present from different parts of the state, Oblinger said.

 
 
  • CM Life reader

    CMU should immediately investigate the College Republicans, who have repeatedly received funding from SBAC to attend these conferences where Ms. Oblinger admits to illegally drinking. I know for a fact that SBAC provided over $1,000 to the College Republicans in violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (political organizations cannot receive public funds) to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, a conference Ms. Oblinger also bragged about on her blog. The College Republicans may have violated CMU’s policies on alcohol consumption by RSOs. There should be an investigation. Ms. Oblinger’s now deleted blog, which is still accessible through online archives, also contained admissions of illegal acts in Mount Pleasant. She should be investigated by CMU or Mount Pleasant Police.

  • D Bigby

    Cox’s people were also putting his campaign signs along the highway last month, which breaks the law, but no one was held accountable and the issue was dropped. Cox is apparently above the law and that is not right. This lack of accountability is part of the reason our state is having such trouble. With leaders like Cox, is it any wonder Michigan is struggling?

  • http://www.cmurepublicans.com College Republicans at Central Michigan University

    Vanessa did not attend the Mackinac Leadership Conference with the College Republicans at Central Michigan University, and thus the College Republicans at CMU are not responsible for her actions while at the Mackinac Conference, whether the allegations are true or not.

  • The Gipper

    This girl is not smart. What a dirty trick that she was ivited to an adult party and over indulged in drinks. The drinking age should be 18 so under aged students when they get the chance to drink around adults they will not act sloppy/stupid. Maybe this girl needs to become a more mature young lady. Keep your thoughts to diaries not evil online blogs, do you even want the republicans to win the state in 10 or are you a democrat in disguise?

  • Bobby

    Umm, Cox wasn’t the only one with illegal yard signs. All of the candidates had them placed illegally.

  • Bobby

    A College Republican from CMU who is a long standing member didn’t go there with the College Republicans? Come on.

  • Cmu Student

    I feel as if people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

  • Andrew

    I wonder how many years it’ll take before it’s socially acceptable (read: cool) to be a Republican again. Seems to shift every 30 years or so.

    Of course, then we’ll have to hear about the Democrats being persecuted. Sigh. When will this two party ship sink already?

  • CMU staffer

    What a great experience for a student whose interested in becoming a part of the republican party ……. a lessen in apologizing for doing something dumb.