C-Notes for Keynotes

April 15 is fast approaching, which means it is that time when LakeCountyEye operatives will be reaching for their checkbooks. No, not for the IRS -- all LakeCountyEye Ops are unemployed bloggers. April 15 is the annual Lake County Republican Federation Spring Dinner. Actually it's scheduled on April 16 this year. Likely attendees are expected to be attending some tax protest or other, come April 15.

The Daily Herald has the details ...

Minnesota governor to speak

Your LakeCountyEye has confirmed that the keynote will be delivered by the Governor of Minnesota. Those looking forward to seeing some WWE smackdown action, however, will be disappointed. Jesse Ventura has not been the Governor of Minnesota since 2003. The current governor is Rick Tim Pawlenty. For those who don't recognize the name, Pawlenty is basically Bobby Jindal plus a parka. Pawlenty was last spotted talking like a toughguy at the CPAC convention. The strategy netted him a solid 6% for fourth place in the CPAC straw poll.

Last year, Ops will recall, the dinner was keynoted by South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. Those looking forward this year to seeing some Argentine Backbreaker action will be disappointed.

Pawlenty was not the Federation's first choice. Your LakeCountyEye has learned that no fewer than 10 other speakers were first invited. As these things go and needless to say, they will not be keynoting the dinner for a variety of reasons. For those who have a need to know what might have been, your LakeCountyEye can divulge the whos and the howcomes ...

Ten Other Keynote Speakers Invited to the 2010 Lake County Republican Federation Spring Dinner

Gov. Mark Sanford Dealbreaker: Hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Ex-Gov. Sarah Palin Dealbreaker: $100,000. Up front. Cash. 'Nuff said.

Alan Keyes Dealbreaker: Too liberal.

Cong. Mark Kirk Dealbreaker: Too fickle.

Princess Nudelman Dealbreaker: Demanding Lake Michigan water.

State Sen. Dan Duffy Dealbreaker: Caught at a red light.

Goodin Pawlenty Dealbreaker: Directory assistance incorrectly gave number to Pawlenty cousin.

Ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich Dealbreaker: Taping new Fox Series: I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of this Prison!

Scott Lee Cohen Dealbreaker: Originally accepted the invitation; then officially dropped out.

Glenn Beck Dealbreaker: Audition video fail.

Tickets are only $100 -- contact Dan Venturi c/o JoAnn Osmond's legislative office. Better hurry, they are disappearing fast.