Topic: Ron Paul
Ron Paul: Onward and Upward! The passing of each State's primary or caucus is similar to NASA's main stage booster rocket separation. The next stage, DELEGATES, is ready to ignite.by Jahfre Fire Eater
(Libertarian)
Saturday, February 9, 2008
I'm a delegate and a vigorous grass roots conservative activist. One of the best conservative motivational statements I've ever heard was from Gandhi, "Be the change you want to see." I, for one, do not want to see a future where our nation is run by the whims of the creators of public spectacles.
Ron Paul released an important message yesterday. The message was that the campaign has carried out its part of the process in many states; from now on it will focus only on those states still waiting for their primary or caucus. It is now time for the delegates to carry out their part. Between now and the GOP convention we only need to focus on delegates. The general public, once their caucus or primary is over, can't help much. There are HUGE things they could do if they would.
The best thing non-delegates can do now is to wear their Paul proudly. They should organize to ensure that a respectable rally pops up outside every county assembly that happens over the next few months in every county in every state. The locals should be ATTENDING those local assemblies and participating in local government. This is why organization and coordination is essential. Leaders who understand the process need to step up and do this. It will not be done for us.
Dr. Paul is busy promoting his traditional conservative Republican principles by his attention to his constituents. That means it is incumbent on us to pick up the slack.
The next step is the most critical. Between now and the GOP convention, it is our job (those of us who understand how this works and who are willing to do the work it takes, not the average, defeated supporter) to convince as many attending delegates as possible that John McCain is the WRONG answer. That is a pretty clear task. Can we do it? No one knows. Delegate lists aren't publicly available. Again, this is why participation in local politics is vital. Candidates for office receive delegate lists for their district. Being involved in the campaign of a local politician is one way to gain access to your local list.
All politics is local. This is where we have the most power. It seems that most Americans hear this as merely a cute bumper sticker slogan rather than public mockery of folks who think otherwise. Some get it, some don't, most won't. Few who do get it will act on it. Whoever is left, it is up to those few to get the job done. This winnowing process is the ONLY reason Ron Paul is not the GOP nominee already today. We had the numbers at the top of the funnel; precious few have come out the bottom to actually do the productive work.
Do we have enough numbers to topple the McCain nomination at the convention? Enough to sway whoever from your local precinct ends up at the GOP Convention? I think so. It will take a continuous dedication to our cause at the local level. It takes absolutely no advertising, no money, no "official" campaign organization of any kind. That all ends with each State's primary. We're now in the 100% pure grass roots phase. Scary, huh? Look around. You're it. What are you going to do about it? Cry or Try? If you're gonna cry I'll probably never run into you, if you are going to try, I'll see you on the street. Say "Hi." You'll know me by my Paul gear. We're all Fire Eaters now.
If we cannot topple the GOP leadership with our grass roots efforts leading into the Convention, the final push will be to mount an intense grass roots effort to write-in Ron Paul come November. This relies on the grass roots being about 10,000 times more willing to do effective things than they have been so far but it will be the only way to get our true count and prepare for the future.
Jahfre Fire Eater
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2008 Jahfre Fire Eater, all rights reserved.
Published: Saturday, February 9, 2008
Last modified: Saturday, February 9, 2008
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Surrender is not an option. RP supporters, stay the course. If Dr. Paul is not on the ballot in November, write him in! If each of us educates 10 people, and they each educate 10 more, we can win this. The future of America and the world is at stake. We must never give up! We must never again vote for evil.
Good article (and thumbed) but I disagree with the following statement:
"If we cannot topple the GOP leadership with our grass roots efforts leading into the Convention, the final push will be to mount an intense grass roots effort to write-in Ron Paul come November."
A write-in will only get thrown in the trash. If Ron Paul is not on the ballot I suggest voting for the Libertarian candidate.
Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2008-02-09 15:25:08
Lose the silly notion that we can 'educate' anyone and I'm right with you. That one concept is at the core of the problem with the grass roots efforts to date.
If you live your principles and show the benefits then people will 'educate' themselves about what is working for you. This is the ONLY way it works. If you just take it upon yourself to decide how and when and what topics to 'educate' them on you will be shooting down 50 times more voters than you bring on board. If that is your plan please don't do it at my GOP meetings.
Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2008-02-09 15:30:05
Hi Mike,
Vote as you will. I'm a Republican who wants to influence the GOP. Voting LP is destructive to my goals, not inline with them. I've written several articles explaining how this works in excruciating detail. Check them out. It isn't rocket science its just the way things are.
Isn't "educating people" exactly what you are suggesting when you say:
"Between now and the GOP convention, it is our job (those of us who understand how this works and who are willing to do the work it takes, not the average, defeated supporter) to convince as many attending delegates as possible that John McCain is the WRONG answer."
Posted By: Mrs. Fire Eater
Date: 2008-02-09 16:20:48
Nope - that's persuasion, not education.
JFE seems prickly today - must be all the Paul supporters that turned into a bunch of floppy balloons for no reason. Me toos, babe - they are wussies. Btw, how do you like my "letter of intent":
“Dear Mr. Chairman,
I already have my hotel room and if not a delegate, will be in St. Paul making a general nuisance of myself to everyone. Might as well be useful, so put me on the list.
Ok, I read the two articles you linked - good stuff (and I thumbed) but they did not address my question: exactly how does a write-in accomplish anything?
Don't get me wrong - I'm all for Ron Paul. I have been talking to everyone I can in my community and surrounding area. I have attended Republican meetings, bought signs and slimjims to give away when walking towns, donated to Dr. Paul's campaign, etc, etc. I intend to continue doing this as long as Dr. Paul is running for president.
But I honestly can't see how a write-in accomplishes anything other than filling up the trash can. Perhaps there are some aspects I don't understand about the process itself. Doesn't a candidate have to register as a write-in candidate in each state? Has Dr. Paul done that? Am I misunderstanding something here?
Posted By: Mrs. Fire Eater
Date: 2008-02-09 18:08:23
Whether or not a candidate is legally allowed to file as an independent at this point is what is confusing folks. In every election and every state, a write in is allowed. Usually, that space is used for such gems as "Mickey Mouse" or "Me" or my favorite, "Bill Pullman" but in this case that little line could actually be useful, or at least interesting.
I'm not a fan of the write in, but I'm open to just about anything after the nomination. Until then, however, I view any such talk as defeatist. With Mitt out, the war for the GOP is on and I'll take that bet - I've got a few Mitty delegates in my pocket already. :) I'm thinking I should send some flowers, or at least a thank you card.
This is how the previous comment should've read -- not sure what happened???
With you!
This is what we need now -- remember how Frank Lutz referred to us as
This is what we need now -- remember how Frank Lutz referred to us as crabgrass? The Grassroots needs to take hold and be relentless. When I signed on I was looking forward to the end of this election so that I could be over it. I signed on as a Summer Soldier but after reading Gary North's article a few months ago, I realized this is not a battle that we can refuse to fight. Keep the movement going! (and btw -- i would vote Constitution Party before LP -- but I say write in RP!)
Ok, so they probably wouldn't throw ballots in the trash ;-)
But my question still stands. I've seen quite a few people talking about a write-in but not one of them has given any real reason for me to do the same. What will it accomplish? How will it influence the Republican party? If you want to do it just because it makes you feel better then go right ahead, but that's not a good reason for trying to convince others to do it. But hey, you are free to vote as you wish and you are free to try to convince others to vote as you wish.
Write-ins for Ron Paul will not be counted if he does not file as a write-in candidate in all States, but in some States a candidate losing the primary cannot file as a write-in. In some States write-ins are not allowed for the office of President.
If Ron Paul does not win the Republican nomination then I encourage everyone to vote for your favorite third party candidate. In that situation I will vote for the Libertarian Party candidate.
Voting for your favorite third party can be very beneficial to that party. Importantly, it can help the party to more easily get on ballots in the future.
For reference:
This page (http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/writein.asp) is a write-in FAQ for Missouri. NOTE: "If a candidate files for nomination to an office and is not nominated at a primary election, that candidate cannot file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for the same office at the general election."
On this page for South Carolina (http://www.state.sc.us/scsec/writein.htm) NOTE: "A defeated primary candidate may not actively offer or campaign as a write-in candidate for the ensuing election." and "Write-in votes are not allowed in primary elections or the election of President or Vice-president."
In this file for Michigan (http://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/Ballot_Pres_20081_208311_7.pdf) NOTE: "Write-in votes cast for an individual seeking the office of U.S. President who fails to file the required documents are not counted."
This page (http://www.demstoremonthly.com/calendar.htm) gives deadlines for filing Write-in Candidacy forms.
This file (http://www.nd.gov/eforms/Doc/sfn18440.pdf) is a Write-in Candidacy form for North Dakota.
I don't know how I missed this article, but thanks and thumbed!
Thanks also very much for your comment about the Lounge. I feel a personal loss at your absence from the Lounge because I appreciate your work, as I hope you know from my occasional previous comment.
If you are so inclined, I would love to hear from you "off site" sometime - you could easily contact me through the author's control panel by "requesting an invitation to the lounge" but in your email just saying "hello" :)
Your knowledge of party politics and what needs to be done now is essential to Dr. Paul's success and I appreciate it and encourage you to keep on "putting it out there" for the benefit of the many (like myself) who are totally bewildered by the process! :)
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2008 Jahfre Fire Eater, all rights reserved.