Topic: Ron Paul
Ron Paul: Shock and Awe in Missouri Ron Paul supporters shake up Republican caucusesby Steven Brooks
(Libertarian)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
March 15, Northwest Missouri
On the Ides of March Ron Paul supporters arrived at county caucuses throughout Missouri, a state in which their candidate managed to collect a meager 4.5 percent of the vote. Some were prepared to take on the establishment; others were frankly bewildered. In Jackson County, the solidly middle class Eastern half of Kansas City, Paulites turned out in sufficient count to outnumber traditional Republican Party members roughly two to one. This so unnerved Bunk Farrington, Chairman of the Jackson County Republican Committee, that he led a walkout claiming that Paul supporters had violated an agreement to divide the county's 187 caucus delegates. He was followed by about fifty other attendees. If this action was intended to stop the meeting, it was a tactical error.
In the wake of the walkout, dissidents conferenced, studied Robert's Rules of Order, reconvened the meeting, elected a new chairman and promptly selected more than 175 of the faithful as county delegates who along with others in the state will choose 55 of the party's 58 delegates to the Republican National convention.
Elsewhere in Missouri
In Saint Charles County, Northwest of St Louis, it is reported that 111 of a possible 137 delegates were elected from the Ron Paul contingent.
In some counties attendees voted to amend the Republican platform to better distinguish the party from the Democrats. These issues included such Ron Paul staples as repealing the Patriot Act, abolishing the Federal Reserve and returning to a gold standard, abolishing the income and estate taxes, and repealing the Real ID Act of 2005. But in Missouri, one proposed change seemed paramount.
For Republicans, Missouri is a winner-take-all state and delegates are bound to vote for the majority candidate determined in the primaries on the first ballot. As the rule stands, John McCain can legitimately count on all the electoral votes from the state. This issue was raised in caucuses throughout Missouri counties. In an effort to modify party rules, Paulites proposed that the winner-take-all rule be replaced by proportional representation allowing minority candidates representation at the national convention.
Encounters of a political kind
In rural Clinton County where eight delegate positions are at stake, attendees at the Republican caucus numbered in the mid-thirties and probably a third were Ron Paul supporters. Less well organized than their compatriots in the larger, urban centers and unfamiliar with procedure, Paulites struggled to recognize each other as delegates were selected. Republican regulars, surprised by the number of new faces at the caucus, tended to vote as a block. A question from the floor "who among you is for Ron Paul" elicited a flutter of disapproval from party regulars but proved effective in distributing the limited number of votes allowed each attendee.
The caucus was so unusual that chairwoman Becky Curtis was unsure that changes to the party platform could be introduced at the session. Persuaded that this was the case, she entertained motions to make changes. The proposals and discussions were orderly and civilly discussed. Though outnumbered, Ron Paul supporters managed to pass the recommendation that the Republican Party adopt proportional representation. Motions to repeal the Patriot Act, and oppose federal regulation of medicine were narrowly defeated and not entirely along candidate lines.
In informal conversations after the Clinton County meeting, regulars were heard to remark "my, that was certainly an interesting meeting" and "it's good to see so many new faces" and "I need to find out more about that issue." Information was exchanged about libertarian concerns and the process of electing a candidate in Missouri. Both factions seemed to profit from the encounter. Some Paulites were invited to attend Republican study groups. One Ron Paul supporter was overheard to say "they (the regulars) are terrified of Muslim Terrorists and we're terrified of the federal government."
Ron Paul's strategy?
And perhaps this is what Ron Paul has in mind as he continues his campaign. Winning the nomination is highly unlikely, but his beliefs are voiced now in open political forum often heard for the first time by mainstream Republicans. Feeling disenfranchised, formerly apathetic small government conservatives opted out of the electoral process and encouraged by Ron Paul's message are rejoining the debate. Still learning the ropes and a bit defensive, they seem surprised not to be rebuffed. At least in rural Missouri, when approached in a friendly fashion - mainstream Republicans are open to hearing fresh ideas.
Passion counts
Missouri proved that passion for ideas can motivate sufficient numbers to encourage real change even within the Byzantine structure of the American political process. Perhaps in the future a large number of voters will be referred to as the Ron Paul wing of the Republican Party.
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2008 Steven Brooks, all rights reserved.
Published: Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Last modified: Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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Posted By: Ivan from Oregon
Date: 2008-03-18 17:42:03
Good topic! This is also happening in Texas, and hopefully other places. I'm working hard to make it happen in Oregon.
This kind of stuff illustrates one of the important differences between a Republic and a "Democracy". In a Republic, the design is to make political stuff be as local as possible. It's a surprise to the zombies that think "donating something and voting" fulfills their part "participating". In our Republic, local participation, like "showing up" at political decision-making events, powers the engine. The local "activists" rule the day. The ones that stay at home deserve what they get.
I'm sorry, but I just can't believe that Ron Paul gathers only 5% where ever he goes. I just can't believe it.
Three facts I have realized:
-Around 80-90% of all people that I talk to, have never heard of or even know that Ron Paul was a presidential candidate.
-30-40% of these people, that are exposed to Ron Paul, come back in love with his message and are firm supporters that also pass on the message. (Some are more resistant then others, but soon people will love truth.)
-There is no way that Ron Paul only fetches 5% of the vote. Ron Paul got almost 20% in North Dakota....how can there be so many brain dead Americant's??? Can it be we are manipulated??? Vote suppression??? What's going on here???
Get together, get the message out, and get busy. NOW!!!
I understand how you feel, Eric. I've had the same experience. Most of the people I approach with Ron Paul's message respond "Ron Paul? Who's he?" And, like you, I find once they are introduced with few exceptions they become fans.
My personal opinion is that the great majority of Americans get their news from commercial television. If it doesn't pop up on the tube ... to them it doesn't exist. If we've learned anything from this experience it is that major media is no friend to the message of liberty. But that isn't really surprising. Government controls their licenses and they dance to the fiddler's tune.
I believe that if we are to prevail in our quest to return to constitutional freedom, we must somehow circumvent or penetrate this method of communication. Talk radio and the Internet are not sufficient in themselves. Most Paulites do get information from these sources and that makes us different.
So, how do we do that? I don't know, but I think it is an area in which we need to concentrate.
I live in a fairly conservative rural South Dakota county. I was surprised at how many Republicans showed up at the County Caucus meeting. Ron Paul had an overwhelming majority in our county as well! Over 80%!
Electoral votes are only received after the general election. Right now, the candidates are working to get delegates to the national conventions, has nothing to do with the electoral college.
Posted By: Clinton County Delegate
Date: 2008-06-02 08:50:24
There are many mistakes in your reporting of the Clinton County caucus. First Ron Paul supporters numbered just under 50%. Interesting since Ron Paul only received 7% of the vote in Clinton County. When it came time to elect delegates and alternates, it was not the regulars who singled out the Ron Paul supporters, it was a single nominee who asked to be given the opportunity to share with everyone who he supported for President. He gave the standard "why I love Ron Paul" speech found on some of the Ron Paul blogs. The other delegates then shared their views and a vote was taken. 8 Delegates and 8 alternates were elected to both the regional and state conventions. 1 Ron Paul delegate was elected to the regional and 2 were elected to the state. Many of the rest were elected as alternates.
Only one single amendment to the draft state platform proposed by the Ron Paul supporters was adopted. That was the one that dealt with Illegal immigration and only after changes were agreed upon. The others, such as abolishing the Patriot Act and legalizing pot were rejected. I was amused by the way the amendments were presented. Especially the one that would have required that delegates could only vote for Ron Paul at the convention.
The Ron Paul supporters were well prepared for their takeover attempt. However I suspect that they will return to their Libertarian party when the revolution fails.
Posted By: Steven Brooks
Date: 2008-06-02 11:28:51
This is a response to the anonymous "Clinton County Delegate"
You claim that there are numerous mistakes in the report, yet you identify none. Plus you make statements contrary to my experience at the Clinton County caucus and claims I do not believe you can support. I stand by the report.
Posted By: Clinton County Delegate
Date: 2008-06-04 11:43:51
You said:
"Though outnumbered, Ron Paul supporters managed to pass the recommendation that the Republican Party adopt proportional representation. Motions to repeal the Patriot Act, and oppose federal regulation of medicine were narrowly defeated and not entirely along candidate lines."
Again, the draft State Platform was approved with only one amendment. That was to prohibit children born in the USA of illegal immigrants from gaining automatic citizenship. I was there I know, as I reworded the amendment. All other amendments were defeated including proportional representation.
You said:
"A question from the floor "who among you is for Ron Paul" elicited a flutter of disapproval from party regulars but proved effective in distributing the limited number of votes allowed each attendee."
That is false , no such question was asked. It was a potential candidate name Atherton who asked if he could share his support for Ron Paul. It was then suggested that we all share who we supported. Unfortunately for Ron Paul supporters, this exposed their "Republican disguise" and made it clear to the "regulars" who was who.
There were some points where common ground was found, however the RP crew was not as well rehearsed as they should have been. The fear tactics they used to scare us into siding with them didn't work. The false story about the locked secret room where the government reads your email was rejected. I am amazed at how many people have supposedly "went on a tour of AT&T data center" and yet don't know where it is.
Oh and I made a mistake in my report there were 3 RP State delegates.
Posted By: Steven Brooks
Date: 2008-06-04 13:33:47
"Though outnumbered, Ron Paul supporters managed to pass the recommendation that the Republican Party adopt proportional representation."
I was at the meeting as well. I recall that the show of hand count on this issue carried. What the party did with it later I cannot say.
"A question from the floor "who among you is for Ron Paul" elicited a flutter of disapproval from party regulars but proved effective in distributing the limited number of votes allowed each attendee."
CCD's contention:
That is false , no such question was asked. It was a potential candidate name Atherton who asked if he could share his support for Ron Paul. It was then suggested that we all share who we supported. Unfortunately for Ron Paul supporters, this exposed their "Republican disguise" and made it clear to the "regulars" who was who.
Writer's comment:
It was my wife who asked that question from the floor and the original report is correct. I don't recall Paul supporters being in any way disquised nor attempting to be. These are Republicans who disagree with the majority neo-con party position that they feel is nearly indistinguishable from the Democrats. Ron Paul is a Republican - they support Ron Paul. They are Republicans.
CCD: "however the RP crew was not as well rehearsed as they should have been. The fear tactics they used to scare us into siding with them didn't work."
Has it occured to you that the "RP Crew" as you call them were not rehearsed at all and that they don't consider their concerns to be fear tactics; that they are voters concerned with issues of which the "regulars" may be wholly ignorant?
I did not report anything about ATT. But, the level of disinformation on both sides, and sadly there seem to be sides, is voluminous and probably firmly believed by the individuals expressing them. As an interested observer, it is easy to detect the influence of the information media and the formation of beliefs. Perhaps the "Paulistas" get most of their information from the Internet and the "Regulars" get most of their information from Television. Neither source is reliable.
""""I was at the meeting as well. I recall that the show of hand count on this issue carried. What the party did with it later I cannot say.""""
I say: You recalled incorrectly, the minutes of the meeting show otherwise. As I said before the draft was sent on with one amendment.
It was Mr. Atherton who was the first to volunteer his affection for Ron Paul. As I recall after his speech, everyone wanted to hear from all the nominees. Your orinal text seems to imply that we the regulars, wanted to single out the RP's. This was not the case since most of us had never seen any of you in the Central Committee meetings before and I'm sure everyone knew who was who.
Mr. Brooks I have to ask why you care. Your article is signed Steven Brooks (Libertarian). So are you going to change that to Republican anytime soon? You state that you have been a registered Libertarian since about 1972. So you lied when you signed into the convention?
You said: """"I don't recall Paul supporters being in any way disguised nor attempting to be.""""
I say: The disguise wording was based on the advise from the Missouri Ron Paul site. Advising them to put on their Republican clothes. Telling them what to say and how to say it.
You say:
""""These are Republicans who disagree with the majority neo-con party position that they feel is nearly indistinguishable from the Democrats. Ron Paul is a Republican - they support Ron Paul. They are Republicans.""""
I say: Many of the RP crowd are Libertarians and I am willing to bet that after Ron Paul jumps ship, they will follow. If they really cared about Republican issues they would have been involved long before. But it appears that many have at least in the past declared themselves as Libertarians.
You say: """"Has it occured to you that the "RP Crew" as you call them were not rehearsed at all and that they don't consider their concerns to be fear tactics; that they are voters concerned with issues of which the "regulars" may be wholly ignorant?""""
Fear of what? That Americans men and women would conspire together to fly planes into the WTC and Pentagon? That the Patriot act is just a way for big brother to keep an eye on us? I don't subscribe to Black Helicopter theories. I am deeply offended that so many RP's believe that Americans would do this to other Americans. That is just plain evil and last time I checked our Government doesn't require that as a prerequisite for employment. Did the government ask you to do things like this when you worked for them?
You say: """"I did not report anything about ATT.""""
I say: I'm going from memory here but here is the gist of it.
Quote from caucus: "I work in the IT industry and was part of a tour of ATT's operation center. We were shown all over except for one little room that was locked. Three men worked in there reading all the email that passed through..."
That same basic story has shown up all over the internet in chain emails and it is just plain crap. Why anyone would repeat it first person as if it was fact is beyond me. I'm sure ATT gives plenty of tours. But don't expect to see any secret spying rooms there.
Posted By: Steven Brooks
Date: 2008-06-05 11:28:44
CCD - Correct, I have been a long standing Libertarian. But I have no religious affiliation with the party. I vote for what I believe in. Ron Paul is a Republican who lives what I believe in and I find it easy to change parties to vote for whomever I think will advance the vision of smaller government and liberty. I find Ron Paul closer to my beliefs than the current Libertarian candidate. I switched to the Republican party to vote for Ronald Reagan but returned when the Neo-cons took control. And, for many years, the Libertarian party has been the only defender of freedom in this country.
My column is signed with my name, yes. The Libertarian appellation is created by the Nolan Chart website based upon a questionnaire all columnists take before they publish on this site. It does not indicate party affiliation and I have not identified myself this way. That questionnaire is available on this web site for you to take as well and might prove an interesting exercise.
If you will re-read my column you will see that I said nothing about ATT. I never said that I witnessed the story to which you refer anywhere, ever. Your memory is faulty. If you are going to quote me you had better identify yourself and have proof. Capice?
You ask about what the conservative Republicans fear. What they fear is people who think as you apparently do. That would be people who blindly follow government diktats based upon fear and propaganda with the naive belief that government is here to help them; people who are ignorant of history, doctrinaire and closed minded.
Please limit your comments to what is published. This is not a chat room. If you are going to continue this anonymous attack ... you will get no further response.
This is not intended to be an anonymous attack. I just do not wish to have my name posted on a Libertarian site. I was one of the few who attended the caucus and was a delegate to both conventions. That should narrow it down a bit for you. If it really matters I took the survey and according to the chart I am a conservative somewhat close to the lib and centrist section. In some cases there really wasn't a response that fit my view of the questions. So I don't put much stock in scripted apps like that.
My comments about ATT are in regards to the discussion that occurred at the caucus. I find it amusing that RP's tend to say the government is using fear tactics to force the sheep into blindly going along with giving up all their liberties. RP's use fear tactics to try to get others to follow them. They openly embrace the 9-11 conspiracy nuts and that is personally offensive to me.
I disagree with your take on Ron Paul's effect on the Republican Party. These are folks who won't be there in the end. They won't be voting for McCain and could even get Obama elected. So in my opinion it is a waste of time to try to court them.
Please don't confuse being polite with trying to encourage you to become more involved in our Party events. If you want to become more involved then it would help if you agreed with what most Republicans already believe. Let's just be honest, RP's are not trying to restore the Republican party to it's roots. They are trying to hijack it since their real party is unable to contend.
There is one good thing I can say about the RP's. They have helped to expose Republican apathy in the party processes. There were many in our county who didn't think it was a big deal to attend the caucus. But thanks to almost being taken over, you can bet that that wont happen again.
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2008 Steven Brooks, all rights reserved.