Topic: Republican Convention Ron Paul Battle
Ron Paul's Delegate Wars (I) The Ron Paul campaign's struggle to secure delegates to the Republican National Convention looks like the most exciting, if not the most important, underreported story of the year.by George Dance
(libertarian)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
This is a story still in progress. It records an ongoing series of skirmishes being fought sporadically across America, with little publicity, under arcane rules that make it difficult to determine winners and losers. The final outcome will not be known for months. Yet it could be the most important story of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, and how it unfolds could affect that party's future more than any other single event this year.
That story is the ongoing struggle of the Ron Paul campaign to secure the largest possible number of delegates to the Republican Convention this Sept. 1-4. I have followed that struggle with interest since February, but have been discouraged from writing about it; some Paul supporters thought that it would reflect badly on the campaign for it to become generally known. However, now that some mainstream media are beginning to report on it, I think it best to start writing myself on this most exciting, if not most important, underreported story of the year.
Many Americans may think that the National Delegates have already been chosen. I used to myself: Before this year, I always thought that delegate slates were presented and elected on primary or caucus day. From following the Paul campaign, though, I have learned that that is not how it works.
How it does work varies from state to state; but the process generally follows this order: First, party members gather in local caucuses and choose delegates to county conventions. Next, the county conventions elect delegates to state and congressional district conventions. Finally, the state and district conventions elect the National Delegates.
Some National Delegates are bound to vote for the state primary or caucus winner through the entire ballotting. Others must do so on only the frst two ballots; others on only the first ballot. In still other states, delegates are not bound to vote for the winner at all; the primary or caucus result counts as no more than a straw poll.
The Paul campaign has remained focussed on securing delegates, rather than on primary or caucus vote totals. "Our goal has always been to walk into the national GOP convention with as many delegates as possible," said Ron Paul 2008 campaign manager Lew Moore. "The number of delegates we [win] could very well be the difference in a Convention where no one has a first-ballot majority."
Even though McCain now appears to have a first-ballot win clinched, the Paul campaign continues to pursue the same goal. There are good reasons to do so. For one, Paul needs to be nominated by five states in order to appear on the ballot, and have a chance to speak at the convention. For another, delegates will determine the 2008 election platform; for the Paul campaign, which is about ideas rather than personalities, the platform is as important as the nominee.
Thus the Delegate Wars continue, state by state, county by county, delegate by delegate.
Alaska (where Paul came in third, wth 17% of the caucus vote) held its state convention Mar. 13-15, in Anchorage. Ron Paul Alaskans reports that, thanks to efforts at the district conventions, Paulunteers "were to were able to secure 105 delegates to State, or roughly 30% of the total." At the convention, the Ron Paul Republicans (RPR) managed to pass several platform resolutions, calling for repeal of the Patriot Act, opposing Real ID, and advocating abolition of the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Education. Another resolution, opposing the Iraq war, lost; author Chris McGraw notes that "we were simply unable to pull support from anyone outside of the Ron Paul delegates for this purpose".
The RPR also lost a heated battle to reapportion Alaska's National Delegates among the two remaining candidates, Paul and Sen. John McCain. That would have given Paul 14 delegates, and McCain (whom Paul beat in caucus) only 12. That motion died in Rules Committee, in part because "both the Romney and Huckabee campaigns sent letters to the convention explaining that their campaign "suspensions" were intended to reserve delegates rather than release them."
In return for dropping their delegate challenge, the RPR won a resolution calling for Ron Paul to be allowed to address the National Convention. "The motion was proposed by the chairman and co-chairman of the rules committee," Ron Paul's website notes, "who were so impressed by the conduct and ability of the Ron Paul delegates that they felt it was the right thing to do."
However, the battle for delegates continues. Heather Saarella reported, on Nolan Chart Mar. 31, of a successful project by the Alaska Ron Paul Delegates Meetup "to send our own media, in the form of a DVD, to every single registered delegate and alternate in Alaska." Organizer Ewan Cutler is now working to replicate that success nationally, organizig "a campaign that sends a DVD each month for four months to the national delegates and alternates going to St. Paul."
"Chris McGraw: Ron Republicans Report!", Ron Paul Alaskans, Mar. 18, 2008 http://ronpaulalaskans.typepad.com/ron_paul_alaskans/2008/03/chris-mcgraw--.html
"Alaska is Ron Paul Country," Ron Paul 2008, Mar. 20, 2008. http://ronpaul2008.typepad.com/ron_paul_2008/2008/03/alaska-is-ron-p.html
Nolan Chart correspondent Jahfre Fire Eater reports that at the Jefferson County convention in Colorado (where Paul received 8% in caucus), "there was a line of people at the Ron Paul table. Everyone at this convention is a [state] delegate. Those people in line are looking to sign up as Colorado Ron Paul delegates. They are former Huckabee people and Romney people and Fred people and Tancredo people.... The major topic of debate at the GOP breakfasts this week was how to hold your nose and vote for McCain. I'd say about 50% say absolutely no way in hell will they vote for McCain."
On Apr. 8, the Daily Paul reported that "The Colorado State Republican convention isn't until May 31st and no National delegates from the State have been selected. Nor will those delegates be bound to a candidate."
Though Paul took only 3% in the Florida primary, some party honchos see the RPR as a major threat. The Sarasota county Herald Tribune reports that local "party leaders are doing everything they can to block new members from joining the Republican Executive Committee. That has included freezing its membership and adjourning a monthly meeting early to prevent Paul supporters from speaking." "They want to take over the REC," county GOP chairman Eric Robinson told the paper.
Nolan Chart correspondent "Paul from Clearwater, Florida" recently reported on his local caucus: "I got about 30 Ron Paul meetup members to join and become Commmittee Members for the Local Republican Party.... We get there, roll call is taken. We each individually introduce ourselves. The Chairmen of our county and surrounding counties are there. Voting time comes around and THEY DO ALL OF THE VOTING. No one else. And of course they vote themselves in and it is over"
The Orlando Sentinel reports that "similar struggles are occurring in other Florida counties and states." In Orange County, party chairman Lew Oliver led a move to block Paul supporters from becoming precinct captains at this month's party meeting. In Pascoe County, Paul supporters were asked to publicly pledge their loyalty to the GOP.
Jeremy Wallace, "Ron Paul's People get bum's rush from GOP," Sarasota Herald -Tribune, Apr. 7, 2008. http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080407/COLUMNIST89/804070333/-1/newssitemap
Paul from Clearwater Florida, "The True Delegate Process," Nolan Chart, Apr. 7, 2008. http://www.nolanchart.com/article3393.html
Paul received just 5% of the vote in the Feb. 9 primary. However, as no candidate won a majority, by state rules the primary results are non-binding: All National Delegates from the state are officially uncommitted.
At the Jan. 22 caucuses, party officials violated several of their own rules in an attempt to freeze out the RPR. First, they held off calling the original caucus until Dec. 17 - ten weeks after the legal deadline, and two weeks after the deadline for registering Republican. Second, the deadline to file as a delegate was arbitrarily extended after Ron Paul supporters were the only ones to file a full slate in each congressional district. Third, officials used an out-of-date party membership list, to challenge Paul supporters and force them to cast provisional ballots.
Reports Ron Paul 2008: "Had the LA GOP followed its own rules, Ron Paul would have won 5 of the 7 state congressional districts, giving the campaign a majority of the state convention delegates, resulting in at least 35 delegates elected to the national convention in St. Paul."
At the Feb. 9 state convention, delegate Michelle Gaudin moved to have the official slate replaced "with a slate of delegates reflecting the results of the election had all votes been counted." Though the motion was voted down, having it moved allowed the campaign to contest the Louisiana delegation before the Republican National Committee's Credentials Committee. The question may not be resolved until the St. Paul Convention.
The views expressed in this
article are those of George Dance only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. George Dance is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
If Ron Paul ever starts cackling like Hillary during an interview or debate or something, I'm pulling my support from him...jk (her cackle really is creepy, though, youtube it)
Great reporting. Of course the tactics used by the party pros are a part of both the major party's standard procedure and have been used to put down the popular movements in both for some time. The can sometimes be overcome, so they are worth fighting. I am looking forward to the continuation of your report.
Posted By: Dr. Steve Parent
Date: 2008-04-13 21:18:35
I have almost begged your site to post my information in the delegate process where i have been educating people for months on how the nomination actually works and now you decide to bring it out? Why did your site NEVER respond to any email request i made to your site?
We are running out of time and you have wasted 3 months of it by not responding to my requests. Why would you even bother reporting on it now?
I would also like to thank the many that helped me get this information out to the masses and as you can see now people we are winning many battles up to the convention in MN in September.
When you are ready to talk to me nolan chart you know how to get a hold of me.
Dr. Steve Parent
Say how about Minnesota. Our county conventions are producing results. CD-5 sending 3 of 3 Ron Paul delegates and 2 of 2 alternates to nationals. Many exciting wins are happening. Still a fight but Ron Paul is having great results. Also Nevada and Montana state conventions are having Ron Paul be the keynote speaker.
Brian: Hillary (sans cackle) makes a cameo appearance in Part 3. Watch for it. (I'm writing 3 parts for now, to cover the states I have info for - with more to come in the next few months, I bet.
rtb: Thanks for the comments. You're a writer here whose opinion I've learned to respect.
Dr. Parent: This isn't Fox; the writers are not told what to write. If you want something written, contact a writer. In fact, several writers here have written on this or that aspect. I haven't because, as I've said, some rEVOLutionaries have worried about the story 'leaking out.' But I'd be happy to give you a link in the next installment; to some, you're the real hero of the Delegate Wars, and I don't mind acknowledging that.
Tim: I'm going alphabetically, by the states I have info for. Minnesota is the next up.
Posted By: Dr. Steve Parent
Date: 2008-04-13 23:20:16
I am sorry George but my frustration level has peaked for i seem to be one of very few that even knew how this process works. I have been called a nut or that i have been giving people false hope or Ron Pual will not be president so don't waste your time etc...
I want what most of us want which is to bring America back to it's roots and hopefully obtain the nomination for Dr. Paul in September but George i have been spending countless hours addressing meetup after meetup and radio interview after radio interview to try to educate everyine i can and some help would of been greatly appreciated due to our time frame we have to work with.
Most of the states that have dominated i have addressed personally and they have recorded my call and shared it with many others but i am tired George and i could use all the help i can get and i would appreciate it.
Please contact me and provide information of what you refered and i will happily ablidge you and it will be appreciated.
George i also just did a 1 hour interview that broke down Rules of order and Parliamentary procedure and if you would give me contact information i will send you an mp3 via email of that interview for you to share with everyone and this is probably one of the most important things to share with everyone that is entering the convention process.
Well its about time you wrote an article on this!!!!! I have a meetup group, and Im sure theres others that feel its over, and that we should plan on moving forward to a long term plan....
WHAT LONG TERM PLAN....WE ARE OUT OF TIME!!!! In early 2009 they want to take our guns...end talk radio...end most if all types of public descent. THE TIME TO KEEP STRIKING IS NOW WHEN THE IRON IS HOT!!!!! If for any reason we need a long term plan we should look at that in November...not now.... April 30th RON PAUL's book will come out ...more press, more supporters.. NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL SUPPOTERS TO UNDERSTAND THIS PROCESS. NOW. not tomorrow, not this evening but now. So yes thank god your writing your article...better late than never.....
Posted By: Harry Tugwell
Date: 2008-04-14 03:24:18
To Dr Steve Parent
Your comments are well taken.
Do you realize you can become a writter on Nolan Chart immediately and get your message out. Please do so, since i need a better understanding of the delegate process, as i am sure most others do, since it is very complicated.
STEVE PARENT is a true Patriot and Champion of the Ron Paul campaign! The campaign IS more alive and well than is understood or reported!
Those Ron Paul Grassroots Patriots out there that have become discouraged or inactive need to wake and smell the liberty, this campaign is FAR from over!
Get up, get back out, get active again in the rEVOLution.
Peace :)
According to law.cornell.edu, the U.S. Code states:
TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 13 > § 241
§ 241. Conspiracy against rights
If two or more persons conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his having so exercised the same; or If two or more persons go in disguise on the highway, or on the premises of another, with intent to prevent or hinder his free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege so secured— They shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, they shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.
Clearly a conspriacy has occured but I will have to leave it to someone smarter than I whether this applies to political party rules (which are filed w/ the state?) Are there any attorneys out there who still love America?
Thank you for writing this article and I look forward to the ones to come.
Please, everyone, do not forget the late primaries- if you have anything that you can do to help us, please do--chipin for ads, the ronpaul newspaper, whatever you can do will help. Thank you all in advance
Please become a writer for Nolan Chart I would really like to use your statements and George's article for ammo when people tell me Ron has no chance.
I thank all of you patroits for allowing me to spread the word with intelligence and knowledge. Make sure you stay clam when talking to people is the best advice that I can give you all. Even if some are calling Ron Paul a wacko just give them the messge. I have converted complete anti-Ron Paulers in about five minutes of telling them and then by giving them the Ron Paul PDF handouts from his website.
Is there any way to determine whether we are "on track" to have enough delegates at the convention?
In MA we got 8 delegates and 10 or 12 alternates. Now we are trying to get one or more of the ten "at-large" delegates which usually go to party insiders and are unbound.
Never give up! On a more positive note: Pass the torch!
Posted By: james c correu
Date: 2008-05-23 15:27:41
I've been confused and curious about the election process for some years and what I have learned shows me a system that makes little sense and that I don't like. I'm not for any political party, I simply look at all candidates and decide who may do honour to the position. So why do people who are obviously fed up with the way the system currently works even attempt to go by it at all? If parties are taking meassures that clearly alieniate people and reduce freedoms of their own, much less others, then why is it not obvious to everyone that these are not the kinds of people we want in our offices? So what if someone does not get the nomination, vote for him/her anyway. And why does our media refuse to report on the MANY people who are running, regardless of political affiliation, or who had the nomination?
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