Topic: Election 2008
Opposing the Platform of the American People in Michigan During the Michigan GOP Convention, a group of Ron Paul activists and Republican libertarians moved a state party to do the right thing.by Bob Nightingale
(libertarian)
Sunday, August 24, 2008
This weekend at the Michigan Republican Convention, a group of Ron Paul Constitutionalists banded together, not to get a candidate elected, but to stop a bad idea.
In addition to nominating candidates for office, there was a proposal to include the "Platform of the American People" into the platform of the Republican Party, at its national convention.
A week prior to the state convention, delegates were given a text of this Platform as part of their information packet ([link edited for length]). This Platform was agreed to by the state party committee and recommended to the delegates for approval ([link edited for length]).
In a nutshell, the Platform of the American People was an effort by a organization called American Solutions (www.americansolutions.com), headed by Newt Gingrich, to get both Parties to accept the same set of principles. Unlike his Contract with America, this Platform was arrived at by a series of surveys of loaded questions. Many of these included items that were against the Republican platforms of the past. It contained a diverse agenda of new government controls, including providing taxpayer subsisdized prizes for automobiles, to approving of Christmas Trees and Menorahs at "holiday season".
In the week leading up to the convention, a coalition of Ron Paul Meetup group activists (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/39) and members of the Michigan Republican Liberty Caucus (www.rlc.org) came together to examine this document. The conclusion by the membership of these groups was that this "Platform" was both anti-liberty and in direct conflict with the principles of the Republican Party. The members of these two groups took it upon themselves to inform the approximately 2000 delegates ([link edited for length]) that this proposal should be opposed.
Two hours before the opening of the convention doors, the 35 people met at the Big Boy near the I-96 off-ramp in Novi for breakfast and strategy. Most of the talking was done by Sean House. Two pieces of literature were distributed at the convention, the business card at the left and a half-page flyer that explained why this platform should be not included as part of the Republican Party platform.
During the convention, the literature was handed out to the delegates. For each of the two rounds of caucusing, the group got a few minutes to speak at each Congressional district caucus against the platform. This writer attended the sixth district caucus and noted that there was no speaker in favor of this Platform. In fact, most of the speeches were to nominate candidates for the general election, or to nominate an elector to the Electoral College from our district. It was my impression that most delegates had not even read the proposal.
At 11 a.m. the general session began. Remaining literature was placed on seats. Sean attempted several times during the session to oppose a change to the rules, where voting was weighted by Congressional district instead of by direct vote of the convention delegates. He was stifled by the chairman's ruling that the convention rules were voted on and already approved at the start of the meeting.
After over an hour of speeches, the delegates voted by ballot on the only contested race: the nomination for University of Michigan regent. The voting on the Platform was done through county and district chairmen, by counting the votes of the delegates. During the general session, there was no mention of the Platform by any of the speakers. Instead, there were calls for Party unity, to support Republican and Republican-endorsed candidate, regardless of who you supported in the primary.
By latest count (8/24/08), the vote on the Platform was leaning towards defeat.
There were no Ron Paul signs or lapel pins anywhere to be seen. The fight on Saturday wasn't for a man, but for the ideas of less government and more freedom. Even Michigan Supreme Court Judge Cliff Taylor, a staunch Constitutionalist ([link edited for length]), said in his acceptance speech that "we've lost our way". That sounded hauntingly familiar.
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This is yet another egregious misrepresentation by a rag tag group of Ron Paul supporters who totaled about 16 voting delegates for the entire state out of more than 600 . The truth of the matter is if NO Ron Paul people showed up at all, it would have been defeated.
Members of organizations like Gun Owners Of America (www.gunowners.org) began fighting this 6 weeks before it was adopted for submission to the convention at the State Committee meetings. The fact is a few Ron Paul people jumped on in the final days and passed some flyers at the convention, long after the resolution was labeled for defeat.
In fact one foolishly got up to address the Caucus and was slapped down so hard for not knowing the procedures, that his head is probably still swollen! There was an attempt by an individual who was a trouble maker for the Paul campaign in Michigan, to propagandize his effort and make himself appear as if he has organized something he had not.
He is the same person who was habitually drunk and on drugs through the Ron Paul campaign in Michigan and claimed to have started a “precinct delegate” program which was started by the former State Coordinator of the Ron Paul campaign, Paul Garfield.
This drunken doper out of Ann Arbor has a propensity for taking credit for others work, especially the former State Coordinators. Yes Ron Paul people were there but they were hardly a factor let alone and type of force against 600 seated delegates. It’s wild and fallacious commentary like this that alienate people in this state AGAINST the Ron Paul gang.
Republicans don't need the Ron Paul children to police us. You have your Campaign For Liberty and we do not come to take credit for your group. Please don't act like we need you(s) to tell us what is right since we have all been here longer than you first timers!
I reported what I saw. I wasn't aware of other groups opposing this platform. I'm not part of that circle of insiders.
In my county, the vote was split evenly. I read the proposal, thought it was wrong and communicated that to others. As far as I could see, there was no mention of drug legalization at the convention.
The precinct elections were held only a few weeks ago and run for two-year terms. The whole process discourages new people. It'll take months or years before new delegates figure out how not to offend those in "good standing". Learning how to object to a rule change will take some experience. Personally, the rule didn't make much difference one way or another.
The Republicans have a small window of opportunity here to harness this raw enthusiasm -- before the Democrats do!
Although I don't own a gun nor need to, I'd support your right to do so, any way I can. I don't care who gets the credit.
"Republicans don't need the Ron Paul children to police us. You have your Campaign For Liberty and we do not come to take credit for your group. Please don't act like we need you(s) to tell us what is right since we have all been here longer than you first timers! "
Gigione says: The old timers and first timers need to work together and learn from each other. All of us were there for less government and finding our way back to party principles...regardless of what group we belong too. Regardless of the bad blood between the different personalities we still need to remember what unites us all.
So no Jesse James nobody is policing anyone. You need to write an article about your groups 6 week experience with the platform. It would be an interesting read I am sure. I did not get the platform from my GOP county til a week before and some old timers(not refering to age) at the convention did not receive it or read it or know anything about it. But they were going to vote for it because its for the American people...I heard that from an old timer. People not knowing what that platform really meant concerned me. And why did alot of our Republican peers leave before the convention was over??
Posted By: Facts vs Untruths - Sean House
Date: 2008-08-26 09:29:59
Fact: There were easily 75-100 Ron Paul/Libertarian/Constitutional Minded folks at the convention. These were people that I saw and spoke to in person.
Fact: There was no or only limited aversion to the American Solutions Platform. If there was organized resistance to it 6 weeks in advance, it was very poorly organized. Most folks we spoke to in individual caucuses had no idea we we even voting on it let alone what it was representing...
Fact: I was the gentleman you speak of: " In fact one foolishly got up to address the Caucus and was slapped down so hard for not knowing the procedures, that his head is probably still swollen!" The actuality is this: We were not getting up to speak of American Solutions, but to call a Point of Parliamentary Procedure that the rules had never been approved, but only the Reading of the Rules had been suspended, but before I could adequately explain my point the mic was shut off. We have the entire Convention videotaped and I can provide proof of this. Look for "Michigan GOP Convention Faux Paus" on you tube after today. So the reality would be I knew the procedure better than the Party vice chair and his parliamentarian.
Fact: This procedure and opposition was not started by the "Ann Arbor" gentleman you speak of but me.
Fact: You rhetoric and venomous accusations and nasty tone does nothing but lead to devisiveness in the party and prevents all of us from moving in a positive direction. If you are truly interested in moving the party or liberty forward you would welcome dissent, other opinions, and do your best to accomodate those wishes as these folks are members also. Anything less is intended to create a rift and move forward your own personal agenda.
Posted By: Jesse James - Get your facts straight
Date: 2008-08-26 10:44:30
Reality: There were approximately 16 Ron Paul delegates according to the pct delegate records
Reality: You are not part of the State Committee, so you have no idea of what we were doing. Actually, you probably received on of our e mails. The RLC Chairman did.
Reality: You made a "rookie" mistake. The rules were closed by default.
Reality: That's one of the illusions you and so many of these people have, that you know this party after attending one convention better than we do. Keep it up, more will oppose you and the other delegates next time!
Reality: An e mail went out and was posted on Face Book by Trevor Bailey, claiming all the credit in the voting for you and Adam DeAngeli, a known screw up. Sorry to hear you float with him. Could be how you got confused.
Reality: "rhetoric and venomous accusations" ?? Rhetoric is the B.S. of claiming the credit for what was stared before you even knew what the hell happened! Is that what you call exposing the fact that you and your fellows were 16 out of more than 600 delegates? Again, it's why this group loses credibility and I agree with DigitalBob.
Reality: You can become precint delegates for the Libertarians. Perhaps you could begin reforming their ways Sean. They really need your help and expertise.
Gigione: "I did not get the platform from my GOP county til a week before and some old timers(not refering to age" ???
Again, your county GOP wasn't the proper channel for the info. It was the state level and apparently they contacted everyone who I know by e mail. We met with State Committee and began our plan.
Another mistake you are apparently making is we didn't have a 6 week experience with the platform but found out evidently many weeks before someone from the group got an e mail (of your folks there) and did something about it.
When you act as if the resolution would have passed if it weren't for all the wonderful things you all claim, then essentially you are saying that we are just too dumb to recognize the treachery of the resolution with out your groups police work.
A group of about 10 delegates from Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor met at a residence in Ypsilanti and determined that there were so many things wrong with this proposal that we had to do everything we could to stop it. We developed the flyer below and contacted other groups to coordinate the effort. One other group had developed the buisness cards that were include in the article above.
American Solutions?·
The platform neglects major aspects of economic policy, including inflation, foreign aid, unchecked deficits, bail-outs, education spending, or any type of welfare. It thus skews our sense of priorities.·
The platform makes major concessions to the liberal environmental agenda.·
The platform neglects state-specific needs for a generic national agenda.·
The platform grievously neglects any statement concerning American sovereignty and there is no mention of American freedom other than with respect to the right to worship.·
The platform covers such a broad scope that many are likely to support some aspects of the platform and oppose others.·
The science and technology, and foreign policy platforms are backed by public opinion, not by presented research. ·
The validity of the survey results is questionable at best.
Many of the questions are non-specific and expressed as wishes rather than policy goals.·
The entire "prizes" segment and many of the energy/environmental planks runs in total contradiction to free-market principles and limited government. Market success is its own reward.·
The platform neglects election and campaign finance law.
Any one of these issues merits debate and should not be forced to an up-or-down vote without allowing ample time for consideration.
After the breakfast meeting we hit the convention center and started passing out the flyers. Initially, I received distrustful looks and at most a willingness to take the flyer just so they could get rid of me. So far everything was going as planned for the Michigan State Committee, the sheeple were going to follow their recomendataion without giving it any thought. during my caucus me and another from the Ypsilanti group spoke out against the presentation. At this point people were starting to question what was going on. By the time the vote came, most had re-evaluated the platform and realized that it, in no shape or form, represented their values. When they anounced the vote a loud chorus of boo,s and no's erupted. It was voted down handily. 200 yea's to 400 nay's. The state committee started damage control at this point and was telling everybody that they never meant for it to be our platform, it was missunderstood. They said they made a mistake in the wording. The way I see it, they had one of three choices:
1. the state committee is so far out of touch with the Republicans of the state that they voted unanimously to adopt a platform that came nowhere close to the values of the rank and file.
2. They knew exactly what they were doing and were trying to pull one over on the people they claim to represent for the purposes of forwarding a big government, perpetual war policy.
3. They are bumbling fools that cannot get the wording correct on the only proposal that was to be voted on at one of the most important events of the year.
It looks like they chose #3 as their best option. Good thing the sheeple alarm sounded.
"He is the same person who was habitually drunk and on drugs through the Ron Paul campaign in Michigan and claimed to have started a “precinct delegate” program which was started by the former State Coordinator of the Ron Paul campaign, Paul Garfield."
Yeah "FORMER STATE COORDINATOR PAUL GARFIELD"- The one who was FIRED for many reasons as well as lewd behavior. The same Paul Garfield who pranced around after the fact still claiming he was part of the campaign (or to quote him directly "I am the campaign") and misled poor folks who were trying to get involved? The same Paul Garfield who made every female in a 100ft radius uncomfortable because of his wandering eyes? The same Paul Garfield who stole many, many ideas from volunteers and took the credit for himself alone? That one? How dare you even mention his name with Adam's.
Adam was the one walking behind Mr. Garfield, cleaning up his proverbial messes. Please get YOUR facts right.
I assume you did blood tests on Adam to prove your claims, right? I'm guessing not so that is just your hearsay. Sad. I was around Adam quite a bit during the campaign and never saw this to be true.
As far as "aprox. 16 Ron Paul delegates" that is a blatant lie. I was there the whole day, met and spoke with WELL, WELL over that number of supporters from all across Michigan. I'm sorry that your little list of pc delegates is INCORRECT.
And please, break it down to us what you and yours did for six weeks to combat the American Solutions Platform.
"Please don't act like we need you(s) to tell us what is right since we have all been here longer than you first timers!"
And it's people with this mind set that have spiriled this party so out of control to make "first timers like us" jump in and clean up THEIR messes.
"When you act as if the resolution would have passed if it weren't for all the wonderful things you all claim, then essentially you are saying that we are just too dumb to recognize the treachery of the resolution with out your groups police work."
Gigione says : No JJ settle down....not dumb, not police work. The bad thing about addressing comments is you can't look the person in the eye. I apologize if you mistook my comment that you or anyone was dumb....that certianly is not my intention. It was a observation I made, just like your observation about us. One more thing, I had a parenthesis after age in my statement that you forgot to copy in your response. Saw all your ??? We love our country just like you and your group. Learned alot this past weekend and learning everyday. There has been alot of cured apathy and lots of enthusiasm out here...so please excuse the mistakes.
Reality: J.J. is obviously math challenged, because I am a R.P. supporter, and counted 30-40 people that I knew who are also R.P. supporters at the State Convention. (And I don\'t know the half of them) Just because you are ignortant of our numbers doesn't mean we were not there.
Reality: J.J. was not seen or heard by anyone educating, informing, or even passing out literature to the delegates at each caucas meeting. Sean House was. Sean House had the courage to educate the delegates about the American Solutions proposal. Most of the people had not even heard of this proposal, based on the number of people who asked for more information. If you did attempt an educational campaign Jesse, you failed miserably to reach many people. Instead of being joyful that you had additional help, and instead of joining Sean and the others who were working to defeat this proposal, you decided to seeth on the sidelines that somebody stole your thunder. For goodness sake, grow up!
Reality: If it is true that you have been involved in the Republican Party politics for a long time, then shame on you for allowing the GOP to fall into such dismal state of affairs. Whatever you have tried hasn't worked, so perhaps you ought to be more open to suggestions from patriots who supported Ron Paul. Stop being part of the problem, and start being part of the solution.
Reality: You can become a precinct delegate for the Democrats. Perhaps you could begin reforming their ways Jesse. They really are used to people like you who slander others and are threatened by the help of others- even when it supports their own cause.
JJ must have just counted those RP supporters from 2nd congressional district.
Even after we passed out the literature, when it came time to vote for the platform, there were still people in our district, who were still at the convention, who did not know about it. If it were not for our district chairman, in the interest of fairness, allow some of us speak to this platform, they would have voted for it just because the State Committee accepted it. As it turned out it was a unanimous vote to turn it down. We Campaign for Liberty members will take credit for the vote in the second congressional district. We did not discuss this platform at our county convention and if we had not checked out the web site given in some of the literature at the county convention we would not have known about it either.
Renee: Maybe you are more than math challenged, perhaps cognitively challenged? I did not say other Ron Paul people didn’t attend but there were approximately 16 Ron Paul delegates who voted
Renee: You mentioned “ If you did attempt an educational campaign Jesse, you failed miserably to reach many people”
I did not attempt to intervene except to those on my list. What I am telling you is that groups like the Samuel Adams organization, Michigan Taxpayers, Freedom Works, SBA and a few other groups put out several calls and e mails on the issue, well before your people were involved.
Renee: You added “Just because you are ignortant of our numbers doesn't mean we were not there“.
Evidently, you are ignorant of your numbers. The Credentials Committee was forwarded the names of the delegates to the State Convention. Guess what, YOU HAD 16 VOTING MEMBERS!
The rest of your arguments are so childlike such as the democrat nonsense they violate the parameters of logical debate.
Gigione: I did mistake your words and probably made my words appear more harsh than I meant them. Sorry for any hard feelings. What I am only saying many people were annoyed at the Trevor Bailey e mail and rightfully so. I am not saying that your effort was worthless, just that it was not the definitive moment of the convention and making the statements in the e mail sent will only annoy those who have tried to turn the party around for some time.
Slightly Annoyed, has evidently been drinking tonight. I do know who Paul Garfield is and he has been out in the battles of the party for a long, long time and he is highly thought of in the political field.
However, you make some really bizarre statements in your defense of the drunken doper. I was at Mackinac when the drunken doper got so drunk and so high in a hotel room that he missed the Ron Paul speech he was supposed to video tape!! No blood test needed we all saw him!
Do you know where Paul Garfield was? He was saying the Pledge Of Allegiance to open the conference because of his years of dedication and influence with the party!
However, that was only one of many times of drunken dope filled days and wasted weeks and months by the individual you call Adam. Less than a month later, again, he was so scorched at the Michigan/Michigan State game he couldn’t even speak and lost his video camera! Another great job! Maybe you can follow his success?
I find this ironic in your suggesting that YOU know why Paul left the campaign when the campaign never told anyone, even Ron Paul and especially since Paul was an employee and that is privileged information. Apparently, you are a liar also! So what is your big bitch with Paul anyway? Let’s just take you biased word having showed you are already a liar. Paul supposedly looked at some females in a way you didn’t like?
Too bad! Who are you the leader of the moral majority? As I leave this where it sets I am only mentioning any of this so that you will not make foolish mistakes that alienate you other people from those in the party. In the end you can take the advice, castigate me or evidently, incredulously attack Paul Garfield. You decide which is best for you. God bless and good luck.
You suggest that everything is all taken care of by the insiders, and there is no reason to question their decisions, and it is useless to try.
That attitude alone is the reason why myself and many others will be working to take back the Republican Party.
The Republican Party hasn't lost its way. It has stabbed its own principles in the back. The Democratic Party has morphed into the Socialist Party, and the Republican Party opposes it by morphing into the Nationalist Socialist Party. Two sides of the same coin, with all elections sewn up into an either/or contest.
Freedom-lovers are waking up and seeing that the strength of the two-party system is its weakness as well. The current state of affairs can only be maintained by keeping delegates ignorant and compliant. Get ready for a lot of freedom advocates who are neither ignorant nor compliant to come and pollute your little club. Go ahead and work against us. The louder you get in your nastiness, the more you reveal yourself as an enemy of freedom.
And no, we don't register as Ron Paul delegates, because if we did, you would do your best to silence us. Keep it up, it helps us to motivate more people to run for precinct delegate.
Anonymous: I agree with you. I did not support the resolution either. Some people here didn’t like what I wrote. They clashed with what I was saying and got off topic about people who were contained in the Trevor Bailey email.
The position debated is that a few people here did take some action. Fine. But when the e mail profoundly took all the credit, it was tantamount to saying the other groups did nothing. That’s incorrect.
The people here didn’t like what I mentioned but neither did the people whose efforts were discounted in the Trevor Bailey’s e mail. That was my point.
What I am relating is that those groups members are just as offended as the people here who didn’t care for me pointing out that many other organizations also became involved early on and the Ron Paul people were a minimal representation OF VOTING DELEGATES, regardless of how many they ate breakfast or played tiddlywinks with.
Another issue to consider is that you are not as anonymous as you would like to believe, particularly in Oakland county, where Sean actually had members of the county party present at his meet up and the delegate list revealed to them.
To bring this full circle I am only offering this information so that others you will meet in the party will not be biased against your people for making these types of comments. I sent this as information which I hoped would be of help to any future undertakings. If I didn't achieve my intent, then so be it.
Jesse, Sounds like you ARE Paul Garfield by the way you defend him, and based on the bitter attitude you have towards R. P. supporters.
Jesse: Face reality- The Credential Committee's precinct delegate numbers were WRONG. All the R. P. supporters were able to vote. Those of us who went as alternates were moved up to delegates.
Jesse: I'm glad to know that many groups were supporting the defeat of the resolution. Unlike you, I am GLAD to have as many people as possible working to return the GOP back to its conservative roots. I don't need a pat on the back for my efforts, and won't care if someone else gets the credit for this success or that success. I just care that we continue working to return this country back to a constitutionally limited republic.
Ok, you've got me on the MSU game. I heard he lost his camera but didn't see anything like what you say on the footage of the event. I was in Macinac as well and we all let loose that night. Don't just place it all on him. We had many people video taping that event as well. It's funny how you mention Paul in Macinac, he seemed to have dropped the ball with Ron Paul's Ferry ticket and all things were help up until another supporter went and purchased it for him. Makes for a great grand enterance.
I'm not bashing Paul Garfield for no reason, you brought him up in the first place acting like he's this stand up person. Maybe in the party, whatever but in reality the guy had an enormous chip on his shoulder and I know my prior statements to be true because I was there every step of the way. He is the reason many supporters left early on in the campaign in Michigan. The man has no people skills what so ever. Again, HE was the one stealing the ideas, and it wasn't just SOME ladies. I'm sorry IMO if you are in a position like that, there is a certain lever of professionalism that needs to be upheld. He did not possess that. I'm not saying I know the exact reason he "left" the campaign, but I have a pretty good idea. Droves of RP supporters were hounding national to get him out of there. I just put two and two together... Now what is your defense for him pretending to be the state coordinator well after he was removed? When national gave explicit directions not to be in contact with him. Yeah, sounds like such a stand up guy that should be revered in the party.
I just jumped to Adam's defense because again, I saw first hand many many times, Paul treating him like his lap dog. Dealing with Paul Garfield for so long, maybe someone needs a drink to take the edge off!!
Kudos to all you others who have tried to do what I'll try here:
Hey, Mr. train-robber person! You are so "out there" it makes me wonder...!
Nowhere on my precinct sign-up was there any place to put that I (am) or (am not) a "Ron Paul delegate," neither did any such "information" appear on the ballot in our precinct when voters chose us, so how did the mysterious 16 get conveyed to you? A dream, perhaps? Or a wish?
As to the nonsense of universal old-liner v. all Ron Paul delegates, no way!
I, for one, am both -- and I know a number of others in that category.
What it really boils down to is CORRUPT old-liners (of which there clearly are some!), CORRUPT neo-cons (of which there are many), num-nums (it goes w/o saying), and newcomers, -- some of whom are not entirely acclimated to "the way things are done," and others for whom there will be no acclimation until things are in balance with what is right and proper among people who love (and live) freedom.
For my part, I'd want those (uncorrupted) of us to unify -- to the extent we can agree in good conscience -- so as to build on the accomplishments made thus far. And yes, standing up to a railroad job master-minded by a Newt, IS an accomplishment. Also it is an accomplishment that occurred by the work of many in the various caucuses, working with both old and new, I might add.
For starters, let us mentor those who need help understanding what freedom is, how it works in a constitutional republic, and how to get back to it! Also,
For those new to parliamentary jargon, let us help them get a handle on it and to learn to discern when it is being used merely to expedite, and when it is used to "bludgeon" any opposition (effectively stifling free speech).
So, Jesse, if you're not on board with us, and you gloat over bludgeoning, why not simplify things and jump off at the next stop? We have legitimate battles to fight and we really don't need snipers in our midst!
I am for Freedom, Peace and Prosperity in our country of the United States of America. It doesn't matter who works hard to keep our freedom what is important is the fact that people are out there doing everything they can to preserve it. It doesn't matter if you are a Ron Paul Supporter, on the executive committee, a member of your county GOP, a grandmother or a young adult. If you are truly for our freedom then you should applaud anyone who stands up for their rights as well as yours. So please stop trying to discredit anyone that is making a difference. Instead talk about your role in regaining our liberty and be thankful there are people out there who care.
It is a shame the freedom movement in Michigan has been so divided since the Paul campaign replaced the Michigan chairman. If we all believe in liberty, why can't we put the past fights behind us and work together? Please quit airing disputes and accusations publicly. This does not help our cause at all. This is not about taking credit or who did all the work.
There were 19 voting Ron Paul supporters in my district. I humbly suggest that the credentials committee does not know who we all are- and thank goodness for that. We are deliberately keeping a low profile.
I'm concerned Michigan Ron Paul supporters are being deceived into overestimating our strength and being lead in the wrong direction.
I think the glorification of Adam Deangeli who helped destroy the Ron Paul campaign may be misplaced.
Perhaps if people cared about experienced and knowledgeable leadership we might actually have a chance to prepare to win this state in 2012 but I guess people care more about reinventing the wheel and making stupid platform motions from the floor and b.s. meetings than winning our state.
The focus should be on following competent leadership and winning our state instead of new leadership that probably doesn't even know about, district chairs, state committee's, nominating committees, and most importanly how to assure a win in 2012.
Adam Ford - Flintmayor.com - Republican State House candidate District 34 - Congressional Candidate district 5 in 2010
Posted By: Adam de Angeli
Date: 2008-09-24 18:00:01
Et tu, Adam? Oh, well.
As for Garfield's claims (his writing style is unmistakable) I don't need to address them because no evidence was provided to back them up. But to clarify a few things...
-Garfield's "Precinct Leader Program" was LIT DROPS. No voter ID, no one-to-one interaction, no GOTV. The Precinct Leader Program that I developed was a method for volunteers to register as precinct leaders, download walking and calling lists with information, instructional materials, and a form for volunteers to report results to the campaign.
-The were NO official delegates from any particular Presidential campaign because the state convention wasn't concerned with the Presidential race (other than electing the electors, which doesn't really count since no person seeking to influence the political would try to do so by becoming an elector and defying the nominee). We came as Republicans with concerns about the proposal and there were no barriers between us and other Republicans. In my district (of maybe 30% of the delegates being Ron Paul supporters) the proposal failed 2-49, with the McCain elector voting with the majority.
-To my knowledge, Garfield was not at the state convention (much less saying the Pledge of Allegiance)
Feel free to believe Garfield, but my reputation is not in question in Washtenaw county, nor at the Campaign For Liberty office, where I work. If you ask anybody that I have ever worked with in person, you will get the same opinion about me and about Garfield.
You are the same childish person Mr. Garfield acknowledged you to be. Drunk, high and stupid. I was at Mackinac and everyone DID see him say the pledge for the opening of the ceremony.
That is except you! Why? Because you were so drunk, so high and obviously so stupid, you missed it. Case in point is you just misstated that Mr. Garfield didn't say the pledge at the convention.
NO ONE SAID HE DID DOPE HEAD! You screwed up this entire state with your know it all (actually knowing nothing) persona. It was Garfield that kept you in the campaign against many objections.
Even after you caused all your trouble all the while working against Mr. Garfield, so you could get a paid position, WE SAW WHAT YOU COULD DO . . . . JACK $H!+ ! All you can take credit for is the destruction of the campaign and for promoting gay activity!
You never were there to help with the program Mr. Garfield developed because you don't drive, so you almost never showed up and of course the rest of the time you were doped up!
Let me remind you. We never had ANY trouble or arguements until YOU got involved with the campaign! You never did anything you were told so don't blame Mr. Garfield. Grow up, attend rehab and stop hiding behind Leslie's jock!
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Two hours before the opening of the convention doors, the 35 people met at the Big Boy near the I-96 off-ramp in Novi for breakfast and strategy. Most of the talking was done by Sean House. Two pieces of literature were distributed at the convention, the business card at the left and a half-page flyer that explained why this platform should be not included as part of the Republican Party platform.