I don't know convention rules, so won't digree into a full debate over the process, but to say that in each meeting I attended (I was in 7 of the district meeting with Jon Costas) the Ron Paul support caucus was trying to raise some transparency issues with regards to how delegates to the national convention are elected. We've read that there was a lot more acrimony in other states, but here in Indiana it all seemed perfectly well meaning.
Update: a post by a Ron Paul supporter who suggests that they had 400 votes and Greg Zoeller went to meet with them the week prior to the convention to gain their support:
How the GOP kept the Pauliacs Quiet on Monday
I was sent a link Tuesday to a Ron Paul meetup conversation where the author a Joel Ferguson outlined his thoughts as a delegate. He called for the Ron Paul caucus to attempt to take a majority position in the convention in two years, by tripling their numbers. I don't think this will happen, but it sure falls within the democratic intent of the process.
I guess the key is to make sure that Republicans statewide take being a precinct chair or state delegate serious. In many counties there were more appointees than elected delegates. That's a bit moronic. If you are serious about conservative principles and want to see a great party, register to be a delegate, a chair, and get involved.
If you recall the largest argument here and on many conservative sites over the AG nomination was all about the Marion County Chairman supposedly "ordering" his appointees to vote for Jon Costas. He wouldn't have that kind of power if all the delegate positions were filled by elected Republicans.
5 comments:
That was an interesting article, both yours and the one with the RP supporter. I also commented on that article after your comment. I see their point, yet that is quite a spoiler!
Perhaps, I'm not convinced they actually had 300 or 400 there. And they aligned themselves with the Zoeller types who were ticked at Jon for not being hard right enough to meet a litmus test of conservatism.
I am more concerned that there is general apathy in the party, and whether it's Ron Paul people, or libertarians, or even just crazies ... they could get control of counties or the convention is we sit around and complain.
I'm a Costas supporter, but I'm also leaning towards libertarianism these days. I actually emailed the Libertarian party in Lake County, but no one has returned my email. We'll if I join the party or not. It appears you have to pay to join the party on lp.org.
I know I had heard there were between 300-400. I had heard that the night before the vote.
I understand what you are saying though Steve, who's fault is it if these people can sway the vote like that? Ours of course because beside a faithful few who get off their butt and run for precinct committeemen and delegates everyone else just stands back and watches.
I do know that the contested races were won by party loyals so that just goes to show you that we need to get more of our people energized.
If our party gets taken over it b the liberaterians it is because we allowed it to happen.
I've heard rumblings that Ron Paul Republicans are considering doing what those in Texas did prior to the next convention.
Those people were successful in suing the state GOP for rules violations. Read all about it here:
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/51454
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