Loading ...
08 State Convention – Advice For Paul Supporters
Here’s the deal, Ron Paul will not be the Republican Presidential candidate. Fact! If you refuse to believe that, well, have fun and quit wasting my time.Â
You are welcome in the party, but you have to understand that the effort on behalf of Paul is a waste of your’s and everyone else’s time. If you look back to the 08 Precinct Caucus Straw Poll results you should see that the rank and file of this party were not coming out in droves for McCain.Â
 Republican Party
  United States President  Candidate Totals Pct    Graph  Mike Huckabee 12493 19.88%   Alan Keyes 368 0.59%   John McCain 13826 22.01%   Ron Paul 9852 15.68%   Mitt Romney 25990 41.37%   Write-in 299 0.48% Â
 78% of those who showed up didn’t vote for McCain, BUT even fewer voted for Ron Paul. The race is over and we need to more on. Â
If the issues that drove you to show up and get involved are no longer represented by any candidate at any level of office, then I hate to break it to you, but the door is over there. The anti-war push is a slim slim minority in the Republican party, and even the gentleman who asked for equal time at the end of the convention said it was just 15%. If anti-war candidates for President are what you want you need to be in Rochester next weekend. (That means vote Obama or Clinton)
A strong national defense is something that a huge majority of Republicans support. If that is your main issue, the Democratic party is your home.Â
Politics Is Local
As I told the Paul people from my BPOU as they were leaving, the war and gold standard stuff has nothing to do with the Minnesota state legislature. Our primary job as BPOU members is to get the people in our Legislative district elected. For us we have 2 candidates for the Minnesota House that we have to get behind and help win.Â
No matter how you feel about Ron Paul and John McCain, they have nothing to do with State House races. As we all saw this Legislative session the DFL is as far left as could be and we need to get every single limited Government person elected there. If we can’t even muster the votes to stop bills in the MN House, the DFL will take us down the road to socialism. If they get veto proof majorities…. I weep for our future and hope you do too.Â
I know a lot of BPOU leaders who have opened up their arms and reached out to the new Paul people. Now that is something that should be appreciated from your side. Of course the State Party leadership won’t welcome you, heck they hate the fact that I am where I am in this party. They loathe anyone who demands accountability and is trying to return this party to conservative principles first. But local leaders are where the rubber meets the road and where you can make a difference.Â
Then What?
Let’s say that the goal of the Paul campaign pans out and he is allowed to speak at the RNC convention. Then what? As members of the Republican party, the day after the convention is the day to get back to work getting as many Republicans elected as we can.Â
It is time decide if you can be a “Republican” with out Ron Paul.Â
Rules and Decorum
The behavior of some Ron Paul people was disgusting. I guess some Ron Paul supporters were writing very vulgar things on their ballots and of course there was some very bad behavior on the convention floor. Sure convention officials and leadership treated you like crap and so did some of the McCain supporters, but it doesn not make it right.
I told one person after the State Central Meeting that your behavior speaks volumes. You have to remain mature and act with respect. You can’t treat the convention goers and volunteers like crap. You have to remain civil and understand that it is majority rules. We’re a private organization and “democracy” ended on Caucus night. We have rules and by laws that govern how we operate. You can’t do something (like vote for who you want on balloting) just because you want to.Â
 Welcome to the club, the current leadership has been doing that to me and the others like me who are sick and tired of RINOs defining this party. We were the outsiders and people they tried to run off long before Ron Paul ever came around. There’s a large segment that can become an ally to most of your goals. With time you will learn who they are and how to work with them to affect real changes. Patience and professional behavior is what is needed. (not this) Those are the tactics of tyrants.Â
Politics is about getting people to agree with you and when they don’t, that’s their right.
You’re not the first ones to be targeted for silence by the current crop of Party leaders. Whining and bemoaning what transpired in Rochester is not going to get you anywhere. You have to move on, and as I said before figure out if there is a place for you in this party.Â
Can you support Norm Coleman?Â
Can you support Bachmann, Kilne, Paulsen, Davis, Matthews, or Barb Davis White?Â
Can you support your State House candidate? There are 134 out there.
If you can’t support one single Republican candidate, all I can say is that it was nice to meet you, we’ll see you in March of 2010. (The next Precinct Caucus)
Honestly you have to stop being Ron Paul supporters and start being Republicans. I’m not one who demands you have to support all Republicans, but you do have to support some. I believe in holding Republicans accountable.
Experience
It was clear that your campaign organizers are not experienced in conventions. You were outgunned and unprepared. The way that leadership and the McCain campaign operated is normal and the fact that you were not able to react and were caught off guard is your fault. You have no one to blame but yourselves or leaders.Â
If you seek to change the Party you will have to commit this to being long term. If you want to take the Republican party back to the 1930’s in its foreign policy or abolish the treasury, you need to realize Ron Paul will not be around. It will take years, not just one election cycle or attending a few conventions in one year.Â
Some of us have started trying to move the ball back to conservatism and limited government. We hope we can someday soon return to something along the lines of Newt’s Contract with America and have members of Congress and even in Minnesota’s Legislature enact strict conservative policies and gain majorities where we begin the process of reducing the size of Government. Maybe some day we can get the state and country back to where you want it and the world safe enough so we don’t need to project our might with the military, but that day is not today, tomorrow, or at the end of the Bush administration.
It will not happen overnight, or just because you want it to. Showing up is not enough. You need to build a majority coalition with in the party first and foremost before you can expect the policies you want to become reality even have an elected official to introduce the legislation.
I still hold out that this is a Libertarian Party thing.Â
If you cannot agree to disagree on some of your issues, and demand 100% adherence, then you need to find another place. We all do have to give and take. We have to be able to agree to disagree. If the war is your #1 unmovable issue, the Republican party is not the place where you will find your idea embraced.Â
And in case you don’t remember, you have to forget about Ron Paul for 2008. He will not be the Republican candidate.Â
—————-
BTW: Oh and because some Ron Paul supporters are still getting it wrong (I’m still loathed in the forums for the 6th CD).
I did not make a motion to bind the National Delegates at the 6th District to John McCain.
I made a motion to bind them to what they told the Nominating Committee which was reported to the Delegation. They said John McCain.
Hate me for it if you like, but  please get the facts right.Â
Oh and be pleased, that was a case where the rules worked in your favor. My motion was thrown out afterwards since it isn’t allowed by our constitution.Â
Did you see me working against you at the State Convention? No you did not. I’m not your enemy. I may not agree with Ron Paul’s core ideas, but…. well, I’m willing to see if we can be allies enough to get good conservatives elected to office.Â
Sphere: Related Content
Andy,
The Paul folks that I talk to are willing to stick around and try to change the party long term. In your 6th district they have been making phone calls etc for the party already. In the 7th they have become involved in BPOUs as well.
On the war, the Republican party will destroy itself in the middle east. Give it up before it is too late for the party and the country.
” The Thousand Year War” written by Richard Maybury is a good resource in understanding the history and futility of the middle east.
I once believed as you do on foreign policy, police powers. I do not any longer, liberty has to be the goal of a people or we will lose it.
I do sincerley hope we can work together on things we agree on.
[...] Sarah Lai Stirland wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptNo matter how you feel about Ron Paul and John McCain, they have nothing to do with State House races. As we all saw this Legislative session the DFL is as far left as could be and we need to get every single limited Government person … Read the rest of this great post here [...]
[...] Lew Rockwell wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptNo matter how you feel about Ron Paul and John McCain, they have nothing to do with State House races. As we all saw this Legislative session the DFL is as far left as could be and we need to get every single limited Government person … [...]
I can’t believe that I just read this. I was so impressed at how “fair” your last blog was about the convention. I guess that I was wrong. I wish that you could understand that the MAJORITY of the Ron Paul supporters weren’t showing that kind of behavior. In fact, when it was brought up at the microphone, it was a Paul supporter telling the others to knock it off. I personally did my best to make those around me act respectful (and I only had to do that with a few). I, as well as many others that I know, do plan on being in it for the long haul. We do support certain republican candidates… just not all… is that not what you asked for? Then why do we seem to have a problem here? If people continue to support Ron Paul, leave them alone. No one is telling you that you cannot support your candidate. It is a matter of principal, and some people simply are not able, in their hearts, to support someone with drastically different views from their own. I happen to be one of those, I will always support the good Dr. Paul, he is a wonderful American. I also support other candidates… republican candidates, if you must know. Can we not just agree to disagree on some things?
[...] Liberally Conservative wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptUnited States President. Candidate, Totals, Pct, Graph. Mike Huckabee, 12493, 19.88%. Alan Keyes, 368, 0.59%. John McCain, 13826, 22.01%. Ron Paul, 9852, 15.68%. Mitt Romney, 25990, 41.37%. Write-in, 299, 0.48% … [...]
Cls,
Just wait, I’ll be ripping leadership too for how they behaved.
And as the Ron Paul people were upset at the behavior of a few McCain supporters, it does reflect on you as a whole. Being involved in Party politics is serious business that requires professional behavior. I don’t give a damn about how small the number is who wrote nasty things, that type of behavior is unwelcome in the Republican party.
Inexcusable.
Andy,
If not for the Paul people the leadership would have got their change to the constitution concerning BPOU leadership. A change you spoke against. I would appreciate a thank you instead of a lecture. You may need the Paul peoples support next year to elect party leadership. It might not be wise on your part to make enemies of a whole group of delegates.
Stop whining about some people writing bad words on the ballots. We have plenty to complain about as well, like leadership not following their own rules.
Politics is serious business you say. What I seen this weekend was nothing but a coronation. Delegates doing exactly as their were told. “Green sign means yes, Red sign means no” I do not think it was taken very serious by establishment folks. They just did what they are told, no thinking for themselves.
If I want to continue to support Paul and similar candidates that is my business and not yours. Why don’t you just drop it. When we agree we will work together, and just leave it at that. Remember Andy you are just one man with very little clout, so why be intent on making enemies
Andy,
I had wanted to get together with you to talk about working together on matters we have in common. It appears, however, that you are not one of those who are interested in coming to the table with the Ron Paul Republicans. Maybe in a few years when you have a little experience under your belt would make more sense.
Marianne
It sounds like Andy is perfectly willing to work with Ron Paul supporters from what I’ve been reading. He’s rightly irritated by behavior exhibited by people from all factions at the convention. No group is totally blameless (though I’m inclined to lay most of the blame on one man. His name is Ron, and he’s not from Texas). Regardless, the way forward is to try and set aside the blame (after couple days of respectful internal venting, perhaps), make amends, find common ground and get back to building a conservative coalition.
At the core, we all have many common objectives. Let’s focus on that and get some of them done.
I will support true conservative Republicans, not RINO’s. I personally don’t give a damn about ‘party unity’; but I do stand by my beliefs and principles. No longer will I vote for someone just because they have an ‘R’ behind their name. Their voting record better be conservative, or I’ll be voting for the candidate who does have a conservative record.
Oh, one more thing; in my precinct caucus, McCain got the lowest number of votes. (Yes, even behind Paul).
Cripes Marianne, you’re still as sanctimonious as you were when you carpetbagged your way into Senate District 63 to run for the state senate.
You slunk away after a less than stellar campaign. Of course, the fact that were a number of precinct delegates who wouldn’t support you probably had a little to do with that.
I had thought by now that you’d be ensconced in a bunker out in Montana, consuming Y2K dried foodstuffs and watching for black helicopters.
Please go away and take your self-righteousness with you. The IQ of the state GOP will definitely increase without your presence.
Goodness, Steve. I did better against Ranum than that district had seen, and it wasn’t for fun. The party asked me to come in there to run. I would have been MORE than happy for you to run.
Andy was saying this campaign lacked experience and my point, which may not have been clear enough, was a poke at his acknowledged experience of three conventions.
Steve,
Haven’t you heard, the Republican party is getting awfully small? Are you sure you want to chase people away?
Talk about self righteous, if you don’t believe as Steve does, just go away. I hate to break it to you, this isn’t just your party. If I were you I would get used to folks like Marianne who understand liberty, being involved in the party. Have you noticed the youth in the Paul camp? You may get out lasted and be the one who ends up leaving. Maybe the new Fascist War Party will be born for you to join.
I think it will be great fun challenging many modern conservative beliefs within the party. I used to believe like many of you. In the complete goodness of US Foreign Policy, the Drug War and Clamping Down on Civil Liberties in the name of Security. I changed my thinking and I believe many of you will as well. Once you become sceptical of this power in Washington you will never go back to trusting in it. So let the games begin!!!!!!
Andy, I agreed with your other post but then you turn around and bite!
The behavior of some Ron Paul people was disgusting.
And the behavior of the party leadership and some of the other delegates was disgusting. Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater!
I guess some Ron Paul supporters were writing very vulgar things on their ballots and of course there was some very bad behavior on the convention floor.
Several things were said at the mics that weren’t true (accusing those RedHats of being Paul plants, for starters). That claim as best I know is heresay. I’d like to know how many ballots were inappropriate- I’m not saying there were none but that statement was made for EFFECT. Regardless, I CANNOT control the actions of anyone and did not endorse or encourage such behavior. As an Olmsted delegate, I hoped that my seat literally front and center allowed me to set a good example.
I plan to actively support my local and neighboring House District candidates and Brian Davis– and Barb Davis White, who in my opinion was the best speech allowed at the convention. Beyond that, at this time, I do not plan to be actively DIRECTLY contributing to others for November (though I won’t work against them). I am HAPPY that my BPOU leader has demonstrated openness to the new people and even solicited our input on how to make the next convention go more smoothly with regard to complaints of bias.
Personally I think you are in some sort of denial based solely on Dr. Paul’s stance on Iraq. I can understand believing that immediate withdrawal is bad strategy, but to my mind, anyone who thinks that should automatically support a Congressional declaration of War. I do NOT think we should be wasting money, lives, and the goodwill of the World by maintaining military occupation of countries all over the globe.
If you cannot agree to disagree on some of your issues, and demand 100% adherence, then you need to find another place.
Pot, meet Kettle. Kettle, Pot. look who’s talking- you want RP supporters to back off and support everything YOU think we as Republicans should believe. I refuse. I believe that what this country needs is a president who holds our Constitution in highest regard instead of so much toilet paper. But as I said, I see myself giving time, energy, and funds to several in-state candidates who support those ideals. Don’t act like my voice has no place at the conventions because I won’t get behind ONE PERSON who is wrong for this party.
And hey, thanks for not moving to bind the delegates at State.
Sorry, but I said I was going to be honest. And if you look into it, this is advice that can turn this into a lasting relationship, not a blip.
Marrianne: You did get worked by leadership on this one. You did seem unprepared. Your Delegates didn’t know what was going on. You’d done so well to this point on those things, I was surprised to see it all go down hill. Then you lost control of them and certain people became undisciplined. Not all, but some.
RL: To your last point: No, I said if you can’t find one endorsed Republican that isn’t named Ron Paul to support, no matter what level of office, then we should part ways. Ron Paul will not be a Republican on the ballot in Minnesota this year. If you cannot possibly support anyone with an (R) besides him, then it is a problem. I’m not saying you HAVE to support McCain, Norm, etc. But you will not be able to support Ron Paul in Minnesota. See my latest post if you think I am one of the establishment types demanding blind loyalty. http://www.residualforces.com/2008/06/03/dear-norm-cap-and-trade-in-political-re-action/
And yes, the actions of a few jack asses reflects upon the entire group. Both campaigns had jerks. I should have included the punks from the McCain camp that blamed Paul’s camp for Golnik’s sign thing in the leadership advice post.
Honest mistake, but I’m really done with this and going to move on. It does me no good to try and help. I’ve thoroughly pissed off both sides and rekindled the hatred towards me from the party leadership and establishment. Mission accomplished for me. Now I am going back to focusing on the issues and helping my BPOU and CD.
“Now I am going back to focusing on the issues and helping my BPOU and CD.”
Well said.
If you don’t like Norm or McCain, then use that extra time to help a local candidate you do support (and they don’t even have to be in your own BPOU)
If you look around and can’t find anyone to support, or the only people you want to support must support Ron Paul, then it was nice knowing you – don’t let the door hit you on the way out.