News from the Nevada State GOP Convention!

Delays, if you want to call them that, were the result of various things...

First, the meeting started late, almost 9:30 instead of 9:00. There were various presentations, people speaking, and videos that, frankly, weren't exactly top priority.

Then we had the situation where a small committee had chosen the list of potential national delegates in a way that many were not comfortable with. This appeared to be a move by the GOP establishment to control who could/could not be a delegate. Many of the delegates present yesterday said they had not received the packet in the mail which was their only way to have the form and information needed to apply to be a national delegate. The people in charge tried to blame it on the post office, but I don't buy that - there were a LOT of delegates who said they didn't receive the packet.

That's when we were eventually able to get the vote needed to allow delegates to be nominated from the floor (anyone present, not just the hand-picked pre-selected group). There were lots of motions and discussions that took quite a bit of time - partly because that's the nature of a large meeting like this, and perhaps some with less honorable motives.

One thing that probably saved HOURS of time was the adoption of the platform as developed prior to the convention by the platform committee without debating each individual plank. I was surprised at how conservative it was (looked like there was a lot of RP influence). It calls for a strict interpretation of US Constitution, repeal of Federal Reserve Act, demand to return to gold/silver currency, strict enforcement of all immigration laws, repeal Patriot Act, withdraw from UN, etc. I was amazed when the convention voted to accept it as written without going into a lengthy discussion/debate of each plank, as we had done at the Washoe county convention last month.

To blame the delays on RP supporters is simply dishonest. Oh, sure, if we had not been there, and had not needed to discuss and vote on things like rules and delegate lists designed to marginalize our participation, it would have taken less time. Between starting late, using a lot of time on low-priority activities, using time fighting the attempts by party hacks to railroad the process, it is ridiculous to think that everything could have been done by 5:00 or 6:00.

There were also a few attempts by the chair, in my opinion, to quickly sneak votes through. At one point a vote on something was made and everyone around me was puzzled as to what had just happened. There were also a few indications that those in charge had a bit of an attitude toward RP supporters - comments from the podium like "All you RP supporters be quiet; everyone else can talk, just the RP supporters be quiet." This is not the exact quote, but it is very close and you can hear it on one of the YouTube videos from the end of the day when things were getting out of control.

In my view they deliberately allowed the time to be wasted and run out, and I don't believe for one second that we could not have stayed later in that meeting room if they had wanted to. Even the materials I received when signing up as a state delegate mentioned that the convention could take longer than expected. I don't have it in front of me at the moment, but as I recall it even mentioned the possibility of a second day - which I, of course, expected to be the following day (today). Actually, I think most of us anticipated even early in the day that we would be there late into the night, based on the slow pace and the numerous low-priority activities.

There is no doubt in my mind that they are lying about the real reasons they shut it down in such an abrupt and unusual manner. The Nevada GOP establishment is a slimy bunch of dirtbags, IMHO.

Let me conclude on a positive note: Mike Weber, although not specifically a RP supporter, was an ongoing advocate throughout the day of fairness and transparency and following the correct procedures and rules. He is an expert on procedure, and frequently challenged the chair when the establishment was out of line. As a candidate for a NV assembly seat, he took a big risk and led the effort at the end to reconvene the convention when the GOP officials had left. He is smart, gutsy, and seems to truly believe in doing what's right even when it could cost him dearly. I'm not in his district, but I will definitely make a substantial donation to his campaign. He could use some encouragement and thanks from all of us. His website:

http://www.weber32.com/weber_32_002.htm

I was prepared to return to the Peppermill today if necessary, but after checking email, calling the hotel, etc. I saw nothing indicating that anything would be happening today.

This whole thing is stunning and sickening. Some of the guilty (who are running for re-election) will, I suspect, pay a heavy price for their actions. Hopefully Beers will be looking for a job later this year - and I intend to support his opponents so they can do their part to help him out.

Can a judge order a private party to convene?

I respectfully disagree. I think that representatives from any party that participate in the election should be present. Usually two parties are insufficient.

If Congressional District X had candidates running from party's A, B, C, and D; then representatives from all those parties should be present to observe the vote tallying process.

As for paper ballots, I strongly agree.

Where is Steve? He should know. There should be some provision or rule covering this illegal action.....

they cant just abandon the convention, whats the recourse?

that the 6pm deadline was a complete load of crap.

They were losing, so the chairman said "I think I'll take my ball and go home."

Go back and get'em tomorrow.

I wish I could have done more this week.
But I am flat on my back with torn shoulder muscles. And a pinched nerve.
I couldn't even go to the convention.
But I am typing, blogging, and calling my butt off..
You should see the position I'm in, just so I can comfortably type on the laptop..(on second thought, maybe you shouldn't see this..LOL )

Us Nevadans feel your Ohio energy..thank you!

get your ducks in a row, know who you want to vote for to go to the National, have those people have there aplications in and to the GOP, know there names and who can attend and WILL attend, know Robert's rules and vote for those individuals.