Comment: Good strategy and the right thing to do

Thank you for having a level head, Laura. I think what some DP'ers may not realize about states like Nebraska is that we have a political culture in the Upper Midwest that is different from some of the states in which we've seen strong-arm tactics and cheating by the establishment. Not that those things couldn't take place on occasion, but it's not the norm. We don't want to overreact.

I'm from Iowa. Contrary to some guesses, I don't think Paul was cheated out of a victory in January. He peaked too soon. He was the subject of a barrage of media attacks at the last minute and the national campaign did not adequately respond. Also, despite efforts on the ground in Iowa, the national campaign never successfully built a bridge to the Religious Right on a wide scale. Paul himself also refused to "pander" on the subject of Christianity and social morality and that also hindered the effort. Those are the things that cost us a victory in Iowa -- even though the strong third place finish was impressive to everyone except us.

At the state convention in Iowa, the convention chair was not a Paul supporter, as far as I know, but he was fair. At my district caucus that chose some national delegates, the caucus chair was a candidate for national delegate as part of a stop-Paul slate. Yet the votes were counted accurately and the chair behaved professionally. I'm guessing the same will happen in Nebraska. The governor's boorish comments are one thing; the rank and file conduct is another.

When you don't have a majority--at the Iowa state convention the Paul forces didn't have a majority even though we came close--you have to reach out to "party regulars." Laura is exactly right. I'd recommend building a bridge to the Santorum, Gingrich, and Bachmann folks--most of whom are anti-establishment and used to be anti-Romney. Today, they're probably resigned to Romney but unethusiastic. Emphasize basic conservative values. Empashize that Taft carried the Nebraska primary in 52. Goldwater in 64. Reagan in 76 and 80. Those are our people. Nebraska should be our state. They just don't realize that Ron Paul represents the values they hold dear themselves, whereas Romney represents personal pursuit of power and not much else.

- delegate from Iowa to Tampa