FORWARD THIS: Delegates For Ron Paul Announcement
Posted April 30th, 2008 by RP_4_VP
output
Fellow Ron Paul Supporters,
I would ask you to please read this letter, then FORWARD IT to as many other Ron Paul supporters, MeetUps, Yahoo! groups, and email lists that you possibly can. I think you'll see why when you read it.
We have a chance to WIN at the Republican National Convention... but our backup plan has even MORE of a chance. Please take a couple of minutes to read this letter, and let me explain.
I am an elected Alternate Delegate to the Republican National Convention, from Georgia.
I am also a Ron Paul supporter. I have been one since heading up North Carolina Students for Ron Paul during his first campaign for President, in 1987-1988. I then followed Dr. Paul out of the Libertarian Party and into the GOP, in order to help begin the process of bringing the party back to its true conservative, limited government roots.
I am writing to you today to let you know about an exciting project we have launched, and to ask you to help us make this project a success. It's a new political committee, which operates much like a PAC, but exists to support delegates only.
It's called DELEGATES FOR RON PAUL FOR VICE PRESIDENT:
Please don't stop reading. I KNOW we are trying to get Dr. Paul elected as president. I'm right in there with you.
In fact, this Delegate Committee (DC - like a PAC) can be a big boost towards achieving that goal, in spite of its name.
You see, we've created this committee with the primary goal of raising money -- a LOT of money -- enough to send every single Ron Paul supporter who has been elected as a delegate or alternate to the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul.
We understand that the goal in Minnesota is the presidential nomination. But that can't happen unless we can get all of the people who have worked hard, in order to win their state's delegate elections, UP there to Minnesota.
That's where we come in.
We anticipate that there will be at least 500 delegates and alternates attending the RNC who are Ron Paul supporters (regardless of who they're "pledged" to vote for in the first round of presidential nominations). At an average cost of $3000-5000 per person, there will be a lot of people who really can't afford to go, who are willing to sleep in cars and eat peanut butter sandwiches in order to have the opportunity to affect CHANGE at that convention.
We don't think they should have to do that. That's why we're raising the money to send them.
Supporters of the Ron Paul R3VOLution have come through for the cause, time and again. Now, we need one more push -- and we'll have the chance to accomplish the immediate goal at the National Convention.
But it's going to cost at least $500,000 just to START -- and we need YOUR help to do it:
Our Delegate Committee is the "public face" of the current INDEPENDENT effort to get Ron Paul elected at the National Convention. (Please Note: The Ron Paul Campaign is NOT affiliated with or endorsing this effort. They couldn't anyway -- he's not running for VP!) As a "political committee" under 11 CFR 110.14(b)(2) we are committed to two main goals: (1) to raise and donate enough money to send to the 2008 Republican National Convention every single Ron Paul supporter who has been elected as a delegate or alternate delegate; and (2) to promote the candidacy of Ron Paul to every delegate and alternate delegate attending the convention.
As you know by now, Ron Paul CAN still win the Republican nomination for President. Ron Paul will likely have at least 1/4 of the delegates at the Republican National Convention ready to throw their unpledged votes to him if it gets to a second vote.
Out of all the delegates heading for the Republican National Convention:
- 471 delegates are bound all the way through the entire convention (which means they can only vote for whomever won the popular vote in their state); however, 14 of these are unbound all the way through the entire convention due to being bound to candidates who have dropped out.
- 565 delegates will be bound through one ballot only. These guys have to follow the results of their state election on the first ballot only. After that, if there is not a majority, they are free to vote as they please. If McCain doesn't get over 50% on the first ballot, these guys all go into play after the first vote (however, 156 of these are unbound all the way through the entire convention due to being bound to candidates who have dropped out, and 5 of these are already bound to Ron Paul).
- 455 will be bound through two ballots, and then they are free to vote as they please (however, 135 of these are unbound all the way through the entire convention due to being bound to candidates who have dropped out, and 5 of these are already bound to Ron Paul).
- 246 will be bound through three ballots, and then they are free to vote as they please (however, 16 of these are unbound all the way through the entire convention due to being bound to candidates who have dropped out).
- 463 are unbound all the way through the entire convention.
- 126 are unbound all the way through the entire convention due to being Party Delegates (State Chairmen, State Committeemen, State Committeewomen).
All of this means that: (1) there are 910 unbound delegates available from the first ballot (plus another 10 delegates are bound to Ron Paul); (2) if McCain can be held to less than 1191 votes on the first ballot, there will be 1319 unbound delegates available for the second vote - that is, a majority of delegates will be unbound (plus another 5 delegates are bound to Ron Paul). Should a third ballot be necessary, there will be 1639 unbound delegates available (and 1869 available should further ballots be necessary).
It only takes a majority of the delegations from as few as five states supporting a presidential candidate to force a floor vote on that candidate (see Rule No. 40b at http://www.gop.com/About/... ). If there are 1191 Ron Paul supporters voting as unbound delegates at the Republican National Convention, Ron Paul can win the GOP nomination - IF it gets to a second or third vote. (Please Note: We are NOT encouraging bound delegates to disregard party rules or state laws in who they can vote for, and for how many votes.)
According to the most accurate record of how delegates are assigned at http://www.thegreenpapers... , as of April 28th, McCain has 1067 bound or pledged delegates. He STILL needs 124 bound delegates to reach 1191 bound delegates and "sew it up" before the convention. (NOTE: In fact, McCain's "Hard count" of pledged delegates, "the preference as originally assigned," [http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/R-HS.phtml ], is still only 823, leaving an additional 368 "hard" bound delegates to go.)
Of the remaining states, here's the breakdown:
Indiana - May 6 - 27 bound and 30 unbound
North Carolina - May 6 - 69 bound
Nebraska - May 13 - 30 bound and 3 unbound
Kentucky - May 20 - 45 bound
Oregon - May 20 - 27 bound and 3 unbound
Idaho - May 27 - 26 bound and 6 unbound
South Dakota - June 3 - 24 bound and 3 unbound
New Mexico - June 3 - 29 bound and 3 unbound
So McCain still needs at least 124 more bound delegates to reach 1191, out of the 274 left. As we know, Ron Paul supporters have gotten very involved in the actual delegate selection process (not the primary and caucus votes, but the precinct, county, district and state conventions where delegates are selected to go to the RNC). They've quickly learned the ropes and rules of the process, and have reportedly gained sizeable minorities, if not outright majorities, in delegations from districts and states across the country. (Long-time Republican strategist Patrick Ruffini believes that the number of Ron Paul supporters attending the convention as delegates may be as high as 20-30%; the best estimate is that at a minimum there will be at least 500 there.)
This is obviously a VERY LONG SHOT effort. It's worth the try -- but there is a "backup" approach that can be engaged, and CAN BE WON on the first vote: The presidential nominee and the vice presidential nominee are NOT voted on together, and delegates are NOT bound to vote for the VP choice of the presidential candidate they may otherwise be bound to support. RNC rules say that the vice presidential nominee is voted on in the same manner as the presidential nominee (but in a separate vote). So, should McCain win the nomination, if a majority of delegates at the convention do not vote for his pick for VP, his pick cannot win the nomination for VP.
Once again, if a majority of the delegations from as few as five states support another vice-presidential candidate, they can force a floor vote on that alternative (see again Rule No. 40b at http://www.gop.com/About/... ). So, should McCain win the nomination, and should the majority of at least five state delegations force a floor vote on Ron Paul for VP, and should Ron Paul then receive a majority of total delegate votes...
Ron Paul can WIN the VP nomination.
This will mean that we have to convince enough delegates coming to the convention -- who aren't already Ron Paul supporters -- to support the ONLY TRUE CONSERVATIVE for the Vice Presidential nomination.
To do this, we also need to raise the money to fund informational campaigns targeted at national delegates, potential delegates, GOP officials and bigwigs, utilizing email, direct mail, phone banking, "grasstops" (person-to-person) lobbying, and more (it is much easier and less costly to campaign to 4,600 people coming to one location than running in 50 primaries and caucuses with 20 million voters!).
The greatest tool will be giving away thousands of copies of "The Revolution: A Manifesto," with one going to every single GOP delegate that arrives in Minneapolis/St. Paul in September. In fact, this should not be their first "touch" - a copy should already have been sent to their homes before they even left, along with at least four short informational DVDs on Ron Paul.
But it's going to cost at LEAST another $10,000 to send all of this information -- and we need YOUR help to do it:
The bottom line is, we are trying to get OUR people to the convention through our "Adopt A Delegate" campaign (https://secure.responseen... ), and we're trying to convince all of the OTHER delegates going to the convention to vote for Ron Paul on the floor of the convention through our "Convert A Delegate" campaign (https://secure.responseen... ).
Will you help us do this?
Is it worth one more moment of sacrificial giving to push the Ron Paul R3VOLution OVER THE TOP?
Is it worth one more MONEY BOMB to turn this country around -- by turning the Republican Party around?
WE CAN STILL WIN -- but not without YOUR help.
Check us out at http://www.DelegatesForRo... -- then PLEASE, make your BEST contribution right away.
Thank you.
For the R3VOLution,
Bill Greene
Delegates for Ron Paul for Vice President
P.S. It was another freedom fighter with the last name of Paul -- Alice Paul, the suffragist -- who originally said, "If not us, who? If not now, when?" This is our chance to not only influence history, but to MAKE history.
Opportunities like this don't come along very often in the course of human events. Let's not miss it. Please, help with your best donation NOW:
https://secure.responseen...
https://secure.responseen...
Thank you.
http://www.delegatesforro...
Bookmark/Search this post with:
I think this is a very
I think this is a very important project, and I would be willing to contribute, however, the only flaw I can see is the fact that to be able to get all those Ron Paul delegates to the convention, you will need to acquire the delegate lists. I have been working toward this goal already as I am involved in the Nationsl DVD for Delegates project which is seeking to put an educational DVD in the hands of every National Delegate, especially the McCain supporters in an effort to educate and persuade them to our side. However, as of yet. I have not found anyone willing to share their delegate lists. Good luck.
Things are only impossible until they are not.
-- Jean Luc Picard
Ours is a two-fold process:
Ours is a two-fold process: one is needing lists of RP-supporting delegates (which is mostly self-reporting, based on need); the other is getting lists of the rest of the delegates. And you're right, it can be difficult; but vendors selling GOP stuff get the lists, so eventually and with effort (and money), we should be able to as well.
Of course, the more we can get through volunteer efforts, the less we'll have to raise and spend! :)
BG
--------------------------------
http://www.DelegatesForRo...
Recognizing the need for funding the delegates
is good. In fact, everyone needs to rethink this naive notion of an all volounteer effort and its realistic chances of ever winning against ruthless professionals with unlimited funding.
HQs was sent $33 million to use to get RP elected. There is no better use of these funds than to hire local campaign workers and cover the neccessary expenses that it takes to educate, organize and get RP delegates elected.
This quaint, yet lingering idea of an all volounteer effort ever succeeding against one with unlimited funding is a fundemental misconception and flawed strategy that will continue to give the advantage to the opposition. As long as it remains, Rove will continue to laugh at this folly of illusion and self-inflicted defeat.
F*#K ROVE!
I can understand your thinking - the whole David and Goliath outlook and all, but oftentimes when you HIRE someone to campaign, they don't necessarily share the passion that the volunteers feels. I know that in Alaska, there were issues between the TRUE, PASSIONATE volunteer supporters and the HIRED HELP. It seemed that the volunteers are wililng to sacrifice for the benefit of the cause moreso than the paid campaign workers.
The key is to hire and fund the ones who
are true believers.
A RP fanatic with a lack of resources is severely handicapped, and just because you hire a RP supporter that doesn't mean they instantly become complacent. You simply find the most active RP volunteers in a local area and either fund them or someone they reccommend.
bump
for everyone
Where and When was,
Where and When was, this posted? Some here at DP, a couple weeks ago suggested this needed to be done and "WOW" I've found it.! I'll try too keep it brief. I'm a strong supporter of our movement, that was/is not in the position to adequately attend the the demands of a delegate. I am however going to be in MN on Sept. 1st., staying at a hotel in a town called Minitonka or something like that. Its in a neighboring town and was not booked and was financially feasible. I will be able to maintain my employment, though will suffer a disciplinary "Point" from my employer and as well will need to scrape up a Dr.'s note before they'll allow me to come back to work. 3 days no note, 4 days or more ya need a note...
So I'm going to go as a "Cheerleader" albeit Male or I hope to get contacted by the NRP / MN GOP to be a volunteer during the event. I've yet too hear from them. I've been throwing $$ too RP, some Liberty Pac group, the blimp, the boxer, the race car our beloved Grannies and a few others. Is this request for yet more $$ a scam? As I've read it, though maybe through overly optimistic eyes and ignorantly flawed reading comprehension. I will give $25 of my un-budgeted income towards this noble cause if not only for the hope it furnishes me or us but as well as a means to apologize for the fact that at this time in my life, I don't have the time to be a delegate. I would respectfully ask the "Author" of this thread to maybe edit the title as I've skipped over this all day, because I thought it was directed to "Delegate(s)". Thank you all, for your time. "Onward"
Thanks, F4F! We got our FEC
Thanks, F4F! We got our FEC approval this past week, so we just started getting the word out about our efforts. The more our people can help spread the word, the better!
I'll be putting up a new post soon, with maybe a better Title. Thanks again!
BG
--------------------------------
http://www.DelegatesForRo...
I can only do what I can....
Thank you for donating your resources to help support Delegates for Ron
Paul. This email is confirming your donation in the amount of $25.00.
Your credit card will be processed by our secure payment processor,
Response Enterprises. **Please note, "Response Enterprises" will show on
your billing statement, not Delegates for Ron Paul.
If you have any questions about your donation, please reply to this
email. Be sure not to delete your transaction ID below, as it will be
used in all correspondence.
TransactionID: xxxxxxxxxx1810131678901
Thank you once again for supporting our cause!
I am a Texas State Delegate
and my husband and Mother are both alternates. We are Dr. Ron Paul supporters. We are heading to our State Convention in June and this is going to cost us money we don't have. Even so, we are going to do everything possible to be elected as delegates for the National Convention.
We are also trying to get to the Freedom Rally in SD with the Grannywarriors and the whole gang of freedom loving Patriots. We are going to make it a family vacation and hope that we will become a part of history and our children will see true democracy in action. Again, we will borrow money to do this.
I for one would be extremely grateful for assistance in expenses if we make it to Minneapolis for the Convention. However, we will go whether we can afford it or not - this is our last hope for America.
My two cents.
President Ron Paul in 2008!
AMEN to that!
We, too are in the same boat - my husband just lost his job a few weeks ago and we are behind on our mortgage, but it is well worth the expense (that we cannot afford) for the hope we have in this cause. It is for the future of my children and your children that we need to make this Revolution a priority. The same economy that is crushing us in regards to this campaign will NOT get any easier either - without the help and guidance of an ethical, honest, intelligent individual who can fix this country's economic issues.....we need to stand up now - else we will regret it soon enough.
not DEMOCRACY!!
a Republic!
That's exactly why we're doing this
Kay, thanks for your comments. It's folks like you who are the reason we're putting forth this effort. If you get elected to the RNC, please be sure to visit our site, fill in the form, and let us know.
Thanks for all you do.
BG
--------------------------------
http://www.DelegatesForRo...
I have no idea as to who you
I have no idea as to who you are. If delegates in my state need financial help I will donate at a state level. I don't think it is wise to try to help an anonymous person raise half a million dollars. As I said, I will give to local delegates if they need money for the convention.
Fully transparent
rpr,
Our DC is fully transparent, as required by law. Our website links directly to the FEC's website for our donations and expenditures (though there obviously isn't info there yet, as we just launched).
If you want to donate directly to delegates from your state, please do. We're trying to raise the funds for those who don't have wealthy folks like you to back them up. :)
BG
--------------------------------
http://www.DelegatesForRo...
Re: Go back
Gun Trap - I don't think you actually read this whole post, OR visited the website, did you?
I make it clear who I am in the post. And I make it clear what the intent of our efforts are. I shouldn't have to spell it out any clearer.
BG
--------------------------------
http://www.DelegatesForRo...
Yes, $3000-5000
Lisa C.,
Yes, $3000-5000. I just confirmed this *again* with the lady leading the efforts in Washington State. I know a lot of folks who have gone to National in the past, and they will tell you the same thing.
Can it be done for cheaper? Sure, like the post says, "there will be a lot of people who really can't afford to go, who are willing to sleep in cars and eat peanut butter sandwiches" -- but we'll get a lot more accomplished if we're attending all of the delegate events, and eating with our fellow delegates, and staying at the official hotel for our delegates.
We're not forcing anyone to take the money. But we want to make it available.
BG
--------------------------------
http://www.DelegatesForRo...
This Is Why Those Old Crusty......
neocons are pulling all the shit "were leaving" crap like Nevada.They are breathing their last breaths.................
Thomas, maybe they'll leave
Thomas, maybe they'll leave in Minnesota, and we can finally take the party back.
:-)
BG
--------------------------------
http://www.DelegatesForRo...
good idea
There is nothing wrong with a plan B "IF" plan A does not work. Great thinking (of course it is. Your a Paul supporter). Besides who's next in line if the president happens to die anyway?
Very good post.
Now with regard to the Ron Paul candidate for congress and senate, I want to add: there are a few conservative senators, but we do have Dr. Murray Sabrin, whom we should ensure to win the GOP primary in his 3 man race. There are more senate positions qualified and very strong Ron Paul endorsing candidates should go and organise for:
Arkansas: the GOP did not field a candidate in time, but is there not someone that can run as an Independent (or another party), that can secure the support of all of the local GOP as well as Independents , Libertarians and Constitutionalists to win? If we can idenfiy a very strong candidate, he or she should start action soon.
Nebraska: Sen. Chuck Hagel will not be a candidate for a third term, so there is an opening and possibility of a strong RP GOP senator
In Idaho, sen Larry Craig will not be runnign again, so there is another possibility. Hopefully Dr. Paul can meet with such a person during the campaign in Idaho
Pennsylvania, people should also take into account that Sen. Arlen Specter may be forced to stop some time, as he has conctracted cancer again and is not too young anymore, so start working towards identifying an adequete person for the future.
Incumbants normally have the best chance to get re-elected, but here we have a chance to get not only one, but at least four, possibly five or more Ron Paul senators (whether GOP, Independent or LP/CP) elected!
www.paulcongress.com contribute to the current candidates for congress running
Bump
The things that will destroy us are: politics without principle;
pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity; and
worship without sacrifice: Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi
$3000-$5000?
Give me a break. I'm flying from Australia and it won't cost me that much.
Carpool and pitch a tent at a KOA if you have to. Eat "Top Ramen" for a few days. Washington's men crossed the Delaware half frozen, hungry and shoe-less. What have we become?
Oh, and you can forget all that VP stuff too.
___________
Lisa C.
http://www.women4ronpaul....
Awesome!
Nothing at all about this collides or is incompatible with the RP 4 PREZ strategy in place.
Go back..
to McAnus's website. RP4VP, tehe, tehe, tehe. John, is that you? Damn, the GOP must really be scared. RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT-NOT VP DUMBASS!!!!!!!!!!!! I DIDN'T BECOME A DELEGATE SO HE COULD BE ANOTHER CHENEY. I BECAME A DELEGATE SO THAT HE WILL BE OUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF. NICE TRY JOHNNY BOY. OR G.W., IS THAT YOU? Stop wasting our time.
Missing the point
The delegates this plan would support are the SAME delegates that vote for president. The materials being given to the delegates to convince them of Ron Paul's worthiness to become VP, are the SAME materials you'd give them to support him as president.
Further, the strategy gives RP delegates a reason to go, even if they lose hope he can be the nominee before September. Good luck happens to people who are ready for oportunity.
It's an interesting approach. If it siphoned off resources, I'd be more worried.
I doubt Ron Paul would accept, but it would be interesting to see if we can muster the clout to do it. And you don't have the presidential campaign limit to worry about since it's for a different office.
IMissLiberty
neither
John M or GWB is intelligent enough to write a post like that.
We must be reading different
We must be reading different posts. To me this read as a back up plan in case RP does not get the nomination for president. It seems very clear that he still is in it to get RP the nod but also wants people to be prepared to get him the VP nod if it comes down to it.
and it's always wise...
to have a backup plan...