Maine GOP Convention...what a disgrace!
Submitted by wdosmer on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 20:03
I was a delegate from Penobscot County.
The Maine GOP "leadership" (I use this term loosely) allowed limited discussion (and in many cases none at all) on everything that was voted on at the state convention. Delegate candidates were not given any time to speak, many platform amendments were voted on without any discussion of the merits for/against the changes, even a candidate for the US House had his microphone cut off mid-speech (he is an outsider in a primary battle against a candidate endorsed by the big shots). The party elite distributed a list of APPROVED delegate names that they expected "all good Republicans" to vote for. There was a huge McCain graphic at the top of the sheet. You must understand that this is a place where McCain received maybe 20% support during our caucuses. No effort was made to include RP supporters on this list (even though many lifelong party activists here support RP). A fancy "hollywood style" McCain Video was shown during the convention but an effort to allow a RP video was denied. They eventually agreed to show a RP video during the lunch recess on the second day (yes during lunch when nobody was in the convention hall). Even this video appeared to have been edited for content by the party elite.
Platform amendments based upon conservative principals and the language of the Constitution were voted down. Then, after the proposals were defeated, the very delegates responsible for this gave standing ovations to commentator Cal Thomas when he spoke of THE EXACT SAME THINGS during his speech to the convention body.
Republicans of all stripes left the convention with a bad taste in their mouths. "Those in charge" made no effort to solicit input from the grassroots level...they did not even pretend. There are many young activist here in Maine (who supported RP, Romney, Huck, Thompson and others) who are disgusted by the manner in which the party conducted business over the weekend. We are all committed to rebuilding the party from the ground up, and doing so in a manner that is consistent with the ideals that this party and this country were founded on.
To sum up my experience at the convention, I would have to say I felt like I was at a meeting of a powerful labor union. The labor boss told everyone exactly how to vote and what to do and say. And, even though most people there knew in their hearts that it wasn't the right thing to do, they did it anyway...
This was only possible because they had scared the average delegate with fanciful stories about "dangerous and disruptive ron paul infiltrators whose only goal is to ruin the party and cause chaos" and never allowed any of us (1/3 of all delegates) the opportunity to stand up and say to our fellow delegates "hey neighbor, look at me. i'm just like you. i don't wear a tin foil hat and i won't bite. all i want is fair representation at the convention for some good republicans who happen to support sound fiscal policy and the protection of individual liberties".
Oh well...the Maine GOP leadership is old and dying. We'll rebuild it into a respectable organization.
Danby editorial cartoon about the Maine GOP Convention
My dad, who lives in Maine, sent me the following editorial cartoon about this year's Maine GOP convention:
Main site:
http://bangornews.com/news/t/danby.aspx?articleid=163967&zoneid=166
Backup:
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p83/some_fellow_in_iowa/BDN-20080506-Danby-ME_GOP_Conv.jpg
Politics is a Dirty Business
It has always been that way ... it's a power grab and anything goes (rules be damned) so long as the "powers" are able to get away with it.
What we need is to overwhelm them with numbers (intimidate them... make them realize there will be consequences to pay for their strong arm tactics). AND HERE I DON'T MEAN THAT WE SHOULD RESORT TO VIOLENCE. We should just learn the rules and learn their techniques and immediately call them on every infraction AND HAVE THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE THERE SO WE CAN WIN THE DECISIONS. If we aren't able to speak (mic turned off) don't allow them to speak either ... just make noise, talk out loud to your neighbor ... move around ... object to everything they try to accomplish. Assuming you are in the majority, it would be impossible to have everyone evicted.
One or two meetings like that and the old guard will retire to their rocking chairs in droves.
Remember, most of these old politicos are used to controlling things. When they realize they can't, the Republican Party will be a brand new creature (God willing, a better one).
Explore your OPTIONS!
If rules were broken, address them! I'm sure the Republican Party of Maine Rules would not be written to allow this sort of thing.
In S. Texas this was experienced as well, actually all over Texas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-fARjv3tFk
The local paper wasn't much help initially, but did provide a platform for discussion. And that discussion has only grown to include many groups, the Texas GOP, and many options are being explored and exercised. Where will it go?
I don't know, but it has been proven to be a GREAT educational tool for showing the "Good Republicans" the corruption that has become the system.
Even the old party is beginning to see that it is wrong and some are calling to fix it.
We will not give up here in Texas, please stand your ground!
Don't allow them to walk all over you!
Maine State Convention
Did anyone think that the current party aparatchiks were going quietly into that good night? This is going to take time. The neocons took over the GOP after years and years of whittling away at the foundation of the GOP. Rebuilding what these clowns have done is going to take the better part of a generation...and yes, Ron Paul supporters will be corrupted just as so many others have been corrupted by power and money; however, if we stay the course, enough won't and we will win.
George Bush and his Neo-con friends destroyed the GOP
Ron Paul supporters are trying to salvage a bad situation. Time is on our side. Truth and integrity will prevail.
Missing the point
Do what RP has been saying over and over...Become a PC. Get your spouse and anyone who can vote to become a PC.
It will only take a few hundred in each state to turn the entire party into what RP stands for. And in a very short time.
No one said this was going to be done overnight. Don't give up now. The fun is just starting. :-)
Be the Miracle!
You are so right. Having
You are so right. Having missed out on the deadline to run as PC. I volunteered to be appointed since no one else ran. ( I've heard that as many as 75% of PC seats in some areas go unfilled.) I've also joined a local Republican Club and having attended a couple of meetings, I can assure you that the party is old and tired, and everyone feels as though they're being dragged around by leash and collar. I found our group to be very friendly to the RP people who joined. They know the jig is up, but the old gaurd in positions of power will fight tooth and nail to keep what they have. It's going to be trench warfare.
Things are only impossible until they are not.
-- Jean Luc Picard
Things are only impossible until they are not.
-- Jean Luc Picard
PC??
I would rather be a MAC.... (sorry, computer humor)
Seriously, you are right, we have to start small, local and work our way up....
pc is precint chairman or person, right??
if not what is it...
pc is precinct chairman or person, right?
pc = precinct captain or precinct leader.
www.ronpaul2008.com
Ron Paul is My President
Maybe now folks will conceed
Maybe now folks will conceed the currrent party structure, including the GOP, is rotten to the core and a new movement is needed.
Sons and Daughters for Liberty.
maine gop convention...what a disgrace!
thanks william for the commentary.
i am a delegate for ron paul. i was there and it was a disgrace. i registered republican to vote for the good doctor. i'm unregistering now. i want nothing to do with the republican party.
i see the status quo gop at the convention as real scum.
here's the link with the count from philip roy the treasurer of the maine gop:
http://www.asmainegoes.com/forum/viewtopic.phpt=55024&postda...
Ron Paul is My President
your link is bad...
new link. thanks
The GOP is dying
Unless they start to embrace our views and accept the new members they have acquired because of Dr. Paul. I've been a Republican since I was 18 and I am now 44 years old. The Maine convention was the first I ever attended because of the good Dr. I guess it was really an eye opener for me to see what kind of a sham it all is. I had to really ask myself of how I could have been part of this party for so many years and not realize what kind of shenanigans go on at these conventions. Will the national one be any better?
WOW!!!
The post by wdosmer is right on as to how it was there. I was glad to be a part of it though, hoping to make a difference. I just wish we had more people there or could have gotten the attention of some of the old guard to change their minds.
Does anyone know if we got any alternates in?
Thank you
Thank you for your efforts. Its people like you that inspire the rest of us !!