Reaction to Convention

I was a national delegate alternate from Austin, TX. Here is my interpretation of the week's events.

REPORT FROM NATIONAL CONVENTION

Thank you for your generous contributions organizing Ron Paul supporters from precinct to national conventions. By learning the rules, mobilizing your backyard, and exercising your rights, we laid a nationwide foundation for future goals.

Rally for the Republic

The week began with Ron Paul and friends hosting a grand rally. We were able to send a positive, energetic message to the GOP and to the rest of the country that we want limited government and personal freedoms respected.

The Rally included activist and leadership training, to teach us how to be more effective with our time and financial resources at home. It was suggested the classes would be later offered via a nationwide tour.

Most of the press had never seen Ron Paul speakers (or followers) beyond the debates (30 second answers). But the press attended the DNC, the RNC, and then our Rally. At our rally, the press received very detailed answers when asking "Why do you support Ron Paul?".
Supporters made other conventions feel shallow by comparison. The excitement for freedom was so infectious that the press couldn't contain themselves. Instead of asking "What was your reaction to the rally?", they would ask "Isn't this great?"

After an interview, I would ask a journalist, "What do you think?" They would voice strong agreement. This was not my experience before our Rally. "Well, maybe a few things, but it sounds pretty radical..." The memory of this event will influence these journalists over a lifetime.

Since no tax dollars were spent, it is contributions that made our historic event possible. These contributions came both from Ron Paul's Presidential campaign and the Campaign For Liberty. That's why I refer to it as "our rally". Whether it was your time, your money, or both, this was possible because of your contributions. Pat yourself on the back. 

By comparison, the RNC spent $16 million tax dollars collected by force on their convention. Since volunteerism is more efficient, we spent less than half. They spent an additional $50 million on security. Since our ideas our popular, we had almost zero security at our larger rally.

Republican National Convention

Ron Paul had around 250 delegates and alternates at the Republican National Convention. Our goals were to create friends, build bridges, recruit, and talk to the press. It was a major success. 

Our strategy was to drop the combativeness and start thinking like ambassadors for our cause. We started with warm smiles and friendly handshakes. But that didn't mean dropping our agenda. We represented ourselves as the conservative right wing of the GOP, for constitutional government, significant cuts in government -- no token gestures.

They would not accept our free books or tickets (who fears knowledge?) but they could not run away from us as people. We did not hang out together or dress together. Inevitably, in any circle, someone would voice a negative comment or concern about “what the Ron Paul supporters would do next”. Then we would reveal ourself. "Well, I'm a Ron Paul supporter." Their body language would immediately change to show fear. 

Fear is usually based on the unknown. Is this person going to attack me? By starting with friendship, then later discussing issues, we worked to overcome this so real listening could occur. By the end of the week, it was very unfashionable to bad mouth Ron Paul supporters, because we were proven informed, positive, fun, and everyplace. By moving around and making ourselves difficult to identify, it seemed as if everybody was a Ron Paul supporter. Even I got confused. Our ideas became better understood and respected (by some), even when they weren't always shared.

We started the week with the reputation of being disruptive. By focusing on what we are for instead of what we are against, we ended with the reputation of serious intellectuals.

Another major learning was some (not all) McCain supporters were followers. Many of them are not happy, but their personality led them to "fall on the sword". This is good! This group is watching and interested. By acting like leaders, we can attract followers to our cause.

We were able to get through this event by not acting like victims. Instead of sulking for being shunned, we embraced the opportunity to pull people in a different direction. By politely grumbling to a newly found friend, we could enjoy knowing that another supporter was at a nearby table doing the same. Staying engaged with groups with which we have disagreement gets us away from "preaching to the choir" and creates needed friendships. Ron Paul provides plenty of examples of this. (working with Republicans on taxes, Democrats on War, etc,)

With press, a good strategy was making our story personal. What are we seeing at our jobs, at our homes, etc. that makes limited government exciting? A politician has a special-interest agenda. But our agenda is our family. Our statements then stood out to the journalist and the reader.

This works at ANY event. For example, if you are volunteering for Hurricane Ike Relief, consider how you could craft a limited government message and engage any press you see. If your words get twisted, let it be a learning experience and keep at it.

SUMMARY

The lack of information about us was shocking (and encouraging). Constitutional arguments seemed to baffle people. "Well lots of things aren't in the Constitution. We can't just go back to that!" This is actually inspiring to know. Most of our arguments are not understood; on any topic. It is not thoughtful rejection, but an educational cavity that stands in our way. (John Taylor Gatto would probably agree.) With truth on our side, and CONSTANT messaging, this can be overcome.

I find this very optimistic. Create ongoing reasons for conversation with your sphere of influence (family, friends, colleagues). Direct conversation where you want it to go - limited government and personal freedoms. Remain engaged with blogs and speeches to keep your educational campaign fresh. Since we have Americaʼs answers, stay positive.

Here is a few examples of coverage I received.

Example 1
Example 2

Thank you for your support.
Alan Smith
Austin TX