I don’t have a lot of background on this depressing story, but will lead you to what I have. It seems the GOP is attempting to change the rules of how delegates work within the party, which includes allowing the presumptive presidential nominee to replace delegates elected by the states. Three points are laid out: (See important UPDATE below giving the phone numbers of all state GOP headquarters and demand an end to this outrage, leave the rules like they are and get on with strengthening the Party Platform)
ANOTHER UPDATE 8-27-12 10:40 pm: Michelle Malkin is following this minute-by-minute. Scroll way down and you’ll see that what I believe is my No. 3 below is Rule 12 – which allows the RNC to make changes between convention dates without any input with grassroots delegates. Malkin says if Rule 12 stays in place, te rule must not pass. I second that emotion.
ANOTHER UPDATE 8-27-12 10:20 pm: The Houston Chronicle says that a floor fight has been avoided, and there has been a compromise late today – nevermind that the Convention was gaveled down. The state of Texas was instrumental in, at least knock down allowing the presidential nominee to replace and choose what delegates are chosen. The resolution of Nos. 1 and 3 below is not yet clear (to me).
1) Delegates will be bound to vote in proportion to the popular vote regardless of any other considerations.
2) The presumed nominee or his agents will be able to remove or replace delegates from state conventions at will.
3) The members of the RNC may, at any time between conventions change any of the party rules by a 3/4 vote.
The three points come from an open letter written by David Nalle, a Libertarian. I have little background on him. I do not know if this has anything to do with Ron Paul delegates. Here’s more from Nalle.
Now there are those in Tampa who seek to overturn this traditional structure of the party, set restrictions on the free choice of party members and introduce a new and alien process which would minimize the input of the party’s rank and file and put power in the hands of party leaders and wealthy special interests who can buy the loyalty of the mob.
They have borrowed the organizing structure of the Democrats and authored rules which would cause our delegates to be bound by the votes of primary voters who may not be Republicans or share our values.
They have also proposed that the presumed presidential nominee could remove our elected delegates at whim.
Finally they want to remove control over the rule making process from the state parties to a small elite within the national committee of the party who can change the rules under which the party operates at any time. Without fixed rules arrived at by the consent of the rank and file of the party we become pawns rather than participants in the political process.
These proposals which have come out of the Rules Committee in Tampa are contrary to the basic character of the party and they are opposed by many delegates who were not part of the handpicked group of insiders which dominated the committee. Delegates from many states are speaking out in opposition and members of the committee who believe in a bottom-up party structure have issued a minority report to challenge what amounts to a powergrab by elite insiders and the Romney campaign.
Arlen Williams, GulagBound via PJ Tattler:
Social media is atwitter with protest from Republican delegates and grassroots activists as the Republican National Convention stands poised to vote on proposed rule changes which will fundamentally transform the process for nominating future presidential candidates. In an open letter to delegates in Tampa, Republican Liberty Caucus national chairman Dave Nalle summarizes what is at stake and urges opposition from the floor of the convention next week.
The text of the proposed rule changes is attached to Nalle’s letter. The RNC rules committee approved the changes last week. But the rules will not go into affect unless approved by the convention this week. If passed, these rules will make it significantly more difficult for minority delegations to effectively participate in the convention process.
I loathe having to criticize anything happening in Tampa right now. What Ron Paul does or does not do, and what his supporters at the RNC do or do not do is concerning, but this may be more than controlling Paulbots supporters. The Tattler makes this additional statement:
It is worth pondering why the architects of these rule changes feel it necessary to shut out new blood. This “coup” as Nalle calls it is no doubt in response to the limited success of the Ron Paul organization in a handful of caucus states. Yet, Paul was unable to secure the plurality of delegates in fives states necessary to secure a speaking appearance at the national convention. His campaign never posed a credible threat to presumptive nominee Mitt Romney. So why act to silence such a slim minority within the party? Why not embrace their contribution and grow the party? Making the process more esoteric and inaccessible will only insulate future campaigns from the grassroots activists they need to recruit and motivate in order to succeed.
Nalle says the Texas delegation is beginning oppose the changes. Sarah Palin says if the Party Platform isn’t honored, a third party will be on the rise. As to a third party, I’m ready for it after Romney-Ryan exits in January 2021. We need to be working on it immediately. Have you heard about these rule change attempts, and what do you think about it? Is all hell getting ready to break loose in Tampa?
UPDATE 8-27-12 10:07 pm CDT: Phone number of GOP state headquarters. Let them know that you disdain what they are trying to do, and advise them to get on with winning the nomination the way we have done it for years – and specifically, not mess with the election of state delegates:
Alabama (205) 212-5900
Alaska (907) 276-4467
Arizona (602) 957-7770
Arkansas (501) 372-7301
California (916) 448-9496
Colorado (303) 758-3333
Connecticut (860) 422-8211
Delaware (302) 668-1954
District of Columbia (202) 289-8005
Florida (850) 222-7920
Georgia (404) 257-5559
Hawaii (808) 593-8180
Idaho (208) 343-6405
Illinois (312) 201-9000
Indiana (317) 635-7561
Iowa (515) 282-8105
Kansas (785) 234-3456
Kentucky (502) 875-5130
Louisiana (225) 389-4495
Maine (207) 622-6247
Maryland (410) 263-2125
Massachusetts (617)-523-5005
Michigan (517) 487-5413
Minnesota (651) 222-0022
Mississippi (601) 948-5191
Missouri (573) 636-3146
Montana (406) 442-6469
Nebraska (402) 475-2122
Nevada (702) 258-9182
New Hampshire (603) 225-9341
New Jersey (609) 989-7300
New Mexico (505) 298-3662
New York (518) 462-2601
North Carolina (919) 828-6423
North Dakota (701) 255-0030
Ohio (614) 228-2481
Oklahoma (518) 462-2601
Oregon (503) 595-8881
Pennsylvania (717) 234-4901
Rhode Island (401) 732-8282
South Carolina (803) 988-8440
South Dakota (605) 224-7347
Tennessee (615) 269-4260
Texas (512) 477-9821
Utah (803) 988-8440
Vermont (802) 223-3411
Virginia (804) 780-0111
Washington (425) 460-0570
West Virginia (304) 768-0493
Wisconsin (608) 257-4765
Wyoming (307) 234-9166
The above list compiled provided by TeaParty Nation (found at GulagBound)
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