Along with friends and family I attended Ron Paul’s “We Are The Future” rally in Tampa Sunday, August 26th. Like any Ron Paul event, we learned a lot and I want to share a lot of it. However, this morning I read this article about Ron Paul delegates mounting a floor fight over the new (last minute) GOP rules. Just wanted to share the article with a couple of comments.
First, we heard a lot Sunday about all the last minute “make up the rules as we go along” the GOP has done to try to prevent the type of success and momentum Ron Paul has garnered in spite of all the obstacles. It’s bad enough they regularly bend/break their own rules, now they blatantly change-as-they-go to suit their agenda, without shame. Never mind it’s in direct opposition to the true purpose of the RNC.
The new GOP rules would bind delegates to the outcome of presidential primaries and caucuses. Presidential candidates would be able to choose which delegates represent them at the convention. However, in a concession to activists agreed to on Monday, the candidates would have to consult with state parties in selecting the delegates.
Currently, state parties choose national delegates, usually at state and congressional district conventions.
Why are they changing the rules? Fear of Ron Paul, as clearly summarized by a delegate. But regardless of who you support, what’s happening here is they are killing your voice… negating your vote in the process. To explain: the new rule is creating a “winner take all” in every state. So if Candidate A wins 51% support from state votes and Candidate B wins 49% support, Candidate A takes all delegates from that state. Nearly half the population just lost their vote.
“It’s going to shut us out of the process,” said Oregon delegate Larry Ericksen, a Paul backer compelled by state rules to vote for Romney at the convention. “We deserve a voice in the process.”
Next, per his statement below, Schriefer is a dreamer. After attending the (11,000 seat sold out) rally Sunday I assure you, Romney has not earned and will not have the support of Paul’s supporters. For all you Obama supporters, rest easy, I see no possible way Romney can win the election. Regardless of who you support, if you’re not outraged at the hijacking of what was once a democratic process, you’re not paying attention.
“In terms of unity, we are a big party. We have people with different opposing viewpoints. I don’t think this is a particularly divisive point of view,” Schriefer told reporters Monday. “The one thing we know is we’re all united in defeating Barack Obama and at the end of the day, I guarantee you on Thursday as we walk out of this convention we will be 100 percent united behind MR and defeating Barack Obama for the good of the country.”
Spoken like a man who realizes he has current control of the party and knows that if his control waivers the GOP will simply change the rules to correct. This is not the path to unity OR liberty.
“If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you become invincible”