Political Parties: How to Get Involved

DrewMcKissick.com ^ | 11/11/13 | Drew McKissick

[Drew McKissick]

As I've mentioned before, getting involved in a political party is one of the best ways to have an impact on the things you care about. And for conservatives, that means getting involved in the GOP.

However, many people don't get involved simply because they don't know much about it, and a lack of information intimidates people. So, for those who have never been involved, here's a rundown on pretty much all you need to know and where to begin.

Structure of Political Parties

Political parties are structured in the form of a pyramid, with national elected leaders at the top and the broad base of supporters at the foundation, with several layers in between. People at each level in turn elect leaders for their own level and delegates to move up and select leaders for the next level. In the same manner, each level usually adopts its own platform and resolutions on issues that members feel strongly about. This ultimately culminates at the national conventions once every four years when they select presidential nominees.

Precincts are the most basic units of any political party, and they are organized geographically around the place where you normally go vote. And because precincts are also the most basic unit in American politics - on which pretty much EVERYTHING else is built - they are the most important. More importantly, because they're the smallest units, they're the ones that YOU and an organized group of fellow conservatives can have the most influence over.

Further up the food chain, county (or sometimes “district”) committees are generally comprised of the elected representatives from each precinct; and each state has a committee and a convention comprised of elected representatives from each county (or “district”). Each state in turn elects members to a national committee which acts as a board of directors for four years between national conventions.

So, where do you Start?

Generally, all that’s required to become active in a political party’s organization is your willingness to get involved. Depending on the state you live in you may need to make sure you're registered to vote as a Republican, vote in the party primaries, or attend a precinct organizational meeting, (usually held once every two years in many states).

In short, you need a pulse. Nothing is stopping you.

Local party organizations are usually starved for participation. In fact, the percentage of your fellow Americans that do so is far less than one percent – which magnifies the influence you can have simply by “showing up”.

Since the Republican Party generally serves as the political vehicle for the conservative movement, as a conservative it’s one of your best tools for impacting the issues you care about. In the process, you can help get good candidates nominated and elected to office, or possibly even run for something yourself someday (stop laughing!).

With all of this being the case, the first thing you should do is join the local county party in your area. Go to the meetings. Volunteer for something. Find out how to be an official part of your local party precinct organization. And when the time comes, run for a delegate spot to you county convention and/or consider running for a precinct officer position.

Remember, if you don't get involved, you can't make a difference...and you won't have much right to complain.

If you have never been involved and don't know where to go, just "Google" the Republican Party for your state...then find a link to information about your county/city from the state site. Look for upcoming meeting dates. Call someone and tell them you want to get involved. After they get over the shock, they'll point you in the right direction.

For those who have been or are involved in the party, feel free to forward this on to someone else that you've been trying to get to join you!

[Timber Rattler]

And for conservatives, that means getting involved in the GOP.

Not anymore it ain't...

GOP super PACs gear up to fight TEA Party

[goodnesswins]

BECOME a PRECINCT COMMITTEE PERSON....we (constitutionalists) have taken over OUR County PARTY....but, YOU have to start at the bottom of the Pyramid....this next year will, I believe, be a watershed one.....BECOME involved...or don’t complain...and especially do NOT complain to ME about the GOP if you have NOT been a PCP.

[BuffaloJack]

I’m getting tired of voting for Republicans only to have them support every DemoRAT proposition that comes along.
I’m tired of Boehner, McCain, Cristy, and every other RINO.
I joined the Conservative party then discovered that they seem to only endorse Democrats.
The Tea Party was a good idea, but it’s been hijacked by a bunch of crazies.
I suppose I may consider the Whigs next. The Whig Party (Modern Whig Party) started up in 2007 and seems to be filled with veterans, 2nd amendment supporters and people who think government is too big.
Maybe they are the replacement for the Republicans and RINOs.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Need to have 3rd powerful party. We can take over and re-vitalize an existing party—like the New Whigs, or the Reform, or even the Conservative Party. Quicker and better than trying to build one from the ground floor.
We also should build up a radical party to sap votes from the Democrat/Liberals. Maybe the Green/Marxist Party? let get them to nominate foming at the mouth radical Communists—maybe a movie star—Jane Fonda? Brad Pit? Ot Bill Press. let them do to the Progressives like the Libertarians did in Virginia election! Maybe a Black Power Party!

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Go Whigs! lets turn them into tea party Whigs! They need an animal mascot—Old Whigs had a Racoon if I recall! let the new Whigs have an Owl (for wisdom). Lets turn an existing party into a voice for Conservative (not nut case) Americans. It will be too hard to get a new party up and running by 2014 and 2016. BUT we can use an old party. Maybe the old Reform Party? The Consutional Party? Conservative Party? maybe combine several 3rd Parties into one (the Republicans did this in the 1850s). A whole new political World!