Posted on 08/27/2012 7:57:40 PM PDT by maggiesnotebook
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:
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 Paul 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?
happened to Reagan in 1976
Sooooooooooooooo, Romney is going to destroy the Republican Party in order to save it?
This won’t sit well with folks that liked a Constitutional Republic.
Looks like a floor fight well worth having.
If the Elites won’t allow a floor fight, then we will verbally fight them at their stump speeches, that is, if they want to represent us.
Hmmmmmmmm, one good knock down floor fight, or many, many stump speech verbal fights?
Your choice, Romney.
Tick-Tock.
Sarah’s FB is on it now. She’s directing people to Michelle’s column.
If Sarah Palin or Jim DeMint were the nominee wouldn't this be a good thing to ensure the system isn't gamed against them?
2) The presumed nominee or his agents will be able to remove or replace delegates from state conventions at will.
If they were bound delegates wouldn't I want to make sure they were actually loyal to me?
3) The members of the RNC may, at any time between conventions change any of the party rules by a 3/4 vote.
Between conventions? No way, simple as that.
Thanks!
NO NO NO.....15/16 is just a “compromise” but RULE 12 MUST STILL BE DEFEATED!!!!
3) The members of the RNC may, at any time between conventions change any of the party rules by a 3/4 vote.
NO WAY JOSE!!!! 3/4 vote? Pulueeeeeze. If the RNC chairman wants a rule change, the board will rubber stamp it.
ping
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