Posted on 10/29/2007 3:49:04 PM PDT by JoeFromSidney
My wife is an officer of the Constitution Party of Ohio. She attended the National Committee Meeting in Council Bluffs, Iowa, 10/25/07. I went along as a non-voting observer. I am posting my notes taken at the meeting. The official minutes will be posted on the website of the Constitution Party. Any discrepancy between my notes and the official minutes should be resolved in favor of the official minutes.
There was agreement that 2008 presents an opportunity for the CP, if bad candidates are offered by both parties.
It will be necessary to combat the idea that the CP will split the conservative vote, leading to the election of Hillary, the “boogiewoman.” It will be necessary to emphasize that the lesser of two evils is still evil.
There is less & less objection among the public to the idea of the "opposition party." The CP is the opposition. There isn't any other opposition.
Many people are backing Ron Paul, but barring a miracle, he won't be the nominee. We want the disappointed RP people to feel comfortable coming to CP.
We need to let people know who we are. People who never voted before are looking for someone to vote for. They need to be aware of us.
Ron Paul is getting wide internet promotion. We need to get the support of the Ron Paul people for local CP candidates. RP can't do what he wants without representatives & senators.
2008 convention will be in Kansas city, MO.
Platform committee report. The 2004 platform will be the starting point. Amendments to be submitted by state parties. Due by Mar 10.
Rules committee report. Rules were adopted last spring. Timeline for the 2008 Convention is available. State organizations need to start immediately to have delegates, depending on state party bylaws. State convention? County conventions? Appointed?
Credentials Committee report. This committee will assure that state parties are affiliated with the National, and delegates are authorized by state parties. State parties are pledged to abide by the platform.
Party members should get to know each other. The Party is a work in progress. There has been much progress since 2000. There is a chance for "great leap forward" in 2008. Look at Party building as something rewarding & exciting.
The Missouri Party is getting lots of calls from people who have “had it.” Also there have been lots of calls from people who didn't know the Party existed. This indicates a need to get the word out.
Ballot access: There are 16 states where the Party is now eligible to start petitioning. Missouri has 3 candidates for state office. If any of them gets 2% of the vote, the Party will no longer need to circulate petitions.
Petition signature drives are under way in most states. In many states petition drives are ahead of where they were in 2000.
If starting a new state party, organizational activity is crucial. Outreach and fund raising are needed. There must always be something going on. Have state meetings people can attend.
Finding candidates is crucial.
If the petition form is on web site, people can download and circulate it. Many states have very onerous requirements. Large numbers of petitions are needed. People can sign only one, and can't sign if they voted in another Party’s primary.
There is a Key Race list on the web site.
Republicans and Democrats won't do anything to stop illegals.
Viewing of the video: America - rule of law or anarchy, prepared by Americans for Immigration Control (www.americanimmigrationcontrol.com). It shows illegals rioting and demanding that we go back to Europe rather than them going back to Mexico.
Too many people fail to get involved for fear of being called racist.
The success of the group Help Save Herndon (Virginia) has led to establishment of another group, Help save Manassas (also Virginia). It currently has 1800 members, and is the biggest political group in Manassas.
Immigration reformers should become aware of the CP. The CP should take leadership, and have events to attract the opponents of illegal immigration.
We should recognize that SS is a defined benefit plan. Take it out of government and set up a corporation like the Post Office to run it. The corporation can then invest in securities. This can be done if the Corporation can get decent rate of return. No Party can sell phasing out SS.
People can sign up for press releases at CP web site. Use the information for letters to the editor., call-in shows, blog comments.
Make the point that "we are the 3rd party everyone is talking about."
Radio ads currently being broadcast in Utah. These ads can be adapted by other states. If other states use them, it gets consistency across US. The ads can be heard at www.turntotheconstitution.com. Local parties can ask people to sponsor spots.
The CP has a YouTube account. Material can be sent to the CP. If accepted, CP will put up.
A Media Guide is available at national web site. Contact mstarrett@constitutionparty.com
Press kits are available for use by local Parties.
The Party needs to be looking for candidates all the time, not just near elections
There is a need for Party building in between elections.
We see where the country is headed, and feel compelled to act.
State chairmen need to set up funds to send people to National Committee meetings.
State Parties need to set up local chapters. Chapters should raise funds for things like buying registered voter lists.
The Party must get people to look on funds as an investment in their future, not as a contribution.
There is an organizational manual. State chairmen should have this. It includes information on fund raising, organizing, etc.
The state offices need to focus on state and local issues, while the national CP seems to be focused on national issues like immigration. State parties need state and local platforms. The Midwest region has issues different from others, such as agricultural. The National Party should develop standard forms for these local issues.
The CP needs to make better use of the Internet to exchange information. Podcasting is another thing CP needs to look at.
Having lots of candidates makes it look like the Party is growing.
Elections vs. political activism. The only mission for a Party is to get candidates elected. Writing public officials is a mission for PACs and other organizations. CP goal is not to try to influence public officials, it is to put in public officials who already support the CP goals.
It helps to publicize events, and to support events in other states. Presence of "warm bodies" gives credibility to the Party.
It is critical to follow up on requests for information.
Running local candidates gives credibility to the Party. It makes the Party look bigger. The critical issue is not so much whether they can win, but whether they can get CP ideas before the public.
State Party officials should be in contact with Party officials in neighboring states. It is important to exchange information and attend events
The only way I'll support you guys is if Rudy is the nominee. Until then, forget it. Besides, why aren't you guys endorsing Duncan Hunter or Ron Paul instead of running a retread candidate who'll get nowhere?
Stop engaging in self-fulfilling prophecies and endorse the man. He's raised more money this year than the entire history of the CP and U.S. Taxpayer's Party combined.
We want the disappointed RP people to feel comfortable coming to CP.
Supporters of Paul AREN'T disappointed. Why do you think they're enthusiastically supporting him, volunteering for his campaign for free? This election is way too important to muck around with 3rd parties. Endorse one of the Republicans like the Conservative Party of New York does, and get a coalition together to defeat Hillary.
Now that's a Death Sentence endorsement of a struggling party.
Council Bluffs is a nice enough town. But was everything booked up across the river in Omaha?
“Ballot access: There are 16 states where the Party is now eligible to start petitioning.”
That reflects a bunch of folks that after years of activity, can’t even make themselves into a viable political party. Perot did it in a few months.
What evidence exists this bunch could run the country, if they can’t get on state ballots?
Actually,I was keeping an eye on that party,until today.
They just blew it,bigtime.
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