Judge annuls order restricting GOP convention rules (Texas)

Houston Chronicle ^ | June 9, 2008 | ALAN BERNSTEIN

[DrewsDad]

I was the election judge for my precinct and didn't finish until well after the precinct convention started, so I can understand the dilemma. I was fortunate enough to have my wife act as the precinct convention chair and had several like minded delegates in attendence to offset any possible takeover. If the county chair doesn't set the time of the convention to allow you to finish your election duties, then you are at the mercy of whoever shows up.

Likewise, I don't see an abuse of the rules unless the Paul supporter started the meeting early. It was pretty pathetic what she did, but I've also know a couple of hard-core Benkiser supporters who have suggested similiar tactics to keep the opposition out.

[hocndoc]

A lot of us put our name on a list, knowing we may not be on time or may not make the precinct convention at all. We count on the convention chair to be fair and submit our names as long as there’s no conflict, such as when there are more requests by those present, than slots available.

[Stat-boy]

“I’m at the temporary Platform committee meeting. They’re taking public testimony and recommendations for new amendments to the Platform, now.”

I am jealous! I was on our district resolutions committee, and I loved it. Even at my precinct, we had a record 53 resolutions! Of course—the RINOs ignore much of it.

[DrewsDad]

Is your “proof texting” comment referring to the debate over the order of business at the State Convention or are you disputing that there was an abuse of rules at the Nueces County Convention?

[Paleo Conservative]

It’s hard to argue abuse of the rules because the rules were followed. Sure the RP supporter would have blame, if she intentionally kept someone off an otherwise empty position; but the precinct chair should bear some blame, and the other Republican voters have some blame for overall apathy. If there is no Republican precinct chair, well, back to apathy.

If I were the precinct chair, and was the only one who showed up for the precinct caucus, I would nominate everyone who indicated to the election judge that he or she wanted to be a delegate to the county convention to be a delegate up to the quota for that precinct. If more than the quota requested to be delegates, then I would consider which ones to cull, but I wouldn't just nominate myself and

I don't think you are aware that the convention itself can vote to recognize more delegates after the report by the credentials committee is read. It was at the start of the reading of this report that the Ron Paulistas started to act up.

[Stat-boy]

“I don’t think you are aware that the convention itself can vote to recognize more delegates after the report by the credentials committee is read.”

I did not understand that to be correct. I thought all district convention delegates had to be elected at a precinct convention.

I just looked it up. Here is the section from the Election Code:

§ 174.021. SELECTION OF DELEGATES TO COUNTY AND
SENATORIAL DISTRICT CONVENTIONS. The delegates to a political
party’s county and senatorial district conventions held under this
chapter shall be selected in accordance with party rules at
precinct conventions held as provided by this subchapter.

The temporary roll is before any challenges are addresses. The permanent roll is after dealing with challenges, but I could not find anywhere in the rules or the TEC that says a convention can add delegates. If I am missing something, let me know; but it seems pretty clear to me.

[hocndoc]

I’m not happy with any of the divisions based on support of the Republican Primary candidates.

(I’ve said it before, my husband is regularly embarrassed by me at Spurs games, since I sometimes forget myself and cheer for whoever has the ball. On the other hand, I get upset at any rough housing or cheating. I do not attend Laker’s games because I keep calling them the “Lying Adulterers.” And I get loud, sometimes.)

Nevertheless, may the Lord bless the temporary platform committee members. The widest extremes of viewpoints and world views are present today.

Just now, we’re hearing from someone who has a Russian accent condemning the platform for including “pre-emptive action.”

[SwinneySwitch]

(I did hear from one of our Catholic colleagues that the problem with all the evangelicals and Baptists becoming involved in the Party is that the cocktail parties have been replaced by ice cream socials.)

Bartenders were complaining, years ago, that they made a lot more money when the democrat conventions came to town. That was back when you could barely see the speaker through all the tobacco smoke!;^)

[anymouse]

Keep an eye out for stealth Paulbots trying to inject a bunch of wacky planks in the Platform. They got away with it in the Galveston County convention, before we realized what they were up to.

[SecAmndmt]

Thanks for the ping!

[jinxspinx]

From what I heard about 150 delegates were illegally added. Some of those actually voted in the Democrat primary. All but one of the committees at the Nueces Convention were chaired by someone who was illegally added.

The SREC rep. is also on the list of illegally added delegates. Sounds like it's a mess down there.

[jinxspinx]

yes, 151 of them. In addition, many of those did not even vote in the primary. Some actually voted in the Democrat primary.

All but one of the committees at the Nueces County Convention were chaired by someone who was illegally added as a delegate. 12 committee members total were not elected at their respective precincts.

[DrewsDad]

It sounds like rules were violated, whether purposeful or out of ignorance(and that varying with the person). My understanding is that the rump convention did not submit their paperwork before the deadline and so the State Credentials Committee had to choose who was most at fault at the regular convention. They removed the Nueces Credentials Chair as a State Delegate and were split over seating the Nueces Convention Chair.