“but they are truly not up to the task of garnering enough votes to win elections”
Very valid concern.
“Rather they/you tend to “drink the Libertarian kool-aid” and insult/attack anyone that disagrees with them. I try to avoid overt insults or Polemic arguments, and try stick to what I know to be true, but “if the shoe fits ...” ;)”
I see this happening on both sides of the Republican Party. I honestly try to keep an even keel here at FR, at Party meetings, at conventions, etc. Fair debate is permissible on any point, as far as I am concerned. I do get a little upset at left wing globalists. I also wish the Repub establishment had taken more of a fatherly approach to the (much younger) recent “Paulbots.” [Great, now you got me saying it.] For example, I have entered my 40s, and in my experience at least 80 percent of those younger than I who showed up at Repub party meetings over the past 2 years has been a Ron Paul supporter. The newly revived Young Republican group (I am too old to be a young republican) is, based on my interaction with the members, almost entirely Ron Paul supporters.
Seriously, I do not have a problem working with someone who I consider mostly conservative. [I consider myself 100 percent conservative, of course! ;—evangelical Christian, homeschool, teach the kids to shoot at 4-H, etc.] I have been involved with various Republican groups since the 1980s (since I became an adult), and I know how things work. We debate during the primary, and after that is over, we work for victory in November.
Part of me misses being a Texas Republican during the 1980s. We were more of a tight group back then. Nothing like wearing a “Vote Democrat, it’s easier than getting a job” t-shirt around during college.
Finally, if my responses or debates with you, anymouse, or others here at FP are viewed as an insult, please accept my sincere apology because that is not my intent.
No problem. It is easy to sink into heated “debates” online, as most times you never meet the people that you are arguing with and really only have what they have been able to articulate in a few brief sentences or paragraphs written in haste to judge their position on. It takes purposeful restraint and self-discipline to avoid falling into that mode. It happens.
Regarding how the RPT handled the Ron Paul supporters at the convention, it was the RP folks who did the sneak attack on the county SD caucuses attempting to eventually disrupt the state convention(s). The RPT probably did over-react, coming down hard on them, but given they only had spotty info. on what was coming and the RP had filed the legal claim at the 11th hour, they really had no choice but to assume the worst and fight back hard.
The U.S. kind of did that in response to the 9/11/01 attack too. Another issue that some RP people disagree with us on. But when you pull the tiger’s tail, you better expect to get his teeth.
All that aside, I think Medina is adding a positive element to the gov. race by bringing up valid Constitutional issues. Just wish Perry and Hutchinson would follow suit and not embarrass themselves by going down in the mud with each other. They are writing Bill White’s campaign ads against the GOP nominee for him.