Posted on 06/14/2014 7:58:28 PM PDT by RobinOfKingston
As of 3:35 PM local time in Moscow, Idaho, the 2014 Idaho Republican Convention is history. And what a piece of history it is!
The fireworks started a couple weeks prior to the convention, in events surrounding reorganizational meetings for county Republican Central Committees throughout the state. These are meetings in which officers are elected; sometimes the old ones are reelected, sometimes new ones are elected.
Also at these reorg meetings delegates for the convention are elected. Operative word, "elected." This year, there were abnormalities in three counties that drew complaints that were subsequently handed off to the Credentials Committee to pass judgment on. This committee is made up of party members who are also part of the convention.
This years complaints centered on Power, Bannock and *ta-ta* Ada Counties. We will set aside Power and Bannock, and consider Ada.
The complaint against Ada County was that the county chair and the county secretary put out the word that anyone wishing to attend the convention as a delegate should let them know. They would be put on "the list" in the days prior to the reorg meeting, and, in theory, this slate of delegates would then be elected en mass to represent Ada County, home of Idaho's capitol city, Boise.
This indeed happened, and no further nominations were allowed from the floor at the reorg meeting.
The effect of this action was that the chair and secretary, by accepting "self nominations" and not allowing any nominations from the greater body of Republicans within Ada, were, essentially the only people to make nominations at the meeting itself, that via "the list." The duly elected Precinct Committeemen and -women were asked to rubber stamp this action. Ada County, given its population and other factors, had 103 assigned delegate positions. That's 103 votes at the convention. That's close to 20% of the total voting delegates.
This action by the Ada Central Committee precipitated the official complaint that the Credentials Committee acted upon by recommending Ada's delegates not be seated at the convention. The Credentials Committee action took place on Friday.
As one disenfranchised ADA Republican said, "There wasn't one name on that list that wasn't Governor Otter's buddy."
Why does this matter? Because at this convention, every two years, among other business, the State Chairman is elected. In 2008 Gov. Otter's preference for chairman was ousted and the convention members installed a pro-liberty, conservative chairman of their own choosing. Otter has not forgiven this in the six years since. At one point he made a statement about getting "his man" elected to head "his party." It has rankled him. This was to have been the year he reasserted his control.
Didn't happen.
As soon as the business session was opened today, Saturday, Ada County "delegates" and some who were sympathetic to them began making motion after seemingly endless motion to get the Credentials Committee action reversed or nullified. With their antics, they literally ran out the clock. The Convention agenda called for adjournment at 3:30 pm Saturday. That time arrived, and no election for Party Chairman had taken place. A motion to extend the time for adjournment was made and defeated. A motion to adjourn was made and it passed.
Viola! -- Convention over. Literally no business conducted. All the old officers still in place, including, some would say "especially," Chairman Barry Peterson who has served so ably as the burr under Gov Otter's blanket for the past two years.
Viva la Republique!
HG — Just in case I need my ass chewed.
Anyone else, please remind me how to locate the state boards. I don’t find the link on the front page.
Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention, Raul Labrador was the Convention Chairman. He did a good job, given all the shenanigans that went on.
The Idaho Republican Liberty Caucus brought Rand Paul in for a brief visit. Gawd, that man is short. The Idaho Party had two replica (functioning) Kentucky long rifles made here locally with Paul’s signature in engraved into a brass inlay. One was auctioned off. I think it brought in $4,500. The other was raffled off, and I have no idea how many $20 tickets were sold on it.
Sounds to me the conservatives finally defeated the establishment by using their own tactics.
I like it.
I have been saying for a very long time, that unless we adopt the tactics of the left, we will never win.
It is time to turn the tables on them and run the left out of town on the proverbial rail.
Good report Robin.
I can only pray that one day the conservatives in California will turn the tables on the establishment down here in the same manner. Use their tactics to get our people in charge of the party for a change.
First of all, unless those conventions adopted rules to the contrary, under Robert’s Rules you cannot limit nominations from the floor. Needs investigating.
If no business was done, your old leaders’ term of office has still ended. You are leaderless until things are reconvened. Again, check your bylaws/constitution.
To your first point, the county meetings prior to the convention was where the further nominations did not occur. Yes, That is what pissed the rest of us off.
The parliamentarian and bylaws (party rules) were consulted at the convention. If it is different than I reported, it will be changed above my pay grade.
All I can say is stand your ground and keep at ‘em. You got just as much right to have a say in the party as they do. Tough if they don’t like it.
I've known for years that funny things were going on in the elections for state delegates, Last year I was able to get my hands on a list of who to vote for that was being passed around to the not so conservative Precinct committeemen.
A couple placed center mass will start curing this B.S.
Unintended Consequences. America is sinking...canvas deckchairs...wood slat deck chairs...so many decisions..Happy Fathers Day to some old dads who knew what to do. Washington...Jefferson..etc.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.