I am a delegate for Romney (advice comments please)

[Commander Yo]

A very good turnout in our precinct:D Unfortunately, The votes went like:

Romney 27
Huckabee 15
McCain 8
Ron Paul 5

I followed the advice of the meet-up group and stayed low key, not flying the colors. When it came time to nominate the delegates I ended up getting the nomination from my many Mormon neighbors, we are all very tight in our 'hood, so what do I do? My precinct went strongly Romney, my friends, very decent and kind people put their trust in me to represent them and Romney.

I know we have a non-binding commitment but I will faithfully execute my duty as a Romney Delegate. That is the right thing to do. :o

Right? :D

[Michael Landon]

No. The right thing to do is cast your vote for Ron Paul.

[RSLudlum]

yes it would only be proper ;)

[JulioForPaul]

See if you can make to be a national Romney delegate....and THEN vote for Ron Paul.

[Bilgefisher]

Up to you. They won't know how you voted in the state convention. Romney may or may not drop by then.

Do you live on the western slope?

[ronpaulmn]

Your neighbors put their trust in you to do what you think is best. Which is what we do when we elect public officials. Unless you actually promised them you'd vote Romney, I think you have to do what you think is best, not what you think they want. In this instance, we all know the best vote is for Ron Paul! So use that slot wisely.

[Commander Yo]

No I live up North Metro. I am not sure what to do. I think Dr. Paul would say respect democracy. If I just disregarded my communities vote I feel I would under cut the system. I respect my precincts trust in me.

The advice of the meet up group was correct. My mistake was not declaring, clearly my support for Dr. Paul. If I had done that and still got elected I would feel better casting my vote for Dr. Paul at the state and county level. The best I can hope for is keep moving towards the National convention. And do what I can to move The Revolution forward.

Its a very tough situation for me. As I am deeply in love with the principles of The Revolution.

Yo

[J Free]

I've sent you a private message.

[Cleaner44]

No I live up North Metro. I am not sure what to do. I think Dr. Paul would say respect democracy. If I just disregarded my communities vote I feel I would under cut the system. I respect my precincts trust in me.
Yo

Understand we do not live in a Democracy, this is a Republic. Your community has asked you to represent them and serve them the best you know how. Use your judgement as how best to serve them. Restore our Republic!

[ArrestPoliticians]

Defend the constitution, not the sheeple.

[literatim]

If you don't vote for Ron Paul, you have no loyalty this country and our constitution.

[phill4paul]

yes it would only be proper ;)

:D:D:D

[torchbearer]

Vote for Hitler because that is what the laws states...or vote for freedom. Your choice my friend.

[integrity]

No I live up North Metro. I am not sure what to do. I think Dr. Paul would say respect democracy. If I just disregarded my communities vote I feel I would under cut the system. I respect my precincts trust in me.

The advice of the meet up group was correct. My mistake was not declaring, clearly my support for Dr. Paul. If I had done that and still got elected I would feel better casting my vote for Dr. Paul at the state and county level. The best I can hope for is keep moving towards the National convention. And do what I can to move The Revolution forward.

Its a very tough situation for me. As I am deeply in love with the principles of The Revolution.

Yo

The system is broken and dr paul needs to be elected. Please use any advantage you can get, your poor neighbors voted for romney out of ignorance, they will be better off with RP.

I am a delegate!!!!!

[torchbearer]

They could have a shotgun planted in my mouth and i'd still vote for Ron Paul.
Live Free or Die.

[amistybleu]

You have only one obligation, protect the republic with your vote. God love ya. ;)

[Paul Revered]

The thing that attracts me to Ron Paul the most is his integrity. He says what he will do; and then he does it, even when it may not be popular. It seems that he keeps his promise; even when the act of fulfilling that promise, goes against his personal values. He leads us by serving us. It would seem that you understand what is the right thing to do. Now, what did you say that you will do? Fulfill whatever promises that you have made; then join us.

[Thor]

The one thing our county paper (in Colorado) pointed out this AM:


Although the "presidential preference poll" numbers generated at Tuesday night's caucuses are reported as numbers of votes, the actual delegates to the respective national conventions are not bound to vote for any particular candidate.

[Eponym_mi]

Its good to know we have trojan horse delegates. However, I sure would like to know how many. The numbers from straw polls are extremely demoralizing.

[John P Slevin]

They could have a shotgun planted in my mouth and i'd still vote for Ron Paul.
Live Free or Die.

At such a moment, elections matter little.

[WilliamC]

Defend the constitution, not the sheeple.

IMHO unless you've put your signature on a piece of paper then you're free to vote your conscious.

[762x54r]

The one thing our county paper (in Colorado) pointed out this AM: Quote:
Although the "presidential preference poll" numbers generated at Tuesday night's caucuses are reported as numbers of votes, the actual delegates to the respective national conventions are not bound to vote for any particular candidate.



I am a delegate in a precint wiith only 2/19 support for RP and 8/19 support for Romney. next stop the county convention where the actual national delegates are chosen.

I am wondering how I should play this.

[RonRules]

KFI in Los Angeles said this morning that they think Romney will be out in a week. Hang in there!

I actually hope Romney can win more states.

[Thor]

I am a delegate in a precint wiith only 2/19 support for RP and 8/19 support for Romney. next stop the county convention where the actual national delegates are chosen.

I am wondering how I should play this.

We have county, then state, then national conventions we need to go to.

I think I am going to lay low until state or national if I keep moving forward. I feel it is acceptable given the fact the media has screwed over RP so bad, that if we are going to get anywhere, we need to play by their rules. McCain could have a heart attack, Romney could have some really bad dirt about him come out. People (delegates) can change their mind. Why make yourself a target to get shot down right away at local? Get to National, and then be a vocal brick wall for Ron Paul.

I hate to say it, but we know what is better for this country than the people who vote on a beauty contest, or want to kill, kill, kill.

The caucus last night I went to was a joke. Everything was disorganized, no guidance, people wandering about, no id's checked. Half the packets had resolutions, the other half did not, and they told us to ignore them (and they were on the national ID, privacy, etc). We asked if we needed to read all the pages of the meeting to formally go through it, and they said no, just choose your delegates. I was told that they really need delegates that want to go to State, as they have a hard time getting people to want to go. Excellent.

And the propaganda about how the republicans were the "right ones" and the dem's were evil shitheads made me want to puke.... Saying the Dem's had "no values". It was the holier than thou rah-rah crap.

Are we looking to retake the Republican party from the neo-cons and Christian right who took it over several years ago, or form our own party. If any one who supports RP became a delegate who now thinks they need to vote for the majority of their precinct (like Romney), you need to do a double check.

[Maltheus]

The numbers from straw polls are extremely demoralizing.

We definitely got more delegates than the straw poll represents. That seems to be the case in El Paso county anyway. In my precinct, 45 people showed up to vote. Romney got 21 votes to Ron Paul's 2 (none of my people showed or voted for Paul I guess). However, I got 1 of the 8 county delegate positions, 1 of the 2 congressional delegate positions and 1 of the 2 state delegate positions. I even got a resolution passed on abolishing the federal reserve. After explaining the fed to them, that vote was unanimous.

So Paul only got 4.4% of the straw poll, in my precinct, but 12.5% of the county delegate slots, 50% of the congressional district slots and 50% of the state slots. I know many of the other precincts were similar.

[Maltheus]

KFI in Los Angeles said this morning that they think Romney will be out in a week. Hang in there!

Good. We had about 20 precincts in the same gymnasium and people stumping for their presidential candidates up front. The guy stumping for McCain got booed off the stage and threatened with violence. I was amazed by it. The Ron Paul speakers got mostly cheered (although not as much as the Romney guy). If Romney leaves, I can see Colorado following Paul (even to a 3rd party). That's El Paso county though, not sure about the more liberal areas.

[allyinoh]

No I live up North Metro. I am not sure what to do. I think Dr. Paul would say respect democracy. If I just disregarded my communities vote I feel I would under cut the system. I respect my precincts trust in me.

The advice of the meet up group was correct. My mistake was not declaring, clearly my support for Dr. Paul. If I had done that and still got elected I would feel better casting my vote for Dr. Paul at the state and county level. The best I can hope for is keep moving towards the National convention. And do what I can to move The Revolution forward.

Its a very tough situation for me. As I am deeply in love with the principles of The Revolution.

Yo

I'm sure there are Mitt Romney forums somewhere on the web.

[Commander Yo]

Thanks for the comments ya'all. What I love about all you guys, is that you are never boring or stupid. Thanks.

Two of the Ron Paul supporters were total nut bags last night, a total embarrassment. They were so far outside of the system and could not participate anyway. That is not how we win! Thankfully, one well dressed woman did an excellent thoughtful speech for Ron Paul. I gave her that look like you got my back? So we did our job, I am a delegate. The worst thing to do would have been to give up my voice. I did not promise anything to anyone. I did not declare I would support Romney. But these people are my friends and neighbors, as long as Romney is in the race I will not forsake that. I believe Dr. Paul would agree; the Revolution IS about integrity.

In addition my Mormon friend spoke in support of Romney. In doing so all he talked about was respect and support of the constitution. Most Mormons believe that the constitution is a divinely inspired document, which it is. I am fairly sure they all know that I was not a Romney person and that I was a Paul guy, although I stayed away from any blatant support of Paul. I believe I was given a mandate to respect and defend the constitution as well, so I will see how things shake out...Hopefully Romney will tank and I will not be left in this moral crisis.

That said, I am going to continue with the strategy of flying under the radar and being a good little GOP minion. We take this back one person at a time, however slowly and painfully that will be. And when the time comes, or I hit the end of my road, I will spring forth from my Trojan Horse and do what I can for Dr. Ron Paul. I pray he does not drop out even with a very very tough night last night. I suggest all of us delegates do this, we need a delegate thread so we can talk strategy. I did achieved the objective based exactly on the outline from the meet-up group, just not the way I wanted it to!

Yo

[Crickett]

Mormons do hold the Constitution as sacred. I do not understand why they would not vote for a Christian Constitutionalist instead of a Mormon Warmonger. I think you need to speak. I think you need to help them understand where their hearts truly lie. Anyone can "fake" religion.

[jdmetz]

I know we have a non-binding commitment but I will faithfully execute my duty as a Romney Delegate. That is the right thing to do. :o

Right? :D

Did you declare your support for Romney, or do they not know who you support? If you never said who you would vote for, then I think it is fine for you to vote for whoever you want.

Here's an idea, though - what is the first stage of the process at which delegates are bound to the candidate? If Romney wins the county convention and you are a delegate, do you need to vote for him at the state level? If he wins the state convention and you are a delegate to the national convention, do you need to vote for him there? You might want to make it as far as possible being "undeclared", and only vote for Paul at the highest level you can actually do so.

[therealjjj77]

No I live up North Metro. I am not sure what to do. I think Dr. Paul would say respect democracy. If I just disregarded my communities vote I feel I would under cut the system. I respect my precincts trust in me.

The advice of the meet up group was correct. My mistake was not declaring, clearly my support for Dr. Paul. If I had done that and still got elected I would feel better casting my vote for Dr. Paul at the state and county level. The best I can hope for is keep moving towards the National convention. And do what I can to move The Revolution forward.

Its a very tough situation for me. As I am deeply in love with the principles of The Revolution.

Yo

We do not live in a democracy nor does Ron Paul support democracy. Democracy is the idea that the majority rules. If the majority thinks slavery is OK, then slavery is OK under democracy.

However, a republic, which is what Ron Paul supports and what our nation is, is based upon the rule of law. People are elected to follow and obey the rule of law even if it goes against the majority's wishes.

Romney has made very clear that he has no intention of ending this unconstitutional war or ending the misapplication of the income tax. Romney has no intention of decreasing the size of government. Only Ron Paul has always followed his oath to uphold the Constitution. Romney has not.

You must vote according to who YOU feel would best uphold the rule of law. That is the republic way. You should not vote based on some majority. Majority is irrelevant. The law is all that matters. And you are guilty of violating it if you knowingly put someone into power who will.

[helmuth_hubener]

I did not promise anything to anyone.

...Hopefully Romney will tank and I will not be left in this moral crisis.
There is no moral crisis here. You didn't promise anything. You thus do not have to break any promise. Where is the moral crisis?

Even if, hypothetically, you *did* have to promise to vote for Romney, subterfuge is not necessarily forbidden by the commandments. Consider the case of Nephi in 1 Ne. 4, getting the plates from Laban. Romney is an enemy. The things he stands for are evil. His proposed policies are evil. He does not stand for Mormon values. He wants the government to steal, enslave, and murder. We are justified in defending ourselves against the atrocities Mitt supports.

Your goal is to help Ron Paul get support, right? So obviously, vote for Ron Paul at some point. The question, as someone else mentioned, is how to best do this, since there are additional levels to go (district, state, national). If you think you can infiltrate all the way to the top and become a national delegate under the Romney banner (but you will really vote for Ron Paul) then go for it. I don't know how Colorado works.

If I had thought quicker and smarter where I'm at (in Wyoming), I would have volunteered and become a part of the Romney campaign and hopefully been their national delegate nominee. I'm a Mormon and fit the profile -- I could have easily pulled the wool over their eyes. That way it would have been a run-off between a Ron Paul supporter and a (secret) Ron Paul supporter and we would have won either way.

In any case, you should have *no moral dilemma*! This is politics. To think that you would be in any way dishonest to vote for Ron Paul is simply a misunderstanding of honesty. You made no promise. You bore no false witness. You told no lies. You are a total free agent, so now go in there and win one for Ron Paul!

[therealjjj77]

You have a moral obligation to vote for the candidate who will obey the Constitution. If there are two of these, then you can follow their preference. Unfortunately there aren't two candidates running who have and will obey the Constitution, there is only one.

[life_boy]

Of course, you can follow the example of ol' Mitt and change your position now that you've been elected.

But integrity is a good thing.

[J Free]

Overnight I thought about your concern.

You were not elected to parrot the will of the people who attended the caucus. You were elected to represent the people of your precinct.

So head out and do a bit of one-on-one canvassing. Use the precinct leader program at RP2008.com. Or you now have a serious "in" to ask questions because you are a delegate.

If people in your precinct are uncommitted, find out the issues that resonate with them. Even if they say they support someone else, find out what issues resonate. Your goal is to ask questions of them - to listen not to talk/sell.

It may well be that most Republicans in your precinct are a)uncommitted themselves, b)believe in low taxes, small government, Constitution, etc. And if so, then you fulfill your obligations by pondering which candidate best represents those. Even if they haven't even heard of that candidate or only know that candidate via media smears. After all, they did elect you to pay attention to all those details so they wouldn't need to.

OTOH, if your precinct is a bunch of big-government, empire-builders, who want a Prez who plays "let's make a deal" with a Dem Congress, who rather like forcing their children to pay our debts, who want open-borders and one-world government, who don't much care about the 2nd Amendment (or the whole document for that matter), and would really prefer a dictatorship or mobocracy to a republic; then your dilemma remains.

[tamor]

You do what is the best for your own heart and mind - but please visit ronpaul2008.com and read about his issues -- then youtube Ron Paul and listen to his speeches -- please do that

[Bilgefisher]

Now its real easy for you. Win/win. :)

[J Free]

True. Now its time to convert that family to Ron Paul and add a few more delegates to the RP side.

[Crickett]

True. Now its time to convert that family to Ron Paul and add a few more delegates to the RP side.

Thats exactly what I was thinking. All the Mormons should surely go to the Constitutionalist..