devil21
04-11-2008, 03:23 AM
Heads up to future delegates! According to this article, the GOP is starting to change the rules in order to EXCLUDE Ron Paul delegates. This will likely spread across the country.
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/04/11/news/local_state/134604.txt
In direct response to recent activity by supporters of GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, the Twin Falls County Republican Central Committee amended its bylaws Wednesday to require members attending the state convention in June to vote for national delegates based on how the county votes May 7.
The change - one of several made at a monthly meeting - eliminates the opportunity for members to vote for their own preference and not for the victor in the Republican primary. On Idaho's ballot are Paul, the Texas Congressman, and Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, who has earned enough delegates to be the presumptive nominee.
Committee members said that Paul supporters are trying to overtake the committee with ideology and haven't been active in local politics enough, particularly with the Lincoln Day banquets and a spring picnic, two of the biggest party events.
"We're for the people. We're elected to represent the people," said Jennifer Gose-Eells, a committee member challenged by a Paul supporter. "We're always looking for help but none of these people were there when we needed it, not until they wanted the elected positions."
The change in bylaws came the same day that Paul announced he will visit Twin Falls on April 25. A campaign office is scheduled to open Saturday.
In June, the county will send 16 members to the GOP state convention in Sandpoint. They'll choose the delegates to attend the national convention in Minnesota in September.
But the members who go to Sandpoint will be nominated by the precinct members - who can nominate themselves. At least a dozen candidates for the central committee's 19 contested races are Paul supporters, based on a local Paul Web site.
Rick Martin, who is vying for a precinct in Buhl, said he and his group will follow the rules if they go to Sandpoint. But they are interested in more than just the presidential race and want to bring the party back to its original intentions.
"It's just a political game they're playing," he said. "The bylaw changes are a prime example they're scared."
The change, which passed 19 to 1, was recommended by a sub-committee. It reads: "In any issue regarding Idaho delegates to the National Republican Convention, Twin Falls County delegates must vote so as to reflect the votes cast by the Republican electorate in the county presidential preference primary."
Martin conceded he and his supporters haven't attended the Republican events, but said that they have lobbied local committee precinct members with flyers, a new Web site and other efforts to participate - only to have been given the cold shoulder.
Steve Hartgen, a precinct chairman member, said the revisions were prepared earlier this year when the Republican field was more crowded, but the potential of people voting independently of the electorate remains.
"It's designed in some way as a firewall," Hartgen said. "They haven't been doing the meat and potatoes."
He said they are trying to take over local politics with an ideology that is out of sync with the Magic Valley.
Ken Edmunds, who helped draft the bylaws and is challenged by a Paul supporter, said the change is a response to Martin's group but he welcomes the challengers as part of the democratic process.
"If it's in reaction to them, it's a good thing," he said. He added: "It's nice for someone to jump on a soapbox and shout for a while but what we're focused on is the long-term success of the party."
Martin said the mandate of voting at the convention violates the state's party rules, an allegation that Edmunds, a longtime Republican who has sought office, responded with "show me where."
Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 208-735-3204 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/04/11/news/local_state/134604.txt
In direct response to recent activity by supporters of GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, the Twin Falls County Republican Central Committee amended its bylaws Wednesday to require members attending the state convention in June to vote for national delegates based on how the county votes May 7.
The change - one of several made at a monthly meeting - eliminates the opportunity for members to vote for their own preference and not for the victor in the Republican primary. On Idaho's ballot are Paul, the Texas Congressman, and Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, who has earned enough delegates to be the presumptive nominee.
Committee members said that Paul supporters are trying to overtake the committee with ideology and haven't been active in local politics enough, particularly with the Lincoln Day banquets and a spring picnic, two of the biggest party events.
"We're for the people. We're elected to represent the people," said Jennifer Gose-Eells, a committee member challenged by a Paul supporter. "We're always looking for help but none of these people were there when we needed it, not until they wanted the elected positions."
The change in bylaws came the same day that Paul announced he will visit Twin Falls on April 25. A campaign office is scheduled to open Saturday.
In June, the county will send 16 members to the GOP state convention in Sandpoint. They'll choose the delegates to attend the national convention in Minnesota in September.
But the members who go to Sandpoint will be nominated by the precinct members - who can nominate themselves. At least a dozen candidates for the central committee's 19 contested races are Paul supporters, based on a local Paul Web site.
Rick Martin, who is vying for a precinct in Buhl, said he and his group will follow the rules if they go to Sandpoint. But they are interested in more than just the presidential race and want to bring the party back to its original intentions.
"It's just a political game they're playing," he said. "The bylaw changes are a prime example they're scared."
The change, which passed 19 to 1, was recommended by a sub-committee. It reads: "In any issue regarding Idaho delegates to the National Republican Convention, Twin Falls County delegates must vote so as to reflect the votes cast by the Republican electorate in the county presidential preference primary."
Martin conceded he and his supporters haven't attended the Republican events, but said that they have lobbied local committee precinct members with flyers, a new Web site and other efforts to participate - only to have been given the cold shoulder.
Steve Hartgen, a precinct chairman member, said the revisions were prepared earlier this year when the Republican field was more crowded, but the potential of people voting independently of the electorate remains.
"It's designed in some way as a firewall," Hartgen said. "They haven't been doing the meat and potatoes."
He said they are trying to take over local politics with an ideology that is out of sync with the Magic Valley.
Ken Edmunds, who helped draft the bylaws and is challenged by a Paul supporter, said the change is a response to Martin's group but he welcomes the challengers as part of the democratic process.
"If it's in reaction to them, it's a good thing," he said. He added: "It's nice for someone to jump on a soapbox and shout for a while but what we're focused on is the long-term success of the party."
Martin said the mandate of voting at the convention violates the state's party rules, an allegation that Edmunds, a longtime Republican who has sought office, responded with "show me where."
Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 208-735-3204 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com