wgadget
05-21-2008, 01:55 PM
http://minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4055
A significant amount of attention has been paid to the anti-war protesters and liberal demonstrators headed for the Republican National Convention, but a potentially more disruptive group of political activists threatens to descend on St. Paul this September in what has already been dubbed "Ron Paul's Revolt."
"I have a busload of Ron Paul supporters on the way to Minneapolis-Saint Paul for the National Convention, along with an expanding army of volunteers from more than 1,500 locations coast to coast. We are resolved to make these next few months count. We look forward to the list of speakers. We will converge on Minnesota regardless of whether you invite Dr. Paul, but we would prefer to stay in hotels and attend the convention as members of the Republican Party rather than stay at the YMCA and protest outside as disaffected ex-Republicans. The choice is yours."
That is the message Ron Paul supporters are sending to Maria Cino, chief executive officer of the Committee of Arrangements which is organizing the 2008 Republican National Convention. Paul's fervent followers have been frustrated by the Republican Party establishment as they continue to push their candidate's libertarian ideals. Many in the party view Paul as a nuisance for not ending his campaign and not endorsing Republican nominee John McCain.
The Paul campaign has been organizing for state and county conventions nationwide in an attempt to wrest delegates away from McCain. This has led to disruptions of state GOP conventions in Nevada, Maine, Hawaii, Idaho, and Georgia as well as district conventions in Minnesota. Now, word of an unconfirmed "Freedom Rally" to be held in St. Paul during the Republican National Convention is spreading through message boards, blogs and MeetUp groups. Such a demonstration could steal the spotlight from McCain and give the Republican Party a major headache going into the general election.
Paul spoke with radio station KTRH in Houston this past week and discussed the role of his supporters at the convention. When asked about a "revolt" at the convention, Paul said he wasn't sure that's the appropriate word, but "there certainly will be some challenges because the supporters I have, have been very energized." Asked what those challenges from his supporters in St. Paul may be, Paul said, "There is no specific plan."
While Paul's lawyers have apparently advised the candidate to avoid such a rally, the prospect of unrest is being used as leverage for a prime speaking slot at the convention. Furthermore, Paul himself may be helpless to stop his enthusiastic supporters from crashing the party if their dissatisfaction persists.
Listen: Paul interview on KTRH in Houston
A significant amount of attention has been paid to the anti-war protesters and liberal demonstrators headed for the Republican National Convention, but a potentially more disruptive group of political activists threatens to descend on St. Paul this September in what has already been dubbed "Ron Paul's Revolt."
"I have a busload of Ron Paul supporters on the way to Minneapolis-Saint Paul for the National Convention, along with an expanding army of volunteers from more than 1,500 locations coast to coast. We are resolved to make these next few months count. We look forward to the list of speakers. We will converge on Minnesota regardless of whether you invite Dr. Paul, but we would prefer to stay in hotels and attend the convention as members of the Republican Party rather than stay at the YMCA and protest outside as disaffected ex-Republicans. The choice is yours."
That is the message Ron Paul supporters are sending to Maria Cino, chief executive officer of the Committee of Arrangements which is organizing the 2008 Republican National Convention. Paul's fervent followers have been frustrated by the Republican Party establishment as they continue to push their candidate's libertarian ideals. Many in the party view Paul as a nuisance for not ending his campaign and not endorsing Republican nominee John McCain.
The Paul campaign has been organizing for state and county conventions nationwide in an attempt to wrest delegates away from McCain. This has led to disruptions of state GOP conventions in Nevada, Maine, Hawaii, Idaho, and Georgia as well as district conventions in Minnesota. Now, word of an unconfirmed "Freedom Rally" to be held in St. Paul during the Republican National Convention is spreading through message boards, blogs and MeetUp groups. Such a demonstration could steal the spotlight from McCain and give the Republican Party a major headache going into the general election.
Paul spoke with radio station KTRH in Houston this past week and discussed the role of his supporters at the convention. When asked about a "revolt" at the convention, Paul said he wasn't sure that's the appropriate word, but "there certainly will be some challenges because the supporters I have, have been very energized." Asked what those challenges from his supporters in St. Paul may be, Paul said, "There is no specific plan."
While Paul's lawyers have apparently advised the candidate to avoid such a rally, the prospect of unrest is being used as leverage for a prime speaking slot at the convention. Furthermore, Paul himself may be helpless to stop his enthusiastic supporters from crashing the party if their dissatisfaction persists.
Listen: Paul interview on KTRH in Houston