mudburn
06-10-2008, 07:21 AM
I've posted some thoughts about and description of events at the Kentucky GOP state convention in another thread. I wanted to know what the chair and vice chair of my county GOP thought about the convention since they were both there as delegates. FYI, we are a small county with only 7 delegates total, 4 of whom were in Bowling Green Saturday for the convention. I sent the following email to both of them:
It was nice to see you yesterday, although it was quite brief. I'm glad I had the opportunity to go to the convention. It was an interesting experience, although I was disappointed that it was organized so that the delegates had little to no input on the business conducted. Even though the district convention limited the delegates' involvement too, at least there was a little opportunity for input and participation (although the delegates' actual role in that convention was too limited too). I was also disappointed yesterday with how the chair responded to points of order, calling them dilatory before they were stated. Although the chair has the authority under Article VI of Robert's Rules of Order to not recognize those attempting to raise a question of order or he may rule them out of order if he believes they are being dilatory, absurd, or frivilous, I believe this authority was abused yesterday. He basically ruled that all questions of order after a certain point in time were dilatory regardless of from whom they came, which is a violation of the intent of the rules, in my opinion.
Are these conventions always organized so that the delegates have no part in the business except to "rubber stamp" what has already been decided before the convention? Based upon the rules of the party, the delegates have the power to shape and direct the party and its platform, but the example of yesterday illustrated how that power is carefully manipulated and controlled, in my opinion. I am curious about your thoughts on the convention yesterday. If you think I'm out of line in my objections/concerns, please tell me so and explain why you feel that way, if you would. I'm afraid that yesterday's events will be interpreted by many as some individuals just being disruptive. I believe there was a desire on the part of several delegates there, including myself, to have a debate and discussion and to be involved in the business of the convention as delegates ought to be. There was no opportunity for the state delegates to have a meaningful or significant role in the convention, and the organization of the convention communicates a desire on the party leadership for the delegates to be impotent in this regard. I find that disturbing and am disappointed by it, but I am open to hearing your thoughts on the matter.
I received responses from both of them. The first, from the vice chair. She said:
I very much agree with you. I thought we would have, at least , a bit of a chance to voice our opinions on things. I was .... unhappy. I hope we can get together to make changes. We need to HELP THIS COUNTRY!!! We are The People as it says in the Constitution of The United States of America!!!
She followed up with a request for me to call her on Monday to talk about it. Which I did. We had a good discussion that I expect will lead to some positive efforts to organize Republicans in our and surrounding counties in order to affect the process.
The chair sent this message in response:
I was so angry I almost walked out. I have not been that aggravated for a long time and if the Sgt's at Arms had laid their hands on the young lady trying to speak I am afraid I probably would have been arrested. That was not my America I saw yesterday. Now where do we go from here. Politics is a nasty vicious game not for the weak kneed. Our little group seems to be like minded so I suggest we meet very soon and talk this out. I intend to write a protest letter to the Chairman with a CC to every Republican Official in the state and our Congressional delegation.
Have a great day and May God Bless America
He is a 'vote for the Republican team' individual. So, I was pleased that he was upset with the way the party handled things, not with people wanting to have input in the process.
Neither of these individuals are Ron Paul supporters, but they are conservative enough to agree with him somewhat at least. Hopefully, this will lead to some positive outcomes and organization in our area. Along with 3 or 4 other counties, we are an isolated section of our congressional district. We may work towards building a coalition with these other counties so that collectively, we will have more of a voice and say in things. I find it encouraging to see some like-minded views locally.
dp
It was nice to see you yesterday, although it was quite brief. I'm glad I had the opportunity to go to the convention. It was an interesting experience, although I was disappointed that it was organized so that the delegates had little to no input on the business conducted. Even though the district convention limited the delegates' involvement too, at least there was a little opportunity for input and participation (although the delegates' actual role in that convention was too limited too). I was also disappointed yesterday with how the chair responded to points of order, calling them dilatory before they were stated. Although the chair has the authority under Article VI of Robert's Rules of Order to not recognize those attempting to raise a question of order or he may rule them out of order if he believes they are being dilatory, absurd, or frivilous, I believe this authority was abused yesterday. He basically ruled that all questions of order after a certain point in time were dilatory regardless of from whom they came, which is a violation of the intent of the rules, in my opinion.
Are these conventions always organized so that the delegates have no part in the business except to "rubber stamp" what has already been decided before the convention? Based upon the rules of the party, the delegates have the power to shape and direct the party and its platform, but the example of yesterday illustrated how that power is carefully manipulated and controlled, in my opinion. I am curious about your thoughts on the convention yesterday. If you think I'm out of line in my objections/concerns, please tell me so and explain why you feel that way, if you would. I'm afraid that yesterday's events will be interpreted by many as some individuals just being disruptive. I believe there was a desire on the part of several delegates there, including myself, to have a debate and discussion and to be involved in the business of the convention as delegates ought to be. There was no opportunity for the state delegates to have a meaningful or significant role in the convention, and the organization of the convention communicates a desire on the party leadership for the delegates to be impotent in this regard. I find that disturbing and am disappointed by it, but I am open to hearing your thoughts on the matter.
I received responses from both of them. The first, from the vice chair. She said:
I very much agree with you. I thought we would have, at least , a bit of a chance to voice our opinions on things. I was .... unhappy. I hope we can get together to make changes. We need to HELP THIS COUNTRY!!! We are The People as it says in the Constitution of The United States of America!!!
She followed up with a request for me to call her on Monday to talk about it. Which I did. We had a good discussion that I expect will lead to some positive efforts to organize Republicans in our and surrounding counties in order to affect the process.
The chair sent this message in response:
I was so angry I almost walked out. I have not been that aggravated for a long time and if the Sgt's at Arms had laid their hands on the young lady trying to speak I am afraid I probably would have been arrested. That was not my America I saw yesterday. Now where do we go from here. Politics is a nasty vicious game not for the weak kneed. Our little group seems to be like minded so I suggest we meet very soon and talk this out. I intend to write a protest letter to the Chairman with a CC to every Republican Official in the state and our Congressional delegation.
Have a great day and May God Bless America
He is a 'vote for the Republican team' individual. So, I was pleased that he was upset with the way the party handled things, not with people wanting to have input in the process.
Neither of these individuals are Ron Paul supporters, but they are conservative enough to agree with him somewhat at least. Hopefully, this will lead to some positive outcomes and organization in our area. Along with 3 or 4 other counties, we are an isolated section of our congressional district. We may work towards building a coalition with these other counties so that collectively, we will have more of a voice and say in things. I find it encouraging to see some like-minded views locally.
dp