sailingaway
05-03-2012, 11:14 AM
There's a reason slates aren't used much anymore for roofing. They look strong, but over time they loosen and unless perfectly fastened, they slip and fall — hitting passing people on the head.
Several prominent bystanders were slammed by the collapse of the "Romney slate" at caucuses held statewide last Saturday to elect delegates to the 2012 Tampa GOP convention.
Minority Leader Brad Jones deserved the honor for his work in electing new state reps. Sheriff Lew Evangelides did yeoman work for the Romney campaign. But, like Kerry Healey and Charlie Baker, they were all swept away when the "Romney" delegate slates were outvoted by Ron Paul supporters and grass-roots activists. The home state convention delegation of the GOP nominee will be showcased, but the cast will not be the one the campaign had planned.
Although no longer on the state committee, I had emailed Chairman Bob Maginn and other executive board members warning that we didn't have such anointed slates in 2008 and it could actually depress turnout among Romney supporters who weren't "chosen." One board member wrote back — "I think the Romney folks want to be SURE the delegates elected support Mitt 100 percent, and that is why they waited so long to release their slates of delegates. Sometimes it helps to thin (delegate hopefuls) out by telling them that it will cost them at least $3,000 to attend, with travel, hotel and registration fees, not to mention meals. The hotels in Tampa require a five-night minimum that week, and it costs about $300 per night! Four years ago, the Ron Paul kids (most of them were of college age) did a great job of organizing, and got enough of their people to the caucuses to elect a nice number as delegates or alternates from Massachusetts. The Romney team won't let that happen again, if possible. There are other things to vote on at the National Convention, such as rules and procedures, and too many of the Ron Paul voters could cause trouble in a convention that is to be Mitt's 'showcase.'" But the strategy to use top-down control to guarantee results is no longer a feasible one, if it ever was.
I understand they DID try that 'it will cost you $3000' to dissuade people last weekend -- but it didn't work.
a lot more at link: http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120503/OPINION/205030306/-1/OPINION0306
Several prominent bystanders were slammed by the collapse of the "Romney slate" at caucuses held statewide last Saturday to elect delegates to the 2012 Tampa GOP convention.
Minority Leader Brad Jones deserved the honor for his work in electing new state reps. Sheriff Lew Evangelides did yeoman work for the Romney campaign. But, like Kerry Healey and Charlie Baker, they were all swept away when the "Romney" delegate slates were outvoted by Ron Paul supporters and grass-roots activists. The home state convention delegation of the GOP nominee will be showcased, but the cast will not be the one the campaign had planned.
Although no longer on the state committee, I had emailed Chairman Bob Maginn and other executive board members warning that we didn't have such anointed slates in 2008 and it could actually depress turnout among Romney supporters who weren't "chosen." One board member wrote back — "I think the Romney folks want to be SURE the delegates elected support Mitt 100 percent, and that is why they waited so long to release their slates of delegates. Sometimes it helps to thin (delegate hopefuls) out by telling them that it will cost them at least $3,000 to attend, with travel, hotel and registration fees, not to mention meals. The hotels in Tampa require a five-night minimum that week, and it costs about $300 per night! Four years ago, the Ron Paul kids (most of them were of college age) did a great job of organizing, and got enough of their people to the caucuses to elect a nice number as delegates or alternates from Massachusetts. The Romney team won't let that happen again, if possible. There are other things to vote on at the National Convention, such as rules and procedures, and too many of the Ron Paul voters could cause trouble in a convention that is to be Mitt's 'showcase.'" But the strategy to use top-down control to guarantee results is no longer a feasible one, if it ever was.
I understand they DID try that 'it will cost you $3000' to dissuade people last weekend -- but it didn't work.
a lot more at link: http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120503/OPINION/205030306/-1/OPINION0306