CFL Member Running for Florida GOP Chairman

[LibertyEagle]

This is nuts. Really. The C4L is sending out canned responses to emails.

Heath,

I've heard from quite a few members in Florida, many who tell me they've become more politically active and engaged as a result of Mark's leadership, and even run for and won election to local office with his encouragement and help.

From my perspective, Mark didn’t compromise his principles or the movement, what he did do was build a bridge of good will and illicit from Greer a commitment to address the issues that Mark ran on, just as Dr. Paul said he was willing to do with McCain had McCain agreed to adopt Ron’s issues.

As I understand it, in his acceptance speech Greer stated that he would make sure than RP supporters who wanted to participate wouldn’t be shut out. That’s a start and a promise he should be held to. I assure you, Mark will do his best to make sure he keeps his word.

Eating our own does us little good, particularly when it’s someone who has worked as hard and effectively for us as Mark has. If we continue to do so, there will be no one left to fight the fight. Mark is not a state committeeman, former coordinator for RP, C4L interim coordinator, a former GOP County Committee officer and RLC Treasurer by accident. He’s proven himself and I stand in full support of his interim leadership for C4L, and hope that you will reconsider.


For liberty,

Debbie Hopper
VP of Membership
www.campaignforliberty.com

Oh puhleeese.... If this is a question that has been asked numerous times, sending the same response is valid. It's only when such responses are used when they do not answer the questions raised in the communication you sent them, that "canned" responses are bad.

 

[bobbyw24]

Here is C4L VP of memberships' response to me about Mark Cross

Bobby,

You know, there’s always at least two sides to every story.
I've heard from quite a few members in Florida, many who tell me they've become more politically active and engaged as a result of Mark's leadership, and even run for and won election to local office with his encouragement and help.
From my perspective, Mark didn’t compromise his principles or the movement, what he did do was build a bridge of good will to other state committee members who should be with us and illicit from Greer a commitment to address the issues that Mark ran on, just as Dr. Paul said he was willing to do with McCain had McCain agreed to adopt Ron’s issues.
As I understand it, in his acceptance speech Greer stated that he would make sure than RP supporters who wanted to participate wouldn’t be shut out any longer. That’s a start and a promise he should be held to. I assure you, Mark will do his best to make sure he keeps his word.
Eating our own does us little good, particularly when it’s someone who has worked as hard and effectively for us as Mark has. If we continue to do so, there will be no one left to fight the fight. Mark is not a state committeeman, former coordinator for RP, C4L interim coordinator, a former GOP County Committee officer and RLC Treasurer by accident. He’s proven himself and I stand in full support of his interim leadership for C4L.
For liberty,

Debbie Hopper
VP of Membership
www.campaignforliberty.com

 

[LibertyEagle]

I wish someone would define what 'GOODWILL' and UNITY really means here, in relation to the Ron Paul Republicans. Does this mean they will take our donations, then laugh about it later?..or?

Seems like he answered it here...

Unity is important. We need to unify behind real Republican principles. We can accomplish this by preparing for the 2010 election cycle. There will be tens of thousands of races all across the country including City Commissioners, County Commissioners, School Districts, and local boards. Many of these races require very little resources. If we plan now to field our candidates and participate with the Republican Party we can win.

But please remember, unity does not mean arbitrarily supporting any candidate who has an R behind his name. We can elevate the debate by supporting candidates who support real Republican principles. It is our job to hold the party to higher standards. With this approach we will win elections.

The bottom line is “All Politics Is Local”. A local city or county commission race might not seem as glamorous as Congress, but I guarantee you will have a better chance of success. You will also have a better chance at effectuating change within your community simply by running.

I want to issue a challenge to everyone who wants to participate with Republicans. Come to meetings. Join Republican clubs. Get to know people. Participate in a positive manner. Learn the rules. Get to know your elected officials. And most importantly, organize your precinct. Many of you have been quite successful. 2010 will be a banner year. [emphasis mine]

We had the same BS happen in our County re-org. meeting with the Chair position, with the same line of GOODWILL and UNITY...lip service R us.

Ask Cross to get Greer to sign a statement that supports Ron Pauls bill to End the Fed, and to support a non-interventionist foreign policy, then i think you will find out how much they are interested in having Ron Paul Republicans in the fold.

Any bets on how that goes over?

BECOME the party. THAT is how you change things. No one said for you to vote for someone who did not have the principles you hold dear. But, if we do not get in the game, we certainly are going to fail.

 

[Matt Collins]

This is getting worse and worse

 

[LibertyEagle]

This is getting worse and worse

Huh? There's nothing anyone can do about it. Just stay focused.

 

[JS4Pat]

This is nuts. Really. The C4L is sending out canned responses to emails.

Hey I didn't get a canned response to my letter!

Hello Debbie –

Thanks for all you have done and continue to do!

I am a member of the Campaign for Liberty, Vice Chair of the RLC of Northeast Florida and the original organizer for the Jacksonville Ron Paul 2008 Meetup Group which began back in May of 2007. Like you I have devoted an enormous amount of time and effort to seeing this movement grow.

I was informed of an exchange between you and Nick Egoroff in which there were some questions raised regarding the merits of Nick’s leadership and that of Mark Cross. Let me just start by saying - I dislike wasting time on petty infighting but I feel I must weigh in on this situation. I am friends with both Nick and Mark and have worked with them many times over the past two years. It didn’t take me long to realize that they had two very different personality types and would contribute to this movement in 2 very different ways. I am fine with all types of leadership so long as they accomplish our goals. As someone on the ground level of the liberty movement in Florida I can say unequivocally that Nick Egoroff is accomplishing our goals and Mark Cross is not and has not. I can go through and list the accomplishments and shortcomings of each if you prefer evidence rather than just my opinion.

I am sending this message to you mainly because I want our movement to succeed in the state of Florida and right now the C4L does not have the leadership in place that will give the organization the best opportunity for success. Mark Cross is an asset to the movement and there is certainly a place for him – but it is not in State Level leadership. If you want C4L to succeed in Florida you simply must change the C4L State Coordinator.

On another note…

It appears that the Republican Liberty Caucus is becoming the primary vehicle for continuing the Ron Paul Revolution in Florida. Here in Northeast Florida we have an extremely active organization. We have spent thousands of dollars on marketing brochures and rack cards/slim jims and we have won over some influential people. On March 27-28th Jacksonville will host the RLC State Convention and we intend to vote in a new board of state leaders who will lead the effort in making every region of the state as successful as Northeast Florida. One thing that has been difficult for us is figuring out the best way to leverage the C4L with the efforts of the RLC. We have our own officers/organizational structure, by laws, websites, charters etc. and our issues and overall mission is essentially the same as that of the Campaign for Liberty It almost seems like we are duplicating efforts and sometimes even splitting up valuable resources. I would be very interested in speaking with someone at the C4L about this subject.

Also - the RLC would welcome any C4L representation at the RLC State Convention in March.

RLC of Florida Website:
http://www.rlcfl.org/

RLC of Northeast Florida Meetup Group:
http://www.meetup.com/RLCNF-org/

 

[pennycat]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I try my best to grow the cause of Liberty in Florida and am grateful for all the encouragement.

This current situation of Mark Cross is indeed disheartening. He broke the principles of Liberty by caving in to powerful special interests (as opposed to what Ron Paul does in Congress everyday), when he endorsed one of the most corrupt and anti-RP state party chairman.

Worsening this was his betrayal to another candidate in the race for chairman of our state Republican Party. Both had shook hands and promised the other to endorse the other in a runoff election (even up to the night before the election). I've met this other candidate over the last six months. He's a good man that respects Ron Paul. He deserved better than a back-stab by someone that purports to be the leader of the Campaign for Liberty.

I urge everyone to contact Debbie Hopper (VP of Membership at Campaign For Liberty and directly responsible for Mark Cross' appointment or removal). Her email address is [email protected]

Tell her to put this issue up to a vote by the over 6000 CFL members. Free and fair elections is all we ask. Not appointed coordinators that answer to no one.

 

[Matt Collins]

Free and fair elections is all we ask. Not appointed coordinators that answer to no one.

I definitely agree with this.

The CFL is stagnating in some states because of an inability for the organization to actually organize itself. In other words, HQ appears to be slowing down the process as usual. We all understand that central planning is detrimental to progress (which is why we are libertarians), so why doesn't the CFL follow it's own philosophy?

 

[Ladiliberty]

Yikes I was the original poster here in the forums of Nicks article on the RPOF election. I posted it because I felt betrayed by Mark cross in his support of Greer. Perhaps Debbie is not aware of the dictatorial traits of Greer. See partial story here>

http://www.nolanchart.com/article3956.html

I'm in Sarasota and experienced first hand the exclusion of REC members (many life long republicans) in to our local REC per directives from Greer. No where on RPOF or RPOS site was mention of the new oaths for RPOF being required by candidates. If not for an internal mole we would not have known...My Chairman followed Greers direction and returned our forms numerous times. We finally fed EXed them along with what our County Chairman was doing to Crist, State REC board and RPOF. We brought in 29 new members and several others in 3 other counties.

Greer also attempted to make all Florida county supervisor of elections collect this new
form along with our candidate filing forms only to be slapped and rejected by the State election board in Tallahassee .


From: Chairman Jim Greer {mailto:Mikey@rpof,org]
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:47 PM
Subject: Election and Party Oath Proceedures

To: RPOF State Committee Members
From: James A. Greer, Chairman
Subject: Election and Party Oath Procedures
Date: June 12,2008
As each of you is aware, there has been much discussion regarding when, and with whom the party loyalty oath should be filed and the process for filing for election as Precinct, District, and State Committeeperson.
In addition, there has recently been new information provided by the Division of Elections along with other relevant facts which requires me to clarify the process and ensure that the integrity and organizational structure of our local RECs are maintained in accordance with our party's constitution and rules.
Therefore, after additional consultation with our party's General Counsel and after personally reviewing our party's rules and regulations, I have concluded the following:
1. Based on our parry's governing documents, including Rules 5, 8, 9 and 11, the party, in its sole discretion, has the authority to govern its membership and all internal matters. This includes determining eligibility and qualification requirements for all party offices.
2. Republican Party of Florida Rule 9 states that the newly approved party loyalty oath that was adopted at the February 2008 Annual meeting must be signed and filed with the local REC County Chairman. As a result, anyone running for State, District or Precinct Committeeperson must file the party loyalty oath no later than noon on Friday, June 20, 2008 in order to be considered properly qualified under party rules to seek or hold such office.

3. County Chairs shall have thirty days upon receipt to forward copies of such oath to the State Party.

4. In addition to the Party Loyalty oath and pursuant to Florida Statutes 99.021 and 99.061, anyone running for party office must also file between noon on Monday, June 16, 2008, and noon on Friday, June. .20, 2008, the necessary Oath of Candidate "qualification form with the local Supervisor of Elections. Depending on the office sought the forms are DS-DE 24C (Precinct), DS-DE24D (District) and DS-DE24E (State).
5. Local County REC Chairs shall monitor and advise the State Party of any persons who have filed to run for a party office with the local Supervisor of Elections but have failed to file a properly execute the party loyalty oath with the local County Chair.


Basically, the Supervisor of Elections conducts party office elections as a "vendor" to the party and has no jurisdiction relating to a person's qualification to hold party office as it relates to the Party Loyalty Oath. As a result, any person filing the necessary paperwork to comply with Florida Statutes 99.012 and 99.061 may be placed on the ballot by the Supervisor of Elections. However, placement on the ballot alone or subsequent election does not constitute qualification for party office under the Rules of the Republican Party.
7. It is solely within the party's discretion and authority to determine whether a
person has met The Republican Party of Florida's requirements to hold party
office. Therefore, any person who fails to provide the county REC Chairman a
properly executed party loyalty oath by noon on Friday, June 20, 2008 shall be
ineligible to hold party office resulting from elections conducted on August 26,
2008.
8. Together Republican Party of Florida Rule 11 and Florida Statue 103.091 provide
that State Committeemen and State Committeewomen are members of their local
Republican executive committee and must maintain a status as a "member in good
standing." This rule does not apply to persons seeking election to such an office,
but is a requirement for persons holding such office.
9. The Party will provide assistance to all State Committee Members to ensure
appropriate filings are made for election and re-election.
This memorandum dated this Wednesday, June 11, 2008 shall supersede all previous relating to this matter and shall be final. As Chairman, it is my fiduciary responsibility to ensure that our party remains strong, unified and that our procedures are met.
Finally, I shall ask the Executive Board to affirm this decision and consider adopting this procedure at our next regularly scheduled meeting in August. However until such time, this procedure shall have full force and effect and all requirements set forth will be enforced.

6/14/2008
Paid for by the Republican Party of Florida. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee, www.rpof.org


Suffice to say I would not give or share anything with a person that was this fearbased as well as dictatorship leaning (IMHO)

In regards to Croos I will say that any dealings I have had with him have been last minute seat of the pants timing. IE after months of begging for National Campaign list in our west coat area we finally got it 6 weeks before primary ...Same with getting repub voters list... Ironically the list was from sept 2007. Stale info too late. At the time I was unemployed but most of our members only had weekends... They also have lives and family and church... Short synopsis is bad planning,timing and management... Either from Crosses end or Nationals end...Regardless poor management to the point I questioned whether there were internal moles within. Just 1 week before June election of REC, Cross called and asked me to try to get State Committeemen and women in 5 counties... Once again Lackadaisical timing from either Cross or National. LOL I did get 3 counties registered... I worked months on my own to get my county REC filled with 29 people without any help from Cross or National.

That said and there is more I could say... Nick should be commended for all the countless and apparently thankless hours he has committed to our cause of Freedom. Nick lives the Ron Paul Message I personally question if you do Debbie Hooper. We are the direct contact with the people we are the motivators and we do it all for our countries freedom not for monetary gain. I certainly hope you folks in charge like benton and yourself share these decisions and rhetorical philosophies with Ron Paul. I find it hard to believe Ron Paul would bump out Nick for saying the truth of what occurred and sharing it with us instead of being secretive as you eluded that he should of been... Nick is a true Patriot and I'm proud to know and respect him.
Sincerely,

Mila Freeman
Sarasota REC