Disruption Closes a Missouri Caucus Before Vote (The New York Times)

[Constitutional Paulicy]

Disruption Closes a Missouri Caucus Before Vote
By STEVEN YACCINO

8:31 p.m. | Updated ST. PETERS, Mo. – Voters here in St. Charles County did not get a say on Saturday in who will be the next Republican presidential nominee after a disorderly caucus on Saturday caused organizers to adjourn before delegates were selected.

The unrest began as the caucus at Francis Howell North High School was called to order more than a hour late, then delayed again when a member of the crowd refused to put away a video camera, as required by the rules outlined by the local Republican Party.

“People attended the meeting with an agenda,” said Eugene Dokes, chairman of the St. Charles County Republican Central Committee. “When that happens, it’s really hard to accept the authority of the room.”

Members of crowd began shouting, “We make the rules!” among other chants as organizers tried to regain control, which they did briefly. But the shouting quickly escalated when it came time to appoint a chair of the caucus.

The police were called in, and two people were arrested on trespassing charges after being asked to leave when the meeting was then called to an early close.

“The police officers were worried about people’s safety and asked us to shut it down,” the event coordinator for the caucus, Bryan Spencer, said.

But some supporters of Ron Paul and Mitt Romney, who said they previously worked out a deal to nominate someone to chair the caucus, claimed that organizers broke procedural rules and that Mr. Dokes was “railroading the caucus” by closing nominations for the chair too quickly.

St. Charles was supposed to select the most delegates of any single caucus in the state, and turnout was much higher than expected.

Turnout was low when Rick Santorum took this county (and the state) in a traditional primary election on Feb. 7. It was one of three states he won that day, giving his campaign a significant lift. But because of the unusual party and state circumstances, the vote awarded no delegates, many of whom would be chosen at caucuses on Saturday.

Strong support and organization for Ron Paul could have been seen as early as 6 a.m. in St. Charles, when supporters first started lining up outside the school. At one point, the line of people waiting to get in ran past the rows of trophy cases and out into the parking lot. It got so long that caucus officials had to corral voters into a small wrestling room while they waited to be checked in.

More than 900 people finally filtered into the gymnasium bleachers before the meeting finally began. Every seat was taken.

Volunteers for Mr. Paul’s campaign were passing out fliers as people entered, instructing them to follow the lead of two “Ron Paul Floor Captains,” who sat near the podium and planned to raise a bright yellow folder with hot pink stripes every time they wanted people to vote in a block.

“This has always been the meat and potatoes,” said Mike Carter, 40, a supporter of Mr. Paul, about the campaign’s focus on electing their delegates at the caucus.

Their general plan: “Go in and run the meeting,” Jesse Calison, 30, a Ron Paul supporter, said before the caucus began. “Beat them with the rules.”

After the caucus was dismissed early, a number of voters backing other candidates expressed their frustration about being forced to leave before voting. “We came here to do business,” said Margy Harris, 68, a supporter of Mr. Santorum, “not this foolishness.”

Mr. Dokes, insisting he followed state party procedures, said the county was going to talk with the Missouri Republican Party about a way forward. “It’s my highest priority that we get delegates and that the voice of St. Charles County is heard,” he said.

A statement released by the Missouri Republican Party said that it plans to reach out to all parties involved in the dispute and “will come to an agreement to ensure that St. Charles County is fully represented throughout the nominating process.”

The rules about how exactly those delegates would be selected is still in the process of being written.

 

[TsafirKamel]

too bad.

 

[sailingaway]

Actually, the organizers determined to ignore the rules and ramrod through their preferred outcomes, the fall back to which was to close the caucus and deny the delegates which would be elected for NON Santorum candidates, is what caused it to close.

 

[Constitutional Paulicy]

Actually, the organizers determined to ignore the rules and ramrod through their preferred outcomes, the fall back to which was to close the caucus and deny the delegates which would be elected for NON Santorum candidates, is what caused it to close.

We all know that, but unfortunately the media is going to spin this just as they have here. I highly doubt the majority of the MSM will be fair to us.

 

[sailingaway]

We all know that, but unfortunately the media is going to spin this just as they have here. I highly doubt the majority of the MSM will be fair to us.

Yeah, but we have video.

 

[Constitutional Paulicy]

Yeah, but we have video.

Now if we could only distribute it on the airwaves the way they can.

 

[Ronulus]

They spin this to make us look bad? How can you spin this when there is video evidence and clear stated rules etc. This is ridiculous. We have to fight tooth and bone to get all the delegates we can and screw those bastards over.

 

[shipwreckedsailor]

Great reporting. Now let's watch closely how they do the math !!

 

[thoughtomator]

The guy didn't even have the decency to wear business clothes as the chairman of the meeting.

 

[RonRules]

"The rules about how exactly those delegates would be selected is still in the process of being written."

 

[opinionatedfool]

We all know that, but unfortunately the media is going to spin this just as they have here. I highly doubt the majority of the MSM will be fair to us.

We need to get ahead of the curve and contact the media and explain what happened from our side.

 

[Constitutional Paulicy]

We need to get ahead of the curve and contact the media and explain what happened from our side.

It would be nice if they agreed to interview Brent Stafford.

 

[kathy88]

The guy didn't even have the decency to wear business clothes as the chairman of the meeting.

He was not chairman. He was temporary. That's what started the whole thing. He "appointed" a friend to be chair against majority wishes.