Iowa Republican: Paul Backers Rebuked in Story County

[green73]

The so-called “liberty” crowd’s monopoly on state leadership positions in the Republican Party of Iowa is causing a backlash at the county level. Much like they did in Ft. Dodge last Tuesday, grassroots activists are revolting against the Ron Paul-aligned group’s efforts to consolidate power inside the party. This time, three prominent Paul backers fell to defeat in one of the libertarian icon’s Iowa strongholds.

Ron Paul drew large crowds for his Story County events during the 2012 Iowa Caucus campaign. He also came very close to winning the 2011 Ames Straw Poll. The last three Story County GOP chairman all endorsed Paul’s 2012 bid. He came within 10 votes of winning the county on caucus night. However, at least inside the county central committee, the tide is turning against those affiliated with the Paul campaign.

The Story County GOP elected Dane Nealson as their new chairman on Monday. Nealson defeated Cory Adams, who was the sitting chair and had publicly endorsed Ron Paul in 2011. Adams had succeeded A.J. Spiker, the current RPI chairman and former Ron Paul campaign vice-chair. Spiker is still a Story County GOP member and was in attendance Monday night.

Cory Adams is well liked among the Story County central committee. However, his allegiance to Spiker hampered his bid for reelection, according to several central committee members. Dane Nealson’s campaign experience was another major factor in the outcome.

Despite his relative youth, the 27-year old Ames resident is a political veteran. Nealson is the former state chair of the Iowa College Republicans. He also ran the GOP Victory office in 2010 and worked on the 2012 Iowa presidential campaigns of Tim Pawlenty and Rick Perry. Nealson made an unsuccessful attempt to defeat Democrat Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell in an overwhelmingly liberal district in 2012.

“Cory Adams is a good friend of mine and there is absolutely no animosity from my side,” Nealson said. “He’s done a great job the last two years. I just wanted to take my experience working for political campaigns, running my own House campaign and having led the statewide college Republican organization, take those experiences and apply them to Story County so we can go to the next level.”

While Cory Adams “liberty” ties were not necessarily his undoing, the same could not be said for Dusty Juhl and Melinda Wadsley. All three lost Story County GOP elections on Monday. Several central committee members said they voted against Juhl and Wadsley specifically because of their allegiance to Ron Paul and the liberty crowd.

Dusty Juhl is one of the state leaders of Campaign for Liberty, the organization Ron Paul started following his 2008 presidential run. Juhl is also the publicity chair for the Story County GOP and was a delegate to the 2012 RNC convention. He was one of the 22 Iowa delegates that voted for Ron Paul at the convention, despite Paul’s third place finish in the Iowa Caucus.

Juhl ran for secretary of the Story County GOP during Monday night’s meeting, but was defeated by Laura Carlson. She was not even a member of the central committee. Carlson was attending her first Story County GOP meeting and many committee members had never even met her. However, Carlson’s brief speech and Juhl’s “liberty” baggage were enough reasons for the central committee to choose her.

Later in the meeting, the central committee voted to fill a few vacancies in their ranks. Dusty Juhl nominated Melinda Wadsley for one of the precincts. Last year, she was chosen as a “candidate for elector” by Republicans in the Fourth Congressional District. It is the electors who ultimately cast the deciding votes in presidential elections.

Wadsley gained national notoriety when she publicly declared it was likely she would cast her electoral vote for Ron Paul, not Mitt Romney, if Romney won Iowa in the 2012 general election. A move like that could have thrown the presidential election into chaos, had the race been close. Wadsley was later convinced by A.J. Spiker to resign as candidate for elector.

Melinda Wadsley is also the director of development for Liberty Iowa PAC. TheIowaRepublican.com viewed an email sent from Wadsley’s Liberty Iowa account in which she was encouraging fellow “liberty” folk to attend the meeting on Monday and fill the vacant slots on the committee.

However, Wadsley’s infamous stance against the Republican presidential nominee cost her a slot on the Story County GOP central committee, several members told TheIowaRepublican.com after the meeting. Wadsley and David Pedersen, the new chairman of the Iowa State University College Republicans, were competing for the same open position. The committee opted for Pedersen.

Following the meeting, several central committee members were practically giddy about the night’s proceedings. After watching the liberty crowd takeover the state party last year, many Iowa Republicans have been anxious to reclaim it. In Story County, they achieved that goal in one fell swoop.

Just like last Tuesday’s 4th District Executive Committee meeting in Ft. Dodge, a message was sent to RPI’s state leadership Monday in Ames. The Ron Paul campaign did not have a mandate from conservatives to run the entire party apparatus. They simply out-organized the other factions of the party, because the other factions did not try.

No other presidential campaign in Iowa put a concerted effort into acquiring delegates and taking over the State Central Committee. Now, conservatives in the Fourth District are taking their party back. The liberty crowd is suddenly learning that when the other side organizes, success is much more difficult to come by.

As for the Story County GOP, new Chairman Dane Nealson already has a blueprint for enhancing the party.

“First of all, a major effort will be focusing on fundraising right off the bat,” Nealson said. “I want to see us get out quarterly fundraising newsletters, start to reach out to some high dollar donors that we haven’t necessarily had in recent memory, and also build on the success of our previous fundraising dinners. I want to use my connections to try to bring in big name speakers to bring in a bigger crowd and look at various options for host committees and things like that.”

http:// theiowarepublican.com/2013/nealson-elected-story-county-gop-chair-paul-backers-rebuked/

 

[CaptLouAlbano]

Tough losses, but we never expected the opposition to go down without a fight. Press on.

 

[Mr.NoSmile]

While Cory Adams “liberty” ties were not necessarily his undoing, the same could not be said for Dusty Juhl and Melinda Wadsley. All three lost Story County GOP elections on Monday. Several central committee members said they voted against Juhl and Wadsley specifically because of their allegiance to Ron Paul and the liberty crowd.

Well, there you have it in writing. Allegiance to Paul can and will hamper your position. However, the plan ought to be how to regroup from that and hopefully work with the newly elected members in hopes that they won't be screwed over. Wishful thinking, I know, but Iowa's become too integral to let it fall apart due to more of these clashes between both sides. Granted, these election losses are just signs of these clashes continuing regardless, but hopefully Juhl and Wadsley still remain involved and don't just fall off out of spite.

 

[Lucille]

Much like they did in Ft. Dodge last Tuesday, grassroots old guard, establishment activists are revolting against the Ron Paul-aligned group’s efforts to consolidate power inside the party. This time, three prominent Paul backers fell to defeat in one of the libertarian icon’s Iowa strongholds.

FTFH

 

[FSP-Rebel]

So basically, we lost a county chair, secretary and couldn't get one of ours on the committee. Sounds like the district's central comm is comprised of non-liberty people. That said, I've said for awhile you need alliances across the party and you don't go for the ownership routine, nor do you alienate other rank and file inspiring revengeful feelings. What I don't get is why county leadership is being picked at a comm meeting rather than a caucus at a state convention. Maybe this is just temporary until the next state convention, idk and it's confusing.

 

[eleganz]

that sucks

They can still do a lot behind the scenes, especially if there are more of our people still in the central committees.

It really hurt to read that article, we should all take it as a lesson for our own local battles.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

This is why the NC method will be seen as far, far superior in the coming years.

 

[Lucille]

that sucks

They can still do a lot behind the scenes, especially if there are more of our people still in the central committees.

It really hurt to read that article, we should all take it as a lesson for our own local battles.

The Tea Party/Old Guard here just cheat. They rounded up a ton of inactive PCs and signed up some new ones for the elections, and when a few voted against their slate and two of our people made state, they conducted an illegal recount, and what do you know! Our guys didn't win after all. Their old and current treasurer didn't even want the job but they put him on the slate anyway, and the mindless drones voted for him. He hardly ever shows up to meetings, which the Chair reduced to quarterly (so much for outreach!). I guess they like him because he's such a shameless liar (called our candidate for Chair the "drug candidate.").

Another asshat made state even after he endorsed a Democrat, the most loathsome little statist worm in all of N. AZ:

Republican former Flagstaff Mayor, City Councilman and school board member Joe Donaldson says, “Tom has a way of getting things done without creating a war.”

And that is who the TP/OG elected to represent N. AZ Republicans at the state level.

 

[sailingaway]

I remember hearing about Cory Adams and liking him. I'm sorry this happened. I agree it is 'the Empire Strikes Back' and not the end of the trilogy, though.

 

[nobody's_hero]

Good grief. I read that article and it sounds like, "What's this? Liberty? kill it. Kill liberty! Hurrah!!!! We'll show those liberty-lovers. U-S-A, U-S-A!"

Can't stand the Iowa Republican.

“First of all, a major effort will be focusing on fundraising right off the bat,” Nealson said. “I want to see us get out quarterly fundraising newsletters, start to reach out to some high dollar donors that we haven’t necessarily had in recent memory, and also build on the success of our previous fundraising dinners. I want to use my connections to try to bring in big name speakers to bring in a bigger crowd and look at various options for host committees and things like that.”

Well gee, that's not going to reinforce any stereotypes about the GOP and super-rich, is it?

 

[supermario21]

At least we've gotten the Republicans to organize. They have nobody to blame but themselves for the past two election disasters.

 

[nobody's_hero]

They're organizing against the wrong people, though. We're going to need a new strategy. We didn't hit 'em fast and hard enough in 2012 so now they've seen the hand we're holding.

Simply showing up in a horde one day and taking over seats isn't likely to work in the future.

 

[supermario21]

Is arrogance a problem? I would hope the RP faction didn't just come in acting like they were the hot new show in town. I know it's great that we made significant advances there, but I'd say were a minority, maybe a plurality at best. 2014 is a big year for Iowa Republicans and we're going to have to demonstrate how good a tent we can build.

 

[aclove]

This is why the NC method will be seen as far, far superior in the coming years.

Glen is correct. While the idea of flooding conventions and simply overwhelming the opposition is emotionally satisfying, those kinds of wins can't be maintained in most cases. That kind of strategy relies chiefly on getting people to show up one or two times, but then the bulk of them go back to their lives. The people they elect are left with a big group of angry longtime party activists who've probably run the county party for 30 years or better suddenly shoved aside, who spend the next 2 years plotting their comeback. Sure enough, your hordes don't show up 2 years from now because "we already won" and the Liberty crowd gets shown the door.

Coalition building is how you bring our principles into the party in a sustainable way. There's no way we're going to forcibly take the entire party away from all the other factions and keep them out year after year after year. If we don't show them how much we have in common with them and how we can work together to accomplish things, our wins will simply be reversed, and we'll have accomplished nothing but marginalizing ourselves even more than we are now.

 

[angelatc]

So basically, we lost a county chair, secretary and couldn't get one of ours on the committee. Sounds like the district's central comm is comprised of non-liberty people. That said, I've said for awhile you need alliances across the party and you don't go for the ownership routine, nor do you alienate other rank and file inspiring revengeful feelings. What I don't get is why county leadership is being picked at a comm meeting rather than a caucus at a state convention. Maybe this is just temporary until the next state convention, idk and it's confusing.

I wonder if it means our people are slipping back into ambivalence.

 

[Barrex]

This is why the NC method will be seen as far, far superior in the coming years.

Explanation for those of us who dont get it?... I mean me.

The Tea Party/Old Guard here just cheat. They rounded up a ton of inactive PCs and signed up some new ones for the elections, and when a few voted against their slate and two of our people made state, they conducted an illegal recount, and what do you know! Our guys didn't win after all. Their old and current treasurer didn't even want the job but they put him on the slate anyway, and the mindless drones voted for him. He hardly ever shows up to meetings, which the Chair reduced to quarterly (so much for outreach!). I guess they like him because he's such a shameless liar (called our candidate for Chair the "drug candidate.").

Another asshat made state even after he endorsed a Democrat, the most loathsome little statist worm in all of N. AZ:



And that is who the TP/OG elected to represent N. AZ Republicans at the state level.

Let me try something:
So what are you gonna do about it crybaby? Whine? Bu huuuu...MUauaa.

These kind of things piss me off. Not because they did it but because "good guys" let them. They did it before and now they are doing it again... What a surprise.Wow. What are "we" going to do about it....hm... lets do what we always do... forget about it and do nothing (well not nothing people will talk about it for few days and then forget about it). It seems to work. AND YOU ARE DOING IT FOR 5 YEARS NOW!
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
I know a guy who tried to pull something like that.
I know a guy who threw axe at him.
I know a house that is blown up because owner tried to do something like that.
... and I know a lot more of these things...
I am not saying do these things and be violent but it really really really pisses me off. Why are you letting them do it again and again and again and again and again? You (libertarians/good guys) piss me off and not the evil ones. I know that evil is evil and evil will always do evil things and I expect it. What I dont expect and what pisses me off is that "good guys" still behave the same way.

When I joined this forum I saw these threads and was thinking I wonder what will they (you guys) do. From dozens of ideas that I thought you will do "whine and do nothing" was not one of them. And then I read more of evil/cheating things establishment did and then I saw more of "whine and do nothing" from you guys... Then I read that you did the same thing in 2008. Then I thought I am missing something. It is not possible that they are letting them get away with it.

5 years ago you were as*****ed. You said "Hey they are as*****ing us. That is not right" and let them.... and then they ass****ed you again and you said "we dont like it" and let them. It happend again and again. Ok, you were young and they were pedophiles and you didnt know how to defend your self... Then last year they started as*****ing you again and you let them get away with it again and again and again... Now this year they as*****ed you again and you let them do it and you are letting them get away with it.
I have sympathy and dont like what they are doing to you but at the same time I am baffled and asking my self "do they like it?".... why are they letting them get away with it? I dont know what to think anymore. Next elections will come and they will as***ck you again and you will be still whining and letting them? I read so many stories about sacrifices and efforts that you put in elections and then I see it is almost meaningless. It doesnt matter if you compete and arrive first at finishline if you are letting judge and second place finisher to take trophy every time from you... and guess what: they will do it again. What are you going to do? Bend over again and pretend that you dont like it?

I dont get it.. I simply dont get it and it annoys me.

P.s.
I am in "argue and scream" mode. I dont point finger at anyone personally or intend to insult anyone.I am just confused and writing what I see.

 

[FSP-Rebel]

I wonder if it means our people are slipping back into ambivalence.

Anything is possible, I just would've thought that since we had controlling interests in the state and many local parties that the organizational level would still be in tact through C4L or some similar group. I mean, how are we in a position of strength yet people sit back and fiddle. The many activists across the country would love and are striving to be in a similar position as to what the IA folk are. Again, it's a marathon w/ a steady pace and never giving up. This is why change overnight usually doesn't happen.

 

[nobody's_hero]

I wonder if it means our people are slipping back into ambivalence.

I'm more in the 'wait for the collapse' mode.

 

[FSP-Rebel]

I'm more in the 'wait for the collapse' mode.

People have been on that train for years and yet the magicians have been able to gloss over the problem and likely have contingency plans for when they feel an imminent issue. We need to be positioning ourselves to be in the influential category to propose the right answers between now, then and the aftermath. Sitting back and waiting accomplishes nothing, not to mention a poor excuse.

 

[aclove]

Explanation for those of us who dont get it?... I mean me.

What we're doing in NC is building a coalition with other groups (mostly Tea Party) who are disenfranchised with party leaders, who are mostly moderate/corporatist/Chamber of Commerce types.

Our situation is somewhat unique to our state, but the basics should be applicable anywhere. The Republicans took over our state legislature and Governor's mansion in the last election, and was the only battleground state to go red. However, the new Republican governor and the leadership in the NC House are moderate, Chamber of Commerce type Republicans who, to guard themselves against primary challenges, throw the occasional legislative bone to the Christian Theocrats and their powerful lobby.

None of the issues that the leadership and their accompanying lobbyists concentrate on move the ball on actually shrinking government and getting back to the Constitutional Order. That's where we come in.

Glen has legislative experience as a former legislator, and I've been the NC C4L State Coordinator since Jan. 2010. We tag-teamed while he was in the House, and continue to do so now. We stake out positions on current issues like nullifying ObamaCare or stopping a proposed taxpayer subsidy to the Carolina Panthers or nullifying federal gun grabs. We utilize our extensive contact lists to raise holy hell about these issues, and in so doing, attract support from actual grassroots (as opposed to astroturf) Tea Party groups, most of which in the state are locally run at the County level. These folks mean well but can be easily misled, because they're newer to politics than we are.

By demonstrating leadership on issues they genuinely care about, we're able to build goodwill and dispel the intra-party hostility from the Presidential primary. They learn quickly that WE will give them straight answers about bills in the legislature, while politicians duck and weave. They become more and more comfortable following our lead and giving us access to their email lists, so that when we put out a call to action to bombard the legislature with emails and phone calls, those calls are coming from more than just "those Ron Paul people."

At the same time, we organize to inform our membership as to when the precinct, county, district, and state conventions are, just like everyone else does. The difference is that when WE run people for party office, they're people that other Republicans remember leading the charge on issues that matter to them.

If we realize we don't have the strength to elect our own people, we negotiate in good faith for what what we can get, rather than charging into a hopeless fight we're bound to lose.

THAT'S what we all should do in the counties and states where we don't have the numbers to win outright, and even in the states where we do, but not by a big margin. Those kinds of wins don't sow the ground with salt in our aftermath, poisoning the relationships we'll need in those off years when the bulk of our ground troops have gone back to paying their bills, mowing their lawns, and raising their kids.