Maine Liberty Republicans, including RNC Member Mark Willis, leave GOP

[Keith and stuff]

I'm disappointed they quit. I think it was selfish and they should have stuck it out.

You know Maine though. Likely no chance for liberty there. Well, if liberty works in NH because of the Free State Project, there is hope for Maine. Otherwise, not likely

 

[Brian4Liberty]

People write joint statements all the time. The difference is that they usually don't end them with "now I'm taking my marbles and going home."

If they were tired of it (understandable), they could have taken a break, or left as individuals. Their joint statement as a group of "liberty-activists" makes it seem like they were speaking for the movement. Obviously they only speak for themselves, but it sounds like a surrender.

 

[muzzled dogg]

Isn't Maine hosting the next rlc nat convention?

 

[Keith and stuff]

Isn't Maine hosting the next rlc nat convention?

Where is that info? Since Maine is a solidly Democratic state, that doesn't make sense.

 

[CaptLouAlbano]

Where is that info? Since Maine is a solidly Democratic state, that doesn't make sense.

Here - http://rlc.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1

It doesn't make sense politically or logistically.

 

[Keith and stuff]

Fair enough. +Rep to both of you. I thought you guys meant an event that mattered like a 2014 or 2016 meeting. I have to watch for the tricksters! This might be a good event to recruit for the Free State Project at. NH is perhaps the state where liberty folks are most welcomed in the State Committee. Maine, well, it clearly isn't

 

[TheTyke]

While I'm pretty disappointed that they would do this, and think it marginalizes more than helps them... I don't know the full situation. I'm pleased to see though that Ashley Ryan and others weren't on the list. They inspired countless others around the country with their work. Here is praying that they have the fortitude to hang on until we get them some reinforcements. The battle for our country will not be won in a single year, but with perseverance and a good grasp of strategy and principle.

 

[Keith and stuff]

While I'm pretty disappointed that they would do this, and think it marginalizes more than helps them... I don't know the full situation. I'm pleased to see though that Ashley Ryan and others weren't on the list. They inspired countless others around the country with their work. Here is praying that they have the fortitude to hang on until we get them some reinforcements. The battle for our country will not be won in a single year, but with perseverance and a good grasp of strategy and principle.

Agreed! Though, they aren't likely to have reinforcements unless they move to New Hampshire. Hopefully, after their terms end, the MEGOP State Committee folks will do just that, and move to New Hampshire, where they will be treated with great respect.

 

[mosquitobite]

If Maine normally leans blue then they should have stayed on - they would have gained more power in the long run. Force the establishment to run candidates against you, don't just QUIT!

 

[TheTyke]

Agreed! Though, they aren't likely to have reinforcements unless they move to New Hampshire. Hopefully, after their terms end, the MEGOP State Committee folks will do just that, and move to New Hampshire, where they will be treated with great respect.

Well, I was thinking more of reinforcements all around the country. I've been planning, making connections, and working hard to see that next go around my state sends principled allies to the RNC, instead of the establishment hacks we've always sent in the past... With better strategy and more allies, we should take more states every go around... just like the difference from 2008 to 2012.

But I'm inspired by what New Hampshire is doing too! And all the liberty people who stand their ground and keep active everywhere. Keep up the good work.

 

[eleganz]

Some of these guys sacrificed a lot to fight for us, they traveled to all of the RNC meetings to fight the rules and got shot down pretty badly every single time.

I'm disappointed in their leaving, especially after the Alaska situation... but I totally understand, this is a hard fight to take on and keep up. I'm sure those guys will concentrate their energy in something more productive.

 

[Keith and stuff]

Alaska, Nevada and now Maine. BTW, only 1 of these Maine people was on the RNC. I guess the taking over strategy doesn't work. The be friendly and get along strategy used in New Hampshire seems to be working very well, though

 

[eleganz]

I think they could've kept it going in the state committee, they did have a good presence there and passed many resolutions. RNC is a lost cause and just because the rules aren't reverted, doesn't mean we still aren't going to fight to win Iowa, NH, etc...

 

[fr33]

A blog post about it: http://thelibertylobster.com/2013/08/19/how-to-leave-a-party-the-maine-thirteen/

 

[TheTyke]

Well, wars go on for a long time, and you win some and lose some. For example, I hear we just won the Oregon GOP chair, which was very under the radar and an unexpected surprise. Most notably, I think we are strongest in presidential election years when there is most excitement - which is why various state GOPs are trying to move elections to off years. The important thing seems to be to keep up our efforts and continue making & finding allies...

Edit: Fr33 - The author suggests exactly the wrong direction. The Establishment spent millions of dollars, broke rules and bones to keep us out of the positions. So after all that, we give them exactly what they wanted? Talk about a bummer.

 

[eduardo89]

Discouraging, there goes any leverage to make the party less statist, though I'm sure the majority of Maine Republicans are the old Rockefeller type.

That was retarded.

Dumb, but unless you have been in the thick of it, you cant understand it.

If I counted correctly, these folks made up about 15% of the state committee. Patience is a virtue. This is a shame, because now it is a step backwards for the liberty movement in that state. Time to find some new folks to take their place, that can hopefully have more perseverance.

Agree with all of you. This was a dumb move.

 

[CaptLouAlbano]

I guess the taking over strategy doesn't work.

You can't take over when you hold a small minority of the seats. It takes time and patience. I posted earlier in this thread, it took close to 15 years for libertarians to take the majority in our county.

 

[Keith and stuff]

You can't take over when you hold a small minority of the seats. It takes time and patience. I posted earlier in this thread, it took close to 15 years for libertarians to take the majority in our county.

Taking over seems to be counterproductive. I don't recommend it at all. What if people get mad at you? What if people lower the level of energy they put into GOP politics? I like being invited to be the leaders. That's what happened to liberty folks in New Hampshire. We were invited to join the state committee and to run for office. We did and many of us won. It was very easy and fun!

 

[CaptLouAlbano]

Taking over seems to be counterproductive. I don't recommend it at all. What if people get mad at you? What if people lower the level of energy they put into GOP politics? I like being invited to be the leaders. That's what happened to liberty folks in New Hampshire. We were invited to join the state committee and to run for office. We did and many of us won. It was very easy and fun!

In many states, the committee seat is an elected office (I know you know this, but for the benefit of others). And just like any elected office, you have to bide your time and wait for the opportunity to challenge for the seat. Sometimes you have a person in the seat that is a well-respected member of the community. In that case you have to wait them out until you can run for the seat. It is a long term strategy, and it is viable. Why? Because the very same thing was done to libertarians/paleocons/traditionalists by the neo-cons and moderates.

 

[Keith and stuff]

In many states, the committee seat is an elected office (I know you know this, but for the benefit of others). And just like any elected office, you have to bide your time and wait for the opportunity to challenge for the seat. Sometimes you have a person in the seat that is a well-respected member of the community. In that case you have to wait them out until you can run for the seat. It is a long term strategy, and it is viable. Why? Because the very same thing was done to libertarians/paleocons/traditionalists by the neo-cons and moderates.

It is an elected seat in New Hampshire and very easy to win Trust me. Be a good Republican. Work hard for the party and you will be walked into the seat in NH, as many liberty activists have been