Miami GOP elects dozens of Ron Paul supporters to Executive Committee

[sailingaway]

Just two months ago, the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County almost witnessed a radical change when former Ron Paul supporters failed, by only two votes, to take over the leadership of the party. Since then, however, the liberty movement in South Florida didn’t stop and claimed a series of new victories on Thursday night, at the monthly meeting of the Republican Executive Committee.

About 100 local Republican leaders met in West Miami, the hometown of prospective GOP hero Marco Rubio. Gathered in the Renaissance Ballroom, the party, representing the second most important political power in the county behind the Democratic Party, was mainly focused on electing new alternate committee members.

The way local Republican Parties work is often confusing, especially when reporters try to explain it during national primaries. In reality, it is simpler than it seems. A county is divided into many districts, according to census data (mainly dating back to two or three decades ago). Each district is represented at the Republican Executive Committee by two committeeman and two committeewoman, who act as community organizers in their respective districts. These delegates are represented by alternates when they are unable to attend a REC meeting.

Miami-Dade County is divided into 40 districts. The district heads were chosen last year during the presidential primaries and enthroned only a few months back. Their alternates were finally chosen on Thursday night.

In total, 49 alternates were chosen this week. Most of them only had to apply for their position. But seven districts had contested races. The different candidates were given 30 seconds each to deliver a speech in which they explained their reasons for running. There were two types of addresses: some people chose to talk about the “dangers of the reduction of the nuclear stockpile”, while others addressed their concerns about the Constitution and the deterioration of individual rights.

At the end of the races, eight libertarian-leaning Republicans were elected as alternates out of fourteen. In total, 21 libertarians, mostly college students, were sworn-in on February 21st as alternate committee members.

Tom Regnier, new alternate from District 10 (Miami Beach), talked of his reasons to run for the position in daring terms. “The party’s going in the wrong direction. Its moving toward collectivism and socialism, while it should be moving toward individualism.” Regnier is a constitutional lawyer who had been largely involved with the Libertarian Party of Florida in the 1990s. More recently, he was featured as a guest speaker at a Libertarian Party of Miami-Dade County event.

Cesar Jose Diaz, from District 36, was elected unopposed. According to him, it is important to “put more power into the people’s hands, instead of politicians who don’t really know what poverty is.”

The regular party business had its own share of controversy. One of the first motions discussed by the REC, as proposed by Chairman Nelson Diaz, was the passage of the new by-laws. Many committee members opposed the passage as there had not been enough time to read the entire document.

more at link: http://www.ronpaultoday.com/miami-g...pporters-to-executive-committee-examiner-com/

 

[green73]

bump ffs

 

[FSP-Rebel]

Good to see they built on their past successes and kept bringing in new activists.

 

[sailingaway]

yep! Go Miami Dade liberty activists!

 

[CaptLouAlbano]

Good story. I took notice of Tom Regnier who spent many years toiling away in the obscurity of the LP. Good to see that the work that is being done across the country inspired him to have a more effective role in the process.

 

[FSP-Rebel]

Good story. I took notice of Tom Regnier who spent many years toiling away in the obscurity of the LP. Good to see that the work that is being done across the country inspired him to have a more effective role in the process.

Reminds me of the perennial LP US Senate candidate up here that recently became a local delegate in his district's GOP and attended the recent state convention. He said he was surprised at how well he was received.

 

[RPSupporter305]

Cool, now when can we get Ron Paul to come to Miami?

 

[whippoorwill]

Kick Ass!

 

[steph3n]

I know some of these people from my time there during 2008 cycle, frankly I am surprised. Most of them seemed to be the sign waving type over the door knocking type. Maybe they learned after the 2008 failures.

They would have these mass meetings to arrange a stupid sign wave. Ugh was so annoying.

I moved away from the Miami hell hole. They have a LOT of work to do locally as well.

 

[Bastiat's The Law]

I love seeing that they didn't retreat or give into cynicism. Keep fighting guys!

 

[sailingaway]

Cool, now when can we get Ron Paul to come to Miami?

He is taking his own sweet time. I think he sees this period as his retirement/vacation, or something. He said on Alex Jones yesterday that beyond his short radio spots (two a day of one minute each) and his book, he was rolling out a bunch of other stuff over the next 'three months'. I love the guy, but he has zero sense of marketing.

He said something about doing something in Orlando around the second week of March, though, so possibly there will be an appearance somewhere. He is starting to get around again in March. George Washington U, the Canadian version of CPAC as their marque speaker (with a debate session with an ex prime minister), and the Knoxville GOP Lincoln Dinner. The next month he is at at least the Midwest Homeschool Convention. And he is going to be at some of the YAL conventions, but we don't know which ones.

 

[steph3n]

He is taking his own sweet time. I think he sees this period as his retirement/vacation, or something. He said on Alex Jones yesterday that beyond his short radio spots (two a day of one minute each) and his book, he was rolling out a bunch of other stuff over the next 'three months'. I love the guy, but he has zero sense of marketing.

He said something about doing something in Orlando around the second week of March, though, so possibly there will be an appearance somewhere. He is starting to get around again in March. George Washington U, the Canadian version of CPAC as their marque speaker (with a debate session with an ex prime minister), and the Knoxville GOP Lincoln Dinner. The next month he is at at least the Midwest Homeschool Convention. And he is going to be at some of the YAL conventions, but we don't know which ones.

He's an old man, let him take 'his own sweet time' who are we to think we can demand someone's time or to do something? He doesn't need marketing, he needs to relax and live out his life how HE WISHES exactly what we want the govt to allow us to do. Why be the force like the govt and make demands on him?

This is true regardless of age however, we are no one to demand their time in our time.

 

[CaptLouAlbano]

He is taking his own sweet time. I think he sees this period as his retirement/vacation, or something. He said on Alex Jones yesterday that beyond his short radio spots (two a day of one minute each) and his book, he was rolling out a bunch of other stuff over the next 'three months'. I love the guy, but he has zero sense of marketing.

He said something about doing something in Orlando around the second week of March, though, so possibly there will be an appearance somewhere. He is starting to get around again in March. George Washington U, the Canadian version of CPAC as their marque speaker (with a debate session with an ex prime minister), and the Knoxville GOP Lincoln Dinner. The next month he is at at least the Midwest Homeschool Convention. And he is going to be at some of the YAL conventions, but we don't know which ones.

Perhaps the business plan centers on the podcasts (presumably a subscription service) and the speaking engagements and books are just gravy.

 

[Mr.NoSmile]

While that's good as far as how some parts of the Republican Party are changing, the underlying question ought to be how do you turn Florida red come 2016? At this point, seeing that Obama won it in 2012 and even the Republicans holding their convention there didn't help, looks slim.

 

[steph3n]

While that's good as far as how some parts of the Republican Party are changing, the underlying question ought to be how do you turn Florida red come 2016? At this point, seeing that Obama won it in 2012 and even the Republicans holding their convention there didn't help, looks slim.

Why turn florida red? The GOP outside of a few select is just as or more corrupt than the Dems, would be better to turn it free than turn it red no?

 

[Mr.NoSmile]

Why turn florida red? The GOP outside of a few select is just as or more corrupt than the Dems, would be better to turn it free than turn it red no?

Because if'n the GOP wants to win the state, then yes, turning it red would help? You can change minds slowly, but for the short term and looking to 2016, it'd help to change more than minds. Besides, both parties are corrupt. That's been long established. The point I'm making is that while this progress is good, will it be enough come 2016 or even 2014? I doubt that.

 

[steph3n]

Because if'n the GOP wants to win the state, then yes, turning it red would help? You can change minds slowly, but for the short term and looking to 2016, it'd help to change more than minds. Besides, both parties are corrupt. That's been long established. The point I'm making is that while this progress is good, will it be enough come 2016 or even 2014? I doubt that.

No and it should not be the goal, the goal should be for long term change, not for putting a 'red' in power for the sake of it. Sometimes it is easier to change an org that is seeing itself as broken and in need of repair than when they think they are on top of the world and doing things right.

 

[Mr.NoSmile]

No and it should not be the goal, the goal should be for long term change, not for putting a 'red' in power for the sake of it. Sometimes it is easier to change an org that is seeing itself as broken and in need of repair than when they think they are on top of the world and doing things right.

Selective hearing. I didn't say putting a red in power for the sake of it. I said turning the state red. Even if that happened, a GOP nominee could still lose, but I'm focusing on the state itself. Also, the Party is more divided than broken, given the disparities between the hardline conservatives, Tea Party folks, old guard, grassroots, you name it. The so-called soul searching does little when some of the same people who led to that same loss that was 2012 are still in charge. I'm not saying this isn't progress and changing doesn't come overnight, but I'm still skeptical when the GOP is so fixated with holding onto the current power structure.