Given the outcomes of the recent Nevada and Maine state-level conventions, as they stand today, has the grass roots effort to honor RP's request in his 3/8 video succeeded or failed in meeting RP's intentions?
RP Quotes in 3/6/08 Video:
The presidential campaign will soon wind down, but we do still encourage all effort to gain the maximum number of votes and delegates in all the remaining primaries and to continue the caucus process that's ongoing in the other states by loyal volunteers.
I will continue to make every effort to visit any state where the enthusiasm for liberty exists.
The campaign for freedom will continue in this new phase.
We are still in the early stages of bringing about the changes that this revolution is all about.
Let us hope that we can one day look back and say that this campaign was a significant first step that signaled a change in direction for our country. Our job now is to plan for the next phase.
My interpretation of RP's request was for his supporters to become involved within the GOP organization, to do the necessary footwork to become respected elected officials at the local precinct/county/state levels as the prerequisite preparation to become national officials in the future.
The primary issue I have had with the push to become delegates at each level to be able to send delegates to the Republican National Convention (RNC) was that the intended result has been to win the GOP nomination for RP, which RP did not mention in his videotape.
Much worse is the fact that the very public posts and actions about becoming delegates by "stealth" to "stage a coup" at the RNC have done a tremendous amount of damage to RP's reputation and to his hope that we would be taking a "significant first step".
Given the "blowback" against known RP delegates before, during, and after the Nevada and Maine state conventions, those who have been trying to honor RP's request to get involved locally are finding that being identified as an "RP supporter" is detrimental to working toward the changes to return the GOP to its original platform.
Obviously, it is now the "RP delegates" that are being labeled "whackos" or "subversives" or other labels with negative connotations.
Is that the type of reputation that RP planned for the "significant first step"? Did RP ever imagine that any of his delegates would consider him/herself as a "super-delegate of one" with many posting their hatred of the GOP online? I don't think so.
The change in posts since Nevada and, now, Maine has been noticeable. People are now posting to stress "conservative values" without mentioning RP. THINK ABOUT HOW CLEARLY THOSE POSTS INDICATE THAT BOTH RP AND THE MOVEMENT HAVE BEEN HARMED!
There are posts where RP supporters are finding that what had been a good relationship as a person in the local GOP party has been harmed due to that person's inclusion in the "RP supporter" umbrella.
I have been concerned all along that many actions were being planned that would destroy the credibility of all of those working "within the system" to gradually make changes. My biggest concern was the posts about violating state rules binding their delegates to vote for McCain in the first round *at the national level*.
On April 13th, I started the thread, "What blowback will occur if RP wins the nomination?" in www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=132901 (Note: it was moved to "Hot Topics", so it requires login to view). It discussed the various scenarios at the RNC in September.
I was appalled to realize that ***my concerns about damage have already been validated***, based on what has happened at the state level in both Nevada and Maine.
I now believe it is highly unlikely that RP will be given any opportunity to speak at the RNC. In fact, I would not be surprised to find that no national RP delegates will be recognized at the RNC at all. I hope I'm wrong.
Is that what all the effort to become delegates has accomplished? To be blocked at every turn?
I have used the analogy of a "hostile takeover". Not surprisingly, GOP officials have successfully fought back, similar to Yahoo standing up to Microsoft.
In fact, weren't the "red hats" of the McCain supporters intended to clearly identify those delegates who were *not* McCain supporters? Was that due to RP supporter posts about *not* wearing RP gear?
So where do we go from here?
Will there be any credibility remaining for "RP supporters" by the RNC?
Why does this feel like the news stories where people stood by and watched while others were planning and doing harm and did nothing to stop it?
Do we want our children to look the other way, as well, if they hear a "Columbine" being planned?
There have been dozens of new posts and "bumped" posts on a daily basis on both RPF and DP that have clearly signaled these intentions for many weeks, now.
What happened to the advice of friends to "not drive drunk"?
RP honored his promise to us to continue speaking out for liberty.
Have we failed to honor his request of us?
RP Quotes in 3/6/08 Video:
The presidential campaign will soon wind down, but we do still encourage all effort to gain the maximum number of votes and delegates in all the remaining primaries and to continue the caucus process that's ongoing in the other states by loyal volunteers.
I will continue to make every effort to visit any state where the enthusiasm for liberty exists.
The campaign for freedom will continue in this new phase.
We are still in the early stages of bringing about the changes that this revolution is all about.
Let us hope that we can one day look back and say that this campaign was a significant first step that signaled a change in direction for our country. Our job now is to plan for the next phase.
My interpretation of RP's request was for his supporters to become involved within the GOP organization, to do the necessary footwork to become respected elected officials at the local precinct/county/state levels as the prerequisite preparation to become national officials in the future.
The primary issue I have had with the push to become delegates at each level to be able to send delegates to the Republican National Convention (RNC) was that the intended result has been to win the GOP nomination for RP, which RP did not mention in his videotape.
Much worse is the fact that the very public posts and actions about becoming delegates by "stealth" to "stage a coup" at the RNC have done a tremendous amount of damage to RP's reputation and to his hope that we would be taking a "significant first step".
Given the "blowback" against known RP delegates before, during, and after the Nevada and Maine state conventions, those who have been trying to honor RP's request to get involved locally are finding that being identified as an "RP supporter" is detrimental to working toward the changes to return the GOP to its original platform.
Obviously, it is now the "RP delegates" that are being labeled "whackos" or "subversives" or other labels with negative connotations.
Is that the type of reputation that RP planned for the "significant first step"? Did RP ever imagine that any of his delegates would consider him/herself as a "super-delegate of one" with many posting their hatred of the GOP online? I don't think so.
The change in posts since Nevada and, now, Maine has been noticeable. People are now posting to stress "conservative values" without mentioning RP. THINK ABOUT HOW CLEARLY THOSE POSTS INDICATE THAT BOTH RP AND THE MOVEMENT HAVE BEEN HARMED!
There are posts where RP supporters are finding that what had been a good relationship as a person in the local GOP party has been harmed due to that person's inclusion in the "RP supporter" umbrella.
I have been concerned all along that many actions were being planned that would destroy the credibility of all of those working "within the system" to gradually make changes. My biggest concern was the posts about violating state rules binding their delegates to vote for McCain in the first round *at the national level*.
On April 13th, I started the thread, "What blowback will occur if RP wins the nomination?" in www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=132901 (Note: it was moved to "Hot Topics", so it requires login to view). It discussed the various scenarios at the RNC in September.
I was appalled to realize that ***my concerns about damage have already been validated***, based on what has happened at the state level in both Nevada and Maine.
I now believe it is highly unlikely that RP will be given any opportunity to speak at the RNC. In fact, I would not be surprised to find that no national RP delegates will be recognized at the RNC at all. I hope I'm wrong.
Is that what all the effort to become delegates has accomplished? To be blocked at every turn?
I have used the analogy of a "hostile takeover". Not surprisingly, GOP officials have successfully fought back, similar to Yahoo standing up to Microsoft.
In fact, weren't the "red hats" of the McCain supporters intended to clearly identify those delegates who were *not* McCain supporters? Was that due to RP supporter posts about *not* wearing RP gear?
So where do we go from here?
Will there be any credibility remaining for "RP supporters" by the RNC?
Why does this feel like the news stories where people stood by and watched while others were planning and doing harm and did nothing to stop it?
Do we want our children to look the other way, as well, if they hear a "Columbine" being planned?
There have been dozens of new posts and "bumped" posts on a daily basis on both RPF and DP that have clearly signaled these intentions for many weeks, now.
What happened to the advice of friends to "not drive drunk"?
RP honored his promise to us to continue speaking out for liberty.
Have we failed to honor his request of us?
)
