Ron Paul backers tangle with state GOP over caucus reports

[Debbie Hopper]

Pepperpete1 - this has nothing to do with Missouri Revised Statutes and election laws. These are party elections. The rules governing Missouri caucuses are made by the party not by the Missouri State Legislature. There is no legal recourse because the GOP isn't breaking a "law."

What they ARE doing is grossly violating their own rules (party "laws") that are supposed to provide for a fair and open caucus process that's welcoming to even the newcomer.

This is the party machine at work, and the way to beat the party machine is to replace them with faithful Republicans of principle whose loyalty is to the Constitution, and who will only support candidates whose loyalty is also to the Constitution.

In Missouri, that means filing to stand election to be the Committeeman or Committeewoman for your township or ward. The last day to file is next Tuesday, March 25th.

If you need more info, please let me know.

 

[jabrownie]

Debbie: While this sounds like an internal party decision, that does not necessarily mean that it can't be challenged legally. For example, if you remember, some of Hillary's allies challenged the democratic party's decision about whether or not they could hold caucus events in some of the casinos and the case fast tracked to the supreme court. While the court there did say that it was more difficult to challenge party decisions as they related to caucus procedures, as compared to primary procedures, they didn't forclude the ability to do so. Worst case scenario, the judge tosses the case; but even if that happens it's possible that simply filing for an injunction might put some pressure/publicity on the chair to release the documents.

As for the 'frivalous' question raised, I could see how it might be considered frivalous to challenge the papers having never seen them, however, I can't imagine there would be anything wrong with seeking an injunction to get the time/ability to see them.

 

[joemiller]

Challenge them all

Thanks to soule on the Daily Paul forums for finding this one.

Ron Paul backers tangle with state GOP over caucus reports

By Jo Mannies
03/21/2008 12:18 pm

Debbie Hopper, national field director for U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas (and who is continuing his campaign for president), called Thursday to recount a contentious encounter that she had just had with Missouri Republican Party executive director Jared Craighead.

Hopper said that she had gone to the state party’s headquarters in Jefferson City on Thursday to look at the reports turned in by the various sites’ chairmen from last Saturday’s caucuses.

Craighead refused to allow Hopper to look at the reports. Hopper noted that next Tuesday is the deadline for challenging the reports’ content, or the proposed delegates approved at the caucuses and then OKed by the state party.

Hopper said she’s concerned that the state Republican Party is out to disenfranchise the Paul delegates selected at those caucuses, or that some of the caucus chairmen.

To briefly recap

You can read the rest of the article here

If Ms. Hopper is prevented from examining the reports turned in by the various sites’ chairmen from last Saturday’s caucuses, she must challenge them all, as a matter of record. Challenge first, before the deadline, so a record is made and a resolution sought.

joe

 

[Knightskye]

"I ain't showin' you nothin' " state.

 

[Hook]

Again, we need someone's cousin Vinnie to go have a little chat with the Chairman.

 

[pepperpete1]

Deadlines

If Ms. Hopper is prevented from examining the reports turned in by the various sites’ chairmen from last Saturday’s caucuses, she must challenge them all, as a matter of record. Challenge first, before the deadline, so a record is made and a resolution sought.

joe

Nice summation jabrownie. I understand that they are breaking party rules, those results were to be in by March 18th.I also understand that any challenges are to be brought to the credentialing committee, so if you were to challenge the reports to them with the explanation of why you are doing so at this time, it may be supportable.

How about requesting info from random county caucus chairmen that they have on their copies and then comparing the data to the ones that finally get shown to the public. See if there are any discrepancies.

Just trying to be of help here, and not step on anyone's toes. It must be really frustrating on the front lines to have to deal with this. I am not happy to hear of it going on anywhere. Good luck and please keep us apprised of the situation.

 

[Banana]

If Ms. Hopper is prevented from examining the reports turned in by the various sites’ chairmen from last Saturday’s caucuses, she must challenge them all, as a matter of record. Challenge first, before the deadline, so a record is made and a resolution sought.

joe

On surface, this is very true. Failure to object is fatal to your defense.

I am sure Debbie already know that and is doing everything she's can to challenge this or at least come up with a smoking gun to bring in the convention.

Does anyone who are familiar with the party rules know if such challenge based on failure to reveal the results can be considered?

 

[wowabunga]

"I ain't showin' you nothin' " state.

My my my.... what a sad/funny way of saying things. Is it ok to borrow that phrase as it sure says it all

 

[SteveMartin]

We don't have time to take back this party.

I am assuming some of you are beginning to understand why...

RUN INDY RON!!!

 

[Sandra]

Just a quick question concerning caucuses.... is McCain being credited with delegates from caucuses that are being challenged? If so, then they have to be subtracted until a decision is reached by the RNC. Challenged states can't go the national convention. No states= no delegates.

 

[pepperpete1]

NO Delegates

Just a quick question concerning caucuses.... is McCain being credited with delegates from caucuses that are being challenged? If so, then they have to be subtracted until a decision is reached by the RNC. Challenged states can't go the national convention. No states= no delegates.

Good point!

 

[MozoVote]

The establishment party hands will be disappointed if they can't go to Minneapolis... But the Paulites don't know what they're missing, if they contest the delegation and Missouri and Louisiana are not seated. They really should be the tougher "bloc"

 

[rePAULblican]

So what is the latest news about the sitaution in Missouri? Tomorrow is the deadline and I was wondering if anything new is going on?

 

[soapmistress]

I was wondering too. Has anyone called?

 

[Phantom]

MO GOP breaks it own rules

Posted on the Daily Paul forum by meekandmild

Copy of letter to MO Ron Paul supporters

Debbie Hopper just called me and we have our answer from the Missouri GOP. The Ron Paul Presidential Campaign will not be provided access to records to properly contest and file challenges, as set forth in the Rules of the Missouri Republican Party 2008 Call to Convention, page 4, Paragraph entitled 'Contest of Delegates and Alternates'.

As you know, that means that each of you and your delegates will be provided no recourse under the GOP Rules to challenge any action taken by the members at your local caucuses. As you may also know, Jared Craighead, Executive Director of the GOP, has made it crystal clear that the GOP will fight back: 'party leaders will be examining the lists of caucus-goers, and of the newly elected state delegates', and indicated 'that some of the Paul activists involved in the caucuses....should be tossed off.' Ref: http://www.stltoday.com/s...

So, there we have it. The Missouri GOP has broken its own Rules and will continue its corrupt behavior unless......we TAKE BACK OUR PARTY and OUR RIGHTS! http://www.ronpaul2008.co.... See you at the County Clerk's Office.

 

[kirkblitz]

wow unfucken believable. Time to get out the molotov cocktails.

 

[Sandra]

Contest it directly to the RNC, reason: non access to records. The RNC will have to remedy the situation nationwide dealing with these idiots that change the rules the last minute and think it's OK. This activity is killing off the Republican party in most states and now the RNC is broke.

 

[MozoVote]

I am so totally not surprised to hear this.

 

[Hook]

So sue them to not get any state funding because they are violating their own rules. Make sure to get a Democrat judge.

 

[pepperpete1]

So is the campaign going to follow what recourses are available to them to contest the breaking of the party rules?

It amazes me that the old time GOPers are having such a fit about the initiative of the RP people. Especially when they espouse that it will make no difference at the national convention. If it won't make any difference, then why are they so much in a turmoil and breaking the party rules to throw road blocks in our path. Something tells me that, if they are willing to give up their delegates so that we do not get any, there really must be something to fear from the followers of Ron Paul's message. (Like maybe we can get Ron the nomination)

I feel that something has to be done about the unethical way that some of the states have run their caucuses and primaries. This should not be tolerated by any American no matter which candidate or party you favor.