Take Over the GOP! Join the Republican Liberty Caucus, Ron Paul is a Member!

[Rhys]

hey Rob I'd like to help.

I'm the guy who was always bugging you for slim jims on a sunday!

 

[Rob]

hey Rob I'd like to help.

I'm the guy who was always bugging you for slim jims on a sunday!

Oh, I remember ya, hahaha! Glad to see you're still around. We have a Michigan meeting in May. I hope to see you there.

 

[Gustogus]

I have a slight problem with some of their endorsed candidates.

Jim Demint is an extreme right wing conservative on social issues(Gays and single women shouldn't teach in public schools?) and has been a vocal supporter of the war, as has been John Ensign.

While they seem to both be fiscally conservative, I'm wary of the RLC's record in supporting candidates that may not hold true to a libertarian ideal.

Admittedly, some compromises must be made in the name of politics, but how much input does Dr. Paul still have in this group?

 

[Cimbri]

Let's get all the Ron Paul Republicans running on board so we can have a "established? party structure to spring off from for all the congressional races.

 

[Staynsane]

I don't think it was meant as a personal dig, but towards RLC as an organization since you are representing the organization in this particular thread. Meaning that Ron Paul supported the organization, but when it came to an endorsement of Ron Paul, the organization didn't do it's part for whatever reason.

Thank you, and no it was not meant as a personal comment to you, Rob. The posts on your thread have been informative and inspiring, and I did not intend to misrepresent my thoughts :o

 

[NewPatriot]

Hypothetical Question

OK, so I have been reading all the posts in this thread and while a bit skeptical, I do have a question.

Suppose everything works perfectly and the RLC does manage to take over the Republican party, who's to say that the neocons that, let's face it, have a ton of money ,wont start a new party and squash the legitimacy of the Republican party throughout the media? Seems to me if this were to happen (hypothetically of course), why not just start a new party now (yes I understand the implications), but it appears that the Ron Paul supporters may be better organized than the RLC at the moment?

 

[Rob]

OK, so I have been reading all the posts in this thread and while a bit skeptical, I do have a question.

Suppose everything works perfectly and the RLC does manage to take over the Republican party, who's to say that the neocons that, let's face it, have a ton of money ,wont start a new party and squash the legitimacy of the Republican party throughout the media? Seems to me if this were to happen (hypothetically of course), why not just start a new party now (yes I understand the implications), but it appears that the Ron Paul supporters may be better organized than the RLC at the moment?

A good question, however I don't think it's realistic to assume that anything we do will mean an absolute death to neo-conservatism. However, think about your scenario, our roles would be reversed. We would be the mainstream and they would be the "fringe." I'm sure that would make more than just a few of us smile!

 

[Rob]

I have a slight problem with some of their endorsed candidates.

Jim Demint is an extreme right wing conservative on social issues(Gays and single women shouldn't teach in public schools?) and has been a vocal supporter of the war, as has been John Ensign.

While they seem to both be fiscally conservative, I'm wary of the RLC's record in supporting candidates that may not hold true to a libertarian ideal.

Admittedly, some compromises must be made in the name of politics, but how much input does Dr. Paul still have in this group?

I believe Demint failed to gain reendorsement in 2006 for the problems you just outlined. We do our best to endorse the right candidates, but politicians often change their voting (is that really news?) and when they deviate from libertarianism we do our best to "weed them out." Keep in mind though, we're just human beings running this and may make mistakes from time to time. The difference is that they're basically honest mistakes with us. not the Romney "oops I'm not really pro-choice I'm actually pro-life" types.

 

[RPinSEAZ]

OK, so I have been reading all the posts in this thread and while a bit skeptical, I do have a question.

Suppose everything works perfectly and the RLC does manage to take over the Republican party, who's to say that the neocons that, let's face it, have a ton of money ,wont start a new party and squash the legitimacy of the Republican party throughout the media? Seems to me if this were to happen (hypothetically of course), why not just start a new party now (yes I understand the implications), but it appears that the Ron Paul supporters may be better organized than the RLC at the moment?

That all seems highly speculative except for the last part. Paul supporters are better organized than the RLC. We have the benefits of communication through this website, email lists and meetup groups. The RLC needs to move fast to bring in Ron Paul supporters before we start to fragment. Ideally, they should have been ready to move us into their group a month or two ago, but all is not lost. They need to move fast and work hard to setup a working message forum system at the absolute minimum.

The apparent lack of organization is currently why I have not worked on spreading the word to any of my contacts yet. As soon as they appear ready to do something, I'll start advertising as much as I can.

 

[NewPatriot]

A good question, however I don't think it's realistic to assume that anything we do will mean an absolute death to neo-conservatism. However, think about your scenario, our roles would be reversed. We would be the mainstream and they would be the "fringe." I'm sure that would make more than just a few of us smile!

That's just my point, I don't see the death of the neo-conservative group, I actually see quite the contrary given their money and influence, and this was the point of my question.

I fear that given their influence they could be able to make the Republican party no longer *mainstream* and with their money and power could make whatever new party they create more legitimate than the RLC take over thus making the Republican party then *fringe*.

Furthermore, I see the possibility of them being able to capitalize on the successful creation of a third party in the media. The influence is there, just look at how successful they have been in making Bloomberg get attention for a possible independent run from pure speculation.

Not looking for an argument, just clarity and convincing.

 

[Rob]

That's just my point, I don't see the death of the neo-conservative group, I actually see quite the contrary given their money and influence, and this was the point of my question.

I fear that given their influence they could be able to make the Republican party no longer *mainstream* and with their money and power could make whatever new party they create more legitimate than the RLC take over thus making the Republican party then *fringe*.

Furthermore, I see the possibility of them being able to capitalize on the successful creation of a third party in the media. The influence is there, just look at how successful they have been in making Bloomberg get attention for a possible independent run from pure speculation.

Not looking for an argument, just clarity and convincing.

Speaking as someone who has spoken a bit to GOP leaders, ie state chairs and from speaking to people who have talked to the GOP leaders more than I have, the neo-cons are much weaker than you think they are.

The Neo-Cons DO NOT dominate the Republican party itself, they really only dominate the talking heads, i.e. Fox News, certain Radio hosts and a number of visible Senators, Reps, and some key white house appointments.

If we take over the party, they'll still have support, but it will be hugely diminished.

 

[RPinSEAZ]

That's just my point, I don't see the death of the neo-conservative group, I actually see quite the contrary given their money and influence, and this was the point of my question.

I fear that given their influence they could be able to make the Republican party no longer *mainstream* and with their money and power could make whatever new party they create more legitimate than the RLC take over thus making the Republican party then *fringe*.

Furthermore, I see the possibility of them being able to capitalize on the successful creation of a third party in the media. The influence is there, just look at how successful they have been in making Bloomberg get attention for a possible independent run from pure speculation.

Not looking for an argument, just clarity and convincing.

The Republican party has too much to lose by splitting itself. If they were to split, the Democrats would run away with every single election. The people in the party are pragmatists and realize, like we do, that this is a two party system and splitting the Republican vote would spell their demise.

We need to change the party from within by taking over the local parties and pushing candidates that fully support the constitution and small government.

 

[Cleaner44]

Bump. This is how we take over the GOP!

This is how the Revolution will continue. I am really looking forward to Ron Paul's new book.

 

[NewPatriot]

Thanks for the Feedback

Rob and RPinSEAZ thanks for the feedback.

My skepticism comes from never being affiliated with a party, in fact I despise the party system with a passion, but that is a discussion for another time. However, I am more concerned these days about bringing liberty and freedom back to our lives.

So, I suspect that there are many out there like myself, that have only joined the Republican party to vote for Paul, so how do you propose keeping us involved with the RLC?

While my political leanings tend to be Libertarian, I am not very impressed with the Libertarian party. I have very rarely voted Republican (or Democrat) and have voted in every election since my first in '88. Oh, and I have never felt like I have "thrown" my vote away, rather vote for what I believe is right.

I was pleased to see that the recent Republicans I did vote for were on the RLC list, so that is a big plus. While I see much of what has been discussed regarding the RLC is in-line with my views, I really do have my concerns about being part of the GOP, and this is a sticking point with me and perhaps many...

You almost have me

 

[Rob]

Rob and RPinSEAZ thanks for the feedback.

My skepticism comes from never being affiliated with a party, in fact I despise the party system with a passion, but that is a discussion for another time. However, I am more concerned these days about bringing liberty and freedom back to our lives.

So, I suspect that there are many out there like myself, that have only joined the Republican party to vote for Paul, so how do you propose keeping us involved with the RLC?

While my political leanings tend to be Libertarian, I am not very impressed with the Libertarian party. I have very rarely voted Republican (or Democrat) and have voted in every election since my first in '88. Oh, and I have never felt like I have "thrown" my vote away, rather vote for what I believe is right.

I was pleased to see that the recent Republicans I did vote for were on the RLC list, so that is a big plus. While I see much of what has been discussed regarding the RLC is in-line with my views, I really do have my concerns about being part of the GOP, and this is a sticking point with me and perhaps many...

You almost have me

If you're uncertain, then don't pay membership dues, but just sign up and donate a little time. Let us convince you this is the right way to go.

 

[Ack]

Bump for liberty!

 

[NoxTwilight]

I think the important thing to keep in mind is our ultimate goal and that is Ron in the White House or a Ron Paul Republican in 2012 and a congress and senate filled with as many Liberty minded people as we can get, as soon as we can get them in office.

With that said, we have to stop caring so much about the label and work within the foundations already in place. Why would be abandon these resources, however slim they might be at the moment to third party? Ron has already told us why we are not doing that. The systems is too bias and we have to work with what we have, from within.

This Caucus may be what we need to do that, now and especially in the future. I wish we would have known about this last year, many of us would have joined and perhaps would have been even more effective in converting the GOP base but that is moot now.

I will PM you Rob, specifically to get in touch with the California chapter. Their site is horrible, not even any contact information!

 

[NoxTwilight]

If you're uncertain, then don't pay membership dues, but just sign up and donate a little time. Let us convince you this is the right way to go.

Hey Rob, Your message box is full - big surprise! PM me when you can.

 

[RPinSEAZ]

I will PM you Rob, specifically to get in touch with the California chapter. Their site is horrible, not even any contact information!

I tried to get in touch with the Arizona chapter leader and they don't even have a webpage. The URL is parked. Someone get me in touch with this guy so I can put a page up for them.

 

[NoxTwilight]

I tried to get in touch with the Arizona chapter leader and they don't even have a webpage. The URL is parked. Someone get me in touch with this guy so I can put a page up for them.

Yeah the CA Chapter hasn't been updated since Feb 2007 as far as I can tell. Not a good way to bring in new blood. I just signed up so hopefully that will get me in touch with someone.

Too much has fallen by the way side, we need to USE the resources we already have!