This can increase chances for a brokered convention!!!

[kyleAF]

Oh I see!

What a pity that this strategy wasn't implemented PRIOR to super tuesday.

Decentralized control AND decentralized execution, which can best describe a grassroots movement operating on its own, does not allow for strategy, merely tactics.

The HQ can offer strategic guidance to everyone (the definition of strategic is that it encompasses the "big picture"), but the individual meetup groups and precincts can only execute guerilla style tactical methods without this centralized control factor.

If one frames this entire race in the context of a war, with the objective being an eventual presidential nomination (for this battle...a national election being the final battle), this becomes more obvious.

As we like to say in the military: the best method is Centralized control, and decentralized execution.

Unfortunately, campaign financing regulations prevent many direct lines of communication and control between the campaign HQ and the grassroots efforts, so we're stuck with perhaps a strategic vision within the campaign, but an inability to most effectively execute it within the decentralized and disjoint ranks of the grassroots.

In short: Yes, such strategy is nice to think about (especially in the perfect vision of hindsight), but unless its massed and organized, it's not as uber-effective as it may seem, as some will agree and press with it, while others will disagree and resist it.

 

[kyleAF]

All this is is assuming, the entire delegate count so far is all assumptions. Until you get to the convention you will not know how many Ron Paul supporters actually became delegates compared to the other candidates. You can unbind delegates... you can change the party completely at the convention with the grassroots. Its entire platform can be changed.

The election process is still completely grassroots but the media wants you to think you don't have the power to change it. That it is over and your participation does not count. This is FALSE. The delegates decide the nominee, the individual people that became a delegate will shape the party. This is what we are doing and why it is not important what the media is saying. Stop listening to them, turn off the tv. Ron Paul knows what he is doing. Believe in yourself and encourage others to believe. Stop with these delegate counting nonsense it means nothing, go out there and get other people to actually become delegates it WILL make a difference.

QFT.

The convention rules are very interesting...

Delegates can be unbound, and even if not, their personal vote counts, and the state party may enact retribution on them only after they return home if they break with their binding.

The state delegate representative will announce the "state vote". But if any one delegate within that state objects to the announced "pre-tallied" vote, then everyone must cast their vote individually... and that stands as cast.

Also, each delegate is afforded 5 full minutes of speaking time. The forum operates under U.S. House of Representatives floor rules. (Ron Paul will be the veteran of this process, of course). This means everyone can "yield" their time to another speaker and a single individual can give a very long speech.

And yes, the national GOP platform is decided at the convention, and the more delegates per candidate, the more influence they have on it.

And if all else fails, the rules can be suspended outright if a majority of delegates in just 5 states call for it, and then it's a free for all vote. Even if McCain gets a majority, he does not necessarily win... who are the most determined delegates in the end...that's what will be the deciding factor.

A "brokered" convention is just a "contested" convention. I predict there will be quite a bit of political unrest and contention at this convention, regardless of CNN's projected delegate counts.

Check www.gop.com for the official rules.

 

[syborius]

Yea, this is the same HQ that asked us for $12 million in the 4th quarter and we gave them $19 million, and they wasted it on garbage. This is the same HQ that took two months to actually call Glenn Beck back and schedule an interview after they had already canceled on Glenn Beck before. This is the same HQ that also scheduled an interview with Neal Boortz and backed out. I say we vote for Huckabee all we can, at this point, HQ is an absolute failure and I hope that we are smart enough to realize that Huckabee is our only chance at a brokered convention at this point.

I concur with this assessment.

 

[limequat]

Vote for Huck, betray the revolution.

This isn't just about forcing a brokered convention.
1) Every RP supporter we identify is going into RP's database. He's keeping track of us for later use.

2) Every voter sends a signal to the rest of the US: "You are not alone." "There are other revolutionaries out there." "Ron Paul is for real."

Personally, I have faith in the good doctor. He has a plan. He's been doing this for longer than I've been alive. He speaks, I listen. He wants money, I donate. He says march, I march. I can't believe that he even has to tell us to vote for him.

 

[nc4rp]

True. But if they stick to the estimates, and he wins, then he takes all because they are pledged.

But this makes me think: Is it too late to make such deals in winner takes all states where the election is over and where McSwine won - but not in a number higher than Hucks and Pauls together?

Its to Huck's advantage to bargain with us. Why wouldn't they?

We want a brokered convention. Huck wants a brokered convention. win/win

 

[alarga]

Its to Huck's advantage to bargain with us. Why wouldn't they?

We want a brokered convention. Huck wants a brokered convention. win/win

Yes, but if noone approaches them in the relevant states, nothing will happen and winner takes all.

 

[Shaun]

What?

Unbelievable!!
THERE WILL BE NO BROKERED CONVENTION.
You guys have too much time on your hands...
What a joke.
Let's focus on helping RP where we can, in his congressional race.
McI'llbombIran is the Republican nominee...
Now stop this delusional arguing for a goal that is absolutely unobtainable.

 

[MrZach]

Tactical voting is a horrible idea, and one of the major reasons our nation is in the mess it is in today.

Let your vote represent your beliefs. Have the integrity to stand strong to what you believe in even when it may "kill" you in the end. Thats why we don't torture. Thats why we don't compromise on basic civil liberties to keep ourselves safe... That is why Ron Paul doesn't "trade votes" in the House. That is why we are going to vote for Ron Paul to show the world just how many of us there are.

 

[patriotcalendar]

In Texas, the "teaming up" idea is a huge no-no.

If no candidate achieves a 51% majority, the 140 delegates are divided up proportionally. (that's a bit simplified, but close enough)

I would imagine, for similar types of reasons, this would be a no-no in practically any state.

 

[Dylbro]

QFT.

The convention rules are very interesting...

Delegates can be unbound, and even if not, their personal vote counts, and the state party may enact retribution on them only after they return home if they break with their binding.

The state delegate representative will announce the "state vote". But if any one delegate within that state objects to the announced "pre-tallied" vote, then everyone must cast their vote individually... and that stands as cast.

Also, each delegate is afforded 5 full minutes of speaking time. The forum operates under U.S. House of Representatives floor rules. (Ron Paul will be the veteran of this process, of course). This means everyone can "yield" their time to another speaker and a single individual can give a very long speech.

And yes, the national GOP platform is decided at the convention, and the more delegates per candidate, the more influence they have on it.

And if all else fails, the rules can be suspended outright if a majority of delegates in just 5 states call for it, and then it's a free for all vote. Even if McCain gets a majority, he does not necessarily win... who are the most determined delegates in the end...that's what will be the deciding factor.

A "brokered" convention is just a "contested" convention. I predict there will be quite a bit of political unrest and contention at this convention, regardless of CNN's projected delegate counts.

Check www.gop.com for the official rules.

I really think everyone ignores us when we try to explain the real process so they can argue back and forth about delegate counts and other nonsense that won't really help anything.

Become a delegate and learn about it in your state, reach out and talk to others and become part of the process. This is what matter, STOP listening to anything coming out of the TV regarding this election. It is all bull.

 

[PauliticsPolitics]

we all have to become local delegates, then we can assure there is not a majority.
There are alot of states not bound by the primaries...etc
read:
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=119814

 

[coffeewithchess]

Tactical voting is a horrible idea, and one of the major reasons our nation is in the mess it is in today.

Let your vote represent your beliefs. Have the integrity to stand strong to what you believe in even when it may "kill" you in the end. Thats why we don't torture. Thats why we don't compromise on basic civil liberties to keep ourselves safe... That is why Ron Paul doesn't "trade votes" in the House. That is why we are going to vote for Ron Paul to show the world just how many of us there are.

That's nice and all, but the fact is if we have the chance of helping Huckabee get a brokered convention, we should take it. By not voting for Huckabee in some states, we may let McCain win them...I would rather a chance at a brokered convention than "show the world just how many of us there are" for absolutely no reason.

 

[Brother Butch]

Vote for Ron Paul.

 

[limequat]

That's nice and all, but the fact is if we have the chance of helping Huckabee get a brokered convention, we should take it. By not voting for Huckabee in some states, we may let McCain win them...I would rather a chance at a brokered convention than "show the world just how many of us there are" for absolutely no reason.

Then you have missed the point. You are focusing on an election.
Ron Paul is engineering a revolution.

 

[Bruno]

A vote for Ron Paul is a vote for Ron Paul.

 

[1836]

I tend to agree that Huck votes are Paul votes in some states. Virginia sure would have been nice as a Huck win.

That being said, Huckbee had to consider all of this when thinking about whether or not to stay in. Consider that. He knows there's good reason to stay in because he can still win the nomination in a brokered convention.

Hell, Mitt Romney could still be the nominee, in theory.