WHY Massachusetts voted for McCain

[Sematary]

I've done much soul searching since Wednesday night, and here's what I decided.

Throughout the days leading up to that critical vote, Ron Paul repeatedly asked us not to disrupt the Convention, but rather to act as ambassadors, to reach out and build bridges to the other Republicans, to make friendships, to engage in constructive dialog, to invite them into the Campaign for Liberty, and to take steps toward changing the party from within. That's what we did.

John McCain's nomination was already guaranteed. There was nothing we could do, barring unethical initiation of force, to change that fact. So we made a deal. We gave them their unanimous vote, which allowed them to look good to their peers, and we got concessions including strong encouragement from the party leaders for the pre-existing Republicans to accept us and work together, plus guaranteed seats on the Republican State Committee. In my estimation that deal moved us two years ahead in our efforts to "take over the party" and change it from within.

Sure, we have many areas of disagreement with the others, but come to think of it, we disagree amongst ourselves. If you put five libertarians into a room, you will have six opinions. We can still work together, and since we have the right message, we will gradually change their minds as we go.

There will always be some who say that voting for McCain under any circumstances was unconscionable, and I see their point. However, I personally feel that those votes "belonged" to Ron Paul, and I believe he would be proud of the way we used them.

John Cunningham
Ron Paul Republican
candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives
from the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District
www.johncunningham2008.com
[email protected]

From some of the other delegates:

I'd like to add my thoughts as an alternate.

First, the Mass GOP came to the Ron Paul delegates (That's a huge move in any negotiations), and the choice was abstain (and potentially embarass them and ruin any good will), or turn over over credentials to others than could vote for McCain so he could get the unanymous, without many of us violating our principles.

Note - THEY came to US. As we learned at Campaign For Liberty training school, they will not respect you, until the fear you. We now have their respect.

During the negotiations, I kept thinking, what would Ron do?
1) Ron Paul has made it clear that he will NOT vote for McCain
2) On a conference call, Dr. Paul made it clear that Drew Ivers (Iowa delegate) would help/lead his Ron Paul supporters (check DailyPaul to see how Drew Ivers voted [He gave up his credentials and let Iowa be unanimous - but I doubt he received anything concrete in return)
3) Dr. Paul also made it clear that we are supposed to work WITH the GOP to take it over. Many of the existing, older Republicans believe in the Return to the Grassroots (except for the divisive war). let's work on them, and convince them about that in the future.

I think we got media coverage on the Herald about Dr. Paul (maybe we're reasonable people, and not crazy wackos). There will be MORE media coverage too, to get Dr. Paul's message of liberty out too.
Watching Peter Torklidsen, give a very, very nice speech about inviting the Ron Paul supporters to the GOP and positions of power in the state committee. He even mentioned the word CONSTITUTION.
Oh - and finally, there was media there, I'm sure there will be youtube clips eventually, AND two prominent governors (VT and RI), were in that room to also recognize and perhaps fear/respect Dr. Paul's followers in their states.

I believe the delegates made a very good decision, considering the high time pressure, the intense intimidation by security, the ability to extract maximum value from a lost position to be able to win the next battle.
Considering the microphones mysteriously shut off after McCain's count is announced, I think we would have been ignored, and the abstentions 'worthless' for public opinion, but good for those already paying attention.

Elections are short term projects, Revolutions are long term. We need more soldiers, and this will help spread the message and recruit/educate/train to take over the GOP.

It's very simple. We decided the long term goals were more important than abstaining because abstaining would have accomplished nothing. Contrary to what some might think, some of these republicans are good people, and are willing to work with us, as long as we show that we are not there to destroy their party but to be a part of it.

Someone mentioned before that we don't need them; that we can get enough people to vote for us for any position. Well, let me tell you this. When I ran for delegate we had about four or five Ron Paul supporters show up. I won because I convinced the regular republicans to vote for me. Our decision on Wednesday has already had a good impact on those republicans that I have come to know. We do need those people, and I believe most of them will no longer see us as outsiders as a result of our compromise. Let's face it. We didn't really give up that much. Also, showing that we are willing to work with them is a better strategy for getting them to listen to us and the ideas of liberty.

G. Edward Griffin's Freedom Force International society is about encouraging its members not only to get involved but to use the same techniques used by our enemies. That's how they got there, and that's the only way we will get there.

When I ran for delegate I purposely left out information about myself to get elected; I wanted to speak about the Fed and many other issues but I didn't want them to know who I supported. You could say this is a bit unethical, but we all know that is what we had to do to get elected. It was a strategy. This is no different. We have a goal and this goal is much bigger than just showing the party that we don't accept McCain. There is a bigger picture here. McCain was going to be the nominee regardless of our decision. We could have continued to be outsiders, or really become part of the party and start changing it from the inside. We can't call it "infiltration" because we are not doing it secretly. They already know who we are, so the best thing we can do is show them that we are not the threat they thought we were.

This is a strategy and it will work. For anyone not convinced, go to freedom-force.org and become a member. I could not be prouder of our decision. It shows we are thinking about the future.

I also want to say that I feel lucky to have met all of you. I share with you the ideas that have become a big part of who I now am. I hope we can get together every now and then.

Cambridge Chris wrote:

Welcome back home. It's been a rough week for us all. Emotions are
high and energy is low.

First off, that snooze-fest in the Xcel Center would have been
suicidal were I not surrounded by you all. I have memories for a
lifetime, and I have the trust and friendship of a great group of
patriots. I hope we can get together regularly and have some more
great times.

We have been working hard for a long time to make Ron Paul the GOP
nominee! From the Tea Party to neighborhood canvassing to caucus
elections to defending our legitimacy to scraping together travel $$
to enduring the GOP ridicule to soliciting delegation signatures for
Motion for Nomination: WE STEPPED UP. I am very proud of you all, and
with dignity and decorum, we did everything within the rules and
within our power to make Ron Paul our nominee.

 

[hard@work]

Anyone able to comment on how Dr. Ron Paul would see this?

 

[syborius]

I see it as the will of the people was subverted, again. They had a duty to represent their constituents by voting the way they wanted them to vote. The whole point of voting is to vote your conscience, and it is even more important to vote the way the people in your district demanded it. This is a good way of excusing their duty to the constituents.

The GOP will never change when it doesn't feel threatened, if PAUL was shown to have 200 delegates up on the big screen for all to see, for the pundits to ponder, for the country to discuss, that to me is real change. What we saw was a party self congratulating itself throughout for the job well done. HORSESHIT. The battle is one of perception, and that battle was lost because as a collective we managed a murmur with a handful of votes, we managed a murmur because these delegates made the wrong decision, playing politics with the one chance Ron Paul's views on liberty had to shine through the pitch dark that is the GOP has become. There is strength in numbers, and by caving the RP people showed weakness.

The problem with American politics is just that nobody votes on principle anymore. These people should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[newyearsrevolution08]

I agree, people actually think that these delegates are doing their duty to take OUR VOTES and make sure that voice is heard at the convention. Caving to "build bridges" to help play the game does NOT sound like they did their job at all.

You can make buddies before and after the convention and simply let them know that it is not "your" vote you are casting but the THOUSANDS who entrusted their votes with your ONE..

I think it is sad how many caved BUT I hope we can take this loss and learn from it and really build A SOUND strategy and maybe even hire the campaign manager that ran the mccain campaign for our next election cycle so we can actually win something.

 

[Spirit of '76]

Just so everyone knows, this was not a unanimous decision in the Mass delegation. I seriously thought Cambridge Chris was going to get his ass whooped by some of the other delegates that night.

 

[muh_roads]

What a bunch of horse crap. Makes me not want to work as hard as I did in the future.

 

[newyearsrevolution08]

Just so everyone knows, this was not a unanimous decision in the Mass delegation. I seriously thought Cambridge Chris was going to get his ass whooped by some of the other delegates that night.

an ass whooping is the least of our worries at the moment.

I would take an ass beating or two to get my vote actually counted, I have gotten my ass kicked for far less.

 

[JAlli41]

Okay, I live in Massachusetts and worked for Dr. Paul in NH during the primaries, I talked some of my family, Massachusetts residents into voting for Dr. Paul in the primaries. So as a Massachusetts Republican let me say this for those of you who are not from Mass. The current GOP status quo is not working in this state and the party knows it. Their plan has always seemed to be to try to get more progressive, thinking they could get some liberals to vote for them. I do not know many people who liked Gov. Romney, but I do know that Gov. Weld in the early 90's was the last well liked Republican in Mass. After him we seem to have had a slew of dissasters in state Republican leadership which has led to only having 6 Republicans in the General Court. So when the delegates made this deal, I believe not only did they get some concessions, but I bet the MassGOP will be more than willing to go along with this stuff if they think it will help their base grow. The GOP progressives are out of ideas (which pretty much goes along with the national party) and what they have been pushing up here to get votes on the local level has been real tough law and order Republicanism. I have to think some of the old fogeys of the party would be more than happy to see both an influx of youth and traditional republicanism at the same time. I don't know what our delegates got in return for the McCain votes, but in this state a show of good faith could lead to some good cadidates and everyone here know the ideas are good and education could lead to some unexpected victories with liberal progressives if we play our cards right. I don't know where everyone else who is commenting is from, but if you aren't from Massachussetts or similarly liberal/progressive states, its tough to take your comments seriously. In politics there absolutely have to be backroom deals and while some things we cannot give in on, we also cannot act like petulent children if we hope to further our causes.

 

[me3]

There is only one question.

Does Dr. Paul give up his votes for more status or power within the party?

I say John Cunningham is a goof if he thinks Dr. Paul would have been proud of compromising principles for more political power.

The goal is not to take over or operate within the GOP.

Has no one been listening?

 

[me3]

In politics there absolutely have to be backroom deals and while some things we cannot give in on, we also cannot act like petulent children if we hope to further our causes.

I'd buy that, but it's not how Dr. Paul rolls. He needs people who have character and integrity with him in Congress, not guys like Cunningham who might roll over and vote with the party because it will help him keep his seat, or get him on a committee.

The Mass delegation didn't make the right call in my opinion. Maybe they got cold feet, maybe they lacked leadership. But there is no point in making excuses for surrender. This was not the desired outcome when people worked so hard to send them to the convention.

They were supposed to resist McCain's policies, not get bought off on them.

 

[JAlli41]

Didn't Dr. Paul make a deal in W. Virginia? There is a difference between giving in on major issues and giving in on personal dealings. If you went into a contract neotiation telling the other person, "this is the price and that its, no stop talking this is it, no stop, I'll abstain from these contract talks if you don't do what I want," the guy sitting across from you is going to think you're an asshole and will not want to do further business with you. No one in this movement should ever bend on things like the federal reserve system, foreign policy, the war on drugs, or any number of other issues, but I just do not understand the outrage here.

 

[speciallyblend]

makes me want to remove myself from the republican party, seems it's all talk and no action, im disgusted with this whole campaign.. I will do my best to make sure the gop crashes and burns, this makes me want to puke!!!!

 

[constituent]

water under the bridge.

 

[JosephTheLibertarian]

Never compromise

you let me down.

 

[Anti Federalist]

Pwnd.

Forget about lube, they didn't even kiss you first.

The GOP is dead to me.

"Reformers" can kiss my ass in the town square.

 

[RP4EVER]

we have got to find smarter people to run for office and smarter people to lead this fight

These people; not only the Mass delegates but the rest...sold out to a party that needs them.........we dont need the party....the party needs us 3/4 of our support is under the age of 30........3/4 of their support is over 60......think about that folks

 

[slacker921]

It sucks, but another way to look at it - when McCain goes down hard in November they can't claim it was because the Paul supporters divided the party. They showed the nation that there was "UNITY" and the GOP will have to take full responsibility for the losses in Nov. The insiders will remember that there was a group that was passionate about ideas that the GOP were against.... so when the GOP fails then they just might give the Paul supporters a chance. (if they're smart).

I would much rather have seen 200+ votes for Paul but we can learn and move on.

Here's where things went wrong imho.. the world didn't know how many Paul delegates were there. As far as everyone knew there were maybe 40 Paul supporters at the RNC so it was easy for the GOP to whitewash this. If the Paul campaign (before it closed up shop..) had made more noise about the number of delegates who were Paul supporters then the world would have known that there was division going into this thing and expected ~200 votes for Paul. The GOP still would have tried for unity, but they would have had to work harder and greater concessions would have been made.

 

[Conza88]

To be frank. They sold out. What they said to the party is; "I can be bought". Every justification of those who crumbled under the pressure, is an attempt to con themselves into thinking they did what was right. Well, they're wrong. Wishful thinking. I expected better.

The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but a swindling futurity on a large scale. – Thomas Jefferson

It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them. – Alfred Adler

We must remember that the principal instrument of government is coercion and that our government officials are no more moral, omnipotent, nor omniscient than are any of the rest of us. Once we understand the basic principles which must be observed if freedom is to be safeguarded against government, we may become more hesitant in turning our personal problems and responsibilities over to that agency of coercion, with its insatiable appetite for power. – W. C. Mullendore

My proposition. Next time; each Ron Paul delegate have temporarily tattooed on their person, the following:

“When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith.”
~ Abraham Kuype

“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.”
Thomas Paine

“That is the principle thing - not to remain with the dream, with the intention, with the being-in-the-mood, but always forcibly to convert it into all things”~ Rainer Maria Rilke

“To see what is right, and not do it, is want of courage, or of principle.”~ Confucius

 

[muzzled dogg]

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

 

[pauletteNV]

Maybe this is exactly what happens with a vote in Congress, too. We the people, the voters, with good intentions, elect our representatives to vote our will for the good of our area/situation. They receive a little donation here, a little earmark there, a little martini lunch and suddenly they are voting their will for their own benefit, rather than what we elected them for. The root of misrepresentation. How much "giving" can one do before one misrepresents the people who "voted" for you? Politics - The Game.