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Paulites Try To Steal A Convention?
By Greg L | 19 June 2008 | National Politics | 30 Comments
The Ron Paulites sure are ensuring they get a warm welcome from the Republican Party. After getting essentially nowhere in the primary, their new tactic is now to somehow convince convention delegates to abandon the candidates they are pledged to support and instead cast their vote for Ron Paul at the convention. You’d think these guys might have some idea how conventions work. Perhaps it’s a good thing that they clearly do not.
From my inbox:
HELLO TO ALL FREEDOM SEEKERS:
Ron Paul can still be nominated at the convention. There are a lot of very good projections going on to make this happen. It is like building a house one needs many different types of people with many different talents to get the job done. Everyones job is equal in importance regardless of the size. This is why the saying: The sum of the parts is greater then the sum of the whole. There is a project that I am working with and on called DVD’s for Delegates that I strongly believe that it can make a difference in the outcome of the Convention in September. Time is of the essence for this project. I need and plead with all of you to take action now and join this group and or make a donation. The donation size and the involement size does not matter. What matters is that you do something for this project. All will share in the spoils that are obtained when we are successful in obtaining the Nomination for Ron Paul. Take action now and help us make history and be part of history. Together we can build a magnificent house (America) we can all be proud to live in.
Rev. Dr. John A. Hicks
In the mind of John Hicks (email address freedomwarriors@huges.net), a delegate to the national convention would find this interesting package in their mailbox, within a hour of detailed review of the contents and deep introspection decide that the campaign they were probably intimately involved with for over a year was a complete and pointless waste of time. The scales would fall from their eyes, they would step into the Ron Paul promised land, and walk into the national convention as changed persons, immune to the speeches and events at the convention, and thwart the will of the voters.
Oh yeah, I can see that happening. Sure.
The more probable explanation here is that having seen how easy it is to get the Ru Paul crowd to crack open their wallets, by giving these now-despondent folks one last glimmer of hope that Ron Paul could possibly prevail, John Hicks can get them to open their wallets one last time, for him. Since the email raising funds in support of a federal candidate bears no disclosure and is probably a violation of federal campaign finance laws, my suspicion is that this is nothing more than a scam.
This goofy campaign ends with a whimper. A really pathetic one.
UPDATE: Here is the rest of the email in question. If anyone has concerns about the validity of the email, there’s plenty of info here that will allow folks to track this down. My opinion is that this is legit.
The purpose of the National DVDs for Delegates Project has not changed. We will plan, produce, and distribute a series of four educational DVDs to the roughly 4,600 Delegates and Alternates to the 2008 Republican National Convention before they get to Saint Paul in September.
Our mission is to wake up these National Delegates to the awesome responsibility they have, to do more than just hold a scripted convention, a show for the media.Fact 1: The convention can still nominate Dr. Paul for the Presidency—even with the “Official Campaign Ending.”
Yes, Dr. Paul said he is closing the Campaign Organization. Now so he can put the $5,000,000+ in its coffers to better use than advertising for primary contests that are over.But the Fact Remains: There is no law preventing his nomination at that convention, even with the campaign organization closing. We checked with our lawyers. Our chief lawyer was the actual Commissioner and Chair of the Federal Election Commission—he resigned in 2006, so it seems reasonable to trust their judgment on this question.
Fact 2: There is no law requiring Delegates to vote for the candidate they are “bound” to.
These Delegates are Morally Bound, not to a particular candidate, but to Represent the People who supported that candidate. If they are presented with pertinent information that was previously hidden from them—they are Morally Bound to adapt to that information and make the best choice they can for their constituents.Between now and mid-August, we will create, manufacture, and distribute a series of four DVDs to the mailing addresses of all identified Delegates and Alternates to the 2008 GOP Convention in St. Paul, MN.
Our goal is to use this opportunity to communicate important information to GOP Delegates. We will share media containing perspectives new to most delegates, media blacked out by the 5 mega-corporations who currently ignore the Ron Paul Constitutional Message from their news and other media coverage.
Joining Us:
We welcome and encourage you to join this project. We need committed volunteers to continue our effort to 1) plan the DVD content, 2) secure the delegate lists, 3) to organize teams in their states to address and mail the DVDs we send you, and 4) get your state to pay its share of the cost. Goto www.dvds4delegates.com and press the “Join” button.Donations:
We do appreciate your donations for this effort, whether or not you want to participate in the work of this project.For about $20 per delegate, we can reach them all. Your state’s share can easily be computed by multiplying $20 times your state’s combined number of Delegates and Alternates. If you have 50 delegates and 50 alternates, that is 100 times $20, or $2,000. One wealthier donor can cover your state, or 100 smaller ones.
Please help get your state activists to help.
Just go to www.dvds4delegates.com click the “Donate” button on this screen to get started.
Your donations are not tax deductable – Please read the Donation page for all of the FEC Required information.
Evan Cutler
National DVDs for Delegates Project, Organizer
www.dvds4delegates.com and
http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1873/
Alaska Ron Paul Delegates, Organizer
http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1826/
Alaska DVD for State Delegates, Organizer
http://www.ronpauldelegates.info/Rev. Dr. John A. Hicks
FREEDOM WARRIORS
UPDATE 2: This is actually a real organization, complete with a Political Action Committee that has registered with the FEC. Their emails don’t contain the required disclosures, and it seems they may be in violation of a few campaign finance laws, although that’s almost certainly a matter of incompetence rather than an intentional effort to break the rules.
The opinions expressed here are solely the views of the author, and not representative of the position of any organization, political party, doughnut shop, knitting guild, or waste recycling facility, but may be correctly attributed to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. If anything in the above article has offended you, please click here to receive an immediate apology.
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I would gladly vote for Ron Paul over the other two choices.
Ron Paul? You mean the guy who invented the “pocket fisherman” portable folding fishing rod? He’s running for President? Wow! Who can forget the veg-o-matic 76? GLH-9 Look-good-hair in a can? Man, if we can get him elected, just think of all the great, convenient, time-saving inventions we American consumers will have access to…
starryflights,
Paul’s not running anymore, but Bob Barr is and, as far as I’m concerned he’s a damn sight better than Obama or McSame
During the general election I’m voting for (writing in if need be) Ron Paul. The other two choices are not. And, Ron Paul does have a good view on the immigration issue - keep illegals out.
I’m surprised that Ron Paul’s message doesn’t catch on with more of the HSM folk.
As for ‘throwing away my vote’.. I don’t see it as such. A vote for a lesser evil is still voting for evil. Osama or McFlipFop are both evil. Ron is the only other logical choice.
I don’t think John McCain is perfect, not by a long shot, but he’s a decent, patriotic American. Somehow I doubt Cindy would say she’s never been proud of America before he ran for office or whatever stupid nonsense comes from Michelle Obama.
Few of us have been through what McCain had to endure in the service of his country. Hell, he could have been a chickenhawk like Cheney and hid out in college. (Just as Cheney hides in his bunker or whatever it is he does as VP.) He did his duty. He did it well. We’re going to have a lot of vets in need of help after years of the war on terror and at least McCain would have some sympathy for them.
McCain ain’t perfect, but I would rather have McCain than Obama, a guy whose only qualification is that he can give a pretty speech about “change.”
I’m not a great fan of John McCain myself (given a choice between McCain and Obama, I vote for moving to New Zealand), however, what Paul has his people doing is totally without honor and, had I been favorably disposed toward him in the first place, I would most certainly not be now.
Because Cindy’s too busy stealing recipe’s from Rachel Ray
Seriously who gives a flying frak about the candidate’s wives ?
AWCheney,
What would you have him do, support a man who stands for everything he opposes ?
Anonymous @ 3:54pm,
My Great Uncle was a brave veteran to, that doesn’t mean I think he’s qualified to be President merely because of that fact.
Doug, he is asking people who have made a commitment not to honor their word…it’s just not done, at least not on the first ballot. It’s acceptable, depending upon the Convention rules, on subsequent ballots…but that’s not what he’s apparently doing here. Aside from that, what he’s doing is foolish. He’s likely turning off more delegates than he’s turning on by these actions, and that’s not going to make him very popular in the Republican Party in the future.
I’m on Ron Paul’s newletter mailing list and I didn’t get that email…so it’s probably fake. Plus, Ron Paul officially/finally pulled out of the race about a week or so ago…though that won’t stop me from writing him in. As Anchor Baby said, he’s got the right thoughts on illegal aliens. And I agree with way more of his views than McCain or Obama. He seems more level-headed and knows his stuff…
AwCheney,
“He” Who ?
Ron Paul or some idiot who sent out an email ?
Paul has never endorsed the crazy ideas of some of his supporters about “hijacking” the convention. Of course, he hasn’t, and won’t endorse McCain, either.
But then McCain isn’t really worthy of endorsement IMO
It will be very difficult for me to vote for McCain. His service was honorable, but I’m sick of hearing about it. The first time he pandered to La Raza, all that went out the window. Imagine hating your country so much as to grant La Raza a speech, more than one speech. If he “reaches across the aisle”, he’ll touch a Republican, period. Ron Paul was the only one saying anything intelligent during the whole primary season, and the right wing media threw him under the bus as fast as they could….now they play soundbites of his speeches like he’s the one they admire most. Maybe….Maybe I can hold my nose and vote for Juan McAmnesty, but I don’t fundamentally believe he deserves to be president, with his illegal immigrant pandering, his global warming pig-crap. I doubt it matters anyway, Barry Obama will probably hand McCain his butt, and we’ll have a real wacko to deal with.
“Plus, Ron Paul officially/finally pulled out of the race about a week or so ago…though that won’t stop me from writing him in.”
“He seems more level-headed and knows his stuff…”
I AGREE! Just ONE video but I like his ECONOMIC approach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRTOvbrmlQk
Doug,
Your right,he is not endorsing McCain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oHIx3SX1yU
I never suggested that Ron should endorse McCain…you saw my opinion (check the parenthesis) in my first comment. My comments are based on the information in Greg’s original post…one assumes that the email and other information in question was verified.
Sorry Doug…and Greg, for that matter. I just went back and reread the post after what you said (actually, that and my last comment…figured if I was going out on a limb I better check how sturdy it is) and I see what you’re talking about. I guess I skimmed it the first time and missed the core information (that’s what I get for not being cautious when I’ve had no sleep). My apologies gentlemen…and my apologies Ron Paul.
I just got a call from the DNC at home asking for my wife. She then went into her pitch on how we need to come together as a party and vote Obama in and asked for $100 donation to assure a victory.
At which point I told the caller that my wife is voting for Edwards and I’m voting for Ron Paul. To her credit, she didn’t skip a beat and thanked us for our time and hung up. But, I’m sure that combination stumped her.
I’m still trying to work my wife over to vote for Ron Paul but she really liked Edwards’ populist ideas.
I am writing in Ron Paul. I have ALREADY committed to that decision as I do not think I can become convinced with either McCain or Obama.
I think most have a problem with Ron because he speaks TRUTH which is hard to swallow and because allot of his supporters may sound like they are out there on a limb with 911 truth tellers, etc.
You can’t knock the man because of his supporters. Heck if that is the case then you would have to rule everyone out.
And yes, the LA RAZA, was the nail in the coffin for my vote. ( I am on the fence as far as LA RAZA..MEANING that IF someone where to ask me about them, I can HONESTLY say I do not but what I have BEEN told. I didn’t like the sounds of it from the beginning, my view has not been changed, just saying that I am looking more into it. My gut tells me it’s wrong. I just need to prove it.
* do not KNOW about LA RAZA…..
I can see the Ron Paul people sending in money. These are the same people that threw eggs at Sean Hannity. Actions like that tell me some of his die hard supporters aren’t to bright.
I will say this Ron Paul and Bob Barr would be better represent my views than PortaJohn or Obama. Although the libertarians lose me when it comes to the issues of the war and foreign policy.
I spent many a night and plenty a weekend campaigning for the good Dr. Paul. I even traveled to the state of New Hampshire (Live Free or Die!) to spread the good doctor’s message. If you look carefully, you may even find me on a youtube video spreading the word.
Unfortunately, the Neocons have been seduced into believing we need to police the world in order to sleep safely at night. In their fox-news induced myopia they fail to see that it is our interventionist foreign policies abroad that are creating the enemies we face on the battlefield and will face here at home.
Many did i meet with the Neocons mentality in New Hampshire. These sad people actually believed the lie that we need to fight them over there so that we don’t have to fight them over here.
They do not understand that they are coming here to kill us, precisely because we are over there sticking our nose into their business.
Neocons do not love these United States. For these United States is a constitutional Republic. Neocons love empire. Greg in particular loves the idea of a Christian Theocratic Empire disguised as a constitutional Republic.
Thanks to the fear and ignorance of the electorate, the neocons have hijacked our foreign policy in order to ensure we never fail to control cheap and steady supply of oil. But the cost is a war with the Islamic faith. A war that could last forever and cost the lives of millions.
They are so blind because they will not see. But the scales shall fall from their eyes. And they will behold the truth should we one day see mushroom clouds rising over multiple American cities. On that day, these Empire lovers will have their hearts broken. That will be the day we pay the price for our hubris.
The outlook is bleak. There are so few of us who are awake.
Unfortunately, the Neocons have been seduced into believing we need to police the world in order to sleep safely at night. In their fox-news induced myopia they fail to see that it is our interventionist foreign policies abroad that are creating the enemies we face on the battlefield and will face here at home.
Many did i meet with the Neocons mentality in New Hampshire. These sad people actually believed the lie that we need to fight them over there so that we don’t have to fight them over here.
Thanks to the fear and ignorance of the electorate, the neocons have hijacked our foreign policy in order to ensure we never fail to control cheap and steady supply of oil. But the cost is a war with the Islamic faith. A war that could last forever and cost the lives of millions.
They are so blind because they will not see. But the scales shall fall from their eyes. And they will behold the truth should we one day see mushroom clouds rising over multiple American cities. On that day, these Empire lovers will have their hearts broken. That will be the day we pay the price for our hubris.
The outlook is bleak. There are so few of us who are awake.
Personally, I’d rather hang out with people who throw eggs at Sean Hannity than people who believe Sean Hannity.
But, you know, that’s just me.
Red Dawn,
I concur with writing down Ron Paul’s name on the General Election ballot in November, but there are other viable choices on the ballot. For example, former Rep. Bob Barr is on the Libertarian Party ticket. He indicates that he wants stronger border enforcement and returning power back to the people. There is also Dr. Chuck Baldwin, who is running for the Constitution Party. Both of these candidates provide solid options in place of Barack or McInsane.
Bob Barr or Chuck Baldwin are neither viable nor are they solid options. They just are names on a ballot.
The race is between the Republican and the Democrat. Pick the one you think is better. No candidate is ever perfect, but the winner is going to be one or the other.
I know I’m not voting for Barack Hussein. But I’m not throwing my vote away, either. I’m pretty sure Johnny Mac gets it.
Doug M., just curious: Did YOU serve in any branch of the military? And if you did not, then why not? I’m always rather selfishly (we all vote out of selfish interest to some extent) concerned about who is qualified to be CIC and the only one who looks qualified from this pathetic field (other than Ron Paul, who is out of this race now) appears to be Johnny Mac.
SoldierGirl,
I am through with voting for the lesser to two evils. I don’t like Barack Obama, but I equally despise John McCain for his flip-flopping, his hypocrisy, and his contempt for the First Amendment. I said more than two years ago, before he even announced that he was running, that I would never vote for him and I intend to stick by that.
For me, voting for John McCain would be “throwing away” my vote as much as voting for Obama would be — even though we both know that neither your vote nor mine is likely to decide who wins either Virginia, or the election so the concept of “throwing away” a vote is, frankly, a phony argument.
To take your argument to its logical conclusion I guess we should ban all third parties and prohibit people from running as Independents because, you know, they really don’t have a chance of winning. It would be consistent with Johnny Mac’s love for putting campaign finance in government hands.
And I don’t your question about whether or not I served in the military is relevant. We thankfully don’t live in a country where military service is mandatory — and hopefully that day will never return — and what career choice someone makes is theirs and theirs alone.
Boo-ya SoldierGirl. I think Doug just owned your so-called argument. As for the question about military service, that is totally irrelevant. Isn’t the position of CIC a CIVILIAN position? Thank God we don’t have the draft anymore. Having a military background does not make one’s opinion any more valid than the next person. That viewpoint is flawed and arrogant.
The military establishment should always be obedient to the civil authority. Regardless of a President’s military creds or lack of s/he is the Commander. It’s a powerful symbol since our inception as a nation of soverign states that a non-military person, a civilian, would be the Chief Executive of our nation and that the country would be lead by the civil power - that our national military power only exists to defend that civil power, never to harm it and never to overthrow it.
It’s why the founding fathers did NOT want a standing military force. They saw a standing military as the greatest threat to liberty possible and sought to maintain the rights of civilian militia and citizen-soldiers armed with there personal weapons to provide for a common defense.