|
Some Ron Paul folks in a blog-space have complained about the process by which prospective delegates and alternates were interviewed at the 6th Congressional District Convention on Saturday, April 5th. Particularly, being asked whom they would support for Presidential endorsement at the GOP National Convention. The Ron Paul delegates prevailed at the 6th, but some argued, using questionable or deceptive tactics. The following is an open letter to everyone, Ron Paul supporters especially. As Ron Paul supporters, you can think that folks are out to get you, but they are not. They just may not agree with you. Sounds like the American way. Asking questions like: Who do you support? Or, what is your stance on (insert issue or person here)? Is STANDARD in either party.
To think that one should get elected and that the whom supported or what issues supported should not be probed is ridiculous. No election public office or party position allows that. The vote, our vote, IS, at any level, our desire to have folks of like values represent us. So, to ask who one supports for president is standard stuff. It is ignorant to think that this would not be asked or that it is unfair. You wanted your own organized group of Ron Paul supporters to vote for you BECAUSE OF your Ron Paul support. It is ignorant to think that folks should NOT vote your way for the same reason.
Think about it!
To deceive in ANY election is wrong. Whoever said the deception was to ultimately bring justice is seriously deluding themselves.
I was on the rules committee in one of the CDs on Sat. We had Ron Paul folks on the rules committee even, incidentally. One of the goals of a convention is always to have a fair and open process. I know ours was fair and open, in large part because the rules were fair and open and this is what the leadership wanted. No one threw a fit when all of the slots went to Ron Paul supporters. This is how the process works and it works well, though not always perfectly
But, here's the deal. Ron Paul supporters, many of them new to the process, have picked the best, most desirable cherries from the party tree: National Delegate. In a volunteer organization, which the MN GOP is, there is little that one can do to reward volunteers. Delegate spots are rewards, traditionally. The Paul folks got their numbers to the convention; good for them. This is how it works. It is a great process.
But, will the Ron Paul supporters stick around to fight for the values that most MN Republicans uphold? Will they get involved, become part of the organization and actually work hard for someone other than Ron Paul? Or, if things don't go exactly their way in the future or Ron Paul is no longer running, will they take their ball and go home?
Remember this: If it were not for the rank and file, faithful year-after-year Republicans (a handful who are Ron Paul supporters to be fair) and all of the hard work AS VOLUNTEERS that they put in, then the new people who support Ron Paul who so proudly "hijacked" the convention would not have had a convention to hijack.
The Government does not make the political parties work in MN. Paid Republican staffers do not make the Republican party work in MN. 99.99% of the actual work is done by GOP activists who are unpaid volunteers. Those of you who are new to the process: Welcome! But, show a little respect and appreciation that Republicans do run a fair and open process. Otherwise, we knew you all were coming; we could have stacked the deck against you. We really could have, but we chose not to.
Think about that a little. And, appreciate the opportunity that your representatives have been handed on the backs of so many of us who have labored so hard for so long. Think about this when you get a phone call, and you will, to drop literature, donate money, phone bank for voter ID and get out the vote. Make sure that you understand that the Republican Party of Minnesota needs like-minded folks (not identically-minded) to pitch in and share the responsibilities and not just the rewards.
Ronald Reagan said that we agree on 80% of the issues as Republicans. Do you all see this? Can you just agree with me on 80% and still work side by side with me toward the goals that most of us embrace? This is the BIG question. Can you work for the goals of the party even if they do not agree with your's or Ron Paul's 100%? Anyone can hijack a convention. It is not a small feat, but it is not huge either. But, can you build something? Can you work together year after year? You saw big rewards come quickly. Most of the rewards come slowly and not that often. Are you all Republicans? Or, did you just say you were, some of you, practice a little deception to get into our conventions? Real Republicans work hard for the cause no matter whether they like the face representing the cause or not.
It is up to you all. Will you just sit back and enjoy this little splash that you made. Or, will you work to accomplish long term change? The choice really is yours. And, that's the American way.
|
