LePage Threatens RNC Boycott

[plank white]

http://thetippingpoi...e-rnc-conflict/

Last week, Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign challenged the seating of Maine’s delegates to the Republican National Convention, suggesting that the takeover of the state Party convention by Ron Paul supporters had resulted in voter fraud during their selection.

This week, the Ron Paul contingent rejected a compromise offer made by Maine GOP Chair Charlie Webster in an attempt to end the conflict and seat the delegates. The agreement would have bound the delegates to voting for Romney and prevented them from voicing certain opinions publicly.

Tea Party leader and Ron Paul delegate Pete “The Carpenter†Harring even took to YouTube fully-eagled to speak out against the proposal.

Today, conservative talk show host Ray Richardson announced on Faceboook that Governor Paul LePage, the only elected member of the delegation not challenged by Romney’s supporters, has announced that he will boycott the convention if the Ron Paul delegates are not seated. From Richardson’s post:

The Governor of Maine, Paul LePage, in a conversation five minutes ago said that if they do not seat the Maine Delegation at the RNC, he will not go. These folks need to be seated.

The Governor gave me explicit permission to make this public.

This declaration ups the ante in this conflict and, if the challenge to the delegates is not resolved amicably before they arrive in Tampa, will likely make the Maine disagreement into national news.

An aside: Interesting that it was Peter Cianchette who filed the challenge. He’s a former state representative, gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Ambassador and this action would seem to preclude a political future for him in Maine’s new Tea Party-fueled GOP.

Edited August 10, 2012 by plank white

[Guest Lester Weevils]

The article makes it sound like "tea party" and "ron paul supporters" are near-synonymous in Maine.

[Oh Shoot]

DNC is worried about number of empty seats at their convention, but I assume they can bribe the networks to limit camera angles. Dems are in NC, which earlier voted to ban gay marriage before BHO came out for it, and unions, a Dem stronghold, are fussing cause they're not using union labor for everything.

A logical person would conclude that this is indicative of the larger inability for this admin to run a credible circle jerk in DC, but hey, it's democracy in action, eh?

Of course, Mitt has a slight chance of missing nomination on first ballot, while the audience is rolling the aisles, convulsed with silence. They're also meeting in FL, which went heavily Dem last election.

I'm thinking that perhaps the GOP process has again found one of the few Republicans in America who can't beat BHO, and that even McCain actually could have this time around.

- OS

[RobertNashville]

This little drama might be important to Main but of Main's 24 delegates, only 2 were designated for Romney in the first place...if none of them are seated that's 1.05% of the delegates who won't be there....I suspect that Romney can survive with only 1,471 delegates instead of 1,473.

Edited August 10, 2012 by RobertNashville

[plank white]

IF the RNC does not seat them then they have to say that the maine state convention is void. If they do that under Maine republican law then no one can be on the ballot thus Obama automatically wins Maine except for write ins.

It doesn't matter who the delegates support. The point is that they were rightfully elected by the Maine Republican Party.

[RobertNashville]

So...Obama (assuming he didn't win Main anyway which is a questionable assumption), would get FOUR additional electoral votes...what a catastrophe!

Edited August 10, 2012 by RobertNashville

[Guest Lester Weevils]

http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/paul-delegates-aim-to-stay-on-course_2012-08-08.html

Supposedly there are at least 11 states which have a majority Ron Paul delegates. If RomneyBots try to get all 11 states banned unless Paul delegates swear allegiance to Romney, wonder how that would affect the situation?

[RobertNashville]

If RP is enough of a egomaniac to let his delegates do that then he could probably throw quite a wrench into the convention. I'd like to think he has more class than that but who knows.

Edited August 10, 2012 by RobertNashville

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Likely; the socialist would remain in office. Paul certainly isn't going to win the election so the best he can do is screw it up.

That's interesting. According to the link I posted, if a plurality of delegates from 5 states goes for a candidate, the candidate must be given a slot to address the convention. As far as I can tell, the delegates are not out to elect RP at this point. They want a national-televised speech from RP and participation in crafting the GOP national platform. Which is the "most feasible goal" of any third party-- To influence the platform of a party big enough to conceivably win.

Soooooo, if RomneyBots squash those desires and lock out PaulBots from valid participation in a convention-- Resulting in victory for Obama-- It would be the fault of PaulBots rather than the fault of RomneyBots trying to squelch all dissent and discussion?

Neocons such as Bill Kristol have publically stated that libertarians shouldn't be allowed in the Republican party. I personally think the party would be better off without neocons. But if Kristol gets his wish then it just lowers the odds of R's winning elections.

It is looking similar to power struggles between RINOs and the Goldwater faction, decades ago.

Edited August 10, 2012 by Lester Weevils

[RobertNashville]

You have to be careful quoting me before I at least edited my post once or twice.

I don't know what the Paulbots want...I'm not sure they even want the same thing RP wants.

However, if the convention turned into a mud fight the only person it could actually help would be the socialist in chief currently occupying the White House.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

You have to be careful quoting me before I at least edited my post once or twice.

I don't know what the Paulbots want...I'm not sure they even want the same thing RP wants.

However, if the convention turned into a mud fight the only person it could actually help would be the socialist in chief currently occupying the White House.

Yep, a mudfight might benefit Obama. Mudfight could result from blocking delegates, possibly worse mudfight than letting them speak and allowing civil discourse. There was shenanigans of old geezers running state GOP in several states, manipulating primaries. Which got PaulBots stirred up. IMO justifiably so, but it is subject of opinion, as are most subjects. Continuing the shenanigans into the natl convention will be poking a hornet's nest with a stick.

There are the various factions in both parties. Has to be some give and take. The average age of registered republicans is rather old. Am not claiming that RP "won" the primary or even got close. But I think it really is factual that RP was drawing bigger crowds than any other candidate, and younger crowds than any other candidate. People who might not ever consider voting for a Santorum or even Gingrich. It just seemed counter-productive to pee off lots of young folk potential GOP voters-- Badly needed new blood-- So geezers in state GOP leadership can stack the deck against those folks' candidate. If stacking the deck continues into the convention-- What? Do old geezers WANT SO BADLY keep control of a party, even if the party withers away and never wins elections?

It is interesting that in some states, apparently "tea party = ron paul" wheras in other states "tea party = rick santorum", given that those two candidates are about as remote polar opposites that can fit under the republican "big tent".

This article appears to be the current list of named convention speakers-- http://www.washingto...396c8_blog.html

Rick Santorum

Rand Paul

Jeb Bush

Mary Fallin

Nikki Haley

John Kasich/Rick Scott

Condoleezza Rice

Susana Martinez

John McCain

[plank white]

Reality Check: RNC refuses to seat Maine delegation unless they agree to "compromise"

http://www.fox19.com/story/19218317/maine-ron-paul-supporters-creds-being-challenged-by-cianchette

[Guest HvyMtl]

Why would they allow McCain to speak? Why remind the electorate why they lost last time?

[RobertNashville]

Does posting what is essentially the same story twice makes it more relevant?

It's a good thing for Ben Swan's career that Ron Paul ran again this cycle; without RP to push onto his viewers he wouldn't have anything to talk about!

Edited August 11, 2012 by RobertNashville

[plank white]

Does posting what is essentially the same story twice makes it more relevant?

It's a good thing for Ben Swan's career that Ron Paul ran again this cycle; without RP to push onto his viewers he wouldn't have anything to talk about!

Does posting smugg comments about me make your life more relevant.... please find someone else to follow around

[Guest Lester Weevils]

The link to video is posted above, but the fella does seem to have a gripe from his point of view, and explains it pretty well--

[media=]

[/media]

====

Saw another news article adding five more names to the convention speaker list--

Ted Cruz

Scott Walker

Sam Olens

Luis Fortuno

Pam Bondi

Rick Santorum

Rand Paul

Jeb Bush

Mary Fallin

Nikki Haley

John Kasich/Rick Scott

Condoleezza Rice

Susana Martinez

John McCain

[TMF]

That's interesting. According to the link I posted, if a plurality of delegates from 5 states goes for a candidate, the candidate must be given a slot to address the convention. As far as I can tell, the delegates are not out to elect RP at this point. They want a national-televised speech from RP and participation in crafting the GOP national platform. Which is the "most feasible goal" of any third party-- To influence the platform of a party big enough to conceivably win.

Soooooo, if RomneyBots squash those desires and lock out PaulBots from valid participation in a convention-- Resulting in victory for Obama-- It would be the fault of PaulBots rather than the fault of RomneyBots trying to squelch all dissent and discussion?

Neocons such as Bill Kristol have publically stated that libertarians shouldn't be allowed in the Republican party. I personally think the party would be better off without neocons. But if Kristol gets his wish then it just lowers the odds of R's winning elections.

It is looking similar to power struggles between RINOs and the Goldwater faction, decades ago.

Kinda like beating your wife for taping over the ball game, then getting mad that she wants to leave you.

I'm suffering from battered voter's syndrome as well. I don't like the way the Republicans squeeze out folks that think like me, but I keep coming back because I'm scared of a life run by Democrats. But this election is the last time I come crawling back to the Republican single-wide trailer... I mean it this time.

[mikegideon]

Looks like some of the Repubs are having a hard time identifying the enemy. I figure they're gonna lose anyway.

[RobertNashville]

Does posting smugg comments about me make your life more relevant.... please find someone else to follow around

I didn't post a comment about you; I posted a comment about the relevance/quality of your source.

I disagree with your position on the election and I question the veracity and quality of some or your sources - if you feel personally insulted then I apologize.

Edited August 11, 2012 by RobertNashville

[RobertNashville]

Looks like some of the Repubs are having a hard time identifying the enemy. I figure they're gonna lose anyway.

I've never watched a convention where the party (both parties) didn't maintain absolute control over its content...I don't think this one is really any different.

As to who wins...I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet but I'm buying more ammo.

[mikegideon]

I've never watched a convention where the party (both parties) didn't maintain absolute control over its content...I don't think this one is really any different.

As to who wins...I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet but I'm buying more ammo.

I'm not throwing in the towel. I just think the Dems are a lot more unified. Yep. I've been stocking up on ammo. I'll be buying some stuff from David this weekend.

[RobertNashville]

I don't see why a fourth place finisher should qualify for prime-time but if you are going to give him some time then I think I have a solution to how much - give each of the loser candidates the same percentage of the time at the podium as they got in percentage of total delegates during the primaries! If they did that here would be the breakdown...

Santorum 11.68% Gingrich 6.34% Paul 5.16%

I don't know how much of the convention will actually be broadcast but if you figure three nights and 3 hours of prime-time per night that would give Ron about 28 minutes...seems more than fair.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I don't see why a fourth place finisher should qualify for prime-time but if you are going to give him some time then I think I have a solution to how much - give each of the loser candidates the same percentage of the time at the podium as they got in percentage of total delegates during the primaries! If they did that here would be the breakdown...

Santorum 11.68% Gingrich 6.34% Paul 5.16%

I don't know how much of the convention will actually be broadcast but if you figure three nights and 3 hours of prime-time per night that would give Ron about 28 minutes...seems more than fair.

28 minutes would be more than zero minutes.

Supposedly the rules say if 5 states want a guy to speak, then he gets to speak. Gingrich so far ain't on the speaker list either. Dunno, maybe they could squeeze off a few minutes from people that didn't even get a single primary vote and give every primary candidate a whole hour! A pretty blond state attorney who opposed ObamaCare but is fully in favor of RomneyCare, is more important to speak than the candidates?

Ted Cruz

Scott Walker

Sam Olens

Luis Fortuno

Pam Bondi

Rick Santorum

Rand Paul

Jeb Bush

Mary Fallin

Nikki Haley

John Kasich/Rick Scott

Condoleezza Rice

Susana Martinez

John McCain

[RobertNashville]

Well, the only thing really important about a political convention is that the candidate in about the whole. Everything else is secondary.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I'm old enough to remember when who will be the pres and vice pres candidate was decided at conventions. When, if it was certain who it was gonna be, at least it was a well-kept secret in a smoke-filled room.