The GOPers’ Last Stand

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Well, here we are–Donald Trump now stands alone in the field, as The Banker’s Husband and The Glutton have dropped out. So, inquiring minds want to know–what happens now?

The Basic Run Down

  1. In upcoming primaries, we can get a good idea how many people will take their vote and stay home, though examining any drop in voter turnout and also the number of “protest votes” the other non-contenders get. I rather doubt we’ll see a turnout drop, but the protest vote breakdown, if any, should be interesting.
  2. The current “rules” going to the convention have to be voted into use AT the convention, and of course the GOPers were smart enough to stack the rules committee AND the delegates. But, there are some silver linings here:  First, the GOPers agreed to a motion that any rule changes must be voted in by a 2/3rds majority. And now that the last of the GOPers have retired from the field, the delegates who have to approve rule changes proposed by the Rules committee are highly unlikely to piss off the folks at home in favor of a GOPer ringer. Second, the names of the delegates are PUBLIC RECORD in most if not all states, so we can contact them in a non-threatening way and let them know NOT playing by the rules is a bad thing. I have already sent all my delegates congratulatory emails, wishing them well in Cleveland and letting them know that I expect them to approve the rules that were in force during the primary season. I suggest everyone else do the same.
  3. The GOPers are squeaking about a third party run. What they are neglecting to mention is simple; it’s logistically, financially, and legally–improbable to impossible at this point. ALL states have rules regarding getting write in candidates on the ballot, as well as qualifying rules for third party/independent runs. And Texas’ deadline for a legal third party/independent run passes TODAY, with all the state deadlines passing before Cleveland. No Independent Run would succeed unless the candidate was on every state ballot. Which leaves using an existing party that is balloted in all fifty states–the Libertarians. Unless the GOPers can convince the 9 Libertarians on the Libertarian Ticket to step aside, AND they have all the paperwork ready and pre-verified, AND they get Texas filed and approved TODAY (and all the other states before mid June), they can’t use that existing party option either.
  4. So, the GOPers are stuck–for the moment. Does that mean they are entirely finished? NOPE. NEVER, EVER, trust a GOPer (or a Dem, for that matter, they are ONE AND THE SAME). But it limits their options to causing trouble AFTER the nomination.

Post Nomination Possibilities To Consider:

We have already seen the GOPers use Dems and Libertarians in the past as “spoilers” during elections, and I have no doubt they will do so again–likely using Libertarians that are running on the legal weed ticket and college cost reform/free college platform as well (and there are a few) to bleed off the millennials and other people who believe in weed and a free ride to college. That won’t amount to much, but it’s a start. They will also, I have no doubt, find ways to use the Dem that gets the nomination as well.

Failing that, they will look for more scandal, but if there were scandal–we’d have heard about it by now, so we’re pretty safe. Which leaves making sure that the senators and representatives elected for the next Congress are all “never Trump” types–and using the party machine and money to put pressure on any that are neutral or pro-Trump.

THAT IS THE REAL DANGER, HERE.

The congress critters rely on the GOPer machine to steer them into power positions, and to finance them and launder Super PAC and corporate money. So it is essential that we occupy the precinct level of the GOP as rapidly as possible, while they are vulnerable. To that end, I will be posting a primer shortly on how to infiltrate the political party of your choice, and how political parties in general work. There is NO EXCUSE FOR NOT PROCEEDING ANY MORE, PEOPLE. TRUMP WILL NEED US, AND THE GOP, BEHIND HIM IN WASHINGTON DC. And taking that party back is the first priority. This man has moved heaven and Earth, lost business, had his family threatened, and has been running himself ragged FOR US. IT’S TIME WE PAID HIM BACK.

21 thoughts on “The GOPers’ Last Stand”

  2. Hi, hope you are well. Can you refresh my memory? I remember someone posting a comment on CTH about how the RNC can shut down the convention if it’s deemed unsafe. Was this you and if so can you expand on that? Thank you x100!

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  3. Greetings, and hope things are well with you. Miss your posts and your insight. BTW, I filed my paperwork for pc at Gila County Elections office day before yesterday. Easy as pie. Five signatures. I got one extra and I hope that’s enough.

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    • Chew away, Miss V LOL. I gotta get some sleep, another long day ahead *sigh*. Knowledge is power, and right now our side (the Americans who actually give a flying frog what happens to the Republic) needs all the power it can get!

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  5. “I have already sent all my delegates congratulatory emails, wishing them well in Cleveland and letting them know that I expect them to approve the rules that were in force during the primary season. ”

    Question: I heard that the rules committee decides on the convention rules in the days before the convention. Is that true? If so, how does that square with the rules in force during the primary season?

    Thanks.

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    • Technically, it depends on exactly how you “interpret” the existing rules. Basically, in the days before the convention the newly chosen rules committee can propose any changes they want to the rules in force during the primary, and add any they wish.

      They will also establish by means of resolutions that party’s official “platform” for this cycle; immigration, pro-life, whatever they want.

      Our AZGOP rep, for instance, managed to get a resolution in place that would prohibit any rule changes at the convention without a 67% AYE vote (recorded, not voice) from the delegates.

      The rules committee will meet and include any new proposed rules and resolutions, then the first order of business at the convention itself is to ratify the primary/convention rules in place and call them “points well taken”. At that point, the delegates will officially “adopt” the existing rules, and the game begins.

      But–it’s seldom that simple. As an example, the delegates might approve *some* of the existing rules, but not *all* of them. Or they might say yes to *some* resolutions, but not *all* of them.

      The GOPers like it best when they can just ask for a motion to adopt, by acclamation, the rules that already exist, someone seconds that, everyone yells AYE or NAY.

      But they can also take the tactic of separating the existing convention rules entirely from the existing primary rules, asking the delegates to approve the outcome of the primary but consider new rules for the nomination process.

      Or they can pass a procedural rule that allows them to adopt the standing rules without a floor vote.

      Or, they could really be insane and use a procedural rule to nullify, for instance, the binding nature of the voting itself–declare that the votes of the delegates in ANY round merely reflect a “preference” on the part of the people, and the preference itself isn’t binding. That would allow them to say “ok, you told us who you like, now we’re nominating Joe Shmo”.

      They could toss in qualifying rules as well–like a candidate must have engaged in 37 fundraisers on behalf of the party during the primary season.

      In essence–until the convention is officially convened, *and the delegates have voted to accept the rules as binding for this convention and points well taken*–there are no rules.

      Now I think you may see exactly why I am begging and pleading with everyone to get their happy selves into precinct seats, everywhere.

      Because these yo-yos got into power in the first place because the state GOPer herds voted *them* in–and in our party system on both sides, the state parties vest *their voting power, for their rules and bylaws, in the precinct level of the party*.

      Right Now, nationwide, the precinct level of the party is gutted. As a matter of fact, in many places if we could fill every vacant seat, by the state bylaws, we would already have an effective majority in place.

      And that would mean that when those people got “vested” (which typically happens after you have been officially elected right after a general election), *they would be in position to change their state by laws, and begin cleaning house*.

      True, everyone could wait around until Trump gets elected. But it’s a lot harder to get elected into a vacant seat then it is to get elected *when you were appointed to one mid cycle, as I was this past month*.

      If I had waited, then yes, I could have gotten elected–I would have needed the signatures of 10 registered republicans in my precinct, and to announce my candidacy at a GOPer monthly meeting.

      BUT–that is where it gets dicey, because that is when the GOPers *expect* reformers and ringers to try and get chosen for seats, because the reformers (being new to the process)
      often don’t know that mid cycle appointment is even an option.

      So if they know someone unknown is trying for a seat, they have a buddy in that precinct run as well, elect their buddy–and then a few months later, their buddy drops out if they wish.

      Also, in my state, if I waited and got elected in December after the general, I would NOT have vested voting power until I got re-elected in 2 years.

      But by getting in NOW in my state, when I get officially elected in December 2016–I can vote.

      And if I can get enough committed Arizonans in on my efforts, we can clean house here.

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      • Goodness, a roundabout way of saying there are no rules. Thank you very much for your response. I probably should have guessed the truth would be wound up that way. Which is one reason I’m suspicious of both Cruz and Kasich dropping out. What’s to stop the GOPe from clearing the slate of rules right before Cleveland or at least inserting some new ones here or there?

        Much more interesting, though, and immediate, is your experience on becoming a PC. My husband and I both have our petitions and paperwork all ready to file by the June 1 deadline (the paperwork says June 2, but the county GOP website says June 1) but you say you must attend a meeting and declare your candidacy?

        Yikes! Nothing nowhere says anything remotely resembling that (I’m in AZ, also) and I just *assumed* we’d turn in our paperwork to the address given on the instructions, it would be notarized and certified, and then our names would appear on the ballot in November. I’ve just moved up north from Maricopa County. There, the PC candidates names appear on the ballots (you know what they say about ass-u-me, right?)

        Yet you say you will not be elected until December?

        I can certainly attend a meeting, even though I’ll stick out like a sore thumb -and my newcomer story will be covered by the fact I just moved up here, I was for a brief time in 2013 an appointed PC in Phoenix, and want to get more involved in the local party politics. All true.

        But I’d prefer to just do it without making the splash because 1) I’m in a remote location; 2) I don’t want the whole thing to blow up in my face and I’m afraid that will happen if I go into the meeting and declare my intentions to run – like they’ll scrounge up someone else to get on the ballot and run against us, unknown entities. On the other hand, we can also go the appointment route, especially since the delegates are already chosen and we can’t do too much damage, yet. But that’s a different strategy than what I’m doing right now.

        Again, thank you for your response. I read all your posts and appreciate your efforts.

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      • Well, there are rules–they’re just all situational, contingent on the GOPer frame of mind at the moment, and a few other fiddly details LOL.

        I’m down in Pima county, and if you get appointed mid cycle as a PC, it can happen at any time–just a matter of form. But after each general election cycle, typically in December, every GOP in the nation has *their* official meeting, where any PCs that are already in seats simply get confirmed and typically re-elected (if they can get 10 people to sign their election petition), or those appointed are officially “elected” for the first time.

        According to what passes for rules, you’re not a vested “voter” on party matters unless you have officially been elected at least once, and the big meeting where full elections occur is always about a month after any general election.

        Like in the case of the delegates we just appointed to the state convention, you weren’t allowed to vote on a delegate candidate unless you had been in a PC seat since before December 2015, and elected.

        But if you’re a newbie going for a seat first time around, they typically (at least down here, if they “feel” like it) will enforce some minor clause buried in our state bylaws for the party and make you stand up, formally present the paperwork and you signatures, and say a few words.

        It seems to vary based on the district chair, the local political weather, whether or not there is a major solar flare happening, and what the Mighty Magic 8 Ball says LOL.

        I know some people in Pima county that have been “re-elected” every single cycle with no formality at all, not even a public announcement. I know 2 old time GOPer operatives that have just been whiting out the dates on their “nomination” signature sheet, writing in the new date, and photocopying it and turning it in, and as a few of the names on that sheet belong to dead people (literally), their re-election is guaranteed from now until the end of time.

        In my case, my chair for the district is so impressed with my willingness to help people and my stated loyalty to the party (he he he), he’s appointed me with no real announcement at all, and I likely will just get elected in in December with no real fuss either–I already have my signatures anyway, and am ready just in case.

        Getting appointed first is always the easiest way to do it in any state–as a rule, the voters in the precinct just re-elect whoever was dumb enough to take the job, just as incumbents get re-elected for their offices in senate etc 90% of the time.

        And you do have the perfect excuse, being new to the area, plus the added points of having done the job in the past.

        I’m just glad people are reading this blog and actually deciding to do their part, so to speak, when it comes to corralling the GOPers.

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  7. I have the opportunity to be a state delegate at Illinois convention later this month. I’ve never done this before/don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I just want Trump!

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    • I’ll write a detailed post about conventions later today for you, but the basics:

      Network with all the delegates from your district and *find out personally which are for Trump*. Don’t rely on ANY slate anyone gives you to be accurate–check yourself.

      Do the same with as many of the other delegates as possible from other districts–note the names so you can vote for them as your state’s “at large” if your state has those.

      The BEST bet is to find out as fast as possible who is for Trump in your congressional district who can afford the costs of going to Cleveland and is willing to pledge (at least verbally) to stick with Trump, and then vote for those people *as a group*.

      So If your district were sending 4 people, for instance–you all get together somewhere, and decide together which 4 you trust the most, and tell any team Trump people those are the people you want, and if their names are also on the main slate as at-large or alternates, vote for them as a group.

      Beyond that, be sure you have business cards with you, even printed at home, that have a good email, your blog/website if you have one, and any business info.

      Because this is only the beginning–we must fill as many empty precinct seats as we can find, preferably before Cleveland, but certainly before the election–which means coordinating with as many people you can talk to as possible that have time every month to attend 1 meeting (typically an hour or two at most) and to reach out to the voters in their precinct (can be done however you wish, I network with mine right now through a group email, but am also setting up a google hangout, and planning to meet at a park or restaurant once every few months if needed).

      Precinct seat is a commitment of about 2-3 hours a month at most unless you have a really large area, and is an invaluable use of time, as it allows you to keep an eye on your local GOPer herd AND you’ll have voting power on your state rules once you are “vested”.

      Whatever you do–don’t go in wearing tons of MAGA gear and being loud and proud–that’s a big target to insure the GOPers not only do their level best not to let you or anyone else identified with you to go to Cleveland, it also will make it real tough to get a precinct seat if yours is open.

      There will be tables for all the candidates, typically giving out stickers, and I just slapped everyone’s sticker on my purse to confuse the local GOPer herd.

      You amy get lucky and be allowed to caucus in your “break out room”, before you vote–AZGOP decided not to let us do that, as allowing it would have given the delegates a chance to get coordinated, vote as a block, and sniff out the Cruz Crew.

      With any luck, your Trump convention team has more experience than mine did *sigh*. The main goal outside of getting to Cleveland is to connect with your local GOPer district chair people or precinct chairs, make the right noises, and find out when your next monthly meeting is, and whether your precinct seat is open if possible.

      The second main goal is to get together a core group of people who are willing to be sneaky, infiltrate the GOPer herd, and help others do the same.

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      • Thank you. I have very little chance of going to Cleveland. My only involvement w/GOP has been voting. I saw an article online about becoming a Trump delegate back in Feb then called my county chairwoman. She was lukewarm and I didn’t hear back. I didn’t attend meetings/nothing. Then a board member called this week and said he’d put me on the list! I asked about Cleveland and he said those people have already been chosen! He said the state convention/delegate spots don’t get advertised cause they lack money. WTH?! Got a bad vibe from him.

        I’m struggling with my decision. Part of me wants to help Trump anyway I can. Do I really help him by attending this convention? I’ve attended rallies and made GOTV calls for him since South Carolina. The board member said it will cost $400.00. It’s a 3 hour drive one way. I have to cancel shifts at work and I really dislike doing that. I would feel better about this if I had more notice/timing is bad. I honestly don’t want to be associated w/GOP/the uniparty.
        Then I think about Trump risking his life, spending his $, etc. I posted about this on CTH and someone suggested your blog. Another person suggested I attend then report back. That’s fine, but reporting back isn’t free and won’t be easy. Sigh…… I’ve lurked there since the Zimmerman days and began posting in Jan.
        Half of me thinks this will be a clown car show. The other half thinks I should try it and whatever happens happens. Friends and family don’t want any part of it.

        I don’t think Trump’s organization in Illinois is very good. I emailed repeatedly to volunteer with no response. Someone on CTH posted info about calling South Carolina and that’s how I got started. In March I got one voicemail from a Trump guy to go door to door. His call back # didn’t work, never did reach him. I talked to a lady at Chicago rally (yes, I was there) and she had similar experience. Another poster on CTH thought the Illinois team had been infiltrated by Cruz crew.

        Sorry so long, just wanted to give you some background. Thanks again for responding. Any ideas, info, help is greatly appreciated. You’d never know from this reply I’m a competent, grown ass women. But I know when to ask for help. Thanks.

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      • I know what you mean about debating getting involved in the whole process, and can sympathize with the divided sentiments on the state convention. Our in AZ only cost 50.00 a ticket to attend, and so wasn’t an issue for me.

        It is a good idea to go if you have the time and money, to see how it works, but the more important thing is getting involved at precinct level, as it is that level of the party that elected the big guys and votes on the party rules at state level–and we can’t change our side of the uniparty to represent us and support Trump if we don’t get involved.

        We ended up in this mess in the first place because we the voters got complacent and stopped participating at the oprecinct level–so the only people participating now are the GOPers. And that has to change, or Trump will have a tough time getting anything done in DC, and the changes he does put in place will be temporary.

        I have no doubt you’re a competant grown ass woman as you put it–so am I LOL, and I had to go through and re-learn everything when I decided the GOPers had to go, because I hadn’t realized until this cycle just how far from right our side of the uniparty is these days.

        If you wen’t competent, you wouldn’t be looking for information, you’d be watching honey boo boo or something and whining about the 1% screwing us all over…..

        But we outnumber them, drastically, so if we all get involved, then we can fix our side of the uniparty mess and keep it fixed. If we don’t, then everything we’re doing to elect Trump is essentially pointless–because the GOPer herd will just quietly let our congress critters know they want them to keep Trump from getting anything done, and the GOPers in congress will oblige.

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      • Thanks so much for this. I’ve talked it to death, prayed on it/slept on it. It helps to know someone understands my conflicting feelings. I will attend the convention and do my best. I’ll check out the precinct thing too. I’m in it for the long haul with Trump.
        The convention itself is $50.00 then add hotel, etc. I’ve spent $ on things of lesser importance! I read an article predicting this convention will have record turnout so it might be worth it for entertainment…….
        I share your concern that people think Trump will become president then everything is solved. How many thought everything would magically be fixed once Obama became president?!
        Thx again. 🙂 🙂

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      • Question–can I go to just the second day of the convention? That’s when they do the voting. Or should I attend both days for networking? Thx

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      • I can’t find anything on your local GOP website stating you must attend both days of your convention (unless, of course, you’re a delegate). If you go as a guest, the ticket costs 50.00 and it apparently covers both Saturday and Sunday.

        Since that is the case, I would guess if you went as a guest you’d get plenty of networking opportunity either day when it comes to party insiders, at least, as they will be there both days.

        How many other guests you meet is an iffier issue, as some people might be like you–only able to be there the one day.

        The other option would be to use the GOP state website to list yourself as a volunteer, also. If they still need volunteers, it would get you in and give the GOPers reason to believe you support their platform.

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