"For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things." Luke 12:30
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." Wendell Philips
"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need." The Rolling Stones
Over the past few days, several people have asked me to comment on the RNC rule change controversy; after much consideration, I think it was a blessing in disguise.
Consider what happened: the establishment tried to sneak these rule changes through. Conservatives then mobilized on incredibly short notice. Then we won.
The most important change was to RNC rule 15, which outlines how delegates to the national convention are determined. It would have allowed the Presidential campaign to have de facto veto power over delegate selection. We defeated it.
People are justifiably upset over the change to rule 12, which did pass. This change allows the RNC to alter the rules between conventions. We will have to monitor the situation.
So what?!? This is a small addition to how the grassroots were always going to have to hold the Republicans accountable after they assume power. Does anyone who's been involved in the fights of the past few years seriously think the grassroots will be less powerful in a year or two?!?
This controversy provided a critical lesson for the conservative grassroots. We learned a lot about how the process actually works. The long-term value of this lesson outweighs the temporary setback on rule 12.
This is a long-term fight. We just got a strategic victory wrapped in a tactical setback. That's why this incident was a blessing in disguise.
Some things I found out about Rule 12: It doesn't apply to ALL RNC rules. It only applies to about 2/3 of the rules and excludes the ability to change Rule 12 itself. Another blessing in disguise in this is that Rule 12 requires 75% of the total membership to pass a rule change NOT just 75%of a quorum. Also requires 10 day notice for changes unlike members of the rules committee at the RNC this past week that showed up with NO notice of PROPOSED rules changes and were essentially forced to figure these things out on the fly. I'm like you in the end I believe there is a silver lining to this cloud...
ReplyDeleteAmen
DeleteThe one thing I just have not seen is anyone comment on why the RNC suddenly tried to do this. Just up and out of the blue they tried to screw the "grassroots". Now granted the RNC is not to be given much leeway with past history of how they run things ESPECIALLY on some of the local levels. Yet this post and many other never touch on that. I'm wondering why no one has.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why they did it was to protect Mitt from a potential primary challenge in 2016; they just can't admit it.
DeleteWell that is the first I have heard that reason given. Interesting. What I was told and also have confirmed is the GOP brass freaked about the Paul people lying their ASSES off in both Nevada, Minnesota and Maine about honoring the will of the votes there. At least the Maine chair had the guts to replace them being they flat out lied. I don't discount the theory you have given but the rues can be changed back at the mid term meeting in 2014 so in theory that could be altered and should. In the meantime the states need to tighten up the requirements of delegates honoring the districts they are representing.
DeleteGreat points Adam! - I used your post to build on some of my frustrations from the last few years on both the local and national scene.
ReplyDeleteThanks!!!
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