Grassroots Defined

Each day, I go through stories similar to this one. Some I share, others I don’t. Yet, each demonstrates how Ron Paul supporters are reshaping the Republican Party from the bottom-up. From a story in Washington’s Bellingham Herald titled “Whatcom GOP sees flood of precinct filings from Ron Paul supporters:”

Ron Paul supporters filed en masse to run for Republican Party precinct committee officers, grass-roots elected seats that will be on this year’s primary election ballot.

The goal, said one PCO race newcomer, is to return the party to the principles it used to have.

“It needs to change,” said Greg Parsons, who is running against PCO Kathy Kershner. “I do have some issues with establishment Republicans. On the contrary, I think we are, in fact, the real, true conservative Republicans.”

PCO seats, elected every two years, often receive no interest, or only one person files. This year, because of a flood of interest in Republican PCO seats, many more contested races will be on the ballot…

But nearly an equal number of names unfamiliar to party officials appeared on the filing list, and many challenged longtime PCOs. By comparing them to the list of caucus participants, they learned they are Paul supporters, Van Werven said.

“I suspect that they are interested in organizing – reorganizing – the local Republican Party,” Van Werven said.

Source: Paulitical Ticker with Jack Hunter

rEVOLutionizing the Republican Party

Politico’s Charlie Mahtesian observes:

From Nevada, scene of a contentious 2008 battle between the state GOP establishment and Ron Paul supporters, more signs of the rising sophistication — and political maturation — of the Texas congressman’s base.

From the Las Vegas Review-Journal:

    Four years ago, James Smack grabbed the microphone at the Nevada Republican Party Convention to lead a revolt by Ron Paul supporters.

    That attempt to take over the convention failed when the GOP convention chairman shut the 2008 meeting down.

    Today, Smack is acting chairman of the Nevada Republican Party and among the vanguard of Paul backers methodically taking over the state and county parties from within. They’ve been promoting both the Texas congressman’s ideas and his GOP presidential campaign.

    “I’m a Republican first who happens to support Ron Paul,” Smack said. “I want to get a more libertarian, conservative voice in the party. I want to make sure we have a voice at the table.”

    And a lot of votes. Paul delegates elected at county conventions across Nevada plan a show of force next month at the state convention, where they hope to be elected as delegates to the national convention. The state convention is scheduled for May 4-5 in Sparks.

Nevada isn’t the only state where Paul supporters are diligently working from within the system, either moving to take over the state party or establish a beachhead. In Iowa, Paul’s state vice chair was elected chairman of the state GOP in February. Paul backers in Maine have also been busy and the Georgia blog, Peach Pundit, similarly finds evidence of organizing long after primary day.

It’s not exactly a new practice – supporters of insurgent candidates including Pat Robertson and Howard Dean, among others, followed a similar path. If their experiences are any guide, there will be a lot of blood spilled and, invariably, views that once seemed out of the party mainstream will suddenly begin to get a much more serious airing.

Source: Paulitical Ticker with Jack Hunter

Jim DeMint: The GOP Must Start Listening to Ron Paul

Said Senator Jim DeMint on FOX News this morning:

 

“If Republicans don’t understand the important aspects of what Ron Paul is saying, we won’t be able to exist as a party, certainly not a majority party… The debate in the Republican party needs to be between libertarians and conservatives… There’s no longer room for moderates and liberals because we don’t have any money to spend, so I don’t want to be debating with anyone who wants to grow government.”

 

Source: Paulitical Ticker with Jack Hunter

Ron and Rand Paul Hit the Trail

The bicycle trail that is. Circa mid-1960′s.

 

“When I was drafted, I was married and had two kids, and I went.” – Ron Paul (in response to other candidates who never served)

Source: Paulitical Ticker with Jack Hunter

Ron Paul Handily Sells Out New York City’s Largest Nightclub

Nearly 1,900 grassroots activists, luminaries celebrate

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – 2012 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul drew a spectacular 1,862 greater New York City metropolitan area voters for a fundraising rally last night.

“Ron Paul continues to inspire a movement that no other campaign can duplicate in its conviction and broadness,” said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

“The success of this entirely-grassroots event in the heart of New York City demonstrates that supporters are motivated by Dr. Paul’s winning message of Constitutionally-limited government, sound money and a traditional Republican noninterventionist foreign policy,” said Mr. Benton.

The event was hosted by the Ron Paul NYC Liberty HQ, an independent grassroots organization.  Luminaries included Jack Hunter, Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Blogger, Radio Host and Columnist for The American Conservative; Peter Schiff, CEO of Euro Pacific Capital; the Hon. Dan Halloran, New York City Councilman (R-19); Murray Sabrin, Former U.S. Senate candidate in New Jersey; and singer-songwriter Jordan Page.