This is a big deal folks. Doug Wead is a prominent member of Ron Paul campaign. Coming from Doug’s blog, I think this is definitely a historic day in the race for the White House. Personally, I don’t like Doug’s conclusions, but I agree with him. The following is reposted from Doug’s blog here:
This is from a Rick Santorum coordinator in Washington State. I edited it down because of length. In this District they captured 17/18 Santorum/Paul Delegates and 17/18 Santorum/Paul Alternates. Mitt Romney got zero.
The statement of the Rick Santorum coordinator:
What was done in Pierce County started the idea of both Paul and Santorum’s camps coming together. It was an act by the people to overrule the establishment, the money, the same old solutions to problems, by the same old people that helped create those problems in the first place.
We as ordinary citizens took it upon ourselves to come together as one in unity for a common goal to make our voices heard. We put aside party and put our country first. We listened to each other as we came to a common ground on issues with mutual respect that fostered trust amongst us.
We actually accomplished in one afternoon what we as citizens ask of our leaders to do when they represent us in our nation’s capitol. In this country where checks and balances are so often a thing of the past, we common people came together as one to say No! We want something better for America’s future. In a very real sense, what we have in delegates is a check that balances the power of votes that are bought through the power of ten second sound bites we call commercials. Surely such a thing has to strike fear in the establishment so heavily vested in backing Romney.
The delegate system can be used as a reward to those willing to get off the couch and actually try and make a difference through grass roots efforts where they are free to make any alliances they choose. This is a far better use of delegates than rewarding those that just watch the television and simply show up to vote.
How big was Romney’s grass roots campaign again? Well, in the 25th District caucus he had ONE guy holding a political sign, virtually no political signs were seen about the community, and he had no representative speaker. So much for the claim to being “organized.” Depending on how delegate votes are used it can say we must do more as citizens than just showing up to vote. This is not the time for ordinary people to be sitting back and letting somebody else dictate to them what this country’s future will look like or if they’ll continue to keep the freedoms so many fought so hard to get and protect for us. Each individual must take bold steps and take action to preserve the gifts given us. At some point, and it might as well be now, people are going to reign back power from party leaders, unite and actually make something like a Paul/Santorum unity slate work. As I see it, it’s the only way to balance power, restore it back to the people and take it away from big money.
Those against such an alliance, especially elected state delegates, might want to address future problems and complaints concerning government to the person in the mirror. I fail to see the logic in people not trusting such an arrangement that both Paul and Santorum’s people have agreed to, yet they’ll trust the same people running the party for years that have helped bring us to this junction in history.
Case (s) in point with the current establishment: Why has the Republican Congress sat by idle as Obama used our military in Libya without their consent? Why has Attorney General Eric Holder not been brought up on charges by the judiciary committee? Any actions on their part has been pure window dressing and indicative of future responses. What will it take for them to act and at what point will it be too late for all of us? THIS, is what is meant by the term “establishment,” and by and large the same ones endorsing Romney.
Personally, I trust the common Joe more than those behind the scenes that have attempted to buy, and in some cases, outright steal this nomination. Some may feel the “back room” deal between the Paul and Santorum camps, that was made right out in the open corridors of the convention, may be divisive, underhanded or cause disruption at the state convention.
Good!!! Given the Romney camp record in several states it was about time to put a stop to their practices.
Many lessons can be learned from the 25th District where Romney got the big goose egg. We need to embrace the energized supporters of Paul. We need to stop treating them like 2nd class citizens with off the wall ideals and give them props for the amazing accomplishments they’ve made in the grass roots arena.
What I found in talking with many of them is they are very intelligent independent thinkers that have a genuine love for their country. We must let their voices be heard. They’ve earned it and whether you agree or disagree with them, they’re here to stay. I’d rather have them on our side than the alternative.
I came away from the convention with a totally new perspective on things. I’d like to hope I made some lifelong friends in the process.
We citizens of the 25th District stopped Romney cold and said, “not in our house!”
You as state delegates, right now, have the opportunity to make perhaps one of the biggest contributions to our nation’s history. It’s a precious gift and awesome responsibility that few get to experience. Nobody can predict the future, but we can learn from the past. We know that in 1976 we failed to nominate a conservative Ronald Reagan and got a Jimmy Carter and all accompanying pitfalls.
We’re repeating history putting forth Romney and you as common patriots have the power in your votes to put a stop to it. Now is the time to put country first and for leaders to step up and rise to the occasion. Now is the time to return the power back to the people. Years from now, what story will you tell your kids and grand kids?
