Thoughts on Louisiana, Civility and Winning

By Jack Hunter

Here’s the response to the events in Louisiana today from National Campaign Manager John Tate. John rightly condemns the violence suffered by some of our supporters and also rightly praises the Romney campaign for taking the high road to make sure our duly elected delegates assume their rightful place in Tampa.

Establishment Republicans sometimes claim that Ron Paul supporters occasionally get out-of-hand. This has been true, and to the extent that some Paul supporters have exhibited poor behavior not only reflects badly on the individuals involved, but Dr. Paul. I have seen great strides toward more civility and having more respectful attitudes moving forward. Our side currently has all the ideas; we don’t need to yell the loudest. The GOP is an ideological vacuum that is currently being filled with our people right before our eyes. Our superior philosophy will win the day. It is already winning.

Establishment Republicans who don’t like to see Ron Paul supporters winning seats and positions of authority—completely playing by the rules—do not have the right to turn around and disenfranchise Paul supporters simply by making up new rules. No one has the right to use some of the strong-arm tactics we saw on shameful display today in Louisiana.

When Barry Goldwater’s supporters began reshaping the GOP in 1960, ’64 and beyond, it got pretty messy. But Goldwater’s forces won the day by playing by the same rules as the Rockefeller Republicans—whether those establishment Republicans liked it or not.

When presidential candidate Pat Robertson’s supporters began making the GOP a more substantively pro-life party in 1988 and beyond through groups like the Christian Coalition, this too was not always pretty. Many establishment Republicans did not like religious conservatives making inroads into “their” party.

The Republican Party today is just as much the party of Ron Paul supporters as anyone else’s. Moving forward, I believe it will become even more “our” party than it already is today. The party is defined by those with the most powerful ideas and who are willing to fight for them.

But not physically. This is a battle of ideas, not brute force. Anyone involved in the physical harm done to Ron Paul supporters today in Louisiana should be ashamed of themselves. Thanks to the Romney campaign for stepping in and taking the high road. Thanks to Paul supporters who have taken the high road since the beginning by playing by the rules–and winning—whether some in the establishment like it or not.

Video not included in original article.

Ron Paul Campaign Statement on Louisiana GOP Convention

National Campaign Manager John Tate condemns Shreveport event’s “unnecessary conflict” and applauds its “positive conclusion”

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign released the following statement concerning the outcome of the Louisiana State Republican Convention.  Below please find comments from National Campaign Manager John Tate:

“The Ron Paul campaign condemns the unfortunate activities that took place at the Louisiana Republican State Convention in Shreveport.

“However, we also wish to highlight and applaud the fact that the convention ended on a high note reflective of the cooperation all Republicans wish to see toward the mutual aim of defeating President Obama in the November general election.

“The unnecessary conflict, and positive conclusion as we understand it, transpired as follows.

“LAGOP officials ignored the vast majority of duly elected delegates and attempted to use illegally adopted rules to deny Ron Paul supporters an opportunity to attend the Republican National Convention in Tampa.  Louisiana has 46 delegates.  Five were pledged to Mitt Romney based on the March 23rd primary result and Rick Santorum received 10, meaning most delegates were contestable at the state convention.

“Delegates to the state convention were chosen at caucus meetings on April 28th.  Ron Paul slates won four of six congressional district contests.  Of the approximately 180 delegates attending the state convention, 113 voted to remove the LAGOP chairman when he failed to respond to requests for information and other motions from delegates.  Nearly two-thirds of the delegates began physically moving their chairs, literally turning their back on the GOP chair appointed by the party hierarchy.

“In another instance, State Central Committeeman and Ron Paul supporter Henry Herford Jr. of Franklin Parrish was attacked by some security officials who didn’t realize that the body had voted out the previous chairman.  Mr. Herford has a prosthetic hip and according to a doctor at the scene it appears as though the prosthetic was dislocated and may require replacement.  The injury occurred as he was beginning to call to order the newly re-formed convention.

“In yet another instance, Ron Paul supporter Alex Helwig, Chairman of the Rules Committee who made the motion to remove the chair, was arrested by Shreveport police and released.  During his brief detainment, some of his fingers were broken and when he returned to the event he was walking with aid of a cane.

“By 10:50 a.m. today, the newly formed convention completed its work.  Newly-elected national delegates met with the Romney campaign’s Louisiana Chairman, Scott Sewell, who graciously said ‘that he supported the effort and would do everything he could to make sure the delegation was seated’ in Tampa.

“Despite the divisiveness that characterized the Louisiana state convention initially, we are thankful that the Paul and Romney campaigns took the high road to guarantee the enfranchisement of Republicans whose candidate preferences differ.

“Republicans of goodwill agree that following the spirited primary season, the general election presents us with an opportunity to defeat Obama and place the nation on a path to recovery.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured at the convention.  And, we thank all responsible convention participants for ending the day on a more unified note.”

Video not included with original statement.