Maine Ron Paul "liberty movement" rift?
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It appears that the leaders of the Ron Paul wing of the GOP have decided fascism is a better tactic.
From the BDNs Undercover Porcupine the other day we find out that the Defense of Liberty PAC run by Eric Brakey, Brent Tweed, Linda Bean and that Boyer guy is melting down to the point that theyve started removing supporters from their group because those exsupporters dared to ask questions about the PACs activities.
Those activities include what some of the questioners see as corruption and doubledealing and the fact that their latest report indicates that less than 15% of their donations go to the candidates that they endorse.
There are also reports that for a price their endorsed candidates would get consulting from that organization and also "important endorsements" and strongarming state committee members to elect a new chair who is a member of their advisory board. Revolt has broken out.
I have permission from the author to post the longish excerpts from that article. Its worth reading and so is the FaceBook note it links to.
The second issue highlighted is one relating to the State Chair position of the Maine Republican Party, which is no doubt going to be a hot button topic after the November elections. Charlie Webster, a controversial figure even within his own party, will be up for re-election. Many doubt he can survive it and others are actively working to ensure he doesn’t return. The latter involves even people within the liberty movement and a questionable character named David Jones, someone who is not known in Republican politics or Maine politics in general. It is a choice that leaves many scratching their heads, but one that is being aggressively pushed.
The detailed and long Facebook note, “The Uncertain Future Of The Maine Ron Paul Movement”, makes the point:
The issue at hand is more than a Facebook group, beyond happened in the past. It’s a trust issue. Leaders cannot lead if the followers do not trust their leaders. It has become increasingly clear that trust issues were there and that they were not being addressed. While it is absolutely critical that the focus be on the elections, it is increasingly difficult to focus on the elections when a number of the candidates you are told to support have connections to these unanswered questions. Furthermore, it is more difficult when a number of questions linger relating to the leadership that is pushing these candidates. Overall, the lingering uncertainty distances people from those who have taken the leadership positions. This is bad news for any movement.
I'm not surprised at all. I've seen this coming for a long time. They expect you to march in lock step, and if you don't, you're the enemy. Old Dame, I compliment your courage in standing up to them. It sounds basically like the leadership wants their members to be like Obama Democrats - support them 100% of the time and don't question anything. 85% of PAC donations NOT going to candidates sounds very suspicious to me.
Just another anonymous gadfly tearing around in the big tent that is Republican politics. Big tents are good, right? There is room for everybody in the big tent, right?
DOLPAC Campaign Finance Report
Looks like Eisenhart is right - just about 15% of PAC funds raised going to candidates. Maybe someone in the liberty movement could ask a couple more questions? First, why the discrepency among candidate donations. Heather Sirocki gets $100 and is a current office holder, but Kevin Casey gets $350? Why do some get $100, others get $350? Also, Mike Wallace, who is a current candidate I believe in South Portland, gets $2,000 + for "professional services". For what? And $4,000 given to Tidewater Strategies - what is that?
Apollo says, "Maybe someone in the liberty movement could ask a couple more questions?"
Well that was what was going on this weekend when the Defense of Liberty PAC and its advisors deleted all who asked questions from the forum.
Questions vill not be tolerated, komrades. So do vhat you are told to do and eat your borscht.
Apollo, if you bothered to look further, you will notice back on June 9, that the PAC gave $350 to the candidate that you said only rec'd $100.
Secondly, the people who should be complaining about this are the contributors to this PAC. Having looked at the list, it looks like the same people contribute, and they contribute monthly the same amount.
Thirdly, "there's no central plan for freedom". There are those within the movement who want to use the political process, and organize themselves the same way the bigger named candidates do so. That's fine. Myself, I do my own thing, and do it my way. That was the beauty of this movement. No structure, no central committee, no pointy heads to report to. All throughout the country, that's what happened. If Mr. Brakey can convince people to do it his way, that's fine. If he asked me, I would say no. We aren't all in lockstep with him, and his followers.
It's common that people will disagree with the stragtegy to be used in gaining a foothold or victory in any endeavor you pursue. However, the common goal within this movement is freedom for all. If I'm not free, then no one else is free. If this becomes nothing but a power grab, this PAC will dissolve, and as far as I'm concerned, I wouldn't shed a tear for them either!!
Guess I missed that, you're right Hatch. Is there a $350 limit on PAC contributions to candidates, or is it unlimited?
Eric Brakey is what I said he was 4 months ago....not ready to lead this movement. What the DOLPAC needs is someone who has been part of the Maine GOP for enough time to make connections all over the state and has earned the respect of Republicans of all walks. DOLPAC will fail, not because of its ideals, but because of its leaders. Most of these guys have never been able to listen for more than 5 seconds to others points of view because they are so convinced they are right and others are wrong.
As far as the Maine GOP Chairman election......Rich Cebra needs to run for Chairman in December. Rich is exactly the type of guy who can bring together all the different Republican groups in Maine. He has my complete respect and I would be very excited if he decided to run. Consider it my endorsement, Rich Cebra for Maine GOP Chairman!!
Rich Cebra needs to run for Chairman in December.
Good choice.
I would absolutely support Rich Cebra.
One of the quotes from the above links said the following "he (Eisenhart) started questioning how these individuals could meet in a backroom and select themselves and others to the national Republican convention rather than have regional elections among the 200 Ron Paul volunteers who indicated a desire to go."
Could a liberty person please confirm this for me? The Ron Paul leadership handpicked the delegates and alternates to the National Convention? They engaged in the exact behavior that they accused the RNC of doing? Is this true?
If it is true, it is a violation of state party rules. Anybody who has the desire to run for National Convention delegate and is a registered Republican can run, anybody.
I've been saying all along that these people will eat their own young!
Fanatics so focused on being in 100% non-questioning, non-negotiating agreement will always turn on each other, always seeking the purest practitioners --- closest to the Flame!
That so many of these kids are young and inexperienced doesn't help their situation either... Because, in youth, they want it ALL... Right Now!!!.
So the Brakeys, Boyers, Wallaces, Pfaffs, and the other arrogant kids are learning the consequences of burning their bridges in front of them.
I won't miss them next time.
Be interesting to watch Rick Blaine and Apollo run a PAC.
It is simply hilarious to watch Rick Blaine and Apollo cast about for reasons to denigrate the Ron Paul supporters while completely ignoring the Republican party's plot to deny elected delegates a seat at the convention. You can not make this stuff up.
Gee , but they got to watch their fraud hero,who didn't want to be president, make a speech!!
Mike, mainelion, are you saying that there is something incorrect in the links that I posted? Are you saying that claims made by Patrick Eisenhart and Old Dame Fortune are not correct? All I did was comment on their posts and links.
I still find it kind of amazing that the Ron Paul national delegates were chosen in a way that exactly reflected what they accused the national GOP of doing.
Both sides had slates. Give it up already. Subject thrashed well past its life.
The point of my post isnt about whether Ron Paul supporters are working in vain.
It is about the actions of the former leaders of that movement DOLPAC and its advisor Brent Tweed and the fact that those actions are exactly what they apparently found so distasteful about Charlie Webster and what they call 'the establishment GOP." And about the splintering of that group, with DOLPAC and their iron fisted "leadership" on one side and those who want to change more than just the names of those who lead the GOP.
Anyone at the state convention who was NOT part of "the movement" could see this coming. I hope they get into legal trouble with the Maine Ethics Commission. I don't know any of the PAC rules, but I'm sure they've screwed something up.
Mike Wallace is a Rand Paul employee who came to Maine to take over the caucuses; gain control of town delegations and especially the Delegate Chair positions... to deliver the Maine Convention and Tampa Delegation for Ron Paul.
He did this. He and a group of his loopy followers went to Tampa... and walked out.
In an odd twist in the process, he's a state senate candidate - as a Republican.
How he thinks THIS VIDEO has anything to do with being in the Maine Senate is beyond logical consideration.
Such an odd presentation and off-the-wall topic.
...Or am I missing something here?
Why is DOLPAC trying to run David Jones as state chairman? Other than having a connection to their PAC, what has he done for the Maine Republican Party? Why does he deserve to be chairman?
He tried to run for Governor back in 2006...as a CLEAN ELECTION candidate - Website
I thought these guys opposed anything to do with Clean Elections.
Appears that they must be politicians, slimy vile politicians just like the GOP and Democrats.
That makes me want to just run out and vote, that'll teach em.
Zmogus let's sic the TSA on them too, put them on the no-fly list, I bet they are hiding something down their pants
Rick
I wouldn't expect someone that supported Olympia to the hilt to have any understanding or concern about the FED printing as much money as it can to prop up the stock market and the cronyism in DC. Should not a state senate candidate be concerned about the economy?
I'm surprised you didn't mention Wallace violating the distracted driving law.
The POINT is... the Wallace video is pointless!
If he was running for local dog-catcher, would you pay attention to his opinion on Japanese whaling???
NOPE!
What are his plans and priorities on something he can actually accomplish in the MAINE State Senate???
Get it???
Oh I get it, you've got a bone to pick with Ron Paul supporters and whereever something may stink you will point it out. I have nothing to do with DOLPAC and have not sent them a dime or even an email.
I can certainly see why Ole Dame is upset and as Hatch and others have said, they had some usefulness at the time but appears that is waning with egos.
As far as the Wallace video, you can say the importance there is that Wallace is paying attention to what the FED is doing on the world and that affects the business and economy in Maine for decades. You should also consider as a young politician what the FED does affects him more than it does us old farts and maybe he is trying to attract independent and younger voters to win.
What would you suggest he talk about the turkey seasons, the nite life in Portland? Maybe kiss a few babies or saddle up to a biker chick in a bar and discuss the helmet law? :)
What's more interesting is the Wallace / DOLPAC connection - they gave him $2,020 for "professional services". Is this just a campaign contribution disgused as something else?
Feeding off DOLPAC supporters?
I know 20 hundreds don't go very far these days, so who knows, but why don't you just admit that there is a burr under your saddle and you liked things the way they were before these upstarts showed up? :)
I consider this considering the enormous amount of money spent on elections by the two parties, and considering the 100 dollar plate dinners garnered by politicians across the land for no political cronyism expected mind you from attendees, the chump change gotten by anyone from DOLPAC amounts to who gets to take the returnables back.
Someone suggested earlier that Apollo and I start a PAC.
I can't speak for Apollo - but nothing is farther off my radar screen than a PAC... especially one to compete/hijack/Trojan-Horse an existing, successful party on the upswing!
Nope, I work with and within the Maine Republican Party - no splinter-factions, clubs, sub-groups or secret-handshake-cults need apply!!!
Mitt Romney was not my first, second or third choice... but Barack H. Obama is my LAST Choice. I am working for Romney and regularly volunteering at my local Call Center doing just that. My favorite did NOT win the nomination... but I'm a grown-up; and I'm not continuing with tantrums like the Ronulans! I see they even got their beloved DoctorRonPaul somehow certified as a write-in candidate in Maine.
Goody for them! (Translation: "Nice Waste of Time - you morons!!")
Maine Republicans made incredible, historic gains that we didn't even say outloud before November, 2010! Both Houses of the State Legislature AND the Governor's Office???
Who'd have thought it possible???
Heading into 2012, the Democrats remained weak - and even had trouble finding candidates this time around.
The only thing that could turn back the gains of 2010 would be self-inflicted wounds - - - - and that's what happened. From the Ronulan Invasion to take over the caucuses to the state's embarrassing display by the fools who represented us in Tampa... Republicans are now struggling to maintain things in Augusta.
I'll tell you one thing about the "Liberty" candidates... none of them will win!
Not saying you heard it here first... but they are turning off Republicans and haven't been in Maine long enough to realize how tough it is for Republicans to win here. JUST WHO do these kids think will be voting for them???
Take Mike Wallace - for example. Once Republicans realize who he is, why he came to Maine and what he did to the Republican Party's Convention, our Tampa Delegation, etc... Nobody wants anything to do with him.
Just sayin'
Could whale oil make a comeback as an alternative energy source ?
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If true this is a surprise to anyone!!!!