Politics & Other Mistakes: Never mind the bollocks
Al Diamon
In the wake of its chaotic state convention, the Maine Republican Party has cleverly positioned itself to appeal to a whole new segment of the public:
Anarchists.
While the straight-laced GOP might seem like an unattractive option for shaggy bomb-throwers with poor personal hygiene, there appears to be some common ground. On the convention floor, supporters of presidential candidate Ron Paul were heard chanting lyrics from the Sex Pistols’ “Anarchy in the U.K.” “Don’t know what I want, but I know how to get it,” they shouted, while randomly dismantling the agenda, the platform and the party leadership.
In an effort to redirect the Paul-bearers’ march toward pandemonium, Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney’s campaign urged his followers to sing “God Save The Queen.” Since no one has ever referred to Mitt as a queen, that desperate move made no sense and only added to the general air of disarray.
In the midst of this bedlam, the Ron-ettes managed to nominate a slate of delegates to the GOP National Convention that includes:
John Birch Society member Landon St. Peter, whose online musings include this party-crashing query: “As there’s NO substantive difference between Romney and Obama, why would anyone vote for either??”
Pete “the Carpenter” Harring, Maine Tea Party founder, whose blogging scorn is strictly nonpartisan: “Both parties are trying to divide us and it is working,” followed by 16 exclamation points.
Eric Brakey, the head of Paul’s campaign in Maine, who, until recently, was a member of the Libertarian Party of New York.
Stavros Mendros, who pleaded guilty in 2007 to falsely notarizing petition signatures, was the front man for the unsuccessful 2011 casino referendum in Lewiston and during his time as a state representative was described by a reporter as “shrill, impatient, egotistical, self-serving, vastly ineffective and a political opportunist.”
Eat your heart out, Sid Vicious.
The nearest thing to a normal delegate the Paul-verizers could support was Gov. Paul LePage, who’s officially uncommitted. Maybe, they just liked his first name.
In practical terms, the reduction of the Republican convention to rubble produced only modest immediate fallout. The six U.S. Senate candidates lost out on a chance to distinguish themselves by seeing which could choreograph the best “spontaneous” floor demonstration. The party’s state committee got stacked with Ron-droids programmed to fire GOP chairman Charlie Webster. And the delegate selections may be invalidated by legal challenges from miffed Mitt-ens, thereby proving that more than one side can pander to the anarchists.
Of those results, only the possible ouster of Webster is likely to have serious implications. He was the architect of the Republicans’ surprise victories in the 2010 legislative races. Without his undivided attention on the 2012 elections, it’s all but certain the GOP will lose control of the State House, and their Senate majority will shrink.
Webster was adept at keeping his recruits on message. His Paul-try attackers have displayed no such skill. The party’s prospects won’t be improved by being linked to crackpots claiming the United Nations is secretly attempting to take over the local planning board.
For mainstream Republicans, this year will likely go down as an opportunity lost. With Maine Democrats lacking both strong leaders and a clear message – except that they oppose anything LePage does – the GOP could have employed a unified battle plan to cement the gains it made two years ago, and position itself for a decade of dominance in Augusta.
None of that lost political potential is of concern to the Rampaging Ron-asaurus. Its goals have to do with getting its candidate a primetime speaking slot at the national convention and … well, that’s pretty much it. Since they have little loyalty to the Republican Party, the Paul-iban have almost no interest in how their actions affect such inconsequential matters as the Senate nomination or control of the Legislature.
“We’re sick of voting party before principle,” state delegate Ashley Ryan of South Portland told Maine Public Radio.
“This election is far too important,” national delegate and state Rep. Aaron Libby of North Waterford said in the Maine Sunday Telegram. “We believe Ron Paul is different from all the other candidates, and he’s different in ways that are vital to the well-being of this country.”
Firm in their convictions – er, actually just that one conviction (not counting Mendros’ guilty plea) – Ron’s flash mob has trampled down the vineyards, stomped out the traditions and slam-danced on the reasons for holding a convention. The results seem, to borrow another Sex Pistols reference, pretty vacant.
“I got no reason, it’s all too much,” the Paul-etariat chanted. “You’ll always find me out to lunch.”
If you’ve not a Sex Pistols fan, this entire column, like the GOP convention, may be incomprehensible. Alternate musical suggestions should be emailed to aldiamon@herniahill.net.
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Having been there this pretty well sums it up. I especially liked the group who were supporting Ron paul who were arguing with me about the evils of capitalism. he certainly brings groups together. I expect that this summer may see many of the same people outside each national convention. From different groups onje day with the occupy group then later with Ron Paul. And you are right about the Birchers they have been looking for a place to land for a while now.
So where did the fundamentalist, evangelical, Christian jihadists fit into all this? They must have been here somewhere.
I was not at the Maine GOP convention so I won't comment your description of it. I would like to cobble together a few words about Ron Paul to counter your implication that he is some sort of anarchist, though. Congressman Paul believes that the US should respect and adhere to the US Constitution. The US Constitution spells out a federal government of very limited powers, with most powers retained by the states. The US constitution is mostly a set of restrictions against the growth of power of the federal government, and the inevitable corruption that follows.
Far from being an anarchist, Ron Paul advocates a federal government that operates within the law. With a government that respects the constitution, America would not be pursuing empire around the Earth, would not be 15 trillion dollars in debt, and would not be persecuting its own citizens and the citizens of other countries. Maybe the GOP thinks those are all crazy notions, but to me they sound pretty conservative, and ought to be what the GOP is all about.
First off, Ron Paul supporters don't chant sex pistols lyrics, so that is either a blatant lie or ignorance. Your claim of Ron Paul supporters being "anarchists" is even more absurd. Ron Paul is a Constitutionalist, he believes in government designed by our founders. How can we believe in anarchy or no government if we support the Constitution? An obvious question that any 'journalist' would ask themselves before throwing accusations around that the liberty movement is a bunch of anarchists. The constitution is not anarchy. Your article is pretty much just ramblings and a horrible read. Lance you are also ignorant to the ideas of the movement if you think that Ron Paul supporters are against capitalism. We are against neo-keynsians who have twisted mainstream economic thought into manipulation of the free market. Capitalism isn't about bailing out Wallstreet. It isn't about manipulating the federal funds rate to promote over investment and demote savings. It isn't about 'quantitative easing' at the costs of our middle class. What we have today is not capitalism, it is fraud. Any true pro-capitalist who knows anything about economic theory knows this. Keynes words were manipulated. The free market capitalist system is about maximizing prosperity through personal responsibility and hard work. Free market capitalism is FREEDOM.
I might add that the real Ron Paul supporters were great many young energized great folks. I was speaking of some of the fringe groups I saw jumping on that ship
Well said Adam and Wayne!
I read that the Republican party platform is unchanged from 2010. That means that the TRAVESTY that is the 2010 Republican platform is still in place.
I heartily urge YOU dear voter to actually READ the State of Maine Republican party platform before you vote. Read what the Republicans promulgate as their important platform.
Read it and weep!
"First off, Ron Paul supporters don't chant sex pistols lyrics."
Too bad... and I thought they might have one redeeming quality after all.
I used to not care so much for Al,,,
Now I realize he is an "Equal Oportunity Annoyer"
And THAT"S OK...
Keep feeding us Al,,,
I've always been an independent voter who tries to vote for the best person regardless of party. This year I watched some of the Republican debates and I have to say that Ron Paul seems to be the most sensible and politically honest of any of them. To me it is a supremely redeeming quality when someone can say what he truly believes even when he knows he willbe hammered for it. I may not agree with his positions, but at least I know what to expect in exchange for my vote. No way you can truthfully say that about Romney.