YES, I AM ALIVE AND SOME THOUGHTS ON THE STATE GOP CONVENTION
I APOLOGIZE FOR MY ABSENCE FROM these pages these last few weeks. A lot of AFP work and preparing for the state GOP convention this past weekend in Vancouver has kept me busy. So much has happened, but I am flying out in seven hours, so I wanted to post a quick thought or two about Vancouver.
THE CONVENTION WAS an incredible experience in many ways. Michelle Malkin, a good friend of ours, gave the keynote Friday night at a dinner attended by hundreds of folks. She showed just how incredible she is, and I had the honor ( thank you Luke Esser ) of introducing her. Michelle means a lot to me, and my introduction almost brought both of us to tears. Mitt Romney gave a great speech on Saturday and the three Senate candidates did as well. Dino is gaining the passion he needs in his delivery, Paul Akers was very good and Clint Didier was, well, he was Clint, a guy I have come to love and adore. All three are great guys and each brings something different to the campaign. We are blessed as a party to have all three.
The energy and enthusiasm was incredible and as well a lot of new people attended, a good sign for the Party, it’s future and November. I hope the bickering and occasional confusion doesn’t drive them away.
I was honored by the body to be selected permanent chairman of the convention on Saturday and presided over the platform and resolutions debate. It was heated at times, I made my fair share of mistakes, but I had a great Parliamentarian who kept me straight and we adjourned on time. Ther continues to be a feeling that not emough time is allowed for debate on the issues and I agree. Some of it is due to senseless fights on rules and credentials that eats up valuable time and some of it is the way we do things. I have some thoughts on this, and I will be sending Chairman Esser and the powers-that-be a memo recommending some changes in the 2012 Convention process. Based on attending every state convention since the mid-1970’s, and chairing four of them, here are some of my ideas:
1.) The platform should be made available the night before for the delegates. I understand the time crunch, I have chaired a platform committee before too. The resolutions would not have to be included, they could come out Saturday morning, but the platform should be ready Friday late afternoon.
2.)The amendment process for the platform has to be changed. Right now, the first several people who get up to the microphones get their amendments to be moved and debated first. With a limited time for consideration, 20 minutes per plank/section this year, that doesn’t leave time for much debate. Often, the first folks at the mike have amendments that reflect personal issues or concerns that do not have much support beyond the maker, and time is taken from consideration of amendments that might reflect a more general sense of the need for change. Perhaps a requirement that all amendments be submitted by a certain time Saturday morning, signed by, say, 15 delegates from 3 counties? Somehow, assure that amendments reflect concerns beyond just one person get heard and debated.
3.)Limit candidate speeches. In non-Presidential years, I see no need for Congressional candidates to address the whole convention. In fact, they should be home campaigning. In Presdiential years, the body breaks down into Congressional District caucuses for purposes of selecting national convention delegates and speeches by the Congressional candidates seems proper here while votes are being counted, etc. Speeches by statewide candidates are appropriate at every convention, but omitting Congressional candidates this year would have saved us at least one hour.
4.)A Permanent set of convention rules, only changing if the convention so decides. If the rules were permanent from year-to-year, then at least some folks would have a sense of what has happened in the past and, if we had another convention 101 class ( which I think we should ), then we at least could explain to the newbies what the rules are unless changed by the body.
5.)There should be a Convention101 class at every convention. I think it helped for the new folks.
6.) Lastly, we need more communication between various factions and groups within the party. It might surprise some people how much in common we have and stop some of the senseless fights over the minor things that takes away time from platform debate. One of the nicest things that happened to me on Saturday was when a delegate, that I earlier had a fierce exchange with over his comment the ‘WE” were going to take over the party, that devolved into a shouting match over 9/11, the Kennedy assasination, the Iraq war and Pearl Harbor, this delegate brought a glass of water up to the podium for me, on his own, as he could tell that I could use one. A simple gesture, but a meaningful one, and one that was greatly appreciated.
There are some of my thoughts. Your comments, ideas and suggestions are welcome.
MEANWHILE, THE ECONOMY CONTINUES sliding down, Obama wants $50 billion more to save jobs, the BP blow out continues after nearly eight weeks ( if this was in ANWAR, it would have been capped within a week and there would not be hundreds of thousands of jobs at stake), Obama continues to pursue his anti-Israel foreign policy, and November can’t get here soon enough. But we will NOT win in November unless all of us devote our time, energy, effort and money to electing the right candidiates. Let’s do it to assure the American Dream for our kids and grandkids, lets do it so we can wake up on November 3rd and say ‘We Did It!’, let’s do it because it’s the right thing to do.
UNTIL NEXT TIME……
26 Responses to “YES, I AM ALIVE AND SOME THOUGHTS ON THE STATE GOP CONVENTION”
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Joel says:
Kirby, Thank you SO much for all of your work and for your capable and entertaining leadership at the Republican Resurgence GOP Convention in Vancouver June 10-12, 2010. As a new Delegate, it was a real eye opener to participate in the GOP party process. For such a large group of people, each with their unique perspective on party principles and values, I was proud to see such courtesy, cooperation and kindness. It went amazingly well, even for the areas of improvement you cited, with which I agree.
Now on to the campaigning, to put this government back in the capable hands of conservative Republicans in November! We have a great group of candidates!
Joel in Maltby
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Dave Clark says:
Nothing seem to have changed, we gave up on going to the State Convention as well as being a PCO, it is the same infighting over small things instead of seeing the big picture and all pulling together. And every year the speaches are too long and take up time that could be used on things that need to be fixed.
Our State Party is too fractured, with the Main Stream and Regular Republicans, we must all work together and become ONE PARTY if we are going win anything.
Former PCO Thurston County
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laurie beltman says:
What a waste of my valuable time. How about allocating 8 hours instead of 3? I think the 3 hours were deliberate to stifle debate!
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Jim Herman says:
Platforms don’t win elections, issues do. I have only been to one convention and it seemed like too much time was spent on inconsequential issues and bickering. We need to get together with one voice, one mind, one heart. We need to destroy the liberal opposition. We can be civilized about it but whoever the candidates may be, they cannot let the liberals get away with ANY false or misleading statement. In the 1996 election someone said: “The Democrats are wrong, but they are smart. The Republicans are right, but they are stupid.” That proved to be the case in that election. Let’s not make the same mistake here.
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craig fisher says:
Thank you for your thoughts and insight. I have been a long-time fan while a resident of Snohomish County and listener on KVI … have now returned to Yakima County, my home.
I was a “first timer” last weekend. I have been a PCO since 2008, after “yelling at my TV” for years. I believe that Convention and Central Committee changes must be made if we are to keep the new folks engaged and not have them be discouraged by the rancor and seeming control of the “powers that be” in the party.
Some thoughts and suggestions:
1. Time on Saturday must be prioritized to reserve time for delegate business that would include meaningful platform amendment debate and resolution debate. I would alter your suggestion about making the platform available, increasing the deadline to 3 weeks prior to the convention, and all amendments submitted 2 weeks prior to the convention with several delegates concurring (3-5???) on each amendment so they can be printed in advance for the attending delegates. I think this is reasonable and doable with some organization and planning.
2. The rules should also be completed and available in advance to reduce the time wasted at the meeting. I agree with you that there should be a “permanent” approved process. Certainly the experience on Saturday was not new and experience must tell us how that could be reduced or eliminated while preserving the right of delegates to voice their concern and input. I believe that the representatives to the rules and platform committees must do a better job of representing their county “constituents”. This won’t guarantee everyone will be satisfied, but I believe it would eliminate all (most???) except for the individuals who only want to be heard on their personal issues.
3. Resolution debate is critical since the resolutions are the forum for specific issues/concerns to be aired. There were several presented in the “do not pass” category that I felt should have been debated by the body, including one endorsing I-1056. Unfortunately, there was no time for that and only the “do pass” resolutions were endorsed, with no opportunity for debate. That was wrong, in my opinion.
4. So, what can be done? Well, I agree that some of the agenda could be set aside, including some speeches. Keynote and candidates were good and inspiring, but necessary? Business needs to be handled early, while the delegates are fresh and not thinking about going home. If we are going to do the business well, we need to be focused on it and not how many hours of driving are ahead. I would suggest that resolution and platform debate be scheduled first, then speeches as time allows. Radical idea? Probably, but practical. I realize that we need to “celebrate” and not cause disunity among the attendees, but we need to find a way to accomplish both … a unified/energized group that has accomplished the important business of the convention. Maybe some new, fresh participants could be a help?Thanks again for being Kirby! You are a real asset to our objective of restoring the Republican Party. The mission ahead of us in November and beyond is critical and we need every single patriot to join the battle if we are to win and see our republic restored. My priorities are God, family, and country. I am fighting for my grandchildren and I can not give up! The cause is too great.
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Macabe Mooney says:
Kirby how about this for resolutions. have all commities submit all resolutions 15 days prior to the convention. that will allow the resolutions commity to go over them and then the members can vote durring the convention meeting?
just a thought
Macabe M.
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Ken Mortland says:
Kirby: You know where my experience with state and national conventions takes place. Here are some thoughts.
1) Your idea of convention 101 is solid. A one hour or slightly more orientation for delegates, new or those simply wishing to go over the process once again, is a must. Go over the parliamentary rules, the convention rules, the speaker recognition process, and the voting process. This should be done on the first day, but well before the convention begins.
2) I gather from your comment that there are no “Standing Rules” for the convention. If I’ve got that right, that’s incredible. How can such a large body of delegates manage without Standing Rules for the convention. The advantage, after the first long fight to establish them, is that only amendments can be considered and then the new rules adopted.
3) Deadlines for submitting action items are a must. Pre-filing of action items, like platform amendments, also helps the process, as many can see what’s going to be considered and plan ahead. Also, “spur of the moment” or “last minute” proposals often take up time and then fail. We have found that prefiled items have an 80% greater chance of passage.
4) Having the platform completed and ready for submission the week before the convention begins should be SOP.
5) Communication between factions is sound policy. Depending on how well coordinated a faction is, having contacts between factions can help direct the discussion into more substantive matters and away from unnecessarily confrontational matters. So, for example, the pro-life group should select several of their most knowledgeable and level headed members and the pro-choice group should do the same. Then, communications between the groups is done by those “contact persons”. It’s probably already being done between states at the national level, why not between factions here at the state level.
6) You’ve given some good sound advice. I hope the “powers that be” will listen to you. -
Sidney Reed (Sid) says:
I missed not hearing from you but I also knew you would be very busy with the GOP Convention.
I need not say this but I sure miss you not being on my radion every week day morning.
Take care Kirby!Sid Reed
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Jeanie D McCombs says:
Kirby, I can’t thank you enough for your graciousness, fairness and talent! Without you Saturday could have been a real fiasco. I’ve been ‘hanging out’ with tea party people and while I agree with their conservatism I’ve been baffled by their determination to change the party without a specific goal or even a clear complaint. For the last 3 or 4 months it’s broken down into vitriol with people rather than issues being debated. He’s bad, she’s good–with no need to even say why. I think between your even-handedness and grace, the wonderfully conservative platform and the suggestions by conservatives who weren’t tea party people making conservative suggestions was an eye-opener. I think people saw Republicans as conservatives who are just as frustrated as my friends. I hope the discourse can be more productive in the future and we can stop attacking and start working together. If that happens, you will get the most credit in my book.
I was in awe.
Jeanie
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Lynn Wehmeyer says:
Thank you for your commitment to your former and still listening audience. I value your involvement, your opinions, and your knowledge of history, America, and politics. We need your voice. Thanks again
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Beth says:
The worse part about Summer finally getting here is having to wait for November. I want to enjoy the sun and relax during our Summer break, but only November offers the sanity of being able to vote out the crazies!
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Joe & Helen Karl says:
Good to hear from you again. Sounds like you are keeping busy. Any chance of being on the radio permanently? Any guest radio programs coming up?
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velta benson says:
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH KIRBY – AND THESE ARE TEH REASONS I AS PCO DID NOT ATTEND THE STATE CONVENTION, HAVING HAD SAME ISSUES COME UP IN THE LOCAL COUNTY CONVENTIONS (EVEN WHEN KIRBY WAS LEADING – WE DID NOT EVEN GET THE PLATFORM TILL WAY INTO TRYING TO AMEND ONE THAT A SEPARATE GROUP HAD HANDED OUT….ALAS…. THAT IS DEMOCRACY – CERTAINLY NOT EFFICIENT…
VELTA BENSON
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Audrey Campbell says:
I hope Dino Rossi doesn’t use the line “go to my website, http://www.Dino Rossi.com” like he did in the debates for governor. People want to hear it from his mouth not his website. A lot of senior citizens don’t have computers. If I hear him say that, my vote will go to someone else. I think a lot of people thought that the last time and really wondered if he was serious about running for govenor. The comment from Patty Murray this last weekend about Dino not sure about running, taking so long to decide was spot on. Let’s hope he comes across a lot stronger this time and really gets out there and campaign. Miss you on the radio.
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Martel Hermann says:
Dear Kirby,
Suggested changes? Here goes. One thing that has always bugged me has been how the statewide media totally ignores the Right. And even your old employer has not been exempt from this outrage.
The best example that I have is the just completed Republican convention. Michelle Malkin spoke. Mitt Romney spoke, and I have not heard one peep from any media about their speeches, let alone about the convention…(well maybe one peep!)My point is, couldn’t we try to get KVI, KTTH, KPAM in Portland, or some of the many other outlets to air speeches made by some of these prominent leaders, even at a later date, pre-recorded? Or maybe get NWCN or another website to archive their speeches?
Over the time I’ve lived up here, I’ve missed Hilldale College series speeches. Jennifer Dunn picnick speeches. KVI sponsored candidate and elected leader speeches.
There are just so many events and speeches that go unreported every year, that I would like to have access to, but there is nowhere to go to hear them. And all you do hear is HEAVILY edited by KOMO, KIRO and the rest of the liberal establishment.
I know that you have clout. Even just point me in the right direction so that I try to present this dilemma to someone who can do something about it. I even have a few answers myself, if someone wants to hear them too.
Martel Hermann
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Dave Burrows says:
Good job. I would suggest that platform committees meet early and have it resolved before the convention. Your are right, the rules need to be standardized for every year pending written modifications, additons or deletions submitted well in advance and agreed to by at least ten delegates from the previous year prior to submittal to the convention. Thanks for all you do.
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RD Mandery says:
Kirby,
Good to finally hear from you! Was beginning to worry. Good to see that the Dems have some new blood coming up. Mr. Greene is opposing Jim Demint. Mr. Greene no doubt represents the “new order” of gthe left wingers and we need to find more of these “grass root dems” to run againt other conservatives!
RDM
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danny white says:
hi kirby, i agree with the above mentioned strategy. an info workshop for new folks is a great way to inform and help people feel welcome.
we can all be on the same page and still hold on to our independence. with this present administration the gop will have a great oppurtunity to “run the table” leaving the “8 ball” for the dems to drop. kirby i have been quietly listening to you and yours since you started on kvi with john, rush, mike,and yourself. allways conservative danny -
Great job this weekend!
I think you could go much farther with the platform availability though. A preliminary draft should be available online ten weeks before the convention. Feedback should be solicited and proposals voted on online by delegates somewhat in the manner of YouCut. Delegates could be polled using SurveyMonkey.
In general, access should be given and feedback honestly solicited and incorporated in the weeks leading up to the convention. However, once we get to the convention, it should be a straight up or down vote. There just isn’t time in a weekend (or a week, honestly) to redraft a platform and let 1,200 people debate it. It can only be done online through surveys and messages and by aggregating the feedback in advance.
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Ravi Pope says:
Kirby,
Thanks for the suggested changes. I think some are appropriate, especially the availability of the platform (and the rules, please) prior to the opening gavel.However, you might want to know that it is unlawful for the standing rules to be permanent rules. RCW’s state that the delegates determine the rules. That was woefully lacking this year.
In fact, it is quite possible to state that the delegates did absolutely nothing original. If they had never convened the meeting, but merely accepted the rules, platform and selected resolutions by the powers that be, there would have been absolutely nothing different. Yes, it was a fairly good platform, but that is a far cry from a real debate. There was so little real debate, everybody was wrapped up into the motions.
Incidentally, you might also be interested to note that prior to your confirmation, Luke Esser misapplied the rules in regards to the amendment of the rules. It might seem minor, but it meant that the mood was set from the very first amendment motion on the rules.
Thanks for giving the delegates a good show.
PS. Next time, it would save a whole lot of time if you wouldn’t go out of your way to suggest a delegate appeal the ruling of the chair. (Which, I might add should always be phrased, “Shall the ruling of the chairman be sustained?”)RP
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Jim Palmer says:
Its really a shame that hardley anyone knows Kirby is even still around. How quickly we forget.
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Shannon says:
I’m glad for the report on the convention. It’s interesting how the ‘little’ procedural things can mean so much to how well the convention runs and how people come out feeling about it. I especially like #2, the idea of requiring more than one or two people supporting an amendment to get it heard. Nothing’s as demoralizing to a newbie than to come to their first convention and find that parts of it seem to be dominated by people obsessed with minutiae.
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Stevie says:
You are awesome! Thanks for the info. I would like to learn more about taking convention classes. I have never been to a convention and would love the opportunity.
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Kirby,
Loved your statement about the Senate candidates, “All three are great guys and each brings something different to the campaign. We are blessed as a party to have all three.”
Too bad some Conservative Republicans and Libertarians are dumping-on-Dino, when the focus should be pounding-on-Patty. -
Tolli says:
Good points Kirby, I agree something needs to be done so we can actually have more time debating the platform & resolutions and less time wasted on speeches and on dilatory moves to pass the entire platform without any debate.
good one kirby…aloha, dave