2002 Texas GOP Convention - Observations from a Freeper Delegate

09 June 2002 | PetroniDE

[PetroniDE]

The Texas State GOP Convention was held in Dallas, Texas on June 7-8, 2002. The following are personal observations and activities from a Freeper's first time attendance as a delegate at this convention.

Thursday, 6 June 2002

I drove up from Houston with two other H.A.T. Freepers (Humblegunner and Flyer, they were my guests). Since the schedules would vary between delegates and non-delegates, we drove in separate vechiles, forming a two-car convoy. The drive took about 3-1/2 hours and we checked into the hotel ahead of schedule.

This was set-up day for the convention exhibits. The FR booth was already set-up and the three of us assisted in manning the booth. Even though the convention started on Friday, there were several committees in session (committee sessions started on Tuesday) and significant number of people in attendance. The only bad thing that happened was that some of the freep photos had not yet arrived. Eight freepers met for a nice BBQ dinner in the West End area.

Friday, 7 June 2002

The missing FR booth pictures arrived. They were set-up in the FR booth in addition to the FR Inaugural Ball Video. During the morning, I helped man the FR booth and talked to several people about FR.

The First General Session Convened at 1:00 pm. Mostly speeches, but a nice salute to all members/former members of the armed service branches (complete with their respective fight songs).

The First SD (Senate District) Caucus Session Convened at 5:00 pm. (Note: I am in SD17). Speeches by local candidates, and election of Permanent Caucus Chairman, Permanent Secretary, and Chairman of Credentials, Rules, Platform/Resolutions, Permanent Organization, and Nomination Committees. One of the speakers had noted that hearing are scheduled this summer in Austin, TX regarding textbook content of Texas History (I do not recall which person stated this). Fifteen freepers met for dinner at the Y.O. Ranch (west end). Good food (steak) but a little pricy.

Saturday, 8 June 2002

The Second SD (Senate District) Caucus Session Convened at 9:00 am. More speeches by local candidates. Election of SREC Commiteeman and Committeewoman. In my SD, both elections had multple candidates. Nominations regarding chairman and vice-chairman, Republican party of Texas were also held. After the caucus, I manned the booth for about an hour (giving MAF and others some needed relief) before the final general session.

The Second General Session Convened at 1:00 pm. Party Rules and Platform were approved. Heated debate occurred on several rule modifications. Three rules involved removal of term limits for National Committeeman/woman, State Party Chairman/Vice-Chairman, and SREC. I made a motion (eventually passed) that resulted in all three rules being adopted/not adopted in a single vote. As this was my first state convention, I did not plan on making a lot of motions, points of order, or debate speeches. However, after consultation with my SREC, conclusion was made that this was a good motion to make. Three of the H.A.T. FR members investigated Dallas pizza after the convention.

[PetroniDE]

A good time was had by all...... I met many Freepers from different parts of the state for the first time, and met people whom I had conversed with via Paltalk for the first time.

Feedback from fellow Freepers indicated that the FR booth was very successful. We were in the most active aisle in the exhibit, and booths adjacent to ours were very happy to be next to us. We had the Democrat seal with the crying baby from Election 2000, and that was the most popular image in our booth (and among the most popular of all exhibits).

I have some pictures, but since I use a camera from the 1970's, it will be a few days before they get posted. In the meantime, I will link the original thread for pictures posted.

I will also provide a link when available for the "Report of the Permanent Rules & Order of Business Committee" and the "Report of the Permanent Platform & Resolutions Committee".

[PetroniDE]

I have provided a link for the first batch of pictures.
Flyer --- Please ping your list.

(Original Thread and Pictures)

[Humidston]

Great report, DE! I'm still crying in my beer that I couldn't make this one.

Isn't it great - meeting FReepers in living color?? And you're right... Our FR booth is BEAUTIFUL and very professional looking. It's a magnet for delegates.

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

Thanks for the post. I thought the food was a little pricey the second night too, but I got what I paid for - excellent red meat. Thanks for all your help with the booth. I'm looking forward to the reports.

[dix]

Great job Petro, from all of us in the Houston chapter of FR . This may sound corny, but H.A.T.s off to you folks. Next time though, you need to make sure you have enough to eat.

[Flyer]

*BUMP and PING*

Hey. . . that would be a GREAT name for a band!

[Syncro]

Thanks for your report PetroniDE...

Manning the FR booth is real treat to do...I helped with it in Dallas last summer at the NFRA convention and really enjoyed it.

[Dog Gone]

What was your impression of the fight over the platform and the insistence of many delegates that each candidate adhere to it?

It's my impression that many of the delegates seriously want to turn American into a theocracy and don't want anyone to disagree with that.

[Rad 1]

good synopsis of what went on in Dallas. Good info and a good time that was had. What else could anyone ask for. Thanks

[BellStar]

This is my second time to serve on the Credentials Committee. Our Committee chair Rene Diaz
did a great job. I salute him. I would have loved to spend more time with all you Freepers but we
were very busy in our committee. This is a great report you have given especially for newbie's.

[PetroniDE]

I have mixed opinion over the "adherence to the platform", refered to as "Rule 43". I thought the ammended language was VERY POORLY worded, and because of that, I and most of SD17 delegation voted against it.

That being said, I think it is a positive for a candidate to state that he agrees/disagrees with specific portions of the platform. The time to find a candidate's opinion on platform issues is BEFORE the primary, not during the general election phase.

The attempt to force the "pledge of the platform" resulted in the poorly written language. Many of the SD17 delegates voted no, solely because they weren't clear as to the understanding and simply decided not to change the rule. It was this opinion where the motion to "indefinitely table" was made, even though that motion was defeated.

[BellStar]

This was the single most important Convention in Texas history. This election cycle will determine
if we are to continue in a conservative direction in Texas. We need to set that prairie fire in the
grass roots that Ronald Reagan talked about and get out our people. And get out OUR voters.
Our life depends on it. Suit up and show up and volunteer! Please don't let the twins Apathy and
complacency give Texas back to the liberals.

Freep mail me and I will tell you where you can help!

[PetroniDE]

This is an important election, yes; However, is there EVER an unimportant election? That being said, Count me in BellStar.

[BellStar]

We have a serious RINO problem in the Party. That Rule was thought by some to fix it.

[BellStar]

NO, Touché! PetroniDE, I smell the twins!

[jf55510]

Three rules involved removal of term limits for National Committeeman/woman, State Party Chairman/Vice-Chairman, and SREC. I made a motion (eventually passed) that resulted in all three rules being adopted/not adopted in a single vote.

Were you for or against term limits? The reason I asked is that after talking to people it seemed like that term limits for Nat'l Committee Man and Women and the SREC would be removed but keep for Weddington and Barton(which I do not really understand). But since they were combined they all died.

Two other points. It seemed to me that Roberts Rules were selectively followed on what Sen. Shapiro wanted. I thought the parlamentairan was wrong a couple of times.

Also the platform needed to be voted on plank by plank. There are inconsistancies all over the place. Espically in the area of Free-trade and CFR. In the part on CFR they call to get rid of Shays-Meehan but then state they want to limit judicial contributions. It was fun though. This was my first convention and I had fun.

[jf55510]

I do not think that there is a way to fix it. The way that the rule was worded it was vague and unenforceable. A great point was brought up about judicial nominees. I know a lot of strong conservatives that hate RINOs that did not support the rule change. My SD almost took out one of the top RINOs(Wentworth) and we will get him next cycle.

[Allegra]

Hey. . . that would be a GREAT name for a band!

Or a new dance move.

Sounds like y'all had a great time and I am honored as a Texan FReeper to be represented by such fine people. Good work, guys!

[Tex_GOP_Cruz]

Two other points. It seemed to me that Roberts Rules were selectively followed on what Sen. Shapiro wanted.

I was sitting with my SD 15 delegation on the left side (PetronDE I think SD 17 was on the right, right?) and I agree that the parliamentary procedure wasn't by the book. On the Rule 43 final vote, I felt that the room was evenly divided in a voice vote (seemed that was from my seat; that's why I wondered about the right side) and that there should have been a standing vote or even a roll call. So what about the inconvenience, the rule was really important and we had already debated the rule for nearly an hour: it deserved a definitive, clear vote. Our SREC committeeman tried to ask for one right after Shapiro said the nays had it, but he was never recognized (and those that were subsequently recognized were ruled out of order b/c Shapiro had conveniently moved on to the Platform debate). I felt that this was unfair. I think maybe the leadership didn't want even the Rule 43 compromise to pass (even though it was supported by many delegations, addressed the RINO problem with accountability by adding the monetary incentive, and took out the legally questionable parts of the proposed rule going into the convention).

On a lighter note, I enjoyed meeting MAF and LurkerNoMore! -- I'm sorry I didn't make it to the dinner: I was a little overwhelmed with all the activity in my SD caucus, which finished too late for me to get the necessary info.

[Bigun]

We have a serious RINO problem in the Party. That Rule was thought by some to fix it.

Yes we do, but the way to fix it is NOT with more beauracratic BS in the RULES!

The way I see it if you want to KNOW a candidate's position on something GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND GO ASK HIM!!!

If you want to bring him around to your way of thinking do it with the FORCE OF YOUR IDEAS not hide bound beauracratic red tape!