Thread: Paul's Stealth Campaign Makes Idaho GOP Nervous

Popkey: Paul's stealth campaign makes Idaho GOP nervous

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Idaho Statesman
Edition Date: 05/11/08

A stealth strategy by supporters of Ron Paul to win delegates at the Idaho Republican Convention leaves mainstream party leaders anxious and a bit secretive themselves.
The Texas congressman and former Libertarian presidential nominee has targeted Idaho as part of his quixotic challenge to John McCain. Paul loyalists seek to yank the Idaho GOP organization up from the grass roots by fielding candidates for precinct committeeman in the May 27 primary. But they refuse to identify their slate.

An unusually large number of candidates, many unfamiliar to party regulars, seek to fill the county and state central committees, especially in Ada, Twin Falls and Kootenai counties.

"We've built a strong Republican Party in Idaho and these Ron Paul people want to come in the back door and take advantage of that," said Kootenai County GOP Chairman Brad Corkill. "We're not going to let it happen."

"The Democrats are having their battle out in the open," said Region 4 Chairman Brad Hoaglun of Ada County. "Ours is more behind the scenes. There is heightened anxiety."

Hoaglun fears Paul delegates may try to embarrass McCain at state and national conventions. A rules change forced by Paul delegates prompted the Nevada GOP to abruptly adjourn its convention last month. Paul delegates stormed the Spokane County, Wash., convention and passed an anti-war platform plank. Paul forces have skirmished with mainstream Republicans in Georgia, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Missouri.

Idaho GOP Chairman Kirk Sullivan said Paul's tactics were a hot topic at a recent National Committee meeting.

"They are working hard to have an impact on the national convention," Sullivan said. "But they don't talk to anybody. I have never been approached by a single Ron Paul person about what the party's doing, how they get involved, how the platform will be rewritten, how the rules will be established."

Though Paul's Web site lists Idaho among his top five targets, his national office did not return my calls. I did find one Paul candidate in Ada County's Precinct 26 willing to talk.

Challis McAffee, 32, has been attending Central Committee meetings, where he declines to sign in. He is a self-employed Capital High grad who is converting a travel trailer to a food service rig in the driveway of his parents' Boise home, the address he lists for his candidacy.

McAffee leads a group at Meetup.org, where Paul supporters congregate online. "I guess I'm the official organizer, but I've never wanted to take credit for what the group does," he said. "Somebody needs to step up and do it, but there are a lot of other key people around here. It's not just me."

McAffee offered to put me in touch with some others, but later said he couldn't find anyone willing to talk. He acknowledged that surprise is key to the Paul strategy. He declined to say how many Paul candidates are seeking about 900 seats statewide, but said the campaign is active in all 44 counties.

Paul is supported by a handful of prominent Idaho Republicans. Rep. Phil Hart of Athol introduced Paul at a rally in Caldwell last month and ex-legislator and District 16 candidate Elizabeth Allan Hodge has used Paul's online meetups to campaign.

McAffee chuckled at the notion the Republican Party, which dominates Idaho politics, is nervous about Paul's guerrilla tactics. "They oughtta be," he said in a stage whisper. "We're taking the party back."

McAffee holds out hope Paul can overtake McCain at the national convention. He will not support McCain and said there's little difference between Republicans and Democrats. "I happen to think they get together and laugh about the way they've divided the people."

Paul would restore adherence to the Constitution, repeal the income tax and end the war, McAffee said. "The Republican Party is nervous about us, but they should be delighted there's young blood. Ron Paul's made it cool to be a Republican."

But the GOP has practical concerns. Precinct committeemen form the core of the GOP organization, pounding the pavement to turn out votes. They elect the party's county and state officers. They recommend names to the governor in the event of a GOP vacancy, a common event. Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, for example, was returned to the Idaho Senate in 1995 after winning the endorsement of District 18 committeemen.

Hoaglun, Risch's spokesman during his 2006 governorship, said Republicans can't tolerate precinct leaders disloyal to the presidential nominee. "It's going to be a tough election. We need to be united."

Republican regulars are trying to identify the Paul slate and urging establishment candidates to work hard. In Ada County, 40 of 141 precincts are contested. In Kootenai County, Corkill figures about 30 Paul candidates seek 71 seats.

Chairman Sullivan declined to outline his strategy, except to say he's ready for fights over rules, resolutions and the platform at the convention in Sandpoint, June 12-14. Twenty-three delegates to the national convention will be apportioned based on the May 27 presidential vote. The convention will elect six more; three others are automatic delegates.

Paul won just 1.3 percent of the Idaho presidential vote as a Libertarian in 1988. Secretary of State Ben Ysursa, a Republican, predicts Paul will cross 5 percent and win at least one delegate, but he doubts Paul will pass 20 percent.

That makes the obscure precinct races a ripe opportunity to embarrass McCain.

"We're all a little concerned and we need to raise the flag and show up," Ysursa said.

Dan Popkey: 377-6438

http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdat ... 77849.html

The GOP and the MSM are doing Everything Humanly possible to keep Ron Paul out of the convention. It doesnt matter really

I will not vote for McCain or the other 2 fruit cakes either

McAffee chuckled at the notion the Republican Party, which dominates Idaho politics, is nervous about Paul's guerrilla tactics. "They oughtta be," he said in a stage whisper. "We're taking the party back."

This is exciting....

Go, Ron Paul supporters!

I second that... Go Ron Paul Supporters

take our Party back grinding teeth if neccessary

I'm loving this. God bless those Paul supporters! These are the small steps that need to be taken nationwide, to weed out those whose alligence is to their party rather than our constitution. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!