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What ColdWarrior would like to see at Redstate — Bluntly

By: ColdWarrior (Diary)  |  September 4th, 2011 at 03:14 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Sorry to be such a “jerk.” Some people here don’t like blunt talk. They believe little ol’ ColdWarrior drives away from the fight those who might otherwise turn into fighters.

Too funny.

That mean old ColdWarrior! Would like to see some evidence that mean old CW drove someone away — with names.

So far, no such names have been forthcoming. If you don’t want blunt talk, don’t let your, or any of the little darlings you know who might be offended by straight talk, read further.

Fair enough?

Probably not for some. Such is life.

For the faint of heart, don’t read any further.

For those of you up for the fight, read on.

I look up and down at the “Front Page” Diaries by those who are favored there to write.

And I look up and down the Member Diaries.

And the Recommended [Member] Diaries.

And I see all sorts of “news” that has already been reported elsewhere. And all sorts of “gee, if only ‘the Republicans’ would listen to me” articles.

Etc.

Oh, and then I also see all sorts of “gee, this is my pet issue, and, golly gee, if only someone would read this and act upon it, maybe then they’d see that the Islamists are bad, etc.”

Let’s be clear.

One. Obama and his administration are BAD PEOPLE.

Two. Obama and his bad people want to “fundamentally transform” the United States into a socialist “paradise.”

Three. Obama and his BAD PEOPLE need to be replaced.

Four. To replace Obama and his bad people we need to get more good, decent Americans to VOTE in the 2012 elections. (Did you know that only 25% of Americans who regularly attend Sunday church services vote? Look it up. Did you know the same is true of the 4 million NRA members. Don’t believe it? Look it up. Well, what are you going to DO about it?)

Five. Other than writing to the conservative choir online about the above, what are YOU going to DO to help make sure that more good, decent Americans vote in the 2012 elections?

Well?

Please, tell us.

Seriously, post here in the comments what, specifically, you are going to DO to make sure, where you live, that more “center-right” Americans are going to vote in 2012 for conservative candidates. How many doors will you knock upon? How many phone calls will you make? How will you get involved in GOTV? (GOTV is not a new cable channel — it stands for Get Out The Vote.)

Or, are you just going to pontificate on the ‘net?

If you are crying out for answers, then go here: www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com

And follow the links. And the links below.

Thank you.

For Liberty,

ColdWarrior

Will YOU help make 2011 “The Year of the Precinct Committeeman?”

Where it all started. Twitter @kaltkrieger
Learn how to GOTV at The Concord Project and at Procinct and Unified Patriots.

COMMENTS

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  • Bill S

    Read it and reflect on how it parallels politics (hint: a lot)

    • http://www.itsaboutliberty.com IronDioPriest

      A lot indeed.

  • rightwingmom52

    working within my local GOP and Tea Party. I’m on the executive committee of my local GOP, and I’m building relationships with other members, including a handful of those in charge so that when my opportunity comes to move up, I’ll be ready or will have at least made my best effort. I’m also in position to run as a convention delegate. I’m also trying to convince other friends to get involved in the process and trying to educate those who won’t on the candidates and issues.

    And I’m praying. It took several of your diaries for me to really pay attention and get up off the couch to do more than go to a rally or parade. Thank you.

    • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

      that we should first seek God’s guidance. I think we need to remind each other of this more often.

      Just as an aside, our Maricopa County Republican Party Executive Guidance Committee took a vote on Thursday night at our monthly meeting on a resolution in support of several Republicans who are under fire unjustly for having tried to root out corruption in our county government. But, before we did that, for the first time since I’ve been attending and been a member, rather than having the usual meeting (usually we discuss old and new business and then have a speaker) we had a “brainstorming” meeting designed to focus on how we are going to register more voters as Republicans and how we are going to get more voters to the polls, especially Republicans who, for whatever reason, just don’t vote. About 50 per cent of registered Republicans, for example, did not vote in the 2010 general election. And only about 15 per cent voted in the Phoenix city election this past Tuesday. There will be a runoff on Nov. 8, and we are going to try to elect the Republican in the race — and try to get every PC in the county to make GOTV calls. If we can get every PC in the county to just make 30 calls, we’d make over 100,000 calls. We also discussed the need for a system like rVotes (www.rvotes.com) for the benefit of all Republican candidates. We have about 6,000 PCs state-wide, and we discussed ways to raise money to purchase the system for the Party. For example, if every PC donated $30 for the system, we’d be able to purchase it.

      After the brainstorming session, we then discussed the proposed resolution to condemn a politically-motivated Arizona State Bar investigation and trial of our former county attorney, Andrew Thomas. We had a spirited discussion, and some of the conservative members of the EGC came down on opposite sides of the issue. But the discussion was respectful of all views and the proposed resolution was passed.

      Will we ever fill every PC slot with a warm conservative body? I don’t know. But we’ll continue trying.

      And thanks for sharing with us what you have been doing in your community. I hope you’ll turn your account into a Diary!

      Thank you.

      ColdWarrior

      • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

        you will turn this comment into a Diary. Thanks for all you are doing. You are doing all the right things. You are going where conservatives gather and explaining to them that we conservatives need to unite inside the Republican Party. Some won’t “get it.” Some won’t be able to do it. Some may have a greater impact on changing the outcome of the elections in other ways. But overall, the only conservatives who can actually change the leadership of the Party are those who are eligible to vote for the Party officers.

        I try to explain to those who are wedded to their own grass roots groups that they could become more powerful and have greater impact if they joined with other conservatives inside the Republican Party. I try to explain that they can stay in their respective groups, but they should consider joining one more — a political party as a voting member of it. In some cases you may have to present The Neighborhood Precinct Committeeman Strategy in a non-partisan way.

        Again, thanks for sharing and for all you are doing.

        ColdWarrior

        • BA Cyclone

          I never looked at it this way, but when you see someone in their “own grass roots group” I think it’s great, but I should also look at this as an open door to go up and re-recruit those people to stay active WITHIN THE PARTY. We need more purebred conservatives active in the GOP to make it bank right again, and that can’t happen if those people feel that they have no call within the GOP.

          “The bench” has to come from the party, and for that to be “right” then we need “the right” in the party!

          For my part, I’m happy to report that I’ve gone to maybe four central committee meetings, and I’ve been assured a role in the PC and I might already be asked to take on more LEADERSHIP on the county committee. They are eager for new, young blood to move forward. All we have to do is TRY and that is +1 in our camp!

    • Donald Ayotte

      CW, I hear your call. I myself am a Precinct Captain, or as we call ourselves in Delaware, Elective District Chairs. We are fighting to take our state back seat by seat.
      The Democrats have a super-majority in our state and we have no voice in Delaware’s government.
      UN Agenda 21 is being implemented despite our efforts to spread the word. We cannot even introduce legislation without the dems throwing it in the trash in front of our representatives face.
      We have instituted a strong voter registration drive and are building a strong republican party here in Delaware to fight the good fight in 2012.

      • http://teapartisan.wordpress.com Loren Heal

        is three things, all of which are needed:

        1. Issues: There must be hot-button, emotional issues for people to get fired up about. People vote for ideas, or they don’t vote. Candidates and parties can only represent ideas.
        2. Candidates: There must be candidates opposing one another. Especially in a primary election, most people will only come vote if there is a chance of changing the outcome.
        3. Volunteers: There must be someone who appears at their doorstep at some point to ask them to vote. The most effective volunteer is the one closest to the voter. That’s where you and I come in,

        We cannot get out the vote directly in online forums such as this, or Twitter or Facebook. Those only reach a few people, and with the nature of such things, the more people online posting stuff the fewer who will actually see any particular posting.

        The use for these forums is to reach volunteers. Well, that and to poke at the other side. A man’s got to have some fun, or what’s the point?

  • earlgrey

    This is hard. If the tea party was organized as the left and the MSM made it out to be, than it would be a mighty force indeed.

    I have gotten involved on the local level witth the R party. I did represent my precinct in elections for the county committee. I have done a lot of GOTV calling at state and local level. I need to go to more executive committee meetings, but 2 small kids and a job that travels leave me with precious little time.

    I joined a group that was dedicated to recruiting and training precinct leaders. We have made very little progress. My own efforts to recruit have focused on reaching out to other local conservative groups in my area I find on freedomconnector or other sites, including tea party groups. Some of these groups want to be “non-partisan”, and since we cannot envision our precinct program recommending a Democrat over a Republican our attempts to reach out to these groups has gotten us nowhere.

    Other groups I have reacherd out to have either ignored me or asked me to join theirs. Everyone seems to want to build their own little fiefdom than focus on a combined effort towards conservatism. Maybe it is that newbies like me don’t know who to trust or how to do things. I don’t know where to tie my efforts.

    Many times I have tried to reach out only to get no response at all. Are conservative activist sites here for just venting, bragging or is anyone actually interested in organizing. .

    I can’t keep joining grouips that try to motivate me by telling me how dire the situation is. I can’t hear the constant drumbeat of how bad stuff is all the time, if I don’t at the same time see progress that makes my efforts seem worthwhile. I know things are bad, but I wouldn’t be at your meeting/event or whatever, if I wasn’t already aware of that. Putting pressure on me as an activist without helping me with the tools to be successful get me nowhere.

    RWM has been one of the few people I have found (other than you) that really try to focus on bringing up real opportunities to work.

    I signed up for American Majority training in Murfreesboro TN September 17, even that has not gone as planned, but I am determined to give things another try.

    The thing is if I can’t start to form some roots with my political activism, I fear thatt I will stop trying. Already I see my motivation is not where it once was.

    The news is constantly bad, and one of the few things that bring me joy is my young family. They also require my time.

    I’d like to hear from other conservatives how they have been able to reach out to people and get them engaged.

    • westcoastpatriette

      to encourage you more but I am too new myself to the political scene and am experiencing similar discouraging things as you.

      One thing I do is constantly pray and ask the Lord to guide me because as a newcomer to the nuts and bolts of politics, it can truly get overwhelming and like you, I have personal responsibilities to tend to and cannot spend all of my time volunteering my talent.

      I give myself permission to pull back and reassess what to do next when I begin to feel I am not going to be effective or that I may not be able to work with someone.

      I joined a new-forming Tea Party group and after attending five weekly meetings I am not sure I will continue as we seem to have major different ideas of directions to take things and there is so much disorganization it is too frustrating. Some times I have to pull back because I do have strong leadership skills and have little patience with people who I feel are not doing things the way that I would so sometimes I am the problem.

      Finally, my next move is to go to the monthly Republican Party meeting and see if things click better for me there. If so, maybe I will follow through with ColdWarrior’s game plan and stay focused on the elections only. Tea Party groups can really get lost trying to focus on too much and I think they need leaders that can really prioritize and organize.

      I hope this helps just to know that maybe part of the learning process is to feel like you are not getting anywhere when actually we are learning and eventually we will be able to master helping others do the same.

      • earlgrey

        It helps to know you are not alone. I also appreciate your suggestion about giving permisssion to pull back and reassess. Sometimes I find the sense of urgency overwhelming and that can be self-defeating.

        Happy Labor Day.

    • rightwingmom52

      especially when the majority of folks just talk and cast their own vote, which is why the GOP is controlled by a handful.

      I’ve determined that in my case it’s likely to be a long, slow process, so I’ve adjusted my expectations and have come to terms with working within the confines of the local group.

      Our tea party meets once a month, and I attend when I can, but especially those that have good speakers. We recently had Anita Moncrief who helped to bust Acorn. She is doing some training around the country and offered some practical tips on things we can do. If you’ll shoot me an email (when I initiate, for some reason, my emails tend to land in spam folders), I’ll pull the info out of my folder and send it to you. warbington3 @ att.net (no spaces in real address).

      I’ve put off long enough writing a diary on my local GOP experience, so I’ll try to get something put together and posted this week. Hopefully, I’ll have some tips that will encourage you and others.

    • keepourrepublic

      My specific advice is to select which groups you can attend regularly while also taking care of the job and two kids. Spend a year doing that. Become a part of the local scene. If you can actually get anything accomplished, that’s great. If not, that’s okay. You are there to gather knowledge and to meet people so that you can forge the relationships that you will need to accomplish your goals.

      Knowledge is important. Knowing people is important. Relationships are important. You need to be there meeting after meeting to accumulate knowledge, to meet people, and forge those relationships that you can rely on for help later.

      Established groups have been shaped by people willing to be there for years. There’s undercurrents you don’t know about. Unless you find someone willing to give you the whole picture the only way to find out is to hang around and listen.

      With new groups you have a lot of people who expect they’ll be able to accomplish a lot in a couple of months. They will be disabused of that notion quickly.

      Sit back and watch things will shake out in these groups. You can learn a lot by watching how these groups fail just as much as by how they succeed. People will burn out. Plans will fail. Someone in a critical position will step down. You need to be the one there to nudge things onto a better track, to pick up the pieces, or to occupy the vacated office.

      My involvement with local groups in the area started a couple of years ago. I helped out on a local campaign and started attending my local unit committee meetings, the local tea party meetings, and the meetings of a couple other groups. I didn’t accomplish much that year, but I learned about campaigning and I met a number of people in the local scene.

      I make a point to help out in groups that hold a lot of disaffected republicans. If someone doesn’t want to join the republican party, but I can get them to come to a tea party meeting then I will. The healthier those other groups are the more people that I can meet and find where commonalities exist between us. By doing so I have been able to meet and persuade some to to viability of changing the GOP. People that would not have helped with my goals for the GOP a year ago are willing to help in certain ways.

      Last year I stepped up to take point for my local unit’s election day activities and get my unit to step up activities in general. I failed to get my unit to become more active, but I learned things and met people. I continued to attend the meetings of all those groups. My own knowledge base grew. My relationships with people I met the previous year deepened.

      This year has seen a lot more progress. I know a lot more. I know a lot more people. Critical relationships are deeper. Because of my actions my local unit has verified it’s membership rolls. Because of my urging enough conservatives joined my local republican committee that it’s about half and half between moderates and conservatives. A huge improvement.

      I don’t know anyone precisely like me in the local scene, but I’m not alone in trying to achieve various goals. I now know who are the conservatives, social-conservatives, limited government conservatives, tea party conservatives, conservative-libertarians, libertarians, survivalists, party republicans, disenfranchised republicans, etc that I can work with. I know how active each one will be for which goals.

      I have found myself more then once being able to give information to people who need to know something, but just weren’t able to attend the last years worth of meetings so that they could put the pieces together.

      Right now the people I have persuaded to join my local GOP unit constitute a third of the committee. Between them and the good people that I have identified who were already members we stand at about half. Together they are a varied lot. That didn’t happen in a month. That didn’t happen in a year. That was the result of two years of being patient. The productiveness of the second year would not have been possible without the willingness to stick through the first.

      Next year should be really interesting.

      Take the long view. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Keeping our republic won’t happen in a day either.

      - Keep Our Republic

      • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

        I seriously doubt anyone’s going to come forward and admit that their participation in politics has been affected by being told that there is only one way to be effective in furthering conservative goals. To do so would only be met with marginalization and derision. Yet, perhaps someone should say something, so here goes. You want a name? Here’s one.

        Night Twister

        Not only has my participation at RedState been significantly curtailed, but all other political activity as well. I’ve been clearly told that unless I’m willing to be a precinct committeeman, my efforts are useless.

        I have a busy life, and my time (like most people) is at a premium. I have to weigh competing priorities for my time, including work, family, extended family, and any other endeavors. If my time is being spent ineffectively here, it would only be prudent to curtail it and spend that time elsewhere where it can be more effectively spent.

        I know that this comment will be met with much ridicule, which will of course prove my point why no one else will speak up. I thought someone should say something though since you don’t believe it’s true. It won’t really bother me if you ridicule me here. I made my decision to redirect my efforts some time ago, and I haven’t questioned it once.

        Anyway, let the mocking begin, but just remember, you asked.

        • rightwingmom52

          are in our lives. I’m fortunate that my son is in college, my husband is supportive of my efforts, I work a reduced schedule, and everyone in my family is fairly healthy. No doubt you and others have obligations that must take priority and prevent them from getting more involved, so you’ll get no ridicule from me. I’m willing to bet you’re more involved in the process of promoting conservatism than you let on because you don’t strike me as the silent type (no offense intended).

          • lastgopinillinois

            about overthrowing the “regime” way back during the 0bamacare legislative process. At this point I am still waiting to get a message from our County Republican Chairman in response to my offer to volunteer in campaign efforts some time ago.
            They probably aren’t geared up yet.
            I am sure they are pretty discouraged. This district is extremely pro-union and very liberal. Thats why congressman Jerry Costello has been in there forever.
            They dont list a phone number for the Chairman, only an e-mail address, so you have to wait for them to respond to messages.
            Beyond that, I talk to folks around here (all liberals) and can give a good arguement for the other side. Soem people wouldnt recognize the truth if it hit em in the face, but, I may be making headway in changing a FEW minds.
            I get the same kind of reaction from posting comments to MSM news stories. What I see a lot of is people spewing untruths they have gotten second and third hand from un-reliable sources. When you confront them with the truth and back it up with actual statistics, the ones who havent been completely brainwashed yet, follow up with more questions or comments. It is pretty interesting.

          • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

            I might be able to help you break through to your chairman and/or the other officers if you can direct me to the county committee’s web site. You can e-mail me at coldwarrior1978 at gmail dot com.

            As I understand it in some counties in Illinois (maybe all), the committee bylaws allow for the incumbent chairman, in the committee officer elections, to cast a vote for every single vacant PC slot; in other words, if a majority of the allotted slots are vacant, the incumbent chairman can basically hand-pick himself and his favorites for every elected officer slot. Not a bad way to stay in power — but then that works only to the extent Republicans don’t get involved in their local committees.

            We have no such rule here in AZ. Almost all of the new PCs have come from the grass roots conservative ranks and that conservative influence is now reflected in who sits in the officer positions. My guesstimate is that we’ve got about 65 per cent of the PC ranks now filled with conservative Republicans and about just over half of the slots filled state-wide. In Maricopa County, in which Phoenix is located, we’re at just over 50 per cent filled — we’ve got about 3,400 PCs now for the approximately 713,000 registered Republicans in the county. Of course we conservative PCs are trying to fill up all the vacancies. In my Legislative District, with about 25,000 registered Republicans, we have 277 allotted PC slots but only about 130 PCs. But that’s way up from about 65 in 2008.

            We conservatives need to unite politically. I just happen to believe that the best place to do that is, locally, at our respective Party committee meetings. Seems to make senses. Because then you can hit several birds with one stone, so to speak. You can become eligible to vote for the Party officers (including, if you become a delegate to your state Party meeting, for your state’s three RNC delegates — your state chairman and the two other delegates). You’ll get to evaluate the candidates face-to-face and decide with of them are worthy of your support. And you are then in the best position to help design and carry out Get Out The Vote efforts. Obviously, it’s all about which candidates get the greatest number of votes in each separate race.

            And the “Establishment Republicans” would just as soon have all the conservative Republicans in their districts stay the hell out of the PC ranks.

            We all have to do what we can.

            I hope this helps.

            Thank you.

          • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

            soon have all the conservative Republicans in their districts stay the hell out of the PC ranks, so do these people:

            Thank you.

            ColdWarrior

          • renny

            and providing scripts for door to door electioneering, providing training (altho’ it doesn’t need too much) for challengers and poll watchers during elections, and general leadership counseling.

            We plan to be ground troops for the reg. Reps. who do some of the above but are not really active in registering voters and pounding the pavements.

            I have, for decades, been a poll challenger (I started in North Jersey also decades ago when I was a radical city Dem. and challenged the reg. Dems., the union Dems., and all the other varieties of Dems.), and I urge people in urban areas to protect the polls from as much fraud and criminality as possible because trouble there is much more likely than in the suburbs where I am now.

          • Stan(ley) Pruss

            I live in Judy Biggert’s district, but work in Hultgren’s. I found it more satisfing to work on Randy’s campaign rather than Judy’s. It may be more rewarding to look for candidates you can support and work for them. In Illinois we need to get rid of the crooks who control the R party. Being a PC may help, but unless we get a lot more conservative PC’s, the fight may seem too difficult. Find a fight where you can make a positive idfference and workon that. I support DeMint’s candiates wth small contributions and may give time from my PC for GOTV phone calls even out of state. Find competitive races for state representative or state senate and work for them. Email links to good articles to people you know who might be interested. Don’t allow yourself to be isolated & outnumbered, Find allies. Stan

          • westcoastpatriette

            I am not quite as single-minded as he in terms of what trail each person should take to be effective.

            For example, at this point in my life, coming to RS and listening to others and joining in the comments is immensely rewarding and educational for me. You never know when you may write something that will help someone else and I have gained so much knowledge from reading how other people assess candidates or discuss pertinent issues. The comradery keeps it all from getting too boring and I love hearing what’s taking place in other states.

            All of the above is a legitimate way to contribute your time and efforts, in my opinion. So, to each his own in terms of how we each contribute to the civic process in America.

          • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

            Since one was asked for.

        • luvnthebigsites

          Being the lead travel agent for guilt trips is an effective tactic ColdWarrior… I /salute you. It worked on me… Made a few phone calls… And its not gonna happen. I work the weekends, night shift, split-shift and I have to travel which puts me OUT of the PC field. ( I feel NightTwisters pain)

          You have a good “Idea” though and realistically its the (only) idea that can save the republican party from itself. The party has cancer, your idea is long term Chemotherapy, The TEA party’s Idea (and my populist opinion) is for tumor removal… But I think we are on the same mission— and we can all meet somewhere in the middle.

          Take care not to belittle the “key board warrior’s” to much, Our role “while limited” grows daily as the general public looks for answer’s. And we will send them your way when they ask for solutions.

          Wax on Wax off Grasshopper. ;)

          • YnotNOW

            And in fact both of the PC slots in my precinct are filled. They have indicated I may be eligible to “fill in” for an adjacent vacant slot. But my work schedule does not allow me to attend the monthly meetings.

            Instead, I have used these contacts to find some good candidates for local office (city council) that I can volunteer and GOTV during hours that I can work into my schedule.

            Small step, for now. More to come later…

      • earlgrey

        First thing tomorrow. Sometime you just need a plan (realistic expectations).

        First thing tomorrow, I’ll be marking my calendar for the meetings of the groups that I know I can meet with on a more reliable basis, I’ll give up the search for “the golden ticket” and try to take a more pragmatic approach.

        I think the best advice you gave was not written out, but was there throughout you letter, and that was to be patient and keep working rather than looking for an immediate reward.

        Happy Labor Day.

        • keepourrepublic

          And I hope you had a happy labor day as well. :)

        • http://teapartisan.wordpress.com Loren Heal

          And yes, the groups can be frustrating. A lot of them don’t get it at all. They think it’s going to stay 2009 forever, and protesting will have some effect. It won’t, in the long run.

          Saul Alinsky, for all of his detestable motivation and viewpoint, was right in a few observations. Principally, tactics are viable only if they are pleasing to your supporters. Rallies and protests were fine in 2009, but more is needed now.

          I would approach those non-partisan groups with a different plan. They don’t have to be partisan. All they have to do is to get people to vote. The tactic of going to every house asking people vote appeals to that type of group. So ask them to do that.

          As a partisan, I only want people to vote who will vote for my candidates. But as an American, I want everyone to vote. And I think the more people who vote, the more my ideas win.

          Not every group is going to get the full picture. But you can have allies who assist only part of the way.

          Here’s the punch line: most of those non-partisans will subconsciously be pushing our people, whether they want to or not.

          • earlgrey

            that will help me temper my annoyance with these groups.

            I am so thankful for the insights (and attitude adjustments) I recieved from my little keyboard temper tantrum.

  • Michael_Handley

    I have taken on the job of the Political writer for the AV NEWS TODAY ONLINE. The online paper has a readership of over 25,000. The editor allows me to write about anything I want and she prints it. I’m watching the races and commenting on their ups and downs. I am allowed to take sides and I pan to do so. I believe that this upcoming debate is a make of break for Gov. Perry. If he does well he will gain momentum. If not he fades fast. As a group we need to urge as many voters as posible to watch. The sooner the Republicans can make up their collective minds and get behind a candidate the better. The Republican Party can’t afford to beat up the eventual candidate too much during the Primary race or He/She will be weakened going into the big event. Anyway that’s my view at this point.

    My advice to all of you is to get as many folks to the polls as you can and pray. The Democratic machine is formidable. Don’t underestimate it. With the MSM they will be tough to beat….

  • natalie

    My name is Natalie.
    ColdWarrior, I think it is awesome that you are bluntly and effectively telling us HOW to make change actually happen. It has inspired me to find out more about my local GOP groups and precinct committee opportunities (called something slightly different here in TN). You have convinced me to get involved personally as soon as I can. But, right now is not the right time for me, and I *do* start avoiding articles/posts/research that simply tell me how worthless I am if I’m not out there myself. I am a mother of four young children ranging from eight years to ten month old. My eldest has been battling cancer since late 2007 – finished his entire three-year course of chemo this January, only to be diagnosed with a relapse the very next day. That’s been a hard blow and his treatment is all-consuming. I am juggling his care, his education falls mostly on my shoulders since he is rarely able to attend school, and I still have three other children, including a wild toddler and a baby, to care for among the constant chaos of chemotherapy, radiation, and hospitalizations. My dad also left me a number of complicated and international investments to manage after his death, for which I was very ill-prepared and must somehow educate myself enough to oversee. When I can barely make special school events for my kids, theres not much chance of my volunteering right now to become a committeeman, however much I would like to. I attend school board meetings and town halls when I can, know my small-town mayor and some of the public officials, and work on standing up against the loony left whenever I can – which as made me quite the fringe element at the Reform synagogue I attend, but at least I am giving them something else to think about instead of their usual liberal group-think.
    I am sorry I cannot do more right now, it makes me feel very guilty. I was a soldier during 2001 and wanted to participate more in the war then, too, but my husband (also a soldier then) and I found out birth control doesn’t always work and, due to misfiled Army paperwork, I was discharged for pregnancy instead of being able to stay in. Now I must sit on the sidelines again and it is not for lack of willingness to DO SOMETHING. I do the best I can right now and don’t need to be reminded of the fact that it’s not good enough – I get enough of that watching my son battle cancer, to feel like a failure towards my country, too.

    PS – Please excuse typos, my auto-correct can be over-zealous at times!

    • westcoastpatriette

      you are doing more than most could ever handle and are doing it with much dignity and grace.

      Sometimes, our families need us so desperately and their problems can be so overwhelming that there simply isn’t a way for us to give to other endeavors.

      I have been in similar situations and regretted that I was unable to get more involved in my community helping others. But it really is true that family must come first and for that you are to be commended.

      I pray for healing for your son and strength for the family to make it through this difficult time.

      • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

        Thanks for all you are doing. Your circumstances and history in many respects are similar to mine. Military service. NRA instructor. Four young kids. One with special needs. Demanding work requirements. (My Labor Day Weekend, sadly, was mostly spent laboring.)

        While laboring, I’ve been able to peek in to RS and monitor the various debates going on here between the Romneyites and the Perryites, etc.

        I don’t have a lot of time for such discussions and don’t think they matter much. I believe most conservatives can figure out on their own who their best candidate is. I’ve got the same vote as everyone else in the primary: just one. I’m more interested in trying to ensure that we Republicans get the maximum number of Constitutional conservatives elected in the primary elections and the maximum number of Republicans elected in the general elections. So I spend my time on that. To the extent I can.

        I may soon get to the point where I won’t be posting here anymore or even visiting the site (I guess some will rejoice! ;-) ) due to work and family requirements. As I’ve explained in the past, I’ve already blocked out on my calendar two nights a month between now and the 2012 general election — my monthly local legislative district committee meeting and my county committee meeting. As well as my county and state committee meetings and the state convention. And if I can’t be at any of those gatherings physically, I’ll make sure (as I have in the past) a trusted conservative carries my proxy so that I can vote on any resolutions. Family first — roof over head, time with family. If there’s time left over, then I spend it on my new hobby: local politics. Precinct level first, then legislative district level, then county level, then state level.

        I would love for nothing more than to see others here take up the task, in their own way, to encourage Redstate conservatives to get involved, to the extent they can, in their local Party committee. (That is, if it exists. Our Party is non-existent in some counties and cities and towns. Non-existent.) And while I may at times be blunt, I try never to be rude. I certainly do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. But I do know, from some who have taken the plunge, that my occasional pleas for action have worked.

        So, natalie, hang in there! We all need to hang together. And make major advances at the ballot box in the 2012 primary and general elections. Will we? I don’t know. Redstate can be awesome tool for helping us achieve the victories we need.

        Thank you again for all you have done and are doing.

        CW

    • lineholder

      a few words of encouragement. I’m having to sit on the sidelines, too, for more reasons than one. I’ve gone through some of the same guilty feelings you’ve expressed. Even thought my circumstances were changing and I’d be able to get more involved. That just isn’t going to be for me right now. But I know where you’re coming from.

      We all have our part to play. Even if the part seems small and inconsequential, it matters, okay? Just do what you can in what ways you can.

      • YnotNOW

        that raising the next generation properly, is the very most important thing we can do for the future of our country. Politics is secondary.

  • Common_Cents

    C’mon people, grow a pair! If life’s circumstances limit activism then just do what you can, but to blame cold warrior for “making” you feel guilty is nonsense. Nobody can make you feel guilty, it is a choice and comes from the inside. Chances are that if you feel guilty you feel you can do something that you aren’t.

    Cold Warrior is doing probably the most important work on RS and for conservatives/Rep party and doesn’t deserve any pity parties raining on the patriot parade.

    There IS a place for keyboard warriors chipping away with facts and well reasoned writing. It is part of the process and evolution funnel towards activism. It lets you practice your discussion, solidify your opinions and reasons why to inform and discuss with others. Just like tea party rallies are very important, they unite and recruit people. Some of those people will continue down the funnel towards CW activism, wonderful.

    Do what you can and you won’t feel any guilt.

    • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

      But, he asked, so I responded. You may think he’s doing the most important work, but that doesn’t mean everyone does. And some of us are just sick of the one trick pony. But beyond that, some of us have been told that if we aren’t (currently or becoming) a PC, then our efforts are a complete waste of time. That’s fine, and I have better things to do with my time (as I stated above).

      Apparently, I’m not the only one that feels this way, as you can see by at least one more comment in this thread. I’m sure there are others that don’t feel comfortable speaking up. In any case, it doesn’t matter to me anymore which way it goes. I’ll be around to comment now & then as it suits me, but you’ll need to look elsewhere if you want to find out what’s going on in Colorado politics. I’ll be busy doing other things (work, family, learning a new language, perhaps even starting on a Master’s degree).

      Ciao!

      • mickhensley

        conservatives to work from the inside of the Republican Party, it is Colorado. Had more done so, maybe Ken Buck would a Senator.

        • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

          We had one, imo, but she didn’t win the Primary. Ah well. Better Bennet than Norton, right?

          • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

            BTW, your comment makes no sense. Buck won at the convention, so Norton had to petition onto the ballot. The exisiting delegates selected Buck. How would more GOP insiders have made a difference in the general election?

          • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

            First, read this Diary and all the comments:

            http://www.redstate.com/nedryun/2010/04/14/the-blueprint-how-the-democrats-won-colorado-and-why-republicans-everywhere-should-care/

            Then, get a copy of, and actually take the time to read, “The Blueprint.”

            Thank you.

            ColdWarrior

          • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

            n/t

          • mickhensley

            It’s all about bloggin your candidate to victory Really, it is.

            Precinct work is hard and a waste of time. Just tell everybody how bad the Dems are and that will overcome the unions and lefties bussing their people to vote.

            The good Lord may have recognized the diversity of talent amongst his flock but darned if that has anything to do with GOTV.

          • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

            nt

          • mickhensley

            nt

          • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

            The voters went to the polls. They just didn’t pull the lever for Buck when they did for the other Republican candidates that won (SoS, Treas, State House, etc.). Buck was thousands of votes short of what the other candidates were getting. The problem wasn’t getting the voters there, the problem was they weren’t interested in voting for Buck. I’ve seen the numbers.

            I can’t help it the Republican delegates picked the wrong candidate to run against Bennet, but considering that Buck was the more conservative candidate, I still don’t see how getting more conservatives into the party apparatus would’ve made a difference.

  • natalie

    I really appreciate the encouragement. It’s very hard wanting to join the fight and not being able to… Nothing worse than sitting on the sidelines feeling useless, whether against foreign enemies, cancer, or domestic politics! CW I hope you do find time to keep telling us how to make a difference – if we can’t always follow through right now, it gives us something to look into and prepare for in the future. Research takes up a lot of time and energy and you are helping us bypass much of that by pointing us in the right direction. That is what I can do right now – spend time on research, analysis, opinion, research, research, research, so I can be informed when I vote and when I argue with ignorant peope. I don’t comment much but I love reading RS and the comment feed, so that I can look up sources and links and share that information later in conversation. Telling people where to focus their own efforts and where to find information will hopefully make a difference, as small as it may be, until I get back in the game myself.
    I appreciate the bluntness, and I also appreciate the kind words. Thank you so much for both, westcoastpatriette and CW.

  • clowngirl

    First off, in my limited experience of posting at RedState, you’ve responded to me a few times and I don’t remember you ever being less than civil – and actually I remember you as courteous and friendly.

    I don’t know what exchanges anyone has complained about and so can’t comment but I do want to comment on the potential to drive away people who might otherwise become an asset or – more to the point – inhibit the posting of a greater variety of content.

    I wrote a few diaries back in 2009 – and initially came to the task with great enthusiasm..Things went well enough at first . Some of my diaries were recommended and I found that very encouraging – and stayed up well into the night to write – getting very little sleep – sometimes spending 3,4,,5 hours on one diary. But I also disagreed with a tone that I thought had the potential to alienate people from RedState – and when particularly upset about this shot of a diary that wasn’t good, wasn’t very diplomatic – and that I admit I probably shouldn’t have written. That diary received such an intensely negative response that all my enthusiasm for posting at RedState was destroyed.

    You complained that there’s too much predictable and unoriginal thinking posted here — well, I haven’t been RedState carefully enough to agree or disagree but I do submit that posting diaries of that type is probably very “safe” in that the person writing it knows they are unlikely to get a particularly negative reaction — in my opinion there is a certain vulnerability associated with presenting an idea that is uniquely your own — or even which is simply different from what others are posting – not to mention that it takes time and effort to formulate and articulate one’s point of view — and seeing harsh criticism could very easily have a chilling effect.

    I was very glad to see that RedState has cracked down on insults, etc. and so some of the comments I received I presume no longer occur here — but, in my perception, there is still an attitude conveyed that a very narrow range of views are acceptable. While RS members are (presumably) respected, I believe Erick has repeatedly referred to the GOP as the “stupid party” and I seem to remember another front page writer writing that “John Boehner sucks”

    I submit that such rhetoric – even about a person or entity not present — still has a potentially chilling effect. ( To give an analogous example: one of my mom’s neighbors once went into a long diatribe about how insulted she was that her brother bought her an expensive set of pots and pans without consulting her. Later when my mom was picking out a present for her — we both got a bit nervous about choosing — and both thought of that story. )

    Anyway — just wanted to respond to your expressed desire to see more original thinking in diaries at RedState with a theory — hopefully respectfully presented — on why that isn’t happening as much as it could.

  • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

    I too do not understand why some here fell the need to be so nasty. I went back and skimmed your first and last Diary entries and the comments to them. I saw that you were a relatively new Republican and Christian and that you were under the impression that John McCain was a conservative. I hope you are now convinced that McCain actually is a progressive despite how he describes himself.

    I also hope you will consider, if you have not already done so, attending the meetings of your local Republican Party organization/committee. Much of what gets written here at Redstate is interesting, but I doubt it makes much difference in the outcome of the elections. An example of a Diary here at Redstate that could help in changing the outcome of the elections (assuming the individuals reading it take the advice) is this one by Erick Erickson

    http://www.redstate.com/erick/2011/01/04/now-is-the-time-today-is-the-day-lets-have-a-coup/

    (I would very much like to see more Diaries like this on the Front Page here at Redstate. Or maybe a “Want to Get Active” button linking to this particular Diary of Erick’s.)

    Locally, my efforts are spent attempting to find conservatives to fill up all of the empty precinct committeeman slots and then try to train, organize and encourage the precinct committeemen to become effective Get Out The Vote “machines.” In the 2010 general election, for example, only about 50% of Arizona Republicans bothered to vote, and in some of the races just a few more Republicans going to the polls would have caused the Republican candidates to win rather than the Democrats. We should do a better job in 2012, because we do have more precinct committeeman than ever before and more Party volunteers. In Maricopa County, we’ve gone from 1,989 precinct committeeman (31.8% of the allotted slots filled) to about 3,400 (just over 50% of the allotted slots filled) and we are hoping that increase will help the Republican win in the runoff election for Phoenix mayor in November.

    I realize that in some areas of the country it might not be worth one’s while to become a Republican precinct committeeman or delegate (or whatever it is called in that particular state) if the area is solidly blue. In that case, now with the internet, it’s possible to help out other candidates with Get Out The Vote phone calls.

    Another thing some of us are working on is bringing rVotes to the Party in Arizona. You can take a look at it here: www.rvotes.com.

    If you’ve had a chance to attend any of your local Party committee meetings (assuming there are any — one of our counties in Arizona has NO Republican committee at all, for example) I hope you will write a Diary about your experiences.

    One of the things Sarah Palin has been saying to the conservative audiences she’s been speaking to is that grass roots conservatives in the tea party and 9.12 and other conservatives organizations need to do is unite. I wish she would take it a stop further and explain that they need to unite politically inside a political party. And, obviously, the best political party for them to unite within would be the Republican Party. And that there’s plenty of vacancies in the precinct committeeman ranks.

    Thanks again,

    ColdWarrior

    • rightwingmom52

      Hadn’t heard of rvotes, but have bookmarked the page to check it out.

      Thanks, and keep it up.

  • clowngirl

    I couldn’t reply to your post directly for some reason.

    I’ve been somewhat involved with local tea party groups but haven’t found the activities particularly vital — will likely wait until we have a nominee and then volunteer to help he or she get elected President.

    As to whether I’m “now convinced John McCain is a progressive” well, as I don’t live in Arizona and he’s no longer running for President I haven’t had much reason to think about it. I suppose I’m less impressed with him than I was because he doesn’t seem to contribute much or find much opportunity to lead since Obama has been in office so that’s a little disappointing – but, even granting that Arizonans probably know a lot about their own Senator – I’m still very skeptical of any claim that he’s a progressive.

    On that we’ll have to agree to disagree. :)

    I’m shocked that only 50% of Republicans bothered to vote in 2010 though I suppose I shouldn’t be. And will consider your suggestions as we get into 2012

  • mystery

    In our little region of the country, there’s an auto parts store the local ‘loafers’ hang out at. Every single morning you can hear the ‘polo’tic discussion. No matter what the season may be. (Not that its limited to just morning, but thats when the loafers are there in full force.) Most there do not believe that I am involved in ‘polo’tics… well simply because I call it polotics instead of politics. They ‘pat me on the head’ as they explain the dealings between the two parties …. YES! Democrates and Republicans alike join forces to explain all the ins and outs for each party in a shockingly calm and logical fashion.

    I am constantly asked what ‘party’ I’m for. Maybe each side is hoping that I’ll finally side up with them. My answer is not what they expect. I state neither Republican nor Democrate …. I am for America. I care not what party you are affiliated with as long as you are voting.

    These patriotic gentlemen raise many a thought in the younger generation that flows in and out doing their business. Enough so that many of them will come to the far corner of the store where I sit trying to unglutter the glutter the business generates, to ask me what all the hubbub is with them, and by the time our ‘lil 5 minute talk is over, they are walking out with a ‘lil slip of paper leading them to the local registrar. … All because they have heard me state the above. Reckon they don’t feel intimidated by me. ;)

    This has been going on for the last 5 yrs.

    Prior to that, since I was old enough to vote… I constantly remind people to remember to vote on election day as I pass them in the isles at the different stores I frequent. Or if I happen to be working, as they are departing, “Have a Fabbiful day! Don’t forget to vote!”

  • mystery

    Musta had a brainfart,’cause I forgot to throw in about voter turnouts in our teenytiny district. I moved into this district 8 years ago. My husband and I are very unigue couple to these people .. for I am a Republican and he is a Democrate. Up until 2008, I thought there had to be so very few people registered to vote because we would be one of the very last to vote. I’d never gotten above #28 th republican ballot and he never above #35 th democratic ballot.

    In 2008, I actually was # 76 ! and he 50!

    The numbers dropped to 52 and 45 in 2009… and back to the same old # range by 2010 !:(

    This year I mailed a letter to the county registrars office and told them what I stated in my above post, and suggested they send forms out to all who have graduated from high school in the county for the last 5 years … one showed up my mailbox 3 days ago to my daughter who graduated last year!

  • http://www.twitter.com/AWG9_yoyo yoyo

    I contacted my local precinct chair and inquired as to HOW to become active: I was told, almost flat out, that “we” didnt need any assistance and that all of the seats on the committee were filled and would remain as such in perpetituity. Thus….my only outlet is via RS comments and diaries, and now you are slamming me (not specifically at me, but you know what I mean) for doing so?

    I feel Night’s pain, too. Being a darn-near 40 yr old father of 3 (all under 7 yrs old) and going to school full time AND having a full time career makes ‘extra-curricular activity’ impossible. Heck, I cant find the time to mow my lawn most weekends. LIFE is a full time (and another half time) job in and of itself, so instead of time (which I no longer have to donate) I donate money – and a small and insignificant diary voice – to our cause.

    There are other things more important that being or becoming a precinct committeeman CW, and among them are ensuring that Tyler (7), Christopher (6), and Elizabeth (3) grow into men and women that want to take care of their families instead of depending on someone else to do so. CW, THEY are my priority. Everything else comes in a VERY, VERY, VERY distant second.

    • earlgrey

      You can read my little post up above if it gives you any idea. I am a little older than you and I only have 2 kids, but they are 6 and almost 3 so are circumstances are similar. No school for me, but I do travel for work.

      forgive me if I am wrong, but I get the feeling you are probably already doing something to further the conservative cause. Do you speak of the issues going on and gently try to persuade people who are indifferent to care about what is going on. For me, I like to tell people how much the value of a dollar has dropped when I return from overseas trip. A hotel room that used to cost me about $200 is now about $400 or more with taxes.

      Just talking to people is making a difference.

      Perhaps you are persuading those close to you to vote. We now go early voting so I can make my husband go. My kids come with us and so when the campaign signs pop up my son reminds us to vote. We elected a R county mayor last August and I had my son in the car when he was interviewed on the radio. I told him how we went and voted for him.

      I totally get it if you can’t take more time, but I wouldn’t let that precinct committeeman you spoke to be the reason you don’t participate. Even in the best of circumstances we will run into people who want to protect their own power base. We can’t raise our wonderful kids to feel helpless. Barack Obama and other progressives would love for us to do that.

      Do what you can, even if it is just writing and talking and take pride in that.

    • rightwingmom52

      I’ve been involved with my local GOP since January. It’s an interesting mix of cliques, and I’ve managed to develop some relationships within a couple of them. It’s not easy. While others here said they walked in and basically landed a PC position their first time out,, my experience has been slower, but I’m not giving up. My advice is join the local GOP, go to the meetings, volunteer for the grunt events when you can and ask questions. If you don’t get answers from somebody, ask somebody else. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

      Sooner or later a door will open. I withdrew my name from running for a slot on the state executive committee because I wasn’t going to win and instead threw my support for a fellow member who has been active in both the GOP and tea party. He is a working with Cain on his campaign. I’m getting to know his wife, and I’m hopeful that next time there’s an opening, they’ll help me. I’m planning to run on the ballot to become a delegate to the convention because all that takes is an application and a fee. I may not win, but my name will be out there.

      As for CW, all I can say is that if he weren’t writing diaries on redstate, I have to wonder how many slots would still be empty. The difference we can make within our party and our country is enormous, and we could see the effects for years to come because it is from the ground up.

      Each of us has to find our own path, and maybe being a PC isn’t the way for you (and that’s okay), but I urge you to reconsider and try again. I’ve always been more of a follower or team player than a leader, but I looked at my country, my community, and most importantly, my family and had to ask myself, “If not me, then who?” For me, the answer was clear.

    • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

      Thanks for putting in the effort of seeking out your local Party committee. I wonder, though, whether you may run into a situation where you were given some invalid information. I have run into RINOs here in AZ who deliberately tell those who inquire that “all the slots are filled” — when that’s not really the case. Our former Legislative District chairman spoke out of one side of his mouth at the meetings about wanting more precinct committeemen, but then privately told people that he really did not want more precinct committeeman. He recently resigned.

      Maybe you live in a very red county and congressional district and your local Party committee is in solidly conservative hands.

      Would you mind e-mailing me the names of your county and state? I’d like to do a little research: coldwarrior1978 at gmail dot com.

      Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and circumstances.

      ColdWarrior

      • http://www.twitter.com/AWG9_yoyo yoyo

        I am not sure that they are still in trouble (legally) but I am sure that a few of the good ole boys that were in the mix originally are still in the party….

        I am in Berkeley County, SC. I sit on the line between SC-01 and SC-06, but I vote in 01 (THANK GOD).

        I have nothing but bad experiences contacting them and to me, it seems very clique-ish and good-ole-boy-ish whereas they are more into furthering themselves than futhering the County/State/Country/Party… Aggrevating to say the least.

        But I do my part, as much as I can. I talk to everyone (even Troopers when I get pulled over for speeding – BTW, it will NOT get you out of a ticket…in the rain…when it is 45 degrees outside…and he looks like a drown rat… LOL) and I have even managed to convince my Democrat MIL to flip. My co-workers never have any doubt on my positions, but I do make the mistake of making on Conservative Friends … so talking to them is like talking to y’all: more of a sounding board than persuasive policy speak.

        I am not upset with you, CW. I am not upset with my Local GOP. I AM upset with BHO, whose policies force me to work as hard and as long as I do so I can save enough AND support my family so one day, after SS is taken away, I can still afford to live. Comfortably – not extravagantly.

        • earlgrey

          true story. He was pulled over with my then infant daughter in the backseat (maybe she helped :) ). This was late 2009 HCR battle was going on and stimulus rage was high. The officer asked my husband some questions about where he worked, what he did and after a long pause he told him. . .well you work hard, you’re a tax paying citizen, please just slow down next time.

      • http://www.twitter.com/AWG9_yoyo yoyo

        http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/apr/29/berkeley_county_gop_has_new_head80336/

        I am not in the “Daniel Island” faction. More like the Goose Creek/Moncks Corner/Hanahan (but not really) faction.

        What fun.

  • http://redmerrimack.blogspot.com/ charliebravoNH

    That is what I will be doing in Southwest NH.Literature drops for a Legislative Special Election. All this after the Tea Party backed State Party Chair was forced to resign. Electing Conservative Republicans is the reason we give time, money and treasure to this cause. It wasn’t that long ago I could not do all this. I had two jobs and younger children. People with real lives shouldn’t be offended by CW’s direct call for action. They are plenty of people on this site who will stay up all night to exchange barbs with people over which Presidential candidate is better. I am talking about threads with 200+ comments and with the moderators jumping in, booting people and telling others to cool it. If those people got so much energy for such meaningless nonsense I would like to know what their excuse is for not joining their local party.