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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

Now Is The Time. Today Is The Day. Let’s Have a Coup.

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  January 4th, 2011 at 10:09 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

“In 2010 the tea party movement led outside the GOP. This year the tea party should take over the GOP.”

It is abundantly clear as we head toward finding a new chairman for the Republican National Committee that the committeemen of the RNC have grown out of touch with the Republican activists they rely on each year to give money, knock on doors, and vote.

The race has broken down between two candidates who lean toward the grassroots, but have establishment bona fides — Anuzis and Wagner — and three candidates who are political technocrats of the establishment order.

It is shocking to me, frankly, that Reince Priebus would have as much support as he does at this time and even more shocking that much of his support could go back to Steele.

Plainly, the committeemen of the GOP have been untouched by the tea party movement and need a taste of what the House and Senate GOP suffered.

And believe it or not, it is much, much easier to shake things up for the committeemen than the congressmen. Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for a tea party led coup of the GOP.

Now is the time. Today is the day. Let’s not waste one minute.

It is time to take over your precincts.

Much has been written here and elsewhere by great people on how to do it. The basics are straightforward. And read everything Coldwarrior writes.

Over the next few months, the GOP will begin selecting new officers at the municipal, county, and state level. Those people will then pick new committeemen for the RNC, etc.

To get involved, you must call your local or state Republican Party and find out where your precinct meetings will be. They should be later this month or in February.

You show up at your precinct meeting and, more often or not, you will be the only one there. Guess what? In most states that makes you the precinct captain for the GOP.

You will then move on to your county party with a vote.

If enough of your tea party activist friends do the same thing, guess what? You run your local party. And if the tea party members from enough other counties have done the same, you will control your state party.

Then guess what? Those committeemen who are supporting the establishment candidates for RNC Chairman can get fired by you.

Friends, in 2010 the tea party movement led outside the GOP. This year the tea party should take over the GOP. It is very easy. All you need to do is pick up the phone, find out where your precinct meeting will be, and show up with your friends. That begins the process of necessary change.

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  • itrytobenice

    get informed right now and call your party delegation to tell them who you support and who you oppose and be prepared to explain why and listen to their reasons for supporting someone else.

    For example, my delegation is right now on Ann Wagner’s side (probably mostly because she’s from MO) but I’m going to be talking to them about their number 2 choice, because there’s a chance that she won’t make it and they will have to go to another candidate.

    Right now is the time to get your licks in. When the balloting begins, it’s too late.

  • http://www.laborunionreport.com LaborUnionReport

    A: The Precinct Committeeman.

  • fpete13527

    The Republican Party leadership, for the most part, is currently demonstrating 100% clue-less-ness and commitment to the old Charlie Crist – type guard core. This core doesn’t want to see things move forward in the direction that the 2010 elections CLEARLY demonstrated!!

    My REC meeting is next Monday and I have already begun calling my friends in the REC, most all who are Tea Party/912, and who are also REC members.

    I’ve also left messages for our two State representatives, John Thrasher (RPOF Chair) and Sharon Day (State Committeewoman). These are the two that get to vote for RNC Chair. I’ll be calling more today.

    I dont know what tune the national committee members are listening to so far, but it is currently in LEFT field…..and that is a VERY BAD SIGN.

    BOTTOM LINE: NO STEELE and NO PRIEBUS!!!!.
    EITHER ANUZIS OR WAGNER…….END OF DISCUSSION!!!

  • http://teapartisan.wordpress.com Socrates

    There are some tea partiers who want to “stay above politics”, which is to say, irrelevant. But others get it, and realize that what happened to our nation was that constitutional conservatives left the political parties to the Marxists and the power hungry.

    We have to be fully involved, on the inside.

    Look, folks: I’m a blogger. A computer nerd. A logic weenie. I’m not a political operative. And yet, I’m also a precinct committeeman.

    If I can do it, anyone can do it.

  • carolina

    I was a precinct captain in my younger years. It is fascinating ‘work’!

  • carolina

    I was a precinct captain in my younger years. It is fascinating ‘work’!

  • earlgrey

    He is publicly committed to Ann Wagner.

    I just called my State GOP and got the guys number right away. I spoke to him directly. I can’t take credit for his stand, but am amazed at how easy it was to reach him.

  • texasgalt

    from a Denton County, Texas precinct delegate. With the nod from you, we can do this.

  • traversecityconservative

    I have nothing against Wagner but I would like to vouch for Saul being the real deal. He sends out weekly emails about Michigan politics and has for a while. I am a precinct delegate who got on his list. I have emailed him back several times when I have been frustrated by the process of Michigan politics and have asked him procedural questions. He knows I am a “tea party” person. He has always answered me back – and usually very promptly. He has also offered encouragement for me not to give up when the going gets tough. Just wanted everyone to know he not only emailed back a lowly precinct delegate, but a tea party one to boot. I strongly endorse him based on my own personal experience with him, his interviews and his platform for the future of the GOP. Please everyone, call your local GOP office and find out how you can have a say – or at least talk to the people who vote for the people who vote for the people…

  • silentcal2012

    Every argument I read in opposition to Priebus focuses on his associations and connections. Few bother to talk about accomplishments. I, for one, marvel at Wisconsin and think it could be the model for the country. This once deeply progressive blue state now leads a conservative van guard with people like Ron Johnson, Paul Ryan, Sean Duffy and Scott Walkert. I prefer to pick my leaders based on results oriented critieria instead of worrying about establishment ties or other such peripheral matter.

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

    (formerly ResistNet.com), has been doing a great job, for well over a year, of pushing the Neighborhood Precinct Committeeman Strategy (for lack of a better term) and encouraging the approximately 80,000 plus members of PAN to become Republican Party precinct committeemen. She has now set up a list of priorities for the PAN members and conservatives in general that is very good.

    Go here for more info: http://www.patriotactionnetwork.com/group/invadethegop

    Thanks again.

    For Liberty,

    ColdWarrior

  • E Pluribus Unum

    There’s your results. And if you REALLY, REALLY want to bring up exactly what Priebus has done in WRP politics, then let’s do it. I know about *those* results, and maybe you do to.

    So, do you want to dance?

  • E Pluribus Unum

    There’s your results. And if you REALLY, REALLY want to bring up exactly what Priebus has done in WRP politics, then let’s do it. I know about *those* results, and maybe you do to.

    So, do you want to dance?

  • E Pluribus Unum

    Excellent, excellent plan to get on board with.

  • E Pluribus Unum

    Excellent, excellent plan to get on board with.

  • AceInTX

    is that true…or am I missing something….Is Saul still in it?

    I’m still hacked Blackwell didn’t get in!

  • E Pluribus Unum

    I can assure you, that is emphatically not true. Not sure what you read that left that impression.

    Anuzis is in it to win, he’s got backing and name recognition, and he is about the furthest thing from an ally of Priebus as it’s possible to be.

  • E Pluribus Unum

    I can assure you, that is emphatically not true. Not sure what you read that left that impression.

    Anuzis is in it to win, he’s got backing and name recognition, and he is about the furthest thing from an ally of Priebus as it’s possible to be.

  • Jonas Parker, PC

    A year ago I was a keyboard warrior, having no impact whatsoever on the fate of the nation. Thanks to the Precinct Project, I am now not only a PC, but was also elected a vice-chairman in my Legislative District.

    We are seeing first hand in the LD all of the entitlement mentality and establishment shennanigans that has prevailed in the Republican party for far too long. For those of you who are not yet PCs, please consider that becoming one is the by far the most effective way to contribute to changing the direction of the country.

    Here is an example of what needs to be cleaned up in our own back yards. Your backyard is likely in need of serious cleanup too.

    http://historyofourfuture.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/all-politics-is-local/

  • Jonas Parker, PC

    A year ago I was a keyboard warrior, having no impact whatsoever on the fate of the nation. Thanks to the Precinct Project, I am now not only a PC, but was also elected a vice-chairman in my Legislative District.

    We are seeing first hand in the LD all of the entitlement mentality and establishment shennanigans that has prevailed in the Republican party for far too long. For those of you who are not yet PCs, please consider that becoming one is the by far the most effective way to contribute to changing the direction of the country.

    Here is an example of what needs to be cleaned up in our own back yards. Your backyard is likely in need of serious cleanup too.

    http://historyofourfuture.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/all-politics-is-local/

  • http://www.800cart.com Ron Robinson

    As Coldwarrior rightly notes, PAN has been giving good support to the precinct effort over the past few months. Judson Philips over at Tea Party Nation (TPN) also published taking over the GOP in his top priorities for 2011, and he has taken action to proves he is serious about it.

    Answering the question of how PROCINCT could serve best during the 2011 off-year, we also made the decision to support and promote precinct activism. and have already helped remove obstacles in some states to getting on your precinct/district and county GOP Central Committees with that all-important vote to govern our party.

    Nationwide, as Erick notes, half or more of these seats are empty.

    Why don’t you fill one – you will have plenty of help.

    And if the election for your area is not until 2012, you can get an alternate or interim appointment to fill that seat if you are determined.

    By 2012, the Tea Parties can own the GOP just as surely as we own the recent victories in the House.

  • audax

    In Michigan many years ago in 1972 when I was 18, I registered as a candidate for precinct delgate and won the election in the March MI primary and went to the Genessee County Convention, then to the District and MI State Convention and had my first taste of Affirmative Action when it was decided by the Romney Republicans I was young enough but too white and a delegate of a different color was sent to Miami.

    In 1976 I was living in the Washtenaw County precinct of the Republican National Committeeman, Peter Fletcher and lost to him by 6 votes as Precinct Delegate. I was doing advance work for the Reagan campaign (in Gerry Fords home State) and we ended up with 35% of the overall primary vote and were allocated 35% of the delegates to the National Convention, which was 29 delegates. Only 19 committed Reagan Delegates won and MI had 10 At-Large positions open for National Delegates committed to Reagan. I still remember the day Ronald Reagan called and asked if I would be one of those 10 delegates (and help on the Wednesday night Reagan floor demonstration at the National Convention, which is another story). The Milikin (RINO) Republicans said they would challenge me as a delegate because I dared to run in a primary against the GOP Committeeman from MI. The MI Reagan Chairman, State Senator Jack Wellborn, placed me as the First Reagan voteing Delegate and himself second, so that they would have to challenge every other Reagan delegate to get to me. They didn’t challenge me and I was proud to cast the first vote from MI for Reagan!

    In ’78 ran as a Tarrant County Texas precinct delegate and won and went to the State Convention.

    In Colorado, I went to the January, 1996 Summit County GOP Convention. The convention voted on delegates from the precincts and I became a delegate because we had too many delegate slots and not enough delegates. Went to the District and State Convention (held on the same weekend) as an Alternate and not enough delegates showed up at State so got to vote as a delegate at the Convention,

    I went to every County GOP monthly meeting for almost 5 years while living in Summit County, CO. Went to 2 more State Conventions as a Delegate. There were about 3 or 4 committed Conservatives on the County executive Committee. The rest were pretty RINO but we were able to make a difference in County Candidate selection, rules and other Party Business.

    Woody Allen said 90% of life is just ‘Showing Up”. Well folks, 90% of political life is just showing up as a voting delegate at your monthly County GOP meeting. Take your like minded Conservative-noun friends and family and vote for each other for Executive Committee, Rules Committe and if the Executive Committee in your County doesn’t have the responsibility for Candidate Selection, get on that one too. Vote for each other to go to the District, State and National Conventions. You CAN make a difference. especially if your the National Committeeman and can vote for who runs the Party!

  • audax
  • http://pocketchangeproductions.net/ anotherindyfilmguy

    Rinse and repeat the cycle from 2010 for 2012. Get rid of the RINO elements one election at a time. Shift the R’s back to being R’s and punish the Dem-lites with turning them out.

  • AceInTX

    I didn’t stop to read it though because I didn’t have time….It was likely a tease to get the story read…one of those things that turns out to be nothing like the impression when the story is read….I thought it was off because it didn’t jive with what I thought I knew about Saul…this confirms it…and I’m glad to hear its not true

  • http://www.800cart.com Ron Robinson

    As Coldwarrior rightly notes, PAN has been giving good support to the precinct effort over the past few months. Judson Philips over at Tea Party Nation (TPN) also published taking over the GOP in his top priorities for 2011, and he has taken action to proves he is serious about it.

    Answering the question of how PROCINCT could serve best during the 2011 off-year, we also made the decision to support and promote precinct activism. and have already helped remove obstacles in some states to getting on your precinct/district and county GOP Central Committees with that all-important vote to govern our party.

    Nationwide, as Erick notes, half or more of these seats are empty.

    If you don’t fill one, you have no basis for complaint. .

    And if the election for your area is not until 2012, you can get an alternate or interim appointment to fill that seat if you are determined.

    By 2012, the Tea Parties can own the GOP just as surely as we own the recent victories in the House.

  • JadedByPolitics

    It was always going to be a takeover of the Republican Party it was NEVER going to be a third party…..lets git r done :)

  • romeg

    But inasmuch as I’ve written in various places that if the party leadership can’t come to terms with the new reality then they can and should be replaced. They serve at OUR pleasure for their designated terms. If they wish to extend those terms then they must adapt to their new much more conservative and somewhat libertarian environment.

    When my staunch Republican friends complained that we didn’t need a “Third Party” I patiently explained that The Tea Party wasn’t a political party in the traditional sense. Rather it is a movement to restore The Party to its Constitution oriented roots. It wasn’t until the outcomes of the November elections seemed fairly certain that they finally came around but now they, too, are totally on board. There are still a few stragglers but with loving patience, they too will be able to see why this change is not only inevitable but absolutely essential to our survival as a party and, ultimately, as a nation.

    Out with the Old and In with the New.

  • eburke

    Folks…if you haven’t done this yet because you think it’s difficult…or it takes a lot of time…or you have to give a quart of blood and your first-born…you couldn’t be more wrong.

    Erick is dead on. I became the MN equivalent of a PC just by showing up for the ’08 caucus. They needed 8 slots and there were….only 7 people in attendance. Even *I* managed to win election under those conditions.

    Went to the county caucus, tossed my name in the hat to be a delegate to the state and congressional district nominating conventions, got elected (by the whopping 16 delegates that were there) and the next thing you know, I’m being courted by every single GOP candidate for statewide elected office in the state as well as those running for our congressional seat.

    I’ve had more influence on the political process in the last 2 years than I had in the previous 30 years of calling/writing my CongressCritter, writing letters to the editor, and donating money. I’ve already had *two* 2012 congressional wannabe’s in my CD since the election to see if I would meet with them in anticipation of my supporting them in the ’12 caucuses.

    Out of pocket cost for all this influence? Nada.

    Time spent? 2 Saturdays. Out of 52 in a year.

    Best investment of time I’ve ever spent in my life.

    Just do it!

  • http://freedom-light.org solvoreor

    Good idea. And until you presented it, I didn’t realize that the process was quite so direct. Or potentially easy.

    Is there room on the hot topics bar for COUP? it seems like Red State would be a good place to make our plans, report our success, get calendars out etc.

    Or do you recommend a different site?

    As for the RNC not being effected by the Tea Party, NO ONE expected the Tea Party to be so successful. NO ONE will make that mistake next time.
    We will get better candidates.
    We will get even more money.
    They question is, will the RNC remain relevant at all if they don’t adapt to the new political paradigm.

  • nativeconservative

    I am more of a keyboard warrior and am really going to be out of my comfort zone here. But I’ve read coldwarrior1978 and watched the video. We don’t have a Precinct Committeeman here so I’ll take a shot. But I’ve got to be back by noon so my head can explode with Erick’s big announcement.

  • melatr7

    I’m registered as independent.

    Does my Tea Party have to send a registered Republican?

    North Carolina, if it matters.

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

    here’s a link to the NC Republican Party web site with county info. Find you county and then get in touch with your county chairman and find out where your local committee meets. Not a Republican “club,” but the “voting committee” that actually elects the local Party leaders. (Some state “old guard” Republicans try to steer new people into the “clubs” so that they will not be in a position to become an actual threat to the entrenched leadership.)

    http://www.ncgop.org/site/c.osLZIdMSJvH/b.5771143/k.9D22/My_Local_GOP.htm

    Each state has unique rules. In most states you have to be a registered Republican to become a voting member of the Party; that is, a precinct committeeman. But not all. I don’t know the specifics for NC — YOU will have to read the bylaws.

    Once you’ve learned how it works in NC, then just do it. And take every conservative you know along with you. Then, please, let me know how it went and, if possible, write up a short “how to become a precinct committeeman in North Carolina” guide and post it on the net. Please send me the link so I can link to it.

    Here’s some practical advice from another site that you may want to read and think about before you proceed:

    http://www.runforyourprecinct.com/

    Looking forward to hearing back from you. Email me at coldwarrior1978 at gmail dot com if you have any more questions.

    Thank you.

    For Liberty,

    ColdWarrior

  • southcoast

    The November election was just the beginning. We have to look forward to 2012 and let these people know we are looking at them NOW in the context of the next election. We know these people are certainly cognizant of their next election.

  • melatr7

    for your response, the information, suggestions for going forward and the interest you have shown.

    I WILL track this down and get back to you.

  • joefromsidney

    I spent over 10 years on my County’s Republican Central Committee, including 2 terms as Party Chairman. It was well worth the effort. I helped get some good candidates elected. Granted, I was suckered by some candidates who sounded good but betrayed us when they got in office, but they were in a minority.

    I encourage every conservative to either become a Precinct Committeeman, or get to know your PC and make sure he/she knows your views. Don’t just sit back and bellyache.

    Even if you’re not on the Central Committee, you can still participate by distributing campaign literature, putting out yard signs, putting a bumper sticker on your car, and writing letters to the editor in favor of your preferred candidates.

    Sometimes a candidate will want to “walk your precinct.” Usually he/she will be accompanied by the PC. However, there’s nothing stopping you from accompanying your preferred candidate around the precinct. Your neighbors know you; your recommendation will carry some weight.

    Get out there and DO IT!

  • yea37ey

    Eric’s declaration of the Tea Party taking over the RNC was well written and interesting.But I do have a few questions.If you are so passionate and commited to replace the current leadership,why didn’t YOU throw your hat into the ring Eric?In fact ,I have never understood why the most articulate,vocal and passionate members of the conservative movement like Eric,Sean,Rush,Ann or even the libertarian Glen have not and probably will not run for any office inside the RNC or run for public office?You guys barrage us almost daily on how the RNC and many elected Republicans have betrayed the conservative cause,yet you stand on the side lines just complaining about The Elitits,the RINOS,The Establishment Republicans.If you feel so strongly about taking over the GOP,show some courage,take a risk and run for somethig.Or perhaps you are more comfortable trying to be the powers behind the curtan.Think long and hard about this guys.Run and don’t try to be the collective George Soros’s of the right.

  • yea37ey

    Eric’s declaration of the Tea Party taking over the RNC was well written and interesting.But I do have a few questions.If you are so passionate and commited to replace the current leadership,why didn’t YOU throw your hat into the ring Eric?In fact ,I have never understood why the most articulate,vocal and passionate members of the conservative movement like Eric,Sean,Rush,Ann or even the libertarian Glen have not and probably will not run for any office inside the RNC or run for public office?You guys barrage us almost daily on how the RNC and many elected Republicans have betrayed the conservative cause,yet you stand on the side lines just complaining about The Elitits,the RINOS,The Establishment Republicans.If you feel so strongly about taking over the GOP,show some courage,take a risk and run for somethig.Or perhaps you are more comfortable trying to be the powers behind the curtan.Think long and hard about this guys.Run and don’t try to be the collective George Soros’s of the right.

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

    You may not be aware, but Erick Erickson has been an elected city councilman in Macon, Georgia. So he does “walk the walk” as well as “talk the talk.”

    Go here to learn more: http://www.cityofmacon.net/citycouncil-ward5post3

    As for me, I have been fortunate to become an elected precinct committeeman (in Arizona, there’s one Republican PC slot for every 125 registered Republicans in a precinct) and also an elected “At Large” member of my county’s Republican Party committee. So, in addition to attending tea party or other grass roots conservative organization meetings as an invited speaker, trying to explain The Neighborhood Precinct Committeeman Strategy so as to recruit those conservatives to become Republican precinct committeemen, I’ve got two Republican Party committee meetings to attend, my legislative district committee meeting (which I attended last night and “stood in” for a candidate for county chairman, who couldn’t make it, on a candidate educational panel), and my county committee meeting.

    I tell my four young children that I’d rather spend the time with them, but that I want to make sure they live in the kind of country, with the kind of government, that I grew up in. They’re not even teenagers yet and they know the difference between socialism and a constitutional republic. Having them accompanying me on precinct walks and to Republican Party events, occasionally, serves as great instruction in basic American civics.

    There are many others here at Redstate who have also taken the plunge into party politics, and I hope you have, too.

    It would be helpful if you could outline your experiences, too — others might be inspired to follow your lead.

    Thank you.

    ColdWarrior

  • sapwolf

    Mr. Redstate guy, we Tea Partiers have been taking over Precinct Executive spots and infiltrating the GOP for quite awhile now.

    Where have you been hiding this past year and a half?

    Of course we will continue to put in Tea Partiers in the open PE slots and continue to challenge incumbents with Tea Partiers.

    Pay attention to the grassroots Erik. A TON has happened and you have not even noticed.

  • Caleb Howe

    With a C. You may not have even noticed.

  • yea37ey

    Thanks for your constructive comments on my post.Some of those who have responded to my past post have been quite hostile.Let me start off by saying I happen to like Eric and those I mentioned in my post.And it is a good thing that fellow conservatives like yourself have entered the fray.My beef is with those who sit in front of a computer sreen, a radio mike or a television camera who make a lot of noise about what the conservatives should be doing and who in the Republican Party we should be trying to get rid of.These individuals feel it is their right to tell the rest of us what is and what is not conservative and who is the right kind of conservative and who isn’t.Yes people like McCain,Collins and Brown may not always vote the way we want them to but is trying to “clense” them from the Party the answer?Do we follow Rush Limbaugh’s advice and abandon the Northeast,Great Lake States and the West Coast?Many in the conservative movement have called for a revolution in the GOP to drive out all the elements deemed unpure.Just be careful that if the movement chooses this path that the revolution does not turn on itself as most do.

  • yea37ey

    Thanks for your constructive comments on my post.Some of those who have responded to my past post have been quite hostile.Let me start off by saying I happen to like Eric and those I mentioned in my post.And it is a good thing that fellow conservatives like yourself have entered the fray.My beef is with those who sit in front of a computer sreen, a radio mike or a television camera who make a lot of noise about what the conservatives should be doing and who in the Republican Party we should be trying to get rid of.These individuals feel it is their right to tell the rest of us what is and what is not conservative and who is the right kind of conservative and who isn’t.Yes people like McCain,Collins and Brown may not always vote the way we want them to but is trying to “clense” them from the Party the answer?Do we follow Rush Limbaugh’s advice and abandon the Northeast,Great Lake States and the West Coast?Many in the conservative movement have called for a revolution in the GOP to drive out all the elements deemed unpure.Just be careful that if the movement chooses this path that the revolution does not turn on itself as most do.