The Republican Party of Texas (RPT) has long had its fights at the state convention about who will lead the Party going forward. In the past, all types of conservatives have been welcome to join in the fight to beat the Democrats and keep Texas Red. In keeping with that approach, when the Libertarians came into the Party through Ron Paul’s Presidential Campaign, they were welcomed to join the effort to fight Democrats. Only with this group, something was different. Their interest wasn’t in fighting the Democrats, but rather was vested in the opportunistic use of the Republican Party.
The warning should have been clear when they accidentally included the 2014 State Convention Platform Chair in an email chain, which included “since the Libertarian Party is a lost cause, we should join the Republican Party and take it over.” That way they could use its resources and ballot box name acceptance to elect Libertarian candidates running as Republicans. And so, the battle began as they implemented the tactics of Saul Alinsky outlined in his book “Rules for Radicals.” Tactics which include: 1) If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counter side, 2) Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it, and 3) Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. And they have followed his beliefs that “the end justifies almost any means” and “truth … is relative and changing.” Unfortunately, many good conservative candidates on the receiving end of these relentless attacks can attest to the brutality of their use. And honesty in the minds of the Libertarian activists? What does honesty have to do with anything when the goal is to win? In keeping with Alinsky’s tactics, if something negative can’t be found, make something up!
The most recent statewide director of Ron Paul’s campaign ran and was elected to the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) along with several other Libertarians. They proceeded to get themselves and their followers placed on the 2016 State Convention Rules Committee. They knew that the Rules Committee’s report is almost never changed on the floor of the state convention. And so, the most dramatic change was made to Rule 44, which was modified to allow the RPT to attack any elected official in the primary that was censored by majority vote of the state convention or 2/3 vote of the SREC. The Democrats have to be dancing in the streets over how the Libertarians have done something they could never accomplish- tear the mighty Republican Party to pieces.
Also, at the 2016 Convention, they were able to get their followers elected to the SREC by which they proceeded to elect Libertarian backer James Dickey, State Chair when the former chair resigned for personal reasons. Dickey won by one vote by misleading the SREC at the previous night’s candidate forum (James Dickey Dismissal of Republican Party of Texas Officers ).
The pattern of the Libertarians in Texas has been to take over successful, conservative organizations and use them to attack Republicans. The mode of operation has always been the same: recruit candidates regardless of qualifications, who will do what they tell them, then viciously attack the incumbent Republican using whatever means necessary, lying about the opponent as required. This article is pretty accurate in its description of the Libertarians’ efforts in Texas: Beilue: Empower Texans – It’s like a season of ‘House of Cards’. Hopefully, the 2018 Convention delegates will put a stop to the destruction of the RPT before it’s too late.
The personal views of Janet Jackson are from her Party experience, having served on the SREC from 2010 – 2016 and as President of the Texas Republican County Chairmen’s Associations for 2016 – 2018 and are not on behalf of any organization mentioned herein.
Desperate, and good to know that the Asche/Mechler camp are more interested in shrinking the party than actually winning elections. Changing out the word Libertarian for Establishment would make this more accurate: “And honesty in the minds of the Establishment activists? What does honesty have to do with anything when the goal is to win? In keeping with Alinsky’s tactics, if something negative can’t be found, make something up!”
This is ridiculous. Looking forward to a James Dickey win.
Please do not capitalize “libertarian” when used to describe people who are not acknowledged members of the Libertarian Party of Texas. Libertarianism is a philosophy and anyone may claim to adhere to it (whether or not they really do). When capitalized, at other than the beginning of sentence, “Libertarian” should only be used in reference to members of the state or national Libertarian Party.
When reading this article, it was hard to remember that Janet was speaking against Dickey and for the Mechler-backed Asche campaign. While Dickey’s camp has remained respectable and refused to sling mud, Asche’s campaign fails on several points: 1) no qualifications or history of party involvement or support; 2) false narrative on what a poor job Dickey has down; 3) personal attacks against Dickey supporters across social media questioning not only their dedication to the party and Texas, but their mental stability and moral standards.
Yes, it is truly hoped that convention delegates will do the right thing for the future of the party next week, which is keep James Dickey as chairman. The entire crux of this battle is an establishment that sees it’s power slipping away, and by hook or by crook will fight to regain the control they had. While everyone rallied behind Trump’s “drain the swamp” rhetoric, there seems to be a stipulation that it not extend to their swamp.
These people are delusional and see a conspiracy out of nothing. Its comical. Who will be the boogie man at this Convention?
They have managed to categorize lots of grassroots as “Not Republican enough for them”.
Way to lose votes with all the Young Republicans, Young conservatives, all Tea Parties around the state, and anyone that thinks less government is better than the “Establishmentarians”. Bottom line is the Establishmentarians are mad because they aren’t in controls any longer.
The hate-mongering and deception by the opponents of James Dickey has truly reached disgusting levels. It is being pushed by two groups, those that support the Texas Solution (aka “open borders”, usually led by Norm Adams) and those who are angry at the Bexar County Rule 44 Censure of Speaker Straus (Jackson, Dashielle, Mechler, Asche, etc.) Asche, who has rarely ever been involved in the Party until running for chair, announced within hours of the SREC Rule 44 censure vote and is on record as being opposed to it.
Her supporters are now doing the very things they accuse Chair Dickey of doing–kicking people out of the party, which he has NOT done. Rather, he has energized MULTIPLE parts of our already diverse party–the grassroots have never been as energized or enthusiastic as they are now. As an example, grassroots have submitted nearly 4000 planks for our wonderful platform–the grassroots nature of which and its robust character are the envy of the nation. Additionally, a whopping 32 (and counting) SREC members–a MAJORITY–WHO HAVE SERVED UNDER James’ leadership for the past 12 months, have FORMALLY ENDORSED him. The SREC is notorious for NOT endorsing, similar to many elected officials.
Chairman Dickey has been doing an exemplary job and his haters have now become delusional if not worse. Hate does that. Our Delegates and Alternates are sick of negative campaign attacks, especially personal ones.
PLEASE DON’T DRINK THIS POISON nor believe this political mud-slinging campaign! It has stooped to new lows. This effort by Janet and a few others is politics at its very worse.
Respectfully,
Mark Ramsey
SREC SD7 2012-present
Chair of 2018 State Temporary Platform and Resolutions Committee.
being a Republican voter since the 1980’s here is what I have seen under Dickey’s leadership that I haven’t before. Accountability, actually holding elected representatives to our principles, yes REPUBLICAN principles, an embrace of the grassroots instead of a half hearted nod that we actually exist and they have to talk to us once in awhile, more transparency with more resources available online to those that want to use them. As a result I am increasing my contributions to the Texas GOP. If the Mechler/Asche RINOs wing take back over and go back to the lip service and party over principle days I believe a lot of that will change not just with me but for a lot of grassroots people I know. Not to mention the younger people the party wants to bring in. I am proudly supporting Dickey as a Republican voter and conservative grassroots person.
As a formerly active Libertarian who has never gotten involved in the Republican Party despite my father’s leanings, I just wonder how today’s Republican leaders can sleep at night knowing that the party has been hijacked to serve the Russian interests. Hating on Russians was a popular Republican past-time when I was a youngster and I never would have guessed that it could come to this.
^^^Funniest stupidity of the year
This piece is dripping with desperation. I challenge Ms. Jackson to produce the email she mentioned. I’m a relative newcomer to Republican Party operations although I’ve been a Republican voter all my adult life. Mr. Dickey’s administration is the type I’ve always dreamed of: where the delegates control the direction of the Party rather than a handful of elites. In this primary election, we saw record turnout for a mid-term election and a record number of Republican candidates on the ballot. The very planning of this convention demonstrates the transparency Republicans say they want. The materials encourage and train every delegate, regardless of faction, how to advance their priorities and get their representatives elected. My favorite thing about Dickey’s administration has been what was done during the special session last Summer. He had just been elected, but he and his staff mapped the Governor’s items on the call to the platform and created and trained a STAT team of activists to advance these priorities in the session. These activists testified before committees and “walked the halls” to get these call items/planks passed into law. Of the ten that mapped to the platform, five of them were made law. It is my sincere hope that the convention delegates take all the information into consideration before making their choice for leadership.
State Chairs Tom Mechler and Steve Munisteri also activated and trained activists who testified, talked with multiple State Senators and State Represenatives, “walked the halls” and passed portions of the SREC-adopted Legislative Priorities, several times more than half of the proposals. James Dickey was following the template.
I can’t be the only Ronald Reagan loving former Republican to have renounced the party based on empty promises and a series of failures, from “no new taxes, New World Order Bush Sr, to compassionate conservative, war hawk and national debt busting Bush, Jr.
Having said that, something wonderful has and is happening now. The Republican Party underwent a successful hostile takeover, not by libertarians directly, but by Trump. Trump did exactly what the Texas Pubs accuse the Libertarians of doing……and guess what? It’s working. Things the Republicans have given lip service to for decades they actually want? Trump is doing it.
This generally 3rd party voter has been wooed back to the Republican fold, as long as the candidates fully and genuinely embrace Trump’s policies.
It’s amazing what happens when we finally elect a non politician that doesn’t NEED to be bought off, that can’t be controlled with the usual carrot and stick blackmail of the deep state.
So, message to the Texas Republican Party: want to win? Support the president!
Amen… I was ridiculed by most republicans in my county for not supporting Ted Cruz.
“Libertarians”? Is that really the correct word for those of us who demand that the GOP keep true to its promise of limited government and personal freedom?
Seems to me that Ms. Jackson’s whole article is a description of the way the Asche campaign is being run.
What presidential campaign did Steve Munisteri go work for again?
I am amazed how Janet Jackson is getting bashed for telling it like it is. Perhaps some of the naysayers (that I recognize as those who are stirring the pot) should get out of their own counties and see what is happening in other Texas counties. CECs are out of control. And why is that? Because Libertarians, who can’t win on the Libertarian ticket, are running as Republicans for seats from your local school board to your County Executive Committee. Two members of my CEC said, unequivocally, that they are Libertarians. When asked if they had ever read the Libertarian Party’s platform, they said “No, don’t need to.”
If you don’t want the system of a Chair led CEC, abolish the position and just let the CECs fight it out among themselves. And while you’re at it, let’s just get rid of the Office of President and let Congress fight it out and then let us know what THEY are going to do.
The YRs are hooking left; the SREC is hooking left and those who subscribe to core conservative values better wake up and take notice.
I wouldn’t call someone who hasn’t read the Libertarian platform a Libertarian. Maybe liberty-minded, and maybe someone who is disgusted with the do-nothing Republican Congress. That’s hardly a basis to paint someone as hooking left. As far as I can tell, our SREC is actually hooking right, under the conservative leadership of James Dickey. People don’t want to go back to business as usual where the special interests rule the party. James Dickey is actually holding our legislators accountable to our conservative party platform, voted on by our delegates. That’s the way it should be. Sounds like a very small party indeed if the Asche camp is also advocating against YR.
It doesn’t matter what I call someone, but if they call themselves a Libertarian, don’t you take them at their word? There are thousands of people who call themselves Republicans and have NEVER read the Republican platform. And no, the SREC is not hooking right. All the SREC seems to be doing lately is making rules for others to have to live by while they don’t, i.e. Congress being exempt from Obamacare.
Late to the discussion but from my view back here in the cheap seats…what the heck is the soul of the republican party? Open borders and uncontrolled debt are fine with the leadership which means its fine with a majority of the delegation.
Accept the GOP is dead already. It needs to be brought back to life. Don’t know much about libertarians but Ron Paul was whack as a representative from what I remember. Wasn’t he famous for sponsoring bills he voted against?
Ron Paul was right about most of his platform. Unfortunately for him, and for America, Ron Paul thought that being right was enough. It’s not. It takes a junk yard dog with good ideas to win these days, and Trump is our fighter. Counte rpunch. Hit harder. Go for the jugular. This is a skill set Ron Paul did not have, sadly.
Smaller government, lower taxes, fewer laws and rules….who can argue with that? Apparently a whole lot of people. Don’t want government in the bedroom? Don’t want government telling us what to eat? Don’t want government taking our arms? Don’t want government taking an ever increasing amount of our money? What is wrong with Libertarians? They want less government? That is not left. Left is more government workers, more tax dollars taken, more control, more rules. I fully support Chairman Dickey, and will do so at the State Convention.
@Tore:
Exactly. There’s lots of overlap between libertarians and conservatives. Less overlap between the open borders, new world order, Chamber of Commerce Republicans and libertarians. Thankfully, conservatives and pragmatists seem to be taking over the Republican Party, and that’s how Trump got elected. Maybe it’s time the open borders crowd takes a back seat on this ride and leave the driving to Trump. Hell, it’s almost Midnight, and I’m watching our President STILL working for us live on the TV.
There is quite a bit of discussion over party. In fact it seems to be party over principle. The true discussion is supposed to be the liberties and freedoms of the People. Libertarians as a party have a lot to do to calm itself down however, republicans are not too far off from the spectacle as long as they denounce personal liberty through thought, word and deed. The attempt to “purge” the “scourge” is in fact unchristian and akin to liberal methods. It is a blessing that she lost because of that.
“It is a strange desire, to seek power, and to lose liberty; or to seek power over others, and to lose power over a man’s self.” – Francis Bacon
Well at least this election got people to show their colors, Do you think that Duke, Big Jolly, and Janet Jackson, will have the same influence after the hatred they showed? Dickey will be open, and I will be donating again to RPT. Most elected officials regularly go against the will of the people that is why since 2010 the delegates have demanded Rule 44, they lied about it, till we got it. Now the fight against it has failed, accountability is the name of the game in Texas, and we the people will likely be trashed by the people who lost like hillary supporters who lost, but at least we know where they stand
I became active in the GOP as a supporter of Ron Paul, but I have NEVER been a Libertarian. Although some of the ideas espoused by them such as small government and individual liberties appeal to me, I’ve never been a member of any party but the Republican Party. Because I supported Ron, people like Janet were mean to me and other Ron Paul supporters and tried to silence us or run us off. In my own county, they even recruited someone to run against me for my precinct chair who didn’t even want the position and who never even attended a CEC meeting after unseating me. Ron Paul is retired from politics and isn’t even an issue any more, but some people just can’t resist the temptation to beat a dead horse. Janet represents everything bad and negative that has existed in the party since I’ve been a member. She did not return to the convention floor after Cyndi’s debacle and unless she can repent of her duplicity and divisiveness, I sincerely hope she NEVER returns to active participation much less any semblance of leadership in the Republican party. Leaders lead. They don’t sabotage. Janet if you’re reading this, you’ve burned many bridges beyond recognition. You’ve been reprimanded for this type of behavior before. (Remember 2012) If you want to maintain any kind of credibility, then it is incumbent upon YOU to rebuild those bridges. Learn to play nice or stay out of the sandbox.
Yours truly,
A “500lb Gorilla” who isn’t going ANYWHERE.