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CharlieCross

I thought this was a good report, and touches on a few key points on which I'll provide a few brief thoughts.

With respect to the McCain campaign being out-maneuvered by Paul supporters, does it really matter? McCain will be the nominee whether the traditional republicans somehow outfox Senator Beers and elect Ron Paul supporters to the national convention or not. Honestly, you don't matter.

On the issue of a New York City political machine running things, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Ms. Edinger's comment. I am in NYC, and just this Monday Vice President Cheney was in town for a few fundraisers (one with Energy investors that i didn't attend) and a quick rally-the-troops speech to the Manhattan Institute I believe. It's not that Senator Beers or any of the party leaders are somehow deviously connected to us in New York, it is that they feel part of something, something that has power, and this makes them feel like they're in the right.

Unfortunately, I hate to say it, Ron Paul's supporters, who are republicans, are really the true republicans here. At the same time, I don't blame the Nevada Republican Party leadership for not realizing these people are actually the traditionals, as for the past 40-50 years the Republican Party has quietly had their base platform completely distorted. As a party member, I know that not following the line here in New York quickly leads to "social banishment", if you will, with the party big-whigs. These Nevada party leaders enjoy their quick lines of communication to party leadership on the east coast, and they're not going to give up that sense of acceptance and power to re-examine what they believe to be the traditional republican party values. They're just human like us, afterall. Taking a few phone-calls from some nobodies in Nevada, giving them a rallying message and telling them we're with them, is a small price to pay to keep the State Republican Party in line with our new idealogy.

I applaud you Ron Paul Republicans. I wish I could join you, but doing so would quickly eliminate all my political connections. You are fighting much more than the "establishment", you are fighting an idealogical battle that has tainted the party's message. Every step along the way you will meet more and more resistance.

Good luck,
Charlie