GOP vs. grassroots: Where to go from here? | Eastern North Carolina Now

   Publisher's note: Brant Clifton examines Republican top down politics, and makes a wise analogy in his "bare knuckles" Conservative online publication known as The Daily Haymaker.

    I was listening to Rush discuss the flap over the rules changes at the GOP national convention. He made an excellent point: The establishment HAD everything going smooth. ALL factions of the party were united behind the idea of putting their differences aside and voting to replace Barry Obama with Mitt Romney. Then, they pull this Richard Daleyesque, hard-nosed machine tactic - and it had the effect of tossing a hand grenade into a crowd of people.

    It didn't HAVE to be done. But THEY did it. Rush said he felt like it was motivated by the establishment's desire to have the media stop saying mean things about the party. (*Those Ron Paul people, those tea party people - they are the ones who always stir the media up.*)

    Rush said there are two kinds of people in the party: one group views politics as a business, where you accumulate power and make money for yourself and your friends; and another group which puts saving the country first and foremost. He pointed out that the first group HAS the influence in the GOP. The second group needs to increase their influence within the party apparatus - if there is any hope for the GOP driving real conservative, free-market, limited-government reforms.

    We rewarded the establishment in 2010 by giving them a majority in the US House, and by closing the gap in the Senate. In 2012, they are paying us back by stomping all over us.

    We all saw the video of Robin Hayes's antics in Tampa. Convention organizers quite pettily refused to allow Ron Paul to speak, and refused to announce -- from the podium -- his vote totals during the roll call of states. What happened to all of this talk of unity and bringing everyone together?

    Where do we go from here? I've got some ideas:

    1) Keep your eyes on the prize: Sending Barry and Michelle packing. I've heard from plenty of people - in the wake of the convention flap - who say they are going to punish the establishment by voting for Gary Johnson or someone other than Romney. Be realistic - on November 6, only one of two candidates will be elected president of the United States: Barry Obama or Mitt Romney.

    Voting for someone other than Mitt Romney GUARANTEES four more years of Barry Obama. I don't believe our country can survive that.

    Remember ObamaCare? The only thing things that will allow for a repeal are: (1) a GOP majority in the US House, (2) 51 GOP votes in the US Senate, and a president who WILL NOT veto the repeal legislation. Of the two most likely choices for president, Romney is the only one who will not veto ObamaCare's repeal.

    2) Go on a bottom-up offensive against the party apparatus: It's easy to sit on the outside and throw rocks and complain. That rarely changes anything. The same establishment crowd will be calling the shots within the GOP. We'll keep getting the same vanilla empty suit candidates who take no firm positions on anything. Tea Party, Ron Paul, and other grassroots folks need to organize at the local levels. Go to your precinct meetings and get your people elected. At the county level, get your team elected to go to the state convention.

    At the state convention, vote to end the political careers of every single one of those people currently on the NCGOP payroll. Pressure any GOP legislative candidates you have influence with to vote for brand new party leadership within the North Carolina General Assembly. (Goodbye Skip, Thom, and Phil.)

    Don't give ONE MORE cent to a party organization. Donate your time AND money directly to grassroots-friendly candidates.

    3) Find common ground with other grassroots groups: There are SOME differences between Tea Partiers and Ron Paul followers. But there is a lot in common. When it comes to the economy - the MOST important issue out there right now - we agree on quite a bit. We also have a common enemy - the ruling class establishment. The factions need to get together behind candidates who share our common beliefs and can implement change within the party - and in the state and country -- once elected.