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March 10, 2008 08:11 PM UTC

El Paso County Assembly

  • 30 Comments
  • by: Haners

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

I hope this isn’t beating a dead horse here, I know that a lot of people have posted about the assembly already.  I just want to add my two cents-what I thought about it before I read the newspapers.  Also, I want to do this in the same format as the Washington Post does things: by outlining some winner and some losers from the day.

First off, I was surprised on how smoothly the day went.  As some may recall, I expressed concern and predicted that the assembly would get behind schedule because the party was going to make people re-register before they voted in a race.  

The party dodged that bullet though.  It was relatively on schedule, but I never had to re-register for anything.  I’m not sure what that means (did they abandon their rules, etc), but it went well.

As everyone knows, Mark Waller beat Doug Bruce.  Even though I don’t live in HD15 I watch the proceedings.  Waller gave a good speech, and Bruce embarassed himself when he cracked a joke, no one laughed, so he thought his microphone wasn’t working and started his speech over and repeated his joke again.  Someone close to him yelled “[your joke] wasn’t funny the first time!”

Rayburn and Lamborn were there-Rayburn smartly set up a tent in the parking lot that was impossible to miss.  Props to him for thinking outside of the box.  Lamborn did give a good speech and then he kind of disappeared.  Because of that, this isn’t a good comparison statement, but Crank had a crowd of people around him the whole time he was there after he spoke, so that was good for him.

Alright, here’s my “winners” and “losers”.  Agree?  Disagree?  Have at it!

Winners:

The Caucus Process:  Like it or hate it, the Phil Long Expo center was filled with people who were the product of the caucus process-and with a lot of new faces.  The caucus process has certainly been strengthened, and a new generation has the opportunity to be involved and shake things up.

Mark Waller:  Generally unknown and with little preparation time, Mark Waller went to the assembly the under-dog.  He walked away as the front-runner.  Good responses to Bruce’s attacks made him equal to Doug Bruce, and Waller’s first in recent memory assembly win against an incumbent has put Waller on the map.

Phil Long Expo Center:  Putting a slew of really nice cars along the side wall in the center not only was cheap advertising for them as it gave bored assembly attendies a nice distraction.  Have you ever listened to assembly proceedings from the back seat of an Audi convertible?  Neither had I…until yesterday!

Incumbents:  Well, except of course, for Doug Bruce.  But aside from that, incumbents up and down the line won their nominations so easily that many were wondering what the point of an assembly was.  Good news for the party running against a strong headwind this year.

El Paso County Republican Party:  Barely.  I barely put them in this column.  The sound system sucked, the meeting in the middle was too long, Lamborn and Rayburn supporters will be upset because they think the county leadership is unabashedly pro-Crank, and candidates didn’t like paying for tables and signs.  But new faces and a near flawless assembly performance has left most of the complaints in the fringes.  The nay sayers failed to have an event to gain any traction with, so that tips the scales in the county party leaderships’ favor.

Losers:

Doug Bruce:  Say what you want, Mr. Bruce-but you lost the assembly by a large margin.  The momentum is now against Doug Bruce, which leaves him with two choices.  The first is to be quiet and hope people forget about everything.  The second is to go even more negative and risk looking more and more desperate and nasty.  Neither is a choice that an incumbent should have to make.

Expo centers in general:  The sound system in an expo center isn’t designed for quality, as anyone more than three rows away from the podium will tell you.  Everyone else was frustrated.  Phil Long did well for the day, but the next assembly needs to be held some place designed to communicate to three thousand people.  World Arena in 2010, anyone?

The Gazette:  While their front page article was good, their reporting was seriously lacking.  There were so many things they could have covered and they didn’t.  Add to that misspelling candidate’s names and incorrectly listing Shelia Hicks as an incumbent, and anyone attending should be disappointed in the Gazette.

John McCain:  The biggest applause I heard all day was when Wayne Williams (speaking for John McCain) mentioned that he was a county co-chair for Mitt Romney.  That says a lot about the problems John McCain is having with the run-of-the-mill Republican base.

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30 thoughts on “El Paso County Assembly”

  2. Doug gave one of his better speeches, and was well received.  

    Although his supporters urged the campaign to challenge the new rules banning candidates who have not pledged to give up their lawful right to petition onto the ballot from having a booth or campaign signs, Lamborn refused.

    Doug Lamborn said party unity and helping Bob Schaffer get elected to the Senate was more important than spreading divisiveness and complaining about an insiders advantage given to his opponent.

    He said (privately to supporters) most people know, and in the long run it will turn out to not be the advantage to CRANK his supporters had hoped. They have shown their true stripes, and it was noticed.

    I agree, it was the wise way to handle the slight.  

    Jeff Crank also gave a good speech and was well received. The person sitting next to me called him “slick”, but honestly in this case I didn’t think so. I think Crank made the best case he could have made against an incumbent that keeps his promises and votes like his constituents would.

    Crank did a good job for himself today, better than his supporters did by their back room maneuvering.

    Noticeable absent was General Bentley Rayburn.  He is a Republican, and he is running, I would have liked to have heard all 3 side by side.  But he was prevented from speaking to the Republicans assembled as well as prevented from having a booth or sign, cause he didn’t sign the pledge. Its a mistake.

    County Republican Parties are supposed to help Republicans be elected to office, not prevent the voters from learning about those not in the favor of the party insiders.

    Let the people decide.  Don’t they trust us to make the right choice?

    (Reposted from weekend thread)

    PS: This is the second diary to address this same subject.  Also see:  http://coloradopols.com/showDi…

    1. I hope I didn’t undercut you my friend.

      Rayburn was there.  I doubt no one could miss his tent at the top of the hill there and I saw him walking around.

      1. I walked the floor several times, and never saw anything from Bentley other than a few with Bent T-Shirts. I think the assembly would have benefited from a 3 speaking. I believe all 3 earned the right to have a booth, and to freely distribute their literature to the assembled Republicans.  That was my point.

        PS: I skipped my nap on Saturday, so no snooze here.

        Noticeable absent was General Bentley Rayburn.  He is a Republican, and he is running, I would have liked to have heard all 3 side by side.  But he was prevented from speaking to the Republicans assembled as well as prevented from having a booth or sign, cause he didn’t sign the pledge. Its a mistake.

        County Republican Parties are supposed to help Republicans be elected to office, not prevent the voters from learning about those not in the favor of the party insiders.

        Let the people decide.  Don’t they trust us to make the right choice?

        1.  I forgot to add.  The word on the floor was that Bentley was not offered a speakers slot because he was not an elected official.  No other announcement was made before I left a 1PM.

          If there is an update to that, then so be it.

        2. Had a tent and signage off to the side of the parking lot on the grass hill.  He was not allowed signage inside the parking lot or the expo center.  But according to most people, he had a visable presence.  

          Bentley was also inside the entrance of the expo center talking with delegates until the 10:30 meeting started.  He was there for almost three hours.

          He did pretty well for a guy who was locked out and not allowed to speak.

          1. Rayburn had a prime spot their on that little hill…especially if you consider how many people parked at the walmart and walked (as I did).  I walked past the thing twice…they were even cooking for people!  Smart move on Rayburn’s part!

        1. I was standing there listening to Greg Garcia and Fisk (can never remember which one is which, Kyle or his brother) offer Bentley time to speak and he refused….while Bentley was standing next to the entrance with his wife.  

  3. I asked someone from the party about why they didn’t use the World Arena and the answer surprised me but was totally logical…

    They had the arena reserved but when the date got moved back for the early Caucus they were unable to keep the arena… SO under the circumstances good job to them for pulling off a huge event like that. Is there even another place in town that can hold that number of people?

          1. But you can’t drive an Audi inside Mr. Biggs-at least not for very long!

            Oh, and I forgot to mention that I actually voted inside the nice cars too!

  4. So after the assembly, I talked to my sister who was a first time delegate.  During our caucus night, there was this really annoying Ron Paul crazy…not to say that the Ron Paul people are all crazies, but this guy was bad.  The more he talked, the less support he got…and his attempt to propose 12 resolutions kept us there pretty late.  If you’ve gone before, you know the type.  The type that goes through the process unopposed every other year-the kind that can turn a whole party into crazies…

    Anyway, my sister gets elected as an alternate and she goes on Saturday.  She’s right behind Ron Paul crazy guy in the alternate line up.  We don’t see him, but the whole time she’s talking about how annoying he was.

    So after the assembly, she tells me “I don’t think I’m going to go again.”

    “How come?”

    “Well it was kind of boring, I couldn’t hear very well, and it took a long time.”

    “Yeah,” I replied “I thought the same thing when I went the first time too.”

    “But you like this stuff.  I’m not into as much as you.”

    “True.  But I’ll tell you what-whenever people like you don’t go, chances are your slot is going to be filled by the annoying Ron Paul guy.”

    She sat there a minute pondering that statement.  “That would really jack up the party, won’t it?”

    “Sure does!”

    She’ll be there next year.

    Never underestimate the power caucuses give people

  5. Got this via email a few minutes ago:

    El Paso County Republicans

    Memo of Clarification

    re: 5th CD Candidates & County Assembly

    Due to a flyer distributed at the El Paso County Assembly along with emails and phone calls repeating some erroneous information, there has been some undue consternation with regards to candidates involvement/participation at the El Paso County Assembly.

    At the November El Paso County Executive Committee meeting a motion was introduced and thoroughly debated. The final language of that motion was: “In order to speak at the [County] Assembly, have a table at the Assembly, or distribute literature in Caucus Packets, a candidate must declare their intention to seek nomination through the Assembly process.”  

    This motion has precedent. Under Terry Kunkel, the former Chair of the Party, a 2006 candidate for Congress, Lionel Rivera, was restricted from speaking at County Assembly because he was not going through the Caucus and Assembly process.  Additionally, there are other counties in Colorado that make the same restriction on their candidates. So as to be open and transparent, the El Paso County Party’s Executive Committee (45+ people) passed this motion in a public meeting.

    Present at the November Executive Committee meeting was Mr. Lamborn’s campaign manager, Robin Coran (a voting member of the Executive Committee). Also present at this meeting was Mr. Rayburn, who, along with his wife Debbi Rayburn, are also voting members of the Executive Committee. The motion, as stated above, passed unanimously without any “Nay” votes and without abstentions.  (Due to questions that have been asked, please note that neither Mr. Crank, nor any of his staff, are members of the Executive Committee.)

    Before the January Executive Committee meeting the Chairman determined that in order to execute the motion as it was passed, the organization would request that campaigns sign the following statement: “I am agreeing to abide by the resolution passed by the El Paso County Executive Committee.”  If there was anyone on the Executive Committee who felt that signing that statement was not in line with the intent of the motion passed by the Executive Committee, they had an obligation to address it at that meeting.

    At this time both Mr. Rayburn and Mr. Lamborn have declined to indicate for the record “their intention to seek nomination through the Assembly process.”  Mr. Rayburn has been straightforward in his answer to the question and has released a letter stating “Therefore… I plan to petition onto the ballot for the August primary.”  Mr. Lamborn indicated on several occasions that while he wants to go through the Assembly he will not commit to that method of gaining access to the Primary ballot.

    Mr. Crank declined to have a table at the County Assembly and so, as it turns out, none of the three candidates for the 5th Congressional District had a table. Because the intent of the statement passed in committee was specific to candidates versus sitting officials, Mr. Lamborn, as the incumbent Representative, was given time to address the Assembly. There were absolutely no other restrictions made to any of the candidates and that was made perfectly clear to every campaign (for example, signs were allowed and passing out campaign material was allowed).

    The El Paso County Republican organization fully supports every Republican candidate regardless of how they choose to gain access to the ballot. The party position is that we encourage every candidate to use the Caucus and Assembly process because it is the most grassroots and inclusive method.  

    If any individual or campaign has an issue with the Republican Party Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary or the actions of the Executive Committee they are invited to speak directly with those individuals. Greg Garcia is the Chair of the party and has invited anyone concerned about this, or any other issue, to speak directly with him about it. Any questions may also be directed to Nathan Fisk, Executive Director.

    Nathan Fisk

    Executive Director

    El Paso County, CO

    Republican Party

    719-578-0022 (offfice)

    719-359-1244 (mobile)

    execdir@gopelpaso.com

      1. No candidate has ever been asked to sign a pledge regarding their intentions. Just who does Greg think he is? The executive committee did NOT endorse in any way the signing of a pledge.

        Why did this pledge apply only to 5th CD candidates? None of the other candidates- for House, Commission, or Senate- were asked to sign.

        How can they do this and continue to say they are not supporting Jeff Crank? In my opinion, the fact that no one other than 5th CD were asked to sign is a clear indication of bias!

        What’s your excuse for this, Mr. Fisk? I am sure you will have one.

        1. Once again Mr. Fisk tells a partial truth. I saw that memo and every bit of it was backed up by El Paso County Republican Party by-laws reference, State Party by-laws reference or State Statutes!

          I realize that the people in charge of Republican Headquarters at this time have had blatent disregard for the by-laws since taking office, have egomanical attitudes, believing they can do whatever they like (example, the pledge CD candidates were required to sign, changing the national symbol of the Party to some new “more effective” elephant) all WITHOUT approval of the Executive committee.

          If they are going to disregard by-laws, precident, and state statutes they are going to have to live with it when someone calls them to task.

          And, no, I am NOT Terry or Lois, just someone who is very concerned about the way the party, in Colorado Springs, is going. We all know the saying “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen”. In this case the kitchen is at Republican Headquarters.  

          1. I helped kick Terry and Lois out of headquarters because they were doing a piss poor job… for the first time in recent memory a chair only served one term and none of her officers moved up. I wonder why? Because they were ineffective. The people there now are doing a great job. Not perfect… but a great job and I support them.

            I talked to Greg about the memo and he had an answer for every single point. Anyone can twist words in an anonymous document… I guess it’s harder to actually be willing to stand behind what you write.

            ANYONE who has an issue should just talk to Greg or Nathan or whoever.

            1. Given the number of complaints they have received at headquarters it is more than hard to believe they are doing a great job. I don’t remember the caucus being such a mess, the division meetings late, the alternates for the assembly being ranked incorrectly, as many corrections needing to be made, and the bylaws were followed. I don’t remember any of Terry’s officers running for office. How do you know they wouldn’t have been elected had they run? By the way- there was a vicechairman- sort of. Remember Bob?  

              1. How many complaints have been filed?

                Or when was there ever a caucus attended as heavily as the one in 2008 was?

                Define “late” division meetings

                Goodness, you pursue this subject like none other.  Why is this so personal for you?  Also, I think you’re incorrect.  While there are people who disagree with some of the things that the party is doing, I haven’t seen anything to support your claim that you’re the majority on this issue.

                And come on, are you seriously attacking the new elephant picture?  Your scraping for stuff if you’re having to go there

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