#GOP2012: Day One

Just a brief update from Clearwater.

Over the weekend, Reince Priebus, et al. decided to cancel the first day of the 2012 Republican National Convention due to tropical storm Isaac, which ended up shooting way out west into the Gulf of Mexico and toward Louisiana.

I’ve spent most of the day in the hotel. The most important thing that happened today (for me) is that the Virginia Delegation voted unanimously to support Morton Blackwell’s Rules Committee Minority Report in the wake of the power grab by DC insiders.

I’ve talked to delegates from a number of states, and they’ve said they’re on board with Blackwell’s Minority Report.

Briefly, Ben Ginsberg, of the Romney campaign (and hired Republican guy), moved to change the way states select delegates. Currently, states select delegates by any manner of ways. Ginsberg’s proposal would give more power to Presidential campaigns to hand-pick state delegates based on support in that state — a direct blow to the liberty movement within the Republican Party.

Blackwell has been instrumental in bringing grassroots activists into the Republican Party over the last 40 years. While not himself libertarian-leaning, as Paul supporters are, Morton has worked to incorporate diverse groups into the Party.

I’ll update more after the Convention proceedings tomorrow.