Trump and Drudge Are Lying to You About Colorado Delegates

 

As some have noticed, Ted Cruz swept to victory in Colorado over the weekend, earning 34 (in reality, probably all 37) of the state’s Republican delegates to the national convention. And as one might anticipate, the usual suspects reacted in the fashion to which we’ve become accustomed:

drudge lies

and:

Where to even begin with this parade of preposterousness? I understand that Drudge is under no obligation to present a fair and balanced picture and that he tends to highlight conservative victories and downplay our losses. However, this crosses over into sheer untruth with a heaping helping of rabble rousing.

How do I know that it’s untrue? I was a delegate to the Colorado State Republican Convention in 2008 and voted on delegates to the national convention, that’s how.

This website gives you a rough breakdown of the progression of events that led up to the State Party Convention in 2008:

Presidential Nominating Process
Precinct Caucuses: Tuesday 5 February 2008 County Assemblies: Friday 25 April – Saturday 17 May 2008 (tentative date) District Conventions: Saturday 24 May – Saturday 7 June 2008 (tentative date) State Convention: Saturday 31 May 2008

So, there I was on a cold night in February 2008 at a Caucus in Franktown, CO. I showed up that night with local political old-timer Jon Bond in my pocket who spoke in favor of my being a delegate to the county assembly. After delivering brief remarks placing my name into nomination, the votes and presidential preference poll were tabulated and I was selected.

Thus began the process where I voluntarily sacrificed multiple Saturdays that spring in the pursuit (ultimately) of being a delegate to the Republican State Convention. I remember seeing Mitt Romney speak to the crowd while Ron Paul’s contingent of 12 bearded malcontents marched in a circle on the convention floor holding signs.

The point is this: The reason both Trump and Drudge are lying is that the slate of Delegates to the national convention is voted on, and voted on by real people — not “party insiders” — unless you consider a guy who was at the time a 29-year-old novice a “party insider.” Here is a breakdown of this year’s results.

All it takes is time. The process is totally open and explicable — unless you’re a 69-year-old knothead who thinks that showing up and holding a rally equals “winning.”

Here’s Trump’s other tweet on the situation:

One can only assume that this tweet is in response to the fact that back in August the State Republican Party decided that holding a Presidential preference poll at the caucus was superfluous because the state’s delegates were going to be bound by the results of the State Convention.

One can also assume on the basis of this Tweet that Donald Trump is ignorant of the realities of electoral politics. How many doors did Trump’s campaign knock on? How many phone calls did his phone bank make? How many Precinct Captains did his organization get elected? How many delegates to the State Convention did his campaign send? As a delegate, I did all of these things. It’s hard work. It’s thankless work. But if you want to win, it’s work that you must do.

Apparently, the amount of that hard work that Trump did is darn close to “zero” based on the 34-0 wipeout he suffered at the State Convention and it serves him right.

One of the critical differences between the left and the right in this nation is our conception of how Constitutional governance is supposed to work. Our nation was set up with a series of anti-democratic measures designed specifically to prevent the hot temper of the electorate from overwhelming the various protections written into the framework of the government. Not once in the founding documents does the word “democracy” appear — we are a Republic with some democratic institutions. That there are processes in place to insulate the levers of power from those who would ignorantly snatch at them doesn’t sit well with some people who apparently seem to think they are entitled to winning merely for having shown up.

To quote the great Thomas Sowell:

Systemic processes tend to reward people for making decisions that turn out to be right — creating great resentment among the anointed, who feel themselves entitled to rewards for being articulate, politically active, and morally fervent.

Who could possibly feel more entitled and disconnected from the actual process than Donald J. Trump?

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  1. A-Squared Inactive
    A-Squared
    @ASquared

    Thank you for the info.  I saw the Drudge headline this morning and figured there must be more to the story.

    • #1
  2. Merina Smith Inactive
    Merina Smith
    @MerinaSmith

    Know-nothing Trump at it again. Of course you’re never sure if he just doesn’t bother to find out or just lies out of principle. Thanks for the interesting report Maj.

    • #2
  3. Majestyk Member
    Majestyk
    @Majestyk

    A-Squared:Thank you for the info. I saw the Drudge headline this morning and figured there must be more to the story.

    I’m actually furious about this.  Trump is an ignorant liar about this situation and Drudge is a picayune fool for going along with Trump.

    The reason we have these processes in place is so that genuinely interested people are the ones who end up in these positions – not people who jet in for an hour and then jet out, never to be heard from again.

    • #3
  4. A-Squared Inactive
    A-Squared
    @ASquared

    Majestyk: I’m actually furious about this. Trump is an ignorant liar about this situation and Drudge is a picayune fool for going along with Trump.

    Drudge has been in the bag for Trump for a while, unsurprisingly, given that Drudge makes his living on clicks and Trump is good for clicks.

    • #4
  5. livingthehighlife Inactive
    livingthehighlife
    @livingthehighlife

    So much for the “best men” being hired.  The “best men” would have known how Colorado delegate process worked.

    • #5
  6. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    I haven’t been to Drudge in months. Good conservatives should stop giving him his clicks.

    • #6
  7. Could Be Anyone Inactive
    Could Be Anyone
    @CouldBeAnyone

    livingthehighlife:So much for the “best men” being hired. The “best men” would have known how Colorado delegate process worked.

    They were “thwarted” by the ever powerful and all knowing “establishment”. trump is the oxymoron of the most powerful (alleged champion of the people) and yet also weak (victim to the alleged establishment that he is supposedly too powerful for).

    • #7
  8. J. Martin Rogers Member
    J. Martin Rogers
    @

    I must say, last summer I was quite annoyed that we wouldn’t have a caucus this cycle.  I was looking forward to giving a mini-speech and trying to convince my fellow Coloradoans to vote for Walker.  Then he was gone.  OK, Rubio.  Then he was gone.

    But in the end it worked out just fine.  And to all those #NeverTrumpers out there whose state delegates are going to Trump, I say Neener, Neener Neener!  Not ours!

    Insert a big fat dancing Emoticon right here.

    • #8
  9. Trink Coolidge
    Trink
    @Trink

    Wow.  I don’t often go to Drudge, but when I read that headline last night, I was really confused.  You sorted it out, sir.  Thank you.

    It’s getting scary.

    • #9
  10. Could Be Anyone Inactive
    Could Be Anyone
    @CouldBeAnyone

    J. Martin Rogers:I must say, last summer I was quite annoyed that we wouldn’t have a caucus this cycle. I was looking forward to giving a mini-speech and trying to convince my fellow Coloradoans to vote for Walker. Then he was gone. OK, Rubio. Then he was gone.

    But in the end it worked out just fine. And to all those #NeverTrumpers out there whose state delegates are going to Trump, I say Neener, Neener Neener! Not ours!

    Insert a big fat dancing Emoticon right here.

    Let’s be honest though, were any of the plains states gonna vote in trump? Thus far none have, used car salesmen don’t do too well out where the sun shines bright.

    • #10
  11. Majestyk Member
    Majestyk
    @Majestyk

    Trink:Wow. I don’t often go to Drudge, but when I read that headline last night, I was really confused. You sorted it out, sir. Thank you.

    It’s getting scary.

    Of course, in 2008 the result was essentially a foregone conclusion because McCain had wrapped up the nomination by the time that the state convention happened.

    But, nonetheless, there was Mitt Romney, basically ensuring his victory in 2012 by appearing at the state convention and laying the groundwork for his future victory in Colorado.

    The contrast between Romney and Trump couldn’t be more stark in terms of their managerial style: Romney looks like a genius, both in business and politics in comparison to Trump – yet some people think that Trump is going to do better than Romney given Trump’s paucity of competence and his inability to, you know… follow the rules.

    He can’t even perform the most basic blocking and tackling of politics.  He’s an empty suit and the Colorado Convention’s results would be an appropriate epitaph for his candidacy in any sane year.

    • #11
  12. Could Be Anyone Inactive
    Could Be Anyone
    @CouldBeAnyone

    Majestyk:

    Trink:Wow. I don’t often go to Drudge, but when I read that headline last night, I was really confused. You sorted it out, sir. Thank you.

    It’s getting scary.

    Of course, in 2008 the result was essentially a foregone conclusion because McCain had wrapped up the nomination by the time that the state convention happened.

    But, nonetheless, there was Mitt Romney, basically ensuring his victory in 2012 by appearing at the state convention and laying the groundwork for his future victory in Colorado.

    The contrast between Romney and Trump couldn’t be more stark in terms of their managerial style: Romney looks like a genius, both in business and politics in comparison to Trump – yet some people think that Trump is going to do better than Romney given Trump’s paucity of competence and his inability to, you know… follow the rules.

    He can’t even perform the most basic blocking and tackling of politics. He’s an empty suit and the Colorado Convention’s results would be an appropriate epitaph for his candidacy in any sane year.

    But, but, but he fights.

    • #12
  13. Majestyk Member
    Majestyk
    @Majestyk

    Could Be Anyone:

    Majestyk:

    Trink:Wow. I don’t often go to Drudge, but when I read that headline last night, I was really confused. You sorted it out, sir. Thank you.

    It’s getting scary.

    Of course, in 2008 the result was essentially a foregone conclusion because McCain had wrapped up the nomination by the time that the state convention happened.

    But, nonetheless, there was Mitt Romney, basically ensuring his victory in 2012 by appearing at the state convention and laying the groundwork for his future victory in Colorado.

    The contrast between Romney and Trump couldn’t be more stark in terms of their managerial style: Romney looks like a genius, both in business and politics in comparison to Trump – yet some people think that Trump is going to do better than Romney given Trump’s paucity of competence and his inability to, you know… follow the rules.

    He can’t even perform the most basic blocking and tackling of politics. He’s an empty suit and the Colorado Convention’s results would be an appropriate epitaph for his candidacy in any sane year.

    But, but, but he fights.

    He can’t fight his way out of a wet paper bag, according to this result.  The smartest man in politics has been outfoxed by a bunch of average people!  Unbelievable!

    • #13
  14. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    Could Be Anyone:

    Majestyk:

    Trink:Wow. I don’t often go to Drudge, but when I read that headline last night, I was really confused. You sorted it out, sir. Thank you.

    It’s getting scary.

    Of course, in 2008 the result was essentially a foregone conclusion because McCain had wrapped up the nomination by the time that the state convention happened.

    But, nonetheless, there was Mitt Romney, basically ensuring his victory in 2012 by appearing at the state convention and laying the groundwork for his future victory in Colorado.

    The contrast between Romney and Trump couldn’t be more stark in terms of their managerial style: Romney looks like a genius, both in business and politics in comparison to Trump – yet some people think that Trump is going to do better than Romney given Trump’s paucity of competence and his inability to, you know… follow the rules.

    He can’t even perform the most basic blocking and tackling of politics. He’s an empty suit and the Colorado Convention’s results would be an appropriate epitaph for his candidacy in any sane year.

    But, but, but he fights.

    At this point he’s just that random drunk in a bar throwing punches and not caring who he hits.

    • #14
  15. Could Be Anyone Inactive
    Could Be Anyone
    @CouldBeAnyone

    Jamie Lockett:

    Could Be Anyone:

    Majestyk:

    Trink:Wow. I don’t often go to Drudge, but when I read that headline last night, I was really confused. You sorted it out, sir. Thank you.

    It’s getting scary.

    Of course, in 2008 the result was essentially a foregone conclusion because McCain had wrapped up the nomination by the time that the state convention happened.

    But, nonetheless, there was Mitt Romney, basically ensuring his victory in 2012 by appearing at the state convention and laying the groundwork for his future victory in Colorado.

    The contrast between Romney and Trump couldn’t be more stark in terms of their managerial style: Romney looks like a genius, both in business and politics in comparison to Trump – yet some people think that Trump is going to do better than Romney given Trump’s paucity of competence and his inability to, you know… follow the rules.

    He can’t even perform the most basic blocking and tackling of politics. He’s an empty suit and the Colorado Convention’s results would be an appropriate epitaph for his candidacy in any sane year.

    But, but, but he fights.

    At this point he’s just that random drunk in a bar throwing punches and not caring who he hits.

    Pretty much.

    • #15
  16. Could Be Anyone Inactive
    Could Be Anyone
    @CouldBeAnyone

    Majestyk:

    Could Be Anyone:

    Majestyk:

    Trink:Wow. I don’t often go to Drudge, but when I read that headline last night, I was really confused. You sorted it out, sir. Thank you.

    It’s getting scary.

    Of course, in 2008 the result was essentially a foregone conclusion because McCain had wrapped up the nomination by the time that the state convention happened.

    But, nonetheless, there was Mitt Romney, basically ensuring his victory in 2012 by appearing at the state convention and laying the groundwork for his future victory in Colorado.

    The contrast between Romney and Trump couldn’t be more stark in terms of their managerial style: Romney looks like a genius, both in business and politics in comparison to Trump – yet some people think that Trump is going to do better than Romney given Trump’s paucity of competence and his inability to, you know… follow the rules.

    He can’t even perform the most basic blocking and tackling of politics. He’s an empty suit and the Colorado Convention’s results would be an appropriate epitaph for his candidacy in any sane year.

    But, but, but he fights.

    He can’t fight his way out of a wet paper bag, according to this result. The smartest man in politics has been outfoxed by a bunch of average people! Unbelievable!

    Are you sure they weren’t the “establishment”? Many a supporter of trump have assured individuals like myself that only they are stopping him from winning outright.

    • #16
  17. J. Martin Rogers Member
    J. Martin Rogers
    @

    Could Be Anyone:

    J. Martin Rogers:I must say, last summer I was quite annoyed that we wouldn’t have a caucus this cycle. I was looking forward to giving a mini-speech and trying to convince my fellow Coloradoans to vote for Walker. Then he was gone. OK, Rubio. Then he was gone.

    But in the end it worked out just fine. And to all those #NeverTrumpers out there whose state delegates are going to Trump, I say Neener, Neener Neener! Not ours!

    Insert a big fat dancing Emoticon right here.

    Let’s be honest though, were any of the plains states gonna vote in trump? Thus far none have.

    Colorado a plains state?  Oooh, dem’s fightin’ words around these parts…

    Seriously though the Eastern third is like an extension of Nebraska, but the rest of the state is quite mixed, from the Peoples Republic of Boulder to Little Oklahoma City of Colorado Springs.  Anything is possible here from Gary Hart to Cory Gardner. I wouldn’t think Trump would have won but we would have voted at the peak of Trump fever so it is possible; we do have a contrarian streak.

    • #17
  18. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    Could Be Anyone:

    Jamie Lockett:

    Could Be Anyone:

    Majestyk:

    Trink:Wow. I don’t often go to Drudge, but when I read that headline last night, I was really confused. You sorted it out, sir. Thank you.

    It’s getting scary.

    Of course, in 2008 the result was essentially a foregone conclusion because McCain had wrapped up the nomination by the time that the state convention happened.

    But, nonetheless, there was Mitt Romney, basically ensuring his victory in 2012 by appearing at the state convention and laying the groundwork for his future victory in Colorado.

    The contrast between Romney and Trump couldn’t be more stark in terms of their managerial style: Romney looks like a genius, both in business and politics in comparison to Trump – yet some people think that Trump is going to do better than Romney given Trump’s paucity of competence and his inability to, you know… follow the rules.

    He can’t even perform the most basic blocking and tackling of politics. He’s an empty suit and the Colorado Convention’s results would be an appropriate epitaph for his candidacy in any sane year.

    But, but, but he fights.

    At this point he’s just that random drunk in a bar throwing punches and not caring who he hits.

    Pretty much.

    But at least he’s punching!

    Turns out that’s not so great when the guy breaks your nose…

    • #18
  19. Could Be Anyone Inactive
    Could Be Anyone
    @CouldBeAnyone

    J. Martin Rogers:

    Could Be Anyone:

    J. Martin Rogers:I must say, last summer I was quite annoyed that we wouldn’t have a caucus this cycle. I was looking forward to giving a mini-speech and trying to convince my fellow Coloradoans to vote for Walker. Then he was gone. OK, Rubio. Then he was gone.

    But in the end it worked out just fine. And to all those #NeverTrumpers out there whose state delegates are going to Trump, I say Neener, Neener Neener! Not ours!

    Insert a big fat dancing Emoticon right here.

    Let’s be honest though, were any of the plains states gonna vote in trump? Thus far none have.

    Colorado a plains state? Oooh, dem’s fightin’ words around these parts…

    Seriously though the Eastern third is like an extension of Nebraska, but the rest of the state is quite mixed, from the Peoples Republic of Boulder to Little Oklahoma City of Colorado Springs. Anything is possible here from Gary Hart to Cory Gardner. I wouldn’t think Trump would have won but we would have voted at the peak of Trump fever so it is possible; we do have a contrarian streak.

    The eastern third is very rural, but from what I have seen in Colorado the Republican Party there is just as conservative as Republicans in Kansas or Nebraska.

    • #19
  20. Could Be Anyone Inactive
    Could Be Anyone
    @CouldBeAnyone

    Jamie Lockett:

    Could Be Anyone:

    Jamie Lockett:

    Could Be Anyone:

    Majestyk:

    Trink:Wow. I don’t often go to Drudge, but when I read that headline last night, I was really confused. You sorted it out, sir. Thank you.

    It’s getting scary.

    Of course, in 2008 the result was essentially a foregone conclusion because McCain had wrapped up the nomination by the time that the state convention happened.

    But, nonetheless, there was Mitt Romney, basically ensuring his victory in 2012 by appearing at the state convention and laying the groundwork for his future victory in Colorado.

    The contrast between Romney and Trump couldn’t be more stark in terms of their managerial style: Romney looks like a genius, both in business and politics in comparison to Trump – yet some people think that Trump is going to do better than Romney given Trump’s paucity of competence and his inability to, you know… follow the rules.

    He can’t even perform the most basic blocking and tackling of politics. He’s an empty suit and the Colorado Convention’s results would be an appropriate epitaph for his candidacy in any sane year.

    But, but, but he fights.

    At this point he’s just that random drunk in a bar throwing punches and not caring who he hits.

    Pretty much.

    But at least he’s punching!

    Turns out that’s not so great when the guy breaks your nose…

    It was an establishment conspiracy, trust me…..

    • #20
  21. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA:

    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/donald-trump-children-ivanka-eric-882465?utm_source=twitter

    • #21
  22. Majestyk Member
    Majestyk
    @Majestyk

    Jamie Lockett:BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA:

    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/donald-trump-children-ivanka-eric-882465?utm_source=twitter

    • #22
  23. Richard Fulmer Inactive
    Richard Fulmer
    @RichardFulmer

    livingthehighlife:So much for the “best men” being hired. The “best men” would have known how Colorado delegate process worked.

    It’s amazing that anyone believes that Trump hires the best people after the failures of his many businesses (Trump Water, Trump Vodka, Trump Steaks, ) and his campaign’s poor ground game and inability to keep up with the rules.

    Trump and company appear to be trying to spin the strength of Cruz’s campaign organization into “proof” that he’s an establishment politician and a master at “manipulating” the “system.”  Thus their own organizational weakness becomes proof of outsider purity: Of course Cruz understands the rules and uses his understanding to “game” the system – he’s a party elite.  Of course we don’t understand the party’s arcane rules, we’re outsiders.  We’re ignorant and proud of it.

    • #23
  24. iWe Coolidge
    iWe
    @iWe

    What a wonderful post – and uplifting punchline.

    I am delighted!

    • #24
  25. A-Squared Inactive
    A-Squared
    @ASquared

    Jamie Lockett:BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA:

    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/donald-trump-children-ivanka-eric-882465?utm_source=twitter

    Saw that.  No wonder his kids support him. They are registered Democrats.

    • #25
  26. livingthehighlife Inactive
    livingthehighlife
    @livingthehighlife

    Richard Fulmer: Trump and company appear to be trying spin the strength of Cruz’s campaign organization into “proof” that he’s an establishment politician and a master at “manipulating” the “system.

    I’ve had the same thought – the fact there are rules to be followed is proof of “establishment” control.

    It’s hard to develop a winning strategy in the middle of a temper tantrum.

    • #26
  27. Richard Fulmer Inactive
    Richard Fulmer
    @RichardFulmer

    I think that this episode indicates just how divisive a Trump presidency would be.  He appears to be incapable of seeing his own failures as anything but the result of the machinations of a malign and evil “they.”  He needs enemies and will do whatever it takes to find them.

    • #27
  28. Richard Fulmer Inactive
    Richard Fulmer
    @RichardFulmer

    livingthehighlife:

    Richard Fulmer: Trump and company appear to be trying spin the strength of Cruz’s campaign organization into “proof” that he’s an establishment politician and a master at “manipulating” the “system.

    I’ve had the same thought – the fact there are rules to be followed is proof of “establishment” control.

    It’s hard to develop a winning strategy in the middle of a temper tantrum.

    His temper tantrums are his strategy – and it’s been working.

    • #28
  29. Quinn the Eskimo Member
    Quinn the Eskimo
    @

    Trump’s whining is getting boring.  That was unexpected.

    • #29
  30. The King Prawn Inactive
    The King Prawn
    @TheKingPrawn

    Local radio hosts were just discussing this. One of the hosts is a past party chair for the state. Apparently the woman trying to put together a slate of delegates for Trump had been active in politics exactly 37 at the time of the convention, and her list contained many errors including Cruz supporters. The blast email asking people to be Trump delegates went out two days past the deadline — and it went to the D.C. mailing list.

    If this guy can’t figure out how to run a campaign (something he’s never done), then exactly how will he figure out the hardest job on earth?

    • #30
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