The general gist of the post was that even though I received an email by the chairman of the party stating that the tickets for the upcoming debate in Northern Virginia would be free, the Fairfax County Republican Committee was requesting you volunteer for two hours in order to get your free tickets. My point was that it was deceptive and wrong to handle it in this fashion.
I not only blogged about it, but I also used my social networking connections to spread the word about this. I emailed the Chairman. I contacted larger blogs too. Around noon time the head of the FCRC called my friend Phil to let him know that I would be getting my ticket without being forced into doing volunteer work.
Great for me, but what about the rest of the people in NOVA? This was never about me getting a ticket, this was about allowing the voters access to the candidates so they can make up their own minds who they are going to vote for.
For those who don't live in this area you may not be aware of the background. George Allen is our former governor and senator. He was the one that made that now infamous Mecacca comment six years ago, which played a part in him losing his re-election bid to the senate. For some in the tea party and grassroots movement George Allen represents all that is wrong with the republican party. He is conservative in many ways, but he also did some big government and fiscally irresponsible things during his tenure in the senate. He is considered by some to be part of the good ol' boys club of the republican leadership that is more interested in power than in conservatism. They are looking for to elect another of the three candidates who are running.
They feel very strongly that FCRC is in the tank for the Allen campaign. Many feel that they were also in the tank for Romney. While I do know that many are Romney supporters, I can't say for certain that they are "in the tank" for any candidate. I can't get into the head of another person. I just can tell you how other grassroots supporters are feeling and discussing with me among others.
The post got enough of a response that emails and phone calls were flying this morning and this afternoon. The bottom line is this. All tickets will be free for everyone without any strings attached. All you need to do is go pick them up at the FCRC headquarters in Fairfax.
This is the best solution for everyone. There are people who are not able to volunteer for the party as they are putting their efforts towards one of the candidates. There are also people who may be elderly or handicapped, and can't make it to the Fairfax office for two hours.
This debate is for the voters, not for the party to use as some tool to
For other bloggers out there, the lesson here is that no matter how small your readership may be, if they are willing to put actions to your words, you have accomplished something. I want to say a special thank you to Smitty over at The Other McCain for helping get the word out on this.
I am looking forward to hearing what the Bishop has to say in the debates. Check out his website. He is a good man and I think would make an awesome Senator.
Can I just say that Smitty and I ROCK!!!!
Thanks to the party for getting the message that it is about the voters, not the party. We deserve the chance to hear the candidates in their own words so we can decide for ourselves who will represent us in November.
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1 comment:
Blogging is certainly worthwhile, even for the little guys and gals. If you get any visitors at all, you're exerting some influence. And that's the whole point, isn't it?
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