Regarding The Greenville GOP Lawsuit that was Dismissed today Fellow Executive Committeeman, Earlier this year I decided to get involved with the Republican Party because I was concerned about the wrong direction our country was headed: the attack on Christianity, the attack on our 2nd Amendment, the attack on the unborn, and the attack on taxpayers. I got involved because I want to make a difference. As someone who believes in this Party it’s time that we become more transparent and communicate with each other regarding issues that affect our county Party. The Closed Primary Lawsuit was dismissed today As you are aware former SCGOP Chairman Chad Connelly withdrew the South Carolina GOP from the lawsuit the day before he resigned without the approval of the State Executive Committeemen, severely undermining the lawsuit. This was filed by the defendants in U.S. District court on July 2, 2013: “With the withdrawal of the State Republican Party, this claim is being asserted by the local Republican organization and individuals in Greenville County. Under the authority set forth below, it is respectfully submitted that these plaintiffs lack standing to assert a claim that the associational rights of the Republican Party, under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, have been violated.” In a similar case in Idaho in 2007, it was held that the right to challenge the state’s open primary could only be asserted by the State Republican Party, not a group of members purposing to sue on its behalf. During the last few weeks leaders from Greenville County asked SCGOP chairman Matt Moore to enter back into the lawsuit at no cost to the Party, so the “standing” issue wouldn’t hurt Greenville’s lawsuit, but Moore refused. He told Steven Brown that he didn’t believe in our lawsuit because it was judicial activism. (Really, standing up for one’s 1st Amendment right is judicial activism?) Our state executive committeeman, Jim Lee tried to get 4 other state committeemen to call a special meeting to vote on entering back into the lawsuit, but no one stood with him. Out of 45 other counties no one stood with Jim Lee to help our lawsuit. So since the South Carolina GOP dropped out as plaintiffs and refused to enter back into the lawsuit, the federal judge did in fact dismiss the case due to a lack of “standing” earlier today – similar to what happened in Idaho. We could have had a chance in winning this case. It could have been a 3 day trial with 20 witnesses. There were statistical experts, witness who admit that they voted in Republican primaries, eg. Democrat Harold Mitchell’s testimony that he voted in Republican primaries and boxes of evidence that prove that democrats do indeed manipulate our primary system. Sadly we didn’t have any Republican leaders in our state that would stand up for us. As a new county executive committeeman I am embarrassed and disappointed. Where we go from here The simple truth is the Republican Party is losing members and the respect we once had. We executive committeemen can change that. One thing that I would like the next chairman to do is demand transparency from the SCGOP. In order to break the insiders’ grip on the Republican Party we must have the free flow of communication. If one faction controls all forms of communication then we will never see change: “He Who Controls Information Controls The World.” For example, if Jim Lee needs an email list to communicate with our counties he should get it. Likewise if someone runs for the SCGOP chairman seat they should have access to the same email list as the incumbent. I would like a direct statement from each candidate for chairman on what their SPECIFIC plans are to reform the SCGOP. I encourage the next county chairman not to compromise who we are. I am proud to be a Greenville County Republican! I want to work with the next chairman to build a coalition throughout the state that will reform our state Party. We need to build relationships in other counties who want to return to our conservative roots and will raise up leaders who will promote less government and liberty for all. It’s time for the Greenville GOP to lead not fall in line and conform to the status quo. Thank you, Joshua Cook Executive Committeeman, Tubbs Mnt Precinct
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 03:08:36 +0000
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