Mike McCarville
Oklahoma County Republican Party official Charlie Potts said today that the conduct of the controversial Al Gerhart at Saturday’s county convention was “reprehensible.”
Potts, a longtime and respected conservative GOP activist, a member of the Oklahoma County GOP executive committee, was involved in the issuing of credentials at the convention. Gerhart has cried foul, claiming Ron Paul supporters were denied credentials.
Gerhart, who two years ago was an unknown Independent with no history of political activism, is coordinator of Ron Paul’s Oklahoma campaign and head of the Sooner Tea Party. He is known for his often-irrational, sometimes less-than-truthful, attacks on those with opinions that don’t match his. He has said in the past that lying to achieve goals is acceptable.
Last week, Gerhart’s attempt to bully and intimidate the female vice chair of the Cleveland County Republican Party became known through a story on The McCarville Report and since then, criticism of him has mounted, with several GOP officials calling for his removal from the Paul campaign.
Gerhart also has attacked the state GOP’s vice chair, Pam Pollard, and other party officials, threatening them with retaliation if they don’t do as he demands,.
Today, Potts wrote The McCarville Report, “Al Gerhart’s demeanor at the Oklahoma County Republican Committee meeting on Saturday was reprehensible. I am not a Ron Paul supporter and, in order to advance the campaign of my chosen candidate, I hope that Al becomes the much larger face of the Ron Paul campaign. BUT, I hope that efforts to get him to go away are successful because he is associated with the GOP and he’s just awful at helping the party grow. Anyone in their right mind who attended the convention and saw how he operated, would not want to experience that again. He lied when he said that 40 people had been denied credentials. Most of the 13 of them were denied because we could not establish, using 4 sources, that they were registered Republicans on the day of the precinct meetings.”
Of the approximately 60 people denied credentials, 13 were denied by Mr. Potts committee. I have asked them to post on this site and state their story for the public. The McCarville Report is no stranger to my opinion of Mr. Gerhart, and I have publicly stated it here. There are other things reprehensible that happened on Saturday. For example, why did it take about 5 hours for the credentials committee to do their work? Why were people being asked what was the most important issue to them? Lots of questions need to be answered – and I would direct all to Rule 3A of the party rules, and their inclusiveness.
For the record and information of those who did not attend, I offered an amendment to the credentials committee report, allowing those rejected to be seated as delegates. The Convention saw fit to agree with me and include those Mr. Potts committee found flaws with. Perhaps it was the voter registration cards they silently held over their heads while people were arguing to exclude them.
Steve Dickson
Unfortunately for you, regardless of Al’s abrasive personality, you have some serious corruption going on in your party. Ignorance is not bliss, or whatever state of mind you and others are. What the establishment republicans of the gop have done and are doing is wrong. Plain and simple. From one of your own…
“Yesterday, Oklahoma County Republicans gathered for the county convention and the hard work of so many good people was challenged by the purposeful corruption of a few (coupled with disorganized chaos). Let’s start from the beginning….
In 1999, I was elected to serve as Chair of the Okla. County Republicans. When I became active in the party in 1989, many of the establishment Republicans were wary of “those Christians” who were pouring into the conventions due to the candidacy of Pat Robertson. I happened to be a life-long Republican who realized that helping to organize my precinct and being involved in the party was the only way to really impact who would be the party’s nominee for President.
Fortunately, I was welcomed with open arms by a wonderful Christian, Quineta Wiley. She opened the door to allow me in leadership positions, one being to serve as House District 39 Chair. With that I served on the Executive Committee and began serving on the convention platform committee. The first meeting I attended for the platform included more than 100 people discussing, arguing, and using parliamentary procedures to write that 50 page document. Wow, that was an experience! Through the years, I volunteered to do various jobs, from working in the state fair booth, to knocking doors, to helping get signatures on petitions. I learned to SERVE with fellow Republicans to build our party. Yes, there were the establishment folks who grumbled about “those newbies” and swore none of us would stick around to help. After 23 years, I’m still here along with many other faithful activists.
Back to being County Chair…. with that position came lots of responsibility and power. My efforts centered around building a year round volunteer organization. Part of the responsibilities were to organize the convention and make sure it was FAIR to any Republican who wanted to be involved. Precinct meetings were held… activists signed up to serve on committees, and the process began for the conventions. I had a hard and fast rule… if a Precinct turned their packet in on time, anyone that signed up to serve on a committee was invited to serve on that committee REGARDLESS of who they supported or if they were new.
Additionally, all Republicans who were elected by a precinct to be a delegate were included on the Registration and Credentials list (one list) for that convention and were notified at least 10 days prior to the convention (State Party Rules). As a courtesy, I verified that ALL Republican elected officials from the County level to the State Capitol that were Oklahoma County residents were included on that list. Remember the PRECINCT has the ultimate authority by state party rules. If a precinct was CLOSED (delegate/alternate), that precinct had determined it did not want anyone, including an elected official, added to their precinct delegation (something that was not honored this year). The Registration Chair was provided all information on these Republicans, by precinct, at least 2 weeks prior to the convention so that badges, sign in sheets and seating could be printed, put in order, and readied for the convention. Committee meetings were held, ALL committee members were notified in plenty of time (at least 10 days in advance of any meeting) and the committees conducted their deliberations and work. ALL meetings were OPEN for any Oklahoma County Republican to attend as a guest to view the committee work.
The day of the convention, Registration was set up, anyone who did not attend the precinct meetings and wanted to be a delegate to the convention were sent to the Credentials committee (Credentials Chair AND 5 other committee members) to consider their request. As far as I can remember, NO Republican was ever turned away from being a delegate when I was County Chair! (IF a precinct was closed, the Precinct Chair was asked if that person could be added). Once approved, that delegate would go to the Registration table with the signed approval for a badge and was seated. The Registration sign in was the MASTER LIST for the Credentials report.
When the convention convened (on time), speakers were kept to a minimum and the Credentials report was presented (usually within an hour of registration closing). It included the number of registered delegates by precinct, and a motion was made to either approve, or be amended, by the convention. Same went for the Rules report. Elections for party officers was held by ballot (if there was a contest) and the votes were apportioned by the number of votes cast to the number of delegate votes for that precinct (thank you to Harold Hite for teaching me how that worked).
Usually the big discussion was the Platform, with amendments from the floor and voting by the convention. Some amendments were approved, some didn’t make it. And then the convention closed on an upbeat note with everyone pumped up ready to go on to the District Convention (Presidential year) and the State Convention (odd numbered years and Presidential year). That is how we built the party and worked to include any Republican who wanted to get involved.
Most conventions since my days as County Chair have been handled in the same way until about 6 years ago. At that time, the leadership of the county party started trying to manipulate the outcome by excluding “newbies” that supported any non-establishment candidates, while given preference to any of their recruits or friends. Convention committee membership was hand picked, meetings were not publicized and became closed to any observers. The committee work was kept secret until the report at the convention. Additionally, credentials became “computerized” with a system that is chaotic and secretive. Supposed improvements by having it computerized have in reality slowed down the process. Trying to correct the process has become a nightmare because this person calls themselves the ‘expert’.
Four years ago, a large number of Republicans supporting a specific Presidential candidate got involved as activists in the convention process. They attended precinct meetings, went to their county and district conventions, and tried to work within the State Party rules. At that time, I was Vice Chair of the State Party and part of those responsibilities included educating any Oklahoma Republican on the processes for involvement in the conventions, committees, or how to be elected as a National Delegate. The power point presentations I used were the same ones I’d used in 2000 and 2004 to train OFRW members on how to be elected as a National Delegate. Unfortunately, others in leadership at that time (including the “expert”) began subvertive methods to keep the new activists out of the convention process and to deny them participation in anything. Floor fights occurred at the conventions….those leaders working to keep “them” out used underhanded tactics that included lying and cheating, as well as rumors to discredit anyone they thought was helping them (this included me). So what changed? It wasn’t the Party Rules – it was WHO was interpreting them.
Finally at the State Convention in 2008, a chaotic fight happened over rules and credentials. The “expert” was Credentials Chair and had worked diligently to deny anyone that might support “the other side” including a duly elected State Representative. After a heated exchange on the floor, the State Chair promised to bring up a vote after lunch if the other side dropped their amendment and passed the convention rules so everyone could go to lunch. The other side agreed and dropped the amendment. Unfortunately, the State Chair refused to honor the promise and would not bring up the vote on how the slate of National Delegates would be elected. Mistrust and anger simmered. More shenanigans happened at the 2008 National Convention that increased the mistrust of the “expert” and then State Chair. (NOTE…in 2009, I ran for State Chair against the incumbent. Before the convention, I was unable to get the delegate lists to contact while the incumbent and “expert” had full access. Rumors and a smear campaign was launched against me, and I lost that race. Several years later, I saw that delegate list and realized that they had stacked numerous people into the list in order to defeat me.)
Now we come to this year’s Oklahoma County Republican convention. The Oklahoma County precinct meetings were held jointly on February 6th. This was due to the lack of availability of voter information by precinct to contact people. The night of the meeting, I along with several others who had offered to help set up, arrived to help. Preparations for the meeting had obviously been put off until the very last minute as a select few were slapping precinct packets together. Large numbers of Republicans poured into the auditorium, overwhelming the current County Chair (and the few people who were allowed to slap packets together). I jumped in and starting signing people in, getting name tags on them, and pointing them to the auditorium. All of the new people, and any supporting a certain Presidential candidate, showed a current Voter ID. Most of the old guard just walked up, signed in and went into the auditorium (including the ‘expert’). If they didn’t know their new precinct number, they went to the large map to figure it out. THIS is an important point to remember. Chaos erupted when the County Chair started screaming at people on where to meet for their precinct meeting. Finally, most people found their neighbors and held their precinct meeting. Most precinct packets were turned in that night to the County Chair.
In the weeks that followed, I continued to offer help to enter information into the database from the precinct packets (which were kept closely guarded by the County Chair). Several meetings to help were cancelled and excuses were constantly given on why he didn’t need help. At the February meeting of the Executive Committee, when asked about new people that were in some of the old guards’ precincts, he stated that he’d “taken care of” any of “them” by deciding who could be a delegate even if it was a closed precinct. He also stated that he had disqualified about 50 people who had attended the precinct meeting. It was less than 2 weeks until the convention….no location had been decided, no chairs had been appointed for the committees, and no preparations had been made for the convention. This disorganization and lack of preparations only added fuel to the fear of conspiracy by “them” who were at the 2008 conventions.
When we arrived for the county convention yesterday, we learned that the County Chair had included on the Registration list people who didn’t attend the precinct meeting, while disallowing people who had attended. He “selected” who he thought should be included with the advise of the ‘expert’. The Credentials committee was overwhelmed with those who showed up thinking they were delegates since they’d attended the precinct meeting, only to find out they weren’t and had to go before the Credentials committee to be delegates. After more than 5 hours to see each of these Republicans, the Credentials report was finally brought to the delegates.
Without going into details, I can say it was a tense convention with many, many, many inconsistencies. Old guard ‘elitists’ asked us to trust them, many activists were confused as it all unfolded. Any part I played was to try and keep the RULES (State Party and Roberts Rules of Order).
The first vote to seat the individuals who had been denied as delegate, was preceded with an onslaught of questions on procedures. Let me explain the first one…. a Point of Order was raised. Instead of answering the question, the Chair wanted to limit WHO could speak in a debate (improper ruling of the chair). He wanted to only allow those “with standing” but that could only be those who weren’t seated as delegates…and only delegates can speak (do you get the confusion?). The ‘elitist establishment’ wanted to pass the credentials report and then discuss it (improper order…remember when the amendment was dropped in a previous convention and then “they” didn’t keep their word?). So after a whole lot of confusion to anyone in attendance, and a great deal of wrangling, a motion was made to credential those who had been denied AND had their voter registration card on them. After a LONG roll call, the motion passed by a slim margin. The 13 people who had been denied credentials were made delegates.
Next problem came when the CONVENTION RULES were proposed. In one section was a rule to move all delegates at the county convention to the District and State Conventions. The County Chair would be able to include 15% more delegates AND all elected officials (remember the stacked list of delegates previously done by the ‘expert’ when I was running for Chair?). An amendment was made to ONLY allow those who were credentialed at the County Convention. After another LONG rangling over all of it, the amendment was changed to allow the CENTRAL COMMITTEE (not the County Chair) to determine the 5% addition. After another LONG roll call vote, that amendment failed by 4 votes. NOTE…I believe if everyone in attendance were asked, they would now say it must be the Central Committee (Matt Jackson, Jay Mandraccia, Steve Kern and myself) that determines the 51 delegates to add moving forward to district and state conventions.
All of the wrangling and procedural votes at the County Convention, I believe, are a direct result of the MISTRUST of the County Chair and the “expert” who have a history of lying, deceiving, and manipulating the delegate lists to benefit the elitists and establishment. Most of the good people who attend these conventions only want the BEST for our nation, our state, and the Republican party and don’t attend to fight!
Now what????? It is vital that everyone attend the remaining county, district and state Republican conventions AND stay involved. If we want the Republican Party in Oklahoma to be the conservative party that leads the efforts of restoring our nation and state to traditional values, we must stay involved. BUT, it also means we must hold all of our elected party officials accountable for their actions. If they are lying, cheating, using smear campaigns, or causing dissention, we must stop it. Our future is at stake…our children’s future is at stake….
I’m sure this NOTE will cause some to be uncomfortable, that is not the intent. I am standing up for what is RIGHT and finally trying to connect the dots for everyone on what was really going on at the county convention. Yesterday’s convention was a mess because of a few who tried to manipulate and “keep small” the party in order to “keep it all” to themselves. Their motives are not to build the party, but to limit who can be involved in their little clique. The Oklahoma Republican Party is not a social club or a country club! Membership includes all Oklahomans who decide to be registered Republican voters. Participation in the party activities is encouraged and welcomed (State Party Rules).
I may be maligned for my stand, but I will be able to sleep at night knowing that standing up for what is RIGHT will always be the right thing to do.
P.S. Thank you to the many Republicans, both ‘new’ and ‘old’ for being a part of the future of our party. Together we can make a difference.
Cheryl Williams
State Committee Woman
Oklahoma County Republicans”
When it comes to the talk of Bully Boy Mr Potts was way-out-of-line with his comments that ran close to referring to the Republican Party as a private club.
Mr Potts also went so far as to draping his agenda for keeping the OLD GUARD in place by throwing the Troops under the bus… An old tactic that has belittled both the party and the US Military. If we do have any members of the armed forces come to next meeting they will be Ron Paul supporters. With out Ron Paul this party will die and go by way of the Wig Party.
Gerhart may be like a bull in a china shop. I will give you that one. The process for credentials was insanity!
A couple we have known for five years was present at the joint precinct meeting, filled out their packet (we witnessed this) and turned it in. When they attended they were told they were not delegates despite being registered as Republicans for nearly a decade and attending the previous precinct meetings this year. Our precinct (118) was attended by three republicans who were listed as Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. We all three voted as closed and when we attended the county meeting our precint was delcared open. We also had a fourth person! Could this be due to the mayhem that was the joint precinct meetings? No answer was found on that and I forgot to ask the gentleman directly. The whole thing was a royal mess. When it comes down to it they were voting to lock out citizens whom the majority of were holding voting cards over their heads during the debate.
Credentials: “We couldn’t verify.” The Rejected: “Did you try?”
Al Gerhart’s action at the convention was there to get people credentialed to further the cause of freedom. Charlie Potts you have VOLUNTEERED your time and I thank you that but credentialing should NOT take over half a day. I will give allowance as we all had new precincts and that might have caused some problems. I have been to at least 10 conventions and it always appears to me that the powers that be always stack the cards in their favor. If Al Gerhart’s 1st amendment right of freedom of speech offends you, than you are what I want to fight against. He did do a point of information at the wrong time but he was eventually ruled out of order. No big deal. The Republican Party will only prosper if they operate openly and honestly.
I’ve witnessed these McCarville smear stories for awhile now. It’s infuriating watching the old guard do anything they can to keep new, vibrant Republicans from participating. People involved with the McCarville Report obviously have a personal grudge against Gerhart. Funny thing is, by going to this Potts guy (who clearly tried to thwart the process and break the rules to silence Paul supporters), McCarville is causing people in the Ron Paul movement to rally around Al, even those who don’t like him. Seems like the old guard would rather the Republican Party die and be a useless lame duck in America than allow new people to re-energize the party. How sad that some would rather hold on to crumbling power than do what’s right for the country and the party. Ron Paul supporters are not the tea party; we’re here, we’re dedicated, and we won’t be co-opted into the corrupt Republican machine. The choice is clear: Kill what’s left of the party by continuing to support the status quo, join us, or get out of the way.
“Kill the messenger”, Francis?
Let’s set the record straight here. Potts is a RINO , and yes he does think it should be an exclusive club. As someone who has dealt with the people mentioned above,Al might have been loud,but he wasn’t wrong.
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win” – Gandhi. Close to 50 legitimate delegates were taken off the list and they fought back, and after nearly 4 hours most had been reinstated by the credentials committee and the 13 left filed in to present the facts of their exclusion to the convention for redress and resolution. The excluded delegates, led by Al Gerhart, were standing up for the rule of law, not the elite who had excluded them. Bravo to Mr. Gerhart and to all the delegates who stood up for their rights and refused to be disenfranchised.
I hope that Al Gerhart will consider running for Oklahoma’s GOP chairperson to replace Matt Pennell or at least replace Mr Potts at the OKC CountyGOP chairman next term. It seems that the RINO’s in the OK legislature are afraid of Al and that is exactly what we need in Oklahoma, legislators that fear the politically active movement sweeping across Oklahoma.
Mike, I used to really like you. But not anymore. I saw and have copies of the original delegate list. More than 50+ of our people were removed from the list. They only added 40 of them back in after much wrangling in credentials. By the time the credentials report was being read there was approximately 13 left off of the list. We took pictures of the paperwork at the precinct meetings for crying out loud. Good reporters research the truth not publish their bias!!!
Why would you change your opinion of me? I wasn’t there, had nothing to do with it.
Let’s get this right people. Matt Pinnell is not the problem.He believes in the process of being involved as long as you are a registered Republican and are willing to get involved. The Matt you need to replace is at county, NOT state.