Hawaii GOP Convention Tightly Scripted

This media release from Eric Ryan came in today.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HONOLULU, Hawaii ― May 18, 2008 ― Hundreds of well-meaning Hawaii Republicans from all counties statewide traveled at their own expense to Waikiki and participated in our 2008 State Republican convention. During that time, many duly elected party delegates witnessed a carefully scripted event.

The attached internal document was provided by an undisclosed party official. This document carefully outlines the exact verbiage and that was followed. This included the adoption of rules, motions, and other matters that are considered highly debatable. Rulings provided by the chair were also pre-scripted and pre-determined, indicating a biased position on the part of the party leadership who should have remained unbiased during the proceedings. Delegates and alternates weren’t even allowed to discuss their own party’s platform, though hours were supposedly allotted for such discussion.

The General Session proceedings were conducted in an atmosphere of malfeasance. Please pay particular attention to General Session [beginning on page 7 of the attached document]. All outcomes were predetermined and every delegate’s and alternate’s time was completely wasted.

QUOTES FROM RYAN

“The need to change our party leadership has never been clearer. We’ve been railroaded by insiders for too long who only care about protecting their power base and preventing the discussion of our platform and principles.”

“We’ve strayed a great distance from our party’s beliefs and we don’t even bother to tell voters what we in. If party leaders spent as much time implementing a winning strategy as they do circling the wagons to prevent reform, Hawaii would be a different and better place today.”

“Adding insult to injury, when asked about releasing the actual vote tallies, Willes Lee said it’s nobody’s business. Considering this in light of party leader’s unwillingness to promote our party and our solutions and our candidates, no wonder we keep losing at the ballot box.”

IMPORTANT LINKS

• Aiona sets sights on 2010 campaign at convention
  
• Hawaii Republican Party Rejects Ad Campaign Donated by Party Supporters
• Convention Script (800+K PDF)
  

Photo caption: Platform chair Darwin Ching checks his script.