Author: Fritz Pettyjohn

Loren Enns of IamAmerican has been talking to some guy in the Bay Area about doing a documentary on the Task Force.  I think it’s a great idea (surprise!).  In fact, if we did succeed at this, it would even be “historical”.  I’m supposed to be on a conference call with Loren and this guy next week.

I don ‘t know what he’s got in mind, but you could do a reality show of sorts, though that’s a stretch.  No action, except during a legislative session, with floor votes and all.   But naturally I’m all jacked up.  There would be good guys and bad guys, the latter being the crazy Birchers and Schlafleyites.  Tension, and drama, on floor votes, especially as we get closer to 34.  Interviews with big shots like Kasich, Paul and Coburn.  Some inside politics stuff.  Educational, in a way.  There might even be a way for the Task Force to get some money out oft the deal.

Could be a kick in the butt.

 

But when?  I think 2014 closes out with LA and SC giving us 25.  Nine to go.  If we’re smart we pour everything we’ve got into getting MT, WY, and ND in 2015.  We wouldn’t get another shot at those three until 2017 — too long to wait.  If we succeed in those three states, plus Wisconsin and Kentucky, we’re at 30 — just four to go.  At that point, let’s say in May of 2015, the Presidential campaign is underway.  Almost every R will wholeheartedly embrace our cause, even try to make it their own.  Rand Paul has gotten us Kentucky.  Scott Walker has gotten us Wisconsin.  Sen. Coburn should get us Oklahoma.  Three to go.  With Sens. Hatch and Lee, and enough leg work, we can get Utah.  Two to go.  With money and high octane help from  GOP bigs, we will be able to get Idaho, Arizona, South Dakota, and if necessary one or two of the states that will be flipping to R in 2014 (OR, WA, ME, and MN).

It gets down to getting close enough, soon enough.  31 is close enough.  2015 is soon enough.

 

In trying to figure out how to sell this project I’ve thought a lot about what happens if we either succeed or come within a state or two in 2015. 

If we succeed (which, with money, is entirely possible) Article V and the BBA will be one of the dominant issues in the political races of 2016, including, specifically, the Presidency.  The media will not be able to resist this story, even if they tried.  It’s too good.  Too much drama.  Too much at stake.

1)  Great drama surrounding the vote in the 34th state.  Let’s say, for example, it’s Idaho.  Boise will be crawling with reporters.  And when it passes, for the first time in 228 years the states will have exercised their power under Article V.  This is a big deal.

2)  Drama around Congress aggregating the 34 Resolutions, and setting the time and place of the Convention of States.  Someone will sue to stop the whole thing.  Legal drama to go with political drama.

3)  Drama in 50 state Capitols over the selection of delegates to the Convention.

4)  Ongoing drama, throughout the whole process, about what, exactly the BBA will do, and how it will impact the economy and the political establishment in D.C.

5)  Drama when the Convention convenes, and selects a Chairman.

6)  The Convention’s deliberations will be open to cameras.  CSPAN gets a rating boost, as well as Fox News.  This goes on for weeks, if not months.

7)  The drama of passage, at the Convention, of the final proposal.

8)  The drama, in 50 state Capitols, of the whole ratification fight.

This all redounds to the benefit of the Republicans.  It’s their issue.  It unites the Tea Party and establishment wings of the party.  It divides the Democrats between the public, where it has 65% Democratic support, and the leadership — all opposed.

If I can’t sell that, I should go join a monastery.

Conservative media have finally recognized our existence.  We don ‘t care too much about legacy media.  The Washington Examiner ran a story about Rep. Duncan Hunter (CA) inquiring of the Speaker how many states had passed a BBA.  Drudge picked it up, and apparently Fox News is running a story.  This is all because of Michigan becoming our 23rd.  Apparently that number is a lot more interesting than 22.  Which will make 24  — South Carolina — a big story.  This will help give us credibility, which helps fundraising — a lot.

It turns out South Carolina depends on one member of Senate Judiciary.  If he buys in, we’re good.  If not, we’re dead.  He’s a lawyer and apparently something of a constitutional scholar, and he’s taking a lawyerly, scholarly look at it.  Unless he’s an idiot we should get South Carolina. 

Trouble erupted in Louisiana, but we still think we’re O.K.   We’ll get it, 25.

That may be it for this year.  Next year, we get Wisconsin and Kentucky and the rest is West.  All solid conservative Republican states, with big majorities.  The Birchers and Schlafleyites are all that’s between us and 34. 

That’s my pitch for money.

That’s what Juneau Sen. Bill Ray said to some Democratic presidential campaign, when they sought his help.  So if I get in front of the Granite Construction PAC, that’s what they’re thinking.  Here’s the answer:  you get entitlement reform.  It’s the only way to get it, through a BBA.  There will be no real pressure on military construction, at least long term, because that’s not where the money is.  It’s all going to entitlements.  Reform entitlements, and we can return to normal budgeting, which will allow a normal percentage to construction.  I’d like to get in front of some defense contractors, like Lockheed, make the same pitch.

Makes sense to me.