Miscellaneous

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.

I’ve become a fundraiser.  With half a million or so we can do this next year.  No money, no can do.  I’ll try for Cbiz money through my son Darren’s Bozeman boss, Granite Construction $ through Peyton’s acting stepfather Jay McQuillan, Altria (Phillip Morris) $ through a lobbyist friend of my old legislative assistant, Frank Bickford.  Former Califonia Assembly Minority Bob Naylor is now a Sacto lobbyist.  We’re YR friends from college, and I’ll try to sign him up for the cause at lunch in 10 days or so.  Likewise with Sacto lobbyist Laurie Hamson, a friend of Robin Taylor’s.  I want 25 to 50 big ones from each of them.  Once I make a sale I’ll generate leads at the same time. 

I’m selling Article V.  It’s a great product, that I know like the back of my hand —  better than anyone, as a matter of fact.  The timing for the sale is absolutely ideal.  And getting better.  My problem is making contact with my customers.  If I get my foot in the door I will make sales.

Either that or I’m just an old man peddling bullshit.

AZ Senate Pres. Biggs has killed our bill.  We can’t take him out — he’s not up this year.  What we will do is try to kick him out of the chair in the AZ Senate Caucus after November.  We need AZ intel on Senate candidates.  They’ll probably organize right after the election; we’ve got to be ready with an alternative candidate.

In Utah, in addition to protecting our votes from retaliation, we need to take out at least one of our Republican opponents.  We’ll get a group going, Utah for a Balanced Budget, and call every Republican supervoter in a target’s district.  We’ll tell them about his vote against the BBA, and ask them to turn up at the nominating caucus to toss his ass.  We can do this.  All it takes is manpower and organization.  I can do the organization, IAmAmerican can provide the manpower.  All we need is intel from Reps. Powell and Ivory, and a candidate.  Doable.

Our Wisconsin problem should be solved in November.  The Big Storm should add a couple Republican Senators.  I’ll bet we get Gov. Walker pushing it, as well.

We know what we need to do in ID, UT, SD, ND, WY and MT.  We just need to execute.  We also need to make sure we’re on board with the leadership in each House and Senate.  Intel needed.  ID and UT are fine, but we need to make sure we don’t get Biggsed.

I’m getting all jacked up about running for Congress as a Balanced Budget Democrat.  I will be the candidate of the white working class.  I’ll run against Wall Street, foreign wars, affirmative action, job-killing environmentalism, illegal immigration, and public sector unions.  I’m for the working man, not the businessman.  I’ve got a great message.

Will I be heard?