Are Ron Paul and His Supporters Being Snubbed in Oklahoma Republican Primary?

Impact

It is the morning of Super Tuesday in Oklahoma City and I am about to go vote. Last night I went to my designated polling place and put up four signs in what I judged to be a good distance from the voting box. It will be interesting to see if they are still there. I believe they will be because my precinct is very quiet. I live in Oklahoma City but I live on the side of town that really doesn’t get involved with politics too much. I am the only one on my street — two blocks long, that has a politician’s sign in their yard. My boyfriend was afraid the neighbors might steal, mangle or somehow molest it, but the only damage done is by the strong wind that comes sweeping down the plain on a constant basis.

The television ads here have been mostly Santorum and Romney, each attacking each other. I don’t recall seeing a Gingrich ad here in the last month or so. And then there is my candidate of choice, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas). His best advertisement is when he appeared at the state capitol here in Oklahoma City last month. He made a quick whistle-stop and it was momentous. Of course the local media wasn’t there to cover the event.

Last Saturday I attended the Oklahoma County Convention as a delegate for my precinct. When I got to the registration table my name did not appear on the list as I had been assured via e-mail that I was, by the Oklahoma County GOP Chairman Matt Jackson. There were about 40 citizens who had to go through an extra “credentialing.” Fortunately, I had a copy of said e-mail to prove that I was on the delegate list, but 13 others were not so fortunate.  It was chaos and unfortunately, some people chose to leave rather than fight through the process. Al Gephart, a Ron Paul coordinator for the State of Oklahoma, followed the rules and called into question the obvious exclusions. Was it a “strange” coincidence that most, if not all, excluded citizens were Ron Paul supporters? There was a vigorous debate that ensued. Finally, going well into the afternoon, it was put to a vote. Would these people, many waving their voter registration cards, be allowed to participate in this most rightful and basic civic activity? The vote was narrowly passed to allow them into the convention as full participating delegates. 

The video explains it all. 

Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore