“If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
This is the second time that Cindy Gamrat (at the behest of Todd Courser?) has considered throwing her hat in the ring for RNC Committeewoman. This is also the second time she has made an attempt to Undermine the TP/Liberty movement this month. An apparent pattern is beginning to emerge, one that many, myself included, were blinded to by Friendship and possibly misplaced loyalty.
Many of us Know that Cindy Gamrat asked Both Cindy Duran and Angela Rigas, to effectively cancel their house races, and Commit their Campaign resources and volunteers to her fight. (Were there others asked to do so?) Angela Rigas and Cindy Duran were both taking on sitting incumbents. With the recent revelations of the endorsement of Ronna last week, and the propping up of Calley at the Pow Wow, one could easily speculate on the motives of such a request, the origination of the requests, and who would benefit the most if either had dropped out? Many realize that while Pscholka and Lyons both still won, neither is in a position of leadership in the house today, and much of the credit for that goes to the diminishing of their power due to being challenged. A secondary thought is the arrogance involved in the concept that a candidate has the “Right” to commit the time, energy, and resources of volunteers, to others.
There was a big divide prior to the last convention amongst the Tea Party factions against Wes Nakagiri, right up to the end, Led mainly by Todd and Cindy. I was worried from the start, that Wes would be used to identify Loyalties for the coming purge of delegates, and help the GOP establishment consolidate their power. I and others came late to helping Wes, (after Todd dawdled for MONTHS in indecision) because he (Wes) was challenging the establishment, and they needed that challenge. Looking back, one could argue that Todd used the speculation to undermine support for Wes, possibly even at the Behest of the Calley camp. Todd and Cindy spent almost a year Trying to convince me that Calley was the man to support, while at the same time Todd was publicly claiming to leave the door open for himself.
I suggested that We have Wes at the Pow Wow as a featured Speaker to HEAL the old woulds and Unite the movement. I was shot down and instead the Focus was on Promoting John Yob, (Which I only partially regret, there is a lot we can learn from John). Three Days before the event, I was informed that instead of a move for Unity with Wes, Brian Calley would be given the stage. Wendy Day orchestrated for The man who led the purge of conservative delegates, to take the stage at the Tea Party’s premiere event, only a month after the Defeat of Wes Nakagiri. My concern was that this would seen by many as yet another victory lap, and an open betrayal of those purged, many of whom were already registered. My request for Cindy to reconsider, or at least include the people who helped get her elected on stage, was ignored.
Last Weeks endorsement of Ronna was an also an orchestrated Betrayal. Two endorsements, posted 7 minutes apart. A last minute shot over the bow to discourage and undermine Norm Hughes supporters and morale. Most Know I have not always agreed with Norm, (much of that blame is due to Todd) but backing him was the RIGHT THING FOR THE CAUSE. Todd and Cindy should have been on the side of those who helped them, not for Norm’s sake, but for the sake of ALL those who stood and fought beside them.
The Founding Fathers lost most of their Battles, but won the War, because they Persevered and continued fighting for what is right. Imagine if instead of signing the “Treaty of Alliance” on Feb 6th 1778 the French had sent out an Endorsement of King George? Imagine if an official Declaration of French support for the British had been announced on December 24th 1776 ? How might History have been rewritten if French Foreign Minister Comte de Vergennes had penned a negative response to “The Crisis” in early January of 1777?
Todd and Cindy could have at least stayed Neutral. They could have stood silently out of the Fray, and let the cards fall where they may. I heard about their endorsement during our Tea Party meeting, Thursday evening, where we were planning strategy for the weekend. I can tell you that NO ONE at that meeting, all of who had stood with Todd or Cindy over the years, was in agreement with them. Choosing to endorse Ronna was a move that had zero benefit for the Tea Party movement. It was entirely self serving, and done with (I hope) no thought to how destructive it would be to the Cause. The only ones who benefited were those already in the Ronna camp, or those currying favor, and trying to consolidate power for their own benefits.
Many know that rumors of deals were tossed around concerning Kim and Ronna, we never went to a runoff, so we can only speculate on whether deals were actually made. Many wondered what was the benefit for Todd and Cindy Last week? Why the complete switch of sides, and stand against so many who helped them get where they are today? They cannot argue that it was an early decision, made before the players were known. The argument that it was a slap in the face to Norm, for past differences between he and Todd, is possible, but petty on Todd’s part if true. By endorsing Ronna, Todd was getting in bed with the alliance folks, who publicly betrayed him far worse than the private slights between him and Norm. Cindy running for the RNC seat is in My opinion a No win for the Tea Party. If she wins, the Domacles’ sword of whether a deal was cut will forever hang over her head. If she loses, the public perception will be that the movement has failed yet again, and is no longer relevant, furthering the argument of the hardcore establishment supporters.
It is time to accept Todd and Cindy as legislators, we can hope they will vote the right way on policy, keep us informed on legislative issues, and we can assist them when it benefits the cause of fighting statism. However, we have survived the multiple attempts to Co-opt the movement in the past, the moves by various self interested individuals to direct and control it, and will do so again. It is time for them to focus on the jobs they were elected to do, settle in and help further the cause of Religious Freedom, Lower taxes, and smaller Government, and leave future political aspirations to the future.
All relationships can survive almost anything, as long as some kind of basic humanity exists between the people involved. When one person apparently doesn’t care about the other, chooses self interest and self preservation over loyalty, not only to individuals, but to a cause, it borders on unforgivable. The petty individual differences are forgivable. The betrayal and undermining of the Tea Party movement last week set the Quantum of Solace to zero. Politics makes some people insecure, When the other person not only makes you feel insecure, but actually seems to want to destroy you, it is obviously the end.
(29)Nuh Uh.
(2)
Good write up. Make no mistake, Todd and Cindy are all about - Todd and Cindy. I don't object to that, whatever floats their boat, but, I sure as Hell am not going to bury my head in the sand about that fact, either. Their bed - their problem - lay in it.
Maybe TEA folk should adapt their mindset towards more like what it takes to be in the stock market - you never fall in love with your stocks. If it isn't performing for you, then you sh!tcan it, take what you got from the experience and invest in better stock.
Frankly put, I stand with Mr. Baker. Some have yet to figure the game out, and still mire themselves in the slobbering love affair with Team R actors, because, you know, them eeeevil Team D actors.
F*** all that.
Anyhoo, best of luck.
The one outstanding piece of this puzzle not covered by Patriotist here was RRMcD's statement on Dave Agema. Her faction of R's were dead set to oust Dave Agema, but one of RRMcD's first statements called off the dogs. Was this part of a price extracted by Gamrat and Courser?
Because if they chose Norm, then Dave would've been thrown out? Really?
Look, if that's the best spin, crutch, tale (pick your favorite descriptor) does happen to surface by either Todd or Cindy, then the level of cognitive dissonance is staggering. They're the equivalent to Enron stock.
Time Line does not fit 1oX25. Anyone paying attention knows that Ronna refused to condemn Agema from the time she ran for RNC committeewoman. Ronna also avoided any semblance of being dragged into the controversy over the last year. Both things I will congratulate her for. Jeff has also refused to be dragged into the controversy from the start.
Any speculation that Todd and Cindy extracted protection of Agema for their betrayal is Ludicrous at best. Neither made any public statements recently, and I can Report, actually tried to back off from public support of Agema at the Pow Wow. Your comment sounds more like an after the fact attempt to justify their actions.
I and others made it public Knowledge, that working with Agema would be a Key litmus test for ALL the candidates, and Ronna and Jeff made it clear that it was time to move on prior to the Convention. The only Candidate who Publicly called for Agema to resign was Linda Lee Tarver.
for the Record Patriotist is David L Wells for the few who may not Know.
Whoa. Easy there, Trigger. 10X25MM is one of us. Besides, it was a question - not a statement.
As an aside... with all the chaos surrounding the name Gamrat and youth vc, li'l Heavenly Mother done slipped one of Jeff's effete "inclusive, judgement-free society" agenda toads in on y'all.
Have relatively few contacts among the establishment R's, so I really don't know what is going on here. Surprised that RRMcD would go against what must be withering pressure from her faction in the R's. Do know for certain that the establishment R's want Agema out with a white hot passion. Enough passion that they are working with D's who they really don't like. Yes, there are D's who establishment R's really despise.
Agema statement went against RRMcD's image/reputation as a zombie tool of the R establishment. Does she have more spine than we thought? Or did she cut a deal on Agema well before the convention whose outcome was sprung later at the convention? Just a thought experiment looping in the back of my mind as we will probably never know for certain.
The movie Braveheart comes to mind all too often.
99.5% of those who have a desire to run for office are POLITICIANS at heart.
Ruthlessly ambitious and populists manipulators (think actor and actresses using flattery and the right buz words to entice)
The thing is: critical thinking and discernment. Some naturally have it, (we are not the bad guys, we just see things others do not, you might seriously consider listening to the warnings) others MUST cultivate it or we will continue spinning our wheels while our state, nation and culture continues the post 9-11 decline
Others apparently can not admit they could have been wrong in their devotion and continue to uphold those who deceived them despite all those "stubborn facts" to the contrary. Their opinions are like dust in the wind.
"We need discernment in what we see and what we hear and what we believe." Chuck Swindoll
Are any of you State Representatives? I mean, I am assuming you are as you seem to know the stress, time, commitment, integrity, honor, values, and the like that that takes. In fact you seem to know ALOT about what Cindy and Todd should be doing. There also seems to be this mentality that because they endorsed the candidate THEY felt best could lead the party, they must've been promised something? Really?
I really like the line where is says Cindy and Todd should've stayed neutral.... Hahaha because they must and others dot have to? I seem to recall David being a very vocal advocate for Hughes, but Cindy, Todd, Colbeck, all other endorsers cannot be vocal...?
Jo[ey], just been mindful of who holds the other end of the chain.
Feel free to pass that along...
I am not sure I understand your comment?
I am not sure I understand your comment Corinthian Scales?
"Jo" is short for "Josy" which is short for Josephine?
Don't f**k with me, Joey. All information confirms this right down to where you were when you made this comment. - CS
Most of the time I will publicly ignore misleading accusations about me as I prefer to work things out in person and one on one as much as possible, as I have attempted in private in this case. But I feel led here to shed a little light to those in the grassroots world to decide for themselves. I will not go through point by point on this letter pointing out how each statement is off the mark, although I could, it would just create a back and forth "he said she said" and my time and yours is precious and can be much better spent. But as an example I will just start with the first point and allow you to decide the credibility and accuracy of this letter. The first statement claims I asked Angela and Cindy Duran to effectively cancel their campaigns. I did ask for their help for a day or maybe two sometime over the summer last year and maybe I shouldn't have, but that is a far cry from asking them to cancel their campaigns. Here below I have copied and pasted the private message I sent to Angela and Cindy on May 29th 2014 in my request for their help:
"Cindy and Angela, I'd like you to pray about and consider something for me. Recent polling shows that I am in a statistical dead heat with my opponent Mary Whiteford. I know that you ladies have been working hard in your races and have done a great job in gathering your volunteers to help lay the groundwork against some deep pocket incumbents for this election and for next election cycle when your seats become "open seats". You both have my full respect and gratitude for what you are doing!! With my race being so close, grassroots volunteers can be the difference to help get me over the top and give us this win in the state house and a major win for the grassroots movement. Would you consider asking your volunteers to take a day or two coming up to help me knock doors and make calls? By combining and bringing in energy and help from the north and south into Allegan with my volunteers, I believe we will be able to dominate any other door to door effort in the state and will close a victory for a house seat. I have carbon copied Todd on this as we have talked extensively to candidates around the state and have been watching all the races closely and trying to direct our help, and the grassroots energy and resources where we can make a difference. We have a number of very close races in the state that we can take if we are smart about it. That will be good for our state, and for our movement in going into the next election cycle. My race just happens to be one of them that are very close right now, that with some extra energy and effort we can take. This is not easy for me to ask you this as I know how precious the time of a volunteer is to each of you, but I know your hearts and why you are doing this, that it is not out of your own desire for personal gain, but to push forward the voice and movement for liberty at a price to yourself and your family. We have a clear and immediate chance of winning my seat and getting our voice in there. Please pray and consider what I am asking, and if it doesn't seem like the right thing to do, I understand and hold nothing against you at all. I know the hard battle you are going through because I am going through it too, and I thank you for putting yourself on the line like you have for the cause of liberty! I consider you both friends in liberty and sisters in Christ and nothing will change that! God Bless you both!"
I ask those who are reading accusations about me to measure them to all that I have poured into this movement over the years. I try to do the same for others and take everything I read with a healthy grain of salt, and if there is something I see that is concerning to me, I will contact them directly. My work in the grassroots conservative movement stands for itself and anyone who knows me knows that the suggestion that I am cutting deals for personal gain in the background is simply ludicrous.
I do want to take this moment though to thank David Wells for the efforts he has given in the fight for liberty. He has done an incredible job in the Grand Rapids area and also in assisting in the PowWow, and although he might not have gotten this piece quite right, I try and give grace whenever possible as I am not perfect either and expect that we will all make mistakes along the way. So even though we may not see eye to eye on an endorsement or every point along the way, I look forward to working with him and anyone else in restoring freedom and am thankful for any support for all of us for doing so! Regardless of how people see me, I will continue to follow God's leading in my life to fight for liberty for our state and nation.
With Firm Reliance on Divine Providence,
Cindy
You have a lot of after-the-fact insight. Those of us who were watching the before deals tried to expose them--but you are right, the whole exercise was to find the conservatives and punish them. Didn't anyone listen to the little speeches all the candidates gave? "I raised this money--I raised that money"--oh yeah, "we're having a contest to raise money for charity"--but absolutely nothing about policy or the future. Aren't we tired yet of being told who to vote for? And if I hear one more excuse on wrongful compromises in the name of political capital--apparently worth more than money--I'm going to puke!
Jo, you are correct We are not State Representatives, which is the point. Now that they are elected, Cindy and Todd have shifted gears, and apparently decided that the best thing for the movement is to tie their horse to the establishment Wagon. (Thank you Gary Glenn for Publicly doing the right thing and standing with the Tea Party). As elected officials, they need to establish a degree of separation, that allows them to avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest, and also allows the Tea Party to operate independent of their control and influence.
Yes I Publicly supported Norm, as explained above, it was the right thing to do. Your prior comment is rather telling, and verifies the key point made in my article. Time for Todd and Cindy to stop trying to direct the movement towards being controlled by the establishment Republicans. If they Honestly believe that is the best Policy, then state so CLEARLY and Publicly , rather than the manipulative actions of the past 2 months.
JO: "There also seems to be this mentality that because they endorsed the candidate THEY felt best could lead the party, they must've been promised something?" Interesting point there. Are we really expected to believe that their realization came just 24 hours before the opening of the Convention? and only minutes apart?
If they were so concerned about who would lead the Party into the Future, where were the recommendations for Vice Chairs in the Contested Races?
How about endorsements for District Chairs? State Committee members? The truth is the 2 people who were the Anti-establishment candidates 2 years ago, changed sides. Taking it on themselves to decide what is best for all.
I shot Down the speculation about a quid pro quo deal for Agema, however, I stand on the building political capital for the future statement. I and most leaders in the Tea Party will NEVER accept the argument that we should JUST BLINDLY TRUST THE DECISIONS OF OTHERS WITHOUT QUESTION, and accept that they know what is best for the cause. Where were the Phone calls to those on the front lines who stood with and supported Todd and Cindy over the last 4 years ? Where was the discussion and Counseling about the decisions made? If there was a good argument for Ronna leading the Party, then it should have been made, publicly and over time. Instead we got a simple Last minute shot over the Bow, the complete opposite of the Education and Information model that has led the movement from the start.
We expect explanations, even from those We trust, and when not forthcoming, will suspect their actions.
I am looking forward to The promised changes from Ronna and Jeff being made, But until they are, remain skeptical.
Cindy,
Your work in the grassroots conservative movement stands for itself and is exactly why you should Place the effect on the movement as a priority in your decision making process. The decisions you make, endorsements made, and other actions will reflect on the movement, right or wrong. You owe it to the people who helped you to explain your decisions, and to avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest.
The River City Patriots By-Laws include a clause that excludes Officers from holding higher elected positions for this very reason, and I would suggest a De-facto consideration be given to this idea for all leaders.
I have held the story of a thankless narcissist for the sake of the movement but it is time to state at least some minimal facts to understand why things went down as they did. Two years ago Courser self announced for state chair while we were vetting candidates, preempting better qualified candidates who could have won that race. He initiated a pretty lousy campaign, with emails and mailings with many misspellings, grammatical errors, and off message. He was lagging with about 18-21% of the vote, but still offended those helping him. He screamed at me at one meeting, and was incapable of accepting counsel. Our UpRight Michigan PAC reached a critical point. Do we continue to back him despite SERIOUS flaws for the sake of the movement. or pull the plug and save our resources for another day?
We did a "push poll" independent of C's campaign, pushing him to 56%, but he and his incompetent campaign refused to stay on message and schedule to effect a win. His numbers soon sunk again. Schostak was weak and could be beat with a good campaign. We knew this, but the message kept getting muddled. Ultimately, UpRight decided to pursue this and other campaigns but as an independent effort as, frankly, we could not trust C's campaign and came to have limited confidence in his as well. We got him very close, but one cannot win by continuing to offend voters. In total, UpRight and its leaders invested more than 1,000 hours and about $20,000 on the 2013 February convention. I believe every outside dollar raised for that campaign was raised by me and sent directly to C. After the convention several tries for a de-brief were declined. He did not want to understand what happened.
That September after no contact since the Convention, I received more than 70 text messages in one day from C. They started with a request I raise $1 Million for him to run against Snyder. I told him he should run for his state house seat, having lost for state legislature and not even having been elected precinct delegate. He went ballistic, saying he had not decided if he would run for Governor, L.G., Supreme Court or Congress but he was now a statewide personality and certainly above the state house. He proceeded to insult me in almost every way imaginable. He accused me of incompetence, not doing enough for his campaign, of taking my wife on vacation (haven't had one) with money that should have been given to his campaign, of not having faith comparable with his, etc., etc. I have the texts saved and may release some of them at some time.
A volunteer owes a politician nothing. Any minute, mile or dollar is an unearned gift. Eventually support dries up for thankless politicians who use and abuse others. We carried the expense and whipped the state convention twice for C, getting him nominated for State Board of Education and almost elected state GOP chair. IMHO he would have won that had he run a decent campaign and not so deeply offended those closest to his campaign. Our PAC put out nearly a million slate cards promoting him at conventions and the general election in 2012. We never got a thank you and have been bad mouthed and lied to and about every since. That he supported RRM is understandable. He wants to be the top conservative operative in Michigan and feels the way to get there is to tear down this writer. By their fruits ye shall know them.
As for Cindy I sense the same thanklessness. She called out of the blue shortly after moving to Michigan, asking that I give her contacts for all tea party leaders in the state as she wanted to head a statewide organization of them. I worked the north 31 counties on Indiana in the 2008 campaign and had no contact with her. I questioned her ability to lead such an organization having just moved here. I declined to participate in the Mi4CS process because it was poorly timed and we had a much more important effort with Freedom To Work that demanded 100% of my attention. She scheduled one PowWow on the same day she knew MiCPAC was scheduled. Nonetheless, we sponsored at the PowWows and I worked the state convention with her, taking her from delegation to delegation and introducing her to delegates and promoting her candidacy. You will recall she has barred Michigan Freedom To Work. Michigan Conservative Union and other efforts I have been involved with, from any meaningful roll at her events.
I have known for more than two years I could not work with them, but took great caution to not hinder them in any way, for the sake of the movement. That came back to bite Marian and me. To me, integrity is a necessary first ingredient to a working relationship. Be it petty animosity, enviousness, greed, ego, narcissism, self or other motivation, you can judge for yourself if they have any remaining credibility with the real conservative movement. I hope they will vote right but expect nothing more, and hope they quit splitting and messing with the movement.