Is there a Republican Party in Arkansas?
Joe Maynard 12/16/2024
Many are now acutely aware of the ongoing struggle within the Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA).
What is not clear is the simple essence of the problem, which is not attractive to most to the point where they are driven to educate themselves. It really boils down to one simple question, which too few are willing to consider, much less to stake a position.
Well, here it is:
Does the State Executive Committee have the authority to override decisions made by the State Convention?
It would seem it would be relatively simple to answer this fundamental question. After all, there are long-established, printed RPA rules, Robert’s Rules, precedents, and most importantly, an alignment to oft recited Republican principles. But to many Republican party members, these details are in the “weeds” and just too much to dare ponder lest their heads explode.
As to the alignment of principles, one should consider two opposing views:
1. “The People Rule.” Nationally, the Republican party is structured to align their organizations to accomplish their ends–being “The People Rule” (our state motto, btw). The November 5, 2024, election was a reminder of that principle nationally. This is accomplished within the RPA by giving the highest authority in all party matters to the most geographically and culturally diverse and largest group of elected state party delegates, The State Convention, which according to the RPA Rules, Article I, is the “Final Authority”* in all party matters. The State Convention is actually established by state law and was capped at a number of delegates in 2024 of 803 plus county-wide and JP—elected R’s across the state, which could easily be over 1000 delegates.
* Final Authority defined: “Final authority in law is the person or entity that has the final say on a matter, and their decision cannot be challenged or overruled.” https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=f317ae5c71528275&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS995US998&sxsrf=ADLYWIIpwSfeHD5e-Pe5Sc6P4UwyEwQGWA:1734372274120&q=Definition+of+final+authority+in+law&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjhnbqa8KyKAxWQMtAFHd1xE8sQ1QJ6BAhJEAE&biw=1369&bih=910&dpr=1
(For a clear understanding of how the RPA is structured see these two articles: https://conduitnews.com/2023/09/05/republican-state-convention-yes-state-committee-no/ and https://conduitnews.com/2024/05/02/attack-on-the-republican-state-convention/)
Alternatively,
2. “Establishment Rules.” A new position for the RPA (which surfaced on July 25, 2024) is that the final authority in the State Party lies with a select group (the State Executive Committee (SEC)) made up of a much smaller group (as few as 23 voting members on the date aforementioned), with the top officials being elected by the State Committee (not the State Convention, as is the practice in many states), thus elected by a more tightly controlled group of mainly public office holders and those politically career-minded. There is no printed authority for this newly found power exercised on July 25, 2024, which single-handedly set aside all decisions made by the 2024 State Convention on June 8, 2024. (One may easily argue this power in the SEC does not legitimately exist and none can be legitimately constructed from piecemeal statements or from precedent.)
Upon a simple review — here is the reasoning and ridiculousness of the second theory. The claim of authority is one issue, but the second important issue that brings clarity to the entire fiasco is this. The argument used by the established elite to “nullify” the Convention outcome is that changes brought up, voted on, and passed overwhelmingly were not properly submitted and or “approved”, and/or “notified” properly. Are you following? (At this point, it would be handy to have the rules close, to follow the exact language.) But in short, there is a Rules Committee and a Platform Committee for every Convention. These are six people on each and are, wait for it……, all appointed by the RPA Chairman.
The Establishment would have you believe that they (committees of six):
- Must receive requests for change from State Convention delegates 60 days in advance of the Convention. True and DONE and undisputed for all but one item.
- The pertinent committee Must “Recommend” ANY changes that will be allowed to be discussed at a Convention. Are you making the connection here yet? The Chairman alone controls who gets to decide what a Convention may discuss? Really? Does that seem democratic at all? This is a false determination and against all prior precedents.
- The Party Must convey Notices in advance of any proposed changes or discussions to the delegates by the RPA through its County Chairmen. Done? What if they don’t agree and do not convey some or all proposed changes? See where we are going here?
- There is a plurality, it seems, that are willing to accept the second theory without considering the contradiction it presents to printed words or to generally accepted Republican principles of governance.
It seems that too many simply do not WANT to know. (These are the most problematic in my opinion.) Most in power are unwilling to engage in any dialogue or explanation for this contradiction. I suspect that their rule is that, “when you cannot make a legitimate argument with an informed member, it is best to say nothing.” (Maybe even ignore them or demonize them, your fellow Republicans, I mean). You must then count on the support of collaborators and the uninformed, WILLFULLY UNINFORMED, I would propose, to hold on to power.
That’s it in a nutshell. You either: 1) know and go along, 2) don’t know and do not want to know, 3) don’t know but will read for yourself and then act accordingly, 4) know and will stand against this abomination, or 5) simply disengage out of mutual disgust. In any case, you each need to decide and “get the Hell off the fence.” Not speaking is speaking! Ignorance is not good. Willful Ignorance is far worse!
If the current situation within the RPA is allowed to stand and continue, there is no perceptible path for the people and principles that support the Republican Party in Arkansas to achieve anything more than to offer the best of two bad choices of tyrants bent on retaining personal power. Is there then a need for a party at all?
Stand up or bend the knee to RPA Tyranny! Just admit what sort you are.
Joe Maynard
Co-Founder of Conduit
