Constitution Party - California

AIP June 26 2010 Red Man Hall convention protest report
by David Christensen
June 26, 2010

Everyone:

First, the facts of today as I saw them:

Maggie Bloom, Don Grundmann, Jerry Leidecker, Connie Otwell, and myself arrived at 8:00 AM this morning at Red Man Hall, 5501 Sky Parkway, in Sacramento, and made preparations to conduct a peaceful protest of the American Independent Party (AIP) 2010 Convention to be held there today. Don brought several large signs which read "AIP is Corrupt", which we carried up and down the sidewalk in front of the hall. We also passed out fliers based upon Jerry's "American Free Press agrees to investigate infiltration and subversion of A.I.P." message, which I forwarded today at 3:38 PM [ http://constitutionpartyca.org/node/739 ].

Event attendees began arriving around 9:30 AM. I recognized Markham and Mary Robinson, Mark Seidenberg, Ed Noonan, and Phelps Hobart. There were perhaps a dozen more attendees. I did not see Gerald or Grace Hill.

Ernest Vance arrived during this period, requested to participate, and was refused. (I'll let Ernest provide the details, if he chooses.)

John Rakus arrived around 9:55 AM. We discussed (in haste) his prior suggestion that people who are qualified to be convention delegates should try to gain entry into the event. Jerry and myself decided to make the attempt; Don would follow us with his video camera. John, Jerry, myself, and Don entered the building and interrupted the meeting in progress. Markham, who was apparently the event chairperson, spoke with us, while simultaneously attempting to maintain order. Jerry and myself identified ourselves as AIP nominees for U.S. Representative in Congress and therefore AIP convention delegates. Ed informed Don, Jerry, and myself that we were under citizen's arrest for trespassing; the Sacramento County Sheriff was called. Markham offered Jerry and I the opportunity to present credentials. I went to my vehicle to obtain a copy of the California Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates for the June 8, 2010, Primary Election [ http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/2010-elections/june-2010/june-2010-candi... ], plus hard copies of web pages with semi-official results of contested AIP races [ http://vote.sos.ca.gov/ ]. When I returned, sheriff's cruisers were rolling into the parking lot and one deputy was talking to people outside the front door. After calming everyone, the deputy began discussing the situation with Markham, Mark, Jerry, myself, and others. Markham, Mark, and/or myself presented papers to the deputy. A senior deputy arrived and took charge. More discussions followed. Eventually, an agreement was made whereby Jerry and myself could present our credentials, one at a time, to the event Credentials Committee, but Don was refused entry. (I'll let Don provide the details, if he chooses.) We agreed. The deputies returned our papers.

I was admitted to the event by Mark sometime around 11:30 AM. I asked the initial deputy to accompany me; he agreed. Mark brought us before the committee, which was convened in the front left corner of the hall. The remaining attendees were seated in the hall. I introduced myself as the 2010 AIP Nominee for U.S. Representative in Congress, District 11. Markham identified himself as the chair of the committee, but not a member. The committee introduced themselves -- I recognized Mary, Mark, Phelps, and Ed. I believe there were four other members (Patrick Colglazier, Alane Quien, and two others?). I told the committee that I was the sole candidate for U.S. Representative in Congress, District 11, and as the sole candidate, I would automatically win the nomination. This made me a 2010 AIP convention nominee delegate.

Markham confirmed my sole candidacy per the certified list of candidates I had submitted.

Mark had a few questions for me, which I answered (I forget the questions).

Ed was clearly hostile towards me, and asked questions/ made accusations regarding my relationship with the Constitution Party (CP). He misunderstood the name and purpose of the web site I operate [ http://constitutionpartyca.org/ ], confusing it with the site operated by Bill Lussenheide [ http://www.aipcalif.blogspot.com/ ]. I explained that Bill's site is named "Constitution Party of California", while my site is named "Constitution Party - California". I explained that my site is informal, and that I operate it for the benefit of CP members in California. Ed asked if I had dropped out of the AIP, joined the CP, and then re-joined the AIP. I explained that I had joined the AIP after the June 2006 primary election, that the AIP is a state party, that the Constitution Party is a national party, that there is no state Constitution Party, and, while there may have been an national AIP at some point in the past, that I was not aware of a national AIP. Markham clarified that I am a voter registered with the AIP, and stated that my candidacy for U.S. Representative certifies this fact. I clarified that I am a "supporting member" of the CP, as stated on the card they send me each year with a request for donations (I stated that I donated $35). I showed the committee and Markham my CP card. I attempted to make the point that AIP members should be free to affiliate with any national political party, but never got there. Markham instructed me to leave while the committee deliberated; I went back to the parking lot.

Shortly thereafter, Mark told me that the committee had accepted my credentials and invited me inside. I told him I would fetch paperwork from my vehicle and join them shortly.

When I entered the hall and took a seat, the Credentials Committee was deliberating on a motion to reconsider the previous motion (acceptance of my credentials). Ed was arguing that the CP is bad, the enemy, etc., and that if myself or Jerry were admitted, he would leave (the event and/or the AIP?). His hatred of the CP was absolute. I was not invited to speak. The committee voted, the motion carried 7-1, and I was instructed by Markham to leave. I went back to the parking lot.

As some point, Jerry interacted with the committee and was also denied participation. (I'll let Jerry provide the details, if he chooses.)

I asked the senior Deputy if I could hold a protest sign on the sidewalk; he said it was okay. I left the property, picked up a sign, and gave a video interview conducted by Don. I assume Don will be posting this and other video clips on the Internet shortly.

We packed up and left around 1:00 PM.

Second, my commentary:

I am proud of Don, Jerry, Connie, Maggie, Ernest, John, and all the event attendees for standing up for the AIP and getting themselves to Red Man Hall today. This includes the people who shot me down; even Ed, Markham, and Mark. As the saying goes, "Democracy is rule by the majority who participate". Without people who are willing to participate, there would be no AIP.

I am especially proud of Jerry, an AIP newcomer, for putting out the effort to become the AIP 2010 nominee for U.S. Representative in Congress, District 3, and having the courage to walk into that hall today and demand his right to represent the AIP voters in his district. Go, Jerry! :-)

By the the long faces and the comments I heard during my brief presence "inside", it is clear that more than a few members of the AIP SCC suspect that something is wrong. These were the people I was hoping to reach; I did, if only briefly. I think these people are our best hope for reunifying the AIP. Let's hope they choose the next AIP SCC Chairperson wisely tomorrow.

I am variously near, at, or beyond my limit of patience with AIP "leaders" who can't or won't be bothered to take action. For the 2010 AIP nominees who did not attend today, as far as I'm concerned Jerry Denham is the only one with a valid excuse (his memorial service was today at 10:00 AM [ http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/contracostatimes/obituary.aspx?n=jerome... ]; may God grant him peace).

While some people on one, both, or neither "sides" have offered conspiracy theories, etc., as an explanation of "why", I think it is simply a matter of the "majority in the middle" getting bored and/or disgusted with the AIP, walking away, and leaving the asylum to be run by the lunatics (such as myself ;-).

The solution is obvious: make the AIP an organization where lots of moderate conservatives want to participate, and let them.

In case everyone hasn't figured it out yet, I'm not on either "side" -- I'm on His side. Which side are you on?

Sincerely yours,

David Christensen
2010 AIP Nominee, U.S. Rep. in Congress, 11th Dist.
793 S. Tracy Blvd. #231, Tracy, CA 95376
http://www.constitutionpartyca.org/
dpchrist@constitutionpartyca.org
(209) 830-8249