In an article reprinted in the Sun Journal July 23, Chris Cousins of the Bangor Daily News wrote, “ … some factions of the party have felt unwelcome in the GOP at times. It was perhaps never more evident than last year at the Republican National Convention in Florida when several Ron Paul supporters from Maine were not allowed to be seated because of organizational problems caused by a huge turnout at the state convention months before.”

Really? Did the janitor simply forget to put out enough of those cold, metal folding chairs?

What happened was that half of the delegation from Maine, elected by Republican voters from all over Maine, was replaced by individuals appointed by Republican Party insiders. All 10 elected delegates were Ron Paul supporters, while all 10 replacement delegates supported Mitt Romney. That was no organizational snafu. It was a disgusting backroom deal between the Republican National Committee and Maine GOP leadership.

During the campaign one seldom saw the name Ron Paul in the news without the accompanying words, “can’t win.” While that meme, which was repeated often in the establishment press, turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy, the phrase “Ron Paul won’t be allowed to win” would have been more accurate.

It turns out that Maine Republicans, even those in Washington County, expect their votes to count.

While predetermined outcomes are acceptable in entertainment venues such as all-star wrestling, most people prefer elections to be on the level.

Welcome, Chairman Rick Bennett and good luck.

Mark Armstrong, Lisbon

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