Bickering Continues Before Reconvened Alaska GOP Convention

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By Matt Buxton - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner / mbuxton@newsminer.com

Story Created: May 30, 2012 at 8:29 AM AKDT

Story Updated: May 30, 2012 at 8:37 AM AKDT

Alaska GOP Chair-elect Russ Millette at left; courtesy Facebook.

FAIRBANKS — Discord continues in the Alaska Republican Party after outgoing Chairman Randy Ruedrich told Interior Republicans on Friday to “go fishing” on June 9, when the party is scheduled to reconvene its convention, and deny Ron Paul supporters and Tea Partiers the quorum needed to rewrite party rules.

Ruedrich, who is scheduled to step down after this fall’s elections, said Paul supporters are attempting to award the state’s 24 national party convention delegates to Ron Paul. Paul supporters denied that claim this week.

The Republican Party is scheduled to reconvene its state convention on June 9 to complete work from its rowdy April convention, where Paul supporters and members of the Tea Party elected new party leaders.

“We approved the complete delegate list — that’s on the record — we have no intention to take over the delegate slate,” said Evan Cutler, the organizer for Alaskans for Ron Paul 2012, which is not affiliated with the Texas congressman’s national presidential campaign.

Cutler went on to accuse Ruedrich of bringing up the delegate issue to distract from plans to rewrite party rules to oust Ruedrich immediately and hand over the reins to Chairman-elect Russ Millette. Under current rules, Millette would take over in February of next year. Millette is also a Paul supporter.

“He’s totally not cooperative with the leadership change,” Cutler said of Ruedrich. “They’re trying to scapegoat us for the changes that he’s afraid to see.”

Millette also issued a press release calling on Republicans to return to the convention.

Ruedrich, when asked Tuesday, said he had based his comments off of what has happened in other states, where similar takeovers have awarded extra delegates to Paul.

“I’m basing that on their behavior on other states. …In other states that’s been their stated policy, and their state policy has been uniform,” he said. “I don’t believe anybody should go and waste any more of their personal Saturday.”

Ruedrich said the delayed transfer of the chairmanship helps ensure a smooth transition during a high-stakes election year.

Cutler said Ruedrich’s comments added to a long list of slights aimed at Paul supporters. He said he believes there will be quorum on June 9 in Anchorage to make the changes.

Even with the deep divisions forming between the two groups, Cutler said he believes the party will be able to recover, a task that will be easier without Ruedrich at the wheel.

“It’s so frustrating,” Cutler said. “We just want an honest party with good leadership. The new people who were elected will have to learn to be good leaders, but we elected them because they’re good people. We elected them because they’ll be fair.”

Contact wwww.newsminer.com staff writer Matt Buxton at 907-459-7544 or follow him on Twitter at @FDNMpolitics.

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Truth2ak said on Wednesday, Jun 6 at 12:36 AM

What does any of this have to do with Joe Miller? Truth is it doesn't. I wish the liberal Republicrats would quit bringing his name up everytime something happens with the Republican party. I can only assume that these are really just entitlment minded Democan wanna be's.

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Nonesense said on Thursday, May 31 at 5:10 PM

Paul supporters have never awarded delegates AGAINST THE RULES. They have always taken more delegates only when the rules say they are unbound, otherwise, whether they make up the delegaetes or not, the state rules have been kept in place.

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Typical RNC spoiled, rich BRATS! said on Thursday, May 31 at 7:22 AM

If they can get everything they want when they want it, they'll take their marbles and go home! I guess Romney's billionaire banker buddies couldn't BRIBE enough delegates to show up for Romney and now, boo-hoo, "it's just not fair! We cheated all we could to make sure Romney would win and they beat us anyway! boo-hoo-hooo! I'm just going to go fishing so I'll get my way anyway!" How old is Randy anywa? 5? I bet Randy Ruedrich is ready to bend over and give Romney some "R. & R." anytime Romney will let Randy in his "Goldman Sach." Romney wouldn't have ANY balls without it!

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Gone Fishing said on Wednesday, May 30 at 10:45 PM

I have known Randy Ruedrich for a long time and he has always taken care of business. You will be missed next year. I am going fishing.

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metaphysically fine said on Wednesday, May 30 at 5:13 PM

Alaska has a new stool! One leg - teaparty; 2nd leg - ronpaulians and; discombobulated republikkkans! democrats could never have paid for this much happiness. now, joe miller is trying to sneak in to the fray so everybody keep a hairy eyeball on that cornpone!

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flicker said on Wednesday, May 30 at 3:19 PM

Would you buy a used car from this man?

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Anonymous said on Wednesday, May 30 at 9:41 AM

thought they were on a bike ride overseas and Sarah is the stray dog who keeps following the GOP

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