Claiming victory today after picking up endorsements out of Mississippi, Georgia, and New Jersey, Gourley and CR Vets For Truth declared the race over. I think it is clearly a blow to the Davidson hopes, but as Davidson campaign manager said “ultimately innaccurate.” There will be more news coming down tonight which I expect will make this circus even more insane, but I would briefly like to comment on the prospects of the Gourley victory if it does happen, which is far from clear.

If this organization can essentially re-elect Paul Gourley after he signed letters defrauding senior citizens then the CRNC is worse off than I could ever imagine. There are several indisuputable facts:
1. Paul Gourley’s name appeared on the letters
2. The letters were highly disingenious and embarassing to CRs across the country.
3. Paul Gourley knew about them as he has stated in multiple occasions, even saying his “bravery” in signing them was a virtue for his election

I am sorry to those who say RDI shouldn’t be an issue, it is an issue, in fact it is the issue because it shows an absolute moral bankruptcy on the part of the CRNC leadership, which in a just world would have Gourley and HoplinCo promptly tossed to the curb. But that’s not the reality of CR leadership, sadly too many CR leaders are in the game to do one thing: to advance their own careers. Block grants to Minnesota to shore up Hoplin’s congressional bid, field reps to a primary in North Carolina, etc are using the organization for personal advancement and instead of outrage over that activity their is pride because state chairs want a piece of the action too; Selling their state’s endorsement to the candidate who can guarantee them the best ticket spot.

The scary part is that these will be the people running the party in 20 years…