So Much To Do But So Little Time!

The Republican Party of Minnesota’s governing body, the State Central Delegates, hold their State Convention in Saint Cloud, MN today. They will endorse candidates, select RNC delegates and discuss the state of the party’s finances. With the elections less than six months away will the RPM be able to overcome their financial scandals, a torrid sex scandal, and the virtual take over by the Ron Paul movement. The RPM Convention over the next two days could spell victory or defeat in the November 2012 elections for RPM candidates.

As a Republican activist who has spoken out since 2007 against the mismanagement of the party’s finances I fear the worst will come from the convention. Many RPM Executive Board members have been asking for a forensic audit of the party’s financial books dating back to 2007, when Tony Sutton became Party Treasurer and then Chairman in 2009. Upon his resignation December 2, 2011, Sutton left the party some two+ million dollars in debt.

The RPM under new leadership investigated into the financial problem and on May 7, 2012 issued a 20 page report to the press by the RPM Budget, Financial Controls & Oversight Committee. Throughout the report the committee went to great lengths to point out that although calls were made for a forensic audit, no audit of any kind was completed, but rather a review of 11 specific transactions was undertaken.

After a thorough reading of the report I see little chance that Minnesota voters will be satisfied with the conclusion that gross financial mismanagement occurred but no alleged criminal or civil wrong doing took place. Their conclusion admits that former Chairman Tony Sutton lied about the party’s finances to the RPM Executive Board Members, filed false Federal Election Commission reports, and that former RPM Executive Director, Ryan Griffin could not be located by the committee to discuss his involvement in large amounts of the debt. How is that possible?

The May 7, report runs counter to any logic. If nothing else the report screams for a forensic audit to prove to the voters of Minnesota that the RPM is not engaged in a cover-up. As politicians throughout history have learned, it is always the cover-up that provides the greatest punishment to a wrong doing. For that reason alone, RPM elected political figures and party activists should be demanding a forensic audit at the state convention today.

The new RPM Chairman Pat Shortridge has taken the position or some say excuse that the party is financially broke and can’t afford a forensic audit. That is a very good point since the RPM hasn’t paid their headquarters rent for over 11 months. However, as many contend the RPM can’t afford not to have a forensic audit. The simple solution is to establish an independent team to raise the money and conduct a transparent forensic audit. I’ll gladly volunteer to head that team.

I’m convinced this is the only path to getting the voters of Minnesota to once again trust the RPM with their money. Minnesota needs a two party system for checking and balancing policies and budgets. One political party dominating state politics often spells economic disaster. The DFL will claim a more sinister reason that a forensic audit will implicate major GOP politicians both past and present. You can't counter that argument without a forensic audit.

In the words of former RPM Chair Ron Carey in 2008; "At the end of the day, those that are criticizing us are to be shamed - because the truth will get out and the truth shall set us free."

Well the truth has set us free and it proved that those of us who were calling for an investigation were correct. Financial mismanagement by the party of fiscal responsibility may cause an enormous voter backlash unless immediate action isn’t taken. Will the RPM prove it has nothing to hide and launch the investigation necessary to prove it?