In the background of the Republican dynamic, CTH has been reminding everyone about the nature of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and Democrat National Committee (DNC) being private clubs, private corporations, unaffiliated with government. Most casual voters do not understand what this key and important distinction means within U.S. elections.
There are two private corporations representing Republicans and Democrats; they are most commonly referred to as political parties. There is no basis for the existence of private political parties in the United States constitution. Both parties function from a position as private interests outside the framework of government.
What we commonly refer to as ‘politicians’ are selected representatives to the government from each of the corporations. What we commonly refer to as ‘primary elections’ are suggestions to each of the corporations from citizens expressing their preference for the representative. The corporation can individually choose to accept or decline the suggestion from the voters, and the only thing that binds the corporation to follow the suggestion are the corporate rules.
The corporation of the RNC and DNC exist to serve their own interests. Politics is the RNC and DNC business; however, the income stream -the financial aspects to the business- is what holds influence over the corporate priority. Ideology is part of the equation, but control of the business and generating revenue is the main function of the corporation. Unfortunately, in the reality of the business model, election outcomes are downstream from those two priorities.
It is with this corporate baseline in mind that all ‘primary election’ political analysis should take place. The economics of the thing is what Republican officers in the RNC emphasize. Without money, the corporate mission doesn’t operate. Without money the RNC members -essentially board members- do not function, hold meetings, assemble, or participate in the organization. Therefore, from the standpoint of the corporation, the business of politics (inputs) drives the activity, not election results (outputs).
This facet to U.S. politics is rarely discussed because the corporations and the people who run them do not want this process emphasized. However, if voters do not comprehend this dynamic, they can fall victim to the fallacy of false representative choice.
The corporation is made up of members. The members make the rules. The members have preferences and ideological outlooks about the objective of the corporation as part of their position within it. Inside this dynamic is where you see the changing of rules to benefit the preferences of the members; ultimately influencing outcomes.
Unlike most political sites, CTH watches this inside club dynamic closely, because ultimately it explains a lot of ‘consequences’ that we see later discussed. It is easier to just sit back and discuss the consequences than it is to watch the officials inside the club make rule changes proactively. However, it is by watching the rule changes that we can see the roadmaps of influence within game as played by both RNC and DNC corporations.
Any political commentary that does not take this private club dynamic into consideration, and/or explain the consequences from decisions within the club, is not serving the interests of the American electorate.
The winter meeting of the RNC is taking place January 25-27th, in Dana Point California at the Waldorf Astoria – Monarch Beach Resort. There are 168 members who will be in attendance (3 from every state) along with various RNC and national republican leadership.
This RNC corporate meeting, and the votes by the members, will determine the Republican Club rules for the 2024 election cycle. Rules on primary dates, sequence, apportionment of delegates, distribution of delegates, state sequencing, qualifications and much more will be decided.
Rules that govern the candidates and campaigns of those who choose to run on the corporate identity of “Republican” will also be determined. Rules on financial agreements, expectations for data sharing, fundraising, contribution expectations (both directions) and much more will be determined.
It is inside this dynamic where one of the key club control battles is likely to take place. It’s mostly boring and seemingly parliamentary stuff {Example Here}, but it has massive ramifications.
Some RNC members support MAGA, some do not. Some RNC members support the Wall Street alignment, some do not. Some members support the populist movement, others do not. Some RNC members support a big tent approach to a working-class coalition, other RNC members regard the working-class as beneath their representative interests. The key point is that it’s a private club making these decisions.
The majority decision from within the club membership vote will determine each outcome(s). Donald Trump may have earned 100 million voters and supporters, but only 168 unelected members and party officials will determine what that means to their corporate agenda.
There is no guarantee the America-First agenda of Donald Trump is in alignment with the 2023 priorities of the club. Factually, all recent suggestions from the club control officers, the billionaire Wall Street donors like Ken Griffin, all suggest the removal of Trump and the MAGA agenda from association with the RNC Club should be the priority of the assembly. The dynamic of financial influence, income to the corporation, changes the entire mechanism of the outcome.
As noted by ‘Niagara Frontier‘: “I’m watching for last-minute RNC rule changes for the national primaries and the selection of convention delegates. If we start hearing anybody, anywhere float a proposal in favor of Republican super delegates for the national convention, it’s total war.”
Niagara is absolutely correct. The internal battle deep inside the club, fraught with influence, power dynamics and cliques positioning for control, is the part of the political dynamic that everyone should be watching closely.
We will be….
