As the movement develops to try to change the rules at the GOP convention, the players involved become more obvious as people we have seen working together before, for an Article V/ConCon convention of states.
Clearly, they (and their corporate backers) see a Trump presidency as a threat to their long term plans. Much has already been written on the problems with their push for a change to the Constitution.
http://freedomoutpost.com/the-definitive-study-list-of-problems-with-the-article-v-convention-of-states-con-con-movement/
The following major participants in the current #NeverTrump movement should be noted and their past affiliations well known:
ERIC O'KEEFE (working with Leo Linbeck III) - Libertarian
Part of the "Citizens in Charge Foundation" currently running ads to encourage delegates to "vote their conscience".
http://citizensinchargefoundation.org
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dozens-of-gop-delegates-launch-new-push-to-halt-donald-trump/2016/06/17/e8dcf74e-3491-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12_story.html
Started the Convention of States (ConCon) effort with Leo Linbeck III as an offshoot of their Citizens for Self Governance:
http://www.newswithviews.com/guest_opinion/guest246.htm
It has been reported that the Convention of States concept originated with Ned and Drew Ryun of American Majority. Ned and Drew are the sons of former U.S. Representative Jim Ryun, who is currently with The Madison Project, a fundraising effort for conservative candidates. American Majority was funded "above 75 percent" by the Sam Adams Alliance, Eric O'Keefe's (no longer active) conservative think tank. Eric O'Keefe (former director of the National Libertarian Party) and Leo Linbeck III also happen to be partners in both the formation of Citizens for Self Governance and their own super PAC, Campaign for Primary Accountability. Citizens for Self Governance is the source of the Convention of States effort.
With the Ryun's close ties to Michael Farris, it is no wonder that he would be in the position of leading this effort. Ned founded Generation Joshua, which Farris put into action through his Home School Legal Defense Association.
More on O'Keefe:
Board of Directors of Wisconsin Club for Growth, a state-wide network of thousands of pro-growth Wisconsinites, from all walks of life, who believe that prosperity and opportunity come through economic freedom.
Board of Directors of Citizens for Self-Governance, an organization dedicated to advancing self-governance.
Board of Directors of Citizens in Charge, an organization working to protect and expand ballot initiative rights.
Former member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Competitive Politics, a group that works to promote and defend First Amendment rights to free political speech, assembly, and petition.
Former member of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Humane Studies. Associated with George Mason University, IHS supports the achievement of a freer society by discovering and facilitating the development of talented students, scholars, and other intellectuals.
Co-founder of the Campaign for Primary Accountability, a nonpartisan Super PAC dedicated to breaking the cycle of incumbency by targeting Democrats and Republicans in congressional primary races. (Also with Leo Linbeck III)
Past chairman of the Sam Adams Alliance, a former organization that cultivated citizen activism.
Former member of the board of directors of the national Club for Growth
Former member of the board of directors of the Cato Institute
PAUL JACOB- President of Citizens in Charge
Eric O"Keefe's Citizens in Charge shares the same address with Liberty Initiative (13168 Centerpointe Way #202
Woodbridge, VA 22193) and share Paul Jacob as an operative.
Paul was a Libertarian draft dodger in the 80's, featured in this Rolling Stone article at the time:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/nothing-about-the-draft-makes-sense-19820930?page=2
Along with O'Keefe, worked for U.S. Term Limits and Sam Adams Alliance.
He wrote here in promotion of an Article V ConCon:
http://www.termlimits.org/the-article-v-path/
STEVE LONEGAN - Courageous Conservatives PAC
Former NJ State Chairman for Cruz campaign.
This PAC originally supported Cruz and has now been turned into a delegate manipulation effort.
Lonegan put together the Jackson Hole Summit, bankrolled by Robert Mercer, who also bankrolled the Cruz campaign. Very insightful article:
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/features/2016-01-20/what-kind-of-man-spends-millions-to-elect-ted-cruz-?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_daily202
Lonegan was also the state chair for the Koch brothers' Americans for Prosperity previous to this (2007-2013). No surprise, Americans for Prosperity has pushed for an Article V/ConCon.
MIKE FARRIS
Farris published his anti-Trump "end of the Religious Right" rant on the anti-Trump Christian Post this week:
http://www.christianpost.com/news/trump-meeting-evangelical-leaders-end-of-the-christian-right-165473/
No coincidence, he heads the Convention of States, founded by Eric O"Keefe and Leo Linbeck III. He will ally with anyone to forward this movement.
http://freedomoutpost.com/con-con-controversy-michael-farris-justifies-working-radicals-convention-states/
TED CRUZ
In addition to his backing from Robert Mercer (above under "Steve Lonegan"), Cruz has close ties to Leo Linbeck/Eric O'Keefe and ALEC, all huge promoters of the Article V/ConCon. Extensive ties.
http://www.politicalresearch.org/2014/02/05/ted-cruz-alec-seceding-from-the-union-one-law-at-a-time/#sthash.mVz7qbeI.dpbs
http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/rafael-cruz-declares-son-ted-cruz-anointed-
Dad did serve up a couple of interesting nuggets about a young Ted Cruz. Like this one:
Ted enters high school, the Free Enterprise Institute organizes a group of five kids, called them the Constitutional Corroborators, now Ted is reading the The Federalist Papers, The Anti-Federalist Papers, and each of the five kids memorized the entire US Constitution.
He did, however, neglect to note that the Free Enterprise Institute is a project of Texas builder billionaire Leo Linbeck, III, and that Ted Cruz serves as Trustee of that organization. He is in august company, with fellow trustees ranging from powerful Texas Republicans to billionaires and bankers. It appears that the junior senator from Texas has connections in high places, and that his high school passion has paid off handsomely for him.
Cruz has pushed hard for a ConCon:
http://www.patrickhenrysociety.com/ted-cruz-and-the-manipulation-for-the-article-v-convention/
PAUL RYAN
Obviously encouraging delegates to "vote their conscience". Also bankrolled by the Koch's.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article85052822.html
GLENN BECK, MARK LEVIN
Close ties to all of these and two of the biggest promoters of the Article V/ConCon. Also two of the biggest attackers of the Trump candidacy.
