Having re-read the full set of available Credentials Committee minutes, starting at the front end, I was immediately struck that for most of the meetings non-member Caryn Ann Harlos was being allowed to participate as though she was a committee member. The minutes make clear that she was repeatedly able to speak, without a committee vote being taken to invite her to participate.
Harlos used her opportunity to advance the false claim that the Credentials Committee is a Committee of the LNC, a claim clearly and transparently rejected by Party Bylaws, in which the National Committee, the Judicial Committee, and the Credentials Committee (and two other convention committees) appear with equal status, namely each has its own Article in the Party Bylaws.
Readers should note that the Credentials Committee was somehow persuaded to describe its members as representatives of the bodies that elected them, e.g., the LNC Representative, even though Party Bylaws specifically refer to the people on the committee as Members or as Alternates, not as Representatives.
We then reach the most recent set of minutes, at which the Committee recalled that a motion allowing a non-member to speak. The motion was voted down. We quote the interesting part of those minutes:
………………….
LPMO Challenge – Thomas Knapp
Thomas Knapp is a resident of the state of Florida, and is a registered LPF member and voter.
The person who brought this forward did not want their name attached. Unless this is officially
submitted by an individual formally, the matter is not being considered further.
……………………
Travis Bost (WV) – Motion to invite Caryn Ann to the meeting prior to adjournment so she may speak.
Seconded by Graham Brown (CA)
Billy Pierce (TX) – LPMO was already discussed
Reece Smith (PA) – in favor of Caryn Ann joining the meeting
Chance Haywood (NY) – If she has something to say, then submit the information in writing for
the committee to consider.
Justin Carman (NY) – motion to amend that she may speak for 5 minutes. Travis Bost (WV)
seconds the motion to amend. Objection made by Billy Pierce (TX). Justin Carman (NY) speaks
to it – will spend more time deliberating this matter rather than. Jessica Tewksbury (CA) –
consistency with allowing people to attend or not. Billy Pierce (TX) – her contention is we are a
committee of the LNC because they appoint members to us. We are a committee of the Bylaws,
and if we allow Caryn Ann to attend, then it sets precedent. Alison Graham (PA) – should not
speak on question of LPMO as that was already discussed. Graham Brown (CA) – okay in having
Caryn Ann be invited. Brittany Kosin (PA) – if we’ve agreed that our meetings aren’t public, if we
let her in before adjournment, then we are having a public meeting. Can speak either post-
adjournment or at the public meeting on 05/15.
2024 LNC CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE MINUTES | 05/06/2024
Billy Pierce (TX) – Called the question – seconded – motion to call the question requires a 2/3
vote. No objection on 5 minute amendment to the motion. One opposition to the 5 minute.
Billy Pierce (TX) – Calls the main motion – seconded. Needs a 2/3 vote to call the question.
Question has been called, no objection to calling the question.
Voting on the Motion – Motion to allow Caryn Ann Harlos to speak to the Committee for no
more than 5 minutes before adjournment of this meeting.
Motion was defeated. Vote was 3 Yay, 4 Nay, 1 Abstain.
Yes – Bost, Brown, Carman
No – Kosin, Tewksbury, Graham, Pierce
Abstain – Hlavka
