Thread by @IAmNickReynolds

Here covering tonight's Natrona County GOP meeting. A big crowd, with representatives from the state GOP as well as several other counties in attendance.

Currently, we are in disagreement over whether the chairman can discuss the fact he's being investigated, which some think could violate confidentiality rules.

The committee's existence has already been published in our newspaper, statewide. trib.com/news/state-and…

McGinley actually obtained a report of the investigation, and called the reasons for his investigation “comical.”

These included misrepresenting the platform, not following party rules, and going to the media -- which "damaged the party."

Let's note: the actions we reported on -- apparently without their knowledge -- were on agendas well-before the stories came out.

“It’s actually rather embarrassing these members went through all these efforts to disparage members of their own party," he said.

The party also accused of McGinley making "damaging comments" to the media and "active revolt," including the withholding of financial support to the state central committee due to activities the county party disagreed with.

Though he's being investigated -- and knows what he's being investigated for -- nobody has spoken to or interviewed him for the investigation.

The investigation could ultimately result in censure by the whole party but -- because he's an elected party official -- McGinley can only be removed from his position by a two-thirds vote of his peers.

Anecdotally, I'm pretty sure the votes aren't there.

He said he's tried to resolve this behind-the-scenes, but the goalposts keep changing, and he feels the need to do something else.

"This is an internal conflict that will sort itself out," he said. "But it's important to know what's occurring, because it affects everyone here."

One member of the committee said we're not hearing both sides of the issue, but McGinley said they did -- by publicly disclosing what he was being investigated for.

The members of the committee are public, but unsure how many are here... I have the list somewhere...

Rep. Pat Sweeney just made a motion to put up a vote of confidence for McGinley as chairman. That passes 14-3, with three abstentions.

Now talking about the motion to censure Pat Sweeney made by Karl Allred, of Uinta County. Sweeney admitted they "had words" at a recent revenue committee, but said he was thinking of going to the SOS with questions about what it means to be influenced like that as a legislator.

Speaking of which... A member of the County Committee has been running a campaign under Ron Paul's organization, Campaign for Liberty, targeting Rep. Jerry Obermueller.

Looks to fit the definition of lobbying, but nothing on the SOS site at the time of release.

Obermueller said he's reached out to the SOS on this to see if they'd be considered a lobbying organization -- which they are not. He's since sent a formal letter (still pending) to get a determination on whether or not this would count.

Cathy Ide, the state coordinator for the campaign and a member of the committee, is providing materials from the campaign as well as a letter from the organization declaring she is a grassroots organizer, not a lobbyist.

Also said her activities are in compliance with the party.

If anything should be questioned, she said, it should be why committee members are working against Republican positions.

McGinley said that Republicans should be allowed to engage in organizations outside of the party if they choose to and, while he'll await word from the SOS, he thinks it's okay.

Also, the State Party was apparently set to have a fundraiser at the state capitol next month but that has now been cancelled. Not sure why.

One fellow suggested that there is a rift in the party, and, to help solve the rift, should introduce a resolution at the state central committee around something everyone has in common: a desire to re-elect Donald Trump as president.

Another guy: "If you want to help the Democrats, keep the rifts going. I used to be a Democrat, and I know -- they're not trustworthy."

(Let me say, the tone of this meeting has actually been much calmer than any others I've attended.)