At the state convention, Republicans are now adopting the platform, section by section. As with any good participatory democracy session, there’s been a bit of confusion.

After each platform section is read, someone makes a motion to “set aside” the section. That means it will be debated later, not thrown out. Here’s where it gets a little confusing: They vote against setting most (8 of the 13) sections aside. That means the section is automatically adopted.

Make sense?

Several audience members have alleged that a group of men — wearing red hats, carrying No signs and walkie talkies — are organizing the effort. By encouraging setting aside each amendment, then voting it down, they quickly adopt the platform without discussion.

“It’s simply a ploy. They are not allowing any discussion on anything,” one audience member said. He alleged that Kirby Wilbur was implicit in the ploy by telling the audience that they’d debate the sections.

“Who are my people, sir? My people are all of you.” Wilbur replied. With radio personality flourish, he refuted the man’s claims that he was in on something. He then offered to allow the man respond. By that time, he’d left.

A few in the crowd laughed, then started chanting Kirby’s name.