Article V of the Constitution gives citizens and their state legislatures the power to call a convention to rein in the federal government, and conservatives are currently taking advantage of that power with the Convention of States Project. The movement is quickly gaining momentum, judging by its growing list of high profile endorsers.
Citizens for Self-Governance President Mark Meckler, former Sens. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Tom Coburn (R-OK), Mark Levin and Fox News host Sean Hannity have already publicly supported the movement. Now, another powerful voice has joined. Conservative pundit Ben Shapiro, fresh off of his newsy appearance at University of California, Berkeley, is offering his endorsement.
"I absolutely support the Convention of States Project, designed for fulfilling the Constitutional methodologies for protecting our rights. Article V exists so that the people have the final say, not the federal government. Yes, it can happen -- and yes, it should happen. We should begin by completely restructuring the unconstitutional federal executive bureaucracy; only Congress has constitutional legislative authority. Administrative agencies should not be making law. If you believe the people should decide instead of Washington, D.C., then you should support the Convention of States Project."
Meckler is ecstatic Shapiro is on board, because the young firebrand can attract a new demographic to the project.
“I think he’s one of the smartest guys commenting on politics today,” Meckler said. “I think he has a really unique voice because he’s so much younger than most commentators. He really speaks to Millennials.”
Shapiro's endorsement comes a few days after Hillary Clinton criticized the project as conservatives' attempt to gerrymander districts to their liking. Meckler corrected her misleading assumption, explaining that they are simply "using the Constitution to restore the Constitution."
Meckler takes all the criticism as a sign of success.
“It tells you you’re over the target when the people who are your political enemies start attacking you.”
Shapiro is now one of 2.2 million people who support the Convention of States, along with 12 state legislatures. It takes 34 to make it a reality.
Meckler is confident they'll get there, because they have passionate supporters documented in every single state legislative district.