Virginia Republicans Rally To Protect Their Own 0
In Republican World, election rules one-way things: they exist to keep Democrats from the polls.
Republicans would hold themselves exempt.
“Hundreds of thousands of Virginians who ought to be able to have their choice among the full field of presidential primary contenders now only have a choice among two,” he said. “Virginia owes her citizens a better process.”
Meanwhile, in a visit to History Land, Shawn Day of my local rag reminds us that even Fred Thompson (remember Fred Thompson?) qualified for the Virginia ballot eight years ago. Furthermore, the Republican Party repeatedly reminded the candidates of the rules:
Only former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney met that threshold. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul submitted slightly fewer than 15,000, and party staffers validated at least 10,000.
“RPV officials encouraged candidates repeatedly, through both counsel and field staff, to submit 15,000 or more signatures in an abundance of caution, so that they would meet the legal requirements,” the party said in a statement about the petition certification process.
“Candidates were officially informed of the 15,000 rule in October 2011, well in advance of the Dec. 22 submission deadline. The rule was no surprise to any candidate – and indeed, no candidate or campaign offered any complaints until after the Dec. 23 validation process had concluded.”
I cannot judge whether the Virginia primary requirements are “onerous” or not.
I can judge that the antics of the Republican Party to avoid its own rules set new standards in cynicism and venality.
