May 05, 2008
Primary Preferences and Nominations

When the Supreme Court decision in favor of the "Top Two" primary came out, which allows anyone to designate themselves a Republican or Democrat in the primary, I humbly suggested a somewhat crazy idea:

About names. Why not create a new party, called "Republican Nominee"? That is the name of the new party. And if someone who is not the actual nominee of the party uses that name, well, they are falsely claiming to be the nominee. Now the confusion argument that Roberts, Alito, and Thomas said wasn't obvious, is perfectly obvious. So not only could I-872 be overturned on such grounds, but anyone not the nominee who uses that designation could be sued for misrepresentation.

Normally, you couldn't have a party called "Republican Nominee," because the Republican Party would sue over the confusion. But in this case, obviously, the party would choose to allow it, since it would be used for their benefit.

Apparently, the Washington State Republican Party is doing this, in the nomination system they approved last week:

Authority to Use the Name "GOP Nominee." Only candidates who shall have been nominated pursuant to these rules shall be authorized by the Republican Party to designate themselves as GOP Nominees or have Party approval to appear on the election ballot or in other election documents using the designation "GOP Nominee." Posted by pudge at May 05, 2008 07:08 AM | Email This

Comments
1. Once again I'm not following you Pudge. The way it reads to me is that only those authorized by the Party can call themselves the GOP Nominee, it doesn't say that when you go to vote their name will be followed by their party choice of GOP Nominee. It just means in the voters pamphlet only those authorized can write down that they are the GOP Nominee.

Some day there will be a fight when the State GOP party wants one person while the National Republican Party wants a different person and the County GOP officials want yet a third person.

Posted by: Doug on May 5, 2008 07:59 AM
2. "it doesn't say that when you go to vote their name will be followed by their party choice of GOP Nominee"

Yes it does.

Posted by: pudge on May 5, 2008 08:17 AM
3. This is smart. The wording on the ballot will read "Prefers X", and supposedly any other GOP candidates will indicate just "Prefers GOP", while the nominated candidate will indicate "Prefers GOP Nominee". It's not perfect, but at least it's somewhat clear who the nominee is.

Posted by: Palouse on May 5, 2008 08:55 AM
4. How about running as a RINO? That should cover all the bases.

Posted by: George Smith on May 5, 2008 10:28 AM
5. I can't see any way for a minority party to move a candidate to the general election ballot. Mike the Mover surely will not make it this November. The Voters have spoken and guess what, they are getting exactly what they voted for! Enjoy the show.

Posted by: ROCKETMAN on May 5, 2008 11:45 AM
6. WRT ''Republican Nominee'':
One minor detail: IIRC the SOS rules say that each candidate gets 16 characters to designate their ''preferred'' party. Above is 17 characters; or 18 if count the space. So slight abbreviation will be required.... but ''GOP'' or especially ''Rep.'' probably just as good.

Posted by: Methow Ken on May 5, 2008 12:48 PM
7. Ken, maybe that is why the state party rules I quoted say "GOP Nominee." I was wondering about that. However, many people might not know what "GOP" is. So it's a pickle!

Posted by: pudge on May 5, 2008 02:25 PM
8. Ken @ 6

So does "Socialist Workers" pass the 16 character test or not? 16 characters without the space, and 17 characters with the space.

Posted by: Richard Pope on May 5, 2008 04:16 PM
9. Pope, "Socialist Workers" is an oxymoron.

Posted by: pudge on May 5, 2008 04:22 PM
Post a comment
Name:


Email Address:


URL:


Comments:


Remember info?