November 29, 2003

OKAY, MAKE IT 49-1:


Democratic arrogance keeps Bush off ballot (THOMAS ROESER, November 29, 2003, Chicago Sun-Times)

How can Bush lose Illinois a year before election? Because the Republicans will hold their national convention in early September and the Illinois Election Code requires certification of ballots in August, a minor change needs to be made in state law. Madigan, who is also the state chairman, and Jones are holding up certification -- for a price.

Madigan and Jones say Bush will be put on the ballot if the GOP caves on two points. One would be to agree that the Illinois Board of Elections could, at any time, dismiss without prejudice any matters currently pending before the board -- especially applying to violations that were levied after the original state gift ban act. That means that Democrats fined for dozens of campaign disclosure violations would not have to pay fines -- fines running as high as $797,600 for Secretary of State Jesse White and 14 Senate members, all Democrats. A second condition, requested by the Cook County clerk, Democrat David Orr, would be to remove the requirement that voters who register to vote by mail must vote in person the first time they vote.

Republicans in the House reluctantly went along, but Senate Republicans, under Frank Watson, said no. Watson's refusal to buckle under led Republicans to stand opposed, and so the bill lost. As of now, George W. Bush will not be on the Illinois ballot. Was Watson wrong not to cave? Nope: Let the heat go to those who seek to deprive Illinoisans of their right to vote for president. Normally, lawmakers with a conflict of interest abstain from voting on legislation affecting them. On this issue, Democratic senators facing fines did not abstain from voting.


This could well be an issue worth losing on--the President doesn't need the state but the state GOP would be extremely motivated for the open Senate seat race and nationally the story would be horrible for Democrats.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 29, 2003 11:54 AM
Comments

Can't they just import the New Jersey Supreme Court to rule that the law doesn't matter if voters don't have a choice between the two major parties?

Posted by: AC at November 29, 2003 12:40 PM

How would this affect the more meaningful race for the open senate seat? Would a "no race" for President suppress turnout? And would this help Ryan?

Posted by: MG at November 29, 2003 3:04 PM

Democrats would have no need to turn out for President, blunting the Bush-haters. Republicans would be super-pissed and highly motivated.

Posted by: oj at November 29, 2003 4:14 PM

Good. Another example of how facing down the corruption embodied by the Democrats may have short term losses and long term gains, and how the GOP seems to have figured out what it means to not be a permanent minority, and to not always think in terms of tactics, but add "strategery", too.

How about running "unpledged electors" or electors who pledge to support the GOP candidate. Bush's name wouldn't appear on the ballot, but not every voter has a problem with punching holes in paper, either.

Posted by: Raoul Ortega at November 29, 2003 5:03 PM

> How about running "unpledged electors"

That would make for a complicated ballot. At least 20% of Democratic voters would vote for the wrong candidate.

Posted by: Bob Hawkins at November 29, 2003 6:45 PM

How about voting for Bush as a write in? Disallowed in a presidential election?

Posted by: genecis at November 30, 2003 10:42 AM

If you think the race will be close this could be a problem. If you think Bush will win easily then 1 state won't matter. Agree with OJ - the negative PR impact on the Dems should far outweigh the impact on Bush's reelection. Also I recall several other states had the same problem - if they resolved it but Illinois doesn't it will make Illinois look worse.

Posted by: AWW at November 30, 2003 12:55 PM

AWW -- Yes, California made the adjustment (with no blackmail -- and this was done by the Democratic officials well before the Davis ouster).

Posted by: old maltese at November 30, 2003 5:13 PM

The R's will be able recycle D speeches from the Florida fiasco for their commercials.

Posted by: Robert Schwartz at December 1, 2003 1:25 AM
« PREACHING TO THE VIRTUIAL CHOIR: | Main | THAT'S ALL: »