Posted on 10/21/2004 2:04:33 PM PDT by Fedora
W. Virginia Elector Might Leave Bush
By JENNIFER BUNDY, Associated Press Writer
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - If President Bush (news - web sites) wins West Virginia, one of the state's five Republican electors says he might not vote for Bush to protest the president's economic and foreign policies.
South Charleston Mayor Richie Robb said based on his research, an elector has "qualified discretion" when it comes to casting a vote.
"There is an implied duty to vote for your party's candidate. But I don't think it's an explicit duty or responsibility," said Robb, a moderate Republican who has a reputation of being a maverick in the state party.
Still, Robb calls it "highly unlikely" that he would cast a vote for Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites). He said he might cast his vote for Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) or another Republican instead as a protest against Bush, meaning the president would lose out on one electoral vote.
Robb's decision could end up having enormous national significance because the presidential election is expected to go down to the wire. That is exactly what happened in 2000, when George W. Bush won the White House with 271 electoral votes. To win the presidency, a candidate must receive 270 electoral votes.
"There are people talking about a tied race," said Larry Sabato, a political scientist with the University of Virginia. "This one man could change the election result, could negate the vote of 115 million Americans."
Robb's dissatisfaction with Bush stems from the president's decision to invade Iraq (news - web sites) and economic policies he says have caused the loss of nearly 1,000 high-paying chemical and manufacturing jobs in his town of about 13,000 residents. Robb has been mayor of the Charleston suburb since 1975.
A veteran who won a Bronze Star in the Vietnam War, Robb said he also is upset with campaign ads that attacked Kerry's war record.
State GOP Chairman Kris Warner said he is not worried about how Robb will vote if West Virginia again goes for the president. Bush won the 2-to-1 Democrat state in 2000 by 6 percentage points, making him the first Republican presidential candidate who was not an incumbent to take the state in more than 70 years.
"I maintain Mayor Robb will carry out the will of the West Virginia people when it becomes clear and decisive President Bush has carried the state," Warner said. Recent polls show the race is too close too call.
Robb said he objects to criticism from some who say he is a "faithless" elector. He said he views himself as a "principled elector" because he is discussing his qualms about Bush before the election.
"There have been a few people who have been downright hateful. I think that is just the nature of this election, which has been hateful," Robb said. "I won't be intimidated by the mean-spirited attacks."
Only 10 electors in history have gone against the popular vote, including one from West Virginia.
Margarette Leach of Huntington declined to vote for Michael Dukakis in 1988 even though Dukakis carried West Virginia. Leach cast her presidential vote for Dukakis' running mate, Lloyd Bentsen.
I would never offer you candy.
Do you think I would look good in Fascist Black or Falange Blue? I can't decide what to wear on Election Day.
Actually I'm begging for a delicious Reese's Peanut Butter Cup--speaking of which, since Halloween's coming up, you must be in the market for some extra candy bars :)
Black it is then.
I'll bring a reading object patently evil with me to the polling station. Modern Age or the Whittiker Chambers collection Ghosts on The Roof (rereading it).
I would reply, but I'm afraid I'll get beat up now :) Candybar salesman intimidation! I'm being disenfranchised--I'm gonna call the ACLU (American Candysalesman Liberty Union)! Count every bar!
You could wear a Richard Nixon t-shirt with a Ronald Reagan cap!
I could go for a bottle of Bosco right now...
No, this is Manhattan. We right wing thugs like to do things the old-fashioned, stylish way. Wide-brimmed hat, steel-rimmed sunglasses, long leather coat, shiny expensive shoes, obscure literature hinting at dark purpose and evil plans. Strikes more fear and terror amoungst the glitterati and gallerians than a gimmie cap.
They really get intimidated when people they hate out-do them in the looks and style department.
They get confused.
So I could wear my fedora! Cool :)
Unless he votes for Kerry, it won't matter. If it ends up tied at 269, no one will have a majority, even if hundreds of Bush electors go off the reservation. It goes into the House, no matter what.
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