Posted on 12/31/2011 9:43:16 AM PST by TBBT
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is intervening in the Virginia presidential primary dispute and plans to file emergency legislation to address the inability of most Republican presidential candidates to get their name on the ballot, Fox News has learned. Only Mitt Romney and Ron Paul qualified for the Virginia primary, a contest with 49 delegates up for grabs. The failure of other candidates to qualify -- notably Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry -- led to complaints that the 10,000-signature requirement is too stringent. Cuccinelli, who is a Republican, shared the concerns. "Recent events have underscored that our system is deficient," he said in a statement. "Virginia owes her citizens a better process. We can do it in time for the March primary if we resolve to do so quickly." Cuccinelli's proposal is expected to state that if the Virginia Board of Elections certifies that a candidate is receiving federal matching funds, or has qualified to receive them, that candidate will upon request be automatically added to the ballot. Two former Democratic attorneys general are also backing the move, along with a former Democratic state party chairman and a former Republican state party chairman. Former state Attorney General Tony Troy called the Virginia process a "legal and constitutional embarrassment."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Thank you shield, this is excellent news.
I just meant irrelevant on this particular issue.
Though, come to think of it, he may find a way to get in on it in the Senate.
Cuccinelli’s proposal might be amended.
Personally I’d prefer to include a requirement of at least some petitions.
I think a number of establishment Rs in the state feel Romney is the safest candidate. If the Dems weren’t to go along with the push for this change they’d block it IMO.
This requires an 80% vote in both Houses of the General Assembly (not the 2/3rds I thought).
“Section 13. Effective date of laws.
All laws enacted at a regular session, including laws which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session following a regular session, but excluding a general appropriation law, shall take effect on the first day of July following the adjournment of the session of the General Assembly at which it has been enacted; and all laws enacted at a special session, including laws which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session following a special session but excluding a general appropriation law, shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month following the month of adjournment of the special session; ### unless in the case of an emergency (which emergency shall be expressed in the body of the bill) the General Assembly shall specify an earlier date by a vote of four-fifths of the members voting in each house###, the name of each member voting and how he voted to be recorded in the journal, or unless a subsequent date is specified in the body of the bill or by general law.”
http://legis.virginia.gov/Laws/search/Constitution.htm
80% is a high hurdle. It also has the possibility of passing unanimously, or near unanimously. Just because Rs were caught up in the burden this year, doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen down the road to the Ds.
I also like petitions as a show of some support within the state. Don’t think much of the idea that anyone can plunk down $1K and be on the ballot. Candidates in VA don’t pay anything to be on the ballot, just need to get the signatures of VA voters who will be voting in your party’s primary. They can work out a reasonable number.
Just read the State GOP Committee is meeting 1/21 to discuss the ‘loyalty oath.’ Actually I can see both sides of that one ... something has to be done to stop this crossover voting that skews the results. Just don’t think a ‘loyalty oath’ does it.
Fight the establishment.
Go Perry, Go Newt, go anyone but Paultard and Romney.
It’s nice to see that the states’ attorneys general are standing up to the marxist usurpers. We must get our voice back and eliminate GOP and Demwit voter fraud.
Good for you Ken!!!
Cuccinelli for President!!!
I’d like to say who cares
Wrong! The score is:
Newt Gingrich or Rick Perry = The lion’s share of the VA delegates
Willard Romney = Didly squat
Ron Paul = Didly squat
Ihope so
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! annieokie! GOOOOOOOOOOOOO NEWT!!!!!!! I do believe there was a “fix” for Romney in Virginia and I lived most of my life in the Old Dominion before moving to MO. IMO Romney is making promises and tossing his millions to BUY the presidency.
Remember, if we can get rid of Bolling the Republicans have an immediate power sharing problem in the Virginia Senate.
So, the question becomes, do you want us to put our pressure on the Party to get them to do what is right or do you want us to put our pressure on Bolling and see what we can get on him to drive him from office.
I think you see what I mean.
It’s more like we are going to load the lead car with Bolling and his buddies. They get off at the end of the line and go immediately to the ovens.
We didn't like that then and we like it less now.
Not exactly “crooked”, more “thuggish”. I can see them slobber from my roof!
The party has certain responsibilities and they really dropped the ball.
We probably need a new law and some new party leadership no matter what the outcome here.
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