Right here in Minnesota we’re having a Presidential Primary in March of next year, and the Republican ballot has been restricted to a single name. Jim Martin is unhappy:
[The Republican central committee] interpreted the new [Minnesota] law to mean that it has the power to choose which name will be printed on its political party’s ballot, and (more importantly) whose will not[3] despite the desire of other candidates to politically associate with its related political party[4]. For the first time since we obtained statehood in 1858, we Minnesotans are unable to politically associate with the candidates who are seeking our support. In other words, you and I must first obtain the express permission of the central committees in order to advance the nomination of a candidate seeking to be elected!
But, it gets worse. As an absentee voter, I will receive and turn in my ballot early. As the candidate I desire to advance might not be printed on the primary ballot I receive, I will have to write-in that candidate’s name. However, the central committee is not required to inform anyone what names will be canvassed until about a month after I submit my ballot. In other words, I don’t have any way of knowing if my vote will be counted at the time I cast it!
Our longstanding history of a healthy and honest republic is damaged; our democracy is breaking down; the walkway has been paved for an egregious Soviet-style election process; and, as I demonstrated earlier[5], the corrupt election practices allowed by this law is openly taking place.
And he’s filed a lawsuit with the Minnesota Supreme Court. When I first discussed it, I skipped over this quote from Minnesota Republican chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan:
“My job as Chairwoman is to make sure we deliver our 10 electoral votes to the President.”
It’s really indicative of the second-raters who now run the machinery of the Republicans that they believe their job is to support President Trump in his reelection campaign, rather than give the Republican Party’s base the opportunity to select the best candidate available, whether his or her name is Trump, Walsh, Sanford, or Weld. Right now the Republican upper echelons appear to be a bunch of terrified mice, ready to do anything their master directs, rather than actually think about what’s best for country and party.
What does Carnahan fear? That Trump isn’t the big winner in Minnesota that he should be, if we’re to believe the polls? Or that if other, serious candidates appear, the base might look at them and decide they’re tired of the rampant incompetency and corruption of Trump and pick someone else?
Or even just make him look bad by winning more than 10%?
Carnahan looks like a fool. She really should retract her statement and her position. Put the other names on the ballot! Go Martin!
