Radio ads begin in fight over California electoral votes

AP via SFGate ^ | 9/6/7 | MICHAEL R. BLOOD

[SmithL]

Los Angeles (AP) -- Democrats determined to block a California ballot proposal that could help elect a Republican president in 2008 are launching radio ads to urge voters to snub what they call a "partisan power grab," campaign officials said Thursday.

The 60-second ads, to begin running in Los Angeles and Sacramento on Friday, say the plan to change the way the state's electoral votes are awarded in presidential contests would deplete the state's clout in Washington while helping elect a Republican who would extend the Iraq war.

"Help stop this scheme. Dividing California's electoral votes only hurts Californians," one ad states, according to a transcript.

The ads, financed with $40,000, will run for a week. Others could follow.

California now allots all of its 55 electoral votes to the statewide winner in presidential elections, a practice followed in most states.

Lawyers with ties to the Republican Party are pushing a proposal that calls for awarding two electoral votes to the statewide winner, with the rest allocated according to results in each congressional district.

Supporters call it a blueprint for fairness in presidential contests.

[counterpunch]

What can I do to help advance the ballot proposal?

[taxcontrol]

Anyone know of a web site for donations to the cause?

[Congressman Billybob]

The proper ad to counter this one would be as follows: Run a series of clips from every Democrat ranging from Bill Clinton and Al Gore down to the bottom of the barrel, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, all saying the same thing: "Let every vote count." End it with white words on a black screen, "Vote Yes on Proposition [Whatever]."

Republicans are going to support this effort on their own. An ad like this would gain support from Democrat voters, and would drive Democrat operatives crazy, because all the quotes would be genuine and undeniable.

I'm sure someone in the FR community knows the folks in the California effort and can pass this idea along. I used to be in an award-winning ad agency.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article, "Enemies of America, in a Courtroom Near You"

[SmithL]

I can’t find a support site, but the Dems have plenty of anti-reform sites.

[vetsvette]

I thought that this was DiFi’s proposal.

[DoughtyOne]

I won’t be supporting it. We haven’t had republican presidential candidates in the state in 15 years. This will just seal that deal. No way!

We’ll wind up giving California all the clout of Kansas, and who would show up here to win that?

You can’t turn a state back around by refusing to present the conservative message in state.

Are we so afraid of Conservative ideals, that we’ll throw in the towell and cower before the democrats rather than present our message?

[SmithL]

I thought that this was DiFi’s proposal.

No, she wants to abolish the Electoral College.

[Natural Law]

The real irony is that this is opposed by the same dipsticks who want to eliminate the electoral college.

[no dems]

O.K., help me out here somebody.
1. Will this ballot proposal be on the ballot in the upcoming Primary and
2. Is the ballot initiative "binding" if it passes?

[no dems]

Are we so afraid of Conservative ideals, that we’ll throw in the towell and cower before the democrats rather than present our message?

It's not that "WE" are afraid or that "WE'LL" throw in the towel and cower before the Democrats, it's that the powers that be in the GOP have become a bunch of politically correct, panty-waist punks with no guts.

Let me give you an example: George Allen apologized a thousand times for the "Macaca" statement. That cost us a Conservative seat. If he'd had the 'nads to say: "Yeah, I said it; bite me", he'd been reelected hands down. But, no; he cowered and groveled like a crack ho being whipped by her pimp.

[Doe Eyes]

The real irony is that this is opposed by the same dipsticks who want to eliminate the electoral college.

You gotta admit, you don't do it in only one state.

[counterpunch]

I won’t be supporting it. We haven’t had republican presidential candidates in the state in 15 years. This will just seal that deal. No way!

That's nonsense. President Bush came to California during 2004 campaign plenty of times. He raised a lot of money here. Splitting California's electoral votes would ensure Democrats will never win another Presidential election.

 

[Congressman Billybob]

I think you have the idea of District voting exactly backward. Under this method, now used by Maine and Nebraska, and sometime used by a total of 21 states, all candidates would be fools NOT to come to California, because they would have a real chance to win Electoral College votes. Democrats would not have them wrapped up, and ignore the state. Republicans would have a real chance.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article, "Enemies of America, in a Courtroom Near You"

[Congressman Billybob]

Ballot proposals go on the General Election ballot, not the Primary. And they have to have a sufficient number of signatures — the gathering process has just begun. The needed number is about 430,000, IIRC.

Yes, it would be “binding.” This is a law, not a resolution. But if it passes, expect the Democrats to litigate all the way to the US Supreme Court in an effort to get it thrown out.

John / Billybob

[SmithL]

IF sufficient signatures are gathered, the proposition will be on the June 2008 ballot.

IF it passes in June, it WILL be challenged in court because its passage would be by the people, and not the legislature.

If it passes and survives the court challenge, it would then be effective, hopefully in time for the `08 Presidential election.

[SunkenCiv]

Ping!

[DoughtyOne]

I hear ya.

[DoughtyOne]

Oh please... what two or three times to large dinners made up of donors? The guy needs to get out a little. Let the public view him rattling off conservative ideals. Tell me that’s happened to any meaningful extent.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The Constitution specifies that the legislature in each states determines the manner of selecting the state’s electors. Both of these ballot initiatives are unconstitutional.