Judge throws out suit over GOP committee

The San Francisco Chronicle ^ | November 27, 2008 | Charles Burress

[Gary Johnson in 2012]

An Alameda County judge has thrown out a lawsuit contesting the election to the county's Republican Central Committee of a handful of supporters of libertarian Ron Paul, a former presidential candidate.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch rejected a lawsuit by committee Chairman Paul Cummings of Oakland seeking to overturn the election to the committee of a group of Paul supporters and Minutemen. The opposition group won 12 of the committee's 30 elected seats in the June 3 election, and Cummings alleged that seven of them did not meet the party membership requirements for candidates.

Rather than rule on the eligibility claim, Roesch in his decision dated Monday declared the lawsuit invalid, saying it was filed after the deadline for contesting the election.

Cummings said Wednesday that the judge "got the law wrong" and that Roesch's "bizarre interpretation of what an election is certainly surprised me and has our counsel dumbfounded."

Asked if he plans to appeal, Cummings said he and his attorney are reviewing the case.

The lawsuit was the result of an attempt to win control of the committee by passionate supporters of Paul, the libertarian Republican congressman from Texas who sought the party's presidential nomination this year and who urges major reductions in government and overseas spending as well as a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

[metesky]

WTF is Gary Johnson?

[tvdog12345]

The Republican establishment will do absolutely anything to keep control. And they wonder why the party is circling the drain.

[AmericanVictory]

They have been in fact been encouraged by the Supreme Court, which has, in past decisions, bowed down to a “Partyism” which the Founders distrusted and feared in the name of one of those “penumbras” that they have “found” in the First Amendment.

[staytrue]

Good for Ron Paul and the Minutemen. Sounds like a wonderful coalition.

Amazing that a judge appointed by Gray Davis actually did the right thing.

[SunkenCiv]

An Alameda County judge has thrown out a lawsuit contesting the election to the county's Republican Central Committee of a handful of supporters of libertarian Ron Paul, a former presidential candidate. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch rejected a lawsuit by committee Chairman Paul Cummings of Oakland seeking to overturn the election to the committee of a group of Paul supporters and Minutemen. The opposition group won 12 of the committee's 30 elected seats in the June 3 election, and Cummings alleged that seven of them did not meet the party membership requirements for candidates... The lawsuit was the result of an attempt to win control of the committee by passionate supporters of Paul, the libertarian Republican congressman from Texas...

[gargoyle]

...Conservative libertarian since 1972, good on yer, Ron Paul and the Minutemen...

[CounterCounterCulture]

Po’ widdle RINOs, crapping their pants. Pity.

[Jack Black]

The Republican establishment will do absolutely anything to keep control. And they wonder why the party is circling the drain.

Here in Clark County, Washington we had a similar situation. A Ron Paul supporter ran for the US House seat. He started early, spent his own money, had a good web site. Late in the game the GOP gatekeepers found someone from the far edge of the district, a GOP insider, to run. We have "top two" primaries and the upstart one. So we had a fairly conventional GOP challenger vs. Dem incumbent in the general election. The State Committee of the GOP refused to endorse the Ron Paul supporter. I guess they preferred the Donk continue in office. A very sad state of affairs. It makes it hard to support the local GOP when they are running the party like a private social club.

[dsutah]

But if he’s(Ron Paul)supposed to be a strong, true conservative, why is he still in the Republican Party? People are carrying on that all true conservatives are leaving the party behind, why is Ron Paul still there? Hmmmm....

[gargoyle]

...Fair question. #1. Conservative. #2. Registered Republican. #3. Republican Congressman, in office. #4 Libertarian in principle. #5. Under cover Libertarian operative. #6. In a position to represent issues pertinent to conservative and-or libertarian principles. Conservatives may disagree on issues with Republicans, Democrats, and other Third parties. But, to be in a position where you have a voice to be heard is to be representative, not a leader. That is at the heart of our nation and our Constitution...