GOP adopts changes to 2016 presidential primary process

CNN.com ^ | 01/24/2014 | Peter Hamby

[GIdget2004]

The Republican National Committee gave near-unanimous approval Friday to a package of rules changes that would condense the 2016 presidential nominating calendar and help the party avoid the kind of protracted party infighting that dented GOP nominee Mitt Romney's general election appeal in 2012.

The changes dovetail with the party's desire to move the convention from late summer to a June window, which would make the next Republican National Convention the earliest convention in either party since 1948. The RNC has announced its support for the June move but will formally vote on the change at a later date.

"This is an historic day for our party," RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said after the vote....

The party is also taking steps to exert more control over Republican primary debates their moderators, but has yet to formalize any changes.

The rules changes, first reported by CNN in December, protect the traditional role of four early voting states while enacting harsh penalties against states that choose to hold early primaries or caucuses in violation of RNC rules. Those first four states – Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada – will hold their primary and caucus contests in February of 2016.

To prevent other states from jumping the order and compelling the first four to move their dates even earlier in January, as they did in 2012, any state that attempts to hold its nominating contest in February would have their number of delegates to the convention slashed to just nine people or, in the case of smaller states, one-third of their delegation - whichever number is smaller.

"It's the death penalty," said one RNC member.

[brooklyn dave]

for starters there shouldn’t be any open primaries—only registered GOP can vote in GOP primary —dems should be the same way.

[Hostage]

The Tea Party should hold their own convention one month prior to the GOP.

[JRandomFreeper]

while enacting harsh penalties against states that choose to hold early primaries or caucuses in violation of RNC rules

They seated all of Florida's delegates, despite the rule saying 1/2 shouldn't have been seated.

And still nothing about closing the primaries.

More GOP-E power grabs. Glad I'm not a republican.

/johnny

[Gaffer]

So....a ChristieJebBushHuckabeeRyanWhoeverGOPslime approved slate of states that have too long controlled the voter narrative.

Frankly, if you add up the populations of those states, and then add up the numbers of Republicans or conservatives, they wouldn’t come close to anything like Texas or any other large conservative state. This is a damned travesty of conspiratorial deceit that needs to stop!

I’m sick of subsidized farmers (ethanol), free thinkers and crazy nuts controlling the starting gate, myself.

[Dr. Sivana]

for starters there shouldn’t be any open primaries—only registered GOP can vote in GOP primary —dems should be the same way.

A number of states don't have party registration.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Nest reduce the number of primary election dates from 15 to 1. I am sick of giving Iowa and NH and SC so much say so in who will be the GOP presidential candidate.

[bigbob]

Sure wouldn’t want the elitist choice to be dented

[brooklyn dave]

that’s dumb

[Tenacious 1]

The Tea Party should hold their own convention one month prior to the GOP.

At first glance this seems symbolic only. But upon further reflection, some united statement coming out of a "Tea Party Convention" about who conservatives should vote for could have a chance to affect the eventual nominee. If we could at least get all conservatives voting for he same guy, it might reduce the dilution of votes that always get the establishment and media "their guy".

[Dr. Sivana]

that’s dumb

It may well be, but it is also the law, and cannot be changed by the party alone. (The Republicans could go to a caucus format, which might help in those states.)

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

GOP now stands for Grand Old Pussies.

"Obama did what? Hillary did what? Well we gotta take action on this!!!"

[X-spurt]

Some places have no “Party” voter registration.

[lonestar]

You’re calling Texas dumb!...from NY? LOL

[Vendome]

You’ll allow Bob Dole to run again with Mitt Romney as his Veep pick?

[X-spurt]

Stayin in Nuevo York is really dumb. They rest of us are OK with no party registration.

[C210N]

The GOP-TP should select the Republican candidate. Then, during the November elections, the GOP-e can state their preference.

[Diogenesis]

Team Romney is in control, and do not be surprised
to see another chosen LOSER.

Any doubt?

Boehner. McConnell. Failure. Abrogation. Treason.

[deport]

You may want to go to the following site and scan for the states with open/closed
primaries, etc. It’s a mixed bag amongst the states for sure. Scroll down to
the bottom for a listing by state.

http://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/publications/VRM%20Party%20Affiliation.pdf

[Jim Scott]

The 'early' primaries (held in February) should be abolished.

There should not be 'open' primaries, either. A voter should be a registered member of the party to vote in that party's primary. That is logical and could help avoid the kind of mischief that too often occurs in 'open' primaries where Democrats vote in droves for the least conservative candidate on the party ballot. Yes, Republicans have been known to do something similar (vote for the most liberal Democrat running) but the majority of this kind of shenanigans occurs in the GOP 'open' primaries.

It's another way the left sabotages conservative candidates along with the usual establishment games that have the same goal. It's how we get a McCain or even a Romney as the Republican candidate or, as I call them, the GOP-designated loser.