Dramatic Little Known GOP Rule Change Takes Choice Of Presidential Candidate Away From Rank And File

Forbes ^ | 4/07/2014 @ 12:05PM | Rick Ungar

[Olog-hai]

… Take a look at how Republican National Committee Rule No. 40(b) read before the 2012 convention changes:

Each candidate for nomination for President of the United States and Vice President of the United States shall demonstrate the support of a plurality of the delegates from each of five (5) or more states, severally, prior to the presentation of the name of that candidate for nomination.

Simply put, the rule meant that any candidate for the GOP presidential nomination who showed up at the convention with the largest number of delegates in five states—or was able to twist enough arms at the convention to achieve a plurality of delegates in five states—was entitled to have his or her name placed in nomination at the convention. […]

Rather than only requiring a candidate to have a plurality of the delegates from five states in order to have one’s name placed into nomination, the rule was changed to require a candidate to have a majority of delegate votes in at least eight states as a prerequisite to nomination. …

[JRandomFreeper]

It was all part and parcel of the cheating and rule changes last election. Florida held their primary early, and by the rules, should have only had 1/2 of their delegates seated. All were seated, since they wanted Romney.

The GOP-E cheats, and they hate you because you are a conservative.

/johnny

[Graybeard58]

Also have all primaries on the same day. Enough of the out sized influence that the little states of Iowa and Maine, have on the selection of a candidate.

[JRandomFreeper]

The GOP-E doesn't want a closed primary. They actively work against closed primaries.

The GOP-E hates you because you are conservative. But they think they own your vote.

/johnny

[erkelly]

So do you suggest we just stay in the two useless rotten corrupt two-party system we have now? Why?

[cuban leaf]

With every passing year the gulf between me and the R’s becomes wider and deeper - and I more clearly see them for what they are. Democrats are worse, no doubt about it. But the two are so close as the difference is almost irrelevant.

[Fledermaus]

It’s time to let the GOP die. Then burn the body and take the house and stuff away and start over with a conservative base and grow it back from there.

[DLfromthedesert]

I don’t believe that’s true. AZ also was penalized; we had only 29 delegates; the others were able to attend but did not have a vote.

[Resolute Conservative]

I am of that mindset now as well.

[tumblindice]

I don’t feel like conservatives have much say in anything the GOP does anymore, particularly choosing a candidate. Back in 2008 McLame had been chosen before I got a chance to vote.
So I get this mailer from Rand Paul a few days ago with a litany of questions focusing on the 2nd Amendment: “Do you support the 2nd Amendment!?” “Are you a red-blooded, He-man gun-grabber hater?” etc. and blah blah blah ...
To all of them, `Yes, yes, I do! I sure am!! etc.’
It finally got to the `short-strokes’ where he asks for a contribution (I suppose JEB will call it a `love-offering’ like passing the plate after a fire and brimstone sermon), I wrote, “Get serious about our southwestern border and I may get back to you. Try to be more of a conservative.”

Conservatives: No Mama, no Papa, no Party. GOP-e, feck `em.

[Nifster]

You are wrong about the 1980 convention....this rule change would have prevented Reagan’s name from being entered in the 1976 convention

[cuban leaf]

You are wrong about the 1980 convention....this rule change would have prevented Reagan’s name from being entered in the 1976 convention

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Yep. You are right.

[Lazamataz]

I remember it well. They passed it by voice vote even though the Nays were louder.

[cuban leaf]

I remember it well. They passed it by voice vote even though the Nays were louder.

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Yep, it was another nail in the coffin of my respect for that party.

[TomGuy]

Again, my state primary is scheduled for late May. As in 2008 and 2012, the nominee is usually determined weeks before that date. Thus, the state presidential primary is useless.

[L,TOWM]

Not what I suggested at all. The current system is not sustainable, but will certainly not permit a 3rd party to have any say in it. Sit back, enjoy the Kabuki theater for however long our lords and masters can sustain it and be ready.

Remember, every single thing you believe is wrong with the system now has come about because the Constitution which we all claim to love has permitted it to happen or actively abetted it. More voting sure as hell is not any kind of solution any rational person can have faith in at this point.