Posted on 02/24/2016 1:14:25 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Reports from Nevada tonight have indicated potential administrative failures at caucus locations around the state, which threaten to further marginalize its role in the Republican nominating process. The most damning allegations are that precinct officials failed to properly certify voters, and that because of it some participants were voting twice.
There also is outrage over the fact that at one location, a precinct official was wearing pro-Donald Trump gear.
It's important to note that caucuses, unlike primaries, are party-run affairs without governmental oversight. They are administered by the state party and the Republican National Committee, neither of which enforce a dress-code for local officials. So while it may be unprofessional for a vote-counter at a caucus site to wear Trump garb, it's not in violation of any rules or laws.
The other allegations, however, are significant - and sufficiently widespread that campaigns could challenge the validity of certain precinct results. These observations, shared on social media by caucus participants, campaign representatives, and a number of respected national reporters on the scene, are hugely problematic for a state party that was already in danger of losing its special "carve-out" status on the primary calendar.
Even if nothing comes of a potential challenge to the results in Nevada, the outcome of the caucuses is likely to be accompanied by an asterisk for many in the media and the national party. Asked for comment on the controversy unfolding in Nevada, an RNC official referred to a tweet from the state party:
Nevada GOP @NVGOP - There have been no official reports of voting irregularities or violations. #nvgopcaucus
Ironically, the Nevada GOP is widely viewed by RNC officials as their most dysfunctional and incompetent state party. It's a major reason why Reince Priebus's committee was already determined - before Tuesday's chaos - to strip Nevada of its early-state status in 2020 and beyond, as I reported last month:
>>>It's a foregone conclusion inside the RNC that Nevada will lose the No. 4 spot barring miraculous turnout in its February 23 caucuses. The Silver State, which has been plagued by poor showings in recent cycles - the state party was embarrassed when fewer than 33,000 people showed up to caucus in 2012 - will probably be replaced by either Arizona or Colorado, which GOP leaders say have stable party infrastructures to go with their similarly diverse populations.<<<
Whatever chance Nevada had of holding onto its privileged position on the GOP primary calendar likely went out the window Tuesday night."
It is legal in Nevada to wear gear.
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Shhhhh don’t tell her that. CW is an old Walker supporter scorned. You don’t want to make the hulk angry kinda thing.
Awe, the GOP-e minions are upset about the bloodbath...
And so is prostitution. Does that make it ethical?
Legal and ethical are two entirely different things in this case. Obviously wearing the gear doesn’t mean the person will meddle with votes, but why make voters wonder if they can trust him or her?
Dysfunctional? Incompetent? That's too, too rich! Haha....Seems the darkly black pot doesn't like the kettle because it's black.
It is illegal in Clark County. Where LV is located.
Based on the record so far, a Cruz supporter would mess with the ballot count.
I saw one counting where the woman was reading off the results and putting them in the envelope instead of reading off the results, stacking in piles, then counting.
It looked like a joke, as it did in Iowa.
It has been posted that Cruz supporters were wearing Cruz gear as well.
NRO doesn’t seem to want to mention that, it doesn’t fit the narrative.
Funny what is characterized by tRumpets as despicable behavior by Cruz supporters, is just spirited debate in their corner.
Hypocrisy at its worst.
Sorry, I missed the part of the article where Cruz supporters were wearing Klan outfits.
For years I loved the National Review and clung to that publication like it was my own but to see them sink to the depths of daily Trump character assassination really hurts and proves that they feel very threatened by this new breath of fresh Republican air.
I will be accessing their site less and less as time goes on.
NR shame on you for chipping away at the Republican front runner...
I prefer the term Liberal Republican Front Runner.
Spank your bear does not have the same power as Spank your monkey. ;-)
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