No they should not. If we sink to the level of the RATS, we become RATS. We are the party of upholding the Rule of Law. And even if we are defeated, we fought the good fight. It is not about retaining power, it is about upholding principles. I will not be party to the destruction of the Rule of Law just to win an election or two. It isn't worth it. Let the RATs burn in hell for it - not us.
If one gives in to the illegal tactics used by your opponent, you are no different than them. No, the GOP has to do a better job of promoting consercative ideas and candidates, and a MUCH better job of encouraging GOP turnout. Better to be in a position of pointing out the depravity of the left than ecnouraging it.
Guess what? They already did. In fact, Forrester made this exact same argument back in April to get on the primary ballot.
from http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/05/nyregion/05JERS.html
"Mr. Genova also uncovered a legal memorandum from Mr. Forrester's lawyer written in April, when State Senator Diane Allen, one of Mr. Forrester's opponents in the Republican primary, was trying to block him from taking the ballot position of James W. Treffinger. Mr. Treffinger, the Essex County executive, had resigned from the race because of scandal three days earlier, or 40 days before the primary.
Senator Allen maintained that moving Mr. Forrester's name to Mr. Treffinger's place on the ballot would come too late under Title 19 of the state election law, which sets a deadline of 51 days before an election for ballot substitutions. It is the same argument that Mr. Forrester's lawyer, Peter G. Sheridan, made before the State Supreme Court on Wednesday, opposing Mr. Lautenberg's placement on the ballot. The Democrats said that the deadline was merely a guideline.
In April, Mr. Sheridan read the law the way the Democrats do today.
"Strict compliance to statutory requirements and deadlines within Title 19," Mr. Sheridan wrote, "are set aside where such rights may be accommodated without significantly impinging upon the election process.""
Or how about Katherine Harris "backdating" her resignation because she didn't file it in time so she could run for Congress?
Or the 1990 Minnesota governor's race when the Sec. of State held up printing ballots while the GOP switched candidates 8 days before the election.
Or how about the constitutional requirement that the POTUS and the VP come from different states, leading to Cheney's last minute switch in residency from Texas to Wyoming?
Or how about NJ governor's race last year, when the GOP legislature avoided this problem by simply voting to change the deadline. I guess that one followed the letter of the law, at least.