Forward Thinking: Planning today for 2012
Do we seat the delegates or not? Other than who will be the nominee, this seems to be the big question for the members of the DNC. The fact of the matter is that what the Democrats have right now with regard to seating of delegates from Michigan and Florida is a disaster. It gets worse, because the DNC is not only refusing to seat all of their delegates, but actually opposed their candidates being on their ballots or campaigning in either state. The Party, which tries to cloak itself in inclusionary politic, has essentially excluded all of the voters in these two states from the primary process. So much for fairness. But then, Democrats never really have been about fairness, it is and always has always been about wielding power over your life and mine.
In an effort to avoid future issues on our side, the RNC Rules Committee has gathered here in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the annual Chairman's meeting to present and debate various ideas and plans for reforming the Presidential nominating schedule for 2012. One of the key goals is to avoid a national primary day. Frankly, a national primary would prevent many candidates who have great ideas from participating in the race. Reason being, a national primary would limit candidates to those who have massive amounts of money to fund a national campaign. For example, candidates such as Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo, Tommy Thompson and even Mike Huckabee would probably not have been competitive in a national primary.
The RNC Rules Committee reported out yesterday the Ohio Plan for the 2012 Republican Primary process by a vote of 28-12. The Ohio Plan, promoted by Chairman Bob Bennett of Ohio, would create five groups, or as they are referred to "pods". The first pod would consist of four states, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, which would go first in a three week window followed by a second pod of 19 small-population states and territories that would vote in the next three week window. The remaining three pods consist of the large-population states. These pods would have roughly similar allocations of electoral votes, and would rotate their order in the nominating process every four years. Pod X going in the next three week window, followed by pods Y and Z in the subsequent two week windows. Finally, the penalty of 50% of a state’s delegates at the National Convention remains in effect if a state moves its primary ahead of the designated window as outlined in the Ohio Plan. Conversely, there is no penalty if a state holds its primary later than the Ohio plan asks.
Arizona is placed in pod Y along with California, Washington, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Under this plan, Arizona will never be among the first states voting.
Many of the large states in the three pods voting in the later primary windows are not happy with this plan. There is every indication that the Ohio Plan likely will be opposed by large states with enough delegates to prevent its passage at the National Convention, unless it is substantially modified in the next RNC Rules Committee meeting in late August. Larger states want an opportunity to go earlier in the process. As your chairman, I agree with these larger states. Under the Ohio Plan, there would always be at least 23 states and territories voting before our pod of states, diminishing the importance of our primary.
There is some indication that the five states that voted early in our primary process this year and were penalized with losing half their national delegates and alternates may in fact have their full delegations seated at the national convention. There are good arguments on both sides of this issue. As it becomes clearer as to what may happen, I will keep you informed and try to explain the implications for future presidential primaries.
Thanks for spending a few minutes reading my update from the state chairman’s meeting. Look for a full debrief in next week’s, Tusk Times. I will be sharing more insight as to what we discussed as Party leaders here in Albuquerque.
Randy
P.S. We regret to inform you of the passing of a long-time Republican activist, Al Driscoll. The AZGOP will keep his family and friends in our prayers. For more information about Al, click HERE
