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| Home Front: Politix | |
| GOP Wants Secret Ballot ( Bushies Seek Amnesty Proponent) | |
| 2007-01-19 | |
I'm a Republican, but this kind of chicanery is exactly one of the reasons why the GOP lost in the last election. Amnesty for illegals is a no-fly idea and it needs to be stopped. Republican National Committee members think they will get a secret ballot on today's election of a new general chairman, which would protect members opposed to the White House's push to fill the new slot with an advocate of an amnesty for illegal aliens. "If we get the secret ballot as promised, then every member will feel free to express his or her view without the fear of coercion or intimidation," said RNC member Curly Haugland of North Dakota. What? Secret ballots? Why, why, that would be like democratic or something and we can't be associated with that now can we? The move to create a new top office on the committee and fill it with Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida is scheduled to take place today, on the third day of the annual RNC winter meeting here. Mr. Martinez supports President Bush's plans for what conservative critics call amnesty for illegal aliens. Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, a former state party chairman and RNC member who attended the meeting yesterday as an observer, was talked up by some members as an alternative to Mr. Martinez. Mr. Steele, praised by name in a farewell speech by outgoing Republican National Chairman Ken Mehlman, lost a Senate run in November but remains popular with RNC members. Steele would be a good candidate for the position IMO. "The Republican Party is against amnesty for illegals, but if the president wants Mr. Martinez as general chairman, that should be the president's prerogative," Mr. Steele told The Washington Times. Then again...kowtowing to the President on this issue is just stupid. Being Republican doesn't mean blind obedience to stupid ideas. The RNC leadership's desires historically almost always carry the day, especially when a Republican is in the White House, but some members yesterday said they saw hope that things might turn out differently this time. "If it is a secret ballot, it will make a huge difference," said RNC member Denise McNamara of Texas, who said she intends to vote against the creation of the general-chairman position and, if that move fails, to vote against Mr. Martinez to fill the office, regardless of whether the vote is secret or public. So far, a minority of members share her willingness to publicly express opposition. "I will vote against the creation of an office of general chairman, even if it is a voice vote," said RNC member Steve Cloud of Kansas. "But a lot of others on this committee who also oppose the creation of that office -- whether because it violates the rules or because they oppose amnesty for illegal aliens -- they will be afraid to say what they think unless there is a secret ballot." At issue is whether the RNC's rules permit the creation the "general chairman" position. The rules governing the RNC, adopted at the 2004 Republican National Convention, call only for an elected chairman and co-chairman. RNC member Robert M. "Mike" Duncan, a Kentucky resident and the current treasurer, is running unopposed for chairman. RNC member Tim Morgan of California is exacted to become the new treasurer. Great! Just what the GOP needs - another layer of bureacracy. I swear the parties get more and more alike every day. | |
| Posted by:FOTSGreg |
| #5 Thanks a lot. I don't think I'm ever going to be able to eat another smoothie again. There goes my workouts. |
| Posted by: Mike N. 2007-01-19 22:59 |
| #4 And don't embed a pic from outside Rantburg unless it's superfantastic and small enough not to cause loading and display problems. So no embedding my Hot Roast Beef Smoothies picture? |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2007-01-19 18:51 |
| #3 Greg, thank you. I don't mean to be difficult at all. I check in a couple times a day for a few minutes each (lunch and if I get a break in the action in the lab) to ensure that the Burg is okay. I check the Poster to see if we have new articles in the hopper and then check the Editor to see if things are ok (in case a spammer slipped through, etc). I can fix simple stuff on articles but I don't want to spend a lot of time on it, 'cause I don't have a lot of time. So a word to all who contribute: first, thank you. Second, your comments are in hilite, never italics. Don't use leading or trailing linespaces, but start each new snark on a separate line. Please teach the MSM how to edit by removing all the redundant crap. Always, always, always put the article's URL in the source box. And don't embed a pic from outside Rantburg unless it's superfantastic and small enough not to cause loading and display problems. Again, thanks. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2007-01-19 17:24 |
| #2 I stand properly chastened your most high excellentness. Please don't send me to see Administrator .com, please. |
| Posted by: FOTSGreg 2007-01-19 15:43 |
| #1 I second the nomination of Michael Steele for RNC Chairman. |
| Posted by: eLarson 2007-01-19 15:01 |
