Illinois Democrats cut deal with GOP to allow Bush on ballot

[wndycty]

I am not sure if it worth it. . .but I will reserve judgement.

GOP lawmakers pay dearly to get Bush on ballot

November 21, 2003

BY DAVE MCKINNEY Sun-Times Springfield Bureau

SPRINGFIELD--In a delicious political irony, House Republicans were forced to go to great lengths Thursday to ensure that President Bush's name gets on the Illinois ballot next year -- and Mayor Daley's early-retirement package hung in the balance.

The price the House GOP paid to benefit Bush meant voting to spare Democrat Secretary of State Jesse White steep election fines. Plus, they had to agree to Democratic demands to permit the same type of flawed paper ballots to be counted in Illinois that Republicans fought against in Florida to hand Bush the 2000 presidency.

The complex gamesmanship came as lawmakers were winding down their fall legislative session and passed groundbreaking ethics legislation to Gov. Blagojevich.

State law requires Bush be certified as a candidate in late August. But that is in doubt because his likely nomination comes Sept. 2 at the GOP convention in New York City, something national Republicans failed to consider when setting the convention date.
-snip-

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-leg21.html

[Newsjock]

1. Democrats give in yet again

When will they finally get it? The Republicans are playing for all the marbles, in a blood sport that takes no prisoners. Then we get all moralistic and sanctimonious and "do the right thing." Six months later, we get our a** handed to us on a platter.

Rule of law, folks, rule of law. Bush doesn't follow the rule of law, Bush doesn't get on the ballot.

Wake up, folks. The nice guys don't win anymore.

[wndycty]

2. Well the Sun-Times is spinning as if. . .

. . .the GOP gave up a lot, I have to talk to a few people to see if it really is going to turn out that way.

[ibegurpard]

3. Exactly

No more fucking deals! It's the GOP's own damn fault that he wasn't on the ballot. There is nothing the Democrats got in concession that was worth the damage that mistake by the GOP could have cost them. As long as Democrats are under the mistaken assumption that it continues to be business as usual we will continue to get creamed.

[alcuno]

4. Like * was going to win in Illinois? I don't think so.

Now they have to spend money here on their campaign. Besides, it would have been portrayed that Democrats are "unfair." I would actually put Illinois in the safe Democratic column.

[LoZoccolo]

8. The Republican party needs to be destroyed.

That ad they are running now about fighting the president for fighting the terrorists has convinced me of that. Worst piece of contemporary propaganda I've seen in my life, since 1974. Look at what they do! Are any of them speaking out against this junk?

What they should have done is not let it happen, and every time the Republicans complain about it, we just say hey, this wouldn't have happened if you didn't try to move your convention as close to 9/11 as possible and keep attention on their blatant demagoguery around terrorism.

We just keep exposing them and not compromising and we might just get them so small they can't win any elections anymore.

[jiacinto]

5. Shouldn't the BBV crowd be happy with this?

They walk out the winners here.

[Baconfoot]

6. Back in 2000, which did the Republicans think was more important?

Did they think a deadline was more important? or counting everybody's vote?

Answer: A stupid deadline.

I say let them be hoisted by their own petard.

How dare they argue that Bush should be let on the ballot even if he misses the deadline?

Apparently the letter of the law is sacrosanct, so let it be sacrosanct. Keep Bush off the ballot.
Don't these ruffian Republicans CARE ABOUT THE LAW?

I think we've got a great arguments in these states where Bush isn't going to meet the deadline if we were to decide to fight to keep him off. The argument is: The law doesn't provide for his name to get on the ballot. If the Republicans has respected and obeyed the law than sure, his name would have been on there. Instead they missed the deadline. They didn't care enough about the law to schedule their convention accordingly. As much as we would like to we can't make an exception for ONE mere candidate.

[LoZoccolo]

7. I would have maybe had a three-point compromise.

1. Go to Florida.
2. Count the ballots.
3. Get out of the White House.

[Doomsayer13]

9. smart move

If Dems hadn't compromised, Illinois would be at risk for a GOP uprisiing in the state, which would hurt. This way, we put Bush's name on the ballot in a strongly Democratic state and hand the GOP a solid defeat on many fronts.

[chiburb]

10. A whole thread on this in the a.m.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=232683