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2012 Convention

Judge to GOP Candidates: You Snooze, You Lose

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Federal District Judge John Gibney yesterday rejected the efforts by GOP Presidential candidates Perry, Gingrich, Santorum, and Huntsman to litigate their way onto the Virginia March 6, 2012 primary ballot.   Each of the candidates had failed to comply with the Virginia statutory requirement that they obtain 10,000 signatures to qualify for the primary.  In its Opinion, the Court held that their request for a preliminary injunction to place them on the ballot was barred by the equitable doctrine of laches – meaning that they waited too long to challenge the law, and a change at this time would disrupt the printing of the ballots and the primary process.  “In essence, they played the game, lost, and then complained the rules were unfair.”  Op. at 2.  In doing so, the candidates “displayed an unreasonable and inexcusable lack of diligence.”  Op. at 11.Read More »Judge to GOP Candidates: You Snooze, You Lose

Failed GOP Presidential Candidates Seek Federal Court Ruling that VA GOP, SBE Violated Voting Rights Act

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After only Willard Romney and Ron Paul timely submitted the required 10,000 signatures (with 400 from each CD) to qualify for the Virginia GOP primary ballot, Rick Perry sued Virginia State Board of Elections (“SBE”) members (Judd, Bowers, and Palmer) and Republican Party of Va. (“RPVA”) Chair (Pat  Mullins), in their official capacities, in federal court.  Perry sought to litigate his way onto the ballot by having the Court issue an injunction prohibiting the SBE from enforcing the law and compelling the RPVA to place him on the ballot.  Perry v. Judd, Civ. No. 3;11-cv-856-JAG (E.D. Va. Dec. 27, 2011).  The Court invited the other GOP candidates to intervene, and Santorum, Gingrich, and Huntsman did so.  The Court set a schedule requiring opening briefs to be filed on Jan. 6, responses on Jan. 11, and a hearing with live witnesses on Jan. 13.  Here are some of the highlights of the briefs the parties filed yesterday.Read More »Failed GOP Presidential Candidates Seek Federal Court Ruling that VA GOP, SBE Violated Voting Rights Act

DNC State Chairs Group Meets

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One of the most important groups within the Democratic National Committee is the Association of State Democratic Chairs (ASDC), which consists of each state’s party chair, first vice chair, and executive director.  The ASDC meets four times a year and just concluded its winter meeting here in Las Vegas.  Over the past three days, the ASDC presented speeches, panels, and workshops providing practical information and guidance on issues  including state party budgeting, state party fundraising (including for the national convention), social media,  party administration, DNC and state party constituency efforts, national convention best practices, DNC technology, state party campaign structure, voter protection efforts, and updates on President Obama’s campaign and the national convention. The DPVA was well represented by VC Gaylene Kanoyton and ED Dave Mills, and I attended with DNC members Mame Reiley, Doris Crouse-May and Susan Swecker, and Sen. Louise Lucas.   Some highlight of the sessions I attended:Read More »DNC State Chairs Group Meets

DPVA Action

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Every year around this time, DemRulz sets forth ideas for Democratic Party of Virginia actions for the coming year.  See 2009, 2010, 2011.  This year a number of Democrats have also posted ideas at Blue Virginia.  Accomplishing the DPVA’s primary mission in 2012 – helping President Obama again carry Virginia, electing Tim Kaine to the US Senate, and electing Democratic members of Congress – poses challenges, but presents great opportunities.  Here are some thoughts:Read More »DPVA Action

DNC RBC Approves VA & Other State Plans

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The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee met today to consider 23 state 2102 National Convention Delegate Selection Plans. The RBC gave Virginia’s plan “conditional approval” and approved our request for a waiver of the 10,000 Presidential candidate signature requirement (conditioned on the DPVA collecting 5,000 signatures). The DNC staff raised some minor issues, which were addressed by a revised plan we submitted on Monday.   I presented the plan and answered questions about the affirmative action goals of the plan.   The DNC had previously accepted our methodology and staff raised no questions, but the DPVA is fully committed to diversity and we will examine this issue carefully and propose any appropriate changes.Read More »DNC RBC Approves VA & Other State Plans

DPVA 2012 Convention Delegate Selection Plan Commentary

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The Democratic Party of Virginia has posted its draft 2012 National Convention Delegate Selection Plan (“Plan”) for 30-day public comment (ending May 4, 2011) at the DPVA website, so please submit your comments.  As the drafter of the 2004 and 2008 Delegate Selection Plans, and someone who has been involved with the 2012 draft Plan, I offer an overview of the process and identification of important changes from our 2008 plan. Read More »DPVA 2012 Convention Delegate Selection Plan Commentary