Part of why Republicans lose, and lose big, is because they either don't have the spine to play political hardball or they think they can compromise with the Democratic Party. It's a classic Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown scenario: the Democrats demand compromise, then pull the rug out at the last minute, while the Republicans pat themselves on the back for 'bipartisanship' even though they lose.
The the DNC -- knowing full well what Ohio's election laws are -- is holding its convention after the deadline to get Joe Biden on the state's ballot, and now they're panicking that he might not be above the law.
Here's what the Ohio Secretary of State had to say:
I’ve said from here to Colorado that it’s in the best interest of voters to have a choice in the race for president. I’m also duty-bound to follow the law as Ohio’s chief elections officer.
— Frank LaRose (@FrankLaRose) May 21, 2024
As it stands today, the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee will not be on the Ohio… pic.twitter.com/Y5AkZBoow2
The entire post reads:
I’ve said from here to Colorado that it’s in the best interest of voters to have a choice in the race for president. I’m also duty-bound to follow the law as Ohio’s chief elections officer. As it stands today, the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee will not be on the Ohio ballot. That is not my choice. It’s due to a conflict in the law created by the party, and the party has so far offered no legally acceptable remedy.The Ohio House speaker said today there won’t be a legislative solution, so I’ve sent a letter to @OHDems chair seeking (again) a solution that upholds the law and respects the voters. I trust they’ll act quickly.
There is no question of equity or denying Ohio voters the choice to vote for Biden. LaRose's entire argument is based on a false premise. Ohio voters do have a choice in the race for president. Biden won't be printed on the ballot, but they can write him in. They're acting like people can't vote for Biden if he's not on the ballot. We know that's not true. You can write anyone in on a ballot. They may not win, but you can vote for them.
The only way voters in Ohio can't vote for Biden is if they can't spell his name, and the only person who probably can't do that is Joe Biden himself.
As it currently stands, the only thing that prevents Joe Biden from appearing on the ballot is the unwillingness of voters to write his name on the ballot.
No one is above the law. That's your rules, Lefties. Live by them.
This is also a
This is the right call and it's a reasonable compromise: Republicans keep foreign money out of our state ballot process, and both major parties’ nominees will be on the ballot. https://t.co/olXV97LcGh
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) May 23, 2024
The Democratic party is forever playing Calvinball.
The Republicans would do well not to join in the game.
Remember: Donald Trump will beat Joe Biden, whether he’s on the ballot or not, by 10 points.
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) May 23, 2024
But a lot of Trump voters might sit at home if there isn't a real presidential race, and that will really hurt our down ballot races for the Senate and Congress. We need to play chess.
No, we don't need to play chess.
We need to play hardball.
The Democratic party has not only admitted that the sham trial in New York is meant to stop Trump from campaigning (where I come from, that sure seems like election interference), but they've played fast and loose with the concept of 'insurrection' in an attempt to keep Trump off the ballot in several states. They also tried to do the same thing with RFK, Jr.
Do we really think they wouldn't do the same thing if the RNC convention was held after the Ohio election deadline?
No. They wouldn't. They would go to the mattresses to keep Trump off the ballot, telling us Trump isn't above the law.
And they would be correct.
Ohio law is clear: the deadline for the state ballot is August 7. The DNC takes place in Chicago from August 19-22. We all have calendars. August 22 is 15 days after the deadline. Oops. Not our problem.
The absolute arrogance of the DNC and guys like Vance to think they can just change the laws willy-nilly because of poor planning is breathtaking in its audacity and short sightedness.
Notice Vance isn't advocating for a permanent change to the law, but a one-time exemption for Biden. That sets a horrible precedent: it says these election laws are meaningless and unenforceable, and -- down the road -- this will come back to bite the Republican party in the butt. It always does.
The Left's goal is political dominance at all costs. They're good at playing the long game, and they'd play the long game on this, too.
There's a simple solution to this problem: the GOP needs to grow a spine and say the law is the law. Move the convention, or Biden will not be on the Ohio ballot. Even if it's a foregone conclusion Trump takes Ohio by 10 points or more, that's not the point.
The law is the law.
We hear every day from the Left how Trump isn't above the law. They've got him in a New York courtroom for a sham trial to prove this.
This means Biden is not above the law, too.
He's the incumbent president. We know who he is. Voters who wish to cast a ballot for Biden can write him in as a candidate. This worked for Lisa Murkowski in 2010.
I fully expect, however, the GOP will cave on this, like they always do and when -- in 2026 or 2028 -- the Democratic party does the same thing to a GOP candidate, I will be there to tell them: 'Told ya so.'
