http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/01/03/396323/virginia-gop-will-require-primary-voters-to-sign-party-loyalty-oath/

Virginia GOP Will Require Primary Voters To Sign Party Loyalty Oath

Quote :

"Pledges have become something of a fad in the Republican primary this year. Except for Jon Huntsman, the GOP hopefuls have all signed pledges to radical right-wing groups like the FAMiLY Leader promising to ban pornography and only appoint anti-abortion cabinet members and judges, among other things. As the New York Times editorial board put it, “It used to be that a sworn oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution was the only promise required to become president.” But today, “each pledge they sign undermines the basic principle of democratic government built on compromise and negotiation.” Now the Virginia GOP is extending the trend to voters, requiring them to sign a loyalty oath to the party before they are allowed to participate in the primary: The state Republican Party will require voters to sign a loyalty oath in order to participate in the March 6 presidential primary. Anyone who wants to vote must sign a form at the polling place pledging to support the eventual Republican nominee for president. Anyone who refuses to sign will be barred from voting in the primary. During a brief meeting Wednesday at the state Capitol, the State Board of Elections voted 3-0 to approve three forms developed by the election board’s staff to implement the loyalty pledge requested by the state GOP. Those who wish to vote in the primary must sign a form that says, “I, the undersigned, pledge that I intend to support the nominee of the Republican Party for president.” The pledge so impinges on citizens’ fundamental right to vote for whomever they want in the general election that even some Republican lawmakers in the state have come out against it. This is not the first time Virginia Republicans have tried to implement a loyalty pledge. They backed off their attempts in 2000 and 2008 over concerns about alienating independent voters. Of course, loyalty oaths have disturbing historical connotations in this country, harkening back to the McCarthy era where many organizations required employees or members to sign loyalty oaths or lose their jobs."

I think we are headed for 'Voter Death Panels'

1/3/2012 12:45:31 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Family_Leader#2012_presidential_election

Quote :

"In November and December 2011, the organization "agonized" over whether to make an endorsement and who to endorse. After removing Herman Cain, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, and Mitt Romney from consideration, the seven-member board of directors of the organization could not decide on one candidate among Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, and Rick Perry."

No, not everyone "except for Jon Huntsman" has signed that pledge.

This is totally unacceptable, though. You should not be required to pledge loyalty to anyone or any party to participate in the primary. I hope this gets overturned or something.

1/3/2012 12:54:18 PM

son of a bitch I need to find a new political party.

1/3/2012 1:02:35 PM

^yeah

This is bullshit.

1/3/2012 1:07:51 PM

Without overriding fealty to party, Republicans can never achieve their "single most important" goal of ensuring President Obama is a one-term president.

1/3/2012 1:12:33 PM

man, can't wait to move to VA now!

ugh.

1/3/2012 1:40:40 PM

Lol I wonder how many infiltrator liberals will be unable to sign a pledge shoved in their faces by the very party they're trying to undermine.

1/3/2012 2:44:41 PM

probably worried because they did that same shit in WI

Quote :

"Stephan Thompson, executive director of the state party, issued a statement justifying the practice because Republican senators have been too busy in Madison to prepare for the recall elections. "The Republican Party of Wisconsin has advocated that protest candidates run in Democratic primaries to ensure that Republican legislators have ample time to communicate with voters throughout their districts after the state budget is approved," Thompson said in his statement. "

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/123244408.html

1/3/2012 2:58:31 PM

I recall this in at least one of the GOP primaries in 2008.

1/3/2012 4:39:21 PM

It would be funny if a news story broke a few days after the primary that there were thousands of pledges signed "Get Fucked", etc.

1/3/2012 6:15:42 PM

If they ever try to pull this shit here, I will sign the pledge ONLY if I intend to vote straight-ticket democrat.

1/3/2012 8:14:57 PM

Think about it like this: The Rethugnicans lie to the American people on the regular, so you shouldn't feel so bad about lying to the scum.

1/3/2012 8:35:27 PM

Reason #849 I'm not a Republican.

1/3/2012 9:24:35 PM

i mean, it's stupid and a terrible move, but how the hell are they going to enforce it? exactly, they can't. I'm not worried about these shenanigans in the least

1/4/2012 9:40:04 AM

Of course they can't enforce it. That's not the point. The point is that they're incredibly foolish to even attempt it to begin with. Everyone knows they can't enforce it. It's pathetic.

1/4/2012 10:09:14 AM

yeh the democratic party has never tried the 'oath' route before.... my god, it's like imstoned420 actually enjoys living in his dream bubble

"Section 6 of your proposed charter would provide the following:
Loyalty Oath: Members of the Florida Democratic Party, including all official Party committees, commissions, bodies, clubs, officers, Democratic elected officials, and candidates running for the Democratic Party's nomination, shall, before taking office, or in the case of a candidate running for the Party's nomination, at the time of filing to run, establish by written oath or affirmation the loyalty oath in the form included in the Bylaws of this Charter. Said oath or affirmation may be changed in the same way as provided by amending the Bylaws."


[Edited on January 4, 2012 at 10:29 AM. Reason : -]

1/4/2012 10:21:53 AM

^
That's an oath for Florida Democratic Party workers. The oath above is for primary voters.

http://www.fladems.com/page/-/documents/Loyalty_Oath.pdf

[Edited on January 4, 2012 at 10:33 AM. Reason : .]

1/4/2012 10:32:54 AM

yeh exactly. both 'completely force' you to behave in line with a party

1/4/2012 1:22:28 PM

let's see... one is internal to an organization. the other is for everyone who wants to vote at the polls. no contest

1/4/2012 2:09:39 PM

Yeah, those two aren't the same thing at all. But if they were the same thing and Democrats were trying to force primary voters to vote for the eventual winner, it would be equally as pathetic. But they aren't the same thing.

1/4/2012 2:50:01 PM