Oct
19
Writing in Ron Paul?
Sun, 10/19/2008 - 20:22
A friend emailed me a very good question: ... what states can you write in Ron Paul?
Here is a chart on states' write in rules (disclaimer: not sure this is 100%, please check your own state's rules)
http://mfoster.com/misc/write-in_rules_2008.html
This blogger i read often says writing in does not make a statement or an impact that is measurable, because most states won't even report the write ins.
http://libertymaven.com/2008/05/31/ron-paul-write-in-options-rules-for-e...
This friend lives in IL and it looks like IL is a state where if you run and lose in the primary, you can't put yourself on the ballot as a write in (according to this chart above).
But that does not answer the question as to whether a write in vote counts even if they are not nominated as a write in... does not the concept of nomination as a write in defeat the premise of a write in?!
Tough decision... or you could go with what Andy Rooney said tonight on CBS's 60 Minutes:
"I don't know who I am going to vote for, I like both McCain and Obama. I don't think we can go wrong with either."
Thank you Andy for sealing the lid on the theory that the media and the two parties are in fact all in this big mess together.
Way to educate your audience Rooney.
The upside to voting for a Bob Barr (Libertarian), or a Chuck Baldwin (Constitution) is that:
a) they might be on your ballot
b) if they get 5%+ of the vote then that party is automatically on the ballot next time around and gives a third party a better shot at being in the debates next time around (which is where real change will come, when 3 and 4 parties start asking hard questions during debates).
I do want to write in Ron Paul believe me.
And then print up bumper stickers:
Don't Blame Me. I Wrote in Ron Paul.
If IA counts/reports write ins, I will write him in.
If they don't, I will choose between Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin and go with the candidate who has a better chance of garnering 5%... the primary difference between the two is the religious/moral issues... Baldwin is a Baptist preacher and Barr is a former CIA official turned congressman... imagine which issue they differ on...
I would google "Your County Sample Ballot" and see what comes up and you should be able to see who/what is on your ballot right now.
With regards to getting more voices and less control by the two major parites in the debates, check out:
http://www.opendebates.org/theissue/
for the full skinny on how much fraud has been perpetrated on the American people by the Presidential Commission on Debates.