About Harris' legitimacy as a candidate

[Politruk]

There's been a lot of Republican squawking about how Harris is a usurper or something because nobody voted for her, because she did not run for the nomination in the primaries.

But, consider: If Biden, having won the primaries, were to die -- nobody would suggest a new round of primaries was necessary. It would only mean the delegates pledged to vote for Biden at the nominating convention were no longer so pledged.

The situation that actually developed is no different.

Anyway, nothing in the Constitution obliges the parties to use primary elections -- those are a 20th-Century invention and are strictly a matter of party rules.

 

[Politruk]

xxxx

 

[Rightguide]

There's been a lot of Republican squawking about how Harris is a usurper or something because nobody voted for her, because she did not run for the nomination in the primaries.

But, consider: If Biden, having won the primaries, were to die -- nobody would suggest a new round of primaries was necessary. It would only mean the delegates pledged to vote for Biden at the nominating convention were no longer so pledged.

The situation that actually developed is no different.

Anyway, nothing in the Constitution obliges the parties to use primary elections -- those are a 20th-Century invention and are strictly a matter of party rules.

There is a requirement in the Constitution called the 25th Amendment. That's where it all should have begun. The primaries are a function of the states.

 

[Politruk]

There is a requirement in the Constitution called the 25th Amendment. That's where it all should have begun. The primaries are a function of the states.

Nomination is not a function of the states. It is a function of the parties, as national organizations.

The 25th Amendment has nothing to do with party nominations.

Nothing in the Constitution does -- it was not drafted with a party system in mind.

 

[BabyBoomer50s]

There's been a lot of Republican squawking about how Harris is a usurper or something because nobody voted for her, because she did not run for the nomination in the primaries.

But, consider: If Biden, having won the primaries, were to die -- nobody would suggest a new round of primaries was necessary. It would only mean the delegates pledged to vote for Biden at the nominating convention were no longer so pledged.

The situation that actually developed is no different.

Anyway, nothing in the Constitution obliges the parties to use primary elections -- those are a 20th-Century invention and are strictly a matter of party rules.

Yes, but Biden didn’t die. He’s still alive. Whether he’s aware of that is a different question. There’s nothing unconstitutional about the undemocratic process leaders of the Democratic Party imposed to anoint their flawed candidate.

 

[Rebel5soul]

Yes, but Biden didn’t die. He’s still alive. Whether he’s aware of that is a different question. There’s nothing unconstitutional about the undemocratic process leaders of the Democratic Party imposed to anoint their flawed candidate.

You have to understand that in order for them to save democracy they must first destroy democracy.

 

[ll74]

Yes, but Biden didn’t die. He’s still alive. Whether he’s aware of that is a different question. There’s nothing unconstitutional about the undemocratic process leaders of the Democratic Party imposed to anoint their flawed candidate.

American voters can not vote for the candidate running for the party. No one is preventing them from doing so.

 

[SevMax2]

Nomination is not a function of the states. It is a function of the parties, as national organizations.

The 25th Amendment has nothing to do with party nominations.

Nothing in the Constitution does -- it was not drafted with a party system in mind.

Though it's pretty weird that states pay for primaries, but have little to no say in the process.

 

[Politruk]

Though it's pretty weird that states pay for primaries, but have little to no say in the process.

The primaries happened as usual this year. What happened after Biden dropped out cost the states nothing.

 

[SevMax2]

The primaries happened as usual this year. What happened after Biden dropped out cost the states nothing.

The point is that the parties act as if they are entirely private clubs, but most private clubs don't have their elections paid for by taxpayers.

 

[Politruk]

The point is that the parties act as if they are entirely private clubs, but most private clubs don't have their elections paid for by taxpayers.

This was all enabled by state legislation passed, by gradual stages, after the idea of party primaries emerged. The states had their chance to condition it all on some kind of state control of the process -- but consider what a tangled mess that might have led to, with the Dem or Pub caucuses in different state legislatures supporting different candidates, and the other party's caucus in each legislature also demanding a voice.

 

[Rebel5soul]

This was all enabled by state legislation passed, by gradual stages, after the idea of party primaries emerged. The states had their chance to condition it all on some kind of state control of the process -- but consider what a tangled mess that might have led to, with the Dem or Pub caucuses in different state legislatures supporting different candidates, and the other party's caucus in each legislature also demanding a voice.

Nice try at justifying the unjustifiable. *chuckle*

 

[Politruk]

Nice try at justifying the unjustifiable. *chuckle*

Harris' nomination requires no justification. As for the state-funded primary system -- nobody ever really complains about it.

 

[RobDownSouth]

Nice try at justifying the unjustifiable. *chuckle*

nice try at rejecting at dismissing any and all positions other than your own as "unjustifiable".

Derp derp derp.

 

[adrina]

It was settled by the party.

The only people who have issues are the ones who are scared donold will lose to her.

 

[Politruk]

The point is that the parties act as if they are entirely private clubs, but most private clubs don't have their elections paid for by taxpayers.

It is objectionable that the law only treats two parties as if they matter. Their nominees get on the ballot automatically -- third parties need to collect petition signatures.

 

[John_von_Neumann]

It was settled by the party.

The only people who have issues are the ones who are scared donold will lose to her.

This. Exactly this. MAGA only squeals about democracy when it's in their interests. Otherwise, the default line is, "America isn't a democracy, it's a republic."

 

[DarkFetish001]

I just can’t believe that Biden are Trump are supposedly the “best” choice you have got to run the country…. Ones got no idea what’s going on and the other is a criminal and bigot on the world stage…. Crazy times

 

[Politruk]

This. Exactly this. MAGA only squeals about democracy when it's in their interests. Otherwise, the default line is, "America isn't a democracy, it's a republic."

What that usually means -- when it means anything at all -- is, "America is a federal state, not a unitary state."

Which is true, but has nothing to do with any difference between a democracy and a republic. This is a democratic republic -- as opposed to an aristocratic republic, like the old Republic of Venice, where only the nobles of the Golden Book could vote.

 

[Politruk]

I just can’t believe that Biden are Trump are supposedly the “best” choice you have got to run the country…. Ones got no idea what’s going on and the other is a criminal and bigot on the world stage…. Crazy times

But Harris knows what's going on, and is honest and good-hearted as pols go.

 

[Politruk]

You have to understand that in order for them to save democracy they must first destroy democracy.

None of that is going on here, of course.

 

[Rebel5soul]

None of that is going on here, of course.

Of course it is. Are you a moron or a paid DNC shill?

 

[Politruk]

Of course it is. Are you a moron or a paid DNC shill?

Nothing about Harris' nomination even tends in the general direction of destroying democracy. Nothing at all.