Bob Barr, that "loveable" wingnut has done Obama a solid in Texas by filing a suit to remove McCain and Obama from the ballot. Apparently, McCain missed the Texas filing date, and Barr contends that the rule of law should be followed and have his name removed from the ballot. Barr also contends that Obama wasn't officially nominated before the deadline. However, lucky for Obama the paperwork was filed in his name prior to his official nomination.
From the Press Release:
"The seriousness of this issue is self-evident," the lawsuit states. "The hubris of the major parties has risen to such a level that they do not believe that the election laws of the State of Texas apply to them."
Texas election code §192.031 requires that the "written certification" of the "party’s nominees" be delivered "before 5 p.m. of the 70th day before election day." Because neither candidate had been nominated by the official filing deadline, the Barr campaign argues it was impossible for the candidates to file under state law.
Here's Barr's press release:
http://www.bobbarr2008.com/...
Now what are the odds that Barr will find a sympathetic judge in Texas?
This entire lawsuit begs a serious question. The Republocrats have for a long time bullied 3rd party candidates off the ballot, and even challenged Barr's ballot placement in Penn. Why shouldn't turnabout be fair play?
I for one would be willing to give Texas to Barr, in exchange for Obama losing a state he will lose anyways. Hopefully, the Obama campaign will throw their full weight behind this one. It is high time that the Democrats stand up for the rule of law, and back Barr in this audacious bid.
For the record I personally find Barr to be the worst sort of "right wing" Libertarian, and refuse to vote for him as he fails the human empathy smell test.
UPDATE:
Apparently they missed the deadline for write-in status as well!
http://www.ballot-access.org/...
The relevant piece of state law is:
§ 146.022. CANDIDATE'S NAME REQUIRED TO APPEAR ON LIST.
A write-in vote may not be counted unless the name written in
appears on the list of write-in candidates required by Section
146.031.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/...
If we followed the rule of law in this country, McCain would not even be a legitimate write-in vote in Texas!