News Roundup for 5/3/12

Ron Paul supporter

-Headline of the Day-
"The Ron Paul convention takeover plot."

Republicans have chosen Willard Mittens Romney as their nominee. Everyone knows this, all the pundits take it for granted, every 2012 campaign news story assumes it. There's only one problem; Republicans haven't chosen Willard Mittens Romney as their nominee. At least, not yet.

There's this whole Republican National Convention rigamorole in Tampa first. And that's where things could go off the rails. There, the Willard Mittens Romney coronation could get all messed up by the followers of one Ron Goldfinger Paul. RNC Council of Bishops has issued a warning to Paulites attending the convention -- It's Mittens or you're out.

Already, the Nevada delegation has gotten this warning and more could follow because, according to the report, "Paul supporters have wreaked havoc at numerous district caucuses and state conventions, producing some startling results. For instance, 20 of Iowa’s 28 national convention delegates will likely be Paul supporters – even though the Texan finished third in the state’s January caucuses with 21 percent of the vote. And 20 of the 24 delegates selected in district caucuses in Minnesota recently are Paul backers, even though he was trounced by Rick Santorum in the state’s February caucuses. Similar stories have emerged from Louisiana, Colorado and Massachusetts, with the list likely to grow."

What explains all these Paul delegates from states Ron Goldfinger didn't win? Well, the answer to that is shorter than you might've suspected -- caucuses are stupid.

The report tells us, "In many caucus states, the 'official' results that most people saw this winter were from nonbinding straw polls conducted in conjunction with precinct-level caucuses. But when it comes to choosing national convention delegates, the real action is at district caucuses and state conventions. In the past, this distinction hasn’t mattered much, but for the Paul forces – who lack the numbers to win statewide primaries but have the devotion to pack any room, anywhere, at any time – it has offered an inviting loophole. When turnout is small and no one is looking, the Paul folks can win, and that’s what’s been happening in a number of states."

So Paulites stuck around after the bullshit caucus votes and participated in the non-bullshit delegate selection votes. Why are there two votes, with one being bullshit? Have I mentioned that caucuses are stupid?

So there we have it, the coronation of Willard Mittens Romney has a real good chance of being temporarily derailed by Ron Paul cultists unable to take "you lose" for an answer -- at a national convention likely to be hip deep in guns.

This could get interesting. (Salon)


-Cartoon time with Mark Fiore-
Hey kids, you know Barack Obama gave the order to take out Osama Bin Laden? Well, that was the worst thing ever!


Click for animation

Presidents shouldn't take credit for things they do. That's just wrong. (MarkFiore.com)


-Bonus HotD-
"Donald Rumsfeld is Still an Insufferable Twit."

It's just a fact. (Mother Jones)