| Obviously it goes without saying, but this would be an unprecedented embarrassment in a state where there are more registered Republicans than any other party (or unaffiliated voters).
The actual effect seems small, but give it a little thought:
The names of Republican candidates won't be on top of the 2012 ballot alongside the Democrats' names, said Secretary of State Bernie Buescher. They will be positioned along with other third-party candidates, the Libertarians and Green Party members and such.
What Bartels doesn't say is that realistically for this to happen Tancredo would be pulling some serious numbers -- which by law would make the AC a major party in Colorado. In 2012, whoever the AC runs for any office in Colorado would appear toward the top of the ballot, while the Republican candidate is listed down by the Green, Libertarian, and candidates from parties you've probably never heard of.
It sounds funny, but how many people actually read through all the candidates listed? What effect this would have on actual Republican performance is unknown -- to the best of my knowledge neither the Democratic or Republican party has ever been classified as a minor party anywhere in the country in modern politics.
Just being a public relations disaster is enough to hurt the Republicans next time around -- and enough to actually give the AC party a boost in the public eye.
Politics is so entertaining sometimes :) |
