Should this be a punishable crime?

**triggerhappy2005** · 07-13-11, 01:30 AM

Fake Democrats lose in Wis. primary recalls - Yahoo! News

"The state Republican Party orchestrated the placement of the fake Democrats on Tuesday's ballot, thereby delaying the general election for a month. That gave the Republican incumbents more time to campaign and distance themselves from the turmoil over the union law that they voted to support in March, spurring the recall efforts."

I would think this to be considered a form of election fraud.

**moving-target** · 07-13-11, 01:46 AM

sounds like it to me

**Consultant** · 07-13-11, 09:12 AM

Depends what can be proven. Who would be prosecuted? Some low or mid-level manager or aide?

**triggerhappy2005** · 07-13-11, 09:17 AM

Perhaps the actual candidates themselves. If they didn't have an honest intention to win the election for the party they claim to represent, I would call that fraud.

**Consultant** · 07-13-11, 09:38 AM

How do you propose to judge intent to win? Requiring a certain amount of money be spent on advertising? Requiring participation in a debate?

I'm not disagreeing with you, but seems impossible.

What if the "honest intent to win" was based on delusion? How about Gene Amondson or Leroy Pletton? Did they really have an honest intent to win the 2008 Presidential election? Did they debate Obama once? Did they even spend $10,000? How about Chuck Baldwin? Alan Keyes? Gloria LaRiva? Ralph Nader? Bob Barr?

**triggerhappy2005** · 07-13-11, 10:17 AM

From the article:

The state Republican Party orchestrated the placement of the fake Democrats on Tuesday's ballot, thereby delaying the general election for a month. That gave the Republican incumbents more time to campaign and distance themselves from the turmoil over the union law that they voted to support in March, spurring the recall efforts.

See the word fake? That pretty much kills any intent on winning.

**Nuckle** · 07-13-11, 10:26 AM

I thought I remembered hearing about the Democrats doing the same thing in New Jersey.

South Jersey Tea Party candidate is a Democratic plant, report says | NJ.com

Only had about 5 minutes to snoop so this may not be apples and apples.

**Morningfrost** · 07-13-11, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Consultant

Depends what can be proven. Who would be prosecuted? Some low or mid-level manager or aide?

I would have to say there should be some sort of punishment against the State Republican Party, considering they were the ones that did it. And it's fairly easy to prove, considering the people that ran (the fake democrats) were all members of the Republican Party. Some had even already served or run for office as a Republican representative before. I'd say each and everyone one of the fake Democrats could probably be brought up on something relating to election fraud, considering they misrepresented themselves and ended up on another party's ballots in an effort to delay the elections....

**triggerhappy2005** · 07-13-11, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Nuckle

I thought I remembered hearing about the Democrats doing the same thing in New Jersey.

South Jersey Tea Party candidate is a Democratic plant, report says | NJ.com

Only had about 5 minutes to snoop so this may not be apples and apples.

I agree that this should cut both ways. Either side could be guilty.