-> DA-> If what you say is true, and what Guy says is true, then we lost
-> DA-> this battle in the primaries.
->
-> I think this is basicly true.
-> But that's THEIR problem.  OUR problem is:  how can we effectively
-> unite gun owners into an effective force that can influence the
-> primaries so that someone as weakly committed to our rights as Bob
-> Dole is CAN'T win the nomination?
->
-> It's not too early to start kicking this question around.
I caught an interesting news item in the New York Times a few weeks ago.
Here in NY, it is possible for a Republican or Democratic candidate to
appear on the ballot on the Conservative or Liberal Party lines, as well
as on their own line.  The votes are cumulative.
In other words, if Chucky Schmuck gets 80,000 votes on the Democratic
line and 10,000 on the Liberal line, and Joe Goodcandidate gets 75,000
votes on the Republican line and 20,000 on the Conservative line, then
Joe Goodcandidate wins, 95,000 to 90,000.
This gives these minor parties a LOT of power over the major parties
candidates.  Over in the 26th Congressional District, two candidates
were vying for the Republican nomination to run against the Democratic &
Anti-2nd Incumbent Congressman.  The Conservatives endorsed one of them,
and the other one then dropped out of the race to "unite the party".
I had assumed that this was normal practice all over the country.  That
turns out NOT to be the case.
According to the NY Times, only 10 states permit a candidate to appear
on more than one ballot line.  40 states have election laws forbidding
it.  However, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case challenging
the constituionality of such laws, so there is a good chance that they
will be overturned next year.
If that happens, gun owners will have a unique opportunity in those 40
states.  Using a party like the Conservative's as a base (I would prefer
the Libertarians, personally, but I have seen **NO** evidence, here in
NY, at least, that they Have A Clue) would allow us to exert TREMENDOUS
influence over who the Republicans nominate for office.
Regards
John
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