Colorado recalls: Organizers say state GOP scoffed at recall

[ShotgunBlast]

Speaking about GOP Chairman Ryan Call:

"He scoffed at us. He told us we didn't have a shot at getting the recall signatures certified and that what we were doing was just wrong," said Victor Head, a Republican and leader of the group, Pueblo Freedom and Rights, which took the initial steps to have Giron recalled. "He did not care to listen to what was going on with the grass roots in Pueblo, and that's a problem with leadership in the Republican Party."

Now why would the establishment leadership be so against recalling some Democrats even though they benefited from it?

Several Republican lawmakers and strategists privately expressed fear that the recalls — the first ever of a state lawmaker — would set a dangerous precedent and be used against them.

Oh. So it's not really about doing what's right based on your principles, but making sure you're able to keep your job when you go against the citizens. Got it.

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ ... scoffed-at

[allingeneral]

The GOP knows that when it comes right down to it, they're no better than the Dems when it comes to representation of the people who elected them. Politicians need to get it through their heads that they aren't there to toe the party line - they're there to represent their constituents.

[GeneFrenkle]

Several Republican lawmakers and strategists privately expressed fear that the recalls — the first ever of a state lawmaker — would set a dangerous precedent and be used against them.

This.... just... wow... I should have expected such a view, honestly. Fear of accountability, a (latent?) hostility to the general population, and them knowing elections have little to do with the republic ideal is really demonstrated.


From http://www.ncsl.org/legislatures-electi ... cials.aspx

Virginia has a process similar to a recall, but it is not listed here as a recall state because its process, while requiring citizen petitions, calls for a recall trial rather than an election. After sufficient petition signatures are gathered and verified, a circuit court decides whether a Virginia official will be removed from office.

For Virginia, a "recall" can occur:

Virginia: Neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence in the performance of duties when that neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence in the performance of duties has a material adverse effect upon the conduct of the office, or upon conviction of a drug-related misdemeanor or a misdemeanor involving a "hate crime" (§24.2-233)

The full list is in VA Code. Interesting to read.

[NovaHunter]

My wife an I were vacationing in Morse's district in Colorado during the week that the vote on the recalls took place. It was quite a bit of fun to watch. Alot of our friends on the ground there were really involved in the recall, and it a great show of what grassroots activism can accomplish. We heard quite a bit from the activists that the state GOP party wasn't supporting the recall for many of the reasons outlined above.

[FiremanBob]

Only when the Tea Party conservatives drive the RINOs from their positions of power on the state committees will the GOP regain its strength and its moral compass. It is a battle worth fighting.

[VBshooter]

It's good that the Repubs feared the recall for fear that it be used against them>>..We need those laws here. The General Assembly could use a flush in a few districts....