Florida GOP To Enforce "Loyalty Oath" Against Crist Supporters

[babylonsister]

:scared:

http://mydd.com/2010/4/23/florida-gop-demands-loyalty-oath


Florida GOP To Enforce "Loyalty Oath" Against Crist Supporters

by Nathan Empsall, Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 04:01:09 PM EDT


Glenn Beck has, in recent weeks, been trying to rehab Joe McCarthy's legacy. Apparently he's not the only one.

As Florida Governor Charlie Crist moves closer towards running for the Senate as an Independent rather than as a Repub, the Executive Director of the Florida GOP is demanding the enforcement of a "Party Loyalty Oath." Any Repub committee members who support Independent candidates "would be in violation of the RPOF Rules and would be subject to removal from party office and membership on Republican executive committees." From a memo to Executive Director Ronnie Whitaker from Jason Gonzalez, the party's General Counsel:

At your request, I have prepared the following memorandum involving the interpretation of Republican Party of Florida Rule 9 (Party Loyalty Oath). You specifically asked me to determine whether the Party Loyalty Oath would allow state and county executive committee members to support a registered Republican running with no party affiliation in a general election over the candidate nominated in the Republican primary election. As described below, my conclusion is that the Party Loyalty Oath forbids Republican Executive Committee members from supporting any candidate other than the candidate nominated by the voters of the Republican Party through its primary election...

In sum, Republican Party of Florida Rule 9 prohibits any member of the Republican State Executive Committee or of any County Executive Committee from “actively, publicly, or financially” supporting a candidate running with no party affiliation over “the Republican candidate” chosen in the primary election. Any member who fails to formally revoke his or her public support and request the return of any contributions made to a candidate running against the candidate of the Republican Party would be in violation of the RPOF Rules and would be subject to removal from party office and membership on Republican executive committees.

While it's not unreasonable for a political party to require its leaders to support its candidates, the use of the specific phrase "loyalty oath" is a little chilling and suggests that the Repub Party hasn't moved past the knee-jerk McCarthyite mindset of the 1950s. I would also point out that the Democratic Party did not pull this kind of a stunt when Joe Lieberman bolted in 2006. The next time someone tries to call the Democrats the party of narrow-mindedness, just remind them of this.

[Arkana]

1. Jesus.

You know, I hear folks around here bemoan the fact that we can never achieve lockstep unity on anything, but that's not such a bad thing. If we did, you'd be reading articles like this about Democrats.

[hobbit709]

3. I believe in Will Rogers' quote

"I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat"

[hobbit709]

2. "Loyalty oath"-Where have we heard that before?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. Between the nuts of Arizona, and the fruit tree based life in Florida,

I am convinced that these cretins really don't have a clue of what they are doing. The more they press their ultra-conservative message and policies, the more they will piss a lot of people off. I wonder if a civil war is really what they seek? Because that is where we are heading.

We haven't reached the breaking point yet, but it us uncomfortably close today.

[Riley18]

5. Dick Cheney even went after Crist this week. Jeb Bush want Rubio as his senator.

The local news just had a warm and fuzzy story about Rubio on this morning. No one likes to talk about his financial scandal and his little trouble with the FBI. Teachers in Florida are still holding their breath until this legislative session ends and there is always next year.

[peekaloo]

11. Mike Huckabee, too.

Crazy eyes has joined Team Rubio. Apparently he has a home in Florida and votes here.

[political_Dem]

6. Looks like the civil war between Republicans is on. The first shot has been fired.

:nuke:

[malaise]

7. The Grand Old Perverts

are now a cult of BS.

[ixion]

8. Loyalty oaths are common to both parties

no big shocker there.

[babylonsister]

9. Got a link? I wasn't aware Dems had to take a loyalty oath. nt

[ixion]

13. here's a link

but there are many standards that effectively rank as a pledge of allegiance. the so-called HCR bill was a prime example.

http://www2.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/local_govtpolitics/article/Dem_GOP_Party_Switchers_Required_to_Sign_a_Loyalty_Oath_for_Primary_Vote/34346/

[babylonsister]

14. 'Being asked' does not equate to 'required', for starters.

If these citizens don't sign, that doesn't mean they can't vote. Seems like Brunner wants it done for housekeeping purposes: "wants the counties to be consistent in enforcing the law to avoid the potential for a lawsuit in a close election that could overturn results."

The rethugs are demanding fealty from committee members solely for political purposes; big difference.

[OnyxCollie]

15. Texas Democrats’ Loyalty Oath Legal Court Says

http://politics.mync.com/2009/03/texas-democrats-loyalty-oath-legal-court-says/

AUSTIN, Texas – A federal appeals court has rejected an effort by former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich (koo-SIN’-ich) to scrap the Texas Democratic Party’s loyalty oath for candidates seeking the party’s nomination.

The party requires candidates to pledge to “fully support” its eventual nominee.

A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans on Tuesday affirmed a Texas federal court’s ruling that the oath does not violate the U.S. Constitution.

Kucinich claimed the rule violated his free-speech rights. The Ohio congressman filed the lawsuit with a prominent supporter, country singer Willie Nelson.

[dorkulon]

10. Considering how it worked out with Lieberman...

maybe we should be considering this as well.

Nah, just kidding. These people are natural fascists, after all.

[Hubert Flottz]

12. Hitler was into that kind of shit too.

The Wehrmacht Oath of Loyalty to Adolf Hitler, 2 August 1934

"I swear by God this sacred oath that I shall render unconditional obedience to Adolf Hitler, the Leader of the German Reich and people, supreme commander of the armed forces, and that I shall at all times be prepared, as a brave soldier, to give my life for this oath."

Service oath for public servants

I swear: I will be faithful and obedient to Adolf Hitler, leader of the German state and people, to observe the law, and to conscientiously fulfil my official duties, so help me God!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler_oath

Waffen SS Oath

snip...

"Before God I swear absolute obedience to Adolf Hitler, Commander in Chief of the German Army and to the superiors appointed by him... I swear to you, Adolf Hitler, Germanic Führer and Remaker of Europe, to be loyal and brave. I swear to obey you and the leaders you have placed over me until death. So help me God."

snip

SA oath=As a member of the storm troop of the NSDAP i pledge myself by its flag to be always ready to stake life and limb in the struggle for the aims of the movement, to give absolute military obedience to my military superiors and leaders, to bear mtself honorbly in and out of service, to be always companionable towards other comrades.

Hitlerjugend oath=In the presence of this blood banner, wich represents our Fürher, i swear to devote all my energies and my strenght to the savior of our country, Adolf Hitler, i am willing and ready to give up my life for him, so help me God.

NSDAP oath=I pledge Allegiance to my Fürher Adolf Hitler, i promise at all times to show respect and obedience to him and to any leaders he may appoint for me.

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=88368

SS oath of loyalty

I vow to Adolf Hitler imperturbable loyalty . I vow to him and to the leaders, that he sets for me, absolute allegiance. Adolf Hitler: Hail victory!"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reichswehreid

I can just hear...

I vow to Queen Barbie imperturbable loyalty . I vow to SarahBell and to the leaders, that SarahBell sets for me, absolute allegiance. Queen Barbie: Hail victory!"