# Republicans Consider ‘Conscientious Objector’ Rule for Convention Delegates **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 19, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-consider-conscientious-objector-rule-for-convention-delegates/757774 "2016-06-19T15:23:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-consider-conscientious-objector-rule-for-convention-delegates/757774/61 "2016-07-12T15:41:39Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > The primary isn’t “an election” in the same sense as the election in November will be. The party is not required to pick the candidate with the most votes-- it can choose the candidate any way it wants. That’s all well and fine, but the fact is that the parties have created the perception that the primary votes are the way the candidates are chosen. They cheerfully broadcast the results, state by state, voting numbers included if it’s not a caucus, and do absolutely nothing to dissuade people from thinking they are indeed “electing” a nominee. If the GOP stabs Trump in the back the perception will be that they are subverting the results of an election and that perception, whatever technicalities you can write, will be wholly justified, because every primary they’ve held for years was presented as if it was en election. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-consider-conscientious-objector-rule-for-convention-delegates/757774/62 "2016-07-12T15:53:11Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > It’s too late for him to get on the ballot for all 50 states. As a complete aside, isn’t this, well, stupid? Why do states have deadlines for getting on the ballot that are _before_ the conventions choose who’s going to be on the ballot? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-consider-conscientious-objector-rule-for-convention-delegates/757774/63 "2016-07-12T15:59:25Z")
> [@TimeWinder](#): > > As a complete aside, isn’t this, well, stupid? Why do states have deadlines for getting on the ballot that are _before_ the conventions choose who’s going to be on the ballot? It’s more getting the Party on the ballot with an open slot to put in the candidate’s name. If I understand it right, Trump could run under a third party that is already on all the ballots such as the Libertarian or Green(as example) if that party is willing to associate with him. If he wants to run on his own, he has to qualify the same as the everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-consider-conscientious-objector-rule-for-convention-delegates/757774/64 "2016-07-13T03:28:06Z")
> [@TimeWinder](#): > > As a complete aside, isn’t this, well, stupid? Why do states have deadlines for getting on the ballot that are _before_ the conventions choose who’s going to be on the ballot? Here in Minnesota (and in some other states), any ‘major’ political party has their endorsed candidate automatically placed on the ballot. (‘Major’ parties are those where a candidate received at least 5% of the vote in the previous state election. ‘Minor’ parties must get 1% of the votes to be eligible for campaign finance subsidies.) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-consider-conscientious-objector-rule-for-convention-delegates/757774/65 "2016-07-13T03:47:33Z")
You all know my position on this: Dump Trump! This is the break the McCain campaign has been waiting for. McCain for President! ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-consider-conscientious-objector-rule-for-convention-delegates/757774/66 "2016-07-13T04:01:45Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > That’s for sure! They’re playing with fire here. They could alienate a very large segment of their base. > > If they had a heroic figure, a knight on a white horse, then maybe they could jump to him and pull it off. But… Cruz? No way. Rubio? It is to laugh. > > So their wisest course is to stick with Trump, try to get him to STFU, groom him (somehow) to act Presidential, and lose with dignity. (As if!) I’m totally amazed that Trump has any support at all given the degree he’s pissed off minorities, LGBT, Muslims and women. You’d think any option would be a better choice for the party, let alone America. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-consider-conscientious-objector-rule-for-convention-delegates/757774/67 "2016-07-13T07:12:40Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > I’m totally amazed that Trump has any support at all given the degree he’s pissed off minorities, LGBT, Muslims and women. What do you think the normal GOP has been doing for the past couple decades, trying to court those groups? Trump is loud and obnoxious, but he’s right in line with the normal GOP in terms of which groups he’s pissing off. That’s why he won the GOP’s primary, after all: He’s saying things those voters want to hear. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-consider-conscientious-objector-rule-for-convention-delegates/757774/68 "2016-07-13T07:41:38Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > What do you think the normal GOP has been doing for the past couple decades, trying to court those groups? > > Trump is loud and obnoxious, but he’s right in line with the normal GOP in terms of which groups he’s pissing off. That’s why he won the GOP’s primary, after all: He’s saying things those voters want to hear. Yup. Trump has the Angry Old White Guy (and the Angry Young Stupid White Guy) votes down. Who else does he need? (Actually, I know plenty of Angry Old White Guy Democrats who wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire. But Texas will probably still go Red. This time, at least.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-consider-conscientious-objector-rule-for-convention-delegates/757774.md?page=3)