I've got mixed feelings about this one:
On the one hand, rules are rules, and these rules have been in place for 3 years, so if the folks in the state parties weren't aware of them, they always could have picked up the phone and called the RNC to ask.WASHINGTON - Republican Party leaders on Monday recommended punishing five states for shifting their nomination contests earlier, moving to strip New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan and Wyoming of half their delegates.
At least one state, South Carolina, is considering legal action in an effort to keep its delegates to next year's Republican National Convention.
Iowa, which plans to hold Republican caucuses on Jan. 3, would not be penalized because, technically, the caucuses are not binding on convention delegates. Nevada, which plans to hold its caucuses on Jan. 19, would not be penalized for the same reason.
"It's very important that our party uphold and enforce the rules that we unanimously voted into place at the Republican National Convention in 2004," said Mike Duncan, chairman of the Republican National Committee.
The rules ban holding votes before Feb. 5
On the other hand, I am not sure that a court battle--which we all know the leftymedia would play for all its worth, while of course never mentioning that the Democrats are doing the same thing--would be good for the GOP at all.
On the whole, I think I am leaning slightly toward the enforcement side. But I reserve the right to change my mind.
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