I'm Predicting A Cluster You-Know-What In The State Attorney Race

Right now, as of 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 2, 2008, the only two candidates in the State Attorney race are Republicans Jay Plotkin and Angela Corey.

The deadline for qualifying is 12:00 p.m. If these two candidates remain the only two running, then the August 26 primary election converts to a universal primary, meaning anyone can vote, be you a Democrat, Independent, etc.

However, if another non-Republican throws his or her hat in the ring, then the primary remains a primary and you must vote your party and ride out the final voting to November.

Now here's the screwy part. Someone can "qualify" as a write in candidate, which means that, without the petition signatures or paying the qualifying fee, one can actually close the August primary and have a blank line put on the November ballot.

Let me repeat that by way of example. Right now, there could be some attorney in Tallahassee handing paperwork to the Election Board filing to be a write in for November. That will close the primary. There will be two Republicans on the State Attorney ballot in August where only Republicans can vote.

Yeah, seems weird, but trust me, this is the system.

Now here's the prediction. Right now, there is someone in Tallahassee handing paperwork to the Election Board filing to be a write in for November, thereby closing the August primary to Republicans only.

Here's another prediction. Angela Corey found some patsy to do just that. She does not want Democrats choosing her fate, especially in situation where she's going mano y femano against Jay Plotkin.

This is only a prediction. It is also possible that this patsy is also qualifying as a Democrat instead of a write in. It doesn't matter. The effect is the same.

So here's the million dollar question: Why doesn't Jay switch BACK to a Democrat and make this a real race? According to the Supervisor of Elections, he has until May 4 (Sunday) to do this. Which really means he has until the end of the day.

So sit back folks and watch the Rovian tactics play out.

For the third time, this is just a prediction, but it's the sort of thing pulled straight out of Carl's book. Is it illegal? No (assuming Angela didn't actually pay this patsy or otherwise fraudulently manipulate the system). Crafty? Sure. Smelly? You betcha.

Watch the clock. Check back here later in the day. By 2:00 p.m. today, hopefully, all will be revealed.