Prediction: expect a lot more Alvin Greene style candidates

[TheWebHead]

And the circumstances for such candidates in the future could be decidedly less fishy. In districts with anything above double digit minority groups, or even smaller if the top candidates are expected to be in a tight race, you could see black, hispanic, asian, muslim, jewish, native american, etc. candidates with names that most would assume establish a racial or religious identity be on the ballot. They could run on primaries or on general elections as independents. The people who put their name in the hat could be completely aware of the tactic and be conservatives. They could be given assurances once they pay any filing fees to get on the ballot, they'd be reimbursed by conservative donors (depending on the election, region and ethnic/religious group, this could be done to benefit Democrats but statistically it would most often be a circumstance benefiting republicans).

They could submit a photo for the voter's guide but provide no contact information, no web site, refuse media requests or state a single political position on the issues. Their sole purpose would be to drain support from a Democratic candidate by having a name that attracts a certain percentage of a minority group who if unaware of positions of candidates in a particular election, will either vote party politics or for their known or perceived shared race. And unlike the case with Greene, in a general election there would be none of these party pressures to withdraw, investigations, or attention given to someone who using this tactic might pick up at best 10% of the vote, but plenty enough to be a spoiler in many elections.

[ProgressiveVictory]

1. As long as they are not in the democratic party its ok

[blogslut]

2. I'm not sure I believe that whole thing about his last name

Didn't he also garner a majority of votes in districts that were predominantly white? I'm pretty sure I read that in a thread or five here.

[HooptieWagon]

3. If they get away with it, and there's no reason to think they won't..

Then yes, this will become standard ratfucking strategy.

[customerserviceguy]

4. All of the above might come to pass

But would it be illegal? This sort of thing has happened for generations in elections, only the methods change as the system evolves.

[burnsei sensei]

5. If there is any space in the law

allowing Republicans to choose Democratic candidates, they'll do it.
They are politically dishonest and aggressive.

[demigoddess]

6. yes, I expected that democrats would put in 'ringers' when things started to look bad

from them. they do it in local elections, why not on the national level.