Cuyahoga County’s Alternative Universe: ‘Fun’ vs. ‘Malice’

When Kos, the Rush Limbaugh of the lefty blogosphere, suggested that Dems cross over (”Let’s have some fun in Michigan”) and vote for Objectively Unfit Mitt Romney in the Michigan primary, the howls of protest on the left over the use of this tactic were ….. non-existent.

In fact, many of the self-styled “leading lights” of the leftosphere thought the idea was pretty cute, including this guy …..

….. who is — savor this — now full-bore behind the Cuyahoga County-based idea to prosecute — yes, PROSECUTE — Republicans who crossed over to vote in Ohio’s Democratic primary (links here and here):

Eliot Spitzer is was Mr. Congeniality compared to this guy.

At long last, Jerid, have you no shame? Oh, I’ve seen your “Michigan does not use a party pledge system” excuse. How, hopelessly, lame — and maybe wrong.

The bottom line, pal, is that Dems LOVE open primaries they can tamper with; that’s “fun.” But heaven forbid anyone turn the tables on them; why, that’s “malicious” (word actually used by the Plain Dealer reporter covering the Ohio story)!

To be clear, as I’ve stated previously, I don’t think it’s a good idea to vote for someone you don’t really want to ultimately win. But that’s my personal call.

In the real world, if CuyaCo Dems want to motivate Ohio Republicans to turn out in droves in November, they should go right ahead with their show trial. Give it enough visibility, and it could be a national motivator. If the county BOE and prosecutor really do run with the idea, Rush and his 15-20 million listeners will be having more “fun” than human beings should be allowed to have for weeks.

If I were a CuyaCo GOP crossover, I’d send a letter to the Board of Elections, c/o Sandy McNair (that would be “Mr. McNair,” in case you’re confused by Jerid’s posts), and the county prosecutor, saying “Please, PLEASE arrest me.” I would even consider making a special trip to the prosecutor’s office to expedite the process.

Wouldn’t it be “fun” if a whole bunch of people did either, or both?

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UPDATE, 1 PM: Rush is already having fun with this.

UPDATE 2, 1:10 PM: Meanwhile, the Columbus Dispatch’s “The Daily Briefing” blog has this title on a related post — “Brunner staying out of Cuyahoga crossover fuss.” Well, yes and no:

However, she is asking county boards of elections for more information on crossovers, based on the record primary turnout and especially high vote in the Democratic primary compared with the Republican primary, Ortega said.

Unless it seceded from Ohio while I wasn’t looking (we can’t get that lucky), Cuyahoga’s BOE would be one of those Brunner is looking at “for more information on crossovers.”

UPDATE 3, 1:15 PM: Allah weighs in –

Here’s the statute, although the mechanics are convoluted so you’re better off reading Wired’s analysis. Essentially, you’re only in trouble if you perjure yourself by signing an affidavit affirming your new loyalty — but the affidavits are supposed to be demanded as a matter of course and if you refuse to sign you only get a provisional ballot. Exit question: Should we expect any bipartisan outrage over this like we saw when the Virginia GOP toyed with the idea of a loyalty oath for their own primary? Or are we playing by Obama rules here, where ordinary political sins are absolved if it benefits the left to do so?

UPDATE 4, 2 P.M.: It looks like Plan B is to go after Limbaugh himself. Fine — prosecute Kos too. Pass the popcorn.