5 ms·

His intentions don't necessarily have to be short term. If he performs well in this election, that could be a solid launch for another kind of candidacy (senato

by edko 10y ago

His intentions don't necessarily have to be short term. If he performs well in this election, that could be a solid launch for another kind of candidacy (senator, governor, secretary of something, party leadership, etc.)

cookiecaper 10y ago
That's true. Normally one would ask which party he's trying to endear himself to with a third-party run (usually a big no-no), but it's pretty obvious that there's a large percentage of mainstream Republicans who'd prefer an HRC win to a Trump win (probably because a Trump win would solidify the new direction of the party in a way those people are not happy about). McMullin's role in denying the Trump win, which may actually end up being significant if states in the Mormon Corridor (including AZ) go blue, would bode well for his career as a Republican in future elections (as long as Trump loses).
- edko 10y ago
  Well, imagine he wins Utah, and his electoral college votes are what Hillary or Trump need to become president: the guy could negotiate anything with either. Secretary of State? You got it.
  - acomar 10y ago
    No, this is the exact scenario described in the main article. If McMullin wins Utah and the EC is split, then the decision goes to the House. Any negotiation being done will happen there and will hinge on the Senate's decision for the VP.
    - edko 10y ago
      He can negotiate before the EC meets. There is no obligation for his electors to vote for him.
      - cookiecaper 10y ago
        Some states have unfaithful elector laws, which punish EC members who vote against the winner of the state's popular vote. According to random site from Google [0], Utah is one of those states. Not sure what the punishment would be. [0] http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/the-electoral-college.aspx#faithless http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/the-ele...
        edko 10y ago
        You are right. "In Utah, a candidate who fails to vote as required is considered to have resigned, and a replacement is appointed."
        GunboatDiplomat 10y ago
        Wikipedia does not show Utah as having laws against faithless electors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faithless_elector https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faithless_elector

by edko 10y ago

cookiecaper 10y ago

That's true. Normally one would ask which party he's trying to endear himself to with a third-party run (usually a big no-no), but it's pretty obvious that there's a large percentage of mainstream Republicans who'd prefer an HRC win to a Trump win (probably because a Trump win would solidify the new direction of the party in a way those people are not happy about). McMullin's role in denying the Trump win, which may actually end up being significant if states in the Mormon Corridor (including AZ) go blue, would bode well for his career as a Republican in future elections (as long as Trump loses).

edko 10y ago
Well, imagine he wins Utah, and his electoral college votes are what Hillary or Trump need to become president: the guy could negotiate anything with either. Secretary of State? You got it.
- acomar 10y ago
  No, this is the exact scenario described in the main article. If McMullin wins Utah and the EC is split, then the decision goes to the House. Any negotiation being done will happen there and will hinge on the Senate's decision for the VP.
  - edko 10y ago
    He can negotiate before the EC meets. There is no obligation for his electors to vote for him.
    - cookiecaper 10y ago
      Some states have unfaithful elector laws, which punish EC members who vote against the winner of the state's popular vote. According to random site from Google [0], Utah is one of those states. Not sure what the punishment would be. [0] http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/the-electoral-college.aspx#faithless http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/the-ele...
      - edko 10y ago
        You are right. "In Utah, a candidate who fails to vote as required is considered to have resigned, and a replacement is appointed."
      - GunboatDiplomat 10y ago
        Wikipedia does not show Utah as having laws against faithless electors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faithless_elector https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faithless_elector