The state GOP, which is petrified of the prospect of Sharron Angle winning the CD2 special election, has obtained a legal opinion that says the special election must be done through a nominating process through central committees -- an interpretation that, coincidentally, could hurt Sharron Angle's chances. The letter, from Reno attorney David O'Mara, also buffs up Secretary of State Ross Miller as the greatest, most non-partisan SOS ever (so he'll obviously do what we want him to do.).
So, so transparent, my Republican friends.
Other legal scholars, including some of both parties in DC, think a free-for-all with no primary and many candidates is called for -- I have posted one such analysis elsewhere on this blog -- and that the statute O'Mara refers to does not apply here.
In a delicious irony, O'Mara is the same guy who tried to help Angle last year with allegations of voter intimidation complaints and on the Harrah's workers controversy. From TPM last year:
The lawyer who filed the complaint, David O'Mara, filed it on behalf of the Nevada Republican Party. But O'Mara later admitted that he does not work for the NRP -- instead, he works for an affiliate, the Nevada GOP Victory Committee. The NRP chairman told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he's "aware" of O'Mara but does not work directly with him.
O'Mara has also filed a complaint claiming that unions intimidated members into voting for Democratic candidates, a charge the unions deny. Miller has not issued a response to that complaint.
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The state GOP may believe it can control the central committee to block Angle. But even if Miller decides O'Mara is correct, that is no guarantee -- although this is an obvious move to try to diminish her chances.
Opinion at right.
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