With the explosive nature of all of the information about Governor Pain, I am trying to research and find more information about what the difference is between removing her from the ticket TODAY, before she is nominated, vs. TOMORROW, after she is nominated.
That might give us more information about what is to come in the future.
When McGovern replaced Eagleton, Eagleton had been nominated, but withdrew his own name from the ticket. That allowed McGovern to select his replacement.
The today part is easy. McCain would just have to stand up and say he was for her before he was against her, and suggest an alternate candidate. It'd blow apart their convention, so he's not likely to do that.
But what about tomorrow? I've read through the RNC rules and find no mention of the removal of a candidate. The rules seem to stop at the point that the candidate is nominated.
This would seem to kick it back to Federal Election Law, and this makes sense since I remember Obama saying they signed papers placing them on the ballot as soon as the nomination was completed.
I'm not a lawyer, and I'm searching through tons of data. Is anyone out there more versed in Election Law who could clarify what I think needs to be clarified? Namely:
What is the process by which a nominee can be removed from a national ticket? Obviously, she can withdraw herself, but if she doesn't do that (and there is so much written about her hating to lose, that I wonder if she'd refuse if asked to leave), then what is the process for removal?
How would this impact the McCain campaign and would it be worth it given her pros and cons?
Could he turn this back into a positive for his Maverick status or is this the blunder that will seal the election?