Have you been watching the presidential primaries? Do Michigan and Florida ring a bell? Election results are fought over all the time. Even close general elections can easily result in the intervention of lawyers. Remember Bush/Gore 2000.

The point is that primaries are just as easily manipulated as anything else. When political parties use conventions, the government (that is, the incumbents) has less control over the process. That is a marvelously good thing.

If political parties do not maintain an open process and use questionable procedures they can and will be punished at the polls. When incumbents rig primaries, how do you punish them at the polls?

Anyway, if Frederick decides to investigate, he will have to use whatever he has. If the records/evidence were destroyed right afterwards, that was inappropriate. Considering the significance of the event, some provision should have been made to store the ballots. Nonetheless, Marshall has not challenged the results. To some extent that fact speaks for itself.

I think the forward looking Jeff Frederick will, like the rest of us, recognize that the result that appeared at the Convention is what we are going with. No do-overs, no visits from the Jimmy Carter election observers.

I advocate that we use the open primary process from now on. I grew up here in Virginia and I like the open primary, since it forces sometimes overly stiff Republican candidates to have to get out of their comfort zones and actually deal with ALL of the People. There is no significant risk to us from manipulation by the other party. The concern about expense could be mitigated by having the campaign season shortened.

Bob Marshall’s campaign was superbly managed by Steve Waters. I am certain that the Bob Marshall team shall be back and will most likely be victorious next time.