"Texas law doesn't make any exceptions..." - Wes Benedict, Libertarian Party Executive Director

I posted something on this earlier in the month, but took it off while I made sure I had accurate information. I find this very interesting. While I believe the rules are the rules, leaving McCain and Obama off the Texas ballot is a benefit for Obama (since McCain will most likely win Texas). In that case, I'm conflicted in my desires...

Here is the story:

AUSTIN - September 16, 2008 - Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr, along with the Libertarian Party of Texas (LPT), has filed a lawsuit to have Barack Obama, John McCain, and their running mates removed from the Texas general election ballot. The Republican and Democratic parties failed to certify their nominees by the August 26 deadline. "We notified the press of this missed deadline on August 27," said Wes Benedict, LPT Executive Director. "Unfortunately, Secretary of State spokesman Scott Haywood, on his last day of work, misled the press by telling them that the Republicans and Democrats had already filed the necessary certifications. The misleading statements by the Secretary of State's office, plus their foot-dragging in releasing the documents to us, made us mad."

Here are copies of the actual documents: http://www.bobbarr2008.com/files/dqcertification.pdf and sure enough...they did miss the deadline.

These rules are setup and used relentlessly against third party candidates and now the main two parties seem to be getting around them...