
Tampa, Florida (CNN) – Republicans rejected a measure Wednesday that would have ensured more ideological purity within the party ranks during presidential elections.
The measure, drafted by Indiana Committeeman Jim Bopp, would have rewarded states holding closed Republican primaries with extra delegates to the Republican National Convention, giving those states more muscle in the presidential nominating process.
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The amendment to party bylaws was debated by the Republican National Committee's standing committee on rules, which was meeting in Tampa ahead of next week's convention.
If passed, the rule would have applied to the next presidential primary cycle.
Louis Pope, RNC member from Maryland, said the proposed rule change would "actually allow Republicans to choose our Republican nominee."
Alaska committeewoman Debbie Joslin said the change would prevent Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents from voting in Republican primaries and causing "mischief."
Opponents of the rule change hailed from states with open primaries, like New Hampshire, or states where voters do not register by party, like Michigan.
They argued that the rule would hamper their efforts to attract and target Republican-leaning voters who are hesitant to identify themselves with either party.
The measure was defeated by a 16-27 margin.


Yeah, the Pharisees, I mean, Republicans really need more ideological purity! These guys could have been the model for what Jesus preached against.
Does this mean that plutocrats in the GOP have to vote with 'you people?'
Ideology purity? Sounds like the Taliban to me.
Just trying to hide their platform. Hugs and kisses to Akin for blowing open the lid on their nutjob ideas.
As a "leans left" voter, I say they should go for it. The more looney the GOP gets, the more outdated and obscure they become. The clock is already ticking on their relevancy. They're dying off. A move like this would just speed up the inevitable process. tick...tick....tick......
I think the Gop bafoons party think they are part of the old USSR communist. party ,loons ,their already trying to rig the vote ,let's deport them by excutive order. After the Obama landslide win in Nov !!!!!
they are all we tall did!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the good old days, Democrats were honorable and wouldn't think about sabotaging Republican primaries. But now, the new radical leftist "progressive" socialist communist Democrat Party will play whatever dirty tricks it can in order to win, including sabotaging the other party's primary process.
My rear end is the new GOP ideological purity.
Tyrone.....sorry Todd it.
8.3% IQ – No really. Hahahahahahahahahaha. How much does the RNC pay you to post your nonsense! Hahahahahahaha
The Big Tent has already been replaced with a little pup tent. The purity tests for heretics and non-believers have cleansed the GOP/Tea Party.
Obama's not responsible for the 8.3% unemployment; The downfall of this country started with deregulating the mortgage industry and letting young, stupid crooks sell junk loans to people who qualified for standard, conventional mortgages. The proof is that now loan officers have to be licensed ( that's regulation but it's too late.) Wells Fargo was just fined millions for redlining..You can't blame Barrack for that; that's bogus, bogus, bogusl... You should be ashamed of yourself...
@8.3%,hey delushional,explain to us small minded people socialist communist,that's a new one is that like you freakin republican idiots!!I hope Biden does POP your bubble,but guess what maybe a tropical storm with do it for us and you thought you bible totin hypocrites had God on your side,only in your dreams!!!
@8.3% unemp, I couldnt agree more. If u dont agree with the dems u r either a racist or a hater, Its just a shame what Oblunder has done to his party he has been a total embarrassment since he took office
i HOPE bambam loses & we CHANGE presidents
I do not think democrats should be allowed to vote in republican primaries, and visa versa. Akin was supported by democrats and it looks like they were correct in their assessment. If New Hampshire and Michigan have registered independents, that might be acceptable. But, registered democrats should be excluded.
Hiding tax returns, offshore Swiss accounts, owns horses. If it quacks like a rich duck, it is a rich duck......We need a president who cares about the middle class and I don't care if he's the color of Barnie the dinosaur...
The party that wants to stop people from voting, women's right and any other rights have a nerve to complain. @8.3% you must be on something, because you sure don't complain about stopping people from voting in order for Romneyhood the empty suit to win by cheating. Oh I forgot he is white, rich and a tax cheat so it is okay. GOP has been doing it for years, and now you want to complain. Go suck a lemon sour puss.
It sounds more like ethnic cleansing than purity.
Living in a state with closed primaries, I do not see the problem. Opening the primaries to everyone would be like a Knights of Columbus Council inviting the Freemasons over to elect the officers for the local Elks Club! As a registered member of a political party, I like the ability to go to the polls on primary day to make my selections. In fact, I consider it to be part of my civic duty to select the people who will represent my party on election day.
It's a shame nobody on this site can see the real damage the current admin has caused this country. re-elect him and watch this country go broke and nobody will be here to work to pay for the bums Obama is trying to give all the hard working peoples monies to. Obama can sit in the White house and drink his home brew we bought for him.What a fricking bum. You lefties make me sick.
They'll try again. The direction of the Republican party is as plain as the nose on your face. If they have their way the country will be ruled by their version of Sharia law. How ironic since every other word out of their mouths is freedom and liberty!
These teapublikkklans accuse the President of "hiding" things?
Foilks, if these two clowns win Cuba, heck North Korea (our allies), will seem like countries with a LOT of freedom for all.
Are they trying to keep "you people" out of the mix? Isn't that the whole point of a political convention. That spineless rand and his followers buckled under pressure or money or something. I would have paid to see these two sweat like the, I was going to say pigs but that's an insult to pigs, that they are. Hey WHERE ARE YOUR TAXES and WHY ISN't ALTAR BOY TALKING ABOUT AKIN and the policied they both voted for regarding the budget and women hating?
8.3% – Remember Rush's Operation Chaos? Republicans have no moral high ground to stand on.