Upstate GOP leaders plotting to impact SC Democratic primary by boosting Bernie Sanders

[brooklynite]

The Post & Courier

COLUMBIA — A group of prominent Upstate Republicans is preparing to launch a wide-scale effort this week to encourage GOP voters across South Carolina to vote for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Feb. 29 Democratic primary, The Post and Courier has learned.

The Republican plan to impact the Democratic race, emerging just weeks before the “First in the South” primary, has two goals: Boost the candidate who the Republicans believe presents the weakest general election threat to President Donald Trump and pressure Democrats to support closing state primaries in the future.

South Carolina has open primaries, meaning voters do not have to register by party and can participate in either party’s contest. But some conservative activists have long pushed to change that, arguing it would ensure a more pure party process, and they are hoping this effort will win over Democrats to that cause.

The S.C. GOP executive committee voted last year to forgo its 2020 presidential primary, so the Democratic election will be the only one held Feb. 29.

Greenville GOP chairman Nate Leupp, Spartanburg GOP chairman Curtis Smith, Anderson GOP chairwoman Cheryl Cuthrell and the leaders of multiple tea party activist groups in the Upstate are behind the effort to undermine the Democratic race, with other officials still considering joining them.

[bluewater]

1. They might regret getting what they wish for.

The thing is, in every head to head poll Sanders also beats Trump. Perhaps their hatred of Joe Biden is blinding them to that fact.

[kag]

2. They should be careful what they wish for.

Bernie is electrifying the youth vote all over the country.

I remember when Dems so badly wanted Trump to win the primary because we thought he would be so easy to beat...ugh. (Didn't plan on Putin's involvement and the absolute capitulation of the GOP.)

I think the Repubs are underestimating just how badly we all want to see the orange menace crushed. I'm not a huge Bernie fan, but I would vote for his shoes before I would sit home and let Dump be re-elected.

[Nikki28]

3. OMG.

This is why I don't trust these polls. They are probably doing this everywhere to get who they want to run against and everyone drop out and then we have a weak candidate they know will lose and they win everything again and our democracy will end there for good. Maybe we should do the same to them and plant others winning to their god.