George Zimmerman case could hit 2012 presidential race
Could George Zimmerman be the October surprise?
Depending on the timing of legal developments in Florida, the court proceedings and possible trial of Trayvon Martin’s killer - one of the highest-profile and most racially charged cases in years - could be thrust into the middle of the 2012 presidential election.
Continue Reading“If the judge were to rule in the pre-trial that Zimmerman has a legitimate claim in the ‘Stand Your Ground’ law defense and was as a result released, I think that could have national impact and as a result it could bleed into the political system,” Dan Abrams, legal analyst and founder of Mediaite, told POLITICO. Or, he added, “If there is an acquittal … I think that it could have national political implications, because at that point I think both [Mitt] Romney and [President Barack] Obama could be asked to comment on it.”
(Also on POLITICO: No gun-control debate over Trayvon)
In recent press appearances, Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, predicted that it would be at least six months and possibly as long as a year before his client faces a trial. The short end of that would put the case smack in the homestretch of the White House contest, while the long end would make the trial a non-factor in the presidential contest.
But there’s another scenario that makes it more likely that the case could play into the 2012 race.
Under the so-called “Stand Your Ground” law in Florida — the controversial measure that until this week had allowed Zimmerman to avoid an arrest after the Feb.26 shooting in Sanford – the accused can ask for an “evidentiary hearing” to try to have their case tossed out. That hearing could take place within a matter of months.
This hearing has been described as a “mini trial” and it would allow Zimmerman the chance to testify, as well as evidence to be presented by both sides. The setting provides the defense an opportunity to show that Zimmerman had acted in self-defense. If the judge agrees, the case can be dismissed without a trial and a potential bomb could be thrown into the presidential race, likely prompting differing reactions from the white and African-American communities (polling shows a sharp racial divide in how the case is viewed) and forcing the candidates to react.
One Florida defense attorney told The Associated Press that he believes there is a “high likelihood” of such an outcome, as he predicted that there could be no trial at all.
Lenny McAllister, a Republican commentator who speaks frequently about the intersection of race and politics, said there is no doubt that the Zimmerman case will continue to shape the country’s political dialogue as Election Day draws closer.
“If the Zimmerman trail comes up around October, November, it can be both very impactful and in some ways very explosive,” said McAllister, a senior contributor to Politic365. “This case runs the risk of rivaling the OJ Simpson trial in regards to how it impacts America along racial lines. It does have the possibility – the tragic possibility — of casting its shadow on this presidential race.”
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Too bad Mitt Romney is too cowardly to stand up and defend this man. Obama certainly didn't mind wading into this fight and defending the 6-foot-3-inch thug who assaulted ZImmerman, did he? More proof that the GOP mis sorely in need of leaders who will speak out against the socialist thugocracy that is destroying our nation and dividing us by race, class, income, sex and everything else. It wasn't Obama's job to point out if he had a son he would look like Trayvon. I wonder if he would have said the same thing if the picture of Trayvon was actually the current look of him instead of the cute pre-teen picture?
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Read all 203 comments in our forumCOULD hit the election?????
Shucks, Vern! That's the PLAN!!!!
The affadavit is more akin to a charge of namecalling than second degree murder!
Trumped up! Divisive! Racist motivations toward George.
The known crimes in the unrest have been ignored - that's a sad commentary on the country.
You betcha - everyone from the White House to the Black Panthers wants this WEAK case to affect the turnout in the election.
Where the heck are Bondi and Scott? While their state gets RAILROADED .......(that woman who wrote the affadavit and charged George should be fired....Eric Holder might want to rehire her....maybe she was hired by that RINO Crist...what a joke)
Race IS part of the election. Surely "If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon" puts this President smack dab in the middle of race in this election?
The President calls out the SCOTUS before they hand down their decision and indicates where his sympathies lie in this case when he encouraged snap judgment when he did not ask people to wait for all the facts or all the evidence.
He's got the pulpit and he's not leading - he's dividing for his own perceived political gain like no other President in recent memory. And as much people hated Bush, at least he did not jump on partisan politics at every disappointment. That is a sad statement.
That's the plan stan... This way when his voter base riots when Zimmerman is acquitted, he'll call on NDAA, declare martial law and suspend elections. Then he's free to do what he pleases.
If Zimmerman walks which Alan Dershowitz the finest legal mind in the country believes will happen. As well as other legal experts do also. Anybody who believes that riots / looting / burning / violence / murder and mayhem will NOT happen first in Sanford Florida. And perhaps in other places in the country as well is a FOOL ! The New Black Panthers and others like them are just waiting to throw the first fire bomb and fire the first shot .Wait and see.
So the guy who doesn't resemble Obama's mythical son will be used as a political ploy?
NBC, CBS, CNN, & MSNBC will make sure there are riots in the streets. Sharpton & Holder are congratulating themselves already.
Hopefully the American people will not fall for this HOPE for more racial division by the MSM & this administration. Truly sad state of affairs.
Of course it could.
NBC's despicable and willful editing of the 911 call has gone a long way to show how corrupt the Left has become in trying to corrupt the news for politcal advantage and to create a false narrative.
And then there's Eric Holder...
It's all about dividing.... manufacturing a narrative if necessary, giving guns to drug cartels if necessary.... lying though their teeth about a 'war on women' , if necessary
"George Zimmerman case could hit 2012 presidential race."
Of course it could, especially if Zimmerman gets a speedy trial just like the Ft Hood shooter received! Oh, wait...never mind.
If the "powers that be" determine that the trial will help "the one," then we'll be seeing the trial. Maybe we can do the OJ Simpson "thing" and watch it on national TV.
Depending on the timing of legal developments in Florida, the court proceedings and possible trial of Trayvon Martin’s killer
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Wouldn't the proper term be "alledged killer" or has the author, editor and Politico already convicted Zimmerman?
Should Zimmerman be found not guilty, will NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN & MSNBC join up with Holder, Sharpton & the Black Panthers for another $10,000 Dead or Alive poster for Zimmerman?
I think the prosecutor was heavily leaned on to keep this ball spiked in the air. Although she skipped the grand jury either out of fear she couldn't get an indictment or perhaps to have it tossed by a judge who would then become the lighting rod. This was supposed to be a white gun toting tea party redneck. That was who the media wanted to flame. Turns out it was a Hispanic democrat who was lost sight of Martin and then was jumped after returning to his car because Martin took exception to Zimmerman being curious about him. Sorry folks, it's not a crime to be suspicious of someone. It is a crime to beat someone's head into the concrete for being suspicious of you. Hell, it even confirms their suspicion. And the media is still showing five year old photos of Martin just to play the strings some more. If anything, the media would be charged with something.
Too bad Mitt Romney is too cowardly to stand up and defend this man. Obama certainly didn't mind wading into this fight and defending the 6-foot-3-inch thug who assaulted ZImmerman, did he? More proof that the GOP mis sorely in need of leaders who will speak out against the socialist thugocracy that is destroying our nation and dividing us by race, class, income, sex and everything else.
Why would this affect the election? A registered democrat kills a black man? No news here.
I thought Zim was HISPANIC why do they keep saying he's white? Oh yeah the LIBS trying to fit a square peg into a round hole again.......LOL
Depending on the timing of legal developments in Florida, the court proceedings and possible trial of Trayvon Martin’s killer - one of the highest-profile and most racially charged cases in years - could be thrust into the middle of the 2012 presidential election
RIGHT!!!! It can also end up in RIOTS if the GOP uses that aginst President Obama...
Be careful what you wish for.....
Why is it that when black people don't get what they want, they riot? And when whites don't get what they want, they're silent? Just wondering . . . .
Rufus The Doofus could provide 50% of his support to the dead guy, and 50% of his support to Zimmerman......
"Legal experts and political consultants disagree over what that would mean for President Barack Obama and the presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney."
It means if both sides really want "Justice for Trayvon" instead of "Death for Zimmerman," everyone from the president on down will keep their pie-holes shut instead of shamelessly trying to taint the jury pool, but don't hold your breath.
It isn't Romney's job to respond or offer his opinion on this case. Regardless of Holder sticking his fingers into this mess, this is a state issue, Feds should butt out.
Well, the media sure as Hell doesn't want anybody looking at obama's record.
By the way, looking at that pic, how the Hell is Zimmerman described as a "white Hispanic"? Wanna bet if he won a Nobel Prize and was exactly the same complexion you'd never here the word "white" anywhere in his description, kind of like how you never hear about obama's white half or Tiger Woods' Thai half.
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