RNC funds voter supression efforts

This is big, from reader MK:

Found the following links which all seem to point to the same company that is suspected of tearing up Democratic voter registration forms in Las Vegas. It has set up registration drives in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida and Nevada and is accused of the same things in most if not all of these states.  Sproul & Associates is a Republican consulting firm run by Nathan Sproul, former head of the Arizona Republican party and Arizona Christian Coalition.

Nevada:
Voters Outreach of America AKA America Votes tears up Democratic voter registration forms in Nevada.

Oregon:
Company claiming affiliation with non-partisan 'America Votes' to register voters in Oregon is actually GOP consulting firm Sproul & Associates, Inc.

West Virginia and Pennsylvania:
Sproul & Associates AKA America Votes workers in WV and PA refuse to register Kerry voters.

Oregon
Democrats in Oregon have complained that canvassers for Arizona based Sproul & Associates have been pressuring residents to register as Republicans so that they can get paid.

Arizona
Arizona Nader campaign was assisted in its petition drive by an unlikely figure: the ultra-conservative former executive director of the Arizona Republican Party, Nathan Sproul.

About Sproul:
Good background story on Sproul and his political track record, cached on Google.

The link:
Here is the direct link between Sproul and Voters Outreach of America.

According to several sources, two of the contractors Sproul hired to oversee petition gathering for No Taxpayer Money For Politicians -- Aaron "A.J." James, who directs Voters' Outreach of America, and Diane Burns -- were also paid by Sproul to get as many signatures as possible for Nader.

Good stuff, so far. But the reader then asks the key question -- who is paying for these efforts?

The answer?

KLAS-TV, Las Vegas:
"The company has been largely, if not entirely funded, by the Republican National Committee."

CareerBuild.com listing:
Help wanted ad for Voters Outreach of America says "Paid for by the Republican National Committee".

The Republican Party is funding these efforts. The link is direct and unambiguous.

Meanwhile, Bob Johnson has got a diary with more information on this developing scandal. As he says,

[C]ritical is the fact that Sproul and his organization misrepresented themselves to voters as a legitimate, nonpartisan GOTV organization. That is fraud, my friends.

The Googlemonkeys are ferreting out all sort of great info. Might be time for a dKosopedia entry on this to consolidate all this info.

(Two great examples of participatory journalist at its finest.)

•  will the criminals be prosecuted?

  So is John Kerry's AG gonna prosecute these people?

  What about Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris?

  by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:07:40 PM PDT

  •  Hopefully!

    Good question for Elliot Spitzer.

    by wells on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:11:30 PM PDT

    •  I want it publicized and prosecuted

      Democrats needs to raise a BIG STINK in the media. Every DNC surrogate on TV needs to bring this up. Send out lawyers to find evidence and turn this into the biggest election-year scandal of all time. I think even John Kerry should raise hell if he has proof that the RNC really is funding this outfit.

      Then frame it this way:

      "How can Republicans claim to be for free elections in Iraq when they are trying to suppress votes here in America?"

      by existenz on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:15:28 PM PDT

      •  Yet another reason for EDR

        This is yet another reason why we MUST push for Election Day Registration in every state. Maine, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Idaho and Wyoming have it, and they have 12% higher turnout than the national average. Plus, if for any reason your voter registration info doesn't make it onto the rolls in time, or is lost -- or thrown away, like in this hideous story -- you can re-register right on Election Day. It is a no-brainer, and long overdue. Progressives have got to grab the ball on common sense democracy reforms to prevent scandals like this from furthur undermining our hard work.

        More here (I just wrote a piece about it today): http://tinyurl.com/43wo3
         

        by RoadsideBill on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:38:30 PM PDT

      •  I just sent 50 emails to addresses posted

        in the "Very Long Media Email List...for Voter Fraud Story" diary.  I got up to the end of the CBS email addresses.  I am going to try to work my way through 50 more after I take a break.  I have been sending them individually but send the same message to each.  This is what I am sending in my email to all these individuals and organizations:

        "There is a HUGE story breaking on the internet and political blogs, especially detailed on the major political blog Daily Kos, about the Republican National Committee's funding of a national effort to both suppress Democratic voting on November 2nd, and to destroy voter registration cards filled out by Democrats.  This is a multi-state effort evidence for which is surfacing in news stories quickly.  This is a story about CRIMINAL ACTIVITY FUNDED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN MULTIPLE STATES.  On Daily Kos, there are several diary entries connecting the dots on this Republican-funded voter suppression effort, please click on:

        http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/10/13/15534/960

        to read this story and find links to newspaper and blog research and reporting on it.

        I urge you to do a story on this criminal scandal funded by the Republican Party.  This is of the utmost importance to our upcoming election.  This is a story about corruption and deceit, that goes to the very bedrock of our country's democracy and our health and capacity to survive as the America that we fight to protect.  Please investigate and do a story on this outrageous and well-funded attempt to steal the upcoming election.

        Sincerely,"
        

        by concernedamerican on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:55:33 PM PDT

        •  Highly Effective Swing Story

          This story, taken in a larger context, has the potential to cause a huge swing in actual voting beyond the usual persuasions plied on the general populace.  The key is to appeal to the anger and disgust most Americans will feel at this clear "smoking gun" case of systemic disenfranchisement.  Add to this case, which provides a pretty clear indictment on its own, reminders of all the other frauds being perpetrated.  (Did you check the citizen box as well as sign the affidavit? Are you sure you used 80 pound paper?  Was the Notary really a Notary?  Etc.)  Briefly reminding the people how "partisan hair splitting" in Florida last time around made all the difference in the final result brings home the relevance of a small number of votes.

          The clear bottom line, which I hope someone can put succinctly and eloquently, is that there is an undeniable and persistent pattern of Republican supporters systematically obstructing the voting rights of Democrats - directly by tearing up their registrations, and indirectly by using "clerical errors" and tenuous reasoning to suppress groups of registrations likely to be mostly Democrats - not to mention the various purges of groups of (mostly) Democrats from voter roles which have been reported.

          I believe anger about these widespread tactics used by Republican supporters can provide a highly effective motivation to get people to the polls.  People who don't always vote will have empathy for those who have been denied the right through these dirty tricks.  That emotion for many will turn into motivation.  I don't believe this story will change the minds of many voters as to which candidate they support, but I do believe it has great potential to motivate more people to vote, and that can only be bad news for the current administration.

          Changing voters' minds at this point is difficult, but motivating non-voters who already have an opinion to vote can have a huge payback.

          by fathom on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 06:00:08 PM PDT

        •  UPDATE: driving home listening to NPR

          on "All Things Considered" they ran a short bulletin on the Sproul/voter reg. scandal.  They asked Sproul about it and Sproul denied that it happened.  That was that.  

          KEEP EMAILING AND CALLING NEWS OUTLETS with this story!  It needs to move beyond the "well, Sproul says it didn't happen" phase!

          by concernedamerican on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 07:08:06 PM PDT

          •  NPR Expands Coverage

            Around 6pm NPR broadcast an expanded "Voter Registration Fraud" story several minutes long focussing on the AZ story and connecting it to Republicans.  I couldn't tell if it was local (Seattle) or National.  

            Needless to say, I called in immediamente with a pledge.  I started in on how many other states were involved, and who Nathan Sproul is, & she seemed well familiar with the whole breaking story, said "Yeah, it's a mess", and made a note that my pledge was prompted by the Voter Registration Fraud story.

            I think this story may have extended wings.

            by Bob Love on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 09:48:11 PM PDT

            •  Yahoo Carries Registration Fraud Story

              Yahoo story carries the Sproul AZ story a few paragraphs down: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=ap/nevada_voter_challenge

              "Eric Russell, a former employee of Voters Outreach of America, said he witnessed a supervisor shred eight to 10 Democratic registration forms from prospective voters."

              Drop in and rate it a 5!

              by Bob Love on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 09:52:01 PM PDT

        •  I sent 50 more this morning.

          Encouraging to see it getting some coverage.  I'll keep sending emails in the hope-- the hope-- that the media will forget about the fake Mary Cheney flap and get some sense about what's important.

          by concernedamerican on Thu Oct 14, 2004 at 06:26:59 AM PDT

    •  Or my new hero, Ronnie Earle

      by PitterPatter on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:22:33 PM PDT

      •  Ronnie Earle rocks.

        He's going to quietly take a big munch out of Tom DeLay's ass. I'd pay good money to watch.

        by Kimberly Stone on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:00:05 PM PDT

    •  Elliot

      is sooo going to beat Pataki in 2006.

      by EricInTexas on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:20:00 PM PDT

      •  But will he

        beat Guiliani?  Ah, there's the rub!

        by fishhead on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 06:39:16 PM PDT

  •  Can you say

    "presidential pardon?"

    Bush won't let his buddies see the inside of the slammer.  Don't kid yourself.

    by Gearhead on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:14:36 PM PDT

    •  the Constitution needs amending

      A long time ago I suggested a Constitutional amendment that would allow the courts to invalidate pardons if they determined a "conflict-of-interest" existed between the president and the person being prosecuted.

      It's absurd that the POTUS can pardon people that might testify against him (or her) as a co-consprirator.

      by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:19:01 PM PDT

      •  Problem with that...

        Problem with that is what if the court is conflicted and issues a ruling.

        I know that we have lost sight of it but our entire system was built on better 10 guilty men go free than 1 innocent man go to jail.  At least that is what I was taught in grade school.  In modern times Republicans tend to see the reverse - better 10 innocent men be executed then one murderer go free.  

        Presidential pardon is one last check on the failings of a judicial system.  To have the judicial system be able to overrule a pardon would undermine the entire process.  

        -Fred  

        by FredFred on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:27:33 PM PDT

        •  i disagree

          I'm more concerned about POTUS pardoning co-conspirators than I am about the courts invalidating some rich guy's pardon because of a campaign contribution.

          by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:30:46 PM PDT

        •  I Agree

          Allowing pardons to be overturned seems to hold more potential for abuse than the pardon system itself.  If the cure is worse than the disease, don't apply it.

          Besides, the most pressing need for a Constitutional amendment is one getting rid of the Electoral College once and for all.

          "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

          by JJB on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:41:45 PM PDT

          •  EC & how can courts abuse pardon override?

            Fighting to eliminate the EC directly is pointless. If you want to get rid of the EC fight for a ranked voting scheme like IRV or Condorcet. Once people are using a ranked voting scheme and liking it, you make the case that ranked voting and the EC don't really work together.

            What's the abuse of courts invalidating pardons? There's no reason for the courts to review pardons of people that have served their time. But as my father notes, it's kinda fishy to pardon someone before they're even prosecuted.

            by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:52:28 PM PDT

            •  Why?

              "If you want to get rid of the EC fight for a ranked voting scheme like IRV or Condorcet."

              Who knows what that is?  You'd have to spend years educating the public about it.  Even a lot of its proponents can't give a coherent explanation of it.  Getting rid of the Electoral College is something that people can easily understand.  What you're proposing needlessly complicates the issue, like getting rid of Prohibition by making speakeasies legal.

              "What's the abuse of courts invalidating pardons?"

              Oh please, are you really so naive that you don't know how easy it is to bribe a judge, or to get a politically partisan jurist to fix something?  Just take a look at how a panel of the latter spun the nothing that was the Whitewater investigation into an impeachment that had absolutely nothing to do with what the original investigation was supposed to be about.

              The point is that those who abuse pardons need to be held accountable, either through the court system, or in making sure that neither they nor their political allies ever hold power again.  Obviously what's necessary for that is an informed, active citizenry.  

              "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

              by JJB on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:13:52 PM PDT

              •  why small states give up EC?

                Why should small states vote to get rid of the EC?

                You only need 13 states to block the amendment. And you'd never get 2/3 of the Senate to support it anyway.

                Three EVs
                AK
                MT
                WY
                ND
                SD
                DE
                VT

                Four EVs
                HI
                ID
                RI
                NH
                ME

                That's thirteen right there. And the states with five or six EVs would be voting against their interests to ditch the EC too.

                NV
                UT
                NE
                KS
                AR
                MS
                WV

                People from big states have tried to directly attack the EC since... probably 1789. The EC is here to stay unless you get a ranked voting scheme that's popular.

                by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:25:07 PM PDT

                •  Yeah

                  "The EC is here to stay . . ."

                  They said the same thing about slavery.

                  And the election of Senators by state legislatures.

                  "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                  by JJB on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:31:15 PM PDT

                  •  you didn't address my point

                    That's not an argument. And invoking slavery inappropriately makes you sound like Alan Keyes.

                    by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:32:47 PM PDT

                    •  Yes I Did Address Your Point

                      And since you've stooped to moronic invective, you're aware that I did and you have no comeback.

                      Careful, or soon you'll be saying things like the following:

                      you're right (0.06 / 32)

                      Well, a syphilitic goat would probably make a better sex partner than you.

                      Collective Interest Radio appears on WUIC.
                      by Carl Nyberg on Mon Jul 19th, 2004 at 02:18:20 GMT

                      We wouldn't want that to happen again, would we? :-)

                      "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                      by JJB on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:44:45 PM PDT

                      •  Do you really want to go there?

                        Person A compared a human being to a syphilitic goat.

                        I pointed out this was an inappropriate personal attack. Person A disagreed and said the comparsion was legit.

                        I compared Person A to a syphilitc goat to show that in fact comparing a person to a syphilitic goat is a personal attack.

                        I regret the way I made the point and stayed away from the community for a long time after it. But the point was still valid. Comparing a human being to a syphilitic goat is an inappropriate personal attack.

                        I'll unconditionally apologize for comparing you to Keyes. Will you acknowledge you said nothing of substance to rebut the points I made about small states opposing an amendment to eliminate the EC?

                        by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:51:01 PM PDT

                        •  You Must Be Kidding

                          "Will you acknowledge you said nothing of substance to rebut the points I made about small states opposing an amendment to eliminate the EC?"

                          No.

                          Because I did say something of substance, in an oblique fashion, and they help refute you quite well, IMHO.
                          

                          "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                          by JJB on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 06:00:51 PM PDT

                          •  see ya

                            I'm not gonna play.

                            by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 06:05:38 PM PDT

                            •  Just So You'll Know

                              I have a problem with not be able to see some posts on my home computer, and yours are among them.  So I haven't been able to read any any of the responses you've made to my last several posts.

                              "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                              by JJB on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 10:49:02 PM PDT

                            •  In Other Words, You're Advancing To The Rear

                              Unfortunately for you, this is not like a radio program where you can shout down listeners or hang up on them.

                              "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                              by JJB on Thu Oct 14, 2004 at 05:12:22 AM PDT

                        •  In Point Of Fact

                          You twice used that term against a person other than the one who originally posted it.  As far as I know, you've never apologized to her.  

                          Anyway, I accept your apology.  Sad to think that's the sort of thing you consider to be a witty rejoinder these days.  Nine months ago, you made a hell of a lot more sense.
                          

                          "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                          by JJB on Thu Oct 14, 2004 at 05:38:07 AM PDT

              •  does the judicial system work?

                I would allow people to appeal a judicial ruling to the SCOTUS. The chance of bribing a judge seems pretty low compared to the chance of bribing the President.

                The absense of a pardon isn't a conviction, it's a trial. You sound like you don't trust the courts to try cases.

                by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:28:07 PM PDT

                •  This Is Really Too Funny For Words

                  "The chance of bribing a judge seems pretty low compared to the chance of bribing the President."

                  A number of years ago, when the best players in the NHL were making at most $25,000 a sportswriter quoted a bookie as to why there was never any gambling action on professional hockey.  "Because you can buy a hockey goalie with a bag of lollipops."  Substitute "judges" for "hockey goalie" and "a few dates on the lecture circuit" with "bag of lollipops" and the sentence works just as well.

                  I really don't think you want to keep pursuing this line of argument.

                  "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                  by JJB on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:36:58 PM PDT

                  •  what have you got against the judiciary?

                    If the judge makes a heinous call the defendent appeals.

                    I don't see how you can have confidence in the system for 99.999% of the cases and think the system sucks for 0.001% of the cases.

                    Can you point to an example of a presidential pardon that would be a miscarriage of justice to overturn?

                    by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:44:38 PM PDT

                    •  Yes

                      The Vietnam draft dodgers that Jimmy Carter pardoned.  That was the first act of his presidency, IIRC.

                      "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                      by JJB on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:45:48 PM PDT

                      •  play it out

                        OK. So some ambitious prosecutor makes the case these pardons were a conflict of interest. And this prosecutor venue shops to find a judge that buys an exceedingly liberal definition of "conflict of interest".

                        What's the appeals court gonna do?

                        Right now there is no check against Bush pardoning Jeb Bush, Katherine Harris, Tom DeLay, Ahmed Chalabi and every other crook that could finger him. This is a problem in my mind.

                        by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:54:30 PM PDT

                        •  Well

                          You're supposed cure would probably have had GOP judges revoking those pardon.

                          So what's worse, the disease or the cure?

                          "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                          by JJB on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:58:18 PM PDT

                          •  the disease is worse

                            Bush (or any prez) being able to pardon criminals makes it more likely the executive branch will engage in criminal behavior. This is a real threat.

                            I just don't think an appeals court would buy the argument that a blanket pardon to draft evaders constitutes a conflict-of-interest. Among other things couldn't the prez just instruct the AG to decline to prosecute?

                            by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 06:04:14 PM PDT

                            •  One Howler After Another

                              "I just don't think an appeals court would buy the argument that a blanket pardon to draft evaders constitutes a conflict-of-interest."

                              Have you been paying any attention to what's happening in the legal system the last few years?  You should change your handle to Rip Van Nyberg or Carl Van Winkle.

                              ". . . [C]ouldn't the prez just instruct the AG to decline to prosecute?

                              And then face possibly impeachment proceedings?  Besides, the Attorney General could proceed anyway no matter what the President instructed on the grounds that the President's order was illegal.  

                              There must be a court of last resort for citizens to petition to have their name cleared, and in most societies that last resort lies with the head of state.  If abuses do occur, there should be legal remedies to investigate and bring those who abuse the system to justice.  Allowing courts to overturn pardons is giving the judicial branch too much control over the executive.

                              "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                              by JJB on Thu Oct 14, 2004 at 05:29:08 AM PDT

                              •  good faith; draft evaders; relative importance

                                If you assume everybody in the system is acting on bad faith there is no system that produces good outcomes.

                                By the time Carter pardoned draft evaders it was not a big deal except with the Right Wingers who thought we should still be in Vietnam or carried insatiable grudges over the culture war.

                                In the context of Ford pardoning Nixon, pardoning Americans that evaded the draft to avoid a war the Republican hawks ended Carter pardoning draft evaders wasn't contraversial. Did anybody run for Congress the next cycle criticizing the decision? How'd he do?

                                Allowing courts to overturn pardons is giving the judicial branch too much control over the executive.

                                Courts wouldn't overturn anything without a request from a prosecutor, so it's not power the judiciary would own itself.

                                I see the threat of the executive branch and its supporters committing crimes in support of their politics as a greater threat than the courts overturning pardons. You disagree.

                                The fact that I have numerous current examples and you have to go back almost 30 years for an example suggests the problems I'm addressing are more numerous. But you are free to think your example is more important. I disagree.

                                by Carl Nyberg on Thu Oct 14, 2004 at 05:44:41 AM PDT

                                •  Response To Your Hot Air

                                  "The fact that I have numerous current examples . . ."

                                  Such as?  You mention some pardons the current Bush might make.  Other than that?  You're so outraged about this alleged abuse, and yet you cite no examples of abuses that have actually occurred.  I'm not saying such abuses have not occurred, Bush Sr.'s pardons of all the Iran/Contra figures are the ones that come to mind.  Then again, even as loathsome and crooked a person as Nixon didn't abuse the system when he could have during the Waterside scandal.  

                                  And I don't know how old you are, but Carter stated quite clearly that he would pardon the draft evaders during the election campaign, and Ford made quite a bit of hay out of it.  Carter barely squeaked into office, and if 5,700 Ohioans and 7,500 Mississipians voted for Ford instead of Carter, Ford would have won the electoral vote while losing the popular vote by over 1.6 million votes.  Yet one more reason to get rid of the Electoral College.

                                  As to going back 30 years, it's an excellent idea to go back at least that far to see if there is a pattern of abuse that needs to be corrected.  You're basing your argument on the hypothetical supposition that Bush will make certain pardons in the near future.  That's not sufficient reason to amend the Constitution.

                                  "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                                  by JJB on Thu Oct 14, 2004 at 06:30:29 AM PDT

                                  •  current examples of exec using crime

                                    The following violations of voting rights have occurred.

                                    In 2000 Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris deliberately disenfranchised Floridians for partisan purposes.

                                    In 2004 Bush and his appointee tried to do this again.

                                    We have reports of Republicans committing illegal acts to disenfranchise voters in NV, SD and OR.

                                    Tom DeLay engaged in illegal bribery and coercion to pass Bush's Medicare bill.

                                    The person that outed Valerie Plame and the people covering for him are probably emboldened knowing that Bush can pardon them.

                                    Need more examples?

                                    by Carl Nyberg on Thu Oct 14, 2004 at 08:55:11 AM PDT

                                    •  Examples Of What?

                                      No pardons have been issued in those matters!

                                      What is this, your attempt to do you own version of Minority Report with pre-crime?  

                                      That no one prosecuted Jeb Bush and Harris is certainly grounds for complaint, but that has nothing to do with abuse of the pardon system.  Try sticking to the point.

                                      Similarly, the failure to move against Tom DeLay is a failure of the judicial system, as well as the failure of the legislative branch to police itself.  No pardon abuses.

                                      Ditto for the rest.

                                      "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                                      by JJB on Thu Oct 14, 2004 at 10:08:55 AM PDT

                                    •  I'm Going To Be Computerless

                                      For the next 7-8 hours, and as I mentioned, my home computer is probably not going to let me see your comments, something I'm going to have to email Kos about, I suppose.  Cleaning out the cache doesn't do the trick.  Anyway, if the horse we're beating isn't dead, it will be by the next time I can return to the debate, so I'll cut off my contributions here.  

                                      Thanks for the stimulating conversation, conducting on gentlemanly, if at times heated, terms.

                                      And just for the record, I think you're right that Bush will grant those pardons.  I simply don't feel amending the constitution is the way to correct the abuses.  Not yet, anyway.

                                      "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                                      by JJB on Thu Oct 14, 2004 at 10:19:53 AM PDT

                                  •  last 3 Prez all made tainted pardons

                                    Clinton's pardon of Mark Rich was tainted.

                                    Bush 41's pardon of Cap Weinberger was tainted.

                                    Reagan's pardon of George Steinbrenner for making illegal contibutions to the Nixon campaign was tainted.

                                    And these are just the ones off the top of my head with no research.

                                    by Carl Nyberg on Thu Oct 14, 2004 at 09:01:22 AM PDT

                                    •  Thanks

                                      I generously gave you the Bush 41 pardons, so let's not indulge in any bragging.

                                      The Marc Rich pardon was payoff to the Israelis for agreeing to the proposal that Arafat rejected out of hand.  Rich gives hundreds of millions a year to Israel, and is apparently some kind of ambassador without portfolio for them.  If that's the price that had to be paid to get the Israelis to make the offer they did, it was well worth paying.  Just because Arafat was too stupid to even make a counteroffer is no reason to renege on the deal Clinton made with Barak.  If they'd abandon the West Bank to the Palestianians, I'd even be willing to pardon Jonathan Pollard.  The brouhaha over the Rich pardon, incidentally, is the very thing I'd be worried about if it were possible to overturn pardons.

                                      The Steinbrenner pardon?  I hate Reagan, Steinbrenner, and the Yankees, and even I can't get worked up about that.  Jesus, talk about making a mountain out of molehill.  Those potatoes are so small they can't even be called potatoes.

                                      I also wouldn't brag about not having done any research, if I were you.  Then again, judging from your posts on this matter, you're not giving away any secrets.

                                      "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                                      by JJB on Thu Oct 14, 2004 at 10:03:35 AM PDT

                                      •  please don't respond to my posts in the future

                                        Please don't respond to any of my posts in the future. It's clear you don't like me and aren't attempting to be civil. So, don't go away mad, just go away.

                                        by Carl Nyberg on Thu Oct 14, 2004 at 01:37:05 PM PDT

                                        •  If I See Something I Feel Like Responding To

                                          I'll respond to it.  If you don't want feedback concerning what you post, then don't post.  It's that simple.

                                          Maybe if you devoted a bit more thought to what you posted, you wouldn't be at such a loss for words.  In any event, this is the coward's way out of a discussion, and I'm surprised to see you take it.  But then it's not the first time I've been surprised to see a poster I came to respect about 10 months ago disgrace himself.  

                                          As I said earlier, life's a bitch when you can't shut somebody down, isnt' it?

                                          "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                                          by JJB on Fri Oct 15, 2004 at 05:46:32 AM PDT

              •  what's so complicated about ranking?

                What's so complicated about telling voters they get to rank candidates?

                Sportswriters rank teams and players in polls all the time. Nobody says this is too convoluted.

                But as the author of Clueless in Academe: How Schooling Obscures the Life of the Mind says we get much more sophisticated discussion of sports in the USA than of politics.

                by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:31:00 PM PDT

                •  Thank You

                  ". . . [W]e get much more sophisticated discussion of sports in the USA than of politics."

                  You just helped torpedo your own argument.

                  "L'enfer, c'est le GOP!" - JJB, from an idea by oratorio

                  by JJB on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:38:52 PM PDT

                  •  but to achieve change you have to change

                    But surely you would like to increase the sophistication of public policy dialogue?

                    by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:41:12 PM PDT

  •  Leave this story on top for a while

    Kos, you should leave this story on top of the front page for a while.

    by MikeCapone on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:22:27 PM PDT

  •  Hell, Kerry needs to

    mention this in tonight's debate! There will be no opportunity for Bush to respond, they haven't got their cover story straight yet, and he'll look guilty or complicit.  - K

    by kostya on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:44:46 PM PDT

    •  Part of me says "YES"

      because I'd love to see Bush say something ignorant (e.g., "Need some wood?") in an attempt at rebuttal.

      Part of me says "NO" because Kerry cannot afford to look like he's stooping to innuendo, since he has accused Bush of that (rightfully).

      by Kimberly Stone on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:03:21 PM PDT

•  Off topic heads up

  Dean is on Fresh Air right now, for all you NPR fans.

  by daria g on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:07:49 PM PDT

  •  That's Howard Dean by the way..

    Calling Bush an "activist incompetent president, which makes him more dangerous" than the previous most incompetent, Warren Harding.

    Says the Swift Vets & Sinclair people are "not very good Americans."

    phew!

    by daria g on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:10:29 PM PDT

    •  I like Dean, but...

      Is anybody else uncomfortable with people in politics passing judgment on others' standing as Americans?

      by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 06:29:42 PM PDT

    •  Howard Dean has a pair

      Which is what I've always loved about him.

      Even more than Kerry as President doing good things for 8 good years, I want Kerry to make Dean the DNC chairman. That would have a tremendous effect on our party for many years to come.

      by Kimberly Stone on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 06:50:35 PM PDT

•  Who will publicize?

  It's essential that this receive publicity.  Do you know if Paul Krugman reads dailykos?  He very well might put it in his column.

  by maineiac on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:08:28 PM PDT

  •  There is no reason any self-respecting

    national journalist wouldn't go after this (of course, I'm often proved wrong). The question is, will the editors and owners allow it? They will have to cover it if we make enough noise, and the noise needs to be now. Sure, Kerry and his AG can go after them after we put them in office, but right now we have to push as hard as we can to make sure the election is far. It's obvious the bad guys are doing just the opposite.

    As posted in another thread, here are the numbers for the big wire services. I'm on the phone to Reuters as I type. The more they hear from us, the more likely it will get noticed:

    Reuters:  1-202-898-8464; this is their DC bureau
    AP:  1-800-585-6397; New York news office
    

    by hyperstation on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:12:43 PM PDT

    •  Update:

      Reuters Washington DC says they've received a number of calls on this, indluding the KLAS story. The Reuters story is being coordinated out of the Los Angeles office. The bureau chief there is Kevin Krolicky and his number is 213-380-2014.

      by hyperstation on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:17:44 PM PDT

      •  Further update

        Spoke to Reuters reporter Jill Serjeant who is covering the story. She said she is aware of the Sproul connection and has been contacted by the DNC (and my gut tells me probably the RNC as well). I don't think we need to pound them too much, but if we don't see it blowing up bigger over the next news cycle, we shouldn't let them drop it in all the post-debate spin.

        by hyperstation on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:23:11 PM PDT

  •  Krugman email

    E-mail: [e-mail]

    by MikeCapone on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:20:39 PM PDT

•  Fix dat typo

  in yer headline, kos sir.

  by Loquatrix on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:08:48 PM PDT

•  Get it out!

  All Kossacks need to link this to their local media outlets and get national ones to cover it and fast.  I would love to have the talking heads discussing this before and after the debate.  I wouldn't mind to see a media cycle or two devoted to the undemocratic agenda of the RNC.

  by wells on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:09:09 PM PDT

•  Wow! I'm 1st??

  Hey,

  Just wanted to say to KOS & everybody -- THANK YOU!  

  i really was extremely frustrated w/ the repugs & had no outlet here in Bushed Houston to express that constructively.

  Great site & people.

  as for the train....disgusting.  what's amazing is how little the news media is covering this.

  appalling.

  Bush, What Price Did You Pay?

  by krazypuppy on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:09:11 PM PDT

  •  umm.....doh!

    damn....well, i didn't see anybody else on....damn.....now i will be ridiculed.

    sigh.

    & god! i'm double-posted!

    SIIIIIIGH!

    Bush, What Price Did You Pay?

    by krazypuppy on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:10:43 PM PDT

    •  Piece of advice

      It's not personal, but we tend to troll-rate anybody who throws up a meaningless post where they claim to be "First" or "Frist". That's just not how we work here on Dkos, so expect to get some low scores.

      by existenz on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:12:03 PM PDT

      •  gave you a "2"

        because you realised your error.

        by joby on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:25:05 PM PDT

        •  2?

          wow!  too kind....i'd have given myself -1....a zero for forgetting that this is the internet & that there may be more than 1 person on this site & minus a point for double-posting.

          & heck, another minus 2 points for admitting that i live in houston -- whoa, is that bad!

          anyway, no offense intended, none taken, u guys rule, bush drools (really, imbeciles do!)

          Bush, What Price Did You Pay?

          by krazypuppy on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:34:22 PM PDT

      •  Some Folks Might Consider Their ...

        ... overtly critical rating of this newbie ...

        Don't worry about the negative mana for now, kiddo ... just stay strong, stay onboard (but lose the "First" notion ...

        by wystler on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:27:25 PM PDT

        •  You're Right

          In answer to an inquiry, I was told that the 'frist' post was an inside joke - a play on words using the surname of the Senate Majority Leader. I posted it and was murdered - lost my mojo and everything. So - if you want zeroes you might as well post that Dubya is a genius. In fact, that will probably get you fewer zeros than a "frist'.

          by dpc on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:54:18 PM PDT

•  Wow! I'm 1st??

  Hey,

  Just wanted to say to KOS & everybody -- THANK YOU!  

  i really was extremely frustrated w/ the repugs & had no outlet here in Bushed Houston to express that constructively.

  Great site & people.

  as for the train....disgusting.  what's amazing is how little the news media is covering this.

  appalling.

  Bush, What Price Did You Pay?

  by krazypuppy on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:09:32 PM PDT

  •  oh boy

    Newbie huh?

    Hang tight, I don't troll rate unless you are really mean, obnoxious, or a repeat offender.

    welcome!

    by lilorphant on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:54:09 PM PDT

•  This is criminal

  Terry McAuliffe needs to call up all those election law lawyers that they had ready for election day. This seems like a job for them, don't it?

  by existenz on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:10:09 PM PDT

•  What can we do?

  Any action suggestions?

  by onoekeh on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:10:11 PM PDT

  •  Write, Call, Fax, Cajole...

    ...get the media to pay attention to this story.  Make this the (2d) story coming out of our big debate win tonight..."Kerry Wins Big....sleazy GOP Trying to Steal Elections" has a nice ring for a Yahoo news front page...

    by Turtle Bay on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:13:43 PM PDT

  •  Contact Local Media Outlets

    if you can find a local angle.

    I just contacted the Austin American Statesman's political columnist, because he recently wrote columns about  voter registration issues and the many close D/R contests at the state and Congressional levels.

    The closeness of these contests made me worried that there might be a similar effort focused there because Bush is safe, and DeLay has the indictment/ethics question hanging over his head.

    Then, I saw the Texas connection to Sproule, and thought it was worth investigating.

    At the very least, it's a chance to get people educated about the provisional voting process, and  give a boost to their legitimacy-which will surely be challenged post election.

    I want to try to contact some stations, but I have some work to do today as well, so I don't know if that can happen today. Some other Austinite ready to take the baton?

    by boadicea on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:18:11 PM PDT

    •  I will....

      ....try to make some calls and send some emails today to News 8, KVUE, KEYE, etc.  I have a friend who worked for a Denver NBC affiliate and will see if she can call anyone there.  

      by utlaw guy on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:23:21 PM PDT

      •  Thanks!

        Keep us posted.  I'll try to follow up later as well.

        Now, to the work of my boss, instead of the work of democracy.

        by boadicea on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:27:42 PM PDT

  •  Contact the election officials for each state.

    I recommend contacting the elections department for each state and letting them know about your concerns, a quick summary of what the research behind this article has shown, and a link back to it in case they're interested in finding out more.

    Nevada:
    Email: Dean Heller
    Call: [phone]
    Fax: [phone]
    Write:
    Nevada Secretary of State
    Elections Division
    101 N Carson St Ste 3
    Carson City, NV 89701-3714

    Oregon:
    Email: Elections Division
    Call: [phone]
    Fax: [phone]
    Write:
    Oregon Secretary of State
    Elections Division
    141 State Capitol
    Salem, OR 97310-0001

    West Virginia:
    Email: Elections division
    Call: [phone]
    Fax: [phone]
    Write:
    West Virginia Secretary of State
    Elections Division
    1900 Kanawha Blvd E Rm 157K Bldg 1
    Charleston, WV 25305-0009

    Pennsylvania:
    Email: Elections Bureau
    Call: [phone]
    Write:
    Pennsylvania Department of State
    Bureau of Commissions, Elections, and Legislations
    210 N Office Building
    Harrisburg, PA 17120-0060

    Arizona:
    Email: Elections division
    Call: [phone]
    Fax: [phone]
    Write:
    Arizona Secretary of State
    Elections Division
    1700 W Washington St Fl 7
    Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808

    by rsoderberg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:53:53 PM PDT

    •  I'm getting an error message

      Something on the order of "default e-mail client not installed" when I click on the names you've provided to contact about this issue. Any advice?

      by woodenshoe on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 07:01:03 PM PDT

•  Horrifying

  Throngs of supposedly registered Dems showing up on elec day to cast ballots only to find they're not in the rolls... christ.  And provisional ballots are no reassurance; I improperly re-registered following moving just before the '00 election, cast a provisional ballot, and received a mailer a month later saying my vote was voided on a technicality.  

  by daedalus on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:12:04 PM PDT

  •  I agree!

    There is also a cover story in Newsweek, which I browsed this morning, so I'm don't have all the details at hand but the lead paragraph was about a guy (democrat) who registered (several times to make sure!) and then ended going up to 4 different polling places (in the 2002 election) and then finally filled out a provisional ballot, which was subsequently declared invalid.  

    My concern is that this will happen all over the place to thousands of people and there will thousands of very ANGRY people (democrats can have bad tempers, too, especially when their rights are being violated) and it could get ugly.  

    I am amazed that the DNC isn't being more strategic about organizing precinct watchers for 11/2.  I volunteered on their website, but have not been contacted.  I know California is a blue state, but that doesn't mean there won't be any funny business.  

    I was a precinct watcher for the DNC in the 2003 recall election and the irregularities were enormous.  Nothing was ever said or done about it, though my contact at DNC headquarters in the SF Valley said that 1000s of people were disenfranchised by being sent to the wrong polling place and then not having a clue where they were supposed to go.  

    I also volunteered for 11/2 on the ACT website, and hopefull they will be better organized, but I think there should be some serious training and organization for this election.  I am planning to take the day off and will find some group to work with.  We should have cameras, tape recorders, and be well-armed with all of our legal rights and knowledge of fair election procedures.

    Imagine what could happen when all of those people who think they registered with this criminal RNC outfit show up and can't vote!  People are very fired up about this election, and there should be a plan to defuse tempers.  Imagine how fast the polling places are going to run out of those provisional ballots, for example.

    by super simian on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:48:18 PM PDT

•  Um, kos...

  Look at the top Recommened Diary.

  It's been up since last night.

  Tons of good info on this very subjecy including loads of good information on Nathan Sproul.

  by Bob Johnson on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:12:51 PM PDT

  •  Go check out the diary for more info...

    ...it has lots of extra articles, juicy research goodness, and the numbers and dates on RNC transfers to Sproul's sleazy outfit.

    by Turtle Bay on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:15:14 PM PDT

  •  A bit baffled about it myself

    You, Turtle Bay others and myself were all over this form 10 PM onward until 3 am this morning.. does Kos even watch the recommended diaries?

    Mitch Gore

    Wanna win in '08...?

    Put your money where your mouth is.

    by Lestatdelc on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:41:09 PM PDT

•  $125000 from RNC to Sproul and Assoc.

  According to opensecrets.org, Sproul & Assoc. has been paid about $125000 for "voter registration."

  They've also been paid by Trent Franks (R-AZ) for "consulting." It would be interesting to know exactly what that involved.

  I find it difficult to believe that they're running this far-flung operation on only $125000. This leads me to believe that there is more money coming from somewhere.

  by silence on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:13:38 PM PDT

  •  it's easier...

    It's easier to run a large operation on a shoestring budget when you don't pay your rent and don't pay your workers.

    by Radical Middle on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:31:35 PM PDT

  •  Try more than $600,000

    Look in here for info from opensecrets...

    by Bob Johnson on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:41:02 PM PDT

    •  You're right

      They put an "inc" on some of their filings. That looks more like what it would take to run a national registration fraud.

      by silence on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:47:00 PM PDT

•  So How

  do we get this into the SCLM?

  by dpc on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:13:45 PM PDT

  •  you could try a BLAST email ...

    ... to all the usual suspects ... plenty of threads here with massive media lists ... check the top recommended diary

    A method I've found effective is to develop a corresponding relationship, though, with one or two print journalists who have reasonably large readership ... this method takes time to develop, but can really pay off as long as you limit your correspondence ... I've sent a heads-up on this developing story, and expect there's a really good chance it'll be picked up in a column in a major midwest daily ... the theory here is to break the ice by getting it into print somewhere ...

    Another approach is Romanesko/Poynter forum ... lots j-folk read the letters feature religiously ... Jim Romanesko, btw, does the job that Howie Kurtz is supposed to do (print media critic) ...

    by wystler on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:36:52 PM PDT

•  bad timing

  Unfortunately all the Press oxygen for the next few day's will be taken up by Post Debate crap.
  

  by dougyg on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:13:58 PM PDT

  •  If mentioned in the debate

    they will eat this shit up.

    by Gearhead on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:15:31 PM PDT

    •  I'm not sure Kerry should bother mentioning it

      Bush will simply blandly disassociate himself from the alleged excesses of a few bad apples, calling for any evildoers to be punished.

      by No Preference on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:21:35 PM PDT

      •  Kerry should definitely jump on it in the debate

        If Bush tries to distance himself from it, Kerry can then expand on other Repug voter suppression efforts, like the intimidation in Florida, the Ohio 80 lb. issue and other Ohio outrages, etc, even a quote from what's his name in Michigan about needing to suppress the Detroit (read black Democratic) vote to win. This could quickly go from a nonstory to a full-blown scandal if he'd take this tack in the debate, and how could Bush distance himself from what is so obviously Republican voter suppression strategy on so many fronts? It could easily become THE story coming out of this debate, and run all the way to election day. Kerry should hammer it home with, "Why do Republicans hate democracy?"

        by Prez Lindsay on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:45:48 PM PDT

        •  I disagree.

          There may be a way that it works into one of the questions, depending what they are, but I don't think Kerry should be talking about this with Bush right there.

          No matter how we might jump with glee at the Chimperor's gonads waving in the breeze, the fact is the RNC is the connection to go after.

          That should be the DNC, the campaigns, the journalists, the watchdogs.

          And the Kossaks.

          by boadicea on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 08:36:16 PM PDT

    •  Video available

      Last night the Norweigian chef (or someone) said THEY HAVE VIDEO of the registrations being torn up. Nothing like a nice visual to get a story going.

      by PitterPatter on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:25:40 PM PDT

      •  Especially

        Especially if there is an evil laugh soundtrack to accompany it.

        Can't wait to see what John Stewart does with this.

        by Gearhead on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:31:44 PM PDT

  •  No, this has major legs

    This is an erupting scandal. If the RNC is paying rogue outfits to RIP UP voter registration forms in swing states -- that's a big deal my friend. The post-debate analysis will die down after one or two days. This will live on....but only if it gets picked up by the big media (NY Times, WP, LA Times, CNN, etc).

    I won't hold my breath. But who knows, maybe there are some honest journalists who get tired of fluff pieces about the candidates and want to break a big story.

    by existenz on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:18:22 PM PDT

  •  Debate Crap?

    While I agree this fraud is a big deal.. however don't forget if Kerry hits a knockout tonight he could end it tonight.  Remember people we have to spin spin spin!! Hopefully very little spin will be needed.  

    I want Bush to have to change his receiver batteries mid debate.  That would do it..

    by Portlander on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:18:56 PM PDT

    •  Put this into the spin -- example

      "In front of the backdrop of a developing RNC voter fraud scandal in neighboring Nevada, President Bush lost tonight's debate with Senator Kerry.  Senator Kerry showed his grasp of the issues and presented his positive plan for America while Mr. Bush struggled to defend his poor record on jobs, the budget, the environment, crime, and education.  Mr. Bush relied on worn-out labels, branding Senator Kerry as a liberal, and tried to paint himself not as an incumbent but as a challenger.  Bush had one thing right this evening, he looked like a challenger because of the two men, only Senator Kerry looked Presidential."

      by LionelEHutz on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:27:08 PM PDT

    •  End it tonight?

      That would be great, but he can't end it if the election is stolen by the GOP goon squads.

      This is obviously a criminal offense.  Maybe we should contact state attorney general offices in the affected states.

      by tomathawl on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:27:31 PM PDT

•  A good start would be...

  ...to call your Congressman and Senator immediately.

  -fink

  by fink on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:14:12 PM PDT

•  This

  is the sort of thing that can not only give us the presidency (Kerry's gonna win that anyway) but deliver the congress and discredit Nader permanently (don't forget how much he got from these fascist slimeballs.) Sing this until the rafters shake and we'll revolutionize this country.

  by spitonmars on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:14:32 PM PDT

•  Reuters is on the story

  Just called Kate at the DC bureau, she listened very patiently, they are interested.  Massive voter registration Fraud from West Virginia to Oregon, funded by the RNC.  She said their California bureau is on the story right now (3:15 pm ET)

  Wow, sweet manna from heaven.

  Keep pressing Reuters, NYTimes, CNN, everywhere to give this story legs.

  This is the RNC we're talking about!

  by Biermann on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:16:02 PM PDT

•  can't wait

  to see how the shreiking midgets of AM radio spin this one.....

  by iconoclast on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:16:39 PM PDT

•  Will THIS stick?

  Will anything stick? CAN anything stick?

  It's like every day there's another story exposing something either criminal or unethical about these people...and then it just dies.

  This cuts to the core of the democratic process. It's huge. But we have a President wired up on national TV being fed his prompts for a debate that will decide our election and that's just a late night joke!

  We're being robbed in broad daylight and outside of our websites, it's treated like a matter of only passing interest.

  by Hrubec on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:16:41 PM PDT

  •  Late Night Joke?

    This cuts to the core of the democratic process. It's huge. But we have a President wired up on national TV being fed his prompts for a debate that will decide our election and that's just a late night joke!

    Don't discount the power of the late night joke. it means that the idea has worked its way into the American psyche deep enough that Letterman/Leno/Conan thinks the majority of the viewers will get it.

    by JDRhoades on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:31:02 PM PDT

    •  Leno is already there

      I saw him joking about votes not being counted the other night, when Edwards was on.

      by Radical Middle on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:33:46 PM PDT

•  Part of a Rove ground war plan?

  Does anybody have any paranoid  (but possibly true) ideas about how this might be part of a ROVE game plan? As good chess players, how can people think a few moves ahead?  I know beyond all doubt that the rethugs are crooks and scumbags and un-American fascists, and this does not seem out of character to tear up registration 9and I believe it happened) but this just all seems too hopelessly stupid, since the trace was so easy.  Could there be any trap here?

  In the meantime, I am ready to answer any action alerts posted here and get them to my upstate NY contingent (with arms in NW Montana, which is kinda hopeless)

  My husband says we name this:  VOTERGATE!

  by Percheronwoman on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:17:00 PM PDT

  •  VOTERGATE!

    VOTERGATE

    This meme has got legs and it will stand for a long time.

    by Gearhead on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:19:26 PM PDT

    •  Excellent

      Please include this word in e-mails and calls to the media.

      by Smallbottle on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:27:38 PM PDT

      •  Percheronwoman gets the credit

        Send mojo her way!

        by Gearhead on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:30:00 PM PDT

        •  Happy to get the credit for Votergate!

          by Percheronwoman on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 09:21:20 PM PDT

          •  Actually

            my husband, a quiet Engllish doctor gets it!

            by Percheronwoman on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 09:22:36 PM PDT

            •  Who indeed

              got it from the name of a movie.  So much for my moment of fame. Guess I'll just have to win some competitions on my horse.

              by Percheronwoman on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 09:33:32 PM PDT

    •  2nd that... VOTERGATE! (N/T)

      by DaveV on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:30:29 PM PDT

  •  Votergate

    'bout friggin time WE got a 'gate.'  Rathergate my ass.

    by deolmstead on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:30:58 PM PDT

  •  GOP Game Plan

    As good chess players, how can people think a few moves ahead?

    Excellent point.

    Well, job #1 is to recognize that (paraphrasing Molly Ivins) they're not even playing the same game we are. They're not in this to "govern," it's not about "America" or certainly the "people," and they're not simply trying to "win" an election.

    Rove was quoted here recently about campaigning being to "destroy" the "enemy."

    They know that the demographic trends are leftward, but they also know that they never have and never could win majority support for their core goals when the facts are known. So it's crucial that they work to suppress information (a media project) and votes every way possible.

    Everything they can do to make voting complicated, inconvenient, obscure and unauditable works in their favor. As a point of conspiracy, I doubt it matters if this is a meticulously coordinated strategy. They all know who needs to be suppressed and who needs to be bamboozled.

    Legally they do it with harsh, argumentative posturingbecause this tends to make people disgusted with "politics" and "parties," and it drives down voting on election day.

    When all else fails they use powerfully emotional material such as fear and anger, because they tend to overwhelm logic which is essential to the more complex policies of liberals.

    They always do this, we always know they're going to do this, yet we always refuse to "stoop" to the level of immunizing our candidates and issues against it. So we always end up fighting these 49.999% vs 50.001% elections.

    We have to be looking for stealing votes, which thankfully we're getting up to speed on, and fraud & character assassination, which we're not yet as strong on defending against as we need to be. The one thing we don't need to waste any more time on is nuancing our philosophy, facts and figures. The opposition isn't even present on that battlefied.
    

    by Gooserock on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 05:12:18 PM PDT

•  Each Of The State Parties

  in the states you mentioned should file suit immediately for an injunction requiring that these folks be allowed to vote even though their names may not appear on the registration rolls. And the DNC should fund this broad-based emergency legal effort, since it is the RNC which is funding this voter fraud. Come on DNC fucking fight back, they've been cought red-handed.

  by chuco35 on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:17:23 PM PDT

•  Voter Suppression

  GET THIS INFORMATION TO KERRY FOR THE DEBATE.  It is critical!

  by slambrannan on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:17:29 PM PDT

•  Message to Repugs

  Don't fuck with democracy.

  "Democracy is coming ... to the U - S - A." - Leonard Cohen
  

  by Gearhead on Wed Oct 13, 2004 at 04:17:34 PM PDT

•  Hold them accountable

  They say this is an era of accountability. Proof is in the putting.

  1. Fine the RNC the minimum for every ballot destroyed ($75 in some states)
     
  2. Pay compensation of $1000 to each voter whose registration was d