Daily Kos

Cobb Requests Recount-- Please Help!

by SensibleShoes

Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:12:48 AM PDT

Actually Cobb and Badnarik.

Green candidated David Cobb announced yesterday that he and Michael Badnarik, the Libertarian candidate, are requesting a recount in Ohio.

This is going to cost them $110,000. Please donate if you can:
http://web.greens.org/c/cobb/supporters.cgi?function=donate

(Please recommend this diary so that people will see it and donate. I think this is our best chance for clearing up Ohio.)

Tags: (all tags) :: Previous Tag Versions

Permalink | 291 comments

  •  Done (4.00 / 4)

    What the hell.  At least we'll know we did everything we could to make sure this election was fair.

    by Gingerandspice on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:11:35 AM PDT

    •  And the future (4.00 / 2)

      Regardless of the outcome, we need to expose the problems so that people will more likely address the issues before the next election.

      by gdesignr on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:16:54 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  asdf (4.00 / 4)

      $15 sent. I've been itching for an official recount. Perhaps I'm naive, but I have not conceded this fight yet. And more importantly, count every vote!

      Compassionate conservatism: Putting the 'warm' back in 'warmonger'

      by kolors on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:03:15 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I haven't conceded either (none / 1)

        I know it is a bad idea to get my hopes up, yet again, but I can't help it especially after reading this.  http://www.tompaine.com/articles/kerry_won.php

        by mrsmankouche on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 06:43:56 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Ohio Numbers (none / 0)

          Top 10 Counties with the Largest % Increase in New Votes

          Delaware        43.84%   
          Warren           33.11%   
          Union             32.25%   
          Van Wert        32.25%   
          Morrow           27.76%   
          Pickaway        27.28%   
          Medina           26.68%   
          Licking           26.27%   
          Holmes           26.21%   
          Fayette           26.15%   

          All were counties that Bush won

          Top 10 Counties with the Largest Bush Margins

          Butler             52,550
          Warren           41,124
          Clermont        36,376
          Delaware        25,746
          Hamilton         24,683
          Licking            18,742
          Fairfield          17,736
          Greene           17,492
          Miami             16,000
          Allen              15,807

          Bush Margin = Bush 2004 Vote - Kerry 2004 Vote

          The Four Counties Where Kerry Underperformed Gore

                         Bush     Bush     Diff.     Gore     Kerry    Diff.
                        2000     2004                 2000     2004  

          Mercer   12,485   15,022   2,537   5,212    4,924   -288    
          Shelby   12,476   15,825   3,349   6,593   6,337    -256        
          Darke    14,817   17,869   3,052   7,741    7,663    -78
          Van Wert 8,679    10,484   1,805   4,209    4,026    -183

          The 2000 Nader Vote for these counties

          Mercer    392
          Shelby    392
          Darke     452
          Van Wert 216  

          by Jon B Good on Fri Nov 12, 2004 at 01:06:42 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    •  I donated, too. (none / 1)

      I hardly know what to do with my abundant grad student stipend now that MoveOn, ACT and the DNC/KE04 have stopped shaking me down 20x a day.

      That said, I wish we had a parliamentary democracy where I could vote for the party I liked best, and not just the party with the best chance of opposing evil.  I really welcomed this opportunity to contribute to the Greens while fighting evil.

      by b2witte on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 03:44:48 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  impartial recount (none / 1)

      will require that someone independant (not the repub registrar in Ohio) transparently oversee the recount, and that the recount include an audit of the voting machines AND the central computers that talleyed the incoming data from the voting machines.

      by clyde3d on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 06:00:59 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Pertinent to this thread.... (none / 0)

      ....and please consider recommending so we can build a comprehensive thread on the issue of 'central tabulation systems' -- where are they located and who had access [of any form] to them.

      http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/11/12/104750/99

      Thank you.

      by understandinglife on Fri Nov 12, 2004 at 08:15:38 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Although this is a duplicate diary... (none / 1)

    ...I'm all for bringing this to everyone's attention, over and over again.

    -7.75, -7.64 www.politicalcompass.org "When the intellectual history of this era is finally written, it will scarcely be believable." -- Noam Chomsky

    by scorponic on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:20:58 AM PDT

  •  Take Two (4.00 / 7)

    Take two precincts on me Cobby!

    Better if we can expose fraud and/or error without chaging the outcome because they can never charge us with bias that way.

    Its the PROCESS, stupid.

    Count every vote.  Make every vote count.

    And make every vote RECOUNTABLE!

    John McCain a/k/a John Sidney "Grampy McSame"

    by MRL on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:21:44 AM PDT

  •  I'm in (none / 0)

    And recommending any diary that supplies a link to give money to the recount cause.

    Anyone know of any other links to fund recounts in other states?

    by dark1p on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:34:46 AM PDT

    •  moveon.org is putting together a petition (none / 1)

      to support the congressional investigation requested by Conyers, et al

      link

      I haven't seen funding sites about recounts in FL, NM, NV or IA.

      "Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Groucho Marx

      by DemFromCT on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 02:01:04 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  The "F" Word (4.00 / 29)

    I've heard the debates about whether we should be calling it "fraud," and here's my suggested alternative: "tactics of mass vote destruction program-related activities".

    -7.75, -7.64 www.politicalcompass.org "When the intellectual history of this era is finally written, it will scarcely be believable." -- Noam Chomsky

    by scorponic on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:35:21 AM PDT

  •  234321 (none / 0)

    thanks for posting this!

    alas, i can only recommend it once.  important info, this.

    "Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built upon the ruins of the bowers of paradise." Thomas Paine, Common Sense

    by Cedwyn on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:39:56 AM PDT

  •  I'll pay for 5 counties. (none / 1)

    I tried paying online. At the final screen, the web page just froze in limbo. Don't know if the transaction wen't through. I hope it is clogged with donors and not being hacked. I'll try and try again! Also, I'm emailing all my friends to encourage a donation.

    Investigate War Lies --> Evidence for Senate Conviction --> End the War. Got it?

    by bejammin075 on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:43:57 AM PDT

  •  hooray for the 3rd parties (4.00 / 6)

    Great to see Cobb asnd Badnarik working together on this, while Kerry seems to be ignoring it.  I understand Kerry can't politically if he wants to run in 2008, but it doesn't send a very good message that the dems don't want to count every vote, and the Greens and Libertarians do.

    Nominating Cobb was the best option in a no-win situation for the Greens in 2004, and he did a good job of getting out of the way in the swing states, unfortunately at the expense of ballot access for Greens in a number of states.  However, Green registration is up, another 40+ local candidates got elected Nov 2 across the country (15+ in CA alone), and we'll have a good year in 2005, and a better one in 2006.

    If this recount does happen, and the election flips as a result, maybe all of you activists who are clamoring for the recount will take a second look at the Green party, can donate a few hours toward a local Green candidate in the next couple of election cycles.  Oh, and push IRV while you're at it.

    by green in brooklyn on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:44:55 AM PDT

    •  I really liked Cobb (none / 0)

      Why couldn't the Democrats nominate someone who talks sense like he does?

      "Unless we each conform, unless we obey orders, unless we follow our leaders blindly there is no possible way we can remain free" - Frank Burns

      by Central Scrutinizer on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:28:44 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  if you want to be reasonable, (none / 0)

        The Greens could have supported Kerry and we would be done with this mess before it ever started

        by Chrisfs on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 07:09:20 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  I wish the Greens (none / 0)

          would simply choose the person on the ballot that best meets the aims of the party (like the Liberal, Conservative/RTL parties do.)  If neither option comes close to their ideals, leave the spot blank.  And run somebody else if they have a legitimate chance of winning (i.e. San Francisco in the last mayoral election, city council seats in college towns, etc.)  or if both parties suck.  I want to support them so badly, but I will not have my vote thrown away.  I'm recommending this and throwing them a few bucks, but they had better have learned their lesson about running third party candidates in swing states.  

          by spsnomad on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:39:14 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    •  NC Greens (4.00 / 2)

      I got pretty involved with the Greens in NC before and after the last cycle.  I walked away after the state party poobah very publicly ostracized a commited, energetic volunteer who was eagerly donating time, money and resources, for the sin of declaring that Green values were mainstream American values, and that the Greens could/should be able to appeal to mainstream America if they could just get the message out.  I figured at that point that, even though the Green Party platform is closest to my values, it was more productive for me to become more involved with the Dems.  That said, I wholeheartedly support IRV.  Among other things, IRV might focus 3rd party leaders on results rather than on how riteously radical they are.  I hope your experience in Brooklyn has been better.  

      Bumperstickers -- George W. Bush: Moral Midget; Howard Dean Is My Chairman; etc.

      by PatrioticallyIncorrect on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:05:04 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Another advantage to IRV (none / 1)

        The networks can't call the election 10 seconds after the polls close, unless it really is a blowout for one candidate..

        by bamapookie on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:27:39 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  not IRV (none / 1)

        Instant runoff is very appealing on the face of it, but is fundamentally flawed. I was a supporter of IRV when I first heard about it.

        There are two methods that I would suggest you consider advocating instead--Approval and Condracet.

        Approval is straightforward. You simply vote yes or no for each candidate.

        Condorcet is more complex. You rank candidates, like in IRV. In effect you make pairwise comparisons between each of the candidates.

        Thorough explanations can be found at
        www.electionmethods.com
        where there are also comparisons among various possible voting systems.

        And if you need anything...there's some ants.

        by Skipbidder on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 01:09:12 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  bad URL (none / 0)

          Actually, the link is

          www.electionmethods.ORG

          I'd never heard of Condorcet before, but it does seem to have advantages over IRV.  Well worth looking at!

          it's an occupation, not a war.

          by shipyardian on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 05:42:50 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Condorcet vs. IRV (none / 0)

          Yes, Condorcet is superior to IRV, barely. But it's also more difficult to explain, and IRV already has problems gaining support because people think it's too complicated. As it is, right now, in Australia, where they use IRV, 95% of the results are the same as they would be under ordinary American-style plurality-wins voting. My guess would be that using Condorcet rather than IRV would make a difference in fewer than 1 in 500 elections. Please, don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Support IRV, which is starting to gain some momentum and offers real advantages over the current system. Once that's in effect in your jurisdiction, by all means lobby for a (slightly) better system.

          -3.13, -5.74

          by taliesin on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:43:39 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  IRV vs Condorcet (none / 0)

            IRV doesn't solve the sort of problems that I would want solved.

            Approval is superior to IRV and very easy to explain. In a country that actually had reasonable voting conditions, it should be easy to implement.

            For IRV, all it really accomplishes is allowing people like me to vote for Greens without feeling conflicted that I'm throwing my vote away. Once a third party actually becomes potentially competitive, I have to make the very same lesser-evil choices I do in plurality. Worse yet, there are times when I should rank candidates out of order, strategically. This never occurs in Condorcet.

            And if you need anything...there's some ants.

            by Skipbidder on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:55:18 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

  •  good (4.00 / 3)

    I think that they're serious about this: I listened to Cobb and Badnarik speak on the issues before the elections,  and it's very clear that both of them regard Bush as a horrible president, and that they would prefer to get him out of the white house - even though they disagree with Kerry on most of the issues (and in fact Michael Badnarik thinks that Kerry should be indicted, along with the other members of congress who voted for the patriot act).
    Maybe Ralph Nader could also help with this effort, we'll see...

    by nimc on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:46:08 AM PDT

    •  24 (none / 0)

      isn't ralph still pushing a NH recount and accepting donations?

      gawd, i wish the dnc weren't closed for the holiday.  can't the GELAC funds be used to help with the recount?

      "Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built upon the ruins of the bowers of paradise." Thomas Paine, Common Sense

      by Cedwyn on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:56:12 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Yes - (3.66 / 3)

        and it looks like he might just get it:

        The New Hampshire Assistant Attorney General, meanwhile, told us at Countdown that negotiations are ongoing with Ralph Nader, who at a news conference yesterday not only demanded a recount in a minimum of four districts, but also added another bizarre touch to the proceedings by launching into a brief but surprisingly high-quality Richard Nixon impression.

        In New Hampshire, Assistant Attorney General Bud Fitch indicated that reports that Nader forfeited his right to request a recount there because he didn't get a $2,000 filing fee to them before last Friday's deadline were erroneous. However, Fitch did raise the bar on Nader, saying that he would have to provide a written guarantee that he would cover all costs relating to a recount, and that the state would probably demand a deposit, or the establishment of an escrow account. Complicating matters still further is Fitch's admission that New Hampshire really can't give a good estimate on the final costs.

        http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240

        A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people ... restore their government to it's true principles.

        by maddrailin on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:58:23 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  45645 (none / 0)

          uNf

          a recount in two states would just be fantastic!!!

          donate to nader, too!

          /me does a happy dance

          "Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built upon the ruins of the bowers of paradise." Thomas Paine, Common Sense

          by Cedwyn on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:06:09 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

  •  Hear Cobb Here (4.00 / 2)

    This was posted in an earlier link and props to that poster for getting this issue started (you got a lot of recommendations but that diary list rolls down fast).   Here is the link to Cobb speaking on a SoCal public radio show.   It is inlightening and very inflammatory.   It will resurrect your spirits if you are losing hope:

    http://la.indymedia.org/news/2004/11/118972.php

    Click on the audio link there, listen and then give up some money.  If they get enough money they may go ahead with FLA too, they state specifically that finances have a lot to do with only challenging OH.  This may be the brave step that not only saves America from the Bush machine, it may launch the Greens into a sustainable political orbit.

    by neoeconomist on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 08:58:20 AM PDT

  •  I Just Ponied Up $150.00.. (4.00 / 4)

    And I urge ALL Kossacks to contribute to this.  Let's get on it, people.  It's worth a shot given how clearly FRAUDULENT the first ballot counting in Ohio was!!

    by bincbom on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:06:39 AM PDT

  •  2 precincts on me (4.00 / 4)

    FREE HAWAII!

    by scottmaui on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:12:56 AM PDT

  •  543 (none / 1)

    can we front-page this puppy?  or the other one...somehow bestow prominence upon this topic?

    "Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built upon the ruins of the bowers of paradise." Thomas Paine, Common Sense

    by Cedwyn on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:15:11 AM PDT

  •  just contributed (none / 0)

    by bruh1 on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:21:52 AM PDT

  •  Clearly, it's silly to think (3.66 / 3)

    that the vote might have been hacked, because the chances that Bush actually outperformed the exit polls in Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania are only 250 million to 1 against, according to this analysis by a University of Pennsylvania professor.

    Four more years of peace and prosperity---not

    by stunster on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:26:13 AM PDT

  •  it's all about the integrity of the process (none / 0)

    As I have argued at greater length eleswhere,  single stealth bomber costs $1 billion, we will have spent $200 billion on Iraq by the end of the year, supposedly to defend democracy  --can't we afford to be a little generous defending the integrity of the central institution of our democracy at home?

    Have you read the The Democrats' Da Vinci Code?

    by Nate Roberts on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:27:42 AM PDT

  •  $10 buck from me (none / 1)

    for now

    George Dubya Bush Blows GWBblows Blog

    by GWBblows on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:31:48 AM PDT

  •  The best $20 contributed... ever (none / 1)

    Wow.  That felt good.  Blackwell deserves to go to jail for depriving voters of their rights.  Let's get Ohio recounted with ALL the provisional ballots.  Undo the coup!    

    ... and the truth will set you free.

    by RJR on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:34:29 AM PDT

  •  Olbermann... (none / 0)

    ...covers the whole story very well at MSNBC (GREAT article/round-up).

    by cgilbert01 on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:34:53 AM PDT

  •  Some more for the count (none / 0)

    Threw in $15. Every bit helps

    by bsquared on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:35:00 AM PDT

  •  Man, I love David Cobb (none / 0)

    and (to a lesser extent) Badnarik. They really did the right thing as third-party presidential candidates. Cobb focused his campaign on promoting local viable Green races, and actually helped out a good friend of mine with hers.

    He made his bed, and now he has to sleep in it.

    by wayne ozacrot on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:35:30 AM PDT

  •  Ralph and the Rabid Repugs (none / 0)

    This is great -- the Repubs were frothing at the mouth to get Ralph on the ballot in as many states as possible; now his request for a recount may just bite them in the butt.  Woo Hoo!

    Nunc pede libero pulsanda tellus... (Now is the time to beat the earth with unfettered foot...)

    by a2jean on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:37:46 AM PDT

  •  Breaking: Stone Gives Blood! (none / 1)

    Here I thought I didn't have one more penny to give after the election season (that went on for years). But this is a real goodie, and I couldn't help myself.

    Anybody spare a quarter for a cup of coffee?

    by MattK D1 on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:41:24 AM PDT

  •  2 (4.00 / 2)

    two precints on me.  c'mon people.  pre-election (in the howard dean days) we could have raised 200K in half a day.  this fundraiser is possibly for all the marbles.

    is it facism yet?

    by Treefingers5 on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:45:50 AM PDT

  •  Sign MoveOn Petition: Congressional investigation (4.00 / 4)

    Nine prominent members of Congress have called for an investigation into the 2004 election.

    MoveOn is collecting signatures for a petition to be presented to Congress calling for an investigation. "Congress must investigate the integrity of the voting process in the 2004 election."

    Click here to sign the petition.

    Our... constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men's minds. Thurgood Marshall

    by bronte17 on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:45:59 AM PDT

  •  This just made my day! (4.00 / 2)

    Two precincts on me.  Wish I could do more.  But I sent a link to all my friends.

    This really going to happen, isn't it?

    I can't believe it.

    I don't get how someone who doesn't believe in hope nevertheless believes in miracles.

    by LawStudent on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:47:18 AM PDT

  •  5 precincts on me (4.00 / 2)

    Count 'til it hurts....

    -7.75, -7.64 www.politicalcompass.org "When the intellectual history of this era is finally written, it will scarcely be believable." -- Noam Chomsky

    by scorponic on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:47:22 AM PDT

  •  Just Donated $100 At Help America Vote (none / 0)

    http://www.helpamericarecount.org/

    I figure that if neither Cobb nor Help America Vote get enough money for a recount, they can combine their cash and hopefully get enough that way.

    by Seemabes on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:54:43 AM PDT

  •  I put in a C note (4.00 / 6)

    how many precincts is that?

    I gave money to the folks working with Bev Harris, too. If Kerry/Edwards calls for funds, I'll send them some too.

    I'm really leery of throwing the fraud allegation around. Let's leave it as miscounted unless concrete proof (as in somebody would be prosecuted and convicted with it) turns up.

    God bless America. God bless our troops.
    God damn George Bush to the fires of eternal damnation.

    by Bill Rehm on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:56:08 AM PDT

    •  I think it's about $10 per precinct... (none / 1)

      so you and I both funded 10. The reason I did this is not because I've come to the conclusion that fraud occured but I do know damn well that there were a lot of problems in Ohio on election day and afterwards.

      by Seemabes on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:13:51 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  $20 from me (4.00 / 2)

    I encourage people to keep donating. David Cobb is a real third party candidate with integrity, and their work matters.

    Mikhail Khaimov San Francisco, CA

    by Tsarrio on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 09:59:20 AM PDT

  •  Why does it cost so much? (none / 0)


    I am NOT suggesting that the Greens are fleecing us.  I trust them more than I trust the party I voted for with my money.

    but at $110,000 for 11,000 districts, that's a lot.  Is Ohio billing the Greens, or do the Greens have to send staff to observe these recounts?

    I'm glad they are choosing the full recount strategy, way better than Gore's just count the districts that might help decision.

    by sbk on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:00:12 AM PDT

    •  My understanding... (none / 0)

      ...is that Ohio, by statute, charges the candidate petitioning for a recount $10 per precinct (not district) recounted, and there are roughly 11,000 precincts throughout Ohio.

      -7.75, -7.64 www.politicalcompass.org "When the intellectual history of this era is finally written, it will scarcely be believable." -- Noam Chomsky

      by scorponic on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:05:23 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  So the Dems say (none / 1)

        Ohio Dems

         The fee for a recount is set by each Board of Elections and may be between $5 and $10 per precinct... ...The entire recount and contest procedures are outlined at ORC 3515.

        "The great masses of the people ... will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one." - Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, Chapter 10.

        by Ranger CN on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:58:06 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  I'm pretty sure... (none / 0)

        Ohio has 788 precincts. I think the $110,000 is for more than just Ohio (I think it might have been a figure quoted for nationwide recounts, I'm ont positive.. it sounds a little bit low for that, honestly).

        Mamas and grandmamas love you, 'cause that's all they know how to do. But you never planned on the bombs in the sand, or sleepin' in your dress blues.

        by Jello2028 on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 02:14:32 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  Fuck Cobb and the Greens! (1.11 / 17)

    Those fuckers elected Bush!  Bastards!

    by Rally Burger on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:02:07 AM PDT

  •  I'm in for 2, but what about funding observers? (4.00 / 2)

    These contributions will fund the fee Ohio charges, but it will take alot more than $130,000 to stop all this chatter about the fairness of the election.  As we saw in 2000, it takes people on the ground to "observe" the recount process.  

    Will the money we already gave to Kerry's legal fund help?  And if not, I want an answer from the Kerry/Edwards people about their plans for that money.  Its a few million, isnt it?

    Try to make the Democratic party the party that you think it should be - but not at the cost of losing.

    by Matty NYC on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:03:09 AM PDT

  •  In for $20 (4.00 / 2)

    Much more satisfying then the endless 'It was Stolen!' emails.

    by storme on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:15:10 AM PDT

  •  AP Article on Yahoo about Nader's Call for recount (none / 1)

    Please go to yahoo and push for this story to remain a top its highly recommended articles. Here is where to find the article:

    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20041111/ts_alt_afp/us_vote_nader

    by bruh1 on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:19:28 AM PDT

  •  anything but bush! (4.00 / 2)

    on my way $20 for each of the family members including the pets, also forwarding all messages to the kerry/edwards campaign--

    by xray on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:23:38 AM PDT

  •  How about Soros (none / 0)

    Do you think Soros knows about this development?  From the Cobb donation site:  "Funds donated to the Ohio recount are not subject to the $2000 contribution cap."

    Life is like love in autumn

    by kenjib on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:25:33 AM PDT

  •  sent $100 (4.00 / 2)

    and crossing fingers this(in the end) wakes people up to the fact our voting system/infrastructure needs a complete overhaul.

    by march in NJ on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:28:51 AM PDT

  •  I thought you meant Cobb County (none / 0)

    I was wondering why Cobb County would request a recount. Then I read the diary. This is a VERY good cause. I'm sure Kerry would pay for the recount if the provisionals went his way, but that's not a sure thing. Better to have a definite recount and let the chips fall where they may.

    Old Man McCain.com - the best McCain attack blog on the web!

    by existenz on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:30:30 AM PDT

  •  I gave (4.00 / 2)

    I just gave $20. I wonder how much they've raised so far.

    by kellykellygg on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:31:08 AM PDT

  •  And hey, they have PayPal ! (none / 1)

    Very cool, very easy to donate.  I upped for five precincts.

    -------------------------------------------

    Someone left the cake out in the rain. - Jimmy Webb

    by eecee on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:31:57 AM PDT

  •  Why do we need to pay for a recount? (none / 0)

    It strikes me as odd.....it's sort of like, "we'll make sure this election is valid & recount...but you've gotta put up $100,000 first."  Well, geez, so only rich guys get to  have recounts? Shouldn't the state absorb this cost once it's been demonstrated that there are errors?

    by Southern Hope on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:39:23 AM PDT

    •  it's there for a reason (none / 0)

      I guess if the recount proves that the election was fraudulent, dobbs will get a refund...

      the high fee is there in order to prevent random recount requests from random dudes :)

      remember, with a 0.25% difference there's an automatic recount

      by rukkus on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:02:53 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Automatic Recount (none / 0)

      The state of OH will pay for a "recount" (which should really be described as a full count, because some votes are missed out the first time round) if the margin of victory is less than 0.25%. Unfortunately, this seems unlikely.

      It would be fairer if, instead of an arbitrary number, the statute specified a recount whenever the margin of victory was less than the number of uncounted ballots. But of course, lots of things about this election could have been fairer...

      by cybo on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 12:53:12 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  $25 on me! (4.00 / 2)

    I am so happy this is happening! The truth will come out.

    by nestor on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:41:18 AM PDT

  •  Just donated... (4.00 / 3)

    just donated to cobb for the recount. its a shame-the dems have 10 million dollars and 4,000 lawyers, yet it is us lay dems and greens who have to fund it?!
    art

    by pronin2 on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 10:53:26 AM PDT

  •  Contributed as well (4.00 / 2)

    sending the link out to everyone I know.

    "The mark of an immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause. The mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one."

    by chicagojulie on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:22:15 AM PDT

  •  Where the fuck (none / 0)

    did all the money go that we donated to the Democrats legal fund for post election lawsuits? Do we get that money back? Why can't we demand that money goes to the greens for the recount?

    "Unless we each conform, unless we obey orders, unless we follow our leaders blindly there is no possible way we can remain free" - Frank Burns

    by Central Scrutinizer on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:22:18 AM PDT

    •  Seconded (none / 0)

      I sent 50 bucks to Kerry's GELAC fund for post-election lawyering.  What happens to the money in that fund?  If it's not being used on lawyering, what now?

      by Loquatrix on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:36:28 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Kerry's lawyers are there (none / 0)

        As posted earlier in another diary, the AP had an article running in Ohio that reported that Kerry does indeed have his lawyers in Ohio "making sure that every vote counts." This is being done quietly. If anything major comes of it, you can be sure that we'll all hear about it.

        I'm not sure where I heard it, but I also have heard that he has lawyers in FL, as well.

        by Gruvkitty on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:46:59 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  asdf (none / 0)

        The recount can only find that there were errors. What comes next is going to be the expensive part: auditing for fraud, suing Diebold, suing Republican Party campaign managers whom are also the Secretary of State, etc. If there is fraud or even hints of it, there is going to be a lot of legal work yet to be done.

        This only gets the ball rolling.

        by amanuensis on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:48:16 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  only a candidate (none / 0)

      Only a losing candidate can request  a recount, not DNC lawyers. Since Kerry is not going to do it (country unity, very very little chance of changing the outcome, etc..), only the Green candidate and Badnarik can request.

      by DonBinTN on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 12:28:19 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  I did it (4.00 / 3)


    Threw $50 into the pot.

    A vote for Bush is a vote for Osama.

    by Alan S on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:29:44 AM PDT

  •  For all those who stood in the rain (4.00 / 2)

    and waited for hours to vote.  Made a donation of 2 precincts for you.  Sorry it wasn't more.

    by katerina on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:40:17 AM PDT

  •  Err... should we ask Soros & Moore to kick in? (none / 0)

    I mean, this is chump change for these guys, and right up their alley.

    Nevertheless I'll kick a few $$ in too.  Put my tax cut to good use (along with Greenpeace contributions).

    by chrisfreel on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:40:22 AM PDT

    •  I kind of cringe (none / 0)

      when people want to spend George Soros' money. He's proven himself to be exceedingly generous and socially conscientious with his resources. I'm not saying that this describes you, but sometimes when I read these comments I get a sense that there is an expectation or entitlement to  have Soros spend his money the way we want him to.

      by digdugboy on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:55:15 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Didn't think I had more in me (4.00 / 2)

    But I donated $20

    Stephanie Dray
    of Jousting for Justice, a lefty blog with a Maryland tilt.

    by stephdray on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:42:09 AM PDT

  •  Put your money where your mouth is people. (none / 1)

    Recount 5 on me.

    "The great masses of the people ... will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one." - Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, Chapter 10.

    by Ranger CN on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:45:10 AM PDT

  •  asdf (none / 1)

    adopted my precinct.  Thanks for the link.

    American Fascism 101 A Must Read

    by cognitive dissonance on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:48:17 AM PDT

  •  Methinks this is about to grow bigger... (none / 0)

    ...than the 2000 debacle.

    by pointsoflight on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:49:08 AM PDT

  •  I kicked in $25 (4.00 / 3)

    I don't really have any extra money right now, but regardless of how a recount plays out, this is a small price to pay for a democracy we can trust.  Even if it doesn't change the outcome of the election, and I for one am fairly skeptical that it will, it may throw a spotlight on systemic vulnerabilities need to be redressed in the near term.  It's also a story that the MSM cannot ignore.

    If 4,400 people kick in $25 the goal is reached.  I don't know how many people read and post on Kos, but it's got to be way more than 4,400.  Please try to find a way to kick in whatever you can manage.

    by dqw5644 on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:54:20 AM PDT

    •  The folks in the UK (none / 0)

      The folks in Britain who were writing persuasive letters to Ohio before the election -- well, now would a good time to accept some help from abroad. Attention Brits: David Cobb, Michael Badnarik and Ralph Nader will be accepting all forms of currency!

      by nicolas on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 07:36:09 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Help Recount Ohio! (none / 0)

    As well as Cobb, a group affiliated with Black Box Voting is raising funds for an effort to recount Ohio.  

    If you want the background, I have a diary about the Help America Recount group, and about some of the issues surrounding the small chance that a recount could actually end up with us winning Ohio and the Presidency.  Check it out.

    How Blair Built a Majority

    by FullDisclosure on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:55:27 AM PDT

  •  Anyone (none / 0)

    holding out hopes that this will change the outcome? Can you imagine the ugliness that would ensue from the Repugs!

    by treehugger on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:56:23 AM PDT

    •  for me that's a big who cares (none / 0)

      let them BRING IT ON!

      by bruh1 on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:59:30 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Re: Anyone (none / 0)

      "Anyone holding out hopes that this will change the outcome?"

      I think there's a rather small but real chance this will change the outcome.  It's all about the unreadable punch-card ballots.

      Click my signature for details.

      How Blair Built a Majority

      by FullDisclosure on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 12:00:30 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  We are going to face the systemic disease... (none / 1)

      ....of disenfranchisement and the deceit of Bush's war in Iraq and the deceit of Bush's vast fiscal irresponsibility, and.....

      Yes, in_deed, it is not going to be a pleasant event when all the consequences of that catastrophic deceit erupt.

      The outcome will determine if we save our Democracy and if we save our Nation.

      What happened on 2 Nov 2004 is catalytic -- it has accelerated the eruption in our American history. All those trying to reverse the catalysis, put this one under the carpet, get the horse back into the barn -- whatever analogy you want to use -- are going to fail.

      "It's about America" [the one on life support and in need of immediate, heroic treatment]

      by understandinglife on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 12:06:17 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Frosting on the cake (none / 0)

      Changing the outcome would be *wonderful, tasty frosting on the cake*; making the guilty parties sweat is the cake itself.  Get out your knives and forks everybody!

      Nunc pede libero pulsanda tellus... (Now is the time to beat the earth with unfettered foot...)

      by a2jean on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 01:55:11 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  $100 here (none / 0)

    I've adopted 10 precincts.  It's worth it just to get some answers!

    "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." Mark Twain

    by Shaniriver on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 12:17:31 PM PDT

  •  Is this a hand recount? (none / 0)

    Do you know if this is a hand recount or are they just going to feed the cards back through the machines? If the counting software is bogus only a hand recount will get around that. I read that Ohio had a post Bush v Gore law setting uniform standards for statewide recounts. I can only imagine a hand recount would satisfy that. Does anybody know?

    by ineedalife on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 12:26:22 PM PDT

    •  probably not (none / 0)

      i'm not sure, but i'm guessing it's just like the first recount we got in FL in 2000. remember how they all just ran the punch cards back through the machines? Gore picked up some votes because of hanging chads that fell through after being run through the machine.

      But this really won't help us find out if the vote counting machines are flawed, right?

      It will help with the spoiled ballots, but that won't be enough.

      by DonBinTN on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 12:31:30 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  243 (none / 0)

        But this really won't help us find out if the vote counting machines are flawed, right?

        that depends on your definition of "flawed."  

        "Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built upon the ruins of the bowers of paradise." Thomas Paine, Common Sense

        by Cedwyn on Fri Nov 12, 2004 at 12:31:41 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  Oh Shit!! (none / 0)

      Just found this.
      It appears that even though Ohio passed a recount law that they claimed was BUSHvGORE compliant a few counties that use touch screens may not be recountable. If a recount looks good for Kerry you can bet the Bushies will just get their Supreme Court stooges to throw it out on "Equal Protection" grounds.

      by ineedalife on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 12:52:21 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  5 more from me! (none / 0)

    Please keep it up guys!

    by WontGetFooledAgain on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 12:33:13 PM PDT

  •  just sponsored 5 precincts (none / 0)

    and emailed thirty friends asking them to do the same.

    by nycnat on Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 12:33:35 PM PDT

  •  Kudos to Judy Woodruff (none / 1)

    Today on CNN Inside Politics, Woodruff gave a good little synopsis of election complaints and Nader's comments on election misconduct.
    She also showed a red and blue map - this time, the color sizes were based on population density.
    It was good to see a more realistically color balanced map instead of the mostly red we've been assaulted with.
    What I enjoyed most was the Jimmy Hendrix national anthem music