[UPDATE: Looks like Boxer chose not to take this route and only stuck with contesting Ohio]
David Lytel of ReDefeat Bush spoke at Rally for the Republic at Herbst theatre in downtown San Francisco last night. There were 400-500 people there! Very encouraging evening.
I thought the biggest eyeopener of his talk was that ReDefeat Bush is pushing for contesting not just OH, but NM, FL, NV too!
There were several other things he said of particular interest...
[Update: Note that Lytel said the contesting of each state extends the discussion another 2 hours! If I remember right he also said if the decision is not made within 4 days it also sends it directly to the House. At any rate I remember him saying that the rules change drastically at that point. ]
One of them was that ReDefeat Bush is working to achieve a challenge the electors slate of
not just OH, but Fl, NV, NM, as well (I think that was all -- don't remember MO or IA getting mentioned). The basic hope is to point out how widespread the irregularities and doubts over legitimacy of the election really is and to get a really full debate about the issue.
He advocated targeting Senate Minority Leader Sen. Reid of NV and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of CA. To effectively communicate with Pelosi: Lytel suggested being very sweet and kind and send flowers, notes and encouraging postitive phone calls to Mary Hughes, Pelosi's top adviser. Mary Hughes can be reached at:
Political Consultants Staton & Hughes Mary Hughes, President 530 Howard
St., Ste. 250 San Francisco, CA 94105 415-495- 4910
He expressed confidence that Boxer would challenge partially because of her personal relationship with Tubbs (though personally I think this is still very much up in the air -- I think everyone should call her!) and speculated about whether Byrd might go for it.
Lytel said that it was a great advantage to have gotten former Congressman Deutsh as a lobbyist in this effort and because of his networking we had a MUCH better chance than we would otherwise.
Lytel pointed out that there are 5 Representatives in the House that are from non-states (places like D.C. and American Samoa), and that since 4/5 are Dem. and since each delegation (ie. state or territory or whathaveyou) gets only 1 combined vote, the vote might be a lot more interesting than many have assumed, if it goes to the house.
His speech was quite inspiring in places. They said that KPFA would rebroadcast it, so I imagine we'll be able to find it in their archives at some point.
Here are some relevant articles:
Dem Lays Out Case Against Bush's Ohio Win
ReDefeatBush Holds 'Rallies for the Republic' in Boston Monday and San Francisco Tuesday to Mobilize Support for Challenge of Electors
Dissent to mar Bush validation
Liberal Group Seeks Support for Challenge of Bush Electors
Petitions urge Boxer to raise vote challenge