Senator Boxer and Representative Tubbs Jones signed the challenge.
The major arguments I heard republicans make were:
- The election system works well
- It is dangerous to challenge the election results
- The democrats are sore losers. Get over it.
- The objections are a conspiracy created by MoveOn.org and Michael Moore
The major arguments I heard the Democrats make:
- The right to vote is sacred and needs to be enshrined in the constitution
- Major irregularities look bad abroad
- The election was not fair nor just
Most of the democratic speakers said that the results of the election were not in doubt. However, a few argued that the election system was broken and the real results were in doubt.
The effects of the debate in my opinion are that more attention has been drawn toward election reform. However, the democrats have also been painted as conspiracy theorists.
The republicans used their basic bag of tricks by invoking Michael Moore, terrorism, and sore loser labels.
I think the democrats did a good job in general on the floor of the house and senate to argue the matter. Now, it depends on how the media spins the matter. I think we need to thank our senators that spoke out, and more importantly we need to pressure the media, and keep this story going.
Soon, senators Boxer and Reid will probably introduce election reform legislation. Also, several lawsuits are still going in Ohio including the Cobb lawsuit to get a second recount and legitimate recount. We need to make sure the media are aware of these events and report on them.
It is essential that this issue is painted as a referendum on the honesty of the electoral system. The democratic party is the party of reform. They are calling for a more honest and more inclusive system. We need to support and encourage that frame.
The vast majority of democracts voted to turn down the objection, letting the Ohio electors stand but I think a lot of them supported the challenge regardless.