I'm currently reading Daniel Ellsberg's
Secrets, and this book has made me wonder to what extent both our major parties have a history of stealing elections. On page 107, he describes a meeting with Henry Cabot Lodge, where he, Ellsberg, and other members of Gen. Lansdale's team were trying to persuade Ambassador Lodge to hold an honest election in Vietnam.
Lodge continue with arresting statements: "You've got a gentleman in the White House right now [LBJ] who has spent most of his life rigging elections. I've spent most of my life rigging elections. I spent nine whole months rigging a Republican Convention to choose Ike as a candidate rather than Bob Taft. If that was bad...
"Nixon and I would have taken Chicago in 1960 if there had been an honest count. The Republican machine there was simply lazy; they didn't get out the vote, and they didn't have anyone watching the polls. But I don't blame Democrats for that, I blame the Republicans. There is just a limit to how naive or hypocritical we can afford to be out here."
Lansdale and Ellsberg were disappointed with Lodge's response to their suggestion, but they thought they had a hope of going over his head when Richard Nixon came to Vietnam on a visit.
Getting right to business, Lansdale said, "Mr. Vice President, we want to help General Thang make this the most honest election that's ever been held in Vietnam."
"Oh, sure, honest, yes, honest, that's right" -- Nixon was seating himself in an armchair next to Lansdale -- "so long as you win!" With the last words he did three things in quick succession: winked, drove his elbow hard into Lansdale's arm, and, in a return motion, slapped his own knee. My colleagues turned to stone.
Granted, this is all just Republican politicians talking. But what they had to say strongly suggests that rigging elections has been an accepted part of the game for both major parties.