Seating Buchanan today was smart (even brilliant) politics, and strategically a good move for the Democratic leadership. It set the stage for the Democrats to do good things to change the way our elections are held. It gives the Democrats time to build a National consensus around election reform.
In my opinion, it was wrong. Seating another Republican candidate that did not win (I am 99% sure he lost), in an election with 18,000 missing votes, should not happen if the Democrats are to be any different than the Republicans. I may be a purist, but "never again" means "never again".
If the Democrats leverage seating Buchanan into fixing the 2008 elections, then all will be forgiven. They have only about 6 months to pass new rules and requirements to affect the 2008 election process. Meaningful election reform will be a huge challenge to accomplish. It will require the Democrats steady leadership and constant attention. Of course they need to fix FL-13 as well.
In case you missed this recent, and interesting, detail dairy.
ES&S vote machines skipped a step [FL-13] - promised at Election website, 1/1/2007
A great story on the process (what and why) the Democrats are using today.
FL-13: What's on tap for Jan. 4th. 12/31/2006
Yesterday the voters and Candidate appealed the Judges ruling against them (In case you missed).
Arguing that her challenge of the outcome of the Congressional District 13 race will be "crippled" if she cannot review voting machine computer codes and hardware, Democrat Christine Jennings on Wednesday asked a state appellate court to overturn a judge’s decision denying her access to that information. ...
She contends that the fact that 18,000 voters in Sarasota County went to the polls but didn’t cast a ballot in the race is an indication that the electronic touch-screen voting machines malfunctioned. ...
"Without that access, her ability to develop the facts and present her case will be crippled," Jennings’ appeal said. "And voters of Florida’s 13th District will be left with no explanation for what actually happened to 18,000 of their ballots."
Jennings has argued that if there was a smaller "undervote" in Sarasota County, she would have gained enough votes to beat Buchanan.
Sarasota Herald Tribune 1/4/2007
From Christine Jennings email yesterday.
This Thursday, my opponent will be sworn in as the representative for Florida's 13th District, in what I believe is an important, but temporary, measure to ensure that our district has representation in Washington while our challenge to the election results continues. But before that happens, Congressman Rush Holt of New Jersey will stand on the House floor and confirm for the record that this step will not in any way impede the important investigation we believe is critical to restoring the confidence every American voter should be able to have in our voting system.
From Sarasota Herald Tribune Editorial Today.
Judge fails to compromise
It was disappointing that the judge failed to strike a compromise giving Jennings a more meaningful role in the review. The ruling aggravated perceptions that the manufacturer's profits take precedence over voting rights. ...
Can those who approved the iVotronics be trusted to honestly appraise them? Jennings says no -- and it's a persuasive argument. The independence of state-chosen experts leaves something to be desired, and the Tallahassee elections office has a history of actions easily construed as partisan. Nevertheless, the audit plan is exhaustive. Presuming it faulty is no less biased than blind trust in touch-screens.
The battle over District 13 continues in court and in Congress, which seems unlikely to intervene. But Congress shouldn't miss the lesson inherent in this dispute: It's immensely difficult to prove that paperless touch-screen technology is accurate enough to inspire voters' trust. Without that trust, democracy loses -- no matter which candidate wins.
Sarasota County voters have abandoned paperless voting. Congress should ensure that other communities do the same.
Sarasota Herald Tribune Editorial
-- LINKS --
great link to vote counting news stories, updated daily
Voting news articles at VotersUnite.org
donate
Christine Jennings Recount Fund
Special Sarasota Herald Tribune Page, with Story and Background Links, Would Get my Vote for Pulitzer Prize
Special 13th Congressional Sarasota Herald Tribune Page
No compromise, sign the Move On Petition
Move On Petition: Congress must call for a re-vote in Florida
Stories, Diaries and Editorials
The Fight Continues for FL-13's Voters: We Filed Our Appeal 1/3/07
FL-13: Please Call Your Congresscritters Today 1/3/07
FL-13 Higher Elder Undervote Confirmed, and More 1/3/07
ANNOUNCEMENT ON CONTESTED FLORIDA ELECTIONS 1/3/07
ES&S vote machines skipped a step [FL-13] - promised at Election website, 1/1/2007
FL-13: What's on tap for Jan. 4th. 12/31/2006
FL-13, Fl Judge Issues Catch 22 Ruling, Sat 12/30/2006
FL-13, Jennings Has Gone Through Hell to Ensure Every Vote Was Counted, Thurs, 12/28/2006
FL-13, Why Has The MSM Ignored The FL-13 Story? Wed 12/27/2006
FL-13, Plea to Every Member of Congress: Read The Jennings Election Protest, Mon 12/25/2006
FL-13, Will A Single House Member Stand Up For 18,000 Voters? Sun 12/24/2006 Update
FL-13, "Nothing Off the Table" Nancy Pelosi, Sat 12/23/06
FL-13. CQ's 3 choices for Congress. Which do you want Congress to do? Fri 12/22/2006 Update
FL-13, Jennings Contests Election in U.S. House of Representatives, Th 12/21/2006 Update
FL-13: FL Republicans thinks problem is that voters were "blind, drunk or on drugs" 12/21/06
FL-13, Christine Jennings won by as much as 3,100 votes, Wed 12/20/2006 Update
Tune In: Christine Jennings (FL-13 recount) on Lou Dobbs Tonight 6PM 12/19/2006
FL-13 Monday 12/18/2006 Update
FL-13: Carl Hiassen lays the smackdown, Sun 12/17/2006
FL-13 Sat 12/16/2006 Update
FL-13 18,000 Missing Votes, Noon to 1 PM Daily Protest Idea
FL-13 Democrats Giving Up the Local Media War? Not fighting back?
Sarasota Diaries
FL-13: RALLY FOR A REVOTE LIVEBLOG
FL-13: Fireworks ahead
Jennings, Voters Describe Voting Machine Failures in Sarasota County
FL-13 Bumper Stickers? Keep The Issue Visible!
ACLU sees clear case for a revote in disputed District 13 election
Story quote for the Democrat: won by at many as 3,100 votes
if it hadn't been for the undervote in the only county she carried, Jennings would have won by 3,100 votes.
Call to Action from Bradenton Herald
Background Reports. Laws, Polls, & Document Links
1/3/07 Court Appeal
Full Text of Jennings "Notice of Contest" to Congress
Goofy Florida State Election "Test" of election equipment
Federal Contested Election Act
Only 3% of dKos readers want Congress to seat the Republican in Poll
11/3 (3 days before Election Day) Email by Sarasota Election Supervisor Admitting Problem
Florida Judges 12/29/2006 Ruling
Florida Courts Jurisdiction - Case Heard In Nov/Dec in Circuit Court
Link to All Circuit Court Documents - 2006 CA 002973: JENNINGS, CHRISTINE vs ELECTIONS CANVASSING COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF FL
Christine Jennings Links
Christine Jennings for Congress's diary
Christine Jennings for Congress web site
Other Links
Florida Democratic Party Web Page (FL-13 updates)
YouTube Videos
Lou Dobbs interview, meet the candidate and the case attorney, 12/19/06, 6+ minutes
ABC News Story, Great Background Info, 11/22/06, 2+ minutes
Sarasota ReVote Rally Set to a Wonderful & Catchy Voting Song by Ellen Bustel - 12/3/06, 4+ minutes
SARASOTA RECOUNT:Part 2-"Machines always count better..." - you get a feel for the persons involved, 8+ minutes
Sarasota Election Day Video shows anmolies on that day
This will be my last diary on FL-13 until events warrant an update.