Jesse Jackson Sr: 2004 Election 'Ain't Over'
After listening to the hearings yesterday, I was struck by how Rev. Jackson statements on wholesale disenfranchisment of voters seemed to not be a radical, but commonsense view of this election. While cases by Bev Harris, Cinton Curtis and Jeff Fischer may hold some hope, I think that Rev Jackson has a much better case right now to make on systematic disenfranchised.
I also believe that these diaries further prove Rev. Jackson's case.
Major Tom on "Actionable Fraud" and More!
Cuyahoga County African American voting patterns
FROM SELMA TO PALM BEACH TO COLUMBUS
House Judiciary Hearings -- John Conyers Presiding
Testimony by the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
Today as we gather here, the worth of America's vote and the credibility of our democracy is being weighed in the balance. Why is the election in Ohio certified 34 days after the election? Why was there such a large exit poll gap in Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio? Why are the parallels between Ohio and Florida - pre-election problems, Election Day irregularities and post-election counting - so consistent?
We must not adjust to tyranny and gloat that imperfection in voting irregularities and suppression tactics are reasonable expectations. They are not. Too many world-changing events have hinged on one vote for us to be cavalier when thousands are systematically disenfranchised.
I am here today to make a moral appeal for a thorough investigation - including forensic computer analysis of the machines - in Ohio. To recount the vote in the face of so many irregularities and inconsistencies. And for those in charge to recuse themselves inasmuch as the judge or the referee in a battle must have a detached objectivity with the appearance of fairness. We must further change the law.
This system of 50 separate and unequal state elections must give way to the fulfillment of the American promise, which requires an amendment to the Constitutional affirming the individual right to vote, federally protected, and an even playing field for all Americans. The Electoral College should be abolished; it should not have the power to defy the popular will.
I am here today to speak up for those who we asked to stand in line for hours to vote, in precincts with incomplete poll lists, facing out-of-state shyster lawyers armed with caging lists, with non-auditable, privately owned voting machines without paper trails, hemmed in by arbitrary rules issued by partisan, biased and ambitious election officials.
Continued....
Other statements by Rev Jackson on Ohio Recount
"We can live with winning and losing," Jackson said at a rally at the Mt. Herman Baptist Church in Columbus. "We cannot live with fraud and stealing."
More....
In one of dozens of examples, Ellen Connally, an African-American Supreme Court candidate running an underfunded race at the bottom of the ticket, received over 257,000 more votes than Kerry in 37 counties. She ran better than Kerry in the areas of the state where she wasn't known and didn't campaign than she did where she was known and did campaign.
More.....
Jackson has demanded Blackwell recuse himself, saying "the owner of the team can't also be the referee." A broad-based legal team--now including Jackson's PUSH/Rainbow Coalition as Plaintiff--is preparing to file an election challenge asking the election results be overturned. Jackson says computer forensic experts must be given full access to electronic voting machines that have provided no paper trail, but which could be electronically analyzed from within. Jackson said he has spoken with Democratic candidate John Kerry, who indicated his support for the recount process.
More.....
Jackson said one of the most alarming things he's heard of was the presence of out-of-town Republican operatives in black neighborhoods, challenging the residency of voters. "They took the hoods off, and put the suits on," he said.
More....
"We need federal supervision of federal elections," said Jackson. "Right now we have 50 separate but unequal ways to vote. There can be no safe harbor for a flawed process that leaves people disenfranchised.
More....