Obama: The 'Real Voter Fraud' Comes From 'People Who Try To Deny Our Rights'

[Cali_Democrat]

Source: AP/The Huffington Post

President Barack Obama delivered a fiery speech against Republicans on Friday, charging that the GOP is threatening voting rights in America.

Appearing at Al Sharpton's National Action Network conference, Obama cited a 2006 DOJ analysis showing that out of 197,000,000 votes cast for federal elections between 2002 and 2005, only 40 voters were indicted for fraud.

"For those of you who are math majors, that is a percentage that is 0.00002 percent," Obama said, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Obama then pointed to who he considers to be the real perpetrators: the people behind these "bogus" claims.

"Let's be clear," Obama said. "The real voter fraud is people who try to deny our rights by making bogus arguments about voter fraud."

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/11/obama-voter-fraud_n_5135357.html

[calimary]

1. The worst thing about this is - you have to keep in mind that this is only where the bad guys

have STARTED. If they can make any of this stick, they'll go for more.

I'd say women beware - we're probably next as targets. Especially if there's the distinct possibility that many of us will be voting for a woman president. I think I read a little while ago that this was already underway in Texas.

[csziggy]

5. It hits women anywhere the new voter ID laws are

Because women don't just have to obtain their birth certificates. If they've ever been married and changed their names, they have to show their marriage certificate. If they were widowed or divorced and then remarried, they have to show all the documents to prove each step along the way.

Of course, the easiest route is to not change your name but so many women have been brainwashed to think they must, most women have. And if you chose to NOT change your name, it is an uphill battle.

I was married in 1977 and did not change my name. The first couple of years were a nightmare - the IRS automatically attached my husband's surname to my name and notified the Social Security Administration that I had changed my name. It took a lot of letters and a while before that was straightened out as the error propagated through the federal government. I STILL have problems with some things, and on legal documents most lawyers insist they must list "my" married name even though I NEVER used that name EVER.

And I STILL hassle any company whose representatives assume that I use my husband's name just because we have a civil union and a legal relationship. I am not Mrs. anything. I am Ms csziggy!

[calimary]

18. Wow - a sister! I was married in 1976 and didn't change my name, either.

My husband suggested it - saying he didn't think I should have to, because he didn't want to have to change his name if we got married. I liked that mentality and thought I should grab him! The first apartment we tried to rent after our honeymoon didn't want to rent to us. The woman (!) in the rental office couldn't accept that we were married. I had a different name, so she just couldn't get herself there. Even looking at our wedding rings.

I'm not a Mrs. anything either. I'm ME. Funny thing, though - because I was on the radio, MANY people simply assumed that my husband was Mr. ME, and addressed him as such. He thought that was hilarious! I have a VERY liberated man!

[riqster]

24. Great story of a great relationship.

My wife wanted to use my last name (for various reasons, her previous one has negative connotations), but did not want to be that conventional.

An inspirational story from family history provided another last name, so she crafted a unique last name for herself, using the two.

I told her "whatever name makes you happy".

[calimary]

28. Yeah, you sound like the type of man whose favorite lady would decide

"shit, I better grab this one before he gets away!"

That's how I felt, too. My husband was remarkably open-minded and liberated from the get-go, without any push or overt activism from me. He just volunteered that "I don't think you should have to change your name because I certainly don't want to change mine" observation a few minutes after he proposed. I FIERCELY appreciated that!!! I hadn't really thought about it seriously, up til then. But it made sense. We're still at it, together, now in Year 38.

At the time, though, I was already working on the air and developing a public identity, using MY name. And when I stopped and thought about it, I figured - if by any chance I made something of myself in broadcasting, then having his name as the family name for whatever children we might eventually have - it would give them all a little more privacy and separation from the crazy professional media world I inhabited.

My son appreciates that more than he even realizes, too. Not only did he grow up imprinting on a VERY liberated man, but he VERY MUCH likes that people don't automatically connect him and me by blood. We have different last names, so it's not an automatic go-to for many folks. He really hates having anybody know that the band manager also happens to be his MUTH-THERRRRRRR… (And don't call me "momager," either, dammit!!!!)

[riqster]

29. Actually, I was thinking "I better catch HER before SHE gets away".

Glad you can be involved in your son's artistic endeavors - when my boy passed, he was still at the "if my dad's band plays it, it must not be cool" stage when it came to music.

[yeoman6987]

27. Why not throw a picture on voter registration cards?

That seems like such an easy option. Have a camera with the voter registration table and be done. The parties pay for everything. Not like taking a bit of money from RNC and DNC is going to hurt. A billion plus for President is ridiculous anyway. Use that money for real good.

[MindMover]

2. All voting should be as simple as going to a computer and registering with proper ID's ...

but of course we know that will not happen anytime soon ....

[Cha]

3. The "Real Voter Fraud" Comes from republiCONS who have Nothing so

they try to Block the Democratic Votes.

Thanks Cali

[Half-Century Man]

4. I've always thought

Election days should be a national holiday.
Lets call it a National Obligation Holiday.
A paid holiday, conditional. Those person ineligible to vote for whatever reason should be paid. Those choosing to not vote, are not eligible for pay.
For those forced to work, double time and a mandate for time to vote during the day.
For those who vote in primaries, a day off and pay.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

23. In a lot of European countries, elections are held on Sunday, because most people have the day off

I believe this is also true for Australia and New Zealand as well.

[SunSeeker]

6. Yes indeed. We need to call the GOP traitors out!

[mpcamb]

10. It's nice to hear this stated in a national forum (FINALLY!) but it's so damn late.

... inviting the question, just what has the national Democratic Party done about it in the last several election cycles. And why haven't they raised a hue and cry about this issue. And what have they put in place to counter several-block-long lines in heavily Democratic areas while there are multiple unused voting machines in Republican districts.

[SunSeeker]

11. Obama set up a bipartisan commission to come up with solutions.

That Commission came out with its Report about 2 months ago:

Last month, the bipartisan Presidential Commission on Election Administration (co-chaired by the heads of both President Obama and Mitt Romney’s presidential campaigns) agreed on common-sense recommendations to improve elections, including ideas to expand early voting and modernize registration. Bipartisan leaders in Congress introduced a bill to strengthen the Voting Rights Act (revisions made necessary after the Supreme Court eviscerated one of its most powerful tools against discriminatory election practices). And, this month, Attorney General Eric Holder and Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky — unlikely bedfellows in almost any policy debate — each spoke out in favor of restoring voting rights to people with past criminal convictions.

https://www.brennancenter.org/analysis/good-news-voting-rights-despite-ohio

But no legislation is going to get out of the teabilly House. So all we have left is to shine a light on the cockroaches. And that is what Obama is doing.

[mpcamb]

12. There's a Jerry Jeff Walker song called 'Pissin' in the Wind'. This Commission sounds like the

embodiment of that notion.

[SunSeeker]

15. He got Romney's guy to say we need more early voting , etc.

It has now been established, by both Dems and GOP, that we need more resources for voters, and what resources are needed.

It's not pissing into the wind. No piss blew on Obama, just the GOP.

And on top of that, Eric Holder's Justice Department folks have scored a lot of victories challenging voter suppression efforts in court. That is why the right hates Holder so much.

What do you think can be done at this point that Obama is not doing?

[mpcamb]

16. You're right. It's sounds great and bipartisan.

My concern, and the notion behind my comment, has to do with the sincerity of the R's. Essentially there's nothing in it for them. There are fewer and fewer people who benefit from their policies. Keeping the numbers down and buying legislatures works and not much else would, especially when it gets down to raw numbers of voters. They need voter suppression and agreeing in principle looks like window dressing to me and nothing more. We'll see how it turns out.

The other part is the timing though. I remember the suppression in Florida when Bush got "elected" in 2000. Cops on horses scaring the hell out of people in endless lines in Tallahassee. Phony challenges, faulty machines, scrubbing voter lists.
It's been the primary source of the R's keeping control of state, local and national offices since.
My problem is that the Democrats have been weak, slow and ineffective in what should have been the central issue of the last decade and a third.

[SunSeeker]

17. So what can Obama do that he isn't doing now? nt

[mpcamb]

21. Back to my first comment-

I'm not looking for an argument here.
But to me it's about the timing.
I know that some people see Holder as a guy on our team, but, getting back to an earlier metaphor, I see pissed away opportunities to use the J Department to tackle the issue of voter disenfranchizement.
Instead, it seems to me that an enormous amount of money energy went into chasing marijuana "criminals". There were blatant international law breaches by the previous administration, but some kind of gutless non-pursuit ensued.

I'm not making this about Obama now. I'm talking about my disappointment, displeasure and regret that FINALLY at this late, late hour, they're getting around to these issues and priorities.

[kimbutgar]

7. We need to take these legislatures hostage

Surround the buildings and refuse to leave or let legislatures leave until they strike down these anti American voting rights laws they put in. Don't let them leave until they let the people vote. There are more if us then them. Appeal to the police to not arrest the people because they are voting for their first amendment rights and voting rights. Police unions could be attacked in the future if these rethugs gain more power. Appeal to them that way.

[Faygo Kid]

8. Damn right, and the Supreme Court is going to OK disenfranchisement

Oh, they've already done that? Of course. It will get worse, as the five justices do all in their power to transfer control of this nation to the Kochs.

[WillyT]

9. K & R !!!

[JEFF9K]

13. ELECTION FRAUD is what we should be concerned with ...

... and the biggest criminals are those who trick millions into voting against their own interests - Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Fox News, ...

[riqster]

25. Look into who owns the voting apparatus.

Repubs.

[on point]

14. Finally a hint of spine

[LuckyLib]

19. Thank you, Mr. President! Finally! Let's call this out non-stop on the way to the 2016 election.

And name each and every state and the $$$$$ they are spending to propagate such nonsense.

[nxylas]

20. Bbbut dead voters in Chicago in 1960!

A crime so heinous that justice can only be restored by allowing Republicans to steal every election from now until the end of time.

[Ash_F]

22. Boom.

Where were you 6 years ago?

[riqster]

26. We can (and should) ask that question of all our elected officials.

[merrily]

30. Our right to vote is fundamental.

So is making our votes matter.

One is much harder to enforce than the other.

[DiverDave]

31. So where are the changes? Oh, right they will never come

Spend some time talking about it, do nothing.
Wow, am I PUMPED