Maddow: Tea Party group will use whites to question black voters

[flamingdem]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/08/28/maddow-tea-party-group-will-use-whites-to-question-black-voters/#.UD09XYFKaf4.facebook


On Monday night’s edition of “The Rachel Maddow Show,” host Rachel Maddow talked about the group True the Vote, and how that group is planning on posting white operatives in black voting precincts on election day to challenge those voters’ authenticity.

The fact that the Republican Party is using suppression of the black vote as part of its 2012 election strategy has become less and less of a secret over the last few months. A disgruntled Florida Republican admitted as much about his party’s aims, and Ohio election officials aren’t even trying to hide the fact that they want fewer African-Americans to vote.

In this climate, the existence of a group like True the Vote should hardly come as a surprise, and yet, the cynicism and naked racism of the group still manages to elicit feelings of surprise and disgust. It was formed in Houston, Texas, an outgrowth of the local Tea Party chapter. Dedicated to fighting the Republicans’ trumped-up “voter fraud” epidemic, the group sends white personnel to minority districts to approach voters at the polls and challenge their right to cast a ballot.

The group had its first test run in its home district of Houston in 2010. ”True the Vote appears to have targeted mostly black precincts, sending white challengers to stare down voting booths filled with black voters,” Maddow said. ”There were so many reports of an intimidating atmosphere in Houston that election that the Federal Justice Department sent observers in on election day.”

[gateley]

1. Shameful.

[flamingdem]

2. Election day is going to be epic

yikes! I don't live in a swing state but if so I'd poll watch for sure this year

[gateley]

3. Thankfully, our State is all mail-in-ballots which causes concern for those who have

moved and not notified the election board, but saves us from actions like this.

[gordianot]

4. Honestly if that were to happen to me I would make my vote then be arrested.

I do like the underdog would love to give the victim of voter intimidation a hand. I really wish I could have helped the CNN camera woman. Am old, retired, white, and cannot stand racist.

[Lucy Goosey]

5. Oh, but don't you dare call the Teabaggers racist!

How dare you! Anyone who calls the Tea Party racist is racist against white people!

[Brigid]

6. What standing do these people have to challenge anyone?

They are not the officials running the polling places. What is to prevent anyone from telling these clowns to just fuck off?