Robert Kuttner (BG): The art of stealing elections

[Dudley_DUright]

The Republicans are out to steal the 2004 election -- before, during, and after Election Day. Before Election Day, they are employing such dirty tricks as improper purges of voter rolls, use of dummy registration groups that tear up Democratic registrations, and the suppression of Democratic efforts to sign up voters, especially blacks and students.

On Election Day, Republicans will attempt to intimidate minority voters by having poll watchers threaten criminal prosecution if something is technically amiss with their ID, and they will again use technical mishaps to partisan advantage.

But the most serious assault on democracy itself is likely to come after Election Day.

Here is a flat prediction: If neither candidate wins decisively, the Bush campaign will contrive enough court challenges in enough states so that we won't know the winner election night.

more...

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/10/20/the_art_of_stealing_elections/

[Catfight]

1. Then Bush is shoving democracy down the throats of the Middle East

in vain if he can't even protect our rights at home. He's a complete failure in my eyes if we can't have a clear winner like pre-911 days. I'm taking my country back and I demand a winner the eve of Nov 2nd! Any electoral college that withholds their votes should be excluded from the democratic process completely!

[Skittles]

2. those neocon bastards are not going to let go

they are not through with us yet

[Jack Rabbit]

3. This is something about which to be very concerned

Could you imagine having a unelected leader of America for not just four but eight years?

A second coup would be unacceptable.

[PATRICK]

4. The mission NOW

is to increase the inevitability factor that would discourage this attempt. Lat time they went in not knowing that the options would have to be used. This time they know that the theft will have to be large and cooperative and VISIBLE. Other losers like Nixon threatened such moves before and backed off. Frankly they were not prepared or supported for such moves.

I think these efforts will fall short to the very degree that Kerry advances and our passion and truth turn the high beams on NOW. The rallies for fairness and defections have begun already. I believe such fears, real enough in certain scenarios can simply collapse like the Iraq strategy or the Debate strategy. Beating back the Ohio SOS NOW is a clear sign. Wait until November 3rd? No way.

Don't give an inch and let them see it NOW. This is the real battle time of which Election day itself is but one focal point.

[teryang]

5. I won't make a national prediction- just florida

Because I followed the 2000 debacle closely and began looking at what is now referred to as BBV then, when it was proposed as a "cure" for the 2000 debacle.

It was apparent to me at that time that evoting would have to be stopped before it was adopted and that litigation strategies and expert proofs would have to be prepared a least two years before the 2004 election. Florida is already lost due solely to evoting. Someone posted Glenda Hoods rules for doing "recounts" in Florida elections. They are worthless. You can't do meaningful recounts with encrypted machines. This was posted on the Bell.com in 1999. No one did a damn thing about it. It's too late.

bohica. (bend over here it comes again)

[Laelth]

6. Of course nothing was done ...

Republicans controlled the White House and both houses of Congress for three years. Did we get a fair, standardized voting system? No. Why? Because the Republicans knew that they'd lose if everyone were allowed to vote.

We must have a Kerry landslide. Then, perhaps, President Kerry can do something about this threat to our democratic republic.

-Laelth