Challengers are go (Keith Olbermann)

[Jon8503]

• January 5, 2005 | 6:56 p.m. ET

Sick Bed, New York— Nothing is in writing and daybreak is a long way away, but it appeared all but certain in early evening Wednesday that House Democrats had secured the support of up to half a dozen Senators to formally challenge the Electoral College slate from Ohio, when the votes are opened before a joint session of Congress tomorrow.

Congressional sources tell this reporter that the house half of the written objection — which has the declared support of more than a dozen Representatives — is expected to be signed by Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio. Republican leadership expects the Senate signatory to be Barbara Boxer of California, but this has not yet been formalized. The Majority is also worried about the possible absence of many of its members in both houses, and the prospect that a quorum might not be achieved, leading the process into uncharted, albeit not very threatening, constitutional grounds. There is a mathematical, if not practical, chance that the ratification of the Electoral College vote could be delayed past tomorrow.

As it is, a written challenge would require the joint session to suspend for several hours, during which the Senate and the House would meet separately and debate the merits of the objection.

The ad hoc group formed by Representative John Conyers of Michigan has also today published its staff report, concluding that before, during, and after the election in Ohio, many state laws may have been broken, in every area ranging from the allocation of voting machines, election day "anomalies," and the recount. It recommended a formal Congressional inquiry, and additional legislation to reform voting laws.

E-mail: [e-mail]

[frankly_fedup2]

1. Finally! They also have a video that is made up of different . . .

incidents around the state on election day. Randi Rhodes said she saw it today and it made her sick to her stomach. Wonder when they are going to share it with everyone????

Let's see . . . it's 8:15 p.m. est. They better hurry and tell Bush or he won't find out until in the morning, and I hear he is not a morning person anyway.

Plus, it was noted today that he did not want to hear anymore bad news about Iraq. He only wanted to hear about the good things that are going on there. ?????

Since he does not read the newspapers, surf the Internets, or watch TV News . . . well, what does it matter now anyway. He is going to be legitimized AGAIN tomorrow, except by the Senate and the Congress, of not being voted into office due to the voter fraud in Ohio.

This guy has served one term and is starting a new one that, hopefully, will be a short term, and his legacy will be one of a man who was the President of the U.S. and was NEVER voted into office by the people. He brought with him an administration of shame with people who served under his father who should and will be tried for war crimes.

The future is looking brighter for this country. We have had a dark cloud over us since 2000 and the sun is starting to shine through again.

[Nothing Without Hope]

2. Wonderful news! I sent him an email just now

and here is the text:

Wonderful, wonderful news! Although it's only the beginning.

Thank you for it. I hope the excitement of it lifts your spiritsand that you are already feeling better.

Yes, of course it's going to be an uphill fight to get the truth out and get the country back on the path of law, but this step is significant. Although it will be almost certainly voted down, there won't be a repeat of that sad scene in Fahrenheit 9/11 when not a single senator stood. The door is open for a wider investigation into the election fraud and the voter suppression, and not just by the Congress.

Considering that there has only been 2 months since the election, I think it's remarkable that enough evidence has already been gathered and enough "important" people have been convinced by it that Rep. Conyers' group of representatives and "at least six" US Senators will stand and ask for investigation. This is especially so given that all three branches of government are controlled by the administration and the mainstream media have, for whatever reason, been virtually silent on this subject except to occasionally jocularly point out the nutty conspiracy theorists. (Whatever is going on with Madsen, he has not helped this and has turned many off the whole idea of taking the fraud seriously. And Bev Harris has not risen to the occasion either.) The story can't be invisible outside your work and the blogs now. Other responsible journalists will have justification to dig. The door is open at last. There is so much riding on how far the investigations can progress and what is done about their results.

I believe that representative democracy is hanging by a thread in this country. I cried when I read in your blog that senators would rise to join Conyers, because the fight to get the truth out and get the country back onto the path of law will be a bit easier for them doing so. And I cry very seldom.

(snip -- irrelevant short paragraph)

Never doubt that you are making a difference. I hope some of the other networks notice how your ratings have soared and consider reporting on this story seriously at last. Too bad for them they don't have you to do the reporting.

Best,
xxxxxxxxx
"Nothing Without Hope" on the Democratic Underground board