NYT editorial: Will Blackwell disqualify Strickland, declare himself Gov.?

[DeepModem Mom]

Editorial
And the Winner Is ... Me
Published: October 17, 2006

Voters in Ohio can be forgiven if they feel they have been beamed out of the Midwest and dropped into a third-world autocracy. The latest news from the state’s governor’s race is that the Republican nominee, Kenneth Blackwell, who is also the Ohio secretary of state, could rule that his opponent is ineligible to run because of a technicality. We’d like to think that his office would not ultimately do that, or that if it did, such a ruling would not be allowed to stand. But the mere fact that an elected official and political candidate has the authority to toss his opponent out of a race is further evidence of a serious flaw in our democracy.

Ted Strickland, the Democratic nominee, is leading Mr. Blackwell by as much as 28 points, according to one recent poll. In their panic, some Blackwell supporters have hit on the idea of trying to prevent the election from occurring. One of them filed a complaint alleging that Mr. Strickland, who is a member of Congress, does not live in the apartment where he is registered to vote. Mr. Strickland owns a condominium in another part of Ohio, and the complaint alleges that he actually lives there. If Mr. Strickland was not a qualified voter, he would be prohibited from running for governor.

The complaint itself is without merit. No one disputes that Mr. Strickland lives in Ohio, or that he is registered. The only issue is which of his two homes he chose to register from, and the law gives voters with multiple homes broad discretion in choosing among them.

What is more interesting, and troubling, is the way the complaint is proceeding. The county board that heard it broke down 2 to 2, on party lines, about whether to hold a hearing. In the case of a tie vote at the county level, complaints like these get forwarded to the secretary of state’s office to be resolved. Mr. Blackwell says he has designated his assistant secretary to handle duties that could conflict with his candidacy. But passing these matters on to a subordinate who is a political ally and owes his job to the candidate hardly removes the conflict....In 2004, Mr. Blackwell chose to become co-chairman of President Bush’s Ohio campaign, and then issued rulings that helped the campaign. Now we have the even more bizarre prospect of Mr. Blackwell, or his deputy, potentially participating in the baseless disqualification of his opponent....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/opinion/17tues1.html

[Erika]

1. The Republicans are in total panic mode

Desperation for desperate folks.

[Cha]

74. If the repukes give in to their Power

Grab at any cost then we will see that "revolution".

[SharonAnn]

2. Hmmm, the "fix is in". Apparently the lead is too big for electronic

voting machines to cover up with any credibility.

And voter suppression won't be enough either.

So, the next step is to try to prevent the oppenent from being in the election.

Bet * is wondering "why didn't I think of that?"

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. That's seriously fucked up.

I wouldn't put it past a Republican to set himself up in power, either; especially by applying the most minute of "rule of law", even while all the time saying that Foley, Hastert, Ney, et. al. have done "nothing wrong that merits punishment", or that Cheney buying a house in Wyoming right about the day he declared his Vice Presidency was "perfectly normal, something he was gonna do anyway, and besides, didn't Hillary fire the travel department?"

Will be interesting to see what happens.

[CatWoman]

4. I feel sick in the pit of my stomach

:-(

[samplegirl]

127. I'm right with you

The power is moving so quickly with the Bush Administration we
won't even be voting by 2008.

[Doctor_J]

102. It's a done deal

They've gotten progressively more audacious in their contempt for democracy since 2000. they keep getting away with more and more anti-American things like this. BY 2008 there won't be any elections.

[EFerrari]

5. Is Blackwell looking to start a civil uprising in Ohio?

Because this is the way to do it.

[liberalhistorian]

12. Ohioans won't give a shit. Believe me, I was a lifelong

Ohioan until last summer and I know that far too many of the state just won't care, or will believe the repuke spin and propaganda.

[snowbear]

18. Well.. even a few Ohioans don't care...

The rest of the nation would question how Blackwell could be down by such an incredibly large amount and still come out the winner.

We're talking the birthplace of Diebold.

It would be TOO suspicious given that Ohio is being watched so closely right now.

Guess we'll know what they try (or don't try) soon enough?

[civildisoBDence]

64. Even if Blackheart pulls this off, would he be subject to a RECALL?

Come to think of it, is DUHbya subject to a recall election?

Great toon, btw...

Newsprism

[Doctor_J]

99. If there were enough energy for a recall, Whitewell would already

be in prison for disenfrachising 100,000 voters 2 years ago.

[tblue]

132. This, ladies & gentleman, is the textbook definition of an Uncle Tom

:grr:

:thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

[SallyMander]

66. I can tell you that here in Columbus

shit would hit the FAN. I am a volunteer with the League of Young Voters, and we have been collaborating with many other local groups... there is a large contingent of folks here who have HAD IT and are willing to face jail time to prove it!!!

Speaking of which, if there are any other Columbus folks reading this... we are having a BYOB (Bring Your Own Ballot) early voting party, this Sunday (Oct 22, 1-4pm) at the Goodale Park shelter house. Everyone is welcome, even if you don't have your ballot yet! (Is there an events forum on DU i could put this on??)

Thanks! Love to all you smart "asses"!!

[Doctor_J]

100. Yeah, right. Just like it did in 2004

:eyes:

[SallyMander]

106. wow, you're a ray of sunshine

[liberalhistorian]

114. Sorry, but that's justified-

the more Ohioans learned of the shenanigans that went on in '04, especially in the poorer, urban (democratic) areas, the less they seemed to give a shit. There was one big yawn, and a who cares, it's over with, just move on, we don't wanna hear anything more about it attitude. The newspapers didn't give a shit, either. Ohioans have asked for this shit and voted for these idiots, especially Blackwell, over and over; I'm damn glad I'm out of the state and I'm done with it. They made their fucking bed, let them lie in it.

[samplegirl]

144. Hey this is bullshit

we voted here in Trumbull county for Kerry 2 to 1 so don't single
us all out as we get what we deserve.
This kind of talk is EXACTLY what is diving this country. I'm
glad you were fortunate enough to be able to leave here.
We are the United States and doing this divide and conquer
thing plays right into Karl Roves hands.
There are good democrats in all 50 states I happen to be one of them.

A proud Blue Buckeye

[Divine Discontent]

139. hello

I would just like to say this peace loving DU'er would willing face jail time for standing up for my country's democratic process, which I believe is threatened, and there is no question that the DEMS have the polls backing them heavily for sweeping the house of reps, and possibly the senate, if the thugs win both, I will sacrifice hundreds of dollars to march wherever top democracy leaders suggest is the best place to go to protest a corrupt govt...

I want to say to the guy/gal that said, "oh yeah, just like in 2004", if you're going to be so caustic about what SallyMander said, then you better be in the streets if we lose the house when it looks so obv. that we're gonna pick up at least 20 seats.

[NavyDavy]

134. well....i think u are wrong about that...I definitly will and all

the people I know will....I will back there in a couple of days to make sure they do...

[samplegirl]

141. I have to disagree

because the majority of Ohio voted for Kerry. I think the people
in Ohio care very much but the republican base will stop at nothing to cheat. Dibold was not our friend.

[femrap]

85. This would put people in the streets.....Strickland

has a solid following of all kinds of people....across the spectrum.

Just let Blackwell try to get rid of Strickland.

BTW, Blackwell held an afternoon rally last Saturday in Newark, Ohio....a town known for loving * and having a good amount of 'goofy nuts.' I checked it out...maybe 50 people showed up. And it was a sunny day at 2:30 in the afternoon. Blackwell has no support whatsoever. I've seen maybe 3 yard signs and 4 bumper stickers.

[Doctor_J]

103. Yeah, sure it would

Just like Theft 2004 put them in the streets. Ohio is becoming as lethargic and backward as Mississippi. This won't get anyone off the couch.

[Divine Discontent]

142. will you be in the streets

if the repubs "win" the house? that's my question for you. I will be, and I'll take photos of it if it were to occur, which I hope it won't. You sound horribly down about everyone's lack of resolve, I just hope when the time comes, you'll be there with the attitude about all this you seem to share. peace...

[liberalhistorian]

115. That was in Newark? Wow, that's where my mom

and her family are from and that's repuke central. That really is a surprise!

[west5548]

130. Haven't seen many either

I see a lot of Strickland bumper stickers and yard signs, but very little in the way of Blackwell signs. I see Blackwell signs on public property along roadways (near the ditch, where he belongs), but not in people's yards. The Strickland signs I see are in front of people's homes. All twelve people in my department at work are voting for Strickland, they don't like Blackwell one bit, they conclude he's one scary individual.

[Divine Discontent]

140. and I'm sure that ANNOYING

big SUV was there with that guy & lady that drive it up & down 16 every day with blackwell signs in it! You sure pegged "nerk"

[KTinOhio]

149. Two years ago...

...John Kerry drew a large crowd for his appearance at the Licking County Courthouse.

[aquart]

6. Damned scary when the NYT thinks they have to mention it.

[Buzz Clik]

7. Somewhat similar to Katherine Harris presiding over the 2000 Fla recount

[brg5001]

41. Katherine Harris and Ken Blackwell are criminals

During a recent trip to West Palm Beach, Howard Dean referred to Ms. Harris as a criminal. Whether charged with a crime or not, she committed one by holding a conflicting role as Secretary of State (Florida's chief elections officeer) while serving as head of Bu$hCo's 2000 Florida Campaign. Like the dual roles of Blackwell, such behavior is on its face a violation of the oath of office. Normally, we might expect a state's Attorney General or Legislature to investigate such obvious breaches of public trust, however, as Mike Meyers put it in Wayne's World, I might also expect monkeys to fly out of my butt. Towering figures of Morality, Virtue and Godlike Hair (like Ms. Harris) are above reproach when it comes to political matters. No investigation is needed as substitute Messiahs approved by Bu$hco are installed and re-animated for public consumption. Now let's all hold hands and sing "What a Friend We Have in CapCities/ABC" after which Cheney shall lead us in today's sermon, lovingly entitled, "F*&^ You"! Mr. Blackwell will then lead the choir in "Just a Closer Walk with Diebold" and following our Special Music, dinner will be served consisting of roast pork with pork fritters, pork rinds, and pork 'n beans under a no-bid contract with Kellogg, Brown and Root (a subsidiary of Halliburton).

[The Wizard]

52. How about

Blackwell leading the GOP orchestra in "Nearer my God to Thee." DU could deliver the extra ice he ordered with his drink he got from the Herman Goering survival kit.

[brg5001]

58. Alberto Gonzales can demonstrate the new Terror interrogation techniques

for all of the Sunday School classes! We'll learn that when defending God's people, a few fraternity hijinks can bring out the truth that sets us free. Of course, it's "unfortunate" that innocent bystanders might have been swept up in raids, but we're at war now, so Bu$hco has temporarily banned all appeals. It's ultimately for their own salvation, after all.

[marmar]

8. With somebody like Blackwell making the decision...

I wouldn't be surprised. Even Bush called him "a nut," according to Bob Woodward.
Michiganians often poke fun at our neighbors to the south, but I really feel sorry for Ohioans. They've got some real nutcases to deal with.

[liberalhistorian]

14. Yes, nutcases that they continually

vote for, even knowing that they're nutcases. Believe me, I lived in the state nearly forty years and I know Ohioans. My mother's family in Columbus are all staunch wingnuts who were convinced that both Gore and Kerry tried to steal the 2000 election from Jesus W. Bush, and there are more than enough of those in Ohio. You know it's bad when I find that South Dakota is a marked improvement, even with the abortion ban (which I think will be voted down next month).

[williesgirl]

9. How late can he wait to decide? Get the lawyers ready! recommended

[KansDem]

55. Hmmm, I wonder if he can wait until AFTER the election...

See how the election goes, then declare his opponent uneligible...

[liberalhistorian]

10. As a lifelong Ohioan who finally

got the fuck out of that (going down, down, DOWN) state last summer by moving to SD, I have to say that this just shows what many Ohio Dems have known about Blackwell and the state repigs all along; we'd tried endlessly to get our fellow citizens to see what they were really like and what was happening, to no avail. We may as well have been beating our heads against a brick wall.

As bad as Taft was for the past eight years, Blackwell would be a hundred times worse. Whereas Taft never really DID anything, just coasted on the laurels of his family name and history, Blackwell has already damaged the state and has some really radical, reactionary ideas he'd try to immediately implement. His getting his hands on the governor's mansion would be the final nail in a once-great state's coffin and I, for one, am glad that I will not be around to see and experience it first-hand, as I don't ever intend to return to Ohio, much as I miss my family and friends.

But you know what? Ohio has asked for this. They've continued to vote in the very repigs that have been running the state straight into the ground these past twelve or so years, including (and especially) Blackwell, and they are the ones who voted for Blackwell in the puke primary. I'm done feeling sorry for them; they've made their goddamn bed, let them lie in it. We tried for years to get across just how dangerous Blackwell and the state pukes were, to no avail.

[Berry Cool]

17. Excuse me? I live in Ohio, I voted in 2004

and no one asked me if I wanted this. I don't.

I'm sick of people smugly blaming Ohio voters for electing these pigs when so many people have worked so hard to point out the level of election fraud that exists in this state. How can you believe we willingly elect these people when we have no proof whatsoever that our vote even counts?

[liberalhistorian]

21. Because I know far too many Ohioans,

especially central and Southern Ohioans where my mom and her family are from, who were and are totally clueless and continue to blindly vote these fuckers into office. The majority of the voting fraud occurred in Northeast (where I'm from) and Northwest Ohio, which just happen to be the most liberal parts of the state. Believe me, I'm well aware of all of the shenanigans that went down there, with a large part of the thanks going to Blackwell.

But the central and southern parts of the state are far more conservative, and the media is quite conservative right along with it. And I know far too many people from that area, and even in my own, NE Ohio, who cluelessly and blindly vote repig, then turn around and bitch when things go sour.

[WCGreen]

25. The Northwestern part of the state is big time conservative...

The only places in the state that are reliably democrat are Cuyahoga, Mahoning, Summit, Lorain, and Lucas counties...

A lot of other counties can swing either way, but all those little counties out over in northwestern Ohio send freepers like Damschroeder to Columbus...

[Epiphany4z]

35. PORTAGE

county does pretty well by the Dems...woot woot

[Andrea]

49. You are right about those counties, but you left out Franklin

Every city office in Columbus, including all members of city council are Democrats. The Democratic presidential candidate won in Franklin County for at least the last 5 presidential elections.

[proud_Kucitizen]

68. you also forgot Montgomery County

I used to live there and even the suburbs around Dayton are liberal. You won't find that in many Franklin County suburbs where I now live though I know there are worse counties especially near Cincinnati. I do miss living in Dayton though.

[Andrea]

69. Good point

Montgomery county is very liberal. Although the suburbs around Columbus are more right wing, for the most part they fall into other counties. As far as those that are in or partly in Franklin, they are coming around. 2 out of 3 Franklin County Commissioners are Democrats, Worthington has a huge and very active Democratic organization, Upper Arlington had a big group in 2004 called "UA for Kerry".

[KTinOhio]

151. Franklin County...

...is getting bluer every year. Al Gore carried the county by 4,000 votes; John Kerry carried it by nearly 50,000.

Athens County, home of the liberal bastion of Ohio Univesity, is also reliably blue.

[Andrea]

47. For a historian, you sure are falling for anecdotal evidence

Just because the sample of people you know and are related to happen to be a bunch of stupid bushbots doesn't mean that extrapolates out to the rest of the population AT ALL.

If this state was full of reliably repig voters, how do you explain the current polling OR the exit polling in 2004? As BerryBush pointed out to you the 2004 election was STOLEN. Strickland is up by over 20 points currently. Brown is up by a smaller margin, but by enough that the RNC has conceded Ohio's senate race. Dems are ahead in all of the statewide office races except one (attorney general, where the R candidate has held that office previously and has huge name recognition throughout the state).

I think that the approximately 700 people that I personally have canvassed(working for MoveOn and the Dem Party)here in Columbus over the last 3 election cycles form a much larger sample than your mother's family. I'm positive that the collective samples of all the statewide polling represent an incredibly larger sample than your mother's family.

Please stop using a tiny non-random sample to condemn my entire state. Look at the polling - you are wrong.

[liberalhistorian]

117. I am NOT just talking about my mom's family!

Not at all. I'm talking about the hundreds of Ohioans I've known and talked to through the years, not just family and friends. And believe me, most of my jobs involved substantial public contact with large numbers of people.

As for the current polls, I am very, very happy to see that and I'm thrilled at the thought of Sherrod Brown being a senator; I've been a fan of his since he was the Secretary of State. And Strickland will make a great governor. However, I think the coming awakening should have happened years ago, it's almost too late in some respects.

[Andrea]

124. Well, I'm glad you are acknowledging the current polls, but

You are ignoring the 2004 polls. And seriously, even if you know a lot of people, that is a non-random tiny sample compared to what comes out in the formal polls. I know a lot of people, too, and living in the center of Big Blue Columbus, about 75% are Dems, but that doesn't make me think the whole state is 75% Dem. It's just my experience. To get a true picture, I have to look at the info the pros come out with. And to allow for each poll's individual biases, I have to look at a wide selection of polls. True, I wish that a lot of the people that are awakening now would have been conscious years ago, but don't condemn all Ohians. We elected Kerry - it was stolen.

[Divine Discontent]

143. your subject line says it ALL n/t

[Andrea]

148. Thanks! I knew I couldn't be the only one with some

rudimentary knowledge of statistics.

[samplegirl]

145. Looks like South Dakota

Is getting a Repuke Governor guess you get exactly what you deserve.

[liberalhistorian]

150. With the exception of signing the abortion ban

(a huge exception, I know, but I think he knew that it will likely be voted down next month), Rounds is actually much better than you would think for a 'pub. He's more moderate and works with the Dems on a lot of issues. He even proposed an increase in the state's minimum wage and tried hard to get the more strident, extremist members of his party to go along with it. He often tries to temper the extremists. I'd certainly rather have him than any of the repub losers and do-nothings that have served in the OH guv's mansion for the past fifteen years.

[samplegirl]

152. A republican is a republican

No matter which state.

[liberalhistorian]

155. True enough, but some are far more bearable

than others. And at least I have a Dem senator and my congress critter is a Dem, which is more than I could say when I was in Ohio.

[Divine Discontent]

157. NOT ALL REPUBS ARE THE SAME --- that is true

I would much rather have Hagel, Specter, and Warner in there than Coburn, Santorum, and Mel Martinez!!!

[HughBeaumont]

30. The very areas LH is talking about . ..

are the ones MAKING these elections close enough to steal.

I mean, RURALS! How far are those "values" and "morals" (all bullshit, but there's no convincing THEM of that because they think "all liberals are latte-sippin', hoity-toity queers") and that cross getting you when you have no job, can't feed your families and cannot progress?

It's not so much that a lot of them LIKE Republicans, it's just that they really, REALLY hate Democrats. The less educated a region is, the easier it is to manipulate them.

[Bill McBlueState]

48. lay off the broad brush

Some rural Ohioans probably fit your stereotype.

But the reason you have such a successful Democratic candidate for governor is that the RURAL voters of Ohio's sixth district have sent Ted Strickland to Congress for years. Without the support of rural Ohioans, Strickland would be just another prison psychologist, and you'd probably be running the husband of a Star Trek captain again.

[HughBeaumont]

81. Those same rurals supported Dubya TWICE hand over fist,

As well as Taft TWICE, and our two current senaturds DeWine and Voinovich. So please spare me how they're "oh so noble" and trying SO hard to gain a conscience now that it's practically too late.

And why is it that when ANYone comments on counties, you always have someone out there . . "STOP the broadbrushing"? FACTS ARE FACTS. 15 damned Ohio counties out of 99 went blue. Oh my God . .. we KNOW there are Dems that live in these areas. My condolences. It doesn't change the fact that the majority of voting Ohioans, especially in the rural counties need to wake the hell up. Many of these areas that went red are the ones most affected by Repuke anti-poor and anti-middle class economics.

Also, what does it say about Ohio's hopes when you can only name one Dem candidate that isn't affected by the hatred and partisanship that plagues this state? One diamond doesn't excuse 10 straight years of choosing the worst Repuke liquid manure. They MADE the 2004 election close enough to take because of fear, hatred and overall stupidity.

[dennis00]

112. 99 counties?

Where'd the other 10 come from? There were 88 counties in Ohio last time I counted.

[HughBeaumont]

113. OMG, gross error on my part.

[femrap]

87. In my canvassing in a fairly rural county, Licking....

I've noticed that the repugnant-leaning folks are so much less emboldened...I think they realize that they have been HAD! My canvassing schpiel is: After 16 years of one-party Republican rule, Ohio is now #1 in Job Loss, #1 in Bankruptcies, #1 in Foreclosures, and #1 in Mortgage Delinquencies. Thankfully we have Alabama and Mississippi who are keeping us from the absolute bottom of the nation. (No offense to residents of those states.)

It strikes a cord. They all seem rather angry...and I think it is with themselves....because they believed the LIES!

But I still come back to: Blackwell counts the votes. And that is what worries me.

[HughBeaumont]

91. All too familiar . .

It's the same way here. I live in a conservative pocket of the Cleveland metro area (surprisingly, a town that BARELY went for Kerry in 04). Not really seeing any pro-Repuke signs out like I did in 2004. Not very many Blackwell signs unless at an ultra-rich house. When you ask these same people in my area WHY they're Repuke, they'll now tell you two reasons:

1) I just AM and that's that (angrily).
2) They're ALL crooks. What's the difference? (cop-out)

Blackwell can count all he wants. We'll be watching this time.

[liberalhistorian]

118. Hugh, where are you in Cleveland?

I'm from Painesville, that's where my parents and son still live (I moved to SD last summer to take a job, since there sure as hell ain't any in OH, let alone Cleveland). It sure says a lot when the economy and job market are much better in South Dakota than Ohio!

My mom wants me to come back now that the grant-funded job has ended, but there are just no fucking jobs there at all and I am NOT spending months looking for one, broke and frustrated, with the only calls coming from debt collectrolls after sending out tons of resumes and applications. I'm just not. It's MUCH better here. With the exception of my family and friends, I don't miss Ohio at all.

[HughBeaumont]

126. Avon Lake.

It's ridiculous. Avon Lake is a mixed bag of nouveau riche, middle class and working class. It's more middle class than wealthy in general, but it's surprising how conservative in general EVERYone is. They're not even Eisenhower conservatives, they're the exasperating dyed-in-the-wool Reagan Democrat leftovers who believe everything Brian Kilmeade and David Asman tell them.

Perfect example of what you're talking about - my neighbor. Unemployed from some industrial managerial position after working there for 22 years. Still a straight DOMA-favoring, free-trader Repuke. Unbelieveable.

And yes, Ohio's economy DOES suck, which makes these people's choices all the more frightening. My sister has been in the Maryland/DC area for years. Yes, she's paying through the nose on everything, but she wouldn't even make CLOSE to the money or have any sort of opportunity in even Northeast Ohio, let alone the rest of the state.

Business people are just not going to invest in a state where nobody cares about or takes a stake in their well being or display "stuck in the Reagan 80s" behavior. That's something duh-HIGH-ah's leaders don't seem to understand. You elect Crackwell as governor, you may as well forget any new businesses coming here. Who the hell wants to be associated with a state that has a bag-of-hammers whack-job running it?

[femrap]

146. After I read John Dean's latest book,

Conservatives Without Conscience, I understand that 20 to 25% of the population is going to be unthinkingly authoritarian....they need someone to tell them what to do...as a result, they are fundamentalists and repugnant. So it's up to the other 70 to 75% of the population to make sure they don't get control.

That book explained alot to me.

[DUBYASCREWEDUS]

46. I agree with you.

I, too, am I lifelong Ohioan and I DID NOT VOTE for these thieves. I know the 2000 and 2002 and 2004 elections were all stolen. I for one will not sit by and let that criminally insane Blackwell steal this election. There will be an uprising in Ohio like Mr. Blackwell has never seen before.

[Andrea]

50. You are right

About those elections being stolen AND about the uprising. No one is going to believe any false numbers that Blackwell tries to put up this year.

[HughBeaumont]

82. I'll SPRINT down to the state house should he steal . . .

I will NOT live in a state under that fucker's governance. CrackWell would make Do-Nothing Taft look like a Rhodes Scholar. The damage he would do to this state would be unparalleled.

[Orangepeel]

77. As a Floridian, I feel your pain.

I don't quite understand why people think that the people of a state that votes blue but has the election stolen is somehow more responsible for the condition of the country than the people of a state that willfully voted the bastards in (like Utah, or, say, South Dakota).

[Andrea]

125. Thank you, Orangepeel!

Well spoken.

[robinlynne]

78. I was about to say the same thing. absolutely right!

haven't you all seen the videos from ohio 2004?

[Doctor_J]

95. Yes, and it's two years later, and guess what

another election or five will be stolen next month.

[FighttheFuture]

93. The sad fact there are too many stupid people in this country!

Sure, Ohio may have been stolen, but was it always so? Can you say their aren't Repuke strongholds even now?

You do not seem like one of the stupid ones, but they are all about. Anyone who votes republican today are aiding and abetting criminals who are destroying our society; whether by omission or commission. There are no two ways about it. Criminals, and enablers.

I'm getting tired or arguing with these assholes waiting for reality to set in when all that will be left is a smoldering ruin. If we have to start going to the streets, start up a shadow government, ala Mexico, then so be it!! This country called America has little time left....

[Pacifist Patriot]

105. I know how you feel.

I've voted in Florida since 1996.

[samplegirl]

133. As a fellow outraged Ohioan

heres the proof.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/11717105/robert_f_kennedy_jr__will_the_next_election_be_hacked

[Warpy]

11. K&R

Just when you think Blackwell can't possibly get any more viciously corrupt---HE DOES!

It's almost enough to make me forget my pacifism. Glad I don't live there.

[Bob3]

13. I would put nothing past this clown.

In his previous actions, He's already shown contempt for elective democracy, I have little doubt that he try to use this to make himself the winner. Hell he'll probably say it was a miracle worked by God to foil the atheist Democrats and their allies teh gay. He's a stone fundy wack job.

[liberalhistorian]

16. That's for sure; his wife is or was the superintendent of

the Cincinnati school district and they both believe strongly in the privatization of public education, preferably with a strong theocratic bent. All he does now is rant against gays, as if that's the state's worst problem. Actually, HE and his repig cronies are the state's worst problems.

[dave502d]

15. If he dose can they do a recall?

[FogerRox]

19. The complaint must be 64 days before the Primary

ITs way after th Primary soooooooooo the comlaint is null & Void. Seems the NYT don't do much research.

[Renew Deal]

24. But do you know if the rest of that actually happend?

Is this in progress? Was it recommended anyway?

[WCGreen]

26. They kicked it up to the SOS....

That is the way the electoral law is structured in Ohio....

Each county is autonomous and has two Dem's and two repubs on the board...

In the case of a tie, it goes to the SOS...

I blame the two repub's sitting on that board for giving this ludicrous charge any credibility at all...

[FogerRox]

136. Strickland has been voting at the same address for years.

[The Wizard]

88. Astute observation Foger

Are you an Ohio lawyer?
NYT research is confined to Curve Ball supplying disgraced reporter Judith Miller with bullshit.
Blackwell to Gitmo for subverting elections and working for America's demise.

[FogerRox]

138. "Are you an Ohio lawyer"? no, but I play one on TV..... lol

No, but this was disscused in the election reform forum previously, where folks actually keep track of such things as Ohio election law.

[Imagevision]

20. Blackwell is scum like Foley and must be voted out of office!

[Brundle_Fly]

22. if this gets any press

or they actually try this, the conflict is too huge to not ignore, it'll either be deemed unlawful by the courts, or completely derail another 15% of Blackwell's already measly numbers.

This can't hurt either way me thinks.

[McCamy Taylor]

23. Huh? Strickland is a member of Congress. How can he not have residence?

[htuttle]

32. They're questioning his voter registration, not his residency

As I understand it, he owns two homes in Ohio. He's registered to vote using one of those addresses. The Republican'ts are alleging that he actually spends more time at the other one, which is also in Ohio. Thus, they are trying to say he doesn't have a valid voter registration, and therefore can't run for office.

[liam_laddie]

51. My most recent understanding of the situation...

is that Ted may not be able to vote from one or the other address. I believe he's
registered in Columbiana County. So he could vote there The rethugs are trying to
make a case that his Columbus condo is his primary residence and/or pays taxes
from that address. Some real estate tax advantage or rebate or something from the
City of Columbus. Hell, I know people who pay taxes from their accountants' offices.

It seems to revolve around definitions of primary residence or permanent address, etc.
Not unlike college students when on campus, away from home, etc. I don't sense that
the Stricklands are concerned. BTW, FUCK "Kenny Boy" Blackwell AND his whacko
Mrs., Rosa...
On edit - Congresspeople need not even live in the district they represent.

[melissinha]

90. he only owns the condo, not two homes

The point is that he is getting Homestead Rollback on the Condo that is out of his congressional district, whereas his voter registration is in his district. They are contending that stating the condo is his residence is "primary residence" to get tax roll-back is in conflict with his rented apartment where he votes....

It really is a tough one. I have racked my brain for the rules regardin residence in both voter registration and tax status and he really is on the line.... it makes me so sick.

[babylonsister]

27. I really don't see that happening. Too much attention is in Ohio,

Between the NAACP, the unions, everyone who fears the worst, it could stagger along as being somewhat legal.
People will be watching, and people are aware now, finally!

[Eurobabe]

28. Why this bastard Blackkkwell wasn't forced out of his SOS job

I cannot understand. It's PATHETIC that he was not forced to recuse himself.

[cassiepriam]

29. Maybe he can declare Strickland an enemy combatant.

And send him to Gitmo :(

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

31. In 2000, Dick(head) Cheney was a resident of Texas and then poof Wyoming

He changed his residency from one state to another in about five minutes.

I guess rules are different if you're a neo-convict.

[Hosnon]

33. Why the hell doesn't he have to step down to run? nt

[Gman]

34. I will bet that Blackwell disqualifies Strickland

kinda long odds, but Blackwell doesn't seem to be above anything underhanded.

[Patiod]

54. No, he'll find Strickland's petition wasn't on the right paper stock

If it weren't so likely, it would be funny.

[liberalhistorian]

120. LOL!

That sure was a good one when he pulled that shit about the paper a couple years ago, wasn't it? That right there should have been a real clue as to his tremendous dearth of brain cells. Of course, county election boards have known all along what a dumbass he is, having to put up with his ridiculous, bullshit decrees and rules.

[Doctor_J]

97. Long odds? I think not

Whitewell is evil - a Rove protege'. Hopefully the good citizens of the once-great state of OH will burn his office down when he takes this step.

[TheCowsCameHome]

36. This Blackwell really thinks he's God's gift to mankind, doesn't he?

Get ready to be humbled, Ken. You're going to lose BIG time.

[Yogi]

40. Blackwell looked bad in the debate...

last night. It was the fourth and final debate. Ted looked in total control. Blackwell kept trying to smear Strickland but Ted always had a well thought out rebuttal.

[TheCowsCameHome]

42. Good. I hope Ohioans dump Blackwell on his sorry butt.

He isn't fit to hold office.

[Andrea]

53. Blackwell looked EXTREMELY nervous and out of control

I couldn't follow what he was saying most of the time because he was bumbling around so much. His proposals are radical. He came off like a nut and definitely not like someone who should ever be considered for any office, let alone governor. I hope a lot of people saw that debate. Ted was calm and reasonable, well-spoken and not at all flustered by Blackwell's strange accusations.

[Patiod]

56. But he's a CHRISTIAN

and that trumps everything else, doesn't it?

[Andrea]

61. Well, not in this case

That's our ace in a hole on this race - Strickland is an ordained Methodist minister. Ha ha, take that Blackwell! :P

[Patiod]

63. Cool! Saw TV show about Christian support for Blackwell

Maybe on "NOW". Didn't realize Strickland is an ordained minister.

Kind of like running a Navy Admiral against someone who constantly trots out his Defense credentials..... (like in one of the House races around here)

[Andrea]

70. Blackwell courts all the fundies, but

There is an organization of MOR and liberal clergy who are suing the RW fundies for their illegal support of Blackwell. They may lose their tax-exempt status. Might make some of them think twice before openly campaigning from the pulpit. Plus, Strickland can talk "Christian" while still being liberal - talks about Jesus wanting to help the poor, etc.

[KTinOhio]

154. But that is Christianity in a nutshell...

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

Matthew 25:34-45

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

119. Admiral = Sestak (D) vs. Weldon (R) in PA. Weldon is the one who

funnelled a million bucks of "consulting" business to his daughter, and they are both under investigation at the moment.

[femrap]

89. Of the Apostolic strain.....or is it the

Pentacostal. Aren't these the folks who speak in tongues and play with snakes?

edited for spelling..

[mod mom]

37. Protests against Candidates must be filed by 64th day B4 Primary:

http://onlinedocs.andersonpublishing.com/oh/lpExt.dll/PORC/16b26/16f0d/16f28?f=templates&fn=document-frame.htm&2.0#JD_351305

Protests against the candidacy of any person filing a declaration of candidacy for party nomination or for election to an office or position, as provided in this section, may be filed by any qualified elector who is a member of the same political party as the candidate and who is eligible to vote at the primary election for the candidate whose declaration of candidacy the elector objects to, or by the controlling committee of that political party. The protest shall be in writing, and shall be filed not later than four p.m. of the sixty-fourth day before the day of the primary election, or if the primary election is a presidential primary election, not later than four p.m. of the forty-ninth day before the day of the presidential primary election.

[connecticut yankee]

44. That's for the primary

what about the Election?

Are there rules for that?

[Andrea]

71. I believe that is for either primary or general

The idea being, if someone is not eligible for the general, they must not be eleigible for the primary, so you have to make your complaint well before the primary to avoid a situation like this and to make sure whichever party faces the accusation can put someone else up. The Plain Dealer said yesterday they are sure this can't stand. Blackwell might rule against Strickland, but if he does it will go to the courts and Strickland will win. His case is solid.

[samfishX]

38. I Hope Blackwell Does It!

Go on and do it! Pull that trigger and show Ohio your true colors, Kenneth. The outrage would be unprecedented.

It's the one way to guarantee that GOP is sunk here in Ohio for decades in 2006.

[Dob Bole]

60. I agree...I just watched V for Vendetta last night!

C'mon Kenneth...

[Doctor_J]

98. That would sink the GOP?

How the fuck do you figure? The travesty of 2004 didn't even cause a ripple. Another outrage wouldn't even raise an eyebrow.

[ProSense]

39. Ohio is a

state controlled by one criminal party:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2886589&mesg_id=2888423

[Chomp]

43. 2 years ago this would have seemed

sinister and scary.

Now, it's just looks like the complete fucking joke it is.

There is ZERO chance that, at this moment in history, these fucking scumbags have the political capital to pull this off.

It's actually funny. Pathetic desperation. 28 points behind! Bwahahahahahaha.

THESE PEOPLE ARE OVER!! Finished. The nightmare is in wind-down.

[PegDAC]

135. Let's play

GRASPING AT STRAWS!!!

[liberal N proud]

45. And why did this come out after the deadline to register to vote?

These people will stoop as low as it takes to achieve the level of corruption they need to continue to steal from the tax payers.

[Beetwasher]

57. In A STUNNING Move, Blackwell Takes it FURTHER And Declares Himself

Master of the Universe.

[liberalhistorian]

122. LOL, I really wouldn't

put it past him at this point. Did you see the news in The Onion at the end of August? Something about "in a vote of 1-0, President Bush gave himself the power to give himself the power without Congress having the power to take that power away from him and only Bush now has the power to have any power." Or something like that.

[Time for change]

59. This would be a terrible outrage if allowed to happen

But no more of an outrage than Blackwell arranging for Bush to be "elected" President in 2004.

I won't say what I think should happen if Blackwell declares himself Governor, because I don't want to be declared an "enemy combatant" under our new Military Commissions Act.

I think it's obvious that Blackwell is well on his way to consider trying this because he referred the decision to his subordinate.

Maybe there is a silver lining if Blackwell does try this, because it will call widespread attention to the lack of democracy in our country and especially in Ohio. Maybe this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back and opens the floodgates of outrage in our country.

[BootinUp]

62. My guess: Its Not gonna happen

There would be an immediate court filing and the judges would slap down Blackwell quickly.

[Alizaryn]

65. Blackwell is evil personified.

I wouldn't put ANYTHING past him.

[Rose Siding]

67. No wonder Rove is still focusing on OH's Sec of State race, even after

pulling back on DeWine.

snip>
It's been confirmed by multiple sources that the RNC and RSSC have given up on DeWine in Ohio. The Q poll out this morning shows Brown up 12% over DeWine. The Republican candidate for Governor is off the airwaves and the RGA will not provide any further funds to Blackwell. The RSCC has pulled ads from congressional Democrats they earlier challenged, in the 6th and the 13th. Democrats could well take 3-5 congressional seats in Ohio away from Republicans. The State Senate is likely in play, and big gains are possible in the State House.

With their backs against the wall, what's next? I heard from an Ohio source that Rove was spotted on a flight from Cincy to DC on Sunday night. And that Rove, not scheduled for any public events in Ohio, most likely went into Ohio to relay the bad news to the Republicans there and he then leaked the story to Nagourney to signal Republican donors to focus on other races (like Virginia). So the source thought, and it sounds plausible given what's unfolded.

Because now it's emerging that the Ohio Republican Party is also shifting it's resources with it's own "firewall strategy" by not coming forward to fill the advertising void for Blackwell and Dewine, but instead channel their resources into Ohio's statewide contests for secretary of state and state auditor. And they now have the ads up to try and Willie Hortonize (WMV) the Democratic candidate for SoS, Jennifer Brunner. This is about '08 and CYA. Republicans are trying to maintain control of the SoS position in Ohio for the 2008 elections. And given the years of financial corruption, Ohio Republicans would like to maintain control of state auditor to keep a lid on a boatload of dirty laundry.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/10/17/91641/080

[Andrea]

73. Glad to see this posted

I am not surprised by their tactics. Betty Montgomery, current State Auditor and running for Attorney General (an office she held for two terms previously) has huge name recognition and a real chance at winning. She is the only R leading in the polls. However, she is culpable in the current state scandal re: Noe/BWC/Coingate because she failed in her duties of oversight and let the state lose $50M to Noe alone. We need to get busy making sure everyone knows that she turned the other way while the rest of the Taft crew robbed us blind.

As far as the SOS office, Jennifer Brunner, the Dem candidate, is vulnerable to being Hortonized because she was a judge here in Franklin county. They have been attacking her as being soft on criminals because they don't understand a) the sentencing limitations on judges and b) the plea bargain system (which people love to slam, but which is absolutely necessary to keeping the courts running). We need to get this message out, too.

Even if the Rs take auditor and SOS, which I doubt, we will be OK in '08, because the Strickland and the Dem General Assembly will conduct oversight on them. Oversight, what a concept! Remember when the US Congress used to employ that? ;)

[OzarkDem]

75. If Dems win control in Ohio

There's potential for a lot of criminal investigations of the GOP and their corporate friends leading all the way back to Washington DC.

A lot of people could end up in jail, so there's a lot at stake here.

[OzarkDem]

72. Its not just Blackwell, its typical Ohio GOP

This is the way they've been running this state for the last dozen years. This kind of thing is nothing new.

[oc2002]

76. I think the editorial is wrong, The issue is whether Ted can vote or not.

not whether he can be disqualified or ineligible for elections.

[MallRat]

80. Under OH law, if you're ineligible to vote, you're ineligible to run.

eom

[McCamy Taylor]

111. Blackwell strips people of their right to vote just because.

[TankLV]

79. I DARE the repuke party to do this - I DOUBLE DOG dare them!!!!

:popcorn:

[tandem5]

86. I TRIPLE DOG dare them! Mr. Blackwell, meet Mr. Frozen-Flagpole! nt

[Doctor_J]

101. That's how most Ohioans will be when it happens

sitting and eating opocorn and listening ro Limpballs tell them how this is the right thing to do.

[Spinzonner]

83. Does the north-south divide of Ohio mirror Illinois

especially on a historical basis ?

[Andrea]

131. I don't know about Illinois, but there is a definite North/South divide in

Ohio. I took a history of city planning class once in which the professor showed us the divide quite clearly based on the street layout in Columbus and it's suburbs. (Columbus is close to the center of the state). Columbus and the northern suburbs have traditional New England grid layouts, while the southern suburbs deviate from that and a particular southern suburb called Circleville has a southern/French-influenced wheel and spoke layout a la Washington DC.

Also, there are two different accents in Columbus, based on what end of town one is from. Natives of the northern half of the city sound like Midwesterners while natives of the Southern half of the city sound like Southerners.

Also, while all the other urban counties in the state went Dem in '04, Hamilton County (home of Cincinnati, the most southern city in the state) went for Bush. Butler county, where they did the phony "terrorism" lock-down while they counted the votes in '04 is also a southern county. Typically, Cincinnati is farther to the right than the other urban counties. Blackwell is from Cincinnati and was the mayor there. Someone as far right as him could never be elected in any of the other urban counties. (BTW, the urban areas of Ohio include not just Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati, but also Dayton, Toledo, Akron-Canton, Youngstown and Lorain).

[KTinOhio]

147. Minor correction...

The election night "terror alert" was in Warren County, just east of Butler County.

Years ago, U.S. Route 40, which bisects Columbus on its way across the state, was considered the line between north and south. It's still as good a boundary as any.

[Andrea]

158. That's right - thanks for catching it n/t

[greeneyedboy]

84. see secstateproject.org - let's throw these corrupt bums out.

http://www.secstateproject.org/candidate_oh.htm

[Jack Rabbit]

92. Be ready, everyone

Kiev, 2005
Photo: Ukrainian Embassy, Belgium

[Doctor_J]

94. Not surprising

The absurdity of one of the candidates in the election being the one who decides who gets to vote, and which votes are counted, has set the stage for just this sort of anarchy.

I have been predicting all along that the next Civil War will begin in OH for just such a reason. Let's get it on, right now. I live in walking distance of OH, and it's high time the Revolution began.

[babsbunny]

96. Do you think Keith Olbermann would like to know about this?

It just can't be possible!

[Pacifist Patriot]

104. Oh yeah!

The 2 Republicans who split the vote at the local level deserve a nomination for "worser" at least.

[liberalhistorian]

123. They should both get top nominations for

Conservative Idiots of the Week, at the very least!

[Imagevision]

107. Blackwell will do whatever it takes, it's not how you win but if you win

[ryanus]

108. "further evidence of a serious flaw in our democracy"

Please. There are courts where this can be taken. And what do they mean "further evidence?" It's not our democracy that is flawed, but people deviating from it.

[Hippo_Tron]

109. Great, so can we disqualify Rick Santorum?

Because he doesn't even live in the state in which he is running for office.

[EnviroBat]

110. Blackwell has pulled all of his advertising.

According to my source, a commercial traffic director at a prominent Central Ohio TV Station, Blackwell has submitted no advertising for his "campaign". This is either an admission of defeat, or something sinister is afoot once again here in SloHio. I predict very bad civil unrest if the bastard tries any shit this time around...

[west5548]

116. Blackwell will get what he deserves

That is very strange and I somewhat agree with you that he could be up to something. The piece of crap can't be trusted for anything. He'll get what he deserves on election day and if there isn't an election because he tries some stunt like this, then you can bet that Ohio will be pissed off beyond belief and all hell will break loose. Ohio isn't going to be fooled anymore by this man.

[KingFlorez]

121. It would be disasterous if he did that

If he tried to disqualify Strickland who is well ahead of him now, then that would cause serious damage to the Ohio GOP and I don't think such a ruling would stand.

[west5548]

128. Agree

It would cause serious damage to the GOP, because so many Moderate Republicans like Strickland. There is a reason why many Republicans in state offices did not want Blackwell to run for Governor the first time around, he does and says what he wants with no regard for the law. This will come back and bite him in the ass along with the rest of the GOP. Funny enough Blackwell has this issue on his website, the Ohio GOP website doesn't which tells me that the Ohio GOP knows this is not a good thing to throw around and don't want to bite onto it.

[samsingh]

129. i'm sure he's thought about it.

[Divine Discontent]

137. I know I've thought about him in prison!

and it felt right, reallllly reallllly right to me! Kenny J. Blackwell is a crook.


www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <- Stickers/Shirts

[liberalhistorian]

153. "Send your son to die in Iraq or one of

us will molest him!" OMG, how perfect! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Divine Discontent]

156. really? cool. that's an original. ty N/T

[Imagevision]

159. Can't you just see the headlines? - Blackwell disqualifies opponent...

This should go over big in the msm??