In Southern Stop, Clark Promises to Enforce Voting Rights (NYT)

[incapsulated]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Dec. 29 — Forty years after four black girls were killed in a church bombing here, Gen. Wesley K. Clark visited the same church on Monday and said African-Americans were still in danger of having their votes go uncounted and their voices unheard.

Speaking at the 16th Street Baptist Church on a two-day campaign visit to the South, General Clark said voting rights were a "very personal issue for me," as someone who had grown up in the South and who had supported affirmative action in the armed forces.

He said that if he became the Democratic presidential nominee he would appoint a legal team to monitor the 2004 elections to ensure that problems reported in the contested 2000 election in Florida would not be repeated.

"If anyone is intimidated or turned away from the polls illegally, we will push to prosecute the perpetrators to the full extent of the law," he said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/30/politics/campaigns/30CLAR.html

Go Clark! :)

[MrSoundAndVision]

1. Oh thank god

Clark decrees protection. What a guy! In what way I'll only have to ponder about? Go to http://www.kucinich.us and click on voting rights and find out how Dennis Kucinich will protect your voting rights.

[incapsulated]

2. Did I say "and Kucinich doesn't" in my post?

What's your problem?

Appointing legal observers? Prosecuting offenders? Or this:

On a stop on his "True Grits" Tour through southern states, Clark called on Congress to fully fund election reform legislation and demanded that states fully implement it. He also called on states to impose stiff penalties on election officials who turn away registered voters or purge them from the rolls.

"In the year 2003, as far as we've come, we are far from the fundamental ideal of 'one person, one vote.' Today, it's only one person, one vote if you live in the right county. And if you vote at the right machine. And if your name happens to be on the rolls," said Clark. "Well, last I checked, there was no 'if' in the 15th Amendment. One person one vote isn't just a slogan -- it's the highest law of this land. As president, I will not rest until every single American can cast their vote, and every single one of those votes is counted. We shouldn't have to wait for another Florida to fully fund election reform."

http://www.clark04.com/story/57/

[eileen from OH]

5. I think we've moved into the IAAD phase

That is "It's All About Dennis". No thread is safe! No post is beyond the reach of "He Who Must Not Be Ignored!"

Really, I admire the dedication of Kucinich supporters, but am I alone in thinking that
a) it's getting real old and
b) it's not working.

eileen from OH

[ErasureAcer]

7. he has it just about right. Far more than what Clark is saying on da issue

Statement from Dennis Kucinich:

"Our election system is in need of serious reform. Too many Americans, especially African-Americans, have been intimidated, excluded and shut out from our democracy. I support measures such as election day as a holiday; election-day voter registration; enhanced voting rights enforcement; an end to the racially-biased disenfranchisement of felons who have served their time; and full Congressional representation for residents of the District of Columbia.

"In addition, we need comprehensive campaign finance reform and Clean Money public financing of the public's elections; ample free television time for candidates, and the break-up of the media monopolies that restrict political debate."

http://www.kucinich.us/issues/voting_rights.php

I think he should go further and allow all people in jail to vote as well...they are human ya know.

[QC]

3. Have you considered decaf?

Or maybe a good laxative?

[Dookus]

4. Great post...

I like Kucinich. Call me when he breaks 3% in the polls.

[ErasureAcer]

6. the fact of the matter is...

everyone's voice should be heard...whether you're a convicted felon now back in the real world...or still the guy or gal behind bars.

everyone's voice should be heard for democracies sake.

Furthermore, the courts are not always right...and innoncent people are then not allowed to vote with our current system.

and

voter registration rolls can and have been tampered with...directly effecting the 2000 election.

Clark is saying some good things...but it isn't enough.

[incapsulated]

8. I'm curious..

Does Kucinich support this idea?

[Melodybe]

9. Then you are beyond helping. Kick for Clark!

[maddezmom]

10. good article

:kick: for Wes!

[Alice Franken]

11. Of course everyone says

they will enforce voting rights.

However, it takes guts to say it in Birmingham, Ala!