Democrats Continue to Defend Their Indefensible 'Election Protection' Efforts

[BradBlog]

Democrats Continue to Defend Their Indefensible 'Election Protection' Efforts
Still in Denial, Obama's Attorney Describes Serious Concerns About Voting Machines and More as 'Hyperbole'
Argues 'More Votes Lost From Incompetence Than Fraud or Oppression'...

Why corporate mainstream journalists have a need to identify everyone as either "liberal" or "conservative" is beyond me. But setting that aside, of far more import is the substantive information in Washington Independent journalist Jonathon E. Kaplan's report today featuring lead Obama attorney Bob Baeur's attempt to defend against my fervent critique of the campaign's woefully inadequate and dangerously misguided efforts in dealing with the massive voting machine problems occurring around the country since early voting began (and, of course, well before even that).

The article does nothing to assuage my concerns about the Dems self-proclaimed "behind the scenes" efforts on these matters. Bauer was still unable to offer a shred of evidence that the campaign or the DNC has taken such concerns about the use of wholly unverifiable voting systems --- and worse, allowing and actually encouraging election officials to access those machines during the election, at the time they are most vulnerable to tampering, for "recalibration" --- with the gravity the issue deserves...

FULL STORY: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=6607

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Sure makes one wonder where Bauer's loyalties are.

Even if he personally has doubts, what would be wrong with setting up a network of ensure that the voting machines are accurate, and that all votes are counted. It would be a win/win situation, with nothing to lose..

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. What would you have them do differently? Serious question.

[BeFree]

4. What we'd like to see done....good question

Really it is part of the campaign to get rid of the privately owned vote capture and counter devices. At this time it is appropriate, as it is in the heat of the moment, to remind those in charge of the consequences of the use.

Reformers like Brad will never rest until we, the people, take back from private ventures, the control over how our votes are gathered and counted.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we heard just one word from our leaders that they are aware of the problem? Is that too much to ask?

[riqster]

3. Dems are operating in a REACTIVE mode

...rather than being PROACTIVE. And their reactions have most often been slow and ineffectual.

[ClarkUSA]

5. Until Pres. Obama and a Democratic majority rewrite HAVA, there's not a damn thing Bauer can do.

Brad is putting the cart before the horse. WTH does he think Bauer should do a day before the election, really?

[riqster]

6. Brad's been talking about this for years

...and, like many of us in the EI community, getting hind tit (at best) from the Dems. Can't blame him for being pissed off.

[ClarkUSA]

7. I know but WTH does he think Democrats can do when they have no power to change HAVA yet?

:shrug:

[riqster]

8. Hold hearings on the issues that arise, as they arise

...building a body of knowledge into the official record, would be a good start.

[ClarkUSA]

9. That's a waste of time. Democrats held enough hearings. They are waiting to pass HAVA II now...

Congressmen know that they can't do anything concrete until President Obama (who taught a course in voter suppression
and knows WTH happened in 2000 and 2004) gets into office with a bigger Democratic majority so as to reform/rewrite
HAVA. Brad is a good soul but he doesn't know the realities of passing meaningful legislation, I'm afraid.

[riqster]

10. It's important that the issues be raised within the government itself

...whether or not it can bear immediate fruit. Reading testimony into the public record is a big deal, and a key part of Congress's job.

Yeah, Brad is a loose cannon, but in this case I agree. Congress holds hearings on all sorts of topics and issues that have no immediate legislative impact, but they take the knowledge out of the private sector, out of the blogs and papers, and make it an official government record. A key element for creating meaningful legislation later.

[ClarkUSA]

11. They did hold hearings under John Conyers, as I recall. Enough already.

Congressional Democrats will move forward under President Obama with HAVA II in 2009. And I hope both
Al Gore and John Kerry will be there at the signing ceremony.

[madfloridian]

12. Did you know they filed a suit in Florida?

They are accusing the GOP of planning to purge voters...here are two links.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7675432&mesg_id=7675553

and this:

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/55152.html

Yes, they are doing things.

[BeFree]

13. But

what about the built-in problems with the machinery? Like vote-flipping? Bad software?

What are the people asking us to give them money and GOT vote saying about all that? Huh?

[madfloridian]

14. Oh, never mind.

I should not have posted anything positive they did.

It's why I never post in the election forum, why I quit trying to work with voting activists.

[RCinBrooklyn]

15. The problems in NV are getting scary. How does one fight back?

[bertman]

16. Keep up the good work, Bradblog. Even after Obama wins we MUST continue the fight

to get our elections mechanism back in the hands of the people and out of the hands of the Republicans.