Can Kerry or Edwards be the one Senator that the house needs to

[noclonyofthechimp]

contest the election when the electoral meets? :shrug:

I am sure this has been asked before and I am sorry if I missed the thread with the answer. I have asked this in a couple of other threads but am not getting an answer. I know someone here probably knows the answer. I am a newbie and every time I think I have some info or I have a question, you guys are on it! I love it here! Anyway here is the question:

Now that the house appears to be more than willing to stand up and contest the election when the electoral meets and it's been said that they only need one senator to do so, CAN Kerry be that Senator or is he disqualified because he was a presidential candidate and it's a conflict of interest? Can Edwards?

If the answer is "yes". Do any of you think that this may be the hail Mary we have been waiting for?

[KeireG]

1. Yes

Absolutely. That would be one of the great moments in American history if it took place.

[jamboi]

19. Of course they could. Unlikely they would because that would look unseemly

but I bet someone will step forward.

[cyn2]

44. Wouldn't it be great to have a republican do it? n/t

[NY lib NY]

2. I think....

the new congress counts the electoral votes so Edwards wouldn't be able to contest. However Kerry could, but it might look like a mere case of sour grapes.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Gore didn't

http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/

[electropop]

5. Gore should and could have

and so should Kerry. He has jurisdiction. My fantasy is that he is quietly amassing the evidence to present when he contests the College vote.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. That is my fantasy too!

Although my biggest fantasy was Dennis K in the oval office. *g*

http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/

[meganmonkey]

7. Gore was VP, not a Senator. Could he have done so?

I know he presided over the Senate as Veep, but he wasn't a Senator.

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. But he told the Senators not to speak out

http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/

[noclonyofthechimp]

22. he did?

[CornField]

37. Yes, he did

If a Senator would have signed on (which his VP candidate Lieberman could have done), the final decision would have come back to Gore... that is, he could have ultimately named himself as President.

[noclonyofthechimp]

50. what a frigged up process!

[Up2Late]

12. Gore was a wussy, Ask Sen. Bird!

I bet if we all started writing to Senator Bird (WV-D) I bet he'd do it. He's the guy with the constitution in his pocket. :kick:

[noclonyofthechimp]

21. I remember he was the "President" of the electoral meeting. I saw

Micheal Moore's movie Fahrenheit 9-11..when citizen after citizen came forth stating that they had been disenfranchised and he kept asking if they had a Senator with them.

[meganmonkey]

31. They were Congresspeople, not citizens

They were members of the black congressional caucaus. They needed a Senator to sign with them to move forward withtheir complaints and no Senators would sign.

on edit: I guess congresspeople are citizens, too :P

[noclonyofthechimp]

34. thanks for the clarity. I just briefly remember the scene and didn't

remember Moore's intro or description of it. :hi:

[meganmonkey]

39. No prob! I'm surprised I remembered the details...

It was such a powerful scene though.

:hi:

[noclonyofthechimp]

40. Yes, it was! I remember tears filling in my eyes at that moment along with

many other moments in that movie. Speaking of Moore..a lot of people, including myself have been wondering what he is up to lately with his new "look" and "aloof" attitude. Did anyone hear someone mention at the hearings today that he will be coming out with footage of the irregularities during the 04 election? OR were they being facetious in regards to the fact of that is what it will take for our congress and gov officials to hear us?

[meganmonkey]

45. He said he was going to have hundreds of observers with cameras

at the polls, if I remember right. But I don't think anything has been shown yet. Maybe that's his next movie?

I don't know much about his new look & all - no TV here. So everything I know about the MSM and TV appearances, I learn here on DU. Certainly doesn't make me miss TV, that's fir sure!

[noclonyofthechimp]

47. Hey got to the forums. Moore's film just won "The People's Choice" Award

someone just posted about it.

[Up2Late]

49. The V.P. is the "President of the Senate"

He can only cast a tie breaking vote :cry:

[AmerDem]

4. Only one person is needed to contest Ohio

It was brought up today by Jessy Jackson Jr. during the hearing.



" WP: What did you think about Rep. Conyers saying he might object to the seating of the Ohio Electors?

JB: I think if the recount is proceeding beyond January 6th, that it is the duty of any member of Congress, any member of the U.S. Senate, under their sword duty to the constitution, to prevent a President from being sworn in until it has been determined who won the Presidency. You cannot have an election that is called free and fair, and have people sworn into office, while the votes are still being counted."


http://www.truthout.org/cblog.shtml

[xultar]

9. Love the Avatar! n/t

[AmerDem]

15. Start using it

It refers to the Red Hands Movement. A fellow DUer passed along the info and others have started using it as well.

http://www.redhandsmovement.com/

[noclonyofthechimp]

29. Here us the response letter I got back from Senator Bill Nelson

Dear Ms. :

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the recent election.

As you may know, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) plans to investigate voter registration, electronic voting machines, and the processing of provisional ballots. The Election Assistance Commission
(EAC) also has announced plans to hold public hearings on voter registration guidelines, statewide registration databases, and provisional
balloting. The EAC is currently receiving election data from across the
country, including information on the use of provisional ballots.

Before the election, I supported several initiatives and legislation to ensure the accuracy of electronic voting machines. I will continue to monitor the situation, and I await the GAO's and EAC's findings so that we can improve our nation's voting process.

I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this issue. I will continue my efforts so all citizens have the opportunity to vote and feel confident that their votes are counted.


P.S. From time to time, I compile electronic news briefs highlighting key issues and hot topics of particular importance to Floridians. If you'd like to receive these e-briefs, visit my Web site and sign up for them at http://billnelson.senate.gov/newpages/newsletter.cfm .

[mod mom]

11. Maybe we should start working on senators, especially

elder statemen like Sen Kennedy and Leahy, who are getting up in age and would like to go out with a bang! Letters calls emails pleas

[noclonyofthechimp]

24. I started firing off to senators from the "Senator Blast" that one of the

members posted and worked very hard on. I got some generic responses from some and what seemed to be a more personal one from Senator Bill Nelson here in FL, but the rumor is out that the re pukes are going after him next as they did Daschel. <------spelling of name. I will start blasting again.

[blueatheart]

33. same 2 that came to my mind

both are getting up in years, not far from retirement. What do they have to lose? Theres not much love between Bush admin. & Leahy, esp. after Cheney told him to f* off. Leahy has some guts, well at least thats my humble opinion.

[xultar]

48. Awesome Idea! n/t

[AndrewClarke]

57. This topic keeps coming up . . .

. . . "What senator can we get to contest the electors?"

But I think it's a problem that will take care of itself: if it becomes obvious--and I mean REALLY, REALLY OBVIOUS--that the voters of Ohio actually voted for Kerry rather than Bush, then there won't be any shortage of senators willing to come forward and sign on for a protest. Voters being denied the opportunity to vote won't cut it for them, I think--it will have to be voters who cast votes for Kerry that were somehow counted for Bush, or votes for Bush that came from nowhere at all.

If it doesn't become REALLY, REALLY OBVIOUS, then all the emails and phone calls in the world won't make any difference at all.

[xultar]

8. I don't think he should. It will look self serving. We need Dem w BALLS

to do it.

I'd volunteer but I ain't in the senate. I don't have BALLS perse I have ovaries but they can be just as deadly.

[noclonyofthechimp]

25. yes they very well can!

[delphine]

13. Edwards can't do it because

it occurs three days after the new Senate is seated. He won't be a senator then.

[noclonyofthechimp]

26. thanks..that answers one part of my question.

[KatieB]

14. You need someone who plans to retire after this term

because his career will be over (s/he) will be the focus of the worst Repug condemn machine in history - and remember - there is no majority in either house to back him up. There are some such senators out there - Lautenberg was mentioned earlier.

[DoYouEverWonder]

16. Ted Kennedy should do it for Kerry

Kennedy knows better than the rest of us, what this cabal is capable of. He's already lost 2 brothers to them.

[mod mom]

18. maybe do a massive push to get Kennedy on board.

letters, email, Air America whatever means necessary to get him to hear us. I have noticed that faxes seem to work better that email so I will fax him a request.

[DoYouEverWonder]

20. Here's Kennedy's contact info

what the heck, it doesn't hurt to ask.


http://kennedy.senate.gov/index_high.html

315 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

202/224-4543


2400 JFK Building
Boston, MA 02203

617/565-3170

[last_texas_dem]

27. I agree

I really can't see that Kennedy would be hurt significantly if he decided to contest the election.

However, I hate to be a pessimist, but... I really doubt that a Senator will come forward to contest this election. Considering none did in 2000 and taking into account all that went on then, I don't see them suddenly waking up and looking into what happened this time around.

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

32. but...The Dems thought they'd be controlling Congress for...

...years back then, after America got a little taste of W. Now they know just how much their inaction cost them. Maybe a senator would actually stand up this time.

[molly]

17. Kennedy, Byrd, or Biden

would be my choices - all of them.

[noclonyofthechimp]

28. I blasted them. I will blast again.

[Cory Laf]

36. Biden would probably be in the best position

He's quite a strong senator and in Delaware the only way he could be unseated is....*cough*rigged elections*cough*

[smartvoter]

41. I'm a big Biden fan. n/t

[noclonyofthechimp]

42. exactly. I blasted him and got an auto letter back. I will do it again.

[zann725]

43. Perhaps Byrd. He was one of only TWO Senators voting against Intel. Bill

And he voted against the War. And he respects the Constitution more than most.
Though Kennedy or Biden would be fine too. Heck, I'm visualizing all 54 (?) Dem Senators stand up slowly, one by one on Jan. 6 and contest the Electoral Vote.:kick:

[proud patriot]

23. I think it should be other Senators

not Kerry or Edwards ...That's why I included
Boxer in todays phone calls

[robbedvoter]

30. Sure, They have THEMSELVES to concern themselves about

And there's that "test" God is putting john through - this may not be one of the questions.....:eyes:

[Griffy]

35. Edwards cant... Kerry wont... others can (Byrd, Obama...)

The new Senate is confirmed on the 3rd, Edwards we be out already, Kerry will be there and can, but I agree with those that say he shouldn't be the 1. Other Senators we might emplore.. if needed?

[ClassWarrior]

51. Only if he has a band of Congressional brothers and sisters...

...standing with him should JK contest this. In fact, another thread is suggesting we "flip the Senator problem," here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=131829&mesg_id=131829&page=

NGU.

[AJH032]

38. And once someone objects, what would be the next step?

Once memebers of the House and Senate object to the results of the election in congress, what would happen next?

[ClassWarrior]

52. The seating of electoral college would be postponed, and...

...the House would decide what happens next. Now, sure, they're mostly RepubliCONs, but if something as major as a challenge to the EC happens - the last time was 1876 - they'll just be opening themselves up to those in-the-streets protests we've all been pining for and worse if they automatically seat Junior**'s electors.

NGU.

[DemonFighterLives]

46. Lieberman's purpose in life

Fall on his sword for the voters and assure himself some sort of legacy. Also make up for him not standing up for Gore in 2000.
Won't happen, but he is my choice. :9

[KaryninMiami]

53. It appears there's a chance that it might be Bill Nelson!

ELection Fraud 2004- We May Have Our Senator


http://www.changeforamerica.com/community/node/view/1803

Also, I thought someone mentioned a while back, that Senator Boxer was considering this as well. Anyone remember anything about this?

[k8conant]

54. It should be EVERY Senator who wants free and fair elections!

Byrd, Kennedy, Kerry, Boxer, Feinstein, Levin, Rockefeller, Biden, Mikulski, Sarbanes, Stabenow, Clinton, Schumer, Lieberman, Inouye, Jeffords.........

and any senator who doesn't sign will be opposing free and fair elections...

[ElementaryPenguin]

55. Surely Obama will do this!!

:shrug:

[marions ghost]

56. What about this wider concept...???

Fine to appeal to individual senators to stand up alone, but....

Another idea that has been suggested is to ask them ALL to stand up for this fundamental principle of democracy. Those who won't will appear obstructive to basic voting rights. Would have to get this idea out far and wide to have effect, so more of We (the People) would call for it. Big blitz. Even if those in congress dont do it, it gets the non-partisanship nature of the issue out there as a reasonable expectation. Challenge them all.

----------MORE HERE:
***See what has been discussed on this idea so far, go to the thread by smartvoter called

"Is it too arrogant to suggest we flip the senator problem..."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=131829

[bmoney07]

58. Has anyone mentioned Bill Nelson from FL?

He said that he would do this.

[KaryninMiami]

59. See my post above regarding Bill Nelson

Seems he is the one. We'll hope it's him!