The problem with the re-counts are....

[FormerOstrich]

all the votes that won't get counted.

They are the votes of the people that requested absentee ballots they did not receive. They are the votes of the poor young mothers which couldn't stand in line several hours. They are the votes of the person wrongly purged from the rolls. They are the votes of the person that turned away when there wasn't any parking and they could hear the boss chiding them in the back of their mind. They are the votes of the soldiers that thought it best to not fax their vote to the pentagon. They are votes of the teachers living abroad that couldn't access the web site which was created to advise citizens such as them.

In spite of four years of promises. Four years of assurances. In spite of thousands of lawyers in the field. In spite of activist groups oversight. In spite of professional think tanks and policy makers existing for the cause. In spite of millions and millions spent on campaigns. In spite of legislation introduced. In spite of lawsuits verdicts and appeals. In spite of press kits to journalists. In spite of studies and reviews.

We were patient. We were too kind. We desperately wanted to believe our leaders. We cheered the efforts. We contributed our money. We contributed our time. We accepted that of which we did not want to accept in return for promised solutions.

An illegitimate claim to victory. A premature concession. A crises of unknown proportion unfolding.

The re-counts are a compromise. The re-counts will confirm "glitches". The re-counts will detect problems. The re-counts will validate. The re-counts will be the appeaser. The re-counts will not change the pretend mandate. The re-counts will not reverse the course. The re-counts will not alter the outcome of this election.

While only a day dream I believe it should happen. As I am, sure countless others. Let's declare this exercise is what it is. Something not trusted. Something not right. Something not worthy of the world's role model.

Some will cry foul. Some will cry for joy. Some will strive for success. Some will sabotage the efforts. Some will fight. Some will fold.

The ultimate re-count. The ultimate solution. The ultimate requirement of a free people. The ultimate RE(do) GENERAL ELECTION 2005.

[MrUnderhill]

1. There is no such thing as a "do-over" election for President.

If the election is in question (due to proven fraud, etc), the Constitution has only one protection.

It goes to the Congress.

People calling on a "re-vote" do so only because we all KNOW how it will turn out in the Congress if it were to go there.

[TaleWgnDg]

2. "a problem?" "a problem," you say? . . . n/t

[lapfog_1]

3. The real problem with recounts

in the BBV areas... there isn't anything to "recount"... some
disk or bubble memory device will still have the same bad vote
count as on election night... and it will still be biased towards
Bush.

[Pirate Smile]

4. The problem is voter suppression works because there are no real

consequences for doing it and you can't recount votes never cast.

We need to make an issue out of the number of machines per precinct now (pass statutes, etc so the SOS's can't manipulate them) including the number and places they are available during early voting.

I know this doesn't deal with the software and E-voting, etc. but it is another huge problem we don't want to have again in 2008.

[On the Road]

5. Yes, In Ohio Bush Won

I am convinced, on vote suppression alone:

1) Absentee Ballot problems
2) Allocation of too few machines to urban precincts
(demonstably lower turnout)
3) Various kinds of challenges and intimidation
(even when they were overturned they had already had an effect)

Unfortunately, unless a legal ballot was cast, there's not much to be done for this election. Ohio has to be won strictly on legal ballots cast.