History of corruption clouds primary in northern Indiana (Democrat corruption)

Associated Press ^ | May 08, 2008 | DEANNA BELLANDI

[Berlin_Freeper]

It was midnight and the nation was still awaiting results from the Indiana primary, one of the biggest remaining prizes of the epic Democratic presidential battle between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

But as the clock ticked, the questions and accusations grew louder: What was wrong in Lake County? Was this more politics as usual in a county often suspected of harboring Chicago-style corruption?

A day after Clinton eked out a narrow victory in the primary, no one raised allegations of illegal activity. But some say old-school politics were certainly at play in the state's second-largest county, at the southern tip of Lake Michigan.

"They wanted to put Barack Obama over the top with Lake County's vote and games were being played like in the 1950s," said Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, who endorsed Clinton. "It went bad when a lot of people were watching."

The late returns came in a primary that attracted record voter turnout across the state. Many counties ran short of Democratic ballots and had to print extras, which had to be counted by hand. In Lake County alone, voters cast 11,500 early ballots — about three times the number cast in the 2004 primary.

Other counties, including Marion, the state's most populous and home of Indianapolis, also saw record turnouts. But those results were posted hours earlier.

The delay, combined with Lake County's history of fraud and corruption at the polls, set tongues wagging.

McDermott and Gary Mayor Rudy Clay — both Democrats who lead the county's two largest cities — sniped at each other in appearances on CNN early Wednesday, with McDermott challenging Clay on why machine totals weren't available earlier.

Clay, an Obama supporter who is the county's Democratic chairman, denied any misdeeds and defended the county's handling of the vote tally.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Crooks exposing crooks.

Welcome to: Operation CHAOS

CHAOS

[ICE-FLYER]

Nothing like liberal on Liberal crime!

[Caipirabob]

Many counties ran short of Democratic ballots and had to print extras, which had to be counted by hand.

Pre-printed with "Obama" as the selection, no doubt.

Gary, Indiana - the Armpit of the "Hoosier State".

[perez24]

I don’t know how much it costs to print a ballot, but it has always amazed how there are never enough in certain districts.

I’m sure it’s honest mistakes EVERY TIME.

[jennyjenny]

The late returns came in a primary that attracted record voter turnout across the state. Many counties ran short of Democratic ballots and had to print extras, which had to be counted by hand. In Lake County alone, voters cast 11,500 early ballots — about three times the number cast in the 2004 primary.

Voting early and often, no doubt.