Daschle flames out in his bogus lawsuit

[eddiebear]

November 01, 2004 Live Report From Courtroom A Mr. Jordan was just testifying at the hearing in Daschle's lawsuit to stop poll watching. He worked for Howard Dean in Iowa. He said that poll watchers would "roll their eyes" and make a "negative face" at times and that, in his opinion, this constituted "intimidation" of voters. See SDP for a look at the complaint.

UPDATE: Another report on Daschle's first witness, the Howard Dean worker. He's a lawyer from Virginia who works for Lexis-Nexis and has been in South Dakot for 48 hours. He testified to "note-taking" and "faces" being made. He said nothing was said to voters and nobody was disenfranchised. They are taking a short break before the next witness. Lawyers in the courtroom think this is an absurd joke. SDP calls it "The Death Rattle of Daschle's Political Career."

UPDATE: SDP has some more information on the judge, including this comment from Daschle at the American TRIAL LAWYERS Association convention:

First, I got my start in politics thanks to lawyers... rather, one lawyer in particular. In 1978, I won my first election to the House by 14 votes. Don’t laugh, in South Dakota, that’s 60 percent of the vote. Apparently undaunted by that landslide of support, my opponent sued to contest the election. I was fortunate to be represented by a great lawyer and a dear friend, Larry Piersol. It took one year and 21 days, but here I am 25 years later. UPDATE: Daschle rests. Cancels other witness because first one got destroyed. Dismissal requested by Republicans. Dismissal denied.

[Torie]

Clever judge. That is exactly what he/she/it will do. When it becomes illegal for folks on public property following the law to write down license plate numbers, then it is time to cleanse the augean stables. No evidence of any intimidation was introduced. Nada.

[JSteff]

"How are we going to neutralize and defeat them conclusively?"

What did Shakespeare say....?

[CyberAnt]

However, If they did ask for a recusal, it would delay the issue - perhaps until after the election. I'm wondering if a delay might later affect the election. Hmmmm? I sure hope they know what they're all doing.

[reaganaut]

UPDATE: Apparently there's now discussion at the courthouse of this new Rapid City Journal piece. Excerpt:

Rumors about vote buying have been sweeping Indian Country. Bruce Whalen, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe running for the state Legislature on the Republican ticket, sent a letter to tribal President John Yellow Bird Steele alleging the vote buying and urging Steele to stop it.
Republican state vice chairman Elli Schwiesow said tribal people have stopped at the Republican office in Pine Ridge to ask for money for their vote.

"We've had people burst through our door and demand money. We'll ask what candidate, and they'll say Demo-crat," she said.

Despite the rumors, Fall River County officials, who handle Shannon County ballots, haven't found any proof. State's Attorney Lance Russell said he had heard disturbing stories but had no evidence to prove them.


UPDATE: Everyone is still waiting.

UPDATE: They are going into the courtroom.

UPDATE: The judge has issued an order restricting Republicans from recording license plate numbers of people leaving the polls in Charles Mix County.

***note that it doesn't say a registered independent couldn't write down plate #'s or that they can't write them down as they come in, or taking pictures (So. Dak. logic courtesy of my mother) Also, back to everyone who lives nearby knows who drive what vehicle***

[reaganaut]

UPDATE: Well, this is a kick in the pants for the Democrats, who wanted the judge to force the Republican Party to completely re-deploy all its poll watchers. They had no substantive evidence, they relied on a Howard Dean operative who has been here for a day as the basis for their case, they looked desperate, they didn't get the relief they wanted, the entire GOP poll watching system is still in place, and more questions have been raised about why Democrats are so paranoid about people "ostentatiously taking notes."

[Bahbah]

"Just wear a cowboy hat."

What a great idea. I have one. I will wear it.

[Mudboy Slim]

"Puff, the Angry D'A$$hole!!"
(To be sung to Peter, Paul and Mary's "Puff, the Magic Dragon")

Puff, the Lib'ral Leader, Bane of the FRee...
Tom ruled with an iron fist in Washington, DeeCee!!
Lib'ral Commie Sosh'lists loved that D'A$$hole Puff,
'Cuz Tom pulled strings fer big airlines who'd hired Missuz Puff!! Bold!!

Puff, the would-be Prez'dent, loved Tyranny...
He protected his friend Willie Slick, in a Trial fer Perjury!!
South Dakota voters said, "Oh, whatta SLEAZE!!"
And conspired to next autumn rid their State of Tommie's disease!!

Tom D'A$$hole, he would grovel fer Dem votes a cryin' shame...
Tommie preyed on weakness..."Fear" was Puffboy's middle name!!
Union thugs and bigots would bow whene'er Puff came,
Lib'ral whips bent o'er and begged fer Puff's pork, oh so lame. Woah!

Puff, RAT's Lib'ral Leader, loathed liberty...
Big Guv'ment was his Power trip and he'd tax all he could see!!
Puff held judges hostage, shameful was he...
He ruled from his Senate seat 'til he pissed off Hillary!!

The Senate loves its Power, but weakness leaves a void...
HildaBeast and her man Slick returned...Left's overjoyed!!
In '04, it happened, Johnnie Thune, he whupped li'l Puff!!
'Cuz voters in their wisdom, folks, they'd just had enuff!!

Puff's head was bent in sorrow, felled by Clinton's stain...
Puff no longer weilded Power...fell off the gravy train!!
Without his Leader's seat, Puff was just a knave...
So Puff, that tiny tyrant, sadly slipped into a cave. Oh!

Puff, EX-DemRAT Leader, loathed by the FRee...
Left dwindled down with evil Slick 'cuz DemRATs chose Hillary!!
Puff, that tragic figure, died mysteriously...
The Sheeple called it Arkancide 'cuz it's Death by Slick Willie!!

FReegards...MUD (1/02/2004)

[mondonico]

Fox News Channel reported this as a Daschle WIN this morning!!!!! Unbelievable!

[js1138]

So what was the ruling?

[mondonico]

My understanding is as follows. Daschle sought to have all republican poll watchers banned from Indian polling places, alleging that they were "intimidating" voters by, among other things, "rolling their eyes" and "taking notes." Although the judge obviously has a conflict of interest (he was DASCHLE's LAWYER!!!!), all he could do was order the watchers not to write down license plate numbers. The watchers get to stay. Daschle loses.

[SupplySider]

Way to go Rushmore! This race is critically important for the nation.