Posted on 01/05/2005 2:01:41 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
WASHINGTON - The senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee protested President Bush's re-election Wednesday with a new report claiming serious election irregularities and "significant disenfranchisement" of voters in Ohio.
The report by Rep. John Conyers of Michigan says Congress should challenge the Electoral College vote when it is tallied Thursday in the House of Representatives and investigate all claims of voter problems in Ohio.
"We have found numerous, serious election irregularities in the Ohio presidential election," the report said. "There are ample grounds for challenging the electors from the state of Ohio."
Ohio's 20 electoral votes were critical for Bush's defeat of Democratic Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. A recount last week showed Bush winning Ohio by 118,457 votes over Kerry, according to an unofficial tally by The Associated Press.
The 102-page report titled "Preserving Democracy: What Went Wrong in Ohio?" lists such problems as unusually long lines, a shortage of voting machines in Democratic-leaning areas, confusion over provisional ballot rules and computer problems.
The report also contends there were widespread instances of intimidation and misinformation, improper purging of voter registration lists, a lack of inspection for about 93,000 ballots where no vote was cast for president, and vote totals not matching registration numbers or exit poll data.
"In many cases these irregularities were caused by intentional misconduct and illegal behavior, much of it involving Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, the co-chair of the Bush-Cheney campaign in Ohio," the report said.
Carlo LoParo, a spokesman for Blackwell, called the report "ludicrous" and a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.
"There are absolutely no grounds for challenging Ohio's electors," LoParo said.
Meanwhile, a small group of House Democrats were looking for a Democratic senator to co-sponsor their challenge of Ohio's 20 electoral votes. A single senator supporting the effort would require the two chambers to meet separately and consider the objection. That scenario, however, would still ensure Bush's re-election because both bodies are controlled by Republicans.
Conyers and a few other Democrats have likened the Ohio results to the contested but much closer vote in Florida four years ago when Bush defeated Vice President Al Gore for the White House.
A small number of House Democrats challenged Florida's electoral votes in January 2001 but could not persuade a senator to join them.
You must know him,,,,you forgot ignorant, racist,
Jesse Jackson flunkie, lower than whale dung and a
dumb SOB who gets all his Michigan votes from dumb
and ignoramusses like hiumself...by former Ohioan
who is proud of Ohio...
John Conyers, the slowest talking man in America, is always good for a few laughs. Excuse me while I roll hysterically on the floor for a while!!!!!!
I agree with you. And I think you're suggesting that despite the need for a credible opposition party, the Democrat Party is not that credible alternative.
Somebody ought to make this SOB prove that statement once and for all.
I think Kennedy, Boxer, et al, are simply giving this report attention in order to pacify the plantation slaves.
Keep your TV set on tomorrow; they are, in fact, going to do just that.
Hey, maybe Trafficant can help him out. You can do a lot from jail and Kooks should stick together. LOL
That's why they are going after the Electoral vote in Ohio. They played the popular vote thing in 2000. Seems to me precinct workers and judges, and District Board of Elections in Ohio better watch their hides for certifying fraud. They have turned in all of those fraudulent votes without questioning them on election day.
Rush was on this this a.m. I have never heard him so incensed about so many things; and that's saying something!
I loved his parting shot though: What if we started to call Mickey Mouse, "Mickey the Pimp" and Minnie would be "Minnie the 'Ho?" I cracked up; Rush is the light of my life.
Republicans should take the Democrats up on investigating the election. The Democrats would soon stop complaining about it, after the hearings determine it was almost always the Democrats committing fraud, intimidation, voter suppression, etc.
I hate these effin people!
If the Pubbies don't do something about this I'm changing my registration to Independent or Libertarian. I'll probably still support the party, but I'll feel better not directly being associated to it.
What fraudlent votes? Keith Olberman, is that you?!
This grandstanding is to take the eyes off of themselves.
I have my Congressional phone list ready and portable phone charged and waiting.
Anyone know which other Congrassholes are joining in on this? I'm sure my distinguished Congressman Elijah Cummings is on the list.
I don't believe that any senator will step forward to challenge the electors in Ohio. If they did, I'd give them credit for having guts. If they really believe that there is voter suppression they have a duty to do something about it. Since it only comes up every 4 years, I don't believe they are serious.
I caught Rush on the walkman at the gym (I know, my husband thinks I am a freak because I listen to talk radio while working out) anyway, I have never heard him so angry. I loved it.
Meanwhile Kerry is out of the country and sent this in a mass e-mail today.
Dear XXXX
No American citizen should wake up the morning after the election and worry their vote wasn't counted. No citizen should be denied at the polls if they are eligible to vote. And, as the greatest, wealthiest nation on earth, our citizens should never be forced to vote on old, unaccountable and non transparent voting machines from companies controlled by partisan activists.
Tomorrow, members of Congress will meet to certify the results of the 2004 presidential election. I will not be taking part in a formal protest of the Ohio Electors.
Despite widespread reports of irregularities, questionable practices by some election officials and instances of lawful voters being denied the right to vote, our legal teams on the ground have found no evidence that would change the outcome of the election.
But, that does not mean we should abandon our commitment to addressing those problems that happened in Ohio. We must act today to make sure they never happen again.
I urge you to join me in using this occasion to highlight our demand that Congress commit itself this year to reforming the electoral system. A Presidential election is a national federal election but we have different standards in different states for casting and counting votes. We need a national federal standard to solve the problems that occurred in the 2004 election. I will propose legislation to help achieve this.
Florida 2000 was a wake up call. But the Republicans who control Congress ignored it. Will they now ignore what happened in 2004?
There are nearly 3,000,000 of you receiving this email. We accomplished so much together during the campaign. Now let's use our power to make sure that at least one good thing comes from the voting rights problems of the 2004 election. If we want to force real action on election reform, we've got to demand that congressional leaders hold full hearings. Make sure they hear from you and help hold them accountable.
Speaker Dennis Hastert: 1-202-225-0600
Leader Bill Frist: 1-202-224-3135
And please report that you've made your call right here:
http://www.johnkerry.com/signup/electoral_reform.php
I want every vote counted because Americans have to know that the votes they stood in line for, fought for, and strived so hard to cast in an election, are counted. We must make sure there are no questions or doubts in future elections. It's critical to our democracy that we investigate and act to prevent voting irregularities and voter intimidation across the country. We can't stand still as Congressional leaders seek to sweep well-founded voter concerns under the rug.
Please join with me in calling Speaker Hastert and Leader Frist and telling them that you want action on election reform now.
A recent report from Representative John Conyers (D-Michigan) reveals very troubling questions that have not yet been answered by Ohio election officials. I commend the Democratic National Committee for its announcement this week that the DNC will be investing resources and reaching out to non-partisan academics in a long term study of Ohio voting irregularities. I am only sorry that we haven't seen the same from Ohio Secretary of State Blackwell and GOP officials.
Congress must play a positive, proactive role on this issue. That's why I will soon introduce legislation to reform our election system, ensuring transparency and accountability in our voting system and that all Americans have an opportunity to vote and have their vote counted.
Please remember to let us know that you made your call when you're done. We're hoping to ensure House and Senate leaders' offices hear our demand for action on election reform in meaningful way. Please take a moment to let us know you have made your call here: http://www.johnkerry.com/signup/electoral_reform.php
Thank you,
John Kerry
P.S. Thanks to all those who participated in our USO "phone home" campaign last week. The totals are coming in from the USO, and they are thrilled with your generosity and support for our brave men and women in uniform. We will send you totals as we get them.
That aside, #16 and Howlin' agree that this should be shoved down their flippin' throats.
They make these lying charges because they know that they're immune. They're cowards.
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