Dem Lays Out Case Against Bush's Ohio Win

AP ^ | January 5, 2005 | MALIA RULON

[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.

[KenmcG414]

This jerk is as pinko, socialist and anti-American as one could be.He's laughable!!!

[kaehurowing]

Oh boy, this is great!

If I were the Republicans I would run with this. The majority should make a big deal about needing to get to the bottom of the allegations, because we need to be sure about the integrity of our elections, blah, blah, blah, but unfortunately will delay the final electoral Tally. We may have to even delay the inauguration while these serious charges by the DEMOCRATS are looked into. . . .

The public will go nuts.

Then I would hold hearings and make the Dems out for the Sore Losermen and -women they all are.

If ever there was a set-up just begging to get booted by Karl Rove, this is it.

[kaehurowing]

Isn't this the guy that started the "Bring Back the Draft" scam?

[My2Cents]

The point of his "report" is just to continue stoking the fires that were lit in 2000 among the Left/Dem fringe.

Happy New Year to you, too, W-S. We would thank Conyers for keeping these dark fires burning, as it tends to explode in their collective faces every election year, were it not for the fact that he and his ilk are actually seeking to undermine the legitimacy of the duly elected President of the United States, and hence, as you suggest, are thereby crossing the line into sedition. I wish someone would start getting tough with these SOBs.

[My2Cents]

Rush always shows an ability to cut to the core issue.

[Wolfstar]

I wish someone would start getting tough with these SOBs.

Me, too. Unfortunately, as far as I know, we don't have any sedition laws. While I understand why, we still need some way to counter this very dangerous game they're playing.

[Phoneman]

Seems like the perfect opportunity to make the DimRats forever the minority.

I say the Republicans should make sure that no election is subject to the massive voter fraud claimed. After all, we can not have a sizable portion of the populace question the legitimacy of federal elections.

We should pass legislation requiring a valid picture ID, and voter registration card to vote. Only voters with the later credentials may be issued a provisional ballot should they not appear on the voter rolls.

Absentee ballots should need a photo copy of picture ID and the original voter registration card. A replacement VR will be sent to the absentee voter following the election.

And for those long lines. Free coffee, soda, or crack for those disenfranchised areas.

[My2Cents]

This jerk is as pinko, socialist and anti-American as one could be.

One reason Republicans don't play these kind of games (beside the big reason that we're honest and bend over backwards to be civil), is that if we tried this cr@p, we know some leftist would actually try to shoot us.

[My2Cents]

Conyers and his merry band of thugs should at least be embarrassed in the court of public opinion. And this should require more than having his antics become talkshow fodder. There should be a parade of Reps on the House floor condemning both this and him. If Conyers indeed brings it up, perhaps there will be (we can hope).

[ken5050]

When your opponent is committing suicide, leave hime alone..

[Wolfstar]

There should be a parade of Reps on the House floor condemning both this and him.

Agreed.

[Wolfstar]

When your opponent is committing suicide, leave hime alone..

Let's hope that's what is happening. However, I'm not entirely convinced despite our election gains and their losses. Personally, if my opponent is committing suicide, I'd like to give him a strong nudge off the cliff.

[pepperdog]

Exactly! That is why Washington State Republicans must continue to fight. If the Dems are able to prevail there they will be emboldened to try it in every election. They must be soundly and thoroughly exposed and defeated.

[My2Cents]

if my opponent is committing suicide, I'd like to give him a strong nudge off the cliff.

LOL. I agree with you. Plus, it seems to me that if Conyers and his band of seditious morons make outrageous claims about the illegitimacy of Bush's win, and these claims go largely unrebutted, it makes it appear to some in our country that Conyers is on to something, and the Republicans are simply winking and nudging each other knowingly in the face of these accusations. Where the honor of our electoral system, and the legitimacy of our President are questioned, these charges should be challenged, and Conyers should be put to shame (if that is at all possible).

[Wolfstar]

The Left was out in force today. Challenging the Ohio results and the nomination of Alberto Gonzales. These two photos are of the Ohio cretins:

Rev. Bill Moss, from Columbus, Ohio speaks to the media about his lawsuit against President Bush on the presidential election results from the state of Ohio, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005, in Washington. Moss, along with 50 other people from Ohio have come to Washington to constitutionally challenge the election results of Ohio. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

Harvey Wasserman, senior editor of freepress.org, speaks to the media about the lawsuit against President Bush on the presidential election results from the state of Ohio. Wasserman, along with 50 other people from Ohio have come to Washington to constitutionally challenge the election results of Ohio. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

[SandRat]

[xrp]

This is actually good news. If the liberals/Democrats use this crying point for another 4 years saying that President George W. Bush wasn't legally elected again then President Bush will just be eligible to run for his first presidential term in 2008 and then run for re-election in 2012. By this time, Hillary is too old to run for president! Conservatism wins!

[gitmo]

This should not be our goal, the Nation needs a credible opposition party. We now have one party ...

It's a little premature to make this claim. Not that long ago, the Republican party was in a similar state to where the Rats currently reside. The biggest difference is that the Republicans were used to it. Tides can change quickly in the world of politics.

[Ciexyz]

They must be soundly and thoroughly exposed and defeated.

That goes without saying. That's what we believe on FR, but what about the rest of the country, why aren't they getting this story? How depressing, to think the creeps are getting away with stealing the vote in WA State.

[claudiustg]

Conyers is still alive? Who'd have thought?