Posted on 01/07/2005 1:39:13 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Dear Friends,
Hillary joined other Senate Democrats to speak on the Senate floor yesterday about problems with voting in the 2004 election, and why we must act to make sure that every American is able to vote, and every vote is counted. This was an important debate on an issue critical to the strength of our democracy, and one that Hillary will continue to work on. Read below for her full statement.
SENATOR HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON January 6, 2005
I commend Senator Boxer from California for joining with members of the House, most particularly Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, in raising the objection because it does permit us to air some of these issues, something that I believe is necessary for the smooth functioning of our democracy and the integrity of the most precious right of any citizen, namely, the right to vote.
As we look at our election system, I think it's fair to say that there are many legitimate questions about its accuracy, about its integrity, and they are not confined to the state of Ohio. They are questions that have arisen throughout our country and certainly because of the election of 2000 have been given high relief in the last four years. And then questions were raised additionally with respect to this election, which deepened the concern of many people about whether or not we can assure the continuity of our democratic process by ensuring the consent of the governed and the acceptance of the results of elections.
Several weeks ago, we stood in great admiration as a nation behind the people of Ukraine as they took to the streets to demand that they be given the right to an election where every vote was counted. In a few weeks, we're going to see an election in Iraq. And we know that there are people literally dying in Iraq for the right to cast a free vote. I am very proud of our country that we have stood with Ukrainians, Iraqis and others around the world, but increasingly, I worry that if this body, this Congress, doesn't stand up on a bipartisan basis for the right to vote here at home, our moral authority will be weakened. I take that very seriously.
This year, we will celebrate the anniversary of the voting rights act, and it will be an opportunity for us to take a look at this landmark legislation and determine how we're going to move it into the 21st century so that it really stands for what it was intended to do when it was first passed. I would be standing here saying this no matter what the outcome of the election because I still think the best rule in the politics is the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I worry whether it's a Democratic or Republican administration or a local, county, state or federal election that we are on a slippery slope as a nation.
My colleagues, Senator Boxer, and I along with former Senator Bob Graham of Florida introduced legislation last year to try to assure a verifiable paper audit. We didn't get anywhere with that. We didn't get a hearing before the rules committee. I would hope that the distinguished chair of the rules committee would hold such a hearing this year. Because if we can go buy a lottery ticket or go to a bank and get an ATM deposit, then we know we can use an electronic transfer mechanism that gives us a record.
Last spring, India had an election and 550 million or so people voted from the dot-com billionaire to the poor, illiterate peasant. They all voted. Mr. President, they voted on electronic voting machines. They voted in a way that guaranteed the safety and security and accuracy of their vote. They had uniform standards. They had a nonpartisan board that oversaw that election. The result was shocking-they threw out the existing government. Nobody predicted that. Yet they did it with integrity. Surely, we should be setting the standards. I would hope that this body, and thanks to the objection of my friend from California, this debate which has started today will continue.
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And this woman wants to be President? She played to the kooks even though she could have slapped them down. Hillary has a tone deaf ear for political sublety.
Don't you feel like you have to wash your computer after getting an email from her?
Friends of Hillary?.......FOH's? Fee Fye FOH FRUM! I smell the end of a political run.....
The grammar on this is awful! If she wrote this it is pathetic.
Right! We want to make sure all the DEAD, nonexistent and illegals have the right to vote demoncRAT. (big sarc)
Shades of John Kerry.
Friends? Hilary was willing to shoot her mouth off about all this, but when it came to signing her name to it, she left these other two dumb broads standing up there all alone. Who needs "friends" like that?
Same writer Babs Streisand must have for her website.....
"Don't you feel like you have to wash your computer after getting an email from her?"
LOL! I'm up to date on my "Cootie Shots." In fact, I read Utne Reader, and a few other leftist rags just to keep up on what the opposition is stepping in during any given week.
Forewarned is forearmed, you know? ;)
Friends of Hillary.
Sounds like some sort of benevolence group supported by the same people who support public broadcasting...you know...Friends of the Right Whale...
Any correspondence from Hillary is the first epistle in a 21st Century version of C.S. Lewis' "Screwtape Letters"
Funny, I don't see anything explaining why her former fund raiser was indited. Wonder why that is. Hmmmmm
Maybe we need to start a series of funny Hillary emails purporting to come from her.
"Maybe we need to start a series of funny Hillary emails purporting to come from her."
A creative mind is a terrible thing to not lay waste to Hillary with....
I think the computer wants to be burned after it is exposed to an email like that hehehe
I think the computer wants to be burned after it is exposed to an email like that hehehe
Harry Truman once quipped, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog!"...
Here's today's tome. Women and children hit hardest, Bush killing millions through lack of HIV/AIDS funding, Hillary alone persuaded Bush to increase aid to the Tsunami victims, abortion rights veiled as "women's healthcare choices," the usual cr@p...
Dear Friends,
Thank you! Our end of quarter fundraising deadline was extremely important and you came through for Hillary once again. We have some tough fights ahead and your response was another demonstration of our strength.
In addition to thanking you, I want to take this opportunity to give you a quick update about some important issues that Hillary focused on this week.
This past Monday, she called on President Bush to increase funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In the past year, even as needs have grown, New York's annual share of FEMA's food and shelter program was reduced. Hillary spoke of the need for an "adequate nutrition safety net for low-income Americans," and called on the administration to increase federal funding to
shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries, in recognition that growing numbers need these services. She believes the President's actions towards the poor demonstrate the hypocrisy of the "compassionate conservatism" he espouses.
At a dinner on behalf of the International Women's Health Coalition, Hillary spoke of the importance of health care and reproductive care for women around the world. "Although the destruction wrought by AIDS is not as visible as was the tsunami," she said, "it kills more people. And it increasingly victimizes women and children." Yet, the Bush Administration is making it hard for women to protect themselves by denying funds to organizations that provide badly needed education and family planning. Hillary discussed the legislation she
has introduced, with Senator Barbara Boxer of California, which could provide assistance for comprehensive education for women and girls, including health education that emphasizes the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.
Quietly but deliberately, President Bush and his right-wing allies have been chipping away at women's rights but Hillary, with your help, is hoping to build on the progress that has been made - and fight those who continue to try to reverse it.
We have started this year with an amazing demonstration of what can be done when we work together - and there's an exciting year ahead. Thank you for all you've done in 2004 and I look forward to working with you in 2005!
Sincerely,
Patti Solis Doyle
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Bumping this up, because James Carville was kind enough to e-mail me this morning. Enjoy!
Dear Friends,
There they go again - the slash and burn Republicans are after my friend
Hillary Clinton!
I have just learned that Republican political consultant Arthur Finkelstein - who specializes in harsh negative attacks against Democratic candidates - is starting a new anti-Hillary political action committee to run Swift Boat type ads against her in her re-election campaign in 2006!!
The goal is to "bloody her up," said one leading New York State Republican.
Well, at least they're honest. This crowd knows they can't beat Hillary with facts. She is a terrific, hard-working, effective Senator, and the people of New York know it. The latest polls show her in the lead against any possible
opponent, including Gov. George Pataki and former mayor Rudy Giuliani - with a 69% approval rating in today's New York Times! She is doing a great job in the Senate, taking the lead on issues ranging from children's health to electoral reform, with her new Count Every Vote Bill.
But Republicans know - and we all saw again last year - that millions of dollars of negative advertising, left unanswered, can have a damaging effect. That's what the Swift Boat ads did in 2004, and that's what they are going to try to do again against Hillary in 2006.
I know Hillary Clinton is a fighter. I have seen first hand how she gets out there and fights for the principles she believes in. She doesn't back down, and she doesn't run away. She is going to fight hard in this campaign just as she fights for all of us every day in the Senate.
But she needs our help. The Republican attack machine will have no trouble raising money from their special interest friends. We need to make sure Hillary has the resources she needs to fight back in her campaign - to make sure no attack goes unanswered.
Will you send in your contribution today?
http://activate.friendsofhillary.com/t?ctl=BA293E:33FA2FF
Help Hillary get ready for whatever those guys try to throw at her. Let her know that she will not be alone when the right wing attacks begin. We are going to be there with her, and together, we are going to win!
Sincerely,
James Carville
P.S. Hillary and I have different hair styles, but we've got this in common: we believe in fighting hard, fighting back - and winning! So please, send as much as you can for her re-election campaign. I guarantee you it will be well
used!
http://activate.friendsofhillary.com/t?ctl=BA293E:33FA2FF
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