Don't be. This isn't an LATimes original article. That is, Lott and Glassman aren't LATimes reporters.
Instead, it's a syndicated article, or column, by Lott (a professor at the University of Chicago) and Glassman (a libertarian economist who writes for the WashPost).
And the circumstantial evidence in support of vote tampering by Democrats, to systematically spoil Republican ballots, is statistically overwhelming.
Easily accomplished in punch card precincts by taking a stack of cards and driving a wire through the Gore chad -- which a.) doesn't disturb any existing vote for Gore, b.) creates a vote for Gore when the voter chose not to cast a ballot for President, and c.) nullifies any Bush (or Buchanan) votes by turning them into overvotes.
Surprised is right. Unbelievable is more like it. From the LA Times no less. I want to know why. Given Bush's sky-high poll numbers has concern for bottom line (subscribers, readership) trumped their liberal ideology? Has Bush become acceptable to the left -- was he all along? What's going on here?