CNN Breaking-GOP Not Waiting for SCONJ Decision..will file in Federal Court over Military Ballots!

October 2, 2002 | Judy Woodruff

[Cousin Eddie]

Folks, we need to be very careful here.

Per Dick Morris' point, we shouldn't fall into the same trap that the dems fell into re: IRAQ. If we turn the headlines over the next 4 weeks into "The Republicans are trying to deny voters a choice", then we will lose all of the momentum that Bush has built up for the Republicans with the Iraq effort.

This is a sham, but don't get off track. Yes we should fight it, but not on the front burner. We shouldn't turn this into the issue because it's not as clear in the average person's mind as the Iraq issue is.

Forrester should stand up and say "I don't agree with the decision, but I'm ready to take on anyone."

We can't let this turn into a momentous Supreme Court decision because we'll be on the losing end of the PR war. The opposition owns the barrels of ink.

[Cboldt]

Unanimous decision

http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/opinions/supreme/m-245-02b.pdf

[VOA]

I heard that some of the military ballots have been returned already as well..

Wow...

Well, I guess the Demos are pretty smart actually.
They've learned that they might as well contest an election in the courts BEFORE
Election Day.
That way they can have a second bite of the apple by contesting it afterwards
on another trumped up, dubious premise.

I'd tell motivated Republican/Conservative kids getting out of high school and college
to consider law school.
Their services will be needed to preserve Republican election victories.

[Amelia]

There was a report on GA state news today about absentee ballots. What I got from the report was that absentee ballots must be available 45 days before the election, according to federal law, because of the overseas military ballots.

The report in GA concerned the fact that the primaries had been postponed this year, making the runoffs less than 45 days before the general election, so ballots were not available in time - and how it was being dealt with.

However, it seems to me that this federal law - which I haven't had time to research - might have some relevance to the NJ situation.

[Dog]

Explain...???

[stboz]

Yes! Let the Rats argue that the military should lose their voting rights! EXCELLENT

They did that once before. Pubbies should not let America forget it either. But, with leadershit like Trent Lott, it's already in the dust bin.

[cyncooper]

I do not agree with those who advocate a purely politcal strategy of letting this stand lest the republicans be cast in a negative light as in the Florida case.

In my way of thinking letting this travesty of a decision stand is harmful to the country, as dems in other states will observe and act accordingly in the future.

This kind of maneuver must be squelched. Period. As often as the dems try it they must be slapped down and forced to abide by the laws and rules.

[SauronOfMordor]

Even if the SCOTUS steps in and overturns the NJSC decision, the Torch could resign within 30 days of the election, and the Rats would appoint someone until the next general election, as per NJ law.

If Torch resigns, whoever is appointed will only hold office until January. The scheduled election will not be delayed or cancelled

The election for Senator will be held Nov 5, and whoever wins that election will be Senator in January, regardless of what Torch or the Dems do.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

The denial of the sanctity of absentee military votes should weigh heavy in any republic.

Americans generally honor their fighting forces with all their hearts. This includes the citizens of New Jersy. If the NJ Supreme Court said nothing about how to handle absentee ballots tonight, then they will suffer the wrath of not only New Jersy, but of our entire nation. It will be ugly. And I suspect that there is a chance they did not consider absentee votes tonight.

Even if they did consider absentee votes, everyone will know it is only because the GOP was breathing down their necks.

[copycat]

Per Dick Morris' point, we shouldn't fall into the same trap that the dems fell into re: IRAQ. If we turn the headlines over the next 4 weeks into "The Republicans are trying to deny voters a choice", then we will lose all of the momentum that Bush has built up for the Republicans with the Iraq effort.

In fact, this may have been in the works all along.

They are playing for keeps...Time for an Nov 1 Iraq invasion.

[CedarDave]

I agree the Pubs need to make a show to the Supremes regarding the military ballots already out there. But, I'd almost hope they wouldn't win in the USSC such that Torch would resign and the Rat gov. postpones the Senate election. I'd like to think that the voters in NJ would be so pissed off that they'd take action at the ballot box in 30+ days with Torch/Lousyberg on the ticket, rather than hoping that they'd remember what happened when the next general election rolls around in two years.

(p.s. I hope my logic isn't too convoluted!)

[Nebr FAL owner]

Just start asking some rude questions publicly like Gee judge how much was the bribe that you got from the Dems ? Does this mean that everybody gets to make up the law as they go along like the bribe takers on the NJSC do?If not Why?

[Dead Dog]

I see your point,

It may have to do more with timing, in this cycle, the Dems are vulnerable so push it.

I want them to push this the the USSC not so much for the one Senate seat, but for it's effect on public sentament when the Dems get spotlighted for what they are. Specifically, to raise the ire of the conservative voters who sat out 2000 in a hissy fit and let the Dems get this close.

However, if there are other more vulnerable senate seats, then I agree with you.

[tip of the sword]

No matter what we have got to stand up for the military guys!

[Smedley]

I know that I'm repeating myself, but ...

Forget an appeal.

By changing the law, the SCONJ created bad precedent.

THE SOLUTION: Every political party other than the Dems, including the Libertarians, Conservatives, Republicans and Greens, should demand that any of their candidates that happen to be trailing in the polls be replaced in the ballots by some other candidate.

Perhaps individual citizens can make such pleas as well.

Start out at the circuit court level (or NJ equivalent) with a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) to halt the printing of new ballots until all desired ballot changes have been incorporated into the ballots. The likelihood of a TRO being granted may be very high depending on the language of the SCONJ opinion.

One TRO every two days should bog the system down quite nicely.

As the legal basis for all TROs would be the SCONJ's own opinion, the SCONJ would have to overturn or substantially modify its own opinion in order to get any ballot out by the constitutionally mandated time.

THE TIME TO TIE UP THE NEW BALLOT REPLACING SCHEME OF THE SCONJ IS NOW!!!! The SCONJ might learn that there is a reason for deadlines passed by legislatures, AND THAT THE COURTS AREN'T SUPERLEGISLATURES.

As I doubt that the SCONJ called the local election boards on this issue, mere feasability may not be an issue, i.e., the TRO cannot be denied by virtue of such a trivial thing as feasibility. In the end, the SCONJ would have to declare an arbitrary cutoff date. This would cause the SCONJ great embarassment.

SO, DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE'S A WRITTEN OPINION TO BE FOUND ON THE WEB?

[alrea]

the dems get the turnout

[mlo]

http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/opinions/supreme/m-245-02b.pdf

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

In my way of thinking letting this travesty of a decision stand is harmful to the country, as dems in other states will observe and act accordingly in the future.

According to Mark Levin, it is even more dangerous to have courts meddle in the voting process. If the NJ Supreme Idiots want to convince us that their IQ is sub-moronic, then it is left to New Jersey voters to right the wrong. It's their senator. So long as everyone has a vote, there is no need for courts to meddle. We have to trust New Jersy voters to get it right. And they better. Or they will envy Flori-duh. FReegards....

[SwinneySwitch]

"The denial of the sanctity of absentee military votes should weigh heavy in any republic"

The demonrats deny the sanctity of Life itself!!!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

What I got from the report was that absentee ballots must be available 45 days before the election, according to federal law, because of the overseas military ballots.

Boom!