Stopping Students From Voting
Late last month local Virginia Republican officials began to worry about the thousands of students at Virginia Tech who were being registered by the Obama Campaign. So they put out a series of press releases incorrectly asserting dire consequences for the students.
The releases warned that such students could no longer be claimed as dependents on their parents’ tax returns, a statement the Internal Revenue Service says is incorrect, and could lose scholarships or coverage under their parents’ car and health insurance.
After some inquiries from students and parents, and more pointed questions from civil rights lawyers, the state board of elections said Friday that it was “modifying and clarifying” the state guidelines on which the county registrar had based his releases.
When I was helping register Black Voters for SNCC in 1964, I would have laughed if you had told me that middle class white college students would need the help of a civil rights lawyer to get registered. Before the clarification over 1000 students withdrew their registration application. The War Party becomes The Bully Party.
Wow, it is a very low trick.
Wow, it is a very low trick.
Ah, the party of “values”, “ethics”, “integrity”….
Did I miss any?
Ah, the party of “values”, “ethics”, “integrity”….
Did I miss any?
I’m a student at VT. As far as I’m aware, this was something that our school newspaper picked up and reported, but I’m not subscribed to NYT, so I can’t read the article to see where it originated from.
I’m a student at VT. As far as I’m aware, this was something that our school newspaper picked up and reported, but I’m not subscribed to NYT, so I can’t read the article to see where it originated from.
I don’t know whether this is more frightening or more disgusting.
The Republicans are truly, truly afraid of Obama [and have resorted to grasping at straws] to win.
I really can’t believe what a sinister move this is. It’s appalling. [A Palin?]
I don’t know whether this is more frightening or more disgusting.
The Republicans are truly, truly afraid of Obama [and have resorted to grasping at straws] to win.
I really can’t believe what a sinister move this is. It’s appalling. [A Palin?]
Where in the article does it say the Republican party was involved with these press releases? The NY Times article made it sound like it was the County Registrar not the County Republican party…check the facts.
Where in the article does it say the Republican party was involved with these press releases? The NY Times article made it sound like it was the County Registrar not the County Republican party…check the facts.
Wow, great way to misrepresent an article. Where does in the article does it state the election officials have any party affiliation? It was a registration office, but why let the truth stand in the way of a hit piece. Nice to know where your politics are based.
There are valid reasons for have students basing their voting at their parents address, college students move all the time I did at least 6-7 times. I had all my voting registration based there throughout college and it never stopped me from voting it’s call an absentee ballot. Not very difficult.
ps – Not a Dem or Rep, just a Libertarian. The original article is good, it’s just your warping of it that is shameful.
Wow, great way to misrepresent an article. Where does in the article does it state the election officials have any party affiliation? It was a registration office, but why let the truth stand in the way of a hit piece. Nice to know where your politics are based.
There are valid reasons for have students basing their voting at their parents address, college students move all the time I did at least 6-7 times. I had all my voting registration based there throughout college and it never stopped me from voting it’s call an absentee ballot. Not very difficult.
ps – Not a Dem or Rep, just a Libertarian. The original article is good, it’s just your warping of it that is shameful.
People involved in voter suppression should be dragged out into the street and shot.
Extreme? You bet. But what is at stake, in ANY election, is the very foundation of our nation. Those trying to subvert elections via lies and intimidation are attempting to corrupt our electoral process and throw things into disarray.
Hell, if one bought into the whole “War on Terror” you could even say that by carrying out acts of voter suppression they are giving aid to our enemies….
Yes, treason is a REAL stretch, but then again to quote the article above…
“I would have laughed if you had told me that middle class white college students would need the help of a civil rights lawyer to get registered.”
People involved in voter suppression should be dragged out into the street and shot.
Extreme? You bet. But what is at stake, in ANY election, is the very foundation of our nation. Those trying to subvert elections via lies and intimidation are attempting to corrupt our electoral process and throw things into disarray.
Hell, if one bought into the whole “War on Terror” you could even say that by carrying out acts of voter suppression they are giving aid to our enemies….
Yes, treason is a REAL stretch, but then again to quote the article above…
“I would have laughed if you had told me that middle class white college students would need the help of a civil rights lawyer to get registered.”
Lying: that’s all they know what to do.
Lying: that’s all they know what to do.
@Bob
How loving & hopeful of you.
@Bob
How loving & hopeful of you.
@theconley: you can set up an account at the NY Times for free, no subscription required. It’s worth it.
I agree with our concerned friends Thomas and gingersnap8 that calling the Montgomery County voter registrar’s office “Republican officials” is a bit misleading, as it’s supposed to be a non-partisan office. However it doesn’t take a whole lot of thinking to figure out who benefits from suppressing college-age voter registration, especially this year.
@theconley: you can set up an account at the NY Times for free, no subscription required. It’s worth it.
I agree with our concerned friends Thomas and gingersnap8 that calling the Montgomery County voter registrar’s office “Republican officials” is a bit misleading, as it’s supposed to be a non-partisan office. However it doesn’t take a whole lot of thinking to figure out who benefits from suppressing college-age voter registration, especially this year.
This reminds me, since I’ve transferred to USC, I need to re-register…I just tried re-registering on :
http://www.sos.ca.gov/nvrc/fedform/
But it is not letting me…perhaps the Republican Party has something to do with this? More likely an internet error…
This reminds me, since I’ve transferred to USC, I need to re-register…I just tried re-registering on :
http://www.sos.ca.gov/nvrc/fedform/
But it is not letting me…perhaps the Republican Party has something to do with this? More likely an internet error…
Thomas- You have to be kidding, right? The article clearly states the Democrats were registering all the voters.
Thomas- You have to be kidding, right? The article clearly states the Democrats were registering all the voters.
In 2000, I was 21 and trying to register to vote in my 1st presidential election. I was going to school 4 hours away from home and working full time with 18 credits. When I tried to register to vote I was informed that I’d have to drive home on the polling day if I wanted to cast my ballot. I made many a phone call and protested this decision in writing for months leading up to the election, but I was repeatedly denied any sensible alternative, including an absentee ballot. My work and school schedules prevented me from driving 8 hours in one day to vote that year. Eventually, the election was stolen that year anyway, but the small theft of my constitutional rights stung more in that moment than the loss of its peers in the years to come.
In 2000, I was 21 and trying to register to vote in my 1st presidential election. I was going to school 4 hours away from home and working full time with 18 credits. When I tried to register to vote I was informed that I’d have to drive home on the polling day if I wanted to cast my ballot. I made many a phone call and protested this decision in writing for months leading up to the election, but I was repeatedly denied any sensible alternative, including an absentee ballot. My work and school schedules prevented me from driving 8 hours in one day to vote that year. Eventually, the election was stolen that year anyway, but the small theft of my constitutional rights stung more in that moment than the loss of its peers in the years to come.
In 2000, I was 21 and trying to register to vote in my 1st presidential election. I was going to school 4 hours away from home and working full time with 18 credits. When I tried to register to vote I was informed that I’d have to drive home on the polling day if I wanted to cast my ballot. I made many a phone call and protested this decision in writing for months leading up to the election, but I was repeatedly denied any sensible alternative, including an absentee ballot. My work and school schedules prevented me from driving 8 hours in one day to vote that year. Eventually, the election was stolen that year anyway, but the small theft of my constitutional rights stung more in that moment than the loss of its peers in the years to come.
This is a problem in many colleges that draw from areas beyond thteir immediate vicinity. For example, I went to Arizona State, where a very large number of students commuted, or were from the Phoenix area. Thus they were registered to vote for Pres/governor etc, though not the city council.
I then went to a large private school that drew from the surrounding states, and most weren’t registered to vote where they lived, and couldn’t vote as absentee was not available or difficult. They also didn’t get involved with local politics, and so the city an county did not represent the predominating opinion completely.
One hindrance to registering to vote there was that by doing so, you lost one leg of your support for a claim of residency in another state. I wanted to maintain residency in Arizona, and by registering to vote in another state, I lost basis for arguing I was still an arizona resident, and qualified for preference on graduate school admission and instate tuition.
This is a problem in many colleges that draw from areas beyond thteir immediate vicinity. For example, I went to Arizona State, where a very large number of students commuted, or were from the Phoenix area. Thus they were registered to vote for Pres/governor etc, though not the city council.
I then went to a large private school that drew from the surrounding states, and most weren’t registered to vote where they lived, and couldn’t vote as absentee was not available or difficult. They also didn’t get involved with local politics, and so the city an county did not represent the predominating opinion completely.
One hindrance to registering to vote there was that by doing so, you lost one leg of your support for a claim of residency in another state. I wanted to maintain residency in Arizona, and by registering to vote in another state, I lost basis for arguing I was still an arizona resident, and qualified for preference on graduate school admission and instate tuition.
“ps – Not a Dem or Rep, just a Libertarian. The original article is good, it’s just your warping of it that is shameful.”
What is up with all the shame being scattered about these days?
“ps – Not a Dem or Rep, just a Libertarian. The original article is good, it’s just your warping of it that is shameful.”
What is up with all the shame being scattered about these days?
This makes me so mad! I like that you are naming them the War Party. Let’s call it like it is.
My 18-year old sent off for an absentee ballot to go to his college. Let’s hope they don’t lose it in the mail. We live in Georgia.
This makes me so mad! I like that you are naming them the War Party. Let’s call it like it is.
My 18-year old sent off for an absentee ballot to go to his college. Let’s hope they don’t lose it in the mail. We live in Georgia.
I hope you will be as vigilant in attacking corruption in your own party. If you are sincere, you should be as concerned about Republicans’ voting rights as you are about Democrats’ — indeed, how about American rights.
I hope you will be as vigilant in attacking corruption in your own party. If you are sincere, you should be as concerned about Republicans’ voting rights as you are about Democrats’ — indeed, how about American rights.
I hope you will be as vigilant in attacking corruption in your own party. If you are sincere, you should be as concerned about Republicans’ voting rights as you are about Democrats’ — indeed, how about American rights.
I read the article and don’t get the outrage. It appears to be a case of “murky” guidelines that needed to be clarified.
“Kevin Griffis, the Obama campaign’s Virginia spokesman, said the release appeared to be a good-faith effort to convey state guidelines, not a politically motivated effort to stop voting by students.”
To try to suppress legitimate votes is disgusting, but I’m sure you know this stuff happens on both sides all of the time.
You should read Michelle Malkin’s book “Unhinged”.
I read the article and don’t get the outrage. It appears to be a case of “murky” guidelines that needed to be clarified.
“Kevin Griffis, the Obama campaign’s Virginia spokesman, said the release appeared to be a good-faith effort to convey state guidelines, not a politically motivated effort to stop voting by students.”
To try to suppress legitimate votes is disgusting, but I’m sure you know this stuff happens on both sides all of the time.
You should read Michelle Malkin’s book “Unhinged”.
I read the article and don’t get the outrage. It appears to be a case of “murky” guidelines that needed to be clarified.
“Kevin Griffis, the Obama campaign’s Virginia spokesman, said the release appeared to be a good-faith effort to convey state guidelines, not a politically motivated effort to stop voting by students.”
To try to suppress legitimate votes is disgusting, but I’m sure you know this stuff happens on both sides all of the time.
You should read Michelle Malkin’s book “Unhinged”.
Ann’s New Friend Are you vigilant about attacking corruption in your own party?
Ann’s New Friend Are you vigilant about attacking corruption in your own party?
This is the same stuff that happened in Floria 4 years ago and 4 years before that, nobody was able to stop it then, so why should they be able to now?
Look at the people defending the republican party tho, they are just totally brainwashed, there’s no reaching these folks
This is the same stuff that happened in Floria 4 years ago and 4 years before that, nobody was able to stop it then, so why should they be able to now?
Look at the people defending the republican party tho, they are just totally brainwashed, there’s no reaching these folks
Seattle Steve
That stuff happening on both sides all the time should be stopped, should it not? Got to start someplace.
The Democrats are still angry about things like tens of thousands of African American voters being dishonestly labeled felons and scrubbed from the voter rolls in Florida. I don’t find their outrage difficult to understand.
At any rate, it does not hurt for this story to be aired and to have corrected inaccurate information released by the Montgomery County Registrar.
Seattle Steve
That stuff happening on both sides all the time should be stopped, should it not? Got to start someplace.
The Democrats are still angry about things like tens of thousands of African American voters being dishonestly labeled felons and scrubbed from the voter rolls in Florida. I don’t find their outrage difficult to understand.
At any rate, it does not hurt for this story to be aired and to have corrected inaccurate information released by the Montgomery County Registrar.
To Jon Taplin: There’s nothing wrong with a political party offering to register students (or any individual in an area) to vote. Sure, it might benefit them to focus on one demographic, but it’s still up to the person voting as for whom they will choose to vote.
On the other hand, misleading students with the notion of “lost financial aid” or other negative effects seems a bit suspect.
To Jon Taplin: There’s nothing wrong with a political party offering to register students (or any individual in an area) to vote. Sure, it might benefit them to focus on one demographic, but it’s still up to the person voting as for whom they will choose to vote.
On the other hand, misleading students with the notion of “lost financial aid” or other negative effects seems a bit suspect.
Notice all the new blog posters here? Hmmm.
Notice all the new blog posters here? Hmmm.
Notice all the new blog posters here? Hmmm.
As a college student myslef this is quite unnerving! I’m of course registered, insurance be damned.
http://www.modbehav.com
As a college student myslef this is quite unnerving! I’m of course registered, insurance be damned.
http://www.modbehav.com
I ran into this blog randomly and I just had to voice my disgust. Can you imagine how many students will now register and vote because of these shenanigans?
I ran into this blog randomly and I just had to voice my disgust. Can you imagine how many students will now register and vote because of these shenanigans?
charlie wilson,
I don’t think there were “tens of thousands” of AA voters dishonestly scrubbed from Florida’s polls. Do you have a source to cite for that?
I agree that it would be nice to stop the shenanigans from both sides. I think this particular case seems rather dubious, and I wanted to point out that it’s pretty biased to point to this story and ignore some much more severe abuses committed by the other side. But it’s Mr. Taplin’s site and he has every right to be biased.
charlie wilson,
I don’t think there were “tens of thousands” of AA voters dishonestly scrubbed from Florida’s polls. Do you have a source to cite for that?
I agree that it would be nice to stop the shenanigans from both sides. I think this particular case seems rather dubious, and I wanted to point out that it’s pretty biased to point to this story and ignore some much more severe abuses committed by the other side. But it’s Mr. Taplin’s site and he has every right to be biased.
charlie wilson,
I don’t think there were “tens of thousands” of AA voters dishonestly scrubbed from Florida’s polls. Do you have a source to cite for that?
I agree that it would be nice to stop the shenanigans from both sides. I think this particular case seems rather dubious, and I wanted to point out that it’s pretty biased to point to this story and ignore some much more severe abuses committed by the other side. But it’s Mr. Taplin’s site and he has every right to be biased.
The republican party has become surprisingly mean and angry over the last 10-15 years. They seem to have become willing to stoop very low to gain and hold onto power.
Tactics like these are one case, as is their way of focusing on people’s fears of terrorism etc. to get people to vote for them and support their preemptive war philosophy. As long as we are at war, there is a super-convenient reason for the govt. to slowly erode civil rights and thus gain more power. Luckily for them, the war on terrorism could literally go on forever.
Another is their (Cheney’s) effort to quietly increase power of the executive branch, thus reducing govt. checks-and-balances in general – this is downright frightening. The logical conclusion of that path is dictatorship (i.e. ultimate power).
The democrats are by no means perfect, but to me (an independent), those evils are much more harmful than any problems the democrats might cause.
By the way, Sarah Palin reminds me of Dr. Laura, the radio show host. A very black-and-white thinker (think G.W. Bush) who is into guns and war (i.e. killing) and hates abortion (i.e. killing). Huh?
The republican party has become surprisingly mean and angry over the last 10-15 years. They seem to have become willing to stoop very low to gain and hold onto power.
Tactics like these are one case, as is their way of focusing on people’s fears of terrorism etc. to get people to vote for them and support their preemptive war philosophy. As long as we are at war, there is a super-convenient reason for the govt. to slowly erode civil rights and thus gain more power. Luckily for them, the war on terrorism could literally go on forever.
Another is their (Cheney’s) effort to quietly increase power of the executive branch, thus reducing govt. checks-and-balances in general – this is downright frightening. The logical conclusion of that path is dictatorship (i.e. ultimate power).
The democrats are by no means perfect, but to me (an independent), those evils are much more harmful than any problems the democrats might cause.
By the way, Sarah Palin reminds me of Dr. Laura, the radio show host. A very black-and-white thinker (think G.W. Bush) who is into guns and war (i.e. killing) and hates abortion (i.e. killing). Huh?
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20010205/palast
If you Google African American Voters scrubbed from Florida Voter Rolls, you will find a lot about that. Tens of thousands is right. I also have that information first hand, but I don’t expect you to take my word for it.
seattle steve, in all fairness, I think Mr. Taplin understood the story. And I do not think Mr. Taplin is ignorant of the shenanigans of either side.
I do believe he views one side as having a better chance of leading us into a sustainable future.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20010205/palast
If you Google African American Voters scrubbed from Florida Voter Rolls, you will find a lot about that. Tens of thousands is right. I also have that information first hand, but I don’t expect you to take my word for it.
seattle steve, in all fairness, I think Mr. Taplin understood the story. And I do not think Mr. Taplin is ignorant of the shenanigans of either side.
I do believe he views one side as having a better chance of leading us into a sustainable future.
Amazing! Thank you so much for getting the word out. These kinds of dirty tricks will become more and more common as we get closer to November, and our votes couldn’t be more important. Keep up the good work.
Jerame Clough
-Next Gen Politics
Amazing! Thank you so much for getting the word out. These kinds of dirty tricks will become more and more common as we get closer to November, and our votes couldn’t be more important. Keep up the good work.
Jerame Clough
-Next Gen Politics
Amazing! Thank you so much for getting the word out. These kinds of dirty tricks will become more and more common as we get closer to November, and our votes couldn’t be more important. Keep up the good work.
Jerame Clough
-Next Gen Politics
Wikipedia has the number at 57,000.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Central_Voter_File#Pre-election_cleansing
Wikipedia has the number at 57,000.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Central_Voter_File#Pre-election_cleansing
this is pretty outrageous, but it doesn’t sound out of character for Conservative Republicans
this is pretty outrageous, but it doesn’t sound out of character for Conservative Republicans
By 2002, Greg Palast had the number at over 90,000.
http://archive.salon.com/politics/feature/2002/11/01/lists/index.html
By 2002, Greg Palast had the number at over 90,000.
http://archive.salon.com/politics/feature/2002/11/01/lists/index.html
Ohio is in embroiled in a controversy over voter rolls as well.
Ohio is in embroiled in a controversy over voter rolls as well.
Rick,
Dr. Laura isn’t happy with Palin as VP because she thinks Palin should be home raising her kids first, before shooting for a public political career.
http://www.drlaurablog.com/2008/09/02/sarah-palin-and-motherhood/
Rick,
Dr. Laura isn’t happy with Palin as VP because she thinks Palin should be home raising her kids first, before shooting for a public political career.
http://www.drlaurablog.com/2008/09/02/sarah-palin-and-motherhood/
Rick,
Dr. Laura isn’t happy with Palin as VP because she thinks Palin should be home raising her kids first, before shooting for a public political career.
http://www.drlaurablog.com/2008/09/02/sarah-palin-and-motherhood/
Brian,
up to 600,000 Ohio residents could be disenfranchised if voter caging remains sufficient to block voting in November so it’s good to hear someone is taking steps to try to rectify the situation.
http://www.truthout.org/article/nearly-600000-voters-subject-possible-caging-ohio
Brian,
up to 600,000 Ohio residents could be disenfranchised if voter caging remains sufficient to block voting in November so it’s good to hear someone is taking steps to try to rectify the situation.
http://www.truthout.org/article/nearly-600000-voters-subject-possible-caging-ohio
zak,
Thanks – I stand corrected (about Dr. Laura)! I actually agree with Dr. Laura on this one…
zak,
Thanks – I stand corrected (about Dr. Laura)! I actually agree with Dr. Laura on this one…
The interesting element is that the Virginia Board of Elections is required to monitor local election boards for their compliance with the Help America Vote Act. Some of you may remember how the Republicans hijacked this bill to require higher standards of voter ID to register. But it does at least have provisions to address exactly this particular problem.
There is no way possible for any local election board not to be aware of the requirements of HAVA to have uniform standards including the requirement to furnish absentee ballots. The confusion here may have been that in order to register locally you really do have to a local resident. Instead of telling students only the down side, it would have been helpful, in the spirit of HAVA, if the local election board had informed them of the upside, which is that they can register in their resident hometown, and if registered, be assured of getting an absentee ballot so they don’t have to drive home.
But I also fault the folks doing the registration drive for not doing their home work and using HAVA to assist in their drive, since thats also a provision to use college students as poll workers.
I think I’m more surprised that the NYT reporter didn’t discover this.
For students reading this blog, go to
http://www.gocollege.com/students-guide-to-voting.html
It’s a little oversimplified in it’s pitch to get you to vote, but what it has, if you scroll down, is the contact information for each state election office (be sure to contact your state of legal residence) which, thanks to HAVA, has to provide you with the information on how to register and how to get your absentee ballot. Oregon residents can even register by mail, and, all our ballots are vote by mail so there is no issue (they just have to have the correct address to send the ballot to).
Pass the word to you school papers to work with the local election board/ County Clerks office for information for an article on the process. So, get out the vote, and don’t sweat the glitches, you’ve got a very flawed bit of legislation (re: voter ID) that in this case helps you.
The interesting element is that the Virginia Board of Elections is required to monitor local election boards for their compliance with the Help America Vote Act. Some of you may remember how the Republicans hijacked this bill to require higher standards of voter ID to register. But it does at least have provisions to address exactly this particular problem.
There is no way possible for any local election board not to be aware of the requirements of HAVA to have uniform standards including the requirement to furnish absentee ballots. The confusion here may have been that in order to register locally you really do have to a local resident. Instead of telling students only the down side, it would have been helpful, in the spirit of HAVA, if the local election board had informed them of the upside, which is that they can register in their resident hometown, and if registered, be assured of getting an absentee ballot so they don’t have to drive home.
But I also fault the folks doing the registration drive for not doing their home work and using HAVA to assist in their drive, since thats also a provision to use college students as poll workers.
I think I’m more surprised that the NYT reporter didn’t discover this.
For students reading this blog, go to
http://www.gocollege.com/students-guide-to-voting.html
It’s a little oversimplified in it’s pitch to get you to vote, but what it has, if you scroll down, is the contact information for each state election office (be sure to contact your state of legal residence) which, thanks to HAVA, has to provide you with the information on how to register and how to get your absentee ballot. Oregon residents can even register by mail, and, all our ballots are vote by mail so there is no issue (they just have to have the correct address to send the ballot to).
Pass the word to you school papers to work with the local election board/ County Clerks office for information for an article on the process. So, get out the vote, and don’t sweat the glitches, you’ve got a very flawed bit of legislation (re: voter ID) that in this case helps you.
The interesting element is that the Virginia Board of Elections is required to monitor local election boards for their compliance with the Help America Vote Act. Some of you may remember how the Republicans hijacked this bill to require higher standards of voter ID to register. But it does at least have provisions to address exactly this particular problem.
There is no way possible for any local election board not to be aware of the requirements of HAVA to have uniform standards including the requirement to furnish absentee ballots. The confusion here may have been that in order to register locally you really do have to a local resident. Instead of telling students only the down side, it would have been helpful, in the spirit of HAVA, if the local election board had informed them of the upside, which is that they can register in their resident hometown, and if registered, be assured of getting an absentee ballot so they don’t have to drive home.
But I also fault the folks doing the registration drive for not doing their home work and using HAVA to assist in their drive, since thats also a provision to use college students as poll workers.
I think I’m more surprised that the NYT reporter didn’t discover this.
For students reading this blog, go to
http://www.gocollege.com/students-guide-to-voting.html
It’s a little oversimplified in it’s pitch to get you to vote, but what it has, if you scroll down, is the contact information for each state election office (be sure to contact your state of legal residence) which, thanks to HAVA, has to provide you with the information on how to register and how to get your absentee ballot. Oregon residents can even register by mail, and, all our ballots are vote by mail so there is no issue (they just have to have the correct address to send the ballot to).
Pass the word to you school papers to work with the local election board/ County Clerks office for information for an article on the process. So, get out the vote, and don’t sweat the glitches, you’ve got a very flawed bit of legislation (re: voter ID) that in this case helps you.
Saying, “This kind of thing goes on in both parties all the time” is about like saying, “You know, the Poles did abuse German nationals in Danzig, and that’s pretty well documented, so, you know, that invasion and rape of Poland thing, you have to look at both sides, and be fair and balanced.”
The GOP has been gaming elections and suppressing voters in an increasingly nasty and open way since 2000. They keep getting caught red-handed, and they keep saying, “Oh gosh, our bad, it turns out we were mistaken in saying that Latino voters would be deported, or black voters would be rounded up and put in jail, or college students’ parents would be audited by the IRS. It was an honest mistake!”
Sure it was.
Saying, “This kind of thing goes on in both parties all the time” is about like saying, “You know, the Poles did abuse German nationals in Danzig, and that’s pretty well documented, so, you know, that invasion and rape of Poland thing, you have to look at both sides, and be fair and balanced.”
The GOP has been gaming elections and suppressing voters in an increasingly nasty and open way since 2000. They keep getting caught red-handed, and they keep saying, “Oh gosh, our bad, it turns out we were mistaken in saying that Latino voters would be deported, or black voters would be rounded up and put in jail, or college students’ parents would be audited by the IRS. It was an honest mistake!”
Sure it was.
Saying, “This kind of thing goes on in both parties all the time” is about like saying, “You know, the Poles did abuse German nationals in Danzig, and that’s pretty well documented, so, you know, that invasion and rape of Poland thing, you have to look at both sides, and be fair and balanced.”
The GOP has been gaming elections and suppressing voters in an increasingly nasty and open way since 2000. They keep getting caught red-handed, and they keep saying, “Oh gosh, our bad, it turns out we were mistaken in saying that Latino voters would be deported, or black voters would be rounded up and put in jail, or college students’ parents would be audited by the IRS. It was an honest mistake!”
Sure it was.
Let’s not forget that one of the bigger stinks at the DOJ apparently had a lot to do with this issue.
Allegedly, Rove was wanting the AG’s to get ‘very aggressive’ about charges of voter fraud. A common denominator among the fired AG’s was that they (a) recognized the problem was almost non-existent (b) that the steps they were being asked to take would likely disenfranchise Democratic voters in particular, and (c) they weren’t going to play ball.
Earlier, Jon was noting how far out of their way the GOP was going to ‘Play the Ref’. That’s one half of the strategy. The other is quietly moving the goalposts. And don’t even get me started on gerrymandering, where they start selectively diminishing the value of individual votes.
In all fairness, the Democrats do this too, though not with the same degree of success. Pelosi is just as guilty as DeLay (the past master), but at least she can say she’s simply playing defense.
Let’s not forget that one of the bigger stinks at the DOJ apparently had a lot to do with this issue.
Allegedly, Rove was wanting the AG’s to get ‘very aggressive’ about charges of voter fraud. A common denominator among the fired AG’s was that they (a) recognized the problem was almost non-existent (b) that the steps they were being asked to take would likely disenfranchise Democratic voters in particular, and (c) they weren’t going to play ball.
Earlier, Jon was noting how far out of their way the GOP was going to ‘Play the Ref’. That’s one half of the strategy. The other is quietly moving the goalposts. And don’t even get me started on gerrymandering, where they start selectively diminishing the value of individual votes.
In all fairness, the Democrats do this too, though not with the same degree of success. Pelosi is just as guilty as DeLay (the past master), but at least she can say she’s simply playing defense.
Interesting how this guy tries to write about Republicans suppressing people’s votes, when the article doesn’t say anything about Republicans. Yet, when I try to post my comment on here, my opinion is suppressed. Talk about hypocrisy, Mr. Taplin.
Interesting how this guy tries to write about Republicans suppressing people’s votes, when the article doesn’t say anything about Republicans. Yet, when I try to post my comment on here, my opinion is suppressed. Talk about hypocrisy, Mr. Taplin.
Interesting how this guy tries to write about Republicans suppressing people’s votes, when the article doesn’t say anything about Republicans. Yet, when I try to post my comment on here, my opinion is suppressed. Talk about hypocrisy, Mr. Taplin.
Another new lowwwww tactic from one of the lowest political parties in the civilized world.
Another new lowwwww tactic from one of the lowest political parties in the civilized world.
Another new lowwwww tactic from one of the lowest political parties in the civilized world.
mikeyfulton1
Nobody’s suppressing you. Rave on. Get your ya yas out and rave on.
You a Republican? How great! That must be great for you.
mikeyfulton1
Nobody’s suppressing you. Rave on. Get your ya yas out and rave on.
You a Republican? How great! That must be great for you.
But what they said is true. You CANNOT vote if you are young or black and plan on voting for Obama. It’s illegal and you will be deported to Iraq.
But what they said is true. You CANNOT vote if you are young or black and plan on voting for Obama. It’s illegal and you will be deported to Iraq.
But what they said is true. You CANNOT vote if you are young or black and plan on voting for Obama. It’s illegal and you will be deported to Iraq.
Everyone please speak out on the below post…
I’d love to get the true voice of the people…
http://andthisismyamerica.com/2008/09/08/lets-see-how-this-pastor-issue-plays-out/
Everyone please speak out on the below post…
I’d love to get the true voice of the people…
http://andthisismyamerica.com/2008/09/08/lets-see-how-this-pastor-issue-plays-out/
Sure it wasn’t Republicans, mikeyfulton. Sure it wasn’t.
Your newfound complete and unquestioning trust in the veracity and completeness of any given news story is heartening.
Sure it wasn’t Republicans, mikeyfulton. Sure it wasn’t.
Your newfound complete and unquestioning trust in the veracity and completeness of any given news story is heartening.
The GOP
making democracy work for you and I
(as long as we are republicans)
The GOP
making democracy work for you and I
(as long as we are republicans)
charlie,
those numbers are higher than I had thought. But you should note they mention that only about half of the voters purged were African Amerians. And I’m guessing that a significant portion of those were purged for legitimate reasons.
Dan – your analogy is nonsense. I commented on this post because I don’t understand the outrage over this issue which even Obama’s campaign spokesman called a “good-faith effort to convey state guidelines, not a politically motivated effort to stop voting by students”.
There are a lot more serious charges to be outraged about on both sides.
charlie,
those numbers are higher than I had thought. But you should note they mention that only about half of the voters purged were African Amerians. And I’m guessing that a significant portion of those were purged for legitimate reasons.
Dan – your analogy is nonsense. I commented on this post because I don’t understand the outrage over this issue which even Obama’s campaign spokesman called a “good-faith effort to convey state guidelines, not a politically motivated effort to stop voting by students”.
There are a lot more serious charges to be outraged about on both sides.
@ Charlie Wilson
I write about politics here at wordpress from a Republican point of view, but I think it’s a mistake to view life in terms of Democrats vs Republicans. For one, it’s a big planet filled with lots of other cultures. And two, Democrats are not all clones of each other and neither are Republicans.
So, yes I am vigilant about corruption committed by Republicans, but I do not see the corruption as intrinsic to Republican ideas. I am perhaps biased enough (?) or aware enough (?) to recognize the ways that some degree of corruption is intrinsic to the Democratic party: abortion, for instance, which has become the party’s weird centerpiece. Also, I think it’s a fair question to ask how much a venue like the “Huffington Post” (please note the “anti-arianna” in my website name) is representative of Dem ideas? If it is representative (as I dearly hope it is not) then the country has a lot to worry about. Huff Po is down-right pornographic. Although, I’ll admit that I saw some pretty icky stuff on Human Events site in the form of ads. American advertising needs to find the high road again so it can start walking it again. Remember the high road?
Politically I would classify myself as a moderate. I suspect I have rather a lot in common with moderate Democrats. Its the edges of the two parties that try to alienate. I think the center of the country is much more practical minded and would love to see less tit-for-tat argument and a lot more cooperative problem solving.
Ann’s New Friend
@ Charlie Wilson
I write about politics here at wordpress from a Republican point of view, but I think it’s a mistake to view life in terms of Democrats vs Republicans. For one, it’s a big planet filled with lots of other cultures. And two, Democrats are not all clones of each other and neither are Republicans.
So, yes I am vigilant about corruption committed by Republicans, but I do not see the corruption as intrinsic to Republican ideas. I am perhaps biased enough (?) or aware enough (?) to recognize the ways that some degree of corruption is intrinsic to the Democratic party: abortion, for instance, which has become the party’s weird centerpiece. Also, I think it’s a fair question to ask how much a venue like the “Huffington Post” (please note the “anti-arianna” in my website name) is representative of Dem ideas? If it is representative (as I dearly hope it is not) then the country has a lot to worry about. Huff Po is down-right pornographic. Although, I’ll admit that I saw some pretty icky stuff on Human Events site in the form of ads. American advertising needs to find the high road again so it can start walking it again. Remember the high road?
Politically I would classify myself as a moderate. I suspect I have rather a lot in common with moderate Democrats. Its the edges of the two parties that try to alienate. I think the center of the country is much more practical minded and would love to see less tit-for-tat argument and a lot more cooperative problem solving.
Ann’s New Friend
@ Charlie Wilson
I write about politics here at wordpress from a Republican point of view, but I think it’s a mistake to view life in terms of Democrats vs Republicans. For one, it’s a big planet filled with lots of other cultures. And two, Democrats are not all clones of each other and neither are Republicans.
So, yes I am vigilant about corruption committed by Republicans, but I do not see the corruption as intrinsic to Republican ideas. I am perhaps biased enough (?) or aware enough (?) to recognize the ways that some degree of corruption is intrinsic to the Democratic party: abortion, for instance, which has become the party’s weird centerpiece. Also, I think it’s a fair question to ask how much a venue like the “Huffington Post” (please note the “anti-arianna” in my website name) is representative of Dem ideas? If it is representative (as I dearly hope it is not) then the country has a lot to worry about. Huff Po is down-right pornographic. Although, I’ll admit that I saw some pretty icky stuff on Human Events site in the form of ads. American advertising needs to find the high road again so it can start walking it again. Remember the high road?
Politically I would classify myself as a moderate. I suspect I have rather a lot in common with moderate Democrats. Its the edges of the two parties that try to alienate. I think the center of the country is much more practical minded and would love to see less tit-for-tat argument and a lot more cooperative problem solving.
Ann’s New Friend
By the way, McCain just lost Florida:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/Koch_backs_Obama_calls_Palin_scary.html?showall
By the way, McCain just lost Florida:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/Koch_backs_Obama_calls_Palin_scary.html?showall
No matter how benign the perpetrators claim, no matter what party or other organizational effort was involved, the rights of legal voters have been denied through intimidation and fear mongering. Somebody needs to be prosecuted. Wake up America! This is serious, not a college prank. Elections should not be tampered with by any stretch of the imagination, especially in a country that espouses freedom, due process, and the rights of its people over all else.
No matter how benign the perpetrators claim, no matter what party or other organizational effort was involved, the rights of legal voters have been denied through intimidation and fear mongering. Somebody needs to be prosecuted. Wake up America! This is serious, not a college prank. Elections should not be tampered with by any stretch of the imagination, especially in a country that espouses freedom, due process, and the rights of its people over all else.
No matter how benign the perpetrators claim, no matter what party or other organizational effort was involved, the rights of legal voters have been denied through intimidation and fear mongering. Somebody needs to be prosecuted. Wake up America! This is serious, not a college prank. Elections should not be tampered with by any stretch of the imagination, especially in a country that espouses freedom, due process, and the rights of its people over all else.
Nice Speculating that the Republicans are suppressing the students.
How is it these kids arent already registered? We did it right in History class back in High School. The same day we registered for the draft.
This is nothing more then propaganda by left wing fanatics especially when , as Seattle Steve pointed out, the Obama campaign itself called it a “good-faith effort to convey state guidelines, not a politically motivated effort to stop voting by students”.
Lets get our facts straight and take it upon ourselves to visit the voter registration website to sign up.
Nice Speculating that the Republicans are suppressing the students.
How is it these kids arent already registered? We did it right in History class back in High School. The same day we registered for the draft.
This is nothing more then propaganda by left wing fanatics especially when , as Seattle Steve pointed out, the Obama campaign itself called it a “good-faith effort to convey state guidelines, not a politically motivated effort to stop voting by students”.
Lets get our facts straight and take it upon ourselves to visit the voter registration website to sign up.
Sounds like a few people are upset that their neo-con dinosaur base is dying out and being replaced by younger voters with a more progressive and tolerant way of thinking.
Sounds like a few people are upset that their neo-con dinosaur base is dying out and being replaced by younger voters with a more progressive and tolerant way of thinking.
seattle steve
“And I’m guessing that a significant portion of those were purged for legitimate reasons.”
As you asked, “Do you have a source to cite for that?”
I can understand that the Democrats would be alive to this sort of thing when a small percentage of those tens of thousands of voters would add up to more than 2,000 votes.
seattle steve
“And I’m guessing that a significant portion of those were purged for legitimate reasons.”
As you asked, “Do you have a source to cite for that?”
I can understand that the Democrats would be alive to this sort of thing when a small percentage of those tens of thousands of voters would add up to more than 2,000 votes.
I have no source…that’s why I said “I’m guessing…”. There was a reason for the purging of voters. I’m sure there were quite a few people who had their votes purged by mistake, but I’m guessing that many were felons or whatever that correctly had their right to vote removed.
It seems to me Republicans want to have stricter rules for voting while Democrats want anyone to be able to vote. I think anyone who is eligible should be allowed a vote, but we need to be checking i.d.’s or whatever other steps are necessary to make sure the votes are legitimate.
In my home state of WA the Democrat governor won a very close election and it was subsequently learned that there were many bogus votes. I believe Obama’s old community organizing group ACORN had several members who were found guilty of fraud in that case.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2007/07/29/acorn-vote-registration-fraud-wa-are-there-2004-ramifications
I have no source…that’s why I said “I’m guessing…”. There was a reason for the purging of voters. I’m sure there were quite a few people who had their votes purged by mistake, but I’m guessing that many were felons or whatever that correctly had their right to vote removed.
It seems to me Republicans want to have stricter rules for voting while Democrats want anyone to be able to vote. I think anyone who is eligible should be allowed a vote, but we need to be checking i.d.’s or whatever other steps are necessary to make sure the votes are legitimate.
In my home state of WA the Democrat governor won a very close election and it was subsequently learned that there were many bogus votes. I believe Obama’s old community organizing group ACORN had several members who were found guilty of fraud in that case.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2007/07/29/acorn-vote-registration-fraud-wa-are-there-2004-ramifications
Ann’s New Friend
The high road is a great idea. Don’t read the Huffington Puffington.
Thank you for being vigilant about Republican corruption. It is a dirty, thankless, and never ending job, but somebody has to do it. We disenfranchised, alienated, and bitter members of the suffering class are deeply appreciative.
“Kevin Griffis, the Obama campaign’s Virginia spokesman, said the release appeared to be a good-faith effort to convey state guidelines, not a politically motivated effort to stop voting by students.”
I’m a huge Obama supporter, but what is stated here is awful spin. I registered voters on campus in 2004 in Michigan and there were many similar concerns…in fact, may registrations were rejected because they weren’t completed correctly. I agree that we need to have a better system, but this was not the work of devil Republicans trying to keep the young folk down. There are plenty of real reasons to go after the GOP…you don’t need to spin nonsense and discredit yourself.
This article was very alarming and I suggest everyone read the NY times story that goes with it.
Voter suppression and election fraud has been going on much longer then Ohio in 2004 and Florida in 2000. The over whelming majority of voter suppression incidents has been against minorities and poor people who tend to be Democrats.
Saying that, we need better efforts to stop voter suppression and fraud. This will not happen unless citizens get educated about how our election system works and demand reform in how our elections are run.
Ideas and Revolution – If you’re not outraged you’re not reading this blog
To all those that have been responding to my post; I am not a Republican, and the article never mentioned Republicans behind this, so what makes Mr. Taplin such a reliable source in telling us it was Republicans?
Additionally, my original comment was not posted to this site (and no, it did not contain any vulgarity or anything like that-the post that he did choose to allow was much harsher due to my original post being censored), incredible hypocrisy if you ask me.
I just noticed the comment by Michael…
“How is it these kids arent already registered? We did it right in History class back in High School. The same day we registered for the draft.”
Ummm… You need to be 18 before the next upcoming election in most states and since most college kids start college at 17 you can see the reason why they may not be registered yet.
Must schools don’t even have a civics class anymore which is a shame.
Ideas and Revolution – If you’re not outraged you’re not reading this blog
daily blog ranking report
I have no source…that’s why I said “I’m guessing…”
I was just joking around with you, seattle steve.
MJ”revoltingpawn”-
We registered in January, anyone who wasnt 18 at the time was sent home with a voter reg card.
It definitely is a shame that civics class isnt around. Maybe if the government stops cutting federal funding for education…. but thats a different topic….
OMG. In Michigan, Republicans are going to challenge voters whose homes have been foreclosed
http://www.michiganmessenger.com/4076/lose-your-house-lose-your-vote
Thomas- I don’t know that it was officially the Republican Party’s doing, but I think it would be naive to believe this was a mistake. We (the Young Democrats + Students for Barack + local campaign office interns) were registering record numbers of students to vote, and we were getting much attention for it, so funny how their was a HUGE conflict caused by MAYBE the registrar putting out false information.
And you said there are “valid reasons for having students base their voting at their parents address”… your reason being… that college students move a lot? So… are you saying they shouldn’t be allowed to vote in the district they live in? Because that’s what happened here (or at least what was attempted, and did work for deterring some). And the absentee ballot is the biggest reason young people aren’t heard: college students, a large portion of young voters, vote mostly by absentee ballots which so often go uncounted.