Senate and House leaders call for pre-election investigation

[Cocoa]

cites "new shenanigans" in Florida...


http://www.friendsofhillary.com/releases/20040715.php

As public concern continues to rise over the potential for serious problems with the national elections in November, Senator Hillary Clinton and a group of leaders from both Houses of Congress have, today, asked for a thorough independent review of the threat. “We already know of the potentially serious problems posed by the widespread use of electronic voting machines. There are, however, other problems that have received little notice but have great potential to disrupt the election process and cause voters to be disenfranchised on November 2nd.”

The Congressional leaders have sent a letter to the General Accounting Office (GAO), seeking a thorough study of these problems in all 50 states. The authors of the letter have urged the GAO to complete its work quickly – by September 15 – so that issues identified can be addressed before Election Day.

"We cannot abide another fiasco like the 2000 election. Our democracy is rooted in the integrity of the election process and we should move heaven and earth to make certain the American people know their voting rights are respected and their votes are properly counted,” Senator Clinton said.

In particular, the GAO has been asked to review state-by-state policies regarding provisional voting, voter registration, voter identification at the polls, and the purging of voters from the rolls. “In recent days we’ve learned of new shenanigans regarding the purging of alleged felons from Florida’s rolls. We want to make sure that issue and these others are properly addressed nationwide,” Clinton added.

The NAACP and the League of Women Voters are among the outside organizations strongly supporting this call for a thorough survey.

Along with Senator Clinton, the letter has been signed by Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Representative Ciro D. Rodriguez (D-TX), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Representative Mike Honda (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Representative John Conyers (D-MI), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee and Representative John Larson (D-CT), Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee.

[gristy]

1. This looks like a good thing

but what's the LWV doing supporting this? If they have any say at all, this commission will give the voting machines a pass.

[Robbien]

2. The LWV finally reversed its position

because their membership revolted against the Board. It may be they are trying to make amends.

[gristy]

5. Yes, I remember now .

There was a conference in DC, I think? Regardless of their newfound position, I certainly do not trust the LWV. Let's see them fight the good fight for a few years. Then I'll consider trusting them again.

[fearnobush]

4. Expose The Fuking Bastards, We owe it to the voters & families of 911.

I am a true believer that if Gore was not stolen, 911 would have never happened. FUCK the GOP.

[TruthIsAll]

3. ITS ABOUT CHENEY-TIME!

I WILL NEVER GET OVER IT.

[Rose Siding]

6. Showboating

What, their little legislative ears didn't perk up in FEB 01? Thought they could go along and get along with DeLay and Santorum and all those 'reasonable' types- wouldn't have to demand any out-of-the-cloakroom action to be taken before now?

Has the US govt EVER done anything, nation wide in three months?

[Cocoa]

7. except that it's not being heavily publicized

there aren't any stories on this, no news conference, no press releases that I could find. Just this posting on "friends of Hillary" website.

So it's kind of hard to see it as showboating. :shrug:

[aquart]

8. Maybe. Or it's the first step to a challenge. I'll believe when and if....

Hillary and Daschle sign pledges to walk the CBC up the aisle for the next electoral challenge. And when I say walk, I mean hand over their signatures to force action.

Last time they didn't want the issue decided by a Republican House. This could be the prepwork for a challenge to any Republican legitimacy. If there is ANY pro-Democratic movement in the composition of the House, Delay and Hastert might be very, very nervous.

The Dems played it safe in 2000. It didn't work. Is it finally No More Mr. Nice Dem? Was today's cry of "Coup d'etat" with a straight party line vote a signal of total war?

[Cocoa]

9. that was a straight party-line vote?

I'm impressed. :toast:

[aquart]

15. That's what they said on TV.

I'm choosing to believe it.

[Sperk]

10. why aren't the Repugs worried about THEIR votes not getting counted?

Ya know, I really wouldn't mind this evil group in the white house getting away with so much, if they were good at lying and covering their tracks, but they are SO TRANSPARENT!!! If these past 4 years were a movie, NO ONE would believe it!



"Along with Senator Clinton, the letter has been signed by Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Representative Ciro D. Rodriguez (D-TX), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Representative Mike Honda (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Representative John Conyers (D-MI), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee and Representative John Larson (D-CT), Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee."

[lakeguy]

12. Sad....

not ONE Repug in the list of signers listed!

[mzmolly]

11. Dems ARE fighting this time!

:toast:

We really need to support this issue!

[shockingelk]

16. The problem few have seen:

"There are, however, other problems that have received little notice but have great potential to disrupt the election process and cause voters to be disenfranchised on November 2nd.”

An example of a potential problem would be a DHS alert resulting in the closure of all Manhattan bridges during the work day, disenfranchising millions of voters.

DHS will have been the wise ones to have had a plan. There should be a plan!

[lostnfound]

13. I see Ciro Rodriguez signed this -- he's lost his seat to a DINO

by vote fraud. A significant loss.

[govegan]

14. Good move --- why isn't this story in the press?

Nothing like waiting until the last minute.

And public concern should continue to rise.

A good subject to bring up when Hillary speaks at the DNC.

"Senator Clinton is honored and delighted to have the opportunity to address the convention, and she will continue to do everything she can to elect John Kerry and John Edwards," Philippe Reines, a spokesman for Clinton, said in a statement.

"We are thrilled that Senator Clinton has accepted John Kerry's invitation," Kerry spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said. "Senator Clinton has been a leader in the Democratic Party, and she will play a vital role in laying out" the choice between Kerry and Bush to voters.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apelection_story.asp?category=1131&slug=Kerry%20Clinton

[dusty64]

17. I'm glad, but

what took SO long. Better late than never I suppose.

[Malva Zebrina]

18. I simply cannot view much coming from congress anymore without a

jaded eye. So the Gao report comes back citing say, Florida, as a state where vote cheating or vote fraud can occur--then what? Haven't Bush-Cheney already given the finger to the Gao and told them virtually, go cheney yourself, and it backed down? They can delay anything forever it seems. They will simply do the same about this. This is nothing but window dressing for Hillary Clinton and it is way too late, too little, imo. I am just tired of being jerked around by these tissue paper politics.

What about the other half of the 9-11 reports that will not be released until after November elections. Any action on that?

[Hotler]

19. Is that all that signed????

Every stinking Democrat on the hill should of had their names attached to that letter. There also should have been a press conference out on the steps with all of them showing face in support.