John Kerry asking for your help to get election reform.

[Fla Dem]

Whether you supported John Kerry or not, or if you supported him but felt he let you down, he IS still out there fighting for us. Election reform is the only way we can be sure there will be less opportunity for elections to be stolen in the future. We definitely need a standardized process for national elections. Please call as suggested in JK's letter. Thank you DUer's one and all. :hug:


Dear

No American citizen should wake up the morning after the election and worry their vote wasn't counted. No citizen should be denied at the polls if they are eligible to vote. And, as the greatest, wealthiest nation on earth, our citizens should never be forced to vote on old, unaccountable and non transparent voting machines from companies controlled by partisan activists.

Tomorrow, members of Congress will meet to certify the results of the 2004 presidential election. I will not be taking part in a formal protest of the Ohio Electors.

Despite widespread reports of irregularities, questionable practices by some election officials and instances of lawful voters being denied the right to vote, our legal teams on the ground have found no evidence that would change the outcome of the election.

But, that does not mean we should abandon our commitment to addressing those problems that happened in Ohio. We must act today to make sure they never happen again.

I urge you to join me in using this occasion to highlight our demand that Congress commit itself this year to reforming the electoral system. A Presidential election is a national federal election but we have different standards in different states for casting and counting votes. We need a national federal standard to solve the problems that occurred in the 2004 election. I will propose legislation to help achieve this.

Florida 2000 was a wake up call. But the Republicans who control Congress ignored it. Will they now ignore what happened in 2004?

There are nearly 3,000,000 of you receiving this email. We accomplished so much together during the campaign. Now let's use our power to make sure that at least one good thing comes from the voting rights problems of the 2004 election. If we want to force real action on election reform, we've got to demand that congressional leaders hold full hearings. Make sure they hear from you and help hold them accountable.

Speaker Dennis Hastert: 1-202-225-0600
Leader Bill Frist: 1-202-224-3135

And please report that you've made your call right here:
http://www.johnkerry.com/signup/electoral_reform.php

I want every vote counted because Americans have to know that the votes they stood in line for, fought for, and strived so hard to cast in an election, are counted. We must make sure there are no questions or doubts in future elections. It's critical to our democracy that we investigate and act to prevent voting irregularities and voter intimidation across the country. We can't stand still as Congressional leaders seek to sweep well-founded voter concerns under the rug.

Please join with me in calling Speaker Hastert and Leader Frist and telling them that you want action on election reform now.

A recent report from Representative John Conyers (D-Michigan) reveals very troubling questions that have not yet been answered by Ohio election officials. I commend the Democratic National Committee for its announcement this week that the DNC will be investing resources and reaching out to non-partisan academics in a long term study of Ohio voting irregularities. I am only sorry that we haven't seen the same from Ohio Secretary of State Blackwell and GOP officials.

Congress must play a positive, proactive role on this issue. That's why I will soon introduce legislation to reform our election system, ensuring transparency and accountability in our voting system and that all Americans have an opportunity to vote and have their vote counted.

Please remember to let us know that you made your call when you're done. We're hoping to ensure House and Senate leaders' offices hear our demand for action on election reform in meaningful way. Please take a moment to let us know you have made your call here: http://www.johnkerry.com/signup/electoral_reform.php

Thank you,

John Kerry

P.S. Thanks to all those who participated in our USO "phone home" campaign last week. The totals are coming in from the USO, and they are thrilled with your generosity and support for our brave men and women in uniform. We will send you totals as we get them.

[oldtime dfl_er]

1. While this letter is days old ,

I do support the sentiment behind it. I am completely dismayed and disappointed in John Kerry's lack of leadership these last few months (since the election), and that dismay makes me cynical enough to believe he will probably end up settling, along with the rest of the Democrats, for some watered-down version of election reform -- and the ruling party will remain the ruling party. I want someone with some fire, with something to lose now (Kerry will NOT get the nod in 08) , to lead voter reform.

[jswordy]

2. Right on. Let me add that...

Sen. Wimpy even says right in the letter that HE won't do a damn thing, but the rest of us can go ahead and try.

Why won't he do anything? Cuz he can't win. Very telling. It doesn't matter to Kerry whether all the votes are counted and each vote counts (as he told us all when he was camapigning and maybe could win), all he really cares about is WHETHER HE CAN WIN.

A new low. I am embarrassed to have actively campaigned for him.

[Fla Dem]

5. I'm sorry which part of the letter did you not understand?

You wrote....
"Sen. Wimpy even says right in the letter that HE won't do a damn thing, but the rest of us can go ahead and try."

Senator Kerry's letter said....

Congress must play a positive, proactive role on this issue. That's why I will soon introduce legislation to reform our election system, ensuring transparency and accountability in our voting system and that all Americans have an opportunity to vote and have their vote counted.

I'm sorry if you campaigned for him and are now disappointed. So did I. I am also disappointed, in fact crushed he did not win. The difference is I BELIEVED in him then, and I still do. He can do much good in the Senate, but bashing him serves no purpose. Supporting his efforts does.

[NYCGirl]

23. Looks like someone else has already started...

Why does Kerry always seem to be "a day late and a dollar short"?

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~417~2641222,00.html

Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey said he will introduce legislation to ensure that federal election campaign officials are not linked to a particular party or candidate.

[alvis]

25. It was probably the part about "troubling questions"

At least this is the part I don't get. If he agreed that there are "very troubling questions" why not step up and support John Conyers? Get the questions answered, protest, fight.


A recent report from Representative John Conyers (D-Michigan) reveals very troubling questions that have not yet been answered by Ohio election officials.

[Fla Dem]

7. Sorry it's posted late it was sent on the 5th.

I just checked my mail today. I too fear with the Republican controlled congress, it will be an up hill fight. That why they need our support, whether it's JK or another Dem. fighting the good fight.

[jrthin]

3. Oh, Puleeze!

He can go to hell, we'll find other means of getting reform.

[Fla Dem]

9. Good luck to you and your personal efforts. Let us know how you do. eom

[jrthin]

32. If I sit still, twiddle my

thumbs and do nothing, it will still be more than Mr. Kerry has done,and/or says he's going to do.

[Botany]

4. Dear John

Fuck off!

Sincerely,
Somebody who worked (for free) for you in Ohio

p.s. you are a flip flopper! way to stand up to bush.

[Fla Dem]

10. Good Reply. Hope you feel better. eom

[FloridaPat]

6. Where were the Democrats when We The People wanted real

reform in 2000? That should have been a wake up call for congress. Now, three stolen elections later, they say they care!

[peacetalksforall]

8. Dem leaders must understand - we are going to work in spite of them

not for them. And we may work to replace some of them.

Workers for democracy must work around and ideology, then find the right person to fight for the ideology.

It is a horrible thought and concept that we have been place into the situation where we must fight for our own demcocracy and country because our leaders are too busy appeasing and some are prostrating themselves - face down, with hand outstretched in front of them.

I'm still waiting for Kerry to do something and I'll wait to see if he is the one who fits the idology.

Assuming that our leaders would defend the ideology was an assumptsion. We were fools.

[SOS]

11. Simply unbelievable

"our citizens should never be forced to vote on...non transparent voting machines from companies controlled by partisan activists."

NO KIDDING! So why did we have an election where our citizens were forced to vote on ...non transparent voting machines from companies controlled by partisan activists?

Infuriating. And NOTHING will be done.

Kerry should have done more to support S 1980 before he got Diebolded.

[oldtime dfl_er]

13. Better diebolded than wellstoned!

I guess.

[Cocoa]

12. Brilliant!

Kerry knows the voting furor is currently being used to bash dems, including him.

Brilliant strategy to turn it around toward holding the majority party in Congress accountable. This way, the passion for this issue can actually lead to some legislation, rather than to dems fighting among each other.

[oldtime dfl_er]

14. But it creates no passion for Kerry

this "brilliant" strategy is what is causing me, and a lot like me, to reject his politics of compromise, "gentle judo" (whatever that turned out to be), and "graceful concession".

[Cocoa]

18. it shouldn't create passion for Kerry

it's about the very important issue of voting problems, it's not about Kerry.

[SOS]

22. Legislation has been before the Senate since December 2003

Republicans won't allow it to be discussed.
Democrats don't bother to mention it.
Details:

Edit for better link:
http://www.verifiedvoting.org/article.php?id=5029

Text of S 1980 available at bottom of page, along with HR 2239

[Vanje]

15. "....he IS still out there fighting for us."

He fought side by side with Barbara Boxer like an intrepid fierce totally invisible guy. A guy SO powerfully invisible that you'd SWEAR he wasnt there at all. His singularly outspoken silence bowled me right over.
John Kerry's use of 'shock and awe' is particularly surprising in its uncanny ability to completely underwhelm.
A stealthy soldier.
Its as if he wasnt there at all!

[jmatthan]

16. If John Kerry had been the candidate of my party

our party workers would be burning effigies of him and Edwards every day in front of their residences or wherever they went.

They have done such disservice to the Democratic Party that it means that the party is now in OBLIVION!!

No more can Democrats hide behind the curtain and say Bush is not my pResident as ONLY 32 Democrat Senators (1) and Congressmen (31) stood up to be counted - so all other Democrats are with the Chimp.

And you continue to have a CHIMP, the MOST hated man in the world (yes, even more than Osama bin Laden) as your pResident. Americans AS A WHOLE, including you, you and you, are tainted with with Abu Ghraib prison and Guantanamo Bay, the war crimes.

Live with it!!

Jacob Matthan
Oulu, Finland

[0007]

17. I'm so tired of John Kerry and his Goddamn plans I could puke

First Gore wouldn't let Clinton help him, then he goes for Lieberman.

And then Frank Zappa's voice wasn't heard screaming from the empty ground anymore!

[PATRICK]

19. At the bottom of the mountain

with the rest of us pushing the rock back up again it is all well and good. No kudos. No bitter renunciations. Just get the job done.

However, if he thinks at some point with the summit unreached he can climb on the rock and expect us to push him the rest of the way he can forget it. That moment of leadership has passed- forever. Maybe the illusions haven't and we can ill afford too many illusions especially when things that should have been done this hotly YEARS ago were not well attended to by a now more rabidly untrustworthy Congress. Irksome yes, but every shoulder to the stone is needed. None of the Dems have gotten to the point of credible leadership on this issue. It's a day late and a millions short.

To take leadership away from the Repugs will take a lot more than being always a giant step behind the crime. The main emotion I see from the spirit of party leadership as it mirrors the fogged over public mind is lethargy, unknowing stupor. The occasional flashes will take some time to demonstrate they are more than brief rousings. Constant effort and widespead, new strategies.

[TexasSissy]

20. Sorry. Kerry had a chance to "object" so that reps could discuss

in an open forum all the problems that occurred during this past election. He chose not only not to object, he chose not to show up at all (yeah, yeah, I know he was in Iraq).

I really don't want to hear anything further from John Kerry. He is yesterday's news, as far as I'm concerned.

[Squeech]

21. Maybe

He's my (extremely) junior senator, so I suppose I should say something in his defense.

But somehow I don't feel like it.

To the extent he's known for anything, Kerry is a decent prosecutor. Well, many of the problems with Ohio were actions taken by partisans (starting with Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, who also happened to be co-chairman of Bush/Cheney 2004 in Ohio) to violate HAVA and the 15th Amendment. That's law that already exists on the books, not some new legislation that we might propose, only to see it languish in some Republican-dominated rules committee.

So, Senator, let's investigate. Get some indictments. Then we'll talk.

[sadiesworld]

24. I positively feel insulted.

:argh:

[The Zanti Regent]

26. I am beyond anger with Pink Thong Kerry

My son, my only child died in Iraq for nothing while Mr Skull and Bones laid down and died for his fellow Bonesman.

[sadiesworld]

29. I am so very sorry.

I can't begin to imagine your anger and sorrow (I am in tears simply reading your post). A :hug: seems so insufficient.

We WILL NOT forgive, or forget, Kerry's betrayal.

[Lerkfish]

31. exactly...I suppose by saying "I got your back", he means...

I will continue to ask you to do all the work while I do nothing whatsoever, because there's nothing in it for me, really. I can't be president so I will expend no effort. However, here's some phone numbers so you can call the low level switchboards without getting through a phalanx of bureaucrats to reach people I actually come in contact with every day at work but refuse to carry the message to them while having a gin and tonic with them in the senate lounge.

So, instead of me representing YOU, as you might think my job would require, I"m going to stand back and let you represent YOURSELVES and throw yourself against the windmills of general access phone numbers, while I, in possession of these guy's private phone numbers on my cellphone speeddial, will continue to hoard the money you donated specifically to contest the election and save it for my next run at the office in 2008.

So, I don't have your back so much as I have the audacity to give you a phone number you could find yourself in a google search and tell you to sweat really, really, hard against the majority party who stole the election and somehow convince them to pay attention to you among the clamor of lobbyists from Diebold, Pfizer, Halliburton and Carlysle.

Good luck, and I won't even pay for your call. Do it on your own dime.

[OnionPatch]

27. I was a little disappointed with Kerry's reaction too BUT....

I don't think this is a bad idea, I mean calling Frist and the rest. I listened to Barbara Boxer on the Majority Report last night and she said Republicans have stalled that legislation and are totally ignoring it. I think the only way we're going to get election reform is to start screaming at the REPUBLICANS, not the Democrats. Our congressman is a Republican and my Dem club is talking about a campaign to hold him accountable, such as billboards asking why he doesn't support clean and verified elections and flyers sent out to everyone in our district, including Republicans. This is not a partisan issue and I think we can make some progress if we appeal to GOP rank and file on this. I've heard many Republicans admit that they didn't like the paperless machines and wouldn't be happy if the tables were turned as far as ownership of voting machines, etc. Also, I think they'll get sick of accusations that their candidate cheated to win. I know I would.

[OneTwentyoNine]

28. Yeah...I got that E-Mail the other day and laughed......

Why wasn't he saying all this the day after or several days after the election?? Why now John??

[neebob]

30. Oh, please.

How about if I take a moment to tell John Kerry to go fly a kite? Glad to hear he's fighting for election reform, though. Yay! Go Kerry.