DNC: The RNC is paying the bills for James Tobin, charged with 4 felonies

[madfloridian]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=51612

DNC: Mehlman's Get out of Jail Free Card: Another Example of the RNC's 'Say One Thing, Do Another' Strategy

8/11/2005 2:55:00 PM
To: National Desk

Contact: Karen Finney of the Democratic National Committee, 202-863-8148

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Only days after RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman claimed that his party has a "zero-tolerance" policy against voter fraud, intimidation, and suppression, it has been reported that the Republican Party has spent more than $722,000 to defend a former Bush election official accused of conspiring to keep Democrats from voting. (Boston Globe, 8/11/05; Letter to the American Center for Voting Rights Legislative Fund from RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman, 8/9/05)

The RNC is paying the legal bills of James Tobin, a former RNC official, who is charged with four felonies accusing him of conspiring with a state Republican operative and a Virginia-based consultant to jam Democratic and labor union get-out-the-vote phone banks in New Hampshire in November 2002. (AP, 8/11/05) As a result of the scheme, many voters were unable to receive critical information and support on Election Day. Tobin's two other associates have already plead guilty and federal prosecutors have secured testimony from them directly implicating Tobin. (AP, 8/11/05) After his role in the 2002 scandal, Tobin was hired by Mehlman to be the Bush-Cheney 2004 campaign chairman for New England.

"My counterpart has spent the past month apologizing for the Southern Strategy, but it seems that the southern strategy is alive and well in New England. Perhaps he should apologize to the voters of New England. This is just another example of his 'say one thing, do another strategy.' Ken Mehlman tells crowds his party is against voter fraud and intimidation, while in the backrooms he supports Republican officials who engage in these dirty tricks," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "The RNC is sending a disturbing message that the Republican Party will do just about anything to win elections. You cannot claim to have a 'zero-tolerance' policy on voter suppression and then pay the legal bills of a top campaign official who is charged with these very same offenses."

[Jon8503]

1. Republican Sickos/Kick/N/T

How do you vote to kick this?

[paineinthearse]

2. Charged or convicted?

I thought Tobin was convicted in late winter/spring and is currently serving time at the federal pen in Devens, MA?

See the Massachusetts forum for more info.

[madfloridian]

5. Look at the dates of the articles they list in the release.

I don't know the answer, but the articles are very recent.

[paineinthearse]

12. From the NH forum archives - I confused Tobin with another rethug felon

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=166&topic_id=739

ex GOP director sentenced in NH phone jamming case
Edited on Thu Mar-10-05 02:19 PM by maxanne

http://www.thewmurchannel.com/news/4271989/detail.html


CONCORD, N.H. -- The former executive director of the state Republican Party was sentenced Thursday to seven months in prison for jamming Democratic telephone lines during the 2002 general election.

Chuck McGee pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to make anonymous calls to annoy or harass. He also was fined $2,000 and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. He faced up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

That sentence is far too light, imo.

State Democratic Chairwoman Kathy Sullivan had written a letter asking that McGee not be sentenced to prison. She said he was a "low-level player" who also had cooperated with Democrats in a jamming-related lawsuit against Republicans. She said more senior Republicans should be held accountable.

WTF?? This is sheer stupidity, the kind the GOP will use against us repeatedly. EVERYONE involved should be held accountable. Kissing GOP ass - once again.

[blm]

3. And you just KNOW these thugs have been doing this all over the country.

They just rarely get caught.

[Botany]

4. They did it in Ohio last year.

I heard it w/ my own ears.

[NewJeffCT]

6. I can't imagine Ken Mehlman a hypocrite?

say it ain't so???? Next thing you'll tell me is that this macho man's man is really gay.

[UrbScotty]

20. I know! I am dumbfounded too!

:sarcasm:

[jimquilty]

7. its just semantics

"zero tolerance" in this administration simply means we won't tolerate it IF, AND ONLY IF, your caught and convicted. t does not matter that there is overwhelming evidence aganst you or you admit to the act. Hence, Tobin, Rove and Libby.

[annabanana]

8. one more pop to get to "greatest". . . .n/t

[madfloridian]

9. I missed this part...hired by Mehlman to run Bush campaign in NE

After the dirty deeds.

"After his role in the 2002 scandal, Tobin was hired by Mehlman to be the Bush-Cheney 2004 campaign chairman for New England."

[jilln]

10. Innocent until proven guilty

If he isn't in jail yet, why shouldn't they help with his defense? Everyone is (or at least used to be) entitled to a "fair" trial and in this country, that means you better have a lot of money or you won't be able to buy as much fairness as the other side.

[madfloridian]

13. Party money should not be used for that.

They should have a fair defense, but I don't think the party itself should do it.

[Fly by night]

11. TALK ABOUT SPROUL & ASSOCIATES, HOWARD.

That systematic disenfranchisement of Democrats and general lawlessness in six states was funded in its entirety by the RNC -- it was the sixth biggest expenditure inthe 2004 election cycle by the R(ethugs)N(azis)C(on-artists).

[Pystoff]

14. By the 2006 mid terms

The Democratic party should have enough scandals and hypocracy to use for a different ad in each of the 50 states to run roughshod over any Pug trying to get elected.

Let them keep going it's all starting to stink to high heavens.

[madfloridian]

15. Being picked up now by Guardian and many more.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5204671,00.html

GOP Pays Legal Bills in Vote-Thwart Case

WASHINGTON (AP) - "The Republican Party says it still has a zero-tolerance policy for tampering with voters even as it pays the legal bills for a former Bush campaign official charged with conspiring to thwart Democrats from voting in New Hampshire.

James Tobin, the president's 2004 campaign chairman for New England, is charged in New Hampshire federal court with four felonies accusing him of conspiring with a state GOP official and a GOP consultant in Virginia to jam Democratic and labor union get-out-the-vote phone banks in November 2002. "

[PinkyisBlue]

16. Republican Party

This party is becoming the party of greed, corruption and selfishness. Let them tie up their money defending these crooks; it's less money available for false advertising, and it makes them look like the cheating hypocrites they are.

[Supersedeas]

17. the Leadership should be more forceful about getting this message out

[NewJeffCT]

18. part of the problem is

they're often being forceful, they just don't get coverage in the Corporate Media. Randi Rhodes complains about that a lot...

[Nothing Without Hope]

19. So typical - they are planning to use his services in the future, so they

are taking care of him. But I do wonder if he threatened to talk and say who had really given the orders for his criminal "dirty tricks." I suspect Karl Rove.

Recommended and bookmarked in my "GOP scandals and horrors" ffile