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I've been thinking out all the possible scenarios, and it's going to be tough, with the Republicans controlling virtually everything from the counts, recounts, state legislatures, state supreme courts, US congress, and the US supreme court.
Here are a few scenarios that I can think of that would result in Kerry taking office.
1) Not just one, but several senators stand up and contest the Ohio electors. This would likely be based on either the recount showing a different result than the electors (not likely now that we know the recount is fixed), or heresay evidence of fraud. I say heresay because there are no hearings involved in this scenario. If such senator(s) did stand up, this would cause a vote in the house and senate on the matter. obviously both are Repub controlled. The only possible way out of this is if some of the repub reps vote against Bush. In order for this to happen there would have to be a well established discontent with the direction Bush is leading us within the party. Either that or such a huge public outcry that reps would have to vote for their constituency over their party. I don't think either of these are likely and IMHO the "senators contesting the electors" plan is a dead end.
2) Arnebeck's lawsuit bypasses the electoral process and goes directly to the US Supreme court, and his case lays out strong evidence of illegal activity in regards to voter suppression and/or fraud. It's then in the hands of the US Supreme court, which could be interesting. Keep in mind Renquist is very ill. Also, Gore v Bush was a 5-4 ruling, so only one out of 5 people would have to give up partisanship in the name of democracy, perhaps had a change of heart in their support of Bush over the last 4 years, or who knows, maybe they have a grandchild or two who would be drafted if Bush continues his warmongering.
3) The recount turns up questionable results and enters the courts. It would head straight to the Ohio supreme court and then to the US Supreme court. The only way out of this is outlined in #2. I list this separately because the means to get there is the recount, not the lawsuit.
All in all, I think that the Supreme Court obviously offers the most realistic chance of changing the election. It is much more possible for one out of 5 people to stop liking Bush and stand up for democracy (that's supposed to be their job), than for a majority of Congressmen and Senators to break party lines and oust their own leader.
SO, I say our only hope is in the Supreme Court. First we have to get there. I say, after inaguration day, we can worry about fixing the system. Until then we have to focus on getting this case to the Supreme Court. Not that we can necessarily make that happen. Arnebeck is the key to getting there. If we do get there, I pray that just one Judge sees the horrible mistake they made 4 years ago, or is at least just willing to look at the facts objectively.
-gb
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