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Friday, November 12, 2004
We should have blocked Ashcroft four years ago. Let's not make the same mistake again:
Federal judges are jeopardizing national security by issuing rulings contradictory to President Bush's decisions on America's obligations under international treaties and agreements, Attorney General John Ashcroft said Friday.
In his first remarks since his resignation was announced Tuesday, Ashcroft forcefully denounced what he called "a profoundly disturbing trend" among some judges to interfere in the president's constitutional authority to make decisions during war.
"The danger I see here is that intrusive judicial oversight and second-guessing of presidential determinations in these critical areas can put at risk the very security of our nation in a time of war," Ashcroft said in a speech to the Federalist Society, a conservative lawyers' group.
Posted at 07:22 pm by blog swarm
Political News Permalink
More than 54% of Americans aged 18-29 voted for John Kerry this year, providing him a 10% margin of victory among young Americans. Youth turnout rose 9% since 2000 to 51.6% and was the highest since 1972.
Four years ago, the Democrats won the youth vote by 2 percent. In 2004, John Kerry picked up a larger percentage of the youth vote than any Democratic candidate for President since 18 year olds gained the right to vote with the 26th amendment.
"Make no mistake: young Americans voted this year, and they voted for Senator Kerry," CDA National President Grant Woodard said. "All the wild-eyed predictions from the College Republicans and the Republican National Committee the past few years about picking up youth voters were totally unsubstantiated. In fact, they lost ground."
In the battleground states, youth turnout reached 64%, and support for Senator Kerry was even higher. Senator Kerry won with a 16 point margin in Wisconsin, 14 points in New Hampshire, 14 point margin in Ohio, 17 point margin in Florida, and 21 point margin in Pennsylvania. The youth vote made a crucial difference in Wisconsin and New Hampshire, and almost put the Democratic Party across the finish line in Iowa and Nevada.
"The extraordinary performance of young Americans gives us real hope for the future of the Democratic Party," Woodard said. "The College Democrats on more than 1100 campuses that fought for the Democratic Party this year will not give up the fight for a better tomorrow - now or ever. And we know now, for sure, that we can make a difference."
Posted at 07:16 pm by blog swarm
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People for the American Way
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Dear Friends of People For the American Way,
Together we came so far, and accomplished so much, that the brutal disappointments of Election Day feel all the more crushing. I’m a firm believer that action is an antidote to despair, and I want to let you know how we’re building on the work we’ve done together and preparing for the immense struggles to come.
With your help, People For the American Way Foundation and the rest of the nonpartisan Election Protection coalition pulled off an astonishingly successful voter protection mobilization, the largest in the nation’s history. More than 25,000 volunteers - many of them traveling far from their homes - helped voters overcome obstacles at the polling places, prevented some voter suppression activities by their visible presence, and, importantly, documented the many ways our election system is still failing voters.
Election Protection is continuing to document and investigate reports of voting irregularities and voter suppression efforts. People For the American Way Foundation is supporting the impounding of voting machines or obtaining backup data from them in various counties in Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico, and is participating in public hearings and pursuing litigation in several states. In the months ahead we will be working on national and state-by-state plans to build the political will to fix our broken election system and hold public officials accountable.
Another fight is just ahead of us, a fight for the future of our freedom, a fight that will define the kind of country we live in for the next generation or more. This president is likely to have the opportunity to name two, three, or even four new justices. And given the well-publicized health problems of Chief Justice Rehnquist, President Bush may announce a nomination even before he is sworn in for his second term.
If the President nominates someone who shares the extremist judicial philosophy of Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas - as he has repeatedly said he would do - he will make a mockery of his professed desire to earn all Americans’ trust and support. And if he is successful in naming far-right justices to the Supreme Court, Americans will pay the price for decades to come. You will soon be hearing more from People For the American Way about our campaign plan to defend the Constitution and the Supreme Court. We will need to mobilize every resource and every willing activist at our disposal. We will need your help - and you’ll be hearing more from us in the coming days.
As you know, we are going to have challenges on many fronts. We are facing in many ways our worst nightmare - an administration emboldened for more intensive assaults on our values and liberties, a Senate and House more firmly in the grip of the far right, a Supreme Court ripe for multiple vacancies and an entire federal judiciary vulnerable to ideological domination by extremists who are eager to redefine the Constitution and reverse decades of social justice progress.
In addition, we must challenge the triumphalist rhetoric of Religious Right leaders. It is true that turnout efforts targeting millions of conservative Christians contributed to the victories of President Bush, hard-right members of Congress, and anti-gay ballot initiatives. But it is wrong to view the election outcome as a sign that a majority of Americans accept the Right’s claims that “values” equates to a right-wing social and economic agenda. Polls show that most Americans do not embrace the Religious Right’s agenda, and that war and terrorism concerns led many voters to support the President even though they disagree with much of his agenda.
In fact, I believe millions of Christians are offended by Jerry Falwell’s assertions that “voting Christian” means supporting right-wing economic policies, anti-gay discrimination, and judges who will reverse decades of social justice progress. And people of all faiths should be offended by the newly aggressive claims of the “Christian nation” crowd.
People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation are especially well qualified to expose the real agenda behind that rhetoric and help mainstream and progressive Americans take back the discourse on values.
Widely shared values will be at stake in a wide range of public policy debates: whether or not judges will provide access to justice for individuals harmed by government or corporate actions; whether our tax policies will make it impossible to meet basic human needs; whether the White House should be able to use excessive secrecy to avoid public accountability for actions that deprive people of basic liberties; whether the coercive power of government will be harnessed to promote particular religious beliefs.
In his victory speech, President Bush said he would “reach out to the whole nation” and earn the trust and support of Americans who didn’t vote for him. It would be welcome if President Bush chose to govern as a president for all the people. But it would be a surprise. It is not how he has governed for the past four years and it is not how he ran for reelection. He has governed as a fierce partisan with no tolerance for dissent and a willingness to abuse his power and undermine the Constitution to get his way. He waged a divisive campaign that relied on pitting the fears of some Americans against the rights of others.
People For the American Way will be more than willing to work with the administration if it seeks the path of genuine bipartisanship and compromise to resolve the many crucial issues facing our nation. But we are prepared for more of the divisive partisanship and brute-force policy making that has been the hallmark of this administration and its political allies.
Together we have urgent responsibilities - both immediate and long term. I know we can count on you in the days and long years ahead. Count on hearing from us soon about how you can stay involved in the struggle for the heart, soul, and future of America.
Sincerely,
Ralph G. Neas
President, People For the American Way |
Posted at 07:06 pm by blog swarm
Political News Permalink
At the local and state level, Democracy for America and Gov. Howard Dean have reason to celebrate this year's election results. Many DFA-endorsed Dean Dozen and DFA-supported candidates won elections at all levels of government, throughout the country.
One of the two new Democratic United States senators was a "Dean Dozen" candidate—Barack Obama (D-Ill.). Obama and the other new Democratic senator, Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), received contributions from DFA.
One "Dean Dozen" candidate won her race for Congress, Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and DFA contributed to five of the fourteen incoming freshman Democratic Members of Congress.
Some of the notable non-federal success stories include:
Both of the new Democratic governors are "Dean Dozen" candidates: John Lynch (D-NH) and Brian Schweitzer (D-Mont.)
Two "Dean Dozen" candidates won their mayoral race: Peter Corroon was elected as mayor of Salt Lake County, Utah and Tom Potter was elected as mayor of Portland, Ore.
Democracy for America contributed more than $600,000 to 634 candidates for non-federal office. 319 of those candidates won—a 50% win-loss record.
"Dean Dozen" candidates were elected to state legislatures in 16 states. Candidates for legislature who received Democracy for America contributions, but were not part of the "Dean Dozen," were elected in an additional 12 states.
Democracy for America played a large role in regaining several legislative chambers for the Democrats, including: the Colorado House and Senate, the North Carolina House, the Oregon Senate, the Vermont House and the Washington Senate. DFA also helped secure a tie in the Iowa Senate.
"Dean Dozen" candidates were elected to the bench in Alabama and Georgia.
"Dean Dozen" candidates also won races for soil & water commission, supervisor of elections, township clerk, county commission and constable.
Governor Dean commented on the election results:
"The Dean Dozen candidates and the hundreds of other candidates that Democracy for America supported are the future of the Democratic Party. Win or lose, these fiscally responsible, socially progressive citizens fought to take our country back and helped spread the message that to change America, Democrats must compete everywhere, including the red states."
Throughout the months leading up to the election, Governor Dean attended press conferences, fundraisers and campaign rallies, to help spread the DFA message and raise campaign funds for 50 candidates in 26 states. Many of you—our supporters—volunteered and financially supported these candidates as well and your actions were invaluable.
DFA has raised over $5 million since we became an organization in March 2004. We have donated money to 748 candidates throughout the country—in 46 states and at every level of government. We believe that Democrats will return to national prominence very soon. DFA will continue to endorse and support candidates and train campaign workers and volunteers in 2005 and beyond.
Posted by Tara Liloia at 05:42 PM
Posted at 06:42 pm by blog swarm
Political News Permalink
I would not only give this idea my endorsement, I would stand on the highest mountain screaming about it for months. Howard Dean can be a fierce competitor and an eloquent attack dog. Simon Rosenberg can bring the Democrats into the 21st century. These two men joining forces is a brilliant idea that needs to happen ASAP. Dean has no understanding of technology (the campaign did, but the governor thought our site was hacked when we posted campaign numbers online) and Rosenberg will bring the technology, the required understanding of our spanish speaking consituents and and 21st century ideas to our party. These guys could have a brilliant sybiotic relationship that could truly reshape the party. Do it, do it, DO IT!
Posted at 05:51 pm by blog swarm
Political News Permalink
Arrianna:
As at almost every other turn, the campaign had chosen caution over boldness. Why did these highly paid professionals make such amateurish mistakes? In the end, it was the old obsession with pleasing undecided voters (who, Greenberg argued right up until the election, would break for the challenger) and an addiction to polls and focus groups, which they invariably interpreted through their Clinton-era filters. It appears that you couldn’t teach these old Beltway dogs new tricks. It’s time for some fresh political puppies.
Posted at 04:36 pm by blog swarm
Political News Permalink
http://www.blogpac.org
| Writing a blog post is not enough. Reading a blog post is not enough. Commenting on a blog is not enough.
Being educated is the first step toward political change. But the next step requires doing something.
BlogPac.org is that next step -- a group of bloggers not content to simply write words or read them, but eager to take action on the pressing issues of our day. We will not sit idly by and merely chatter as everything we care about burns. And you join us in our efforts. |
It's become clear over the past few years that the modern Republican Party leadership has a very different approach to politics. Prior to the 1990s, the two parties fought for votes, and then attempted to govern together. The Senate was basically a collegial institution, and while there was a great deal of dirty campaigning, the basic institutions of American governance were healthy and relatively nonpartisan.
Starting with the election of Bill Clinton, the Republican Party mestacized into a cancerous political force that did not believe in the legitimacy of the Democratic Party, bipartisanship, dissent, or elections. They impeached an elected President, and stole the office of the Presidency. Then their leadership used 9/11 to divide this country, run up record deficits, take us to illegitimate war, engage in mass torture, eviscerate our rights, and gay-bash their way to further political victory under the Orwellian name 'moral values'. They have partisanized government statistics, ripped up the soft tissue of American democracy, called us unAmerican by claiming the bullshit mantle of 'heartland', turned lobbyists into an arm of their party, and are intent on destroying our party, and the liberal and conservative traditions that have guided America since the Civil War.
We need to recognize as a party that we are at war for our survival, one they started. We must become not more liberal or conservative, right or left. We must become more partisan. We must become dedicated to rediscovering our core principles, and stopping the strip mining of democracy they are intent on foisting upon us.
Blogpac is dedicated to turning our party into an institution that can return cannon fire, immediately and everywhere, using the internet, TV, online campaigns, and media pressure. We will fund not liberals or conservatives, but political street fighters. For starters, we ran online ads in 2004, and built EnjoyTheDraft.com, and IraqDraft.com. Now it's time to really get down to business.
I hope you will join us. Please give us your email address so we can keep you informed of what we're doing specifically, and how you can help.
We're going to win this. It will take years. But we have no other choice.
| What BlogPac.org Is About |
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| Political Action Committees have been the province of the rich, powerful, and well connected.
Once upon a time, the media was a province of the rich, powerful and well connected. But the new blogging phenomenon burst through that barrier, giving anyone with minimal computer skills the ability to be their own publisher.
Politics suffered from the same limitations, where the unconnected and those who lacked wealth were relegated to the realm of stamp licking and envelope stuffing. Yet the rise of the "netroots" -- online communities -- gave regular folks the ability to work together to effect political change. The Dean campaign was catapulted into stratopheric heights, and even following its demise, the strength of the Netroots helped make John Kerry financially competitive with the cash-flush George Bush.
BlogPac follows in that tradition. Borne from those who spend their times online and embrace participatory media and politics, we will use online tools and technologies to further the cause of progressive politics in our nation.
BlogPac is, indeed, the first PAC to wage politics entirely online.
Here's a partial list of the bloggers behind BlogPac, those serving on the advisory board. Markos Moulitsas of Daily Kos, Jerome Armstrong of MyDD, Duncan Black of Atrios, Jeralyn Merritt of Talk Left, John Aravosis of AmericaBlog, Matt Stoller of BOP News, Anna of Annatopia, Jesse Taylor of Pandagon, & others that are aligned with the effort. We will have more info on the direction of BlogPac in the near future. |
Posted at 04:11 pm by blog swarm
Political News Permalink
Posted at 04:09 pm by blog swarm
Political News Permalink
Then They Came for Me
by
Stephen F. Rohde, Esq.
First they came for the Muslims, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Muslim.
Then they came to detain immigrants indefinitely solely upon the certification of the Attorney General, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an immigrant.
Then they came to eavesdrop on suspects consulting with their attorneys, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a suspect.
Then they came to prosecute non-citizens before secret military commissions, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a non-citizen.
Then they came to enter homes and offices for unannounced "sneak and peek" searches, and I didn't speak up because I had nothing to hide.
Then they came to reinstate Cointelpro and resume the infiltration and surveillance of domestic religious and political groups, and I didn't speak up because I had stopped participating in any groups.
Then they came for anyone who objected to government policy because it aided the terrorists and gave ammunition to America's enemies, and I didn't speak up because...... I didn't speak up.
Then they came for me....... and by that time no one was left to speak up.
Stephen Rohde, a constitutional lawyer and President of the ACLU of Southern California, is indebted to the inspiration of Rev. Martin Niemoller (1937).
Here is the original poem:
They came for the Communists, and I didn't object - For I wasn't a Communist;
They came for the Socialists, and I didn't object - For I wasn't a Socialist;
They came for the labor leaders, and I didn't object - For I wasn't a labor leader;
They came for the Jews, and I didn't object - For I wasn't a Jew;
Then they came for me - And there was no one left to object.
- Martin Niemoller, German
http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2004/11/12/13111/551/20#20
Posted at 02:54 pm by blog swarm
Political News Permalink
Blogging of the President
Election Fraud Clearinghouse
We're adding new links to the main post, and rolling old links below the fold. There's a lot of info out there (so much, that we've upgraded from a "roundup" to a "clearinghouse"), and we'll do our best to keep this thread current for you. Apologies for any redundancies--we're just throwing it up raw and ugly so we can get the information to you as fast as possible.
1. Before the URLs get scrubbed, could someone archive them?
2. Would be lovely if a kind soul could throw them up in a wiki in a more orderly fashion.
BOP House Crew on Election Fraud
New! 11/12 Shaula Evans: Outside eye: Dems Abroad Election Fraud Report
New! 11/11 Stirling Newberry: The Voters are Restless: Election Fraud Story circulates the internet
New! 11/11 Stirling Newberry: Not "Was It Stolen", but "Was it Stealable"
New! 11/11 Matt Stoller: Unbelievable
Ian Welsh: Thinking about vote fraud
Matt Stoller: another stolen election
oldman: speaks for itself
Barry Ritholtz: mapping out election results
Ian Welsh: Okay, it was stolen
Shaula Evans: fight fight fight
New Links November 12
Worst Voter Error is Apathy Towards Irregularities
The Unexplained Exit Poll Discrepancies
MSNBC Vote Fraud Video
Data and Disinformation
Indy Media busts vote fraud email as Republican hoax
47 state exit poll analysis confirms swing anomaly
Who Counts in Ohio?
Judge rejects suit over uncounted absentee ballots
Was the Presidential Election Between Bush & Kerry Rigged?
Did Homeland Security and the FBI interfere with the vote count?
Voting Abnormalities stir belief that presidential election was hijacked
Glitch causes Franklin co. recount
Rep. Kucinich calls for paper ballots, election reform
Evidence of Electronic Voting Bias
Pro-Bush fundie spin on election theft coverage
Congressional dems take lead from bloggers, call for GAO investigation
Nader raises question on Electronic Voting
Serious problems remain with voting system
FBI denies Warren County claim of special threat warning
Internet buzz on vote fraud dismissed
Kerry Campaign lawyers checking Ohio vote
California settles lawsuite against Diebold for faulty equipment Thanks to everyone who is sending us new links, and for all the links and trackbacks out there. More links under the fold, as well as in the comments.
Note, these are the kind of URLs that mysteriously wind up scrubbed Would some tech savvy person be kind enough to archive them, quickly?
Folks, this is THE news story right now: the numbers don't add up, the voting machines were rigged, and they're trying to steal the presidency again.
This story isn't in Big Media and word is, for whatever reason, the inside-the-beltway crowd won't touch it.
So push it hard in the blogs, talk to your neighbors, email it to your grandma, and send it to your local media.
Kerry's concession speech carries NO legal weight. Results aren't final until they are certified by the state election boards. Once Bush is coronated again, we're out of luck.
We have a VERY SMALL WINDOW to make sure the votes count. And, no one else is doing it: it is up to us.
Roll up your sleeves, and go forth to save American democracy.
New Links November 9
Statistical improbabilities of Bush FL vote tallies
Atrois: The Ohio Code
Sarpy County, Nebraska: More votes than voters
FL: voting machines reject mysterious wet ballots
Shifting numbers of Florida's election (with graphs and charts)
More from MSNBC's Keith Olbermann plus he wants your feedback at KOlbermann@msnbc.com
Bob Fitrakis: Evidence is mounting
97,489 extra votes in Cayahoga County, Ohio
Democracy Now: The E-vote Factor
eRiposte: Election 2004 results
No paper ballot recount requests yet in Florida - and how to start one
Another rigged election? The Elephant in the voting booth
Electronic voting machine woes reported
Machine error gives Bush extra Ohio votes
Gambling glitch mars vote tally
Wired: Watchdogs spot e-vote glitches
National voting rights monitor documents voting irregularities in the south
Warren County, OH shrouds vote count in darkness
Ralph Nader challenges vote count in New Hampshire
Citizen attempt to expose irregularities in Florida
WI group says, Election stolen
Indianapolis Wish-TV asks, Will Your Vote Count?
AP gets direct feed from tabulating computers
media Black Out Voting Problems
Republicans and Democrats spar over vote tally
House Democrats Seek election inquiry
Voting irregularities (with charts!)
William Rivers Pitt: Worse Than 2000
Florida rigged the optical scanners with stats and charts
Strange election results from Ohio
Electronic Voting machine woes reported
Defective software lost votes
Over 20 percent of the machines tested failed to record votes properly.
Electronic Ballots: Major media reporting major problems
Video the Vote: Documentation from Cleveland Polls
Angry Ohio Residents Storm State House
November 7 Update
International Election Monitors banned in Ohio
Group tallies more than 1,100 e-voting glitches
Slashdot: Avi Rubin & More on Electronic Voting
Slashdot: Evoting problems in Ohio
November 7 Links
MSNBC's Hardblogger: Keith Olberman on George, John, and Ohio
The numbers don't add up
CIA-style hacking rigs election for Bush
Black Box Voting calls it Fraud
Surprising Pattern of Florida's Election Results
The Greg Palast classic: An Election Spoiled
Washington Dispatch: Vote Fraud in Ohio?
Presidential votes mis-cast on machines across the country
Reconciling voting machine and exit poll discrepancies
Ohio Whitewash
Institute for Public Accuracy on Ohio Elections
software flaw found in Florida vote machines
Florida numbers analysis (chart)
exit poll chart via BOP reader alyosha (thanks, man)
Stolen Election 2004
Open Voting Consortium
4000 votes missing in Pennsylvania County
Palm Beach county logs 88,000 more votes than voters
outrage in ohio
Broward County Florida voting machines count backwards
Diebold Pres Odell's 2003 promise to "deliver Ohio for Bush"
Greg Palast: Kerry Won
Diebold Machines yield fishy results
Machine Error Gives Bush Extra Votes in Ohio
More evidence of possible fraud in Darke County, Ohio
NC: 11,823 "extra" votes cast for Bush
chart: Florida voter reg vs performance
Something looks very wrong in Florida
Election Theft Bombshell: Major Security Breach
And finally, from the "We told you so" files:
A technical look at how they can steal it (from October 9, 2004)
Posted at 02:42 pm by blog swarm
Political News Permalink
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