Andrew Hacker in New York Review: They Are Ready To Steal It Again
This is an important piece by one of America's leading political scientists Andrew Hacker.
I knew that the GOP makes it difficult for African-Americans to vote. I did not know just how sophisticated their vote suppression efforts are. According to Hacker, vote suppression could be the key to a McCain victory this year. It comes down to this: our chances of winning depend on an unprecedented increase in the African-American turnout. Their chances hang on blocking that turnout.
They are ready.
We better be. We weren't in 2000 or 2004 and a strong case can be made that it was vote suppression (not to mention other forms of cheating) that won it for them,
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MJ,
I posted on this subject yesterday claiming the Republicans won't be able to win many races this year without stealing them. They started with Indiana's Voter Identification bill which the complicit Supreme Court upheld.
Good Lord, I can't imagine a McCain Presidency and at least 2 SCOTUS appointees.
September 10, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not a case, it's a fact. Kerry won New Mexico, Iowa and Ohio last election cycle if it wasn't for that supression. Vote supression is simply UN AMERICAN.
September 10, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not a case, it's a fact. Kerry won New Mexico, Iowa and Ohio last election cycle if it wasn't for that supression. Vote supression is simply UN AMERICAN.
September 10, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Big surprise huh? This is news?
The Repubicans are fascists and will use any means to get and retain power. What is surprising about this?
September 10, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
So, what CAN be done about this - my biggest fear about the election with how close the polls are is the Repugs cheating just enough for McCain to win in the close states.
Poll watching won't do it anymore!
SusanD in No. CA
September 10, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
For the 3rd day in a row I have woken up with stomach pains. I'm way too young for this.
Attack and attack now. Put them on the defensive. Take something out of context. Play the race card. Do a publicity stunt with Hillary. Fire Biden and hire a monkey. Anything. I can't watch this.
If laughter is the best medicine this might help: http://tinyurl.com/6jb7l6
September 10, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I tell you crunchymunchy, if we lose this time, I'm, for starting a new political party. I fail to understand why Obama & Co. can't seem to grasp the fact that they shouldn't be on defense (today's lipstick on a pig comments come to mind), but need to be constantly on offense.
I'm serious. If we lose to these fuckers then we need to start anew from the ground up.
September 10, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I tell you crunchymunchy, if we lose this time, I'm, for starting a new political party. I fail to understand why Obama & Co. can't seem to grasp the fact that they shouldn't be on defense (today's lipstick on a pig comments come to mind), but need to be constantly on offense.
I'm serious. If we lose to these fuckers then we need to start anew from the ground up.
September 10, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Democrats, while not the party that suppresses votes (these days at least), have given no sign they are serious of protecting the integrity of this election.
And you are absolutely right. If we lose we start from the ground up.
If we win, too.
September 10, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I tell you crunchymunchy, if we lose this time, I'm, for starting a new political party. I fail to understand why Obama & Co. can't seem to grasp the fact that they shouldn't be on defense (today's lipstick on a pig comments come to mind), but need to be constantly on offense.
I'm serious. If we lose to these fuckers then we need to start anew from the ground up.
September 10, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why do I have this sinking feeling in my stomach?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/10/uselections2008.barackobama
September 10, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just this morning, there's an article out that says Florida (Florida!) has reinstated their voter ID law and fears are that this will seriously suppress Democratic votes. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/254/story/52175.html
But I've also read that the recent polls may be deceiving, because for some reason many of the pollsters decided to increase the number of Republicans polled, and decrease the number of Democrats. With more Republicans polled, McCain's percentage goes up.
The article also mentions the Bradley effect, which I believe most experts no longer believe is in effect, but I guess you never know.
What all this should be telling anyone who recognizes that a McCain Presidency would be disastrous (and that's far too mild a word) for our country is that it's time to get off the internet and go volunteer for Obama.
September 10, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Every morning I wake up, take a look at Amerika and feel like puking. Need some anti-nausea medicine soon.
September 10, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wordie is right. We must work to get a turnout so large, they won't be able to steal it. Why the Dems would not legislate against vote stealing since they took Congress is beyond me. For those in California, Diane Feinstein approved a delay in making changes until 2012. That will be too late if we don't win this time.
September 10, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. It is as if they actually colluded with the Republicans in making sure the election WOULD be stolen.
And for the record, Feinstein has a special place in my pantheon of Dem quislings, next to Chuck Schumer, for allowing Mukasey's nomination to make it through the SJC.
September 10, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does it make anyone suspicious that there are no photos with both DiFi (D - CA) and Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R -TX)in them?
September 10, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm too old but you young people can do what your ancestors and mine did: emigrate. I recommend the EU countries, almost any of them.
September 10, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
After watching Sicko I am sorely tempted to immigrate to some country where the state sends nannies around once a week to new mothers to give them an afternoon off.
September 11, 2008 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Re: Just this morning, there's an article out that says Florida (Florida!) has reinstated their voter ID law and fears are that this will seriously suppress Democratic votes.
When did Florida cancel that law? When I voted there in 2004 and 2006 I had to show ID. Meanwhile, in Florida's favor, they have gotten rid of electronic voting machines and reinstated felon's voting rights.
Re: I recommend the EU countries, almost any of them.
Canada's closer, speaks English mostly, and even has dollars, albeit coins not bills.
September 10, 2008 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Florida has only THEORETICALLY reinstated felon's voting rights. I've heard the Republican governor Crist cut the budget for the bureaucrats who process the applications for reinstatement of rights, and they're "just not going to be able to most of those applications" before the cut-off date for voter registration. If you're surprised by this, I've got a bridge to the Conch Republic I'd like to sell you.
September 11, 2008 8:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Florida has only THEORETICALLY reinstated felon's voting rights. I've heard the Republican governor Crist cut the budget for the bureaucrats who process the applications for reinstatement of rights, and they're "just not going to be able to most of those applications" before the cut-off date for voter registration. If you're surprised by this, I've got a bridge to the Conch Republic I'd like to sell you.
September 11, 2008 8:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ok - I'm sufficiently paranoid.
What the hell does one do to be ready for them to steal an election?
September 11, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink