McCain Advisor Says Voter Fraud is a “Perception” that “Plants Seeds of Doubt”

ProPublica, The Politico - by Chisun Lee - Nov. 2, 2008 (Investigative Report)
A review of prosecutors’ statements and documents filed by Republicans in the most serious new cases alleging voter fraud shows that none offer an example in which a fraudulently registered person managed to cast a valid vote. While several cases argue that such frauds are possible, none sketched a scenario for how massive numbers of people could fake registrations and then vote. More »
Review | Like | Submitted by Chris Finnie
Featured Reviews
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4.0
by Fabrice Florin - Nov. 2, 2008 - See Full Review (11 answers)
Notes: Excellent report by the nonprofit Pro Publica about GOP allegations of voter fraud. This in-depth article offers plenty of factual information from multiple sources to investigate this issue, and finds no verifiable evidence to support these claims.

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3.5
by Mike LaBonte - Nov. 2, 2008 - See Full Review (10 answers)
Notes: I have to give the author credit for asking a fair number of Republicans and journalists for evidence of voter fraud. Well linked to sources in some places, but not all.

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4.2
by Marsha Iverson - Nov. 2, 2008 - See Full Review (16 answers)
Notes: Lee presents an articulate and intelligent analysis of the actual risk of voter fraud, and compares that risk to the campaign rhetoric and maneuvering being used to create fear and doubt in the election process.
Comment: We have a documented history of ELECTION fraud--where legitimate voters are disenfranchised, legitimate ballots are discarded without counting, and ... More »
Quotes: The GOP sought a list of more than 20,000 new registrants in Wisconsin. Among those tagged as suspect were four of the six retired judges who make ... More »

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4.0
by Walter Cox - Nov. 2, 2008 - See Full Review (12 answers)
Notes: An extremely important topic given our divisive political climate. This article effectively debunks partisan perceptions that fraud might be occurring on a significant level in American elections
Comment: In our desire to ferret out imperfections in our voting system, we must not lose sight of the fact that the United States is arguably the world's ... More »

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4.8
by Glenn LaBauve - Nov. 2, 2008 - See Full Review (12 answers)
Notes: Excellent reporting on the lack of any verifiable cases of someone actually casting a fraudulent ballot, but plenty of screaming wolf
Comment: Voter fraud has never stolen an election, election fraud has put more than one crook in office. You cannot steal an election one vote at a time, ... More »

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4.6
by Chris Finnie - Nov. 2, 2008 - See Full Review (13 answers)
Notes: A detailed look at the important topic of electoral integrity with good research and sourcing. It argues effectively that the focus on this is currently misplaced.
Comment: Since many Democrats have joined the McCain official in calling for non-partisan control over elections, I hope this is an idea that will gain traction.
Chris submitted this story.

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4.5
by Dwight Rousu - Nov. 2, 2008 - See Full Review (14 answers)
Notes: The investigative journalism quotes a number of authoritative sources. Hard data is difficult to come by when there are no instances reported.
Comment: The republican party challenges against ACORN are libelous lies, instigated with phony indignation by top operatives, and slavishly believed by the ... More »
Quote: McCain adviser Michaelson believes that the real way to prevent stolen outcomes — or the perception of them — is to abolish the partisan oversight systems that prevail ... More »

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4.1
by Joe Pallas - Nov. 2, 2008 - See Full Review (9 answers)
Notes: This is a clear, factual report on a topic that desperately needs it. A wide variety of sources help answer the question of the real level of risk from registration and voter fraud.

Quotes Help
Marsha Iverson shared this quote: (See Full Review)

The GOP sought a list of more than 20,000 new registrants in Wisconsin. Among those tagged as suspect were four of the six retired judges who make up the state’s bipartisan election board. The Wisconsin Republican Party’s brief warned that, if the presidential election is very close, “the deciding votes may well be cast by ineligible voters registered illegally.” It alluded to “criminal behavior” involving registrations, citing factual support consisting of three news accounts: one about a woman charged with submitting phony forms, one saying registration workers were being investigated for possible fraud, and one quoting a Republican spokesperson saying the hiring of former felons to collect voter applications — even if not illegal — “doesn’t smell right.”
The Wisconsin trial judge rejected the lawsuit on technical grounds, but noted that she was unpersuaded by the GOP’s mentions of “criminal activity.”

What better way to cover your own efforts to cheat than to accuse your opponent of cheating first?

Marsha Iverson shared this quote: (See Full Review)

Wisconsin Attorney General J. B. Van Hollen, a Republican official who initiated the failed suit, announced Tuesday that he would deploy more than 50 state law enforcement agents and collaborate with local prosecutors to guard against fraud on Election Day. It was unclear what the agents might do, and Van Hollen’s office did not return a call from ProPublica.

Law enforcement officers deployed on Election Day to guard against VOTER fraud, or ELECTION fraud? How about voter intimidation? Where do we draw the line?

Marsha Iverson shared this quote: (See Full Review)

Fake Registrations an Unlikely Vehicle for Fraud

Numerous election experts, including Barnard College political scientist Lorraine Minnite and Justice Department veteran Gerald Hebert of the Campaign Legal Center, told ProPublica that fake registrations were an unlikely and unwieldy means of stealing an election.

Such a scheme would have to involve a substantial crew of fraudsters — tens of thousands of people — willing to risk the hefty prison sentences and fines if caught.

The most insidious effect of a long string of questionable elections and hostile public relations/campaign spin tactics is our suspicion of the electoral process. Wit a fearful public, an unprecedented number of crooked politicians and lobbyists under indictment or convicted for crimes and abuse of office, and a powerful corporate media that profits from campaign advertising on both sides, how do we regain a sense of trust—and guarantee that our elections are free, fair, and accurate?

Dwight Rousu shared this quote: (See Full Review)

McCain adviser Michaelson believes that the real way to prevent stolen outcomes — or the perception of them — is to abolish the partisan oversight systems that prevail in most states. Officials, he said, “are the final barriers to election fraud. But we have districts where it’s really hard to find a legitimate Republican or a legitimate Democrat. Even if on paper you have [bipartisan] checks and balances, you really don’t.”

Comments
We have a documented history of ELECTION fraud--where legitimate voters are disenfranchised, legitimate ballots are discarded without counting, and electronic voting machines are notoriously unreliable and easy to tamper with. Elections have been called into question for the past eight years. To offset another iteration of voter fraud, unscrupulous elements in the campaign are taking to heart the idea that the best defense is a good offense.
In our desire to ferret out imperfections in our voting system, we must not lose sight of the fact that the United States is arguably the world's greatest functioning democracy. The left began its shrill cries of a "stolen election" in 2000, and now it is the right trying to make political hay out of ACORN's questionable voter registration practices. I can't think of a better way for us to sabotage our own nation, and I believe we have a duty to object strenuously and demand proof when anyone, on the left or on the right, makes assertions of significant disenfranchisement of voters or voter fraud.
Voter fraud has never stolen an election, election fraud has put more than one crook in office. You cannot steal an election one vote at a time, you have to steal it at the precint, county or dtate level,
Since many Democrats have joined the McCain official in calling for non-partisan control over elections, I hope this is an idea that will gain traction.
The republican party challenges against ACORN are libelous lies, instigated with phony indignation by top operatives, and slavishly believed by the true believers in the ranks. This is a great disservice to democracy. Non-partisan election officials are a good idea, along with outlawing voting machines and outlawing secret proprietary software in vote tabulating machines. The computer savvy of election officials should also be strongly considered in selecting secretaries of state, especially here in Washington.
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