Where has all the common sense and fair play gone?
Let's hope by the time you read this that the Judge has overturned the Sec. of State's erroneous BS that Florida law demands that the deadline for turning in recounts is 5pm Tuesday. I cannot believe that she quoted that from an OLD statute that was superseded by a new one which gives her
complete discretion to let the votes that have already begun to continue.
- Doesn't she believe and don't the rest of you think that the main thing is to get the most accurate count? Don't we all want that? C'mon Republicans, you're not complaining about the 100 votes you picked up in a manual recount of another county.
- Also bizarre (despite what Baker said about the inherent inaccuracy of manual counts) is the law that GW signed into Texas law that stated that manual recounts were more accurate.
- Also wrong are some Republicans assertions that "Gore got a recount and he didn't like that so he asked for another recount." That is more lies.
Gore did not ask for the first recount, the laws of the state of FL demanded it, since the margin was less than 1/2 of 1%. Gore's camp is right to emphasize that they only want a fair vote. Also not sure you closed-minded Republicans are aware of the suit that was filed by Florida voters. You ought to be because they have a real case.
READ ON...
Alan Dersowicz (sp?) is perfect to represent the rights of the Florida voters. Not sure if you heard this but some citizens in Palm County who accidentally double voted (due to the confusing and ILLEGAL ballot which had the hole to
the LEFT of Buchanan's name) were told that they could NOT have another ballot. Others were told that they could not ask ANY questions of the polling location officals!*
If true, this is outrageous!
*Reported by the NY Times.
Some Republicans are saying that the butterfly ballot was printed in the paper and that they was a comment period,
but I am hearing that the actual ballot used was different than the one printed in the paper. I tend to believe it, since it was definitely illegal under Florida law as well as very confusing. I am sure it was all an accident, but it was still illegal and deprived others of having their vote counted. And it doesn't matter one bit if it was a Democrat or Republican who was responsible, the ballot was illegal and it's all about giving people the right to vote that is important.
By the way, even if the judge rules that all the manual counts must be turned in by Tuesday 5pm, the counties will keep counting and Alan Derscwitz will keep fighting for the thousands who had an illegal ballot forced on them in Palm County. Can you imagine the mess if the state of Florida certifies Bush the winner and justice finds later Gore actually was?
I say, manually count the whole state if you have to. Do it now! That's in fact what Warrent Christopher said without hesitation. In fact he said that the Republicans may have an obligation to demand a recount in other states. He even said that he would favor waiving the 72 hour deadline that the Republicans missed which wouls allow the Republicans to ask for a manula recount in any county they wanted
How much fairer an attiude can you have?
That's what Gore would say in a second, too, if asked and the Republicans know it. As Gore said today, who would want to be President if they legitimately didn't earn it? Since GW trails in both the popular and electoral vote, this is especially true of him.
And don't tell me it would take too long! It could all be done in a week or 10 days from today! The only real deadline is Dec. 18 when the states need to certify their winners.
Bite the Bullet...recount and get it over with in any close state that either party wants to protest. It's the law and in fact landed some Republicans in the House that otherwise would have lost without the manual recount.
ANYONE who does not favor a procedure that would ensure a REAL winner scares me and is un-American, as far as I am concerned.
PS- I do agree that a re-vote of the whole state is absolutely unacceptable (except for possibly Palm County voters who were forced to use an illegal ballot). |
