Let the spotlight remain on this sewer rat:
<<Analysis: Staffers quit firm over attempt to switch electors
Friday, 15 December 2000 17:43 (ET)
Analysis: Staffers quit firm over attempt to switch electors
By PETER ROFF, UPI Political Analyst
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Two top staffers in a Democratic consulting
firm have resigned in a disagreement over a plan to contact Republican
presidential electors in an effort to sway them to vote for Al Gore when
electors cast their ballots on Dec. 18.
Ben Chao, one of two men who resigned from the firm of Bob Beckel and
Associates, told United Press International Friday that "Beckel is compiling
a report he will send, or may have already sent, to Republican electors on
voting patterns, allegations of fraud in the election" and other political
and demographic information about the 2000 election.
His letter will include "an editorial comment from him reminding the
electors they have the option of abstaining from voting in the Electoral
College."
"I did not think it was in my best interests or those of my clients to be
associated in any way with this activity, so I resigned," Chao said, adding
that it was an amicable separation
Beckel, who heads the firm and managed Walter Mondale's failed
presidential race in 1984, is well-known as a frequent guest on political
chat shows and as an occasional substitute host on CNN's Crossfire.
He did not return telephone calls to his office Friday seeking comment.
"He is not doing background checks or opposition research on electors,"
Chao said. "The report he is going to send them is the only communication he
has had or will have with electors."
"I think there are any number of people out there with any number of
schemes.
"It is probably a lot more talk than it is reality," Chao said. "I think
Beckel is doing something completely different" from what other people are
said to be doing, "and he is working alone."
Chao says that any efforts to disrupt the electoral process as it goes
forward would be ill-advised. Electors meet in their state capitals Monday
to cast their ballots, which are counted in a joint session of Congress Jan.
6. The other staffer who resigned is Bud Jackson.
"We Democrats need to be talking about what we are about, what we are for,
not what we are against," Chao said.
Shortly after the Nov. 7 election, United Press International and other
news outlets reported on efforts by Beckel to, using his word, "kidnap"
Republican electors who are not bound by law to Republican Texas Gov. George
W. Bush and to switch them to Al Gore.
After a barrage of publicity and with Gore campaign chairman Bill Daley
and recount advisor Warren Christopher publicly disavowing his effort,
Beckel softened his tone, saying he was merely compiling information to send
to some of the Bush electors.
"The simple fact of it (is) that when the Supreme Court decision came
down, I got the sense that if three electors flip giving Gore the
presidency, he would not accept it," Chao said. "If by some fluke, Al Gore
wins a vote in the House, he would not accept it. Therefore, I saw no reason
to instigate potential trouble with this report.
"I urged [Beckel] not to send the report. He told me 'Ben, this is
something I have to do.' At that point, I figured I am a young guy in the
business, I make my living working for political candidates, and so I quit."
Chao said he still considers Beckel a close personal friend.>> |
