To: Raymond Duray who wrote (4269 ) 12/2/2000 11:35:11 AM From: Ilaine Read Replies (3) | Respond to of 6710 Judge Sauls just took a recess. The first Democrat witness is supposed to testify about the machines used in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach. He did not examine the ones in Miami-Dade - so I don't think they will be able to prevail on Miami-Dade. The testimony about what "could" cause a dimpled ballot includes the following: 1. Voter could put ballot on top of machine, not into the machine. Judge - is that what the voter is instructed to do? Witness - no. 2. Machine could have been full of chad, or the rubber strips might be worn, or the rubber strips might be hardened, or the holes in the rubber strips might be skewed. On cross- examination, which hasn't occurred yet, the witness will have to testify that he did not observe machines full of chad, worn rubber strips, hard rubber strips or skewed holes, since he only looked at one machine in Palm Beach. If the witness gets torn up on cross, he will be struck, which I think will probably happen. He is a demographer, not an engineer, and he doesn't maintain the machines, and he didn't look at the real machines. The Dems needed a witness to testify that the machines were full of chad, or had worn or hardened strips or skewed holes. His testimony is pure speculation based on no facts at all about the real machines. Why, oh why, do you suppose they don't have a fact witness to testify to this? If the witness isn't struck, then Palm Beach has maintenance men to testify that they took perfect care of the machines, I am sure. Next witness is a statistician. I don't think this judge is going to order another recount. We shall see, but I am getting very excited. The judge is practically doing handsprings over the fact that the Dems evidence isn't going to be sufficient to meet their burden of proof. He isn't saying it but he can hardly hold still. Dems shot themselves in the foot by not having time to adequately prepare for the hearing. You were bitching about the delay, so now you can't bitch that they didn't have enough time.