Republican Party officials in Macomb County Michigan plan to use home foreclosure lists to challenge voters at the polls in November! Nice, the creators of the mortgage meltdown in America are so cynical that they are using results of their own handiwork to disinfranchise American voters.
This is what I mean when I say that we Democrats have two major tasks now and through November 4:
1. Register voters
2. Protect the vote. [Report any potential disinfranchisement of voters to your local/state Democratic Party office, and call them to find out what you can personally to do protect the vote.]
Read further from TruthOut to see how the Obama/Biden Team are standing up to this latest in a series of Republican attempts to disinfranchise voters:
Read More »On the same day as Sen. McCain told reporters in Orlando "our economy is fundamentally strong," Biden pushed the envelope, pushing that there was not an ounce of daylight between Pres. George Bush and Sen. John McCain, and summarized the state of the economy as "a record number of home foreclosures. Home values, tumbling. And the disturbing news that the crisis you've been facing on Main Street is now hitting Wall Street, taking down Lehman Brothers and threatening other financial institutions."
"I heard that a Republican County Chairman right here in Michigan said that they're keeping a list of foreclosed homes, suggesting that if you've lost your home, you should also lose your vote," Biden stated. "I have a different idea. I think that if you're worried about losing your home, you should vote for the guys who are going to help you keep it!"
The guilty party is Macomb County Chair James Carabelli who told reporters in a telephone interview this week the local party wanted to make sure "that proper electoral procedures were followed."
Michigan State election rules allow parties to assign "election challengers" to polls to monitor the election.These challengers can challenge the eligibility of any voter provided they "have a good reason to believe" that the person is not eligible to vote. One allowable reason is that the person is not a "true resident of the city or township." The county Republicans planned use of foreclosure lists is apparently an attempt to challenge ineligible voters as not being "true residents."
Biden added, "We've seen eight straight months of job losses. Nearly 46 million Americans without health insurance. Average incomes down, while the price of everything -- from gas to groceries -- has skyrocketed. A military stretched thin from two wars and multiple deployments."
"A nation more polarized than I've ever seen in my career," remarked Biden, "and a culture in Washington where the very few wealthy and powerful have a seat at the table, and everybody else is on the menu."
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (D-IL) revealed his economic plan on Tuesday, suggesting he'd simplify the tax code so that any employed American with a bank account can do their taxes in minutes if they take the standard deduction. "There's no reason the IRS can't send Americans pre-filled tax forms to verify," he said, "with no more worry, no more wasted time, no more extra expenses for a tax preparer."
The Obama-Biden economic plan can be viewed HERE in its entirety.
The first campaign event will be in St. Clair Shores, at 11:00 a.m. at South Lake High School, 21900 Nine Mile Road. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and tickets are required. Tickets are available beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday at Communication Workers of America Local 4008, 145 Colonial Court in Mount Clemens. Their phone number is (586) 463-4008.
A second rally begins at 5 p.m. at Flat Rock Community High School, 25600 Seneca Road in Flat Rock. Doors open at 3 p.m. Tickets are not required.
I saw first hand the fiasco that was the 2000 election here in Florida.
I saw the republican talking heads threatening the American public as if they were lecturing the people of Iraq or some other 10th rate country.
I saw a democratic administration refuse to pick up the gauntlet which the republicans had thrown in their face.
I didn't vote in the primary here this year because I was informed by my party that in effect the primary was meaningless.
If that had not been the case I'm certain that Senator Obama would have beeen on the ballot here and then I would have voted - for him.
No one should paint rose colored pictures in their minds and fanciful what if scenarios about the Florida or Michigan delegations.
Both candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama knew before the 2008 Primaries that these two States would not be counted at the National Convention because of their primary date change. Both candidates didn't partake in campaigning in these two States during the primaries for their votes. Hillary Rodham Clinton did put her name on the ballot of these two States anyway, while Barack Obama did not to put his name or withdrew his name on the ballot of Michigan (in so doing, he disenfranchised the votes of the State of Michigan himself), but did put his name on the ballots of Florida. Does Barack Obama deserve these 55 delegate votes from the State of Michigan? I say "No." And I am sure a lot of people would agree with me. If you have a ballgame with two teams, one team doesn't show up, what happens then? Well the team that didn't show up forfiets the game and loses. Does that mean that we should award the team (team that didn't show,forfiet) 3 runs and say it's ok you win the game by not showing up. This is similar to what the Democratic Credtenials Committe did with the delgate votes of Michigan. Waiting until almost the last day of the primaries to make this decision was wrong to do. They should've accepted these two States from the begining. I wonder who would be the party nominee at this point if they had. We all should be aware that a lot of people in this counrty sides with or votes for the leading candidate as the primaries go along, so as not to hear that they voted for the losing candidate. How many Super Delegates jumped on the bandwagon for Barack Obama the last weekend or last day of the primaries, many had changed their minds from Hillary Rodham Clinton to Barack Obama. Why even Former President Jimmy Carter even waited to the last hour before changing his stance on who to back. Hillary Rodham Clinton would've won Michigan anyway by the tally of how many votes she won and against the total uncommitted votes.
Concerning who won the popular votes Hillary Rodham Clinton won the popular vote by 17,783,918 to Barack Obama's count of 17,379,767 (this includes the votes of Michigan and Florida) a difference of 404,151 votes, yes a close race. Also the tally for delegate votes Obama 1,765 to Hillary 1,641, not enough to claim victory without the support of the Super Delegates. Hillary Rodham Clinton won the most important States or should I say the swing States come November for the Presidential Election. Didn't Al Gore win the Popular Vote in 2000 but lost the Presidential Election because of a debacle of Florida's choice of not re-counting the votes, or should I say was not re-counted because of one persons job in the Republican Party of the State of Florida(Katherine Harris)Also that of the Supreme Court, which was ruled by or majority of Judges being Republican's or choices of Judges placed there by a Republican President?
Take away the 55 delegate votes from Barack Obama before the June 3rd 2008 Primaries that day and would he have garned enough support from the Super Delegate votes to claim the winner of the Primaries? Or would many Hillary Rodham Clinton's Super Delegates changed their choice of who to back or switched sides during those last primary days? I don't think so. Most switched from Hillary to Obama as jumping on the band wagon of who they thought won the primaries. By August 28th 2008 I hope the Super Delegates come to their senses and go back to their former candidte Hillary Rodham Clinton. This isn't causing party dissention or disruptiveness. Neither candidate (Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton) won the total of State Delegate votes to claim being the winner of the primaries without the Super Delegates.
I am not a backer or supporter of any candidate nor do I vote. But fairness is what the United States of America is and what should be all about. I have talked with many around the globe (World) and they laugh at our election process, especially after the debacles of 2000 and 2004. And our government leaders or public claim to want every other country to have freedom and voting for their leaders or government done the right way. Well with what's happened over the past 8 years, we don't give the many around the world hope for fairness and the right way to get votes counted or the candidates the right support.
Let's Get Real people, THINK ABOUT IT. I say contact your Democratic Committee of each State to get this right. I also urge everyone to contact the Super Delegates as well along with the Democratic National Credential Committee. Hound them to do the right thing. I have placed a 10 minute video on YOUTUBE.com (search Homey3) on June 4th 2008 discussing this. I wonder why Barack Obama waited until 08/03/08 requesting that the delegate votes of Florida and Michigan be counted as a full vote, but came short of requesting he don't receive or deserve the 55 delegate votes of Michigan. Barack Obama should've done this request back in the begining of March when everyone started talking about getting the votes counted the right way for these two States, why even the Republican Florida Gov. Charlie Crist even spoke about getting these votes counted the right way at that time. I say to Hillary Rodham Clinton; don't concede this primary race and fight right into to National Convention and contact all your Super Delegate supporters who have stayed behind you and the ones that have abandoned you during the last days of the Primaries. I also ask the Super Delegates that didn't back either one, too think about their votes and who to back come August 28th. I am going to place another YOUTUBE video about this within the next day or two, so tune in if you want fairness or tune out if your against the right way of doing things. Is it also right for the voting Democratic Party public not to help Hillary Rodham Clinton in payiing off her campaign debt? Think about it if all the people that voted for Hillary placed at least $5.00 in the mail, I wonder how much it would help in paying off a debt the she inherited for running to gain a public office? Don't say that was her choice, Hillary was and is doing her best for her followers of the public and other supporters. No one person should be fully responsible for a debt running for public office. I even request the public that backs Barack Obama to help pay down Hillary's campaign debt. Thank You for allowing me to speak openly here. For more information about me go to www.homey3.com
The Kent County Democrats and the Obama campaign participated in Kentwood's Fourth of July parade this morning. I had hoped for a good turnout, but as often happens with Obama events, things turned out better than expected.
In fact, we had about 30 people there! I would tell you how many people were in the McCain contingent at the parade, but McCain's campaign didn't even show up! Keep in mind, Bush won Kentwood 56-43% in 2004
Read More »...Well, that's what he'd do if he had any integrity at all. You can't VOLUNTARILY take your name off a ballot, then expect to win 40% of the delegates, and several of your opponents too...
...Unless you are of course...Barack Obama, the affirmative action candidate.
DNC to Obama: "No future president Obama, you don't have to actually WIN, we'll give you the delegates anyway! We just hate Hillary so much, we'll nominate anyone but her!" This is the biggest steaming pile of 400lb Gorilla crap I have ever seen. Obama has absolutely NO legitimacy at all.
My Mama taught me the same thing. What did their mothers teach those Hillary supporters who don't think she's getting a fair shake when she got more than she deserved out of her conniving the votes in Michigan and Florida after agreeing to discount them?
This is worth watching if you haven't:
Here is a thank-you note that I just sent to all the member of the Rules Committee......
The committee did the hard thing, but the right thing yesterday.
ADDRESSING A POINT THAT MANY ARE OVERLOOKING
I am an Obama supporter and the irony of all the flap about Obama and the "great" advantage that he gains over the decision of the rules committee is erroneous. It would have been FAR easier for all the Obama supporters if the Rules Committee had handed Florida and Michigan to Hillary on a silver platter. It would not have made one bit of difference to outcome of this primary. And we Obama supporters would not have to listen to all the distortions of the truth regarding how "Obama stole the election." Now we can look forward to spun-out Republican clap-trap lies throughout the general election about how Obama "stole" the nomination. But we can take comfort that if it were not this manufactured spin they would come up with something else.
It has been a hard fought and very close race, but Obama wins with or without Florida and Michigan. The difference that the committee has made is to signal to all the 50 states that in 2012, there will be serious consequences if the DNC party calendar is ignored.
Your decision today has protected our process. And I thank you for protecting the votes for ALL the 50 states, even if it would have been easier for Obama if you had simply caved in to the pressure to seat Florida and Michigan.
Thank you again. I understand what you did and why.
The RBC of the DNC ruled that Michigan and Florida would be broken up in the following manor:
(1) Each Delegate from each gets 1/2 of a vote
(2) Obama will get the Uncommitted Delegates in Michigan
(3) the Delegates in Michigan will be Allocated: Clinton 69 Obama 59 in respect to people who did not vote because Obama was not on the Ballot
(4) Michigan's votes to the convention will be Clinton 34.5 Obama 29.5
(5) the Florida Votes to the convention will be Clinton 52.5 Obama 33.5
The New Magic Number is 2118. The new delegate count is
Obama 2050.5
Clinton 1877.5
A Clinton Supporter mentioned that she Reserves the right to take it to Denver. I think it will be over by the end of the week
"So it's interesting to note that Michigan has played its game of chicken with the DNC before - repeatedly - and that Gore, Bradley, Obama, Edwards - all of the major candidates except Hillary - took their names off the ballot.
And it's also interesting that, rather than pushing the DNC to seat delegates based on the results of their flawed 2000 primary (Uncommitted 71%, Lyndon LaRouche 29%), Michigan Democrats quickly scheduled a do-over: An open caucus, held on March 11th, 2000, that sent a full slate of delegates to the convention.
If you didn't have enough reasons before to call shenanigans on Hillary Clinton, then here's a couple more reasons why her arguments don't hold water: She ignored precedent when she left her name on the Michigan ballot, and her supporters' calls to seat delegates based on the flawed primary are inconsistent with what Michigan Democrats did in 2000."
[Note: I apologise to this source I came across this in my notes this morning but I can't find the source.]
Another interesting note on what a hypocrite that Terry McAuliffe is: he was the DNC chairman when in 2004 Michigan threatened again to not follow the calendar. Unlike today when he wants Michigan seated with a full vote, McAuliffe, the hypocrite, stance then was to threaten Levin that if he tried to vote against the calendar that Michigan would not seated within miles of the convention.
This year,however, McAuliffe has changed his tune. He thinks it is just fine, not only to seat Michigan but to count 0 votes for Obama who followed party rules while Hillary ignored them.
Summary: Obama HQ asked us not to demonstrate outside of the DNC Rules and By Laws Meeting on Saturday, May 31, 2008 in Washington, DC. The meeting may determine how the Florida and Michigan delegates are seated at the Democratic National Convention in August, 2008.
Obama HQ wants us to register voters in our local communities (not outside the hotel - smile) on Saturday during or after the DNC meeting. Watch the meeting live on CSPAN.
Join your local Barack Obama supporters and register voters on Saturday. There are voter registration events Saturday and they need YOU!
Voter Registration Drive - Saturday, May 31 2008
Instead of protesting, Obama HQ is encouraging Obama supporters from across the region to make a positive impact on Saturday, May 31 by joining the Vote for Change National Voter Registration and Mobilization Drive. Plan a voter registration drive.
Virginia Area Voter Drive - Saturday, May 31, 2008
Voter Registration events in the Virginia area on Saturday, May 31, 2008. See a map of voter registration drives already planned in VA on the Obama web site.
Find a Voter Registration Drive Near You
Please go to the Vote for Change National Voter Registration and Mobilization Drive web page.
Obama Campaign Said...
We can send a powerful message to the special interests that dominate the old politics if millions of people get registered to vote. Recent voter registration drives have registered more than 200,000 new Democrats in Pennsylvania, more than 165,000 new Democrats in North Carolina, and more than 150,000 new Democrats in Indiana. Those numbers just scratch the surface of what's possible.
_________________________________________________
Voter Registration Rules for Your State
1. Before you begin any Voter Registration, please read your state’s legal guidelines.
2. Following local guidelines ensures we empower the greatest number of people possible in our Vote For Change effort.
Protest the Current DNC Ruling on the Michigan Vote
Why should the Michigan voters not count?
Why not a re-vote?
Who really stopped the re-vote?
Are we the Punitive Party?
Do we really want to anger 17 Million plus Hillary Supporters?
Protest for FL and MI
Count Every Vote Rally in D.C. For FL and MI May 31st, 2008
Be there, Make History.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton 08
The Inclusive Choice
Electable in the General Election
Experienced
Beloved by the International Community
The People's Choice
I Hope that on Saturday that all will remember that every disagreement has its own "perfectly reasonable viewpoint." As for me, I'm staying home with the chickens. But should you care to venture into it, here are some directions for you:
On Saturday, May 31st, the DNC's Rules & Bylaws Committee will meet at the Marriott-Wardman Park hotel in Woodley Park to determine the fate of the Michigan and Florida delegations.
The meeting is open to the public with space for a few hundred, but you MUST register this Tuesday May 27 and you must come early to the event on Saturday. (No later than 9am Saturday.)
Registration starts promptly at 10AM, Tuesday May 27th http://www.democrats.org/a/2008/05/rbc_meeting_inf.php .
(I thought about posting this yesterday, but I thought: Why create more havoc. There will be more than enough. I just hope that neither side make our party look like dumb clucks. Just remember the bird cartoon below and remember that the other person has as much right to be there as you do.)
The following link is to a site that is reporting/predicting/updating on the event:
http://www.chron.com/commons/persona.html?newspaperUserId=desperado&plckController=PersonaBlog
Based on some of the posts that I read here I get the impression that the fires for many myths are being fanned. Here are the ones that I am aware of:
THAT HILLARY LEADS THE POPULAR VOTE BY SOME HUGE MARGIN.
This is not true. Even when the votes from Florida are counted, Obama still wins the majority of the popular vote. It is true that if we count the votes of Michigan where Obama's name was not even on the ballot that Hillary leads the popular by less than 1% (+0.15%). The votes of two states and one territory have not been considered yet. When they are, it is projected that the popular vote will again be within a hair's edge whether it is Hillary or Obama.
THAT OBAMA IS SOMEHOW TO BLAME FOR FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN
Florida and Michigan decided to not follow the rules of the Democratic Party Calendar. Obama had nothing to do with that decision. In negotations to try to settle this mess that these two states created, there were solutions offered and rejected from BOTH the Clinton and the Obama camps. It is no more fair to say that Obama is "wrong" for rejecting the Clinton proposed solutions than it is to say that Clinton is "wrong" for rejecting the Obama solutions. But to blame Obama for this mess is wrong.
THAT OBAMA WILL LOSE THE GENERAL ELECTION
That myth is now beginning its slow death as well. Yesterday, for the first time Obama is now pulling ahead of McCain with the lead in electoral votes. As we move on into the general election and Obama has time to confront his opponent more directly and meet more voters, this margin will widen.
I hope you will remember that it is not just Florida and Michigan that are at stake. I hope that you will remember that this not about two states but rather about fifty states. I hope that you will remember that this is not about the voters of Florida and Michigan,but the voters of all the 50 states.
I hope that you will remember that the Democrats of Florida and Michigan had the same opportunity to follow the Democratic Primary Calendar as other states and chose to not respect the rules of their own party. I hope you will remember that this action not only disinfranchised the voters of all states, it also disinfranchised the candidates as well who were not able to campaign in these states and meet the people.
And finally, sir, although I don't know what the punishment should be, it should be severe enough to deter any other state from EVER doing this again. That is one of the purposes of rules and laws after all--to ensure an orderly society. If there is no consequence to their behavior, what will be the deterrent in 2012--for the leaderships to say: "This time we really, really, really mean it." What will there be to stop the other 48 states from acting as selfishly as Florida and Michigan did?
And finally, sir, if we count the votes of Michigan, where Obama's name was not on the ballot, then what is left to separate our country from banana republics who hold such elections?
I trust your judgment to do the right thing for all the 50 states and not just two who acted against the better interests of the majority.
I watched us shoot ourselves in the foot twice with Adlai Stevenson, then twice again with Hubert Humphrey and George McGovern. I saw the infighting from the far left with Jimmy Carter and his defeat at the hands of a Hollywood nobody. We did it again with Mondale, Dukakis, Gore, and Kerry moving farther and farther to the left. We are now on the brink of having a junior senator with all of one year experience and by far on of the farthest left candidates in the history of our party as our Nominee. I guess than now I must open my mo