Fraud, Vandalism and Intimidation in Florida

(More) ACORN Fraud

Poll observers ejected in Ohio

Wall Street Journal's John Fund and ACORN

PA Primary - Free Sandwich for Voting....Really

The field team at Election Journal found a Philadelphia Mcdonalds offering free sandwiches with proof of registration.

They also conducted this interview outside:

"You Can Get It On Ebay"

In 2007 the online marketplace Ebay reported $7.67 billion in revenue. Ebay provides millions of international users the ability to join together online to buy and sell anything from automobiles and electronics to the Secret of Eternal Life (for only $7.77). Ebay's success has been fueled by the entrepreneurial spirit of the American people, and that spirit is especially healthy with N.C. State University student Sarah Yasin.

Ms. Yasin attempted to sell her vote in the North Carolina Democratic primary for a starting bid of 15 cents the Charlotte Observer reports:

"She did it partly as a laugh, partly as a cynical jab at the candidates who struck her as salesmen.

Either way, the state Board of Elections frowned on Yasin's gesture. Buying and selling votes is illegal, and the N.C. State University senior's gag advertisement got pulled this week."

Just because Ms Yasin was willing to sell her vote, it doesn't mean anyone would buy it. But the Observer further reports:

"Her eBay post went up last Friday. Before she took it down on Tuesday, the bidding had climbed from 15 cents to $11.50."

Vote buying is certainly old news and a time honored tradition in some locales. But technologically advanced internet vote marketing is a relatively new strategy; pioneered in Maryland and Missouri.

Sarah Yasin didn't mean any harm though as CBS News explains:

"Ben Mazur, senior in religious studies, said he remembers the moment Yasin put the vote online.

"She called me before she set it all up and said, 'Check your e-mail in about half an hour. I'm about to do something really funny,'" Mazur said."

Yes...vote buying is hilarious!

I prefer my Ebay humor slightly more legal.

Q: Can Elections be Stolen? A: Michael Capuano (D-MA) "I Can Tell You How To Do It"

Rest assured that democracy is safe in the hands of statesmen like Michael Capuano from Massachusetts' 8th district.

The Committee on House Administration reviewed legislation on Wednesday that would provide federal reimbursement to states that switch to paper ballot systems in time for the 2008 election.

In his assessment of H.R. 5036 Congressman Capuano pointed out that elections are readily stolen. Oh you don’t believe him!...Well he’ll tell you how to do it. Enjoy his remarks above.

We should feel fortunate that Speaker Pelosi sought to appoint this patriot as Chairman of the Task Force on Ethics Enforcement.

Rep Capuano’s “powerful” committee on Wednesday also adjudicated important legislation regarding management of the house staff’s free fitness facility and staff pay cycles.

Vote Fraud at State Care Facility

Could there be anything more despicable than taking advantage of someone in your care to commit fraud? Probably not.

Just days before the Tennessee’s February 5th presidential primary News Channel 5 learned employees at the Clover Bottom Developmental Center in Nashville had been registering patients to vote. Often without their knowledge or the knowledge of their court appointed conservators.

Such was the case with Kelly Harper. News Channel 5 reports:
Kelly Harper, 24, never recovered from a childhood accident. A head injury caused a stroke and, in essence, froze her brain in time.

“Mentally, she’s at the 1-year-old stage,” said her mother Becky Moss. “She cannot drive. She cannot read. She cannot write. She can’t make decision for herself,” Moss said. “Somebody, if she has voted, has done it for her,” she said. “They’re taking advantage of her.” Still, under the law, Kelly has the right to vote. Her family only wishes she could.

Kelly’s family was shocked to learn that she had been registered to vote. They were even more surprised to learn that Kelly had voted three times; casting ballots for governor, U.S. Senate, House of Representative and local races.

Constitutional attorney David Raybin is concerned:
“Her rights have been violated.” After watching her on tape, he said, ‘I don’t think she’s capable of exercising independent judgment.
And, if she can’t make her own choice, someone else apparently did.
“Of course, it’s dangerous,” he said.
A group of people who want to get votes for a particular candidate could go to an institution and take advantage of people not able to make free choices.

Kelly’s mother told News Channel 5 that she fears someone voted twice using her daughter’s vote.

Fifty-five residents are registered to vote at Clover Bottom. They do have every right to vote.
Tennessee officials promised to investigate the matter after the report was first aired

(REALLY) "Absentee" Voting

H/T to Election Journal for this little gem from memory lane (2004). Kudos to Congressman Weldon for confronting corrections officials for permitting students to solicit absentee ballots from prinsoners, which is prohobited by Pennsylvania law.

Vote or Die

In 2004 Sean "P Diddy" Combs publicly advocated for participation among young voters by founding the "landmark" Vote or Die campaign. Ironically, some of the campaign's most notable spokespersons, Democratic philosophers Paris Hilton, Christopher Brian Bridges (Ludacris) and Curtis "my friends call me 50 Cent" Jackson failed to vote.

Hmmm....That sounds strangely familiar.

While P Diddy has redubbed his grassroots campaign as Citizens for Change', the spirit of vote or die remains alive and well in Cleveland.


On April 22nd voters in Cleveland's Sixth Ward will have the option of casting their ballot for Council candidate John Boyd. Mr. Boyd has campaigned aggressively on a platform of progress and reform for his community....and that he hasn't been convicted of murder' in more than 30 years.

But not only has it been 30 years since council candidate Boyd was convicted of murder...he was fully rehabilitated....until he was convicted of heroin trafficking, forgery, theft and receiving stolen property some 20 years later.

Of course Ohio law says that a convicted felon may not serve in an office of honor, trust or profit (Councilman pays an annual salary of $70,000). But why sweat the details

Scholarly Thoughts

With primary turnout breaking records, an energized youth movement, and a national media keyed on the presidential election; 2008 should be a lot of fun for you politicos.

In 1792 Thomas Jefferson founded the Party of the Commmon Man

As a framer of our nation, Jefferson and his party fought against a tyranical British Empire, for the adoption of the Bill of Rights, and for a free Republic whereby a lasting deomcratic process would always gaurantee a peaceful transition of power.

Fast forward a few centuries and despite the lack of oppressive foreign monarchs and taxation without representation (though taxation remains healthy) the Party of Jefferson is beginning to struggle with the peaceful transition.

The epic battle of "policy" and "ideas" between Senators Clinton and Obama continues to captivate national media and primary voters alike. Less so for the dirty reality of this contest.

But commercials, allegations and press releases aren't neccesarily enough in this battle. As the Obama campaign has shown, sometimes it takes some good old fashioned muscle. During the March 4th Texas Primary the Obama Campaign's Southwest Region Director redefined GOTV when she assaulted a Val Verde County poll worker.

Fortunately for democracy, after being charged with a third degree felony Morales was released on $1,000 bond.

Hello World. Jackie Chiles Esq. - At Your Service

Some things are predictable and some things aren't.

Still weeks removed from the April 22nd primary and we've already seen a thing or two.

But hey...primary day will probably be smooth.