I can't think of a more appropriate way to begin the Republican caucus day in Iowa, than with Chris Matthews' closing segment of Hardball Monday night. This stinging rebuke should haunt Mitt Romney for years to come.

'"Let Me Finish" tonight with this", Matthews begins:

This Republican caucus in Iowa has the looks of a travesty, a victory of dollars over democracy, financial equity over equality.

Romney is destroying the only opponent he fears for the nomination, with the relentless wealth-driven advertising campaign the voter can only escape if he turns off his television set. He`s doing it without his fingerprints on the ads, without his face or his name attached to it. He`s doing it while he stands before crowds, reciting their verses from "America the Beautiful".

If there`s ever been a more cynical use of money and media, it is hard to recall it. And so, what exactly will Tuesday nights results mean, will they mean that Iowa likes Romney? Or will it say that the voters of Iowa have been used to destroy his most formidable national opponent?

What it looks like Iowa will say, in the headlines at least, is what it says often, that it likes the candidate who adheres most closely to the evangelical line. In this case, they have a perfect vessel, Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. He`s pro-life, he educates his children at home, he`s opposed to same sex marriage. He is to the evangelicals and other Christian conservatives, one of them.

So, if Santorum gets up around the high 30s tomorrow night, that will be about right.

Continue reading »

The Tea Party Report's Susie Sampson tackles the eternal question: Which is more attractive to voters - sexual harassment or "oops."

Republican’s are freaking out about the voter turnout in Florida. They are trying to close the vote down at 7:00PM. Sharp. No matter if you are on line or not. The unofficial word on the street is that out of the approximate 18% who have voted already, the edge is going to Kerry 2-1. We are manning the phones reassuring democrats that they will be able to vote if they get on line before 7:00PM, no matter how long it takes to actually vote. We will also be bringing food and drinks to all voters waiting on line throughout the day and night.

So I head over to the Kerry tent - friendly turf. I am told by a campaign worker I do not need a #2 pencil. I don't believe him. I demand proof. I don't, can't fuck this up. He looks deep into my eyes and assures me this is the truth. I believe. I head back to the tank. Out comes the ballot - you have to connect a broken arrow to the candidate of your choice – creative. I connect the arrow for Kerry/Edwards, then vote straight dem line. Ballot props? Oh fuck me - I have to read them all. I do and m:ake the best decision I can. Sheriffs? Well, one guy looks like a fascist. He's out. Later I find out I did the right thing. I vote all the judges - fuck em.
They're gone (By the way, for those of you wondering - I did not vote in California). I finish every thing and sign the ballot, then some secret card, but it says I must enclose ID? What, a copy? Or do I put in my actual voter card. It is clearly ambiguous. I read it over and over again as the rain slams onto the roof of the death mobile.

I head out in the rain again. Giant ballot shoved deep into my pants - a battery of lawyers surround me as I explain my predicament. I am lead by two to the front door. Another woman poll worker follows close behind yelling, "This is illegal. You shouldn't have to show proof." The pig circus is in full bloom. I am marched into the office. It's filled with cops, poll workers, international observers, and old folks in walkers and people behind the counter. I am greeted by the cop. "I just need information," I mutter defensively, like I have somehow penetrated behind enemy lines too early in the conflict. He points to the woman behind the desk. She happens to be a three and half foot black dwarf with arms about 12 inches long. I don't have the heart to take her picture, so you'll have to take my word for this. She says in a high voice, "You need a photo id." I ask if I have to photo copy my passport.
She says in a southern twang - "Naw honey, I'll do it fer ya." I am pleased. It seems first time voters who receive an absentee ballot must show proof of identity - You would never be able to tell this from the ballot. I emerge with an answer- all the lawyers surround me - this is clearly big news. I AM A VOTING CELEBRITY!

Most Americans Want to See Constitution Replaced by Ten Commandments

via Swift Report ( satire ) Following the lead of France and the Netherlands, American voters are widely expected to reject the US Constitution when they go to the polls later this summer. While the Constitution was once held in great acclaim by voters, its popularity has slid in recent years as it has lost market share to more muscular governing documents, including the Ten Commandments and the Patriot Act.

Most voters say Bill of Rights is 'out-of-touch'

GOP Lawmakers Slow to Embrace Social Security Plan

By Charles Babington

Washington Post Staff Writer

Treasury Secretary John W. Snow said yesterday that the Bush administration has yet to sell American voters on its plan to revise Social Security, but a substantial number of Republican lawmakers are refusing to help -- either sitting on the sidelines or actively criticizing the plan.

New Ohio voter transcripts feed floodtide of doubt about Republican election manipulation!

by Bob Fitrakis & Harvey Wasserman
November 25, 2004

COLUMBUS -- A floodtide of evidence of questionable practices in the 2004 election is mounting fast against Ohio Republican Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell and Republican Franklin County Board of Elections (BOE) Director Matt Damschroder. New transcriptions of sworn voter testimony, presented below for the first time, confirm growing suspicions of widespread use of rigged machines. Voters experienced hostility from poll workers, refusal of Republican election officials to follow the law, and discriminatory manipulation of voting machine placement, driving significant numbers of Democrats away from the polls.

The Columbus Dispatch, central Ohio's dominant conservative daily newspaper, which endorsed Bush for the presidency, says Damschroder “has faced criticism locally and across the country from groups that contend an already short supply of voting machines were shifted from Democratic precincts in Columbus to Republican areas outside the city.” read on...

Supreme Court won't annul gay-marriage okay in Mass.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday sidestepped a dispute over gay marriages, rejecting a challenge to the nation’s only law sanctioning such unions.

Justices had been asked by conservative groups to overturn the year-old decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage. They declined, without comment...read on

Merita Hopkins, a city attorney in Boston, had told justices in court papers that the people who filed the suit have not shown they suffered an injury and could not bring a challenge to the Supreme Court. “Deeply felt interest in the outcome of a case does not constitute an actual injury,” she said.

Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly told justices that voters can overrule the Supreme Court by adopting a constitutional amendment.

The lawsuit was filed by the Florida-based Liberty Counsel on behalf of Robert Largess, the vice president of the Catholic Action League, and 11 state lawmakers.

From Talk Left

Republicans to Push Faith-Based Legislation

Whose Values?

Religion has been cited as a big factor in the recent presidential election. The exit polls found that 22 percent of voters cited "moral values" as the key to their vote. Of course, we welcome the "moral values" discussion in politics, but the question some Christians are raising is which values and whose values.

Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace has been receiving daily opportunities to shape the national debate and to make sure that social and economic justice is named as a "moral and religious value," and that war and peace are "life" issues too. The Reverend Jim Wallis is scheduled to speak about "moral values" this coming Sunday on "Meet the Press."

Only 51% of Americans have moral values?

Speak out about YOUR values....click here> My Moral Values