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Thursday, March 1, 2012

Rush Limbaugh Bomb Scare:

Authorities Called To Palm Beach House After Suspicious Package Discovered

Posted: 03/01/12 08:26 PM ET  |  Updated: 03/01/12 10:24 PM ET

Rush Limbaugh Bomb Scare
In this Jan 18, 2009, file photo, talk show host Rush Limbaugh is interviewed on the sidelines before the start of the NFL AFC championship football game in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Rob Carr, File)


A bomb squad was sent to Rush Limbaugh's Palm Beach, Fla., residence Thursday evening after security personnel discovered a suspicious package on the premises, WPTV reports.
According to the Palm Beach Daily News:
Palm Beach Police spokesman Fred Hess said the package appears to not be dangerous or hazardous. He said it was delivered late this afternoon and was X-rayed, as is all mail sent to the Limbaughs' home. When Limbaugh's staff saw what appeared to be wires in the package through the X-ray, they called police.
The package originated from a Pennsylvania man offering Limbaugh "a business opportunity," police said. Inside was an "electronic [plaque] commemorating the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth."
Limbaugh sparked outrage Wednesday after calling Sandra Fluke, a birth control advocate denied the opportunity to testify before Congress in February, a "slut." However, no connection between his comments and the package have been established, police say. The sender hasn't been publicly identified, but reportedly apologized to authorities when contacted.
It is unclear whether or not the conservative radio host was at the residence at the time of the incident.

President Obama Speaks on the Resurgence of the American Auto Industry



Uploaded by on Feb 28, 2012
President Obama speaks at the United Auto Workers Annual Conference about the success of the auto industry, which is creating jobs and making profits after nearly collapsing before the President took office. February 28, 2012.

Who won the contraception fight?

Thu Mar 1, 2012 5:46 PM EST

The gender wars are back. The Senate defeated the Blunt Amendment today, which would have allowed employers to refuse to cover health services for their employees—striking right at the heart of the contraceptive controversy. And yesterday, Rush Limbaugh verbally attacked the Georgetown University Law student who House Republicans wouldn’t let testify at a contraception hearing last week. Today, he refused to apologize—and crossed the line even further. Today more than 75 democratic members of Congress sent a letter to Speaker Boehner, calling on Republican leaders to condemn Limbaugh’s comments. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) will weigh in tonight.



Republicans are staying silent after Rush Limbaugh's offensive words about women and birth control. Chris talks to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.



Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


Let me finish tonight with this. I think the Republican Party has gotten trapped in the way-back machine that Sherman and Mr. Peabody used back in the days of Bullwinkle and Rocky the Squirrel.
They and Rush Limbaugh seem to think that young women using birth control is a matter for hot debate, that they can score points attacking those young people for protecting themselves from pregnancy during their college years. 
Are they crazy?  Are they politically nuts enough to think the way to win votes in 2012 is to head deep into the long-ago territory of attacking people for using birth control? I have not heard a priest give a sermon on this topic since I was in grade school. Why are politicians and their radio ringleader out there in the church tent riling up people about something they put to bed a half century ago at least?
If it was only a old fuddy-duddy argument, that would be one thing.  Listen to Limbaugh - calling a young college student a "slut."  Just listen to him, this man who leads the Republican Party:
Rush Limbaugh: “What does it say about the college coed Susan Fluke [sic], who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex? What does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex.”

In legislatures and courtrooms, busy weeks ahead for voter ID




In an election year dominated by battles over health care mandates, tax rates, and rising gasoline prices, it’s the mechanics of voting – and who’ll get to vote in November – that’s getting full-time attention from state legislators, election lawyers, and judges.
In the latest example, the Virginia state Senate is headed for a vote Friday on a new voter identification requirement – one more indication that the voter ID controversy will keep boiling in legislatures and in the courts right up to Election Day.
These new voter ID laws are being proposed almost exclusively by Republican legislators and governors in states throughout the nation, spawning both litigation and angry rhetoric from Democrats.
“All of a sudden after the 2008 election, these (voter ID laws) miraculously appear,” said Rep. Frederica Wilson, D- Fla. at a recent anti-voter ID event at the Capitol. “Why? Because we have a black president in the White House and it is to stop all of the people of color from … coming out to vote, because they (the proponents of voter ID laws) know who they are targeting …"
Here’s the status of some recently enacted voter ID laws and states where such laws might be considered this year:

Enacted but blocked
South Carolina: Last December, the Justice Department denied approval of the state’s voter ID law requiring voters to present photo identification that Gov. Nikki Haley had signed in May. Under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, South Carolina is one of nine states that must seek approval, or “pre-clearance,” from the Justice Department or a federal court in Washington, D.C., in order to make any change in voting procedure.
State Attorney General Alan Wilson brought suit in federal court, arguing that the requirements “are at most a temporary inconvenience” to some voters. The state contended that its law was nearly identical to one enacted by Indiana and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2008. Therefore barring South Carolina from doing what Indiana had done would “raise serious constitutional concerns” about whether Section 5 “violates South Carolina’s right to equal sovereignty.”
In a separate but related case with big implications for voter ID laws, Shelby County, Ala., is fighting in the federal appeals court in Washington to have Section 5 of VRA struck down as unconstitutional. The appeals court heard oral arguments on Jan. 19 and a ruling is likely in the next several weeks.  The Shelby County case will likely end up before the Supreme Court and if the justices were to strike down Section 5, the Justice Department would no longer be able to pre-emptively block changes in voting laws.  The department would still be able to use another Section of the VRA to challenge voting laws that have a racially discriminatory impact.

Enacted but likely to be blocked
Texas: State Attorney General Greg Abbott filed a suit last month in federal court, asking that Texas be permitted this year to use the photo ID law Gov. Rick Perry signed last spring.
Under Section 5 of the VRA, the Justice Department is now considering Texas’s law, having asked for additional information from the state on the race and ethnicity of Texas voters and drivers. The department must give its response to the Texas law by March 12.
In his filing, Abbott said Texas did not have the racial and ethnic data the Justice Department wanted. “Indeed, the very reason Texas refuses to maintain racial and ethnic data on its list of registered voters is to facilitate a colorblind electoral process,” he said.
Even in the unlikely event the Justice Department were to approve the Texas law, opponents of the law contend that there would be problems implementing it.
“The state is not ready to allow citizens the ability to obtain this kind of voter ID,” said Rep. Charlie Gonzales, D- Texas. “It goes way beyond just going to the Department of Public Safety and standing in line. You still have to have your birth certificate; if you’re divorced and your name is different you have to get a certified copy of your divorce decree. There are so many hoops to jump through.”

Enacted but may be blockedLaws similar to those in South Carolina and Texas have passed in several states and are likely to be opposed by the Justice Department over the same concerns.
Alabama:  Another Section 5 state, Alabama passed a voter ID law which doesn’t take effect until 2014.
Mississippi:  Voters last November approved a ballot initiative to create a photo ID requirement. But the legislature must provide funding to implement the law and the state must receive Justice Department approval since Mississippi is a Section 5 state.
Wisconsin: On Tuesday Wisconsin conducted its first elections under the voter ID law that Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed last year.  Wisconsin is not covered by Section 5 of the VRA but challenges have already been launched. On Thursday civil rights groups and a labor union coalition filed a suit against the law arguing that it discriminates against black and Latino voters. The American Civil Liberties Union has also filed a suit seeking to block enforcement of the law. One argument ACLU makes is that the cost of obtaining a copy of a birth certificate ($20 in Wisconsin, more in other states) in order to get a state ID card would be “a severe financial burden” for some people, a burden that violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
The voting in municipal and county primary elections in Wisconsin went smoothly, according to the Associated Press. Walker commented on his Twitter account: “1st election w/photo ID required & it seems to have run well. Proof that common sense still works.”
But Rep. Gwen Moore, D- Wisc., a longtime political foe of Walker, alleges the governor "clearly has had a goal for many, many years to disenfranchise people of color."
She also contended that the law would hurt President Barack Obama’s chances to win the state in November, adding, “This is strictly designed to disenfranchise people who would otherwise vote for Democrats."
Asked to comment on Moore’s remarks, Walker’s spokesman Cullen Werwie said, “Requiring photo identification to vote is common sense – we require it to get a library card, cold medicine, and public assistance.  Gov. Walker will continue to implement common sense reforms that protect the electoral process and increases citizens’ confidence in the results of our elections.”

May be enacted this yearVirginia:  The state Senate is likely to vote Friday on a bill that would require a voter to present some form of identification but would allow him or her to use an employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck that shows the name and address of the voter. As a VRA Section 5-covered state, Virginia would need to gets its law cleared by the Justice Department.
Pennsylvania:  The Pennsylvania House passed a voter ID bill last year. Both Republican and Democratic sources say that there will be a renewed push for voter ID to pass in the state Senate, where the GOP has a 30 to 20 majority, and to be sent on to Republican Gov. Tom Corbett for his signature in the next couple of months. Corbett has said he supports a voter ID law.
Minnesota: A Minnesota state senate committee has approved a proposed amendment to the state constitution to require photo ID for voting, but it has yet to be approved by the full state senate and the state House. Last year, Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, vetoed a voter ID bill which had been passed by the Republican-majority state legislature.
Missouri: On the November ballot is a proposed amendment to the state constitution which would allow for the legislature to impose a photo ID requirement. Republican state Sen. Bill Stouffer, the sponsor of that measure, predicts it will pass with 75 percent or more of the vote. The legislature last year passed a photo ID bill which Democratic Gov.  Jay Nixon vetoed.

Recently enactedRhode Island, Tennessee, and Kansas all enacted photo ID laws last year. None has yet been enjoined or struck down.  None of those states are covered by Section 5 of the VRA.

Not likely to be enacted this yearIowa: The state’s Republican Secretary of State Matt Schultz has proposed a photo identification law but state Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal opposes the idea.
Ohio: The Ohio House passed a photo ID bill last year but the Senate didn’t act on it. The prospects do not look good for passing a bill this year, said Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican.
He said the photo ID bill last year “polarized people over the whole concept of election reform and modernization. The photo ID bill was much more ‘nuclear,’” he said, than another bill, which he supported, to shorten and standardize the early voting period in every country in the state.  “Once it (the photo ID bill) came on the scene, the common-sense conversations stopped and … it was really hard to build consensus around thoughtful reforms,” Husted said.

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Comment author avatarldoRestored
“All of a sudden after the 2008 election, these (voter ID laws) miraculously appear,” said Rep. Frederica Wilson, D- Fla. at a recent anti-voter ID event at the Capitol. “Why? Because we have a black president in the White House and it is to stop all of the people of color from … coming out to vote, because they (the proponents of voter ID laws) know who they are targeting …"
Wow, the Democrats just can't get off the Racist agenda. A person is elected to office based upon a lot of things.....not his nor her color.
And, just why were you elected to office, Rep. Wilson ?
  • 159 votes
#1 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:57 PM EST

Comment author avatarC. SmithRestored
Actually, a lot of people have come out and said that they voted FOR Obama specifically because he was black. And the left calls the right racist?
Oh, and of course there's the fact that these laws are nothing new and only came about en mass recently because of the wave of Republican majorities in state legislatures from the 2010 elections.
  • 107 votes
#1.1 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:05 PM EST

Well there is a large group of #GOP that believe and preach that President Obama (First Black President) was not born in America, Is that racism?
Or yelling that the President a liar during the State of the Union?(Never happen before)
Or sticking your finger in the Presidents Face?
Its sad when you need to surpress voting on one group of voters to try to win election. There is not a voter fraud problem in the US so why are these laws being pushed?
When you know your going to lose you will always try to change the rules!!!
  • 110 votes
#1.2 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:13 PM EST

@ldo:
Unfortunately no becuase Teapubs keep exposing their racist and women hating agenda. So NO ldo we can not yet move on. This is why we need a strong Republican Party.
Wow, the Democrats just can't get off the Racist agenda. A person is elected to office based upon a lot of things.....not his nor her color.
We need a strong Republican party but right now, that just doesn't exist, and it's not good for either side. Right now, we have a Republican party usurped by loons and goons whose only goal is to bring down President Obama, regardless of the cost to the country, regardless of the damage. Oh, they have a few other ulterior motives, like imposing an authoritarian religious regime on the country, and controlling womens access to reproductive healthcare services.
Repairing our badly damaged and crumbling roads, our airports, bridges, dams, levees, schools, hospitals, national parks, our electrical and water grids? Creating badly needed jobs and strengthening an economy teetering on the edge of collapse?
No, that’s not even a blip on their radar, too busy preaching tax cuts for the rich and “austerity” and “sacrifice” for everyone else, like a fat man telling someone dying of starvation the way to get better is to eat even less, OR die quickly.
And as a result, we have a Democratic Party gradually starting to lose its way as well, rife with DINOs and Blue Dogs and the incompetent or lazy or co-opted. Without an honorable opposition, we have very little with which to keep our parties honest.
We need a strong, healthy, honorable Republican Party to stay strong, healthy and honorable ourselves. The Republican Party was once a champion of civil rights, personal responsibility and a regulated government, and engendered people like Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower.
Today, Mitt Romney’s father would not recognize the Republican Party his son would like to head, Ronald Reagan’s son says his father would be furious with what the Republican party has become - a party utterly dominated by the rich, the religious fanatic, the psychotic, and the jingoistic bigot. The last remnants of the decent, honorable Old Time Republican party are either senile or dead, what’s left is vitriolic, mean-spirited and downright stupid.
OBAMA IN 2012,
70+ SEATS FOR DEMS IN THE SENATE,
CONTROL OF THE HOUSE,
Put JOHN "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a SCOTCH AND TONIC today" BOEHNER, "CANTDO ANYTHING" CANTOR, AND MITCH PEABODY MCCONNEL ON A SLOW PINK BUS TO CHINA...
  • 102 votes
#1.3 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:38 PM EST

Well @!$%# Ido, if the republicans are tired of being called racists, they can consider stop acting like racists...
  • 94 votes
#1.4 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:54 PM EST

Comment author avatarKevin BitzExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Comment author avatarDavid-1250323Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Comment author avatarRich 711Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

All of a sudden after the 2008 election, these (voter ID laws) miraculously appear,
This is just a scam from Karl Rove to make sure that the Republicans steal the Presidency from the Democrats., just like they did with Al Gore.
  • 60 votes
#1.8 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:00 PM EST

So it is racist to suggest that in order to vote in this country one should have to prove they are legally eligible to vote? Did someone tell that to the unions because they all require that all union members have to show their union ID cards before they are allowed to vote in union elections. The hypocrisy.
  • 105 votes
#1.9 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:04 PM EST

Comment author avatarJerry-450071Restored
People need to have identification. Otherwise, just like the Democrats in every election, people will vote 4-5 times using different names and the illegal aliens will also vote. That's how Illinois got enough votes for John Kennedy to become president.
  • 77 votes
#1.10 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:04 PM EST

These GOP led voter-disenfranchisement laws are an assault on our very democracy.
Every single one of these GOP anti-voter laws need to be struck down.
.
  • 53 votes
#1.11 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:06 PM EST

Comment author avatarRitdog-908299Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Comment author avatarbobbskiExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Comment author avatarA VeteranRestored
In California you have to have a Driver's License with a picture on it to drive. Show your damn Driver's License in California and you can vote, either that or your California ID, same card but for non-drivers. That proves you're in the state leagally AND who you are to polling place workers. Not THAT hard to figure out folks. Quit this boo hooing and finger pointing, it gets pretty old.
  • 94 votes
#1.14 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:13 PM EST

There is NO good reason that someone should not have to have a valid photo ID issued by a governmental entity in order to vote. All states issue ID cards, DL, etc. I support a student ID from a state university/college IF one obtained it by showing a valid photo ID, which almost every public college requires now to get a student ID.
If someone can't produce a photo ID then they should be electronically fingerprinted.
If you are too dumb or lazy to obtain such then don't vote!
There is no reason in this day and age that we should have so many dead people or people who are not properly registered voting. It's not about Republican or Democrat, it's about fraud.
  • 89 votes
#1.15 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:13 PM EST

Comment author avatarbobbskiExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Comment author avatardirp101Restored
The Republicans are passing these voter ID laws to prevent voter fraud when the only voter fraud that has taken place recently has been by the Republican Party (Iowa, Nevada, Maine caucuses.) Simply ask Ron Paul about voter fraud.
The funny thing is, you will find that due to the inherant lack of frontal lobe function of someone who actually votes for a Republican, the number of Republican votes under these laws will go down, those who are intelligence quota challenged will not be able to fulfill the requirements to vote.
  • 21 votes
#1.17 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:13 PM EST

It amazes me how limited peoples wisdom and intelligence is around here....
  • You need ID to drive car.
  • You need ID to purchase a firearm.
  • You need ID to ......
Notwithstanding the above:
04/28/2008
Supreme Court upholds voter ID law
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states can require voters to produce photo identification without violating their constitutional rights, validating Republican-inspired voter ID laws.......The law "is amply justified by the valid interest in protecting 'the integrity and reliability of the electoral process,'" Justice John Paul Stevens said in an opinion that was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Anthony Kennedy......
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24351798/ns/politics/t/supreme-court-upholds-voter-id-law/#.T0f82vXNk5Y
DEAL WITH IT.
  • 84 votes
#1.18 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:15 PM EST

Comment author avatarbobbskiExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Voter ID requirements, the United States biggest non-issue, issue. Now that we have Obama care, everyone has to have health insurance, but not an ID? When you go to the hospital, do you think you will get admitted without an ID?
  • 55 votes
#1.20 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:18 PM EST

Comment author avatarbobbskiRestored
"It amazes me how limited peoples wisdom and intelligence is around here....
You need ID to drive car.You need ID to purchase a firearm.You need ID to ....."
Indeed. You do not need ID to purchase a firearm. You were speaking of wisdom and intelligence? Perhaps you should demonstrate some in the first place.
  • 23 votes
#1.21 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:18 PM EST

These laws are fomenting rebellion! When enough groups are singled out for exclusion that will be when it starts.
  • 11 votes
#1.22 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:18 PM EST

Comment author avatarsfcretExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Ah yes, voting eligibility, and Washington DC with a population larger than several states still does not get to vote. I bet they get taxed tho.
  • 15 votes
#1.24 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:19 PM EST

Comment author avatarCameron FordExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Comment author avatarbobbskiExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Comment author avatarirenermiscione-1Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

"Ah yes, voting eligibility, and Washington DC with a population larger than several states still does not get to vote. I bet they get taxed tho."
Residents of DC having been voting in presidential elections since 1961.
  • 12 votes
#1.28 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:26 PM EST

Who in the country doesn't have an ID?
  • 33 votes
#1.29 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:27 PM EST

Re: Texas the DPS issues an non driver ID card on the same format as the drivers license which is available at any drivers license office. Where you can automatically register to vote if you are a US citizen. It requires a birth certificate or proof of legal US residency to obtain. I can think of only one reason someone legal to vote in Texas couldn't obtain one. The damn deadbea't hasnt made his child support payments.
  • 37 votes
#1.30 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:28 PM EST

This is so the left can get votes from illegals!!
  • 48 votes
#1.31 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:28 PM EST

In Indiana our REPUBLICAN Secretary of State Charles White was convicted of voter fraud. The man was the election official in charge of running elections fairly in the state! We have a voter ID law. He had a ID and showed it when he voted. He did not live where he said he did. He did it so he could keep his job on the town council and collect a 1K a month. He moved out of the council district and should have resigned. So exactly how will showing a ID prevent voter fraud? HE SHOWED HIS ID!!!!!!!!
  • 36 votes
#1.32 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:29 PM EST

Not sure about other states, but in my state you have to show ID for years now..I show my drivers license everytime I vote.
  • 40 votes
#1.33 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:31 PM EST

Wow, the Democrats just can't get off the Racist agenda. A person is elected to office based upon a lot of things.....not his nor her color.
Well, why didn't the GOP change the rules when they were in power during GW Bush's presidency then?
If the GOP isn't racist, they're simply partisan.
  • 23 votes
#1.34 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:32 PM EST

I registered to vote just the other day and they used my drivers license to ID me. I don't see how this is ridiculous or over the top at all. What American citizens do not have photo ID?!
  • 55 votes
#1.35 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:33 PM EST

I think there should be a Federal voter registration law, requiring every voter's registrar to issue, free of charge any photo ID required to vote.
END OF ISSUE.
However, you won't find the House of NOPE going for that idea.
  • 23 votes
#1.36 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:33 PM EST

Bad Repubicans ! Want to make sure that only those people vote that are legally eligible. Bad people ! No illegal aliens and others restricted by law from determining the nation's future. I have heard rumors that they also want to make sure that everybody only votes once !
Honestly, people, what is your problem ? We are talking about enforcing a law here. Do you want millions of illegal aliens to determine who our next President is ---- based on his color ? Do you want people to go the polls multiple times in multiple voting places ? They wouldn't do that ? Well, in that case, you have nothing to fear from these voting laws - WHICH EXISTED LONG BEFORE OBAMA CAME INTO OFFICE. Which means that all the race baiting on the Dem's side is not worthy of elected officials. Or are they afraid they will only win if these illegal votes are counted ?
  • 49 votes
#1.37 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:33 PM EST

Fact of the Matter,
Well, why didn't the GOP change the rules when they were in power during GW Bush's presidency then?
If the GOP isn't racist, they're simply partisan.
The voter ID requirement is a STATE law, not federal.
  • 18 votes
#1.38 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:34 PM EST

To all of you advocating for more strict voter ID requirements, what is your justification? Where is your proof that there has actually been widespread voter fraud? Quote me some numbers.
I have no problem with showing an ID to vote. I have always done so. But new requirements for a specific ID that you have to purchase are just transparently discriminatory. Why not allow a driver's license? A passport? A student ID? An employee ID?
The right to vote is one of our basic tenets. To attempt to deny it is to deny our basic rights.
  • 25 votes
#1.39 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:35 PM EST

Not a Voter Fraud Problem in the US? are you sure about that?
Also how is it hard to have an ID, most states (if not all) require anyone over 18 to have one for a variety of reasons, so absolutely it should be shown to vote. And once a new ID is given to someone who has moved from state to state, they should have a deactivation process that makes it illegal/impossible to vote where they USED to live ... like running the strip through a machine. Not sure why it disenfranchises likely democratic voters to be responsible members of their communities and have an ID and follow a policy that is only intended to hold the system accountable and accurate. Everyone gets ONE vote.
  • 25 votes
#1.40 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:35 PM EST

Without an ID you could vote in several states.... HELLO
  • 19 votes
#1.41 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:39 PM EST

There's really only one reason to be against a voter ID law, and that is because people intend to commit voter fraud.
After all, the democrats ought to be able to help any person who legitimately has a problem affording it.
Unless, of course, democrats don't really care about minorities at all, except for as a tool to gain power.
  • 38 votes
#1.42 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:43 PM EST

Ain't no big thing.....if you entered the United States legally.....what's the fuss?
  • 31 votes
#1.43 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:45 PM EST

It's a shame that Democrats feel that they have to allow people that aren't citizens, or otherwise ineligible, to vote in order to get elected. Instead of fighting to allow everybody to vote without identification, how about fighting to get everybody, eligible to vote, a proper photo ID? Allowing people to vote that are ineligible is just as bad as preventing somebody from voting that is eligible.
  • 29 votes
#1.44 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:45 PM EST

Fact of the Matter : read the article again. These voter laws have been in effect long before Obamas appeared on the orizon. What the heck is wrong with excluding voters who are not eligible ? Tell me. I am listening. Everyone can get a Non-Driver's-License. If anyone can't afford it, he/she should get it for free. But, my good man, I am not comfortable with having millions of illegals determining who will be in the White House. Are you ?
  • 37 votes
#1.45 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:46 PM EST

Once again the "RACE CARD" with Voter I.D. requirements. Right Awag (again) if you don't like O'Bama then Black Politicians call you "Racist". Those Black Politicians should be arrested for a "Hate Crime". Those same politicians should know that minorities have been using the Race Card to get what they want for so long, it no longer means anything. You need an I.D. or sorts to drive - that hasn't been called Racist. You need I.D. or sorts to get a Social Security Card (unless you are Illegal). SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL WITH AN SHOWING AN I.D. TO VOTE. The people complaining seem to believe minorities can't read or write their name, that's just not true. The I.D. is so the elections are legal and not like when O'Bama was elected and got votes from Dead People, Illegals and some people 3-4 times & that's in O'Bama's home state where the majority of names to put O'Bama on the Ballot were "forged" or didn't exist.. That gave us an Illegally Elected President. If O'Bama can't win an election legally, then screw him because he should never have been on the ballot in the first place.
  • 23 votes
#1.46 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:46 PM EST

There is no proven voter fraud.
In fact, it has been PROVEN that there is no real voter fraud problem. Anywhere.
Changing voter requirements is an important and critical change in our voting process... it CAN change the very outcome of an election. It should not be done with any risk to the inclusion of all eligible voters.
So what's the hurry? So why all this hubbub now... at this moment? Why are all these changes so important to be done before the next election... at the risk of adversely affecting the real outcome?... at the risk of excluding valid voters?
Easy answer. Simple discussion. The Republicans are desperate and have found yet another way to "make Obama fail" using inane sound-bytes and trickery. The end justifies the means trumps truth and fairness.
What a shame. What a sham.
Is the motivation race? Maybe. But that's really not the point, is it.
  • 20 votes
#1.47 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:47 PM EST

Votes are very inportant, and only qualify people should vote, they need an ID that allows to vete only once per elections
  • 14 votes
#1.48 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:48 PM EST

lol, many of the Dem posting today want mickey mouse and goofy to be able to vote.lol,lol,lol,lol,lol
  • 25 votes
#1.49 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:50 PM EST

Comment author avatarIndiePartyExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Well I remember How Gore got ripped off, and look what that did to our country. We still have not recovered and they are trying to stack the deck, I wonder who really wants to destroy America they did a hell of a job with BUSH, and I'm not about to give them another chance, its time to put these people where they belong in the baby seat in the back of the CAR. And is it not a Constitutional right to be able to vote if your an American citizen so how can they all of a sudden say you need an ID to vote it was never that way when the Constitution was written, so these people just can change something they don't like so they can STEAL AN ELECTION.
  • 13 votes
#1.51 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:52 PM EST

What's the problem here? If you are of legal age to vote and you are a US Citizen, why wouldn't you have a Social Security Number and/or Driver's license or identification card? If you don't have one and you want to vote, go get one. If you aren't going to get one or if you aren't a legal US citizen, you aren't allowed to vote, so quit whining. Oh, and if you are dead, you can't vote either (this time around).
  • 22 votes
#1.52 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:59 PM EST

Bobbski--
"Indeed. You do not need ID to purchase a firearm. You were speaking of wisdom and intelligence? Perhaps you should demonstrate some in the first place."
I've never bought a firearm (not opposed, just don't feel the need) but I was under the impression that there are background checks involved. How do they do a background check if you don't have to verify your identity in some way? If they don't check a photo ID, a person could use a relative's social, or anyone's they could get for that matter, and completely defeat the purpose of the background check altogether. Unless there aren't really background checks, in which case, never mind.
  • 18 votes
#1.53 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:06 PM EST

You people amaze me, they got you all riled up about ID laws, while you forget about the Diebold Voting Machines having widespread fraud and easily hacked by an 8 year old. I don't mind showing an ID, but I do mind voting on a computer that I can hack with a smartphone. I will be absentee voting with a paper ballot that I will Photocopy for verification and in case of fraud by Republicans.
  • 13 votes
#1.54 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:09 PM EST

In third world countries everyone that votes has to dip their thumb into indelible ink... that would work here if nobody wants to carry their wallet with them to the polls.
  • 8 votes
#1.55 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:09 PM EST

Wake up2840,
I like your idea. What if you don't have thumbs?
  • 5 votes
#1.56 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:16 PM EST

The fact is that there is an extremely small amount of voter fraud. There is an extremely small amount of people voting in more than one place, or voting more than once - at all.
I live in Washington State. We have mail voting. We register to vote, and have our ID and signature checked. My mailing address is a PO Box, the country has my physical address, which are no one else's business. When I move, I change my address with the Registrar's office. Personally, I think that the way Washington State does it, would be a good idea for the other states to do it. ONE ballot gets sent to my PO Box. I can look up my voting record online, through the State website.
For those of you who are saying that illegals are voting, that people are voting more than once, or that dead people are voting, do you have any proof to back you up? If you do not, there is no reason to change the Voter ID Laws. Simply because you want to is not reason enough.
  • 13 votes
#1.57 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:23 PM EST

Bobbski. You and your buddie Knealski need to lay off the pipeski !
  • 6 votes
#1.58 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:28 PM EST
f
#1.59 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:33 PM EST

There may or may not have been voter fraud in the past, seems in my state (WI), the DA looks the other way when these issues are brought to light. That said, whats wrong with being proactive? Elections are going to be hotly contested for some time to come, to the point where a few hundred votes may make the difference on who is elected president, governor, senator, etc., etc. In Wisconsin, if you don't have a photo ID you can get one absolutely free from the DMV, there is no excuse not to have or get one. The dems have their collective panties all in a bunch over this issue because they know it will cost them the dishonest vote that has typically gone 99% democratic.
  • 11 votes
#1.60 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:34 PM EST

What American citizens do not have photo ID?!
About 11% of eligible voters, that's who.
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/section/category/voter_id
Yet again the teapubs want to find a solution to a problem that DOES NOT EXIST.
You want to stop a poor 96 year who voted all her life from voting again? What a way to subvert democracy.
http://colorlines.com/archives/2011/10/96-year-old_tennessee_african-american_woman_denied_voter_id_because_she_didnt_have_her_marriage_lic.html
  • 10 votes
#1.61 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:34 PM EST

For all the claims that there is no voter fraud, just do a search on "voter fraud" in MSNBC since it is your trusted source.
Look at Troy, NY, where local politicians were found guilty for filling in absentee ballets. Look at the ACORN voter registration scams. According to another MSNBC article, 1 in 8 voter registrations throughout the country are incorrect. See
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46383861/ns/business/t/one-us-voter-registrations-faulty-survey#.T0gO0vES01I
Having college age children who are registered in their home state, they are constantly pushed to register and vote in their college town. It would be pretty easy for them to vote twice.
Unfortunately, the voter ID laws don't go far enough. They will help prevent dead people and non-citizens from voting at the ballot box. They don't address the issues surrounding absentee ballots and double voting by others.
  • 8 votes
#1.62 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:35 PM EST
The voter ID requirement is a STATE law, not federal.
Right, but why not the push on the state level in 2000?
  • 2 votes
#1.63 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:35 PM EST

Know the requirements. In order to purchase a firearm, you must be a legal resident of the state in which you are trying to purchase the gun. Proof of residency usually consists of a state-issued driver’s license or ID. You must be at least 18 years old to purchase a shotgun or rifle and 21 years old, in many states, to purchase a handgun. You must have a background free of any serious offenses and must not currently be under investigation in order to be legally sold a gun.
Read more: How to Buy a Gun
It cost LEGAL aliens thousands to become a citizen atleast the ones born here should show PROOF with a legal photo ID. If you can't spend $5 - $10 on a state ID to legally vote then you shouldn't be allowed to vote since you place so little value on it.
  • 10 votes
#1.64 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:41 PM EST

Terri Greer you live in WA state? Either not for very long or you have a very short memory. It was not that long ago (last gubernatorial elections) that we had felons voting, dead people voting, people's pets voting, etc.
Guess you forgot all about that, huh? LOL
BTW Vote by mail only recently became the mainstream way to vote here, so we have yet to see what the real downfalls are.
  • 6 votes
#1.65 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:53 PM EST

The conservitives scream voter fraud but the funny thing is, the only voter fraud we've been seeing has been during the Republican primaries. Kind of ironic. The GOP/tp has been doing everything in their power to disenfranchise voters ever since President Obama was elected. It's all been in the name of preventing voter fraud, even though there is no documented problem of it. Maybe we should have laws to not allow the tea party voters to vote because they might be absolutely uninformed. Actually, that might be a great idea. At least THAT we could prove.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2011/11/21/fox-news-viewers-uninformed-npr-listeners-not-poll-suggests/
  • 7 votes
#1.66 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:04 PM EST

Wow, NBC/MSNBC are in the full attack mode for Barry's reelection effort. Now they want to usurp individual states' rights to pass laws to ensure honest elections. Well, I guess it would be upsetting to take the vote away from all of those illegal aliens, family pets, and dead Democrats who have been voting regularly for some time now.
By the way, media guys, other than FOX, I haven't heard a peep from the media all day about soaring gas prices. I mean, it's the issue the country is most concerned with now...by far. Why the silence???
  • 10 votes
#1.67 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:09 PM EST
North123
Not a Voter Fraud Problem in the US? are you sure about that?
Also how is it hard to have an ID, most states (if not all) require anyone over 18 to have one for a variety of reasons, so absolutely it should be shown to vote. And once a new ID is given to someone who has moved from state to state, they should have a deactivation process that makes it illegal/impossible to vote where they USED to live ... like running the strip through a machine. Not sure why it disenfranchises likely democratic voters to be responsible members of their communities and have an ID and follow a policy that is only intended to hold the system accountable and accurate. Everyone gets ONE vote.
No state requires its residents to possess a photo ID.
  • 3 votes
#1.68 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:10 PM EST

here is a case of voter fraud that has actually been PROVEN true... unlike all the other claims of votewr fraud by the repugnicans...
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/03/top-ind-election-official-indicted-for-voter-fraud/1
Voter fraud is a fallacy and all of these laws being passed by states with republican majorities in the legislature have one purpose an one purpose alone... TO SUPPRESS VOTER TURNOUT of the folks that primarily vote democratic. In my book this is treasonous since it is an outright attack on the most basic principle of this country.
  • 8 votes
#1.69 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:30 PM EST

Pissedoffperson Comment collapsed by the community
Well there is a large group of #GOP that believe and preach that President Obama (First Black President) was not born in America, Is that racism? Or yelling that the President a liar during the State of the Union?(Never happen before) Or sticking your finger in the Presidents Face? Its sad when you need to surpress voting on one group of voters to try to win election. There is not a voter fraud problem in the US so why are these laws being pushed?
When you know your going to lose you will always try to change the rules!!!
Well, said.
The GOP does not have either a logical or viable political platform to stand and run the party's ludicrous candidates on. The more Santorum, Romney, Gingrich and Paul talk, the more extreme and reactionary they reveal themselves to be.
Many Americans have now see and understand the divisive and elitist laws sorrowful conditions that the Republicans selfishly want to sink America under.
If the GOP resurrects the "Poll tax" and the "can you read this statement," favorites of the past and the South, do not be surprised. When cannot fairly win an election...just reach into your "ole bag of tricks" and lock out your opponents base. Unfortunately, the party is quite racist!
  • 10 votes
#1.70 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:04 PM EST

We banned voter registration fees years ago... because there are the unimaginably poor... and it is a "burden".
Requiring an ID to vote does seem simple enough. And it is, unless you are poor, unless you live very rural, unless you have no birth certificate, unless, unless....
Look. Maybe this is a good idea. It sounds okay. But there are people that do not have licenses or state IDs today... for some reason. And unless you can guarantee that a new voter ID bill will not cause the exclusion of ONE voter, the voter ID should not be enacted.
Okay, let's do this by statistics... if you can prove that more fraud will be eliminated than valid voters denied, then we have a discussion. But you don't even have THAT. We have no proof of overwhelming voter fraud. If you have it, produce it.
The bottom line is that the above arguments will prevail in court in front of the election... so legislate away GOP... voter ID your hearts out. Just be prepared to prove fraud and that the law is NOT exclusionary of valid voters.
Fat chance.
Do you people realize that you'll probably lose more votes from the ethical side of your own party than the ones you deny through trickery? Every one of these idiotic and obvious moves lose you votes and party members.
  • 11 votes
#1.71 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:11 PM EST

The Republican Party has a very long track record of lying, cheating and stealing elections. I have personally witnessed a number GOP voters voting in two or three states during national elections. When I was still a registered Republican I was encouraged to register and vote in multiple states....I would not do what they asked and re-registered as an independent. These cheats are now upping their game with GOP controlled states pushing laws that will not stop their own voter fraud but are designed to suppress the vote of students, the poor and older voters that don't support them.
I don’t understand why ANY real American would support politicians that promote voter suppression laws. What good are elections if one political party rigs the vote in their favor? If this is the only way for Republicans to win elections then it’s obvious what their selling most voters aren’t buying.
  • 9 votes
#1.72 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:16 PM EST

The GOP (Government of Plutocracy) continues to push their "hidden" agenda, govenrment by the wealthy for the wealthy.
If you vote Republican and are not a millionaire you are voting against your financial inerests.
  • 8 votes
#1.73 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:40 PM EST

  • 6 votes
#1.74 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:49 PM EST

Bobbski, I have bought quite a few handguns, rifles and shotguns over the past few decades. The only time I didn't have to show an id was for a black powder colt 1860 cap and ball revolver from Cabela's. They are legal to ship through the mail. Since sometime in the 1800's , I have not heard of anything like that being used in commission of any crime, lol. At least, not since ammo with shell casing became fashionable in the late 1800's, and you didn't have to pour gunpowder into each cylinder and ram a lead ball into it, then cap the firing nipple. What are you referrring to, the third party gun sales? I don't exactly know what the law is on that, but if you go to Walmart or a gun store, you gotta show id. Some states, CA for instance have a waiting period.
  • 7 votes
#1.75 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:58 PM EST

raddave,
Ask a police officer, you are required to have ID. You can be detained until your true identity is prov-en if you do not have ID. If you get pulled over without your drivers license, your name will be ran in the computer, if you are in the system, they will provide the officer with a physical description of you. If he is satisfied with the description, you get a ticket. If not, you are under arrest.
If you don not, and never had a drivers license, and you are questioned and asked to produce ID and you do not, you are detained until proof of your identity is provided. This has been the law all my life, at least.
The rest of you questioning gun sales, ID is required. Period. I know, I have guns I have LEGALLY PURCHASED!
In Washington State, our DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR won her election after 3 recounts! Many dead people, pets, felons and multiple votes by the same people. in the end thousands of votes for both sides were thrown out and she sued for a win by less than 200 votes.
A member of the NAACP was convicted of voter fraud by casting multiple votes in other people's names!
You want honest election results? Vote honestly, provide ID!
  • 14 votes
#1.76 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:13 PM EST

If you don't have a Id legitimate of some sort then no you can't vote period. You people can rant all you want but the truth is if you don't, you can't. I'm tired of all these people trying to make illegal immigrants, legal. BS If you don't like the laws of this country then there is another for ya! C-ya
They aren't undocumented workers either, in fact they are illegal immigrants! If you're going to say something then tell it like it is, no sugar-coating. Tired of all the BS. in this nation it's truly getting old.
  • 8 votes
#1.77 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:32 PM EST

This is just as it's always been. First it was the white segregationist democrats in the south. Then after they joined with the glorious republicans that whole party commenced the same sh^t. There are many simple procedures to determine the constitutional right of any particular person to vote at the occasion of that persons registration. The registrar then determines the persons voting precinct and address of the voting place, places the persons name on that precinct list, and at time of election sends the list to the particular precinct. The person shows up at the precinct, announces name and address to poll worker, who matches name and address given, to list, checks it off, and goes to the next voter. Someone else comes in claiming to be that voter, the poll worker sees the checked name, and has the attempted fraudulent voter arrested. Wanna add to the security, add a voter selected password and have the poll worker ask for it. Truth is, registrar's and poll workers are much more likely, and in fact, have much more opportunity, to commit voter fraud and suppression than any voter.
  • 2 votes
#1.79 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:48 PM EST

Being REQUIRED to produce a photo ID to be eligible to vote is just another way for Government to intrude upon and squash Civil Liberties, as well as force more Government Regulation into the lives of U.S. Citizens -- and it's being pushed by none other than the very people who complain the most about how there is already far too much Government Regulation of the very type they are trying to get passed into Law!
  • 5 votes
#1.80 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:08 PM EST

I have an ID that's not the issue, where does it say in the Constitution which the Republicans want to shove in our face on a daily basis that in order to vote you have to have an ID, just because we have one does not mean everyone else has one, Oop's I'm bad, I forgot the Republicans only think about themselves NO one else ....
  • 6 votes
#1.81 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:28 PM EST

Wow...do you people really think that 'illegal aliens' are voting in elections? Let's examine this for a second. You are here illegally and can be arrested and deported at any time and you are going to stroll into a polling place and cast a vote in an election you couldn't care less about?
Are you people really that stupid? These people that you are so worried about voting and costing you an election are more worried about keeping their heads down and staying off ICE's radar.
The people you should be worried about are the ones you are attempting to disenfranchise. The elderly who have no idea where their birth certificates are or college students without drivers licenses. Funny thing about most of these laws the R's are trying to pass...college ID doesn't count. Could it be because most college students are smart enough not to vote republican?
  • 9 votes
#1.82 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:34 PM EST

Four Words.............
Modern Day Jim Crow
don't care how many people say that we need to get over race. Racism still exists on both sides. Classicism is more rampant than ever!! This was settled years ago and no need to revisit it now....
Twenty-fourth Amendment (Amendment XXIV)
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
__________________________________________________________________________________
And for those who want to rationalize this as "not a tax" you need to look no further than your own bills. That "service fee", that "restocking fee", that 911 EMS fee on your cell phone bill................... These are just fees "disguised as taxes"
  • 6 votes
#1.83 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:39 PM EST

My, My, My, All these liberals up in arms over this one. Lest some forget Ohio made national headlines in 2008 over Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck voting, along with deceased residents. Several other states reported the same types of voting irregularities.
Why is it, I wonder, that only Democrats have an issue with Photo ID's ??????????
AT raddave Pennsylvania requires Photo ID to do anykind of business in the state. I.E. Credit Cards, driving, buying alcohol, pruchasing tobacco, purchasing lottery, singing a lease, and the list goes on and on and on.
  • 9 votes
#1.84 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:45 PM EST
@Jeff-1667763
or college students without drivers licenses. Funny thing about most of these laws the R's are trying to pass...college ID doesn't count. Could it be because most college students are smart enough not to vote republican?
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh........................... In case you didn't know this whole "Voter ID" thing is a set republican strategy to eliminate that part of the vote. They know that Dems out-register Repubs. It is meant to "even out the numbers" As a whole, Rebubs vote loyally while Dems tend to either not vote or switch parties in the General Elections.........
With that being said, It's a good strategy for their party, but bad for the whole "smaller government" thing....
Kind of hypocritical, huh?
  • 4 votes
#1.85 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:48 PM EST

@garcher-1253370

ARE THERE ANY IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS TO VOTE IN PENNSYLVANIA?

Generally, voters are not required to show ID at the polling place.
However, first time voters and voters appearing for the first time at a new polling place will be asked to show ID to vote on the machine.The following forms of photo ID are acceptable:
Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID card
ID issued by any Commonwealth agency
ID issued by the U.S. Government
U.S. passport
U.S. Armed Forces ID
Student ID
Employee ID
As for the other examples:
AT raddave Pennsylvania requires Photo ID to do anykind of business in the state. I.E. Credit Cards, driving, buying alcohol, pruchasing tobacco, purchasing lottery, singing a lease, and the list goes on and on and on
NONE of these things are a right or a duty, they are a privelage. Every U.S. Citizen (age excepted) has the right to vote
  • 6 votes
#1.86 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:55 PM EST

I don't understand why it is a big deal. I had a picture ID as a teen, I didn't get an actual driver's license until my 20's. I'd find it hard to get by in life without one. I am ID'd everytime I present a new insurance card at the doctors/dentist office. I show it when I buy beer, and now and then when I use my debit card. And I could have sworn that if you write a check at a business, you are ID'd. So how is everyone getting by without having to present one?
  • 10 votes
#1.87 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:07 PM EST

Think i'll just mosey on down to the local gun shop and buy me up a bunch of them shoot'n irons. NO ID NEEDED, RIGHT!!! Yea, shure. Those boys will just laugh at me while they trow me out the door, and those guys know me too! I have no problem proving who i am at the poling place. Why should anyone else. Unless they got something to hide. I had to show my ID when i used my bank card to buy a bucket of chicken the other day.
  • 8 votes
#1.88 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:10 PM EST
Ron in Seattle...@#1.3 I was considering responding to some of your screed, then I got to your missive's coda and realized it'd be a waste of effort, so I'll just burst your little fantasy bubble instead.
You claim that the Democrats will hold 70 Senate seats during the 113th Congress. That means that they would need to increase their total from the 53 (55 if you include the two Dems in Ind. clothing) they currently hold. I'd tell you that's a mean feat considering that the largest number of seats either party has ever held in the Senate is somewhere around 60, but since there are only 10 seats currently held by Republicans up for grabs, your scenario would require keeping all Democratic seats, taking all Republican seats (including Utah!), and somehow finding five (or seven) more Arlen Specters. In the simplest terms: Ain't gonna happen.
The most likely outcomes I see for Federal elections are as follows:
Senate: Republicans pick up three or four (most likely) seats leaving 49 Republicans, 49 Democrats and 2 Dems in Ind. clothing, meaning a lot of narrow, drawn-out votes.
House: Republicans currently hold a 50 seat advantage. I see it being trimmed by about half, leaving the advantage around 230-205.
President: Barack Obama will be reelected with somewhere around 290 EC votes to Mitt
Romney's 245. This of course precludes someone else like Mitch Daniels or Jeb Bush coming out of the nomination process. In that case, call it a toss-up. Also don't be surprised if Joe Biden steps back and someone else (Hillary, maybe?) is set up to run in 2016.
  • 1 vote
#1.89 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:14 PM EST

I saw on the Facebook page of one of my children's friends that this friend went off to grad school in PA, registered to vote there, and then bragged that she voted for Martha Cokely (D) in the MA senatorial election. That is fraud. I also remember that Dick Daley stole the presidential election for Kennedy. Some Chicago precincts counted more ballots than there were registered voters. Voter fraud is real and it is hard (i.e., NFW) to provide statistics on fraudulent votes that are not caught. When ACORN is paying people to register Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, we need voter ID laws
  • 10 votes
#1.90 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:16 PM EST

@ Rob Corelli: Do you, or any of you understand how literally stupid these claims of "Mickey Mouse" and "Donald Duck" are? Would anyone wishing to cast a fraudulent vote sign such names? The purpose of casting a fraudulent vote is to have it counted. Richard Daley probably fixed several elections. That though is not the voter. As New Yorks "Boss Tweed" said; "I'm not concerned about who votes". "I can fix 'em the way I want during the counting".
To those who equate proof of ID and photo imagery to vote, with that requirement for purchasing a gun, are you serious? Do you not understand the difference between the two acts?
  • 5 votes
#1.91 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:45 PM EST

Toasty McGrathRestored
Well @!$%# Ido, if the republicans are tired of being called racists, they can consider stop acting like racists
Again, Toasty is off topic to aviod the issue.
Not a single Federal thing we do in this Nation is done without proper ID...VOTING IS THE SAME TOASTY! Get a clue!
  • 6 votes
#1.92 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:37 PM EST
Everone doubting Mickey Mouse register to vote?
Read up!
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-10-18-3995453887_x.htm
  • 4 votes
#1.93 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:52 PM EST
jobless carpenter, @1.76
I went over this issue a few months back, got the liberal hotfoot treatment back then also.
There is no doubt that there was fraud committed in the election for governor in 2004, none whatsoever!
And the democrats did it without question, not only was it proven in court but it was proven by one of the few investigative reporters to actually go after it...
Here is the link.....
From Sound Politics 11/2005......
Dean Logan counted unlawful ballots at behest of group involved in vote fraud
This shows that it was proven and admitted that invalid ballots were counted on the orders of the King County Executive, Ron Sims.
  • 4 votes
#1.94 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:22 AM EST
Tell that to Ido, JOG. I was just responding to his post.
  • 1 vote
#1.95 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:48 AM EST
Egilman, maybe this time we will have a real, truthful election!
Can't wait!
  • 3 votes
#1.96 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:03 AM EST
J Carpenter,
Well, I will be caucusing for Dr Paul come Mar. 3rd, I plan on trying to make sure the votes are counted publicly and recorded so what happened in Maine will not happen in my district. I"m hoping to be appointed as a delegate also.....
Everyone needs to get involved....
  • 2 votes
#1.97 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:22 AM EST

For those insisting that voter fraud doesn't exist: I was curious and decided to Google it and was even surprised myself at how many cases came up! There are actually 100's of instances of arrests and prosecutions for voter fraud. There would likely be more but most cases are difficult to prove unless the person is detained at the polling station and there is little motivation to spend resources tracking down questionable voters.
From various news sources (NOT FOX) "two Troy city officials, the city clerk and a councilman, along with two Democratic political operatives, have pled guilty to forging absentee-ballot signatures and casting fraudulent ballots in the 2009" "Two ex-ACORN employees were convicted in Denver of perjury for submitting false voter registrations." "The New York Post: ACORN submitted a voter registration card for a 7-year-old Bridgeport girl" "113 individuals convicted for voter fraud committed in 2008 in Minnesota." etc
While these may not be enough to swing most general elections, in cases like the Presidential election of Bush vs. Gore several hundred votes could make the difference. We could have had Gore as president. Small amounts of fraud can easily swing results of local elections.
If photo ID's are supplied free of charge by a governmental entity to someone who can't afford one then there is no reason that someone should not be able to have a photo ID to vote. You register you must produce a governmental photo ID. If you don't have one then these ID's could be made freely available at most governmental agencies where people register.
  • 5 votes
#1.98 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:32 AM EST
You want proof of widespread voter fraud? Take a look at Santa Ana, California or heck lets go bigger. How about Los Angeles.
Now here is a true and funny story about voter fraud that happened during the bush gore election. I read this in a newspaper somewhere.
A guy is walking his dog and he is already registered to vote when some voter registration person approaches them and ask him if he would like to register. Being a humorous type person he thought he would sign up his Labrador Retriever. Well the elections came and went and he had forgotten about it till one day in the mail comes a jury duty summons address to his dog. He thought this was odd and called the courthouse to straighten things out but decided not to tell the clerk on the other end of the line that the person they thought they were contacting with the summons was actually a big happy dog. Some how he found out, before spilling any info, that the courthouse got it's list of eligible jurors from the voter registration list. Not knowing what to do he tried to tell them that the person they were trying to contact didn't live in the area anymore. Well the summons date came and went and the dog never showed up so the judge put a warrant out and sent a Marshall to go pick them up and haul them back in cuffs. The Marshall went to the address with the warrant looking for the fictitious voter and met the guy who started it all when he was just trying to be funny. So the Marshall somehow ends up arresting this guy because he said he wasn't going to tell them where the absent juror was. A animal control officer came out and took custody of the dog and off they go. Soon afterwards the the animal control officer realizes that the dog and the absent juror have the same name when he reads his dog tag and contacts the courthouse. Confronted with the new evidence the dogs owner confesses to what really happened. He told them how he got scared by the clerk on the phone and so he tried to hide his error in judgement the best he could. His once funny sense of humor now gone awry. The judge was furious, the courtroom exploded with laughter and after a few stern words, the judge releases the guy with a several hundred dollar fine and orders the name to be stricken from the records and puts a warrant out for the voter registration person.
  • 3 votes
#1.99 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:34 AM EST


Let's take this one word at a time...
This. Isn't. About. Having. To. Prove. You're. Eligible. To. Vote. We. Already. Have. To. Prove. That. Prior. To. Voting.
This. Is. About. MAKING. PROVING. You're. Eligible. HARDER. To. Do.
The system of identifying voters works, seeing as we have a less than 1% rate of voting fraud, so the government has no compelling interest to justify making voting harder.
It's assinine to compare this to driver's licenses, seeing as we don't have a civil right to drive, but if we must, think of it this way...
We already have to have licenses to drive, right? Just like we already have to have voter id's to vote, right? So this isn't about just requiring the id. This would be like making your driver's license harder to get.
  • 8 votes
#1.101 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:01 PM EST
It's pretty simple. If the Republican's agenda's are so popular, why do they need to suppress/obstruct the vote? We should fear this kind of behaviour. They obviously feel the only way they can get elected and have their way is to cheat. The party of evil.
  • 3 votes
#1.102 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:34 PM EST

Good gosh, it's just a law to have a ID to vote, to avoid voter fraud. I think what they are trying to say is that not everyone in this country are honest. I'd say that is a pretty accurate statement.
  • 5 votes
#1.103 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 2:29 PM EST
Joel,
See my post above. We already have those laws in place. And they're obviously adequate seeing as the voter fraud rate is nil. This is law to make getting ID's to vote, harder.
  • 4 votes
#1.104 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 3:33 PM EST
Sarah.. See my above post on fraud or Google it yourself. Yes the numbers are low but in FL there are 11,053,664 registered voters. At a rate of .00005, which is even using a 2011 democratic party accepted number (which many argue is low) that makes 553 voters in FL that vote illegally. In most national elections that would be a drop in the bucket. For a close Governor's race or even the Bush vs Gore election that many votes could have made a difference.
Every vote counts and no one can point to any legitimate reason that if photo id's (which include driver's licenses, state ID's, etc) were made available for free to the poor that they couldn't supply one when voting. Most voter laws require little more than a government issued photo ID of any kind. There are even 20 million more Americans w/Driver Licenses than registered voters. Given that many government and private institutions/businesses require photo ID's to receive services or a job then this would be a perfect opportunity for the nation to pull together to make sure that such is available to those in need.
I do respect your right to have a difference of opinion though and thank you for not throwing insults when people disagree. :)
  • 2 votes
#1.105 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:38 PM EST
What with the voter fraud rate being pretty damned low, sounds like the Regressive Right is hot and heavy on rushing into place, the institutionalization of more voter suppression tactics to make it harder for the elderly, handicapped, poor and minorities to vote in this country.
Reminds me of the southern states Jim Crow laws of the 19th century to make it harder for freed black slaves to vote.
  • 1 vote
#1.106 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:15 PM EST
Some older people were born without birth certificates at home so they can't get an ID..And they never needed them if they stayed close to home ( Think about going to your local liquor store,Lottery agent,Tobacco store, bank where teller knows you ) Now they are being told they have to have one and no doubt it costs dollars they can't part with but will if deemed eligible ( See no birth certificate )....And yes in the states in the south among others trying to ram this through they cannot obtain one for free...And in the states that were sensible( so the supreme court didn't strike down their law since poll taxing is un-constitutional ) enough to have a provision for free ID,just try jumping through the hoops to qualify.. By the time you do the election is over....Not to mention the folks that might lose their wallet on or close before election day...Or the folks who aren't on the web and work in the field or elsewhere more than they watch TV and may have not heard about this new thing they need.... Bottom line you prove who you are when you register and then verify that at the polling place with a matching signature or address verification...The only fair way to change it would be to require every citizen to have ID and let them vote at polling time whether they have it or not and come back and prove it if the election is close, also if you don't move and re-register you have to change nothing so all of the old folks who stay put will be continuing what they have done in some cases for almost or more than 90 years...
#1.107 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:54 AM EST
Anyone complaining about getting a birth certificate or getting a driver's license or a state identity card that costs $20 can stop drinking beer for 2-3 nights or stop smoking 2-3 packs of cigarettes or don't shoot up one day, get off their asses and do the requirements to vote.
Those on welfare or unemployment get the money from the government. A NJ birth certificate costs $10 and it can be mailed to you.
Everyone knows there is tremendous voter fraud. Most of it comes from the democrats. My uncle was part of the democrat machine in Paterson, NJ. A real small cog. His job was to get 5 guys and drive them around to the different voting booths and have them vote. He was proud of it! Shyt the bosses even got him a deputy sheriff badge for his work.
Everybody forgets how Daley in 1960 held back the Chicago City vote until he knew how many votes he needed to change to get Illinois to go democratic?
And everybody knows that Johnson had south Texas voting manipulated that Kennedy won there too in 1960? You want to do the research, its all there more democratic votes were cast for Kennedy than entire voting populations. Nixon could have contested Illinois and Texas and won.
Remember that city in Pennsylvania that twice the number of registered voters voted democratic?
It goes on and on. As long as their are crooks in government and money, there will be voter fraud.
It is sane and normal that a person be registered in at one voting place, 30 days before election date and that he/she be proved to be a resident of that voting area with a SS number and a picture. Then a bipartisan committee check that the person is alive, living at that address and all those computers check that the SS is only registered once.
Remember when the IRS demanded that households prove that the children they deducted for actually be alive, have an SS and live at that address. THE NUMBER OF DEDUCTIONS DECREASED HOW MANY MILLION THE NEXT YEAR???????? SEVERAL MILLION!
#1.108 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 5:30 PM EST
Sarah-3043284
....This. Is. About. MAKING. PROVING. You're. Eligible. HARDER. To. Do....
It's no harder than driving Sarah. It's no harder than collecting Welfare (or is it?). It's no harder than buying liquor if under 25. It's no harder than cashing a check.
What are you talking about girl?
#1.109 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:17 PM EST
The republican propaganda about the scourge of voter fraud and their efforts to disenfranchise voters by making people jumps through hoops to get an ID that they may need but once a year or less is voter fraud, fraud on a grand scale. My hope is that this effort is shoved up their backside.
#1.110 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:29 PM EST
Justone,
Driving and welfare aren't civil rights, which if not protected can disenfranchize entire demographics. You have no good answer for making it harder, if the system we have now is working.
  • 1 vote
#1.111 - Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:29 AM EST
Fraud? Well fraud is in every state capitol as well as in Washington DC. Watch C-span any day and you can see fraud at work... The politicians that say "I'm doing the peoples work." that's fraudulent...
If every state wants people to have voter iD then every state should issue voter Id to every citizen that's over 18 y/o... It's that's simple...
The only reason that voter ID is an issue again is the need for the republicans to have an advantage at the polls... It reminds me of the sixties all over again... Minorities being required to prove things that the WASP didn't have to prove... Makes me kind of ashamed...
#1.112 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:11 AM EST