U.S. Senate See Full Big Line

(D) J. Hickenlooper*

(R) Somebody

80%

20%

Governor See Full Big Line
(D) Phil Weiser

(D) Joe Neguse

(D) Jena Griswold

60%

60%

40%↓

Att. General See Full Big Line

(D) M. Dougherty

(D) Alexis King

(D) Brian Mason

40%

40%

30%

Sec. of State See Full Big Line
(D) A. Gonzalez

(D) George Stern

(R) Sheri Davis

50%↑

40%

30%

State Treasurer See Full Big Line

(D) Brianna Titone

(R) Kevin Grantham

(D) Jerry DiTullio

60%

30%

20%

CO-01 (Denver) See Full Big Line

(D) Diana DeGette*

(R) Somebody

90%

2%

CO-02 (Boulder-ish) See Full Big Line

(D) Joe Neguse*

(R) Somebody

90%

2%

CO-03 (West & Southern CO) See Full Big Line

(R) Jeff Hurd*

(D) Somebody

80%

40%

CO-04 (Northeast-ish Colorado) See Full Big Line

(R) Lauren Boebert*

(D) Somebody

90%

10%

CO-05 (Colorado Springs) See Full Big Line

(R) Jeff Crank*

(D) Somebody

80%

20%

CO-06 (Aurora) See Full Big Line

(D) Jason Crow*

(R) Somebody

90%

10%

CO-07 (Jefferson County) See Full Big Line

(D) B. Pettersen*

(R) Somebody

90%

10%

CO-08 (Northern Colo.) See Full Big Line

(R) Gabe Evans*

(D) Yadira Caraveo

(D) Joe Salazar

50%

40%

40%

State Senate Majority See Full Big Line

DEMOCRATS

REPUBLICANS

80%

20%

State House Majority See Full Big Line

DEMOCRATS

REPUBLICANS

95%

5%

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
October 16, 2008 06:09 PM UTC

"One Of The Greatest Frauds In Voter History"

  • 47 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

That’s how GOP presidential candidate John McCain described the community organizing group ACORN’s voter registration efforts during last night’s debate.

As most of you know by now, the charge against ACORN in various states boils down to paid registration hawkers who apparently grabbed their nearest phone book and started cashing in. It appears to be fraud against ACORN, not the voters. Not a very auspicious situation, but not exactly Tammany Hall either–we’ve seen absolutely no evidence to suggest this was anything more than temp workers trying to make an easy buck.

Colorado is frequently mentioned as one of the states where this “massive fraud” is being investigated–but apparently nobody told that to state officials, as the Fort Collins Coloradoan reports:

Concerns about voter-registration drives sponsored by the activist group ACORN have not taken root in Colorado or Larimer County.

Although some employees of the group – Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now – are accused of submitting bogus voter registration forms in other states, no formal complaints have been received in Colorado, said Richard Coolidge, spokesman for the Secretary of State’s Office. [Pols emphasis]

ACORN representatives met with county clerks and the Secretary of State’s Office before and during the group’s registration push to head off potential problems, said state director Ben Hanna.

“That was very useful,” Hanna said. “It helped all of us to make sure we had good quality control.”

Even with thousands of new voter registrations pouring in, Larimer County hasn’t seen fraudulent forms, said Cynthia Coleman, elections manager.

“All of the registration drives have been very good,” she said.

Statewide, ACORN helped 65,969 voters register, primarily in the Denver-metro area, Hanna said. The group’s national drive netted more than 1.3 million voters…

It’s worth pointing this out since there seems to be a great deal of confusion, with news reports around the country listing Colorado among “states being investigated,” and even Marilyn Musgrave falsely asserting as much in a recent debate–the Colorado Independent reported this week:

The 4th Congressional District debate moderator asked a question about the federal financial crisis, and Musgrave linked ACORN to the bailout legislation.

“Both of those pieces of legislation had slush funds for ACORN,” she said. “If you want to look at voter fraud, ACORN is under investigation today in this state of Colorado. … They are creative in the ways that they have people register to vote, but I believe they are getting caught up with.”

Bottom line: the protesting is, as they say, getting to be a little too much–and the underlying motive for these shrieking allegations of “massive fraud” may prove to be what’s troubling.

Tweet
Share

Comments

47 thoughts on ““One Of The Greatest Frauds In Voter History””

    1. while others were paid by the hour. the motive for fraud for the former is obvious. The latter seem mostly to have been to lazy to do any real work. In both cases, ACORN is indeed the victim.  Again, in at least some cases ACORN pointed out the potential frauds as they turned in the signatures, which in some states they are required to do.

      The good news is that in Colorado, the 65k turned in by ACORN seem to be legitimate with no evidence of systemic fraud.  Likewise, there is no evidence of systemic voter suprpression by Republicans either, though in my suspicious mind the jury is still out in El Paso County. the 2400 purged at the state are roughly divided between d, r, and U and genuinely seem to be duplicates where someone moves into another district and registers there.

      Other states have more “colorful” histories and in Ohio and Illinois, an election is considered honest if neither party steals more than its fair share.      

  2. in Gilpin County yesterday and she said that their voter registration program has high and low numbers by street to screen for bogus addresses.  The ideal would be to link the voter address to the Assessor’s records to automatically confirm that the address if valid.  The software could also be enhanced to make sure that you don’t have identical names at the same address.

    The bottom line on this “scandal” is that the Republicans need to scream about voter fraud to deflect attention away from their failures to include minorities in their base.

    I can’t wait for bob to tell how those awful Democrats were behind this vast left wing conspiracy.

  3. I don’t see this as gaining much traction with the general voting public. If the object is to get people to vote against Dems… and really what other object could there be… polls don’t show it’s working. Yawn. Wake me when the election is over and there is a scrap of proof that Mickey Mouse or a series of unrelated letters managed to be allowed to vote.  

      1. are hard left?  Why thank you, Bob. That takes the sting out of your reference to me as a hard lefty though I thought “scumbag” was a bit strong. But never mind.  Stay well, Bob.  If venting helps you keep that blood pressure down I’m always glad to be of service.  

        1. Now, go out and trash some more yard signs, BC. Remember, your party stands for total purity and all evil is concentrated in the other party. Stay true to the ideologue’s code. I don’t think I ever called you a scumbag but, if the shoe fits, wear it!

          1. Accusing Howard Dean of masterminding Tom Delay style tactics?

            Do you really think that the progressives who post on this forum would condone and look the other way if the Democratic Party was engaged in illegal activities?  What arrogant nonsense.

            Since you have accused us of being mindless left wing followers, produce some meaningful evidence that Howard Dean and the Democratic Party are engaged in systematically subverting the election.  Prove your assertions that the Democratic Party is a corrupt organization engaged in illegal activities.

              1. when you have nothing when you start making character attacks on me.

                I asked for some facts to support your contention that Democrats are engaged in knowingly subverting this election and all you can do is accuse me of hate.  You argue based on your “conventional wisdom” without any facts and then when you get called on your BS, you display your bitterness by impugning my character.  It must be a bitch to “know” the “truth” but not have any facts to prove it.  The bottom line bob is you made some foolish statements and don’t have the courage to admit. You would make a perfect Republican buddy.

                    1. every time.

                      Why don’t I come down to the office and buy you a beer?  I’m still employed so it’s on me.  Let me know when you are available.  I’ll wear a paper bag over my head so as not to scare you.  I’ll call it a Halloween prank for your co-workers.

                      All I wanted was a few facts.  You act like I asked to see how many journalism awards you’ve won or something.  Lighten up dog.  It’s just writing for fun.

          2. Now don’t you feel better? And you most certainly did call me a scumbag. I teased you about being a bit of an old curmudgeon and you sweetly came back with a string of invective including hypocrite, ageist AND scumbag with one or two others thrown in for good measure.  Glad to be of service. Know how you love a good grumpy vent.  Be well, Bob.

      2. the hard-right line.

        There is absolutely no evidence that the Democratic Party is behind some grand scheme to engage in voter fraud.  None.  Zilch. Nada.  Not a shred of evidence that these registration problems are anything more than a few bad apples defrauding ACORN.

        I thought the ACORN statement addressed the issue and made clear their commitment to give the disenfranchised a chance vote. Good for them.

        It is a typical hard-right Republican tactic to link a “bad guy” to an issue and then go all out to demonize their bad guy as a way to win the issue.  They did it with Murtha and Iraq.  They did it with Gore and Climate Change.  They are employing the same tactic to discredit the success of ACORN in registering new voters.  If Republicans ever got away from their welfare for the rich policies they might have a chance with minorities and the poor.

        1. Without exception every election cycle the Republicams scream that massive voter fraud is occuring. And the investigations commence, the U.S. attorneys put lots of people on the issue, and… Nothing is found.

          Maybe there is something there this time but the Republicans have cried wolf so many many times that I’m waiting for some clear proof of clear intent to fradulently vote.

          As to come of the people working for ACORN entering fake names so they could get paid (yes hourly) while not actually working – that’s a different problem that does need to be addressed – but does not lead to fradulent voting.

          1. National ID.

            Of all the liberties we have given up (privacy, self incrimination, habeas corpus)having a national ID doesn’t violate our liberties and would help guard against fraud and suppression.

            NID would also help with Illegal Immigrants, security and fraud in general.

            And now for my liberal detour: one day when we have single payor it can form the basis of the the healthcare delivery system like it does in Taiwan.

            1. everyone should agree on. I do.

              But it would have to be damn near fool proof. Make them as hard to duplicate as the dollar bill is………..

              How about this idea that has been thrown out here before, as an addition: show proof of citizenship with a national ID card to vote, but also in order to file taxes, you must show proof that you voted…?

              I know forcing people to vote is not the greatest idea but in my opinion, EVERYONE should vote. Or forfeit any tax refund that you have coming.

              1. that failing to vote would excuse you from paying your taxes?  And frankly, I don’t care to be governed by the most lackaaiscal among our citizenry.

                 

              2. I want people who give a damn to vote, not the morons on Judge Judy, to use an example.

                BTW, it is Republicans that don’t want everyone to vote.  As a matter of policy, as a pragmatic matter.  

  5. I got the following email this morning from a friend. If this is half as effective as the similar  Planned Parenthood fundraising effort earlier this year, we can turn this into a huge opportunity to show ACORN some respect. Log on and give $10 and irritate Dick Wadhams and Grumpy McNasty at the same time!

    First Sarah Appallin’ trashes community organizers, then John McGrumpy trashes ACORN — but these guys are of The People, down to earth, Joe six-pack kinda leaders?  I guess when your Joe six-pack turns out to be a plumber who’s pulling down over a quarter-million a year, that skews your view of Jus’ Plain Folks.

    OK, I’m pissed, but I just cannot give any more money to Obama. So, if you have a moment to spare and $10 bucks to make a statement, go to http://WWW.ACORN.ORG (or google ACORN and look at all the trash-talk from the mouth-breathers and the sane rebuttals from everyone else) and make a donation in honor of John McCain.  They ask for an e-mail with which to notify the honoree that a gift has been made in their honor — I got info@johnmccain.com from McGrumpy’s website — please don’t give him the pleasure of any more hits, just use this email.

    (I am also giving $ to NARAL at http://www.prochoicecolorado.org, but that’s another rant.)

    In fury, and determined more than ever to support community organizers/organizations and Choice to protect women’s health (no weird little finger quotes needed).

    1. Link.


      Over 650,000 new registrations have been turned into the state since January and Brunner’s office say about 200,000 of them have mismatched data. But Brunner says there are multiple reasons why applications may be mismatched and said that a new process of verification could lead to disenfranchising voters.

      200,000?  Are you kidding me?  She didn’t even reveal how many there were until the 6th forced her to.

      If they’re legit, let the local voter boards confirm them.  Don’t hide them.

      New rule:  ACORN owes the State $10 for every fraudulent or incorrect registration turned in, to keep the process unencumbered.

      1. Oregon’s attorney general opened a criminal investigation Wednesday into allegations that Democratic voter registration forms were destroyed or discarded by a political consulting firm working for the Republican National Committee.

        Actually the solution would be set up a government agency to handle voter registration but then that would violate the Republican mantra that private business can do it better.

        FYI: The above article was from 2004 so there is a known precedent of the Republican Party engaging in voter suppression.  Well that and the 2002 Connecticut phone jamming scandal.

        1. What about the Democratic “Patchouli Poll” incident at Virginia and Washington in 2004?

          I could barely stand the smell long enough to cast my vote!

          (I’m just trying to lighten the mood as we get closer to this disgusting display of all the bad things about our leader selection process nears its completion.)

  7. These Democrats won’t last four years with all of the scandals we’ll see. Sending the dirty Chicago Political Machine to Washington and calling it “Hope” and “Change”. Reid, Pelosi, and Obama. Wow.  

    1. it will be very hard for Dems to sink beneath it.  Even with the most concerted effort and putting in overtime it would have to take far than a mere four years to reproduce the Republican level of accomplishment in this field.  We have our own crooks but we can’t petend to hold a candle to theirs in either breadth or depth.  Hats off!

    2. But Harry Reid is from Nevada. Nancy Pelosi is from California. The last time I looked, the “dirty Chicago Political Machine” was in Illinois.

       Either you blundered or continental drift has really speeded up!

      1. but Nancy’s “Most Ethical” speech is always good for a laugh.  

        What’s going to hurt them the most is if Obama wins and they have the White House and effective control of Congress, they will be responsible for their actions. They won’t be able to hide behind the big, bad Republican filibuster anymore.  And this bunch has been dodging responsibility since they took over Congress two years ago.  If things don’t go well, if what they do is unpopular, they are the ones voters will see.  “It’s Bush’s fault” won’t carry very far once he’s out of office.

          1. Well if you want to talk fantasy….

            I have seen exactly nothing from the Democratic Congress that makes me think that they will improve things, either ethically or from the standpoint of legislation.  I’ll be pleasantly, but extremely, surprised to be wrong.

            1. that is why I am voting for Obama (I know we have slightly different opinions on this matter cologeek, but bear with me.)

              I am extremely displeased with both parties in Congress, but particularly the House of Representatives. I’m not a Nancy Pelosi hater; I think she is a very inspiring figure. Having said that, she is not a good leader in the House. The Democrats would be better off with someone else–who else, though, I have no idea.

              In the Senate, Harry Reid is a joke. He sometimes has good zingers, but aside from political trash-talking, he is not a good leader either.

              Obama, if elected, will be the new leader of the Democratic Party. I know that you will most assuredly disagree with some of their legislation, but I believe we can start to hammer out real fixes on things like immigration reform, and improving education.

              For the last three years or so, we haven’t had much leadership in Washington. You can’t deny that President Bush has been weakened by political circumstances, and it’s very difficult to lead when the country is not pleased with how you are doing your job. That’s just a fact of political life.

              I’m not trying to convince you to vote for Obama, or Democrat at all really (seriously, I’m not that dumb.) I’m just saying that the right is not alone with being displeased with Congress. New leadership could steer them on the right course.

        3. more than the Republicans did during the years they had total control.  Even in the past two years the Dems never had a  functional majority in the Senate (first we were short a Senator due to illness, Lieberman was with Bush and you can’t do much without 60) and the Repubs always had the Bush veto power to back them up in congress.

          The Rs have steadfastly put all their obstructionist power to full use.  Probably why the public still rates the Republicans in congress lower than the Dems in spite of the fact that the Dems are nominally “in control”. This even though the Dems get both the disapproval of the right and the disapproval of Dems and Indies (much of it well deserved) for not doing more to STOP the Republican right.

          Sure, Dems, if we win the presidency and improve our majority in congress, will face a huge stinking mess but on the other hand the Republicans have been kind enough to set the bar really, really, really low.  

        4. in 1993-1994. They couldn’t get the health care system passed over it. Of course, some Democrats contributed to the filibuster back then; now there’s much more party unity. But yeah, if we have great ideas and the only obstacle to them is a Republican filibuster, you can bet your sweet bippy that we’ll blame Republicans.

Leave a Comment

Recent Comments


Posts about

Donald Trump
SEE MORE

Posts about

Rep. Lauren Boebert
SEE MORE

Posts about

Rep. Gabe Evans
SEE MORE

Posts about

Colorado House
SEE MORE

Posts about

Colorado Senate
SEE MORE

121 readers online now

Newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay in the loop with regular updates!