I have the advantage of a short commute from the Capitol, so let me be the first to congratulate Stefan Sharkansky on a dynamite speech at the ReVote rally in Olympia. I believe he and the other election mess investigators (of whom I saw Tim Ford, Brian Crouch and P. Scott Cummins) are responsible for at least half the crowd that showed up.
I'm no judge of crowds, but I'll hazard a guess that there were at least 1,000 citizens there to fight for free and fair elections.
Across the street, MoveOn.org managed to bring several dozen to fight for the voting rights of "cemetery residents" and criminals. Watch for moving closeups of this bedraggled group (er, "counter-rally") on the nightly news.
Kudos also to the many other speakers, among whom were Evergreen Freedom Foundation President Bob Williams (who called for an FBI investigation); Rabbi Daniel Lapin (who reminded us of the Source of our rights); KTTH host Mike Siegel; KVI host John Carlson; Antioch Bible Church Pastor Ken Hutcherson; military veterans; and numerous legislators.
Posted by Marsha Richards at January 11, 2005 12:42 PM | Email ThisIn fact, I challenge them to NOT do that. But that would take, oh, ethics is a word that comes to mind...
Posted by: SnoCo Voter on January 11, 2005 12:47 PMFor the Mooo On agitators, they will have a close up that looks like the camera is being overtaken by a sea of protestors, and we will get to hear each of their chants yelled directly into the cameras.
Same for the newspapers, if they choose to cover it at all.
Posted by: Iguana on January 11, 2005 12:52 PMAs long as they continue to kowtow to the leftist line, why should we bother to indulge the Times, P-I, or Channels 4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 16, 22 for news. Sadly, the number of GOOD reporters at these outlets can be counted quicker than a Seattle provisional ballot (from a deceased provisional voter).
Posted by: SnoCo Voter on January 11, 2005 01:04 PMOn the MorOn.org side, there were union workers, with the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers logo prominantly displayed. I'd bet that many of these people were being paid to attend the rally instead of whatever it is they normally do in the union. There were also several moonbats and the other Seattle troll types.
The ReVote supporters outnumbered the Union Workers for Gregoire, 10 to 1.
It was pathetic, the Union Workers were there mainly to make noise and to try and disrupt the planned speeches of the revote.com side. As the rally disbanded, the union workers just kept singing Nah, Nah, Hey, Hey, Goodbye as if they were taunting the losing team at a high school football game. It was a great microcosm of the difference between the two parties on the local, state and national levels.
Republicans truly want to reform elections and revitalize the state, while Democrats are just interested in taunts and hatred a la Michael Moore to keep the status quo.
Go ReVote. I was there with my very tall sign that said "# VOTERS MUST = # BALLOTS." That's really all you need to know. The fact that King County can't reconcile these totals will be a big part of getting this election thrown out.
Posted by: Jeff B. on January 11, 2005 01:08 PMSarah: Pastor Hutch did great. Since one of the earlier suggestions was to get white shoe polish and write "Revote!" on your car, he reminded everyone that black shoe polish on a white car is also ok.
Posted by: Marsha Richards on January 11, 2005 01:10 PM"OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Hundreds of chanting partisans staged dueling protest rallies at the Capitol on Tuesday, many demanding a revote in the state's closest governor's race in history.
Police estimated more than 1,000 protesters massed on the Capitol lawn. A no-man's zone staffed by at least a dozen state troopers kept a larger pro-revote crowd separate from a pack of Democrat Christine Gregoire's backers."
Nowhere do they explain the numbers difference.
But honestly, they're not biased.
Link at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/aplocal_story.asp?category=6420&slug=WA+XGR+Legislature
TRY HARDER!!!!!
It made me cry then, and crap like these stories makes me want to cry now.
Posted by: SnoCo Voter on January 11, 2005 01:24 PMIt it were not for the Shark and the others at SP, this would have been swept under the rug, just like everything else that liberals do not want us to see or hear about.
Posted by: Jeff B. on January 11, 2005 01:35 PMI just watch NWCN.
Posted by: Iguana on January 11, 2005 01:35 PMTim
Posted by: Tim Ford on January 11, 2005 01:43 PMIt would seem to me now that we have a totalitarian in charge.
WA State is looking more and more like Ukraine.
Posted by: Iguana on January 11, 2005 01:44 PMI wish I could have been there also, but there's this pesky job thing I have to deal with.
(Although it doesn't stop me from posting LOL)
Posted by: megs on January 11, 2005 01:44 PMWhen's the protest at the king county elections office?
Posted by: dpmiv on January 11, 2005 01:48 PMThat doesn't jibe with what you guys are saying.
They showed a shot of the crowd, but of course made sure it was blury enough that you couldn't see the signs.
Posted by: Iguana on January 11, 2005 01:53 PMWatching the Senate proceeding ... they are going ga-ga over each other right now ... standing applause for do-nothing Locke, et al.
Posted by: Iguana on January 11, 2005 01:57 PMI suggest that Orange Washington go dark on Tuesdays from 9-9:30pm from now until justice is done. Only Tuesdays because we are still a fat, spoiled, and lazy people in America and a 7 day a week protest would probably fail.
Turn off all the power that you can on Tuesdays from 9-9:30 pm every week until this is resolved. Definately turn off all your lights.
Pass this on. Call it Dark Tuesday.
Posted by: Jericho on January 11, 2005 02:00 PMLove the idea...and yes, as a fat, lazy, American I would hate turning off all my lights every night for 30 minutes. LOL
Does this include turning off the TV? I might have a problem with that as a self declared TV junkie.
[P.S. I'm just kidding about the fat/lazy thing...I'm a little heavier than I'd like, but not the point of lazy; and working full time and owning my own business don't qualify me as lazy. Just thought I'd clarify.]
Posted by: megs on January 11, 2005 02:05 PMJeff B., nice sign. I was right behind you a few rows. I also liked the guy walking around with a skeleton mask and a sign saying he voted in King co.
No matter what happens, here's to hoping Washington remembers the "representatives" who don't represent their constituents in 2 years.
Posted by: Chris on January 11, 2005 02:05 PM"Please consider the need of a re-vote for the position of governor in
our state. Both the officeholder and the voters need to know the voters'
will has been done.
Thank you,"
I feel it was a short and 'sweet' message and didn't identify my political party, only my view as a voter in this state.
This is her reply (and the reply dittoed by may others I contacted). You can guess which party responded with this attitude.
"Thank you for sharing your opinion on the Governor's race. I appreciate
your concerns, but I will not support a revote. Unless there is legal
evidence of election fraud or government wrong-doing, this election must
stand. We can't justify spending millions of taxpayer dollars to hold
an unnecessary election because some people are unhappy with the
outcome.
Secretary of State Sam Reed, 39 county auditors (Republican and
Democrat) and local canvassing boards across the state were unanimous in
their decision to certify the election.
Elections this close are extremely rare, but we have a process in place
- a process that passed the Legislature with a unanimous vote - to
assure that close elections are settled fairly. That's the process that
was followed.
No evidence of organized fraud has been presented. It's outrageous, in
fact, that cries of fraud and misconduct are being thrown around without
any proof. Those kinds of irresponsible charges go much further in
undermining the people's trust in government than counting errors do.
The Secretary of State confirmed that all military ballots were shipped
on time and the Military Department helped oversee the process.
The Secretary of State and the Legislature will work together to resolve
identified shortcomings in the process that this historically-close
election has revealed.
While we do not agree on this issue, I value your opinion, so please
keep in touch. If you would like to receive my e-mail newsletter, just
let me know.
Judy Clibborn"
We need to remember these people when it's time for them to come up for re-election. You are correct, "It's not about the voters anymore, it's about saving face in the party and it's sneeky process"
Note: I did not mention the Military Vote. Wonder why she brought it up? I don't think we need to ask!
Posted by: 'Claws' on January 11, 2005 02:06 PMObviously, I didn't agree with Locke's politics. But I never felt any doubt that he was our duly elected Governor.
Moreover, in person, he is a likable enough guy. I ran into him in the University Village parking lot and as we walked by each other he made eye contact with a smile and with body language that invited me stop and say "hello."
He's not a bad guy and I enjoyed the brief encounter.
Somehow, I don't think the same would have with GreGore. In fact, even the Democrats I know well that have met her said she isn't a very likable person.
So, while I won't miss Locke for his politics, I will miss feeling like I have a legitimate Governor over my head and a likable person.
Posted by: Iguana on January 11, 2005 02:14 PMI think the two best speakers were the Senators from Redmond and Bellingham.
As for the proceedings, I’ve just witnessed a rubberstamp in action, and I now feel like I need to bathe.
Posted by: E.W. on January 11, 2005 01:53 PM "
They were obviously at a different rally then I was !
The ratio between the two sides was 10 to 1 at least !!! I just wrote KIRO to let them know what morons their reporters are.
The Shark and everyone else were excellent..I met lot's of great people (some posters from here) and had a real good time. Even my 3 year old dressed head to toe in orange had fun. I am still trying to get the dried orange gel out of my moustache, eyebrows, sideburns, and goatee.. Yeah that was me with the fluorescent orange facial hair :)
It sure seemed like a good idea at the time ...
I'd like to know if there is way we can officially request from our elected representatives the numbers of his/her constituents requesting him to vote yes or no. It would be very interesting to make public that, for example, Geoff Simpsons mail and calls were overwhelming FOR DELAY of certification but that he voted against the will of his constituents or vice versa.
Posted by: Cheryl on January 11, 2005 02:31 PMcer·ti·fy ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sûrt-f)
v. cer·ti·fied, cer·ti·fy·ing, cer·ti·fies
v. tr.
To confirm formally as true, accurate, or genuine.
To guarantee as meeting a standard: butter that was certified Grade A. See Synonyms at approve.
To acknowledge in writing on the face of (a check) that the signature of the maker is genuine and that there are sufficient funds on deposit for its payment.
To issue a license or certificate to.
Next election ask your representative how they voted to delay the certification of the new Governor, find out if they are interested in using the checks and balances that our forefathers gave them as the final step outside of the courts to keep the peoples faith in our electoral process. If there was ever a time in our history that the checks and balances given to us the people and our representatives be used it was today...and we failed. Let it not happen again.
Sent to all State Representatives and Senators
Sorry for the long post....I'm pi**ed...
Posted by: Cliff on January 11, 2005 02:40 PMAlso, I understand the re-vote petition number of 204,000 signatures was supplemented with 700 additional signatures delivered from the Vietnamese-American community. I think this really shows how broad-based the desire for change is in this state. Despite what some will tell you, Dino's support goes well beyond whiteboys like me in pick-up trucks.
If the Democrats win the battle and appoint Gregoire governor, they will have lost the war - they are showing their true colors that a win in the D column, even by gaming the system, is more important than the integrity of the election system in this state. If the voters aren't heard in this election, they WILL be heard in 2006!
This was King 5 news at noon.
Oh...And that was a magnificant sea of Orange!!
Posted by: Deborah on January 11, 2005 02:42 PMWe need to keep the momentum we have gained. Continue talking to your friends, family members, business associates, and of course the Washington State Legislature members. Thank those that voted for not ratifying CG, and remind those that voted for ratifying her, that we aren't going away. They are only attempting to shove this under the rug and hope that we forget about it. Their lack of integrity is obvious.
There is going to be a RE-Vote!
Posted by: Larry in Renton on January 11, 2005 02:45 PMI suggest you ALL call and ask that same information of YOUR elected officials - particularly if you suspect they are Democrats that voted OUTSIDE the will of their constituents. We need to make that information public and they need to be held accountable to the VOTERS not their party.
When I hear from Norma I will share the info with all of you.
Posted by: Cheryl on January 11, 2005 02:49 PMWe voted for No Stadium, but Locke said they knew better and they would build it anyway. That single issue, of over ruling a democratic vote is where I lost all respect in him. And then we elected him governor (or should I say Seattle County elected him). Gotta grease the palms that vote (or count the vote).
I'm glad to see Locke go, although a little later to inconvenience his move would of been nice.
Posted by: Mike J on January 11, 2005 02:51 PMThank you for your message concerning the recent election for Governor and a possible revote. I am also very concerned with the integrity of our election process and, after review of some of the evidence, I am convinced that a revote is the only fair way to decide who our next Governor will be.
This, however, is now in the hands of the courts and hopefully they will review the evidence and come to the same conclusion. I am not in favor of the legislature certifying this election, however, the vote of the joint session on the issue of whether to withhold the certification or proceed was 65 yes and 80 nays. I did vote yes for withholding the certification.
There are measures that the legislature could put in place with emergency legislation that will provide more accountability and safeguards during our next election. There are regulations on the books currently that all counties must adhere to. That did not happen in the November election.
Trust assured that I am and will do everything in my power to have a revote of this election and to overhaul our election process so that this does not happen in the future.
Thank you again for contacting me concerning this issue. Please feel free to contact me on this and other issues in the future.
She's terrific!
Posted by: SheriJo on January 11, 2005 03:02 PMI don't disagree with you. Like I said, I never liked Locke's politics.
My experience with him was a small 30 second sample.
At any rate, he was legitimately elected governor. I do believe that many elections are now in question because what we now know is a patrician KC elections office. But, during most of Locke's tenure I never knew this.
So, I didn't find him repugnant in the same way I view GreGore.
Posted by: Iguana on January 11, 2005 03:04 PMFrom attending rally's at the capitol before, where each individual is counted upon entering, I would guess that there were thousands of revote people, not hundreds. The opposition crowd was so small you could hardly notice them. Plus the media was THERE, more than I have ever seen at all the other peaceful protests that I have been to. I see this rally as a HUGE, HUGE SUCCESS for the revote people, especially for only having a week or two of planning!
So what if the media doesn't report in our favor. What's new? We can do our own reporting!
Posted by: TADD on January 11, 2005 03:05 PMAnd he says that they can't even give away the inaugural ball tickets...LOL again...that'll make my husband's job much easier since the poor man is one of the troopers who has to work the event. He's not exactly jumping for joy.
Posted by: megs on January 11, 2005 03:06 PMBTW - The national media has very little on what is happening there. I rely on this site and RealClearPolitics for what I hear. Thanks to the Shark and all of you for keeping me posted!
Posted by: smegma on January 11, 2005 03:17 PMThat's hilarious! I love it.
Carlson said that tickets were $75...I refuse to pay to support anything relating to this woman. Now, if they were free...that might be a different story. He said there were 1,000 that they were trying to get rid of.
ROFL!!!
Posted by: megs on January 11, 2005 03:30 PMAnyone know what 'venon' is?
Posted by: smegma on January 11, 2005 03:36 PMThanks for pointing out the difference. Bush WON the election. Queen Christine didn't.
Posted by: Joe on January 11, 2005 03:40 PMmarshall smith...I have seen no conspiracy theories. What has been discussed and discovered have been authentic facts of voter over-enfranchisement (dead, felon, and over votes). I think Stephan's pictures just posted speak volumes.
And I can't stand dirty hippies...what an insult.
Posted by: megs on January 11, 2005 03:41 PMMegs - No tv blue light creeping from behind your blinds will be permitted. :-)! RE: Your small business - I think that old country hit Kansas City Lineman, I think it was called, should be redone with a 'small businessman' lyric written into it.
Posted by: Jericho on January 11, 2005 03:46 PMcount us in. I'll pass the word on.
Posted by: Orange Robyn on January 11, 2005 03:47 PMChill, dude. "dirty hippies"? Ouch! Unless you've been hiding under a rock on Smith Island or have completely checked out during this "election", you've got to know what's going on. I didn't say you had to believe the worse about your fellow dims, just that there are some truly outrageous failures of the electoral process here in King County. The single issue is that the number of questionable ballots (in King County alone) exceeds the margin of victory. Even your golden boy Logan admits that. This has moved beyond "theories", pal.
Thanks for posting the number for King 5 - I just spoke with someone in the news room. She inquired as to what the numbers actually were, took my name and number, and said thanks. Flood them with calls. 206-448-5555
Posted by: Orange Robyn on January 11, 2005 03:57 PMI'm even going to power down my refrigerators for that half hour.
Posted by: Jericho on January 11, 2005 04:14 PMTurn off all lights tonight and each Tuesday until justice be done from 9:00 - 9:30pm.
Also turn off all power that you possibly can.
Posted by: Jericho on January 11, 2005 04:18 PM... But then if it's all Just a Big Waste of Time, *why* are you here? Do you have some kind of point to make? You're entirely uninterested anyway.
Posted by: Bostonian on January 11, 2005 04:20 PMI suppose that the good, honest, and integrity based commentators that truly seek honest electioneering and elections might be quiet at this point, leaving the voice to the 'in your face' crowd. Perhaps the more cynical out there would suggest that the pro-Gregoire folks don't want anything to change, for they have the advantage in installing whomever they choose under the present circumstances.
In addition to the current case before the courts, and the process that's about to be played out, at some point we are going to have to come to agreements in fixing these issues. The practical reality is that the Legislature is controlled by the party in benefit from these procedures, and certainly not paying more than lip service to vague notions of 'reform.' We, as citizens, need to use the information gathered to get real, honest, and fair practices put into place.
It's my hope that this groundswell continues. Nothing changed after Cantwell/Gorton, and if this group loses interest, nothing will be changed here either.
I write this, ironically, from the land of Huey Long, recalling his methods, and sadly away from my home state for the week.
Enjoy,
God is omnipresent.
God allows mankind free will.
God is not a Republican contrary to your perception.
God is never on vacation.
Marshall, I believe there something called the "permissive will of God," in which He allows (permits) certain events to happen, and there is also something called the "direct will of God," in which He directly causes certain events to occur.
This election probably falls into the first area, but I can't say absolutely one way or the other. God permits or causes events for His own reasons, some of which I do not understand.
But one thing I do know: There is a God and I am not Him.
Marshall thanks for capitalizing the word "God."
Posted by: JG on January 11, 2005 04:31 PMFirst one looks like a prewritten piece by our Luddite electronic voting conspiracy enthusiasts, with some vague direction to the Secretary of State to develop policies and procedures for every aspect of voting. (Note to Legislators reading this, those policies need to be published and accessible in the electronic medium, please.)
_____________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1025
_____________________________________________
State of Washington 59th Legislature 2005 Regular Session
By Representatives Morris, Upthegrove, Simpson, Nixon, Anderson, Morrell, Linville, B. Sullivan, Wallace, Ormsby and Roberts
Prefiled 1/5/2005. Read first time 01/10/2005. Referred to Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability.
Second one is an unpublished act for voters to indicate absention.
SB 5088 Allowing voters to indicate abstention from voting on any particular office.
Sponsors: Senators Stevens, Mulliken, Benson, Honeyford, Johnson, Carrell
Hey, maybe we could have some gubanatorial venon...
Now it's ME that needs a bath. Yuck!!!!!!
Posted by: SnoCo Voter on January 11, 2005 04:39 PMSB 5079 Directing a special runoff election for governor.
Next
A reregistration requirement!
SB 5078 Requiring voter reregistration.
Sponsors: Senators Roach, Stevens, Honeyford, Mulliken, McCaslin
Only problem with the bill is that it requires the voter rolls to be completely purged once in 2007, and everyone re-register. Anyone see a problem with that methodology?
Absentee Ballot reforms. Lots of words in this one.
SB 5082 Requiring absentee ballots to reach the auditor by election day.
Sponsors: Senators Roach, Schmidt, Hewitt, Oke, Mulliken, Deccio, Zarelli, Stevens, McCaslin
He seems to be taking the position it's all over and the legislature isn't required to do anything about it.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thank you for contacting my office with your concerns about the Governor’s election results. The race for Governor in this state was extremely close, but I have faith in our process. The goal of our election process is to provide an accurate count of every legitimate vote. It is an exhaustive, secure, transparent, and deliberate process laid out in state law. One of the main reasons for having recounts is to find and correct errors, and each recount ensures greater accuracy.
I appreciate hearing your perspective regarding a re-election, but I do not agree that this is the best course to take for Washington voters and taxpayers. It is estimated that a re-election would cost $4 million, money better spent towards social programs or improving the economy. There are also better procedures laid out in the law. If there is a problem with an election, the remedy should be sought in the courts as the law states. There is no re-vote contingency in the state statue for a close election.
I do believe that we can improve the elections process and correct some of the flaws that have been exposed. The Legislature, working with the Secretary of State and county auditors, can examine and clarify some of the provisions of elections law that have played a prominent role this month. The Legislature will also review other elections laws to be certain that efforts in other states to suppress voter turnout do not happen in Washington.
Democracy can be a messy business because people are involved. As long as we follow the law and work towards making the law better, we should have confidence in our system. We have observers in each polling place, and observers looked at every vote that was counted. We must depend on the rule of law and citizens in our elections, and I have confidence in both, despite some small irregularities that may currently be debated in the media.
Again, thank you for contacting me, and thank you for being involved in our democracy by contacting my office. Please continue to watch your government in action.
Sincerely,
Zack Hudgins
Assistant Floor Leader
State Representative - 11th District
Office Contact:
317 John L. O'Brien Bldg
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
Fax: (360) 786-7317
http://www.leg.wa.gov/house/members/d11_1.htm
Thank you for supporting Dark Tuesday.
In just over three hours and every Tuesday until justice be done even if not until '08 power down all lights and as much power at your residence (business as able) from 9:00-9:30pm. Every Tuesday starting tonight. This protest can grow and have an effect. Tell your neighborhood blue hairs (I say affectionately) who are not web-goers to join in this simple protest. It will be fun if you can get your whole block to go dark and then meet outside for that half hour each week to pray and talk and get to know your neighbors.
I can recall that 9to 9:30 time from my youth as the firefly hour. I grew up in the Midwest. God works in mysterious ways. If Dark Tuesday cathes on God may end up building greater community out of it as another side benefit to the protest.
Posted by: Jericho on January 11, 2005 06:01 PM"Gregoire Certified!
Rossi Rhetoric Fails To Prevent Swearing In Tomorrow
Today, a joint session of the Legislature certified the election, ensuring Chris Gregoire will be sworn in as Governor of Washington State tomorrow. The motion passed on a vote of 80 to 65.
Paul Berendt, Chair of the Washington State Democrats, issued the following statement:
“Dino Rossi has used a slick P.R. campaign to manufacture an election crisis. His supporters in the legislature raised a ruckus, but that’s all they raised.
“Wild accusations and fiery rhetoric makes good fodder for talk radio, but they are not reason enough to overturn an election.
“The election has already been certified by 39 county auditors and Secretary of State Sam Reed.
“Today in the State Capitol we saw the system work. Members took their work seriously, looked at the facts, followed the law, and voted to certify Gregoire governor without delay.
“It is with great pride that I will watch our next governor be sworn in tomorrow. I join the people of Washington State in looking forward to moving on with the business of our great State."
According to Berendt you've got to believe that this website you're reading now must be nothing more than a "slick P.R. campaign" of Dino Rossi's - and all the things brought forth to light here nothing more than "wild accusations and fiery rhetoric." And of course "moving on with the business of our great State" means moving on with the business of the Democrat Party. You know, these people really don't have any idea that this "victory" for their party is a very pyrrhic victory for them. Do you think any of them have the conceptual capacity to see what's going to happen to them 2 years and 4 years down the road? I don't. I think these people are really that short-sighted and dense that they think no one will remember or care about this election and what they've done today.
Posted by: Kevin on January 11, 2005 06:21 PM"Thank you very much for your message.
It is unfortunate there were a number of errors in the election process in King County and in a number of counties across the state. I share the frustration from the recent election. Some citizens have called for not certifying the election results for the race for Governor and others have requested a revote.
The certification of the Governor’s race has already occurred. The 39 county auditors and our Secretary of State Sam Reed (a Republican) certified the race after the manual recount. The Speaker of the House and Secretary of the Senate, as a matter of formality, sign official documents that they have received the certified results.
The call for a revote through the legislative process, while tempting, raises a number of concerns. The greatest concern is the precedent that would be set by the Legislature if we were to legislate a revote.
The King County elections division had many serious problems 2 years ago with the absentee ballots. Some voters received their ballots days before the election, some received them after the election, and some simply never received them at all. I ran for the Legislature during that election and lost by 90 votes. Many people from the district were not allowed to vote because they did not get their ballots. Some suggested that I challenge the election because I would have won with a larger turnout. It was a very difficult time for me, but I decided not to take any action and move on.
If the partisan Legislature (and I believe it is too partisan many times) is allowed to call for a revote, we open the door to this process for any future elections. My race or any similar situation, for example, could have led to a challenge and for the Legislature to call for a revote.
I believe every election should be decided by the voters. But if there are concerns that fraud or gross errors occurred, the impartial courts should look into the allegations, not the partisan Legislature. The Rossi campaign has filed their action in Superior Court and the Supreme Court will undoubtedly take up this issue. I will abide by and support the court’s decision after they have carefully and impartially reviewed this case.
I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue and hope that you will share your thoughts and ides with me on how best to make sure this situation does not happen again. I look forward to working on election reform in our state to regain the confidence of our voters.
Sincerely,
Pat Sullivan
State Representative
47th District"
Posted by: Deborah on January 11, 2005 06:44 PM
This is absolutely THE most absurd excuse for NOT fixing the elections problems this time!!
He clearly states that just 2 years ago - King County had problems!! He spells out the problems, how they may have cost him his run for the legislature and even mentions how close his race was!
Does the lightbulb in his head go off that perhaps King County has a serious HISTORY of problems with the election process ????? That perhaps if HE would have contested *HIS* 2002 election - maybe WE would not have todays problems??
NOOOOOOO! Pat Sullivan says because he sucked it up in 2002 - when there were serious election issues and he lost by a slim margin......WE should ALL just suck it up now and accept the errors AGAIN!!
INCREDIBLE!!! These people are making serious decisions for the people of this State???
"I look forward to working on election reform in our state to regain the confidence of our voters."
Pat (if he were a she I would say Patsy) clearly sees the problem, yet fails to see any solution beyond the platitude 'working on election reform'.
Why should Pat, anyway? Pat was elected in a 'clean' contest.
Yet Pat clearly sees the problem, which is winning over the electorate to the idea that this Governor is legit.
I understand the radical Left when they call us names because we don't accept this outcome. They see us as usurpers in the same way we see them.
I am heartened by some of the honest Democrats who see this as the tie that it was. I hope the courts will make the best decision, but I refuse to hold my breath, because I may end up a dead CG voter in the next cycle if I do.
Posted by: smegma on January 11, 2005 07:05 PMI say it's even messier when King County is involved. In the same reply he said that "each recount ensures greater accuracy." Why? Because we "keep finding and correcting errors". And just how many times do we count till we find the center of the tootsie pop?
In King County, there is no center !! Its left!!
Posted by: Mike J on January 11, 2005 07:15 PM"Hasegawa, Rep. Bob" Hasegawa.Bob@leg.wa.gov wrote: Thank you for writing about the recent events in our governor’s race. After the November 2 election and two recounts, the election results have been certified by the Secretary of State.
I understand your frustration and I will look at election reform proposals during the upcoming session to make sure the law is very clear and consistent. However, a "re-vote" is not included in our state’s Constitution. I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and to support a new election would dishonor that oath.
Moreover, a "re-vote" does not fit within our democratic system of elections, as it requires people to vote again for the same candidates. A new election would include new voters and would leave out voters who have moved or passed away. That would simply not be fair.
State law calls for two legal recounts of an election, and a challenge to an election. A re-vote is not part of state law. A fly-by-night election system is a danger to democracy. Our Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed doesn’t support the idea, and I agree with him.
Many of the allegations in the media are baseless, with no proof of fraud. All 39 county auditors, Republican and Democrat, have stated there was no fraud in this election, and they are the people who know elections best.
If you have ideas for election reform or other thoughts on improving our state, please contact me with them. I will be looking to input from citizens like you as I make important decisions in the upcoming session. Thank you again for caring enough about our state to take the time and contact me.
Best regards,
Rep. Bob Hasegawa
House of Representatives
District 11
OF COURSE, I SENT HIM A REPLY:
Thank you for your response. I watched todays joint session of legislature with great interest. I have already requested from my legislator a count that reflects how many of my fellow constituents asked him to vote against todays certification and how many asked him to vote for it. I have recommended that my friends and family across the state do the same and to make the information public in weblogs such as SoundPolitics.com. I believe it will be quite interesting reading and that the voters of the state deserve to know which legislators are following the will of the voters and which are following the will of their political party.
We should use your reply as the "cut and paste" response to our email replies from our Democrat lawmakers!
Hey! The Dems don't seem to think that WE are worthy of an original response.....Sooo.....
Posted by: Deborah on January 11, 2005 08:55 PMI heard Chris Vance on KPAM, fairly good interview and he took a few calls - Victoria Taft - a good host - have listened to her before, closed the interview by saying "Go Dino !"
In closing, I pose the following question; Cite me a case where voter fraud has been proven and what the remedy was"... Come on all of you Democrats who spout off your rhetoric about having to prove fraud - step up to the plate.
My point is that I doubt if you can find any large elections like this where voter fraud has been proven, yet there is alot of elections reputed to have had fraudulent results. Carol Moseley Braun and Dan Rostenkowski have had fraud proven against them, but these cases were not election related.
PS - I'll keep tonight between 9 & 9:30 open for darkness...
Posted by: KS on January 11, 2005 08:57 PMDear Rep Hunter,
Thank you for your boilerplate, party line answer. Many Washington citizens(about 205,000 at last count) share my concerns that the Democrat legislature is more interested in party loyalty than protecting the integrity of the
electoral process. Your talking points from the desk of Paul Berendt do not address the real issue and frankly are insulting to your constituents.
If documented cases of felons and deceased persons voting, coupled with thousands of undocumented, voterless votes are not sufficent, you are doing the parties work on the peoples dime. Shame on you, shame on your party and shame on the Democrats of the Washington State
legislature. Your indifference to the peoples will shall be remembered in the next election.
An Angry Washington Citizen
Posted by: Angry Voter on January 11, 2005 09:25 PMUnfortunately, I suspect that unelection isn't really much of a threat for many of the conspirators in this madness. Many voters won't realize how thoroughly this thing smells, and aren't apt to mind a little 'fudging' of things in their guy's favor.
I would posit that a revote would be good not only to restore faith in the elected government, but also to discourage malfeasance on the part of vote counters. Some people might like election officials who 'bend' things in their favor (whether entirely legally or not), but nobody is going to like election officials whose malfeasance causes an election to be thrown out.
Posted by: supercat on January 11, 2005 10:22 PMWhen's the next rally?
Posted by: CR ACTIVIST on January 11, 2005 11:06 PM