Missing Explosives

Here's what we know about the missing explosives that were at al Qa Qaa:

• In January 2003, IAEA declared the explosives were present at al Qa Qaa and placed seals on the bunkers.

• IAEA inspectors visited al Qa Qaa bunkers in March 2003 [via Protein Wisdom]. Seals were still intact.

• IAEA inspectors left Iraq in March 2003.

• The Iraq War began on 03.19.03.

• 3rd Infantry Division was at al Qa Qaa on 04.04.03. While these troops found boxes containing white powder neither HMX nor RDX were reported as being found.

• NBC News embedded reporters arrived with the 101st Airbourne six days later on 04.06.04. Conventional explosives were found but HMX and RDX weren't.
  

I'm fairly confident IAEA personnel didn't leave Iraq the day before the war started. Let's assume they left one week before the "shock and awe" began, 03.12.03. We don't know if IAEA inspectors were at al Qa Qaa right until they left Iraq, but let's assume that also. That means 23 days passed between IAEA leaving Iraq and the 3rd Infantry Division arriving at al Qa Qaa. That's certainly enough time for a number of trucks to load up 380 tons of explosives and move them someplace else. The problem with this possiblity is wouldn't U.S. intelligence have noticed the activity at al Qa Qaa?

The looting explanation fails, first, because of pure logistical considerations as noted in this Captain's Quarters post. Another problem is the clean job the looters had to have done. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said, "Some explosive material at the time was discovered, although none of it carried IAEA seals, and this discovery was reported to coalition forces for removal of the material." If the disappearance was due to looting then it was a very clean job that left no trace.

The most sensible possiblity is Saddam ordered the explosives moved. Maybe they were sent to neighboring Syria or stored away in a secret location to be used in guerrilla warfare to defeat the U.S. occupation and topple the new Iraqi government.

Note that the only reason we know the explosives are missing was the war. With the intelligence failures by France, Germany, Russia, the U.N., the U.S., and even the NY Times it's not safe to assume the IAEA knew the explosives remained in the bunker. In the lead up to the war, no one claimed Saddam didn't have WMD. The debate wasn't if he had them, it was how to deal with their existence. Post-war searches have shown Saddam didn't have the WMD everyone thought he did. This was an intelligence failure by more than just the Bush administration. With this recent history, I'm not convinced the IAEA wasn't fooled by Saddam.

After thinking and writing about this I have a feeling Ann Althouse is correct:

This is a pesky issue to be dealing with so late in the game, but for those already convinced the war was woefully mismanaged, it may not matter that much. Indeed, those who accept the raggedness of the post-war effort and stand by Bush may also not care that much.

"Report: Explosives Could not be Found when U.S. Troops Arrived"

Early Voting and Exit Polls

Nine percent of voters have already cast their ballots. I wonder how this will effect the exit polls the networks use to determine who wins a state. In 2000, the networks' consortium messed up badly allowing some networks to declare AlGore the winner of Florida only to change it to undecided later. What this means is that when networks do declare Bush or Kerry a winner of a particular state take it with a grain of salt until substantial vote counts come in.

"Poll: Nearly 1 in 10 Has Already Cast Vote" [via Betsy's Page]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 07:56 PM | Comments (0)

An Intergalactic Bonfire

It takes a special person to get a bonfire burning in the cold of space. Overtaken by Events pulls it off.

"The Bonfire of the Vanities (The 69th Post in a Trilogy)"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 05:04 PM | Comments (0)

The Kerry Edwards Times

John Cole isn't too happy with the NY Times:

I don't (sic) think my faith in the media has ever sunk this low before, but I simply am astonished by what has taken place over the last six months.

"A Failed October Surprise?"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Media at 06:17 AM | Comments (0)

Project Vote Strikes Again

Two felons were found registering voters in Milwaukee. That's illegal as much as it's illegal for felons either in jail or on parole to vote. Both Tonsie Wilson and Corethious Taylor both work for Project Vote. That's the operation being investigated by the Racine County district attorney for voter registration fraud. While Milwaukee Election Commissioner Lisa Artison did revoke Wilson's and Taylor's deputy registrar status, she did not say whether she would investigate if the two registered ineligible voters or if she would ask Milwaukee's district attorney to investigate. For all we know there are hundreds of false names on Milwaukee's voter rolls. All someone has to do is know the name and precinct registered and they can vote as them. Realize that voters aren't required to provide ID before voting in Wisconsin.

"Felons Served as Election Deputies"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 01:19 AM | Comments (5)

All the Pro-Kerry News Fit to Print

Let's end all pretenses (what little intelligent readers still had) that the NY Times cares about getting the story right. That newsroom is so sloppy and Kerry-centric that they ran a story blaming the Bush administration for something it had no power over.

The paper accused the administration of failing to guard very powerful explosives that Saddam had in his arsenal. What New York's smelliest rag didn't bother to check was whether the explosives were there when U.S. troops arrived last year. All they would have had to do was ask NBC News who had embedded reporters with troops at the Al Qaqaa site.

The story gave Kerry plenty to bash the administration with today calling the failure to guard the explosives "incredible incompetence." Instead of having to answer for a full-blown lie about his pre-war vote discussions with the U.N. Kerry got to go on the offensive.

"NBC Blows a Hole in the Kerry Attack about the Explosives" [via Wizbang]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in John Kerry at 01:01 AM | Comments (3)

Bush's Stopping This Time

Later today, President Bush will arrive in Cuba City, WI. It's a small town he snubbed last May by zipping through the "City of Presidents." In August, Sen. Kerry took time to stop there zinging the President in the process. Today, President Bush is one-upping Kerry by holding a rally in the town's high school.

Back in 1992, President George H. W. Bush was doing a whistle stop campaign through Wisconsin. He was to past through my humble little Allenton. Plenty of locals gathered around the railroad tracks hoping he'd stop and say a few words. The train came from the south, and those of us with signs began holding them up. The closer the train got the more excited we became. The train entered town but offered no sign of stopping. We began shouting and waving anyway. The President just rolled through Allenton with the man himself waving from the back of the train.

I understood at the time that President Bush couldn't stop everywhere, but I wonder how I would have voted had he stopped. In 1992, my first Presidential election, I voted for Ross Perot. (Feel free to make fun of me. I'm man enough to admit my most embarassing Presidential vote was my first.)

"Bush Visiting Cuba City, and this Time He'll Stop"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 12:25 AM | Comments (2)

October 25, 2004

Some Fate is on Bush's Side

If you believe in Presidential election fate then you feel good about President Bush's re-election. Weekly Reader asked readers to vote for President and they choose Bush. Since the magazine's first poll in 1956 it has correctly picked the winner in the election.

Now, all political junkies' eyes fall on the Green Bay Packers-Washington Redskins game.

If the Redskins lose or tie the game before the presidential election, the party in the White House gets ousted. A Redskins win is a win for the incumbent party, too. At least, that’s how it has played out in the past 18 presidential elections.

There's mixed opinion in Las Vegas. The Stardust and MGM-Mirage are making Washington the favorite while Stations has made Green Bay a two-point favorite. With three starters very questionable to play next Sunday the Packers will soon be the consensus underdogs.

I have a dilemma: Do I support my President and root for the Redskins or test fate and root for my beloved Packers? I have no animosity against Joe Gibbs and any player on the Washington roster. It's not like I'd be rooting for the Vikings or the Bears. Or do I be like Rep. Mark Green and hope this strange streak is snapped?

"Weekly Reader Kids Select Bush in Presidential Poll" [via Ace of Trump]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 06:41 PM | Comments (8)

Vote by Issue

After answering all 20 questions of the Vote by Issue Quiz I discovered I agreed most with President Bush. In a fairly close second place was the Libertarian Party's nut candidate Michael Badnarik. It feels good to know I'm not just voting for the party but for the man as well.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 06:14 PM | Comments (0)

Caught in a Sticker Vortex

Someone really knows how to persuade potential voters:

It started out to be a glorious Packer Sunday...for the first five minutes. I awoke to find my car and every other car in my parking lot on the East side covered with rainbow Kerry/Edwards stickers. My car has eight stickers plastered on and there's one car with at least 20. Is this another hidden tax for living in the city? That's a can of worms for another time.

"The stupid nature of this unprovoked intrusion wreaks of drunken morons coming from Judge's, but these culprits were well stocked with stickers. There's still at least 100 stickers that whoever did it left lying around the parking lot. So much for saving the environment. They're REALLY lucky a warning shot wasn't fired across their bow, but then I'm the bad guy.

"It's Getting Ugly Out There, Folks"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 01:10 AM | Comments (0)

Campaign Doesn't Stop on Weekends

Saturday saw Al Sharpton and Zell Miller come to Milwaukee to stump for John Kerry and George W. Bush respectively. There was plenty of red meat in both men's speeches. For what voters should tell the President, Sharpton used Donald Trump's quip, "You're fired." Miller said the President "will not wobble or go weak in the knees when it comes to fighting terrorists."

Turnout is expected to be heavy, and with people coming up from Illinois every weekend to help Kerry Edwards, the Bush-Cheney GOTV effort better be good for the President to win Wisconsin.

"Region Teems with Campaign Activity"

Now tell me this isn't good enough for National Review's Battlegrounds weblog. I've offered them my services, but have heard zilch. If you want to help persuade NR just send them an e-mail.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 12:29 AM | Comments (1)

Called on a Pointless Lie

Kerry is like AlGore in that both men's desire for the Presidency is so great that they engage in embellishments that only do themselves harm. Kerry would still be in striking distance of knocking off an incumbant President if he describe his U.N. meetings accurately. What this lie does is force his campaign to go on the defensive wasting time on this when he could be getting his message out. In both men's case obtaining the Presidency trumps truthfulness with the electorate. That's especially troublesome when John Kerry constantly criticizes the President for being untruthful about the Iraq War.

"Security Council Members Deny Meeting Kerry" [via Wizbang]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in John Kerry at 12:03 AM | Comments (0)

October 24, 2004

Bush Leads in Hawaii

In one poll, President Bush is tied with Sen. Kerry in Hawaii. Hawaii! This is not a good sign for Kerry if he's having trouble in a long-standing Democratic stronghold.

The campaigns are at a point where funds are dwindling, yet they don't want any left over. Stategists are pouring over polls electoral vote maps to best allocate cash. Gamesmanship is being played. Last week, the President gave a speech in New Jersey, a state that should be safe for Kerry. It's close there giving the President an opening to turn a blue state red. Buy even more importantly Bush's visit may have forced Kerry Edwards to spend more money than they wanted to in a "safe" state preventing that money from going to real battleground states like Ohio and Florida. Bush probably won't get either New Jersey or Hawaii, but scaring his opponent into putting resources there could be beneficial in the overall "strategery."

If Bush wants to take a longshot at winning Hawaii and can't fit the long Air Force One flight into his schedule he should send the twins. A beach party for Bush would draw attention, especially if Jenna and Barbara turned it into a bikini bash.

"Hawai'i Poll: Bush, Kerry in Dead Heat" [via PoliPundit]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 11:30 PM | Comments (0)

No Surprise

President Bush is the consensus pick of the right wing blogosphere. The Iowa Electronic Markets agrees. I hope they're not resting on their prognosticating laurels and are planning on getting as many people as they can to vote for Bush on Election Day.

"Right-Of-Center Bloggers Make Their Predictions For The 2004 Elections"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 11:03 PM | Comments (0)

Stolen Movie

Chad Evan on Stolen Honor:

There aren’t any Hollywood special effects, there’s not a great soundtrack or any kind of acting, but there is one eye-opening, shocking and at times tearful story that is told through the stories of former Vietnam Prisoners of War. This film gets to the root cause of the intense disgust at John Kerry for his days when he aligned himself with the anti-war movement and called his fellow soldiers war criminals not only in front of the Senate and the nation, but in front of the Vietnamese interrogators who used Kerry’s words and Kerry’s allegations to torture and brutalize United States Prisoners of War.

...

There is a popular expression. If you are 20 and you are a Republican, you have no heart. If you are 40 and you are still a Democrat, you have no brain. I’ll add to that. If you see Stolen Honor and you can walk up to the voting booth confidently voting for John Kerry because you believe he is a good man you have neither a brain or a heart.

A film that scares Lefties enough to almost cause a riot outside a theater makes me wonder what's on display. You can watch what Kerry Edwards is afraid of for just $4.99.

"Stolen Honor Review"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in at 05:12 PM | Comments (2)

October 23, 2004

Now, THAT's a Good Plan

Michele found one John Kerry plan I can totally support.

"Get Out the Vote"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in John Kerry at 04:38 PM | Comments (3)

8-0

The Wisconsin Badgers will again, beating Northwestern 24-12. Next week the team has a bye then three winnable games to either get into the national title game or destroy the BCS.

Kudos go to Journal Sentinel sports writer Jeff Potrykus for his really close prediction of 27-17 Badgers.

"UW Steamrolls Wildcats to Remain Perfect"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Sports at 04:33 PM | Comments (0)

Real Voter Intimidation

Democrats have plans to make up voter intimidation even if non exist. In Florida, we see the real thing.

One woman who voted early in Boca Raton, at the Southwest County Regional Library, complained that as she stood in line, two men behind her were "trashing our president," Fletcher said, declining to identify the woman. She tried to ignore them. Then the man touched her arm and said, "Who are you voting for?"

"I said, `I don't think that's an appropriate question,'" the woman said she responded.

"Uh oh! We have a Bush supporter here," screamed the man behind her.

For the 2 1/2 hours she had to wait in line, she was heckled by the man. As they neared the voting room, someone in the rear of the line yelled, "I sure hope everyone here is voting for Kerry!" she reported.

That's when the man behind her held his hand over her head and screamed, "We have a Republican right here!" There were "boos and jeers" from the crowd.

"I felt intimidated, harassed and threatened!" the woman wrote in her complaint to the Republican Party.

Elaine Fandino complained to the Republican Party that she took her mother to vote on South Military Trail in Palm Beach County and was confronted by 25 people supporting John Kerry for president. The crowd was "very angry and used foul language," she reported. She said the man next to her said, "Where's my shotgun?"

Unlike the Dems, the GOP doesn't need to pretend.

"Early Voting Brings Cries of Bullying" [via PunchtheBag]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 04:22 PM | Comments (0)

October 22, 2004

Will W Win Wisconsin?

I want to join the party and put Wisconsin in the Bush column, but I will be cautiously opptimistic. Sure, Gallup gives the President a six-point lead, and Captain Ed points out some good internals.

I've written often that turnout will decide who wins the Badger state. The Democrats, labor unions, and other Left wing groups will be running time-tested GOTV operations. According to talk radio yapper Mark Belling the Dems will run a mock GOTV this weekend to prepare for the real thing. The GOP has finally taken GOTV seriously and will run the most impressive operation in the party's history. Will that be enough? Can Bush conquer years of Wisconsin political history and go Republican? Will the extensive voter registration operations lead to questionable votes? And can the strong GOP Milwaukee suburbs and the Fox River Valley outpace the Democratic strongholds of Madison and Milwaukee?

In other Wisconsin political news, the Left wing Wisconsin Citizen's Action sent out 42,000 flyers with incorrect polling place information. If Kerry loses in a nail-biter this could be an excuse.

"Mailings Had Wrong Polling Place Data"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 12:52 AM | Comments (3)

Kerry Makes a Discovery

About the SwiftVets' accusations, Sen. John Kerry told Rolling Stone, "I was surprised that the media, even when they knew it was lies, continued to cover it and treat it as entertainment."

This man has been a U.S. Senator for years, and only now does he realized the large entertainment component of the news. I guess he was too busy with guiding all his mountains of legislation through the Senate to notice. Someone tell Kerry he needs to read TAM daily.

"Kerry Feels the Pressure of Presidential Campaign"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Media at 12:18 AM | Comments (6)

Butter Please

Behold, the Toast-O-Meter. Steven Taylor's take on the Presidential race.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 12:10 AM | Comments (0)

October 21, 2004

Mind Your Own Business

That's what I'd tell a foreign observer if I spotted them at my polling place. Thankfully for them they're not headed to Wisconsin. These radical internationalists who see the nation-state being consumed by a global bureaucracy need to go help Iraq prepare for January's elections and quit wasting time on a nation that's held elections longer than anyone else in human history.

Two counties in Missouri have gone over the deep end and are letting foreign observers actually recount the ballots. If Missouri were a real toss-up, I'd be worried. Imagine if the local officials declared more votes for Bush only to have the foreign busybodies offer a contrary count.

"Vote Observers: Access to US Polling Places Difficult"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Foreign Affairs at 11:54 PM | Comments (0)

Teens Speak

Kerry Edwards and the Democrats may sneak their way to victory in less than two weeks, but they may have lost an entire generation.

[via Instapundit]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in John Kerry at 11:38 PM | Comments (2)

Pumpkin Heads

This is sure to garner some (hopefully) clever jokes, but I think these Bush-Cheney pumpkins are neat. The best part is they're Wisconsin creations.

"Bush-Cheney Pumpkin Carving!"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 11:27 PM | Comments (0)

Athletes for Bush

With razor-thin margins in many state races any edge a campaign can find will be used. The Bush-Cheney campaign pulled out their sports card. Here's the list of athletic Bush backers:

• Emie Banks, MLB Hall of Famer
  
• Daniel Beery, Olympic Gold Medalist, Rowing
  
• Carlos Beltran, MLB All-Star Centerfielder
  
• Craig Biggio, MLB All-Star Catcher & Second Baseman
  
• Josh Davis, Three-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Swimming
  
• Adam Dunn, MLB All Star Left Fielder
  
• John Elway, NFL Hall of Famer
  
• Bob Feller, MLB Hall of Fame Pitcher
  
• Natalie Golda, Olympic Bronze Medalist, Water Polo
  
• Matt Hasselbeck, NFL Quarterback
  
• Bernie Kosar, NFL Quarterback, Ret.
  
• Steve Largent, NFL Hall of Famer
  
• Karl Malone, NBA All-Star & MVP Winner
  
• Anthony Munoz, NFL Hall of Famer
  
• Jack Nicklaus, PGA Tour Most Major Championship Titles
  
• Mary Lou Retton, Olympic Gold Medalist, Gymnastics
  
• Dot Richardson, Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Softball
  
• Nolan Ryan, MLB Hall of Fame Pitcher
  
• Janet Lynn Salomon, Olympic Bronze Medalist, Figure Skating
  
• Chris Spielman, NFL Linebacker, Ret.
  
• Roger Staubach, NFL Hall of Famer
  
• Kerri Strug, Olympic Gold Medalist, Gymnastics
  
• Lynn Swann, NFL Hall of Famer
  
• Todd Walker, MLB Second Baseman
  

If I had known that two Houston Astros were pro-Bush I would have rooted for them tonight even though Phil Garner has no right to manage any team in the World Series.

Unlike the pro-GOP actors at the national convention, Bush-Cheney didn't get stuck with a lot of second-tier talent--although a water polo players counts as third-tier in my book. These are about as intellectually valuable as the Hollywood crowd backing John Kerry. What does it say about an undecided voter that moves to President Bush because of Kerri Strug?

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 11:22 PM | Comments (4)

Trends

The trend in national polls favors Bush. However, that doesn't really matter since the Electoral College is picks the President. With lots of states still in play an intelligent observer should say it's too close to call, but I'm not one of those.

"Election 2004 By The Numbers"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 10:14 AM | Comments (0)

Prisoner Tries to Vote

Republican fears of illegal prisoner voting were realized when Clough Thompson checked off John Kerry on an absentee ballot. Thompson is in the Dane County jail for battery to a police officer, a felony. Thompson's excuse was ignorance. "They told me I could vote." "They" being the NAACP. We know that organization doesn't care about the status of those they're registering. Beverly Hicks, president of the Racine chapter of the NAACP said, "They are being taken off the street for the crime they committed. However, their right to vote, I don't see that having anything to do with the crime they committed." In Ms. Hicks world, felons should be allowed to vote. However that's not up to her now. If she wants that law changed, then she should lobby Madison. Right now, she should obey the law as it is.

Fortunately a jail guard investigated Thompson's background and informed superiors. That person is about the only government offical doing anything to prevent further voter fraud. One Dane County official pretty much said there wasn't anything she could do to stop felons from voting.

"Jailed Felon's Effort to Vote Stokes GOP Fraud Fears"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 02:47 AM | Comments (5)

Teresa Apologizes

I have a feeling as soon as the words "real job" left Teresa Heinz Kerry's lips she knew she'd regret it. She came back and apologzied quickly. Laura Bush accepted the apology through a spokesman, but Karen Hughes decided to make political mincemeat out of the gaffe. Give me a break. Teresa graciously said she was sorry, and Laura accepted. There was no need for Hughes to shoot off her mouth. Now there's just one apology left: Hughes to Teresa, but even I'm not expecting it.

"Teresa Heinz Kerry Apologizes for Laura Bush Comment"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in John Kerry at 02:18 AM | Comments (4)

October 20, 2004

Another Teresa Tantrum

Teresa Heinz Kerry opened her mouth and inserted her foot...again!

Q: You'd be different from Laura Bush?

A: Well, you know, I don't know Laura Bush. But she seems to be calm, and she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good. But I don't know that she's ever had a real job — I mean, since she's been grown up. So her experience and her validation comes from important things, but different things. And I'm older, and my validation of what I do and what I believe and my experience is a little bit bigger — because I'm older, and I've had different experiences. And it's not a criticism of her. It's just, you know, what life is about.

What does Teresa consider to be a "real job?" Running a multimillion dollar charity operation? That's something most Americans can really relate to.

The battle-hardened Kerry Edwards campaign didn't let Teresa in on bit of wisdom: "Know thy enemy." If they had, Teresa could have done a quick Google search to come up with this about Laura Bush:

She then taught in public schools in Dallas and Houston. In 1973 she earned a master of library science degree from the University of Texas at Austin and worked as a public school librarian in Austin. In 1977 she met and married George Walker Bush. They are the parents of twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, who are named for their grandmothers.

I guess working in a public school doesn't qualify as a "real job." Somebody better tell the teachers that back Kerry Edwards so strongly.

Will a non-apology apology to Mrs. Bush come faster than the non-apology apology about John Kerry's Mary Cheney remark? That will be interesting to see.

"The Real Running Mates"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in John Kerry at 01:27 PM | Comments (1)

Democratic Scare Tactics

The closer we get to Election Day means we'll be seeing more racially-charged scare tactics. Will James Byrd's ghost rise up to haunt the President? Don't be surprised if we do.

"Racebaiters United"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 01:12 PM | Comments (0)

Early Christmas Present Idea

Here's an idea for that someone special who really loves to wear a piece of foam on their head while watching a Packers game.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 01:23 AM | Comments (0)

Public School Endorses Kerry

At least one could assume from this bulletin board in a Fond du Lac classroom.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 12:53 AM | Comments (0)

Wisconsin Prisoners Voting

One would expect government officials to care about possible voter fraud. That's not the case in Dane and Racine Counties when it comes to prisoners in their jails.

In Wisconsin, one cannot vote if they're serving a sentence including parole. Those serving time in jail for misdemeanors can still vote. The NAACP is setting up prisoners with absentee ballots. The problem is no one is checking to make sure the prisoners are eligible. Sharon Christensen a Madison deputy city clerk told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "If they fill out the form and they sign it, they are stating they meet the eligibility requirements. If someone knows different, they could challenge that on election day." Madison, a strong Democratic enclave, is taking the word of convicted criminals. The city government will make no effort to ensure the legitimacy of the vote.

Rick Graber, Wisconsin GOP chairman, was correct when he said, "If this is not being monitored, if people are not closely watching this, people who are not allowed to vote will be given the right to vote."

Critics could claim that the possibility for this kind of voter fraud is slim. However, the Journal Sentinel reports differently:

A Journal Sentinel investigation after the 2000 presidential election found that at least 361 felons voted while they were still under state supervision in Milwaukee. Three men were charged with illegal voting after the stories ran, but those charges were later dismissed after prosecutors were unable to prove the three knew it was illegal for felons to vote.

"NAACP Defends Its Effort to Register Voters in Jails"

Kudos go to Tom Held and Tom Kertscher for working on this story. I'm as guilty as most of the blogosphere for ripping on the media at the drop of a hat (or fake memo). When good, important investigation is done, it should be praised.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 12:48 AM | Comments (0)

Missouri's Mega Voter Rolls

Colorado isn't the only state with weird voter registration numbers:

A record 4.2 million Missourians are registered to vote on Nov. 2 — a figure so high that election officials acknowledge it likely is inflated by a large number of people who are registered more than once.
Statewide, there were fewer than 4.3 million voting-age residents, according to the most recent Census Bureau estimate. If Missouri's voter rolls were accurate, that would mean 98 percent of adults are registered to vote.

"We've wondered if there's anyone left in the state who is not registered," Betsy Byers, an election director for Secretary of State Matt Blunt, said Tuesday.

"It's inflated somewhat," she added, "but I don't know what to tell you as far as how much."

The inflated voter rolls could allow some people to illegally vote twice, Byers acknowledged. Yet a more likely outcome, she said, is that many of the duplicative registrants will vote only once or not at all — and Missouri's voter turnout will appear lower than reality.

Missouri has no way of automatically updating its central voter registration database when a resident moves to another city, county or state. And under federal law, it can take more than four years to remove a voter whose address cannot be verified.

The result is that in 36 of Missouri's 114 counties, and in the city of St. Louis, more voters are registered for the November elections than there were residents age 18 and older in the July 2003 Census Bureau estimate, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.

"State Voter Rolls at Record Levels, Lists Likely Inflated"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 12:35 AM | Comments (0)

October 19, 2004

Crowded Colorado Rolls

From the Denver Post:

Colorado's swollen voter rolls have passed the 3 million mark, but as many as 55,000 names appear in the secretary of state's voter list more than once.

An unprecedented number of new voters this year has left clerks with little time to clear up duplications.

Now, 20 counties, including Broomfield and Summit, appear to have more registered voters than residents eligible to vote.

By the clerk's count, Boulder County's voters have also surpassed the 2003 U.S. census estimate of the voting-age population. "We have been so busy inputting new registrations and putting in changes," said Boulder County Deputy Clerk Nancy Wurl.

About 260 voters statewide appear to be registered three times- some in three different counties.

This is an open opportunity for voter fraud. I've figured out the tactic. Clerks get flooded with new voter registrations. County and state offices run out of time to completely clean the voter rolls. Come Election Day, illegal voters run around trying to vote more than once. If they're turned away at one polling place, they go to another or fill out a provisional ballot. If the election goes their way, the Left smiles on a job well done. If the election results are close enough they scream about voter suppression and incompetent maintanence of voter rolls. The lawyers then take over.

What this means is Bush backers have to get out and vote and drag as many Bush voters with them to the polls. Because "if it's not close, they can't cheat."

"Repeats Fill Voter Rolls"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 06:35 PM | Comments (0)

Two Commercials

"Ashley's Story" may be the most powerful Presidential ad of the season. It's poignant, moving, and touching. Sappy and Oprah-esque, yes, but you have no soul if you aren't moved after watching it.

The second ad is from the College Republicans. I'm plugging it because 1) I used to be one; and 2) there's some smart leadership running the show. Using the CRs as another 527-type conduit to promote Bush is just good strategy. As for the ad, there's potential there with the goofy pictures of Kerry, but the narrator sounds flat and the visuals overall look cheap. It's a good demo, but not ready for primetime. Some donations would help them out.

[Added to OTB's Beltway Traffic Jam.]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 06:11 PM | Comments (1)

Registration Success

A Washington Post story on voter registration makes me feel better about GOP GOTV efforts.

After spending millions of dollars and untold energy to register voters this year, Republicans and Democrats are running neck and neck in registr