Thursday, October 30, 2008

Voting machine problems and trickery resurfacing

You would think after all the problems with hanging chads and the problems incurred with electronic voting machines in the past, the election this year would go much smoother. However, once again, various problems with voting machines are being reported in several states. See the following CNN articles for complete details:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/10/30/voting.machines/index.html

On top of the potential issues posed by electronic machine issues, there are several reports of trick robo (phone) calls going out like ones telling likely Democratic voters that due to long lines predicted on Tuesday, November 4, that Democrats are to vote on Wednesday, November 5. There is a flyer circulating in Virginia and people in Missouri are receiving text messages making the same claims. Of course, these statements are absolutely false but cannot be traced to any particular campaign committee source. To clarify, if you decide to vote on November 4, you must already be registered and you must be in line to vote before the polls are scheduled to close in your area. If you owe child support or have outstanding parking tickets, you will NOT be arrested when you go to vote. Even if you or someone you know is a convicted felon, you may still be eligible to vote. Check the laws in your local area.

If you notice any voting irregularities or problems, please report them to your local Board of Elections. But, by all means, PLEASE GO OUT AND VOTE!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Electoral vote count closer than being reported

If you believe the polls being reported by the media, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) has a commanding lead over Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in the race for the White House. One source I have been using to track the electoral vote count is on this website: http://www.electoral-vote.com/. 538 electoral votes available; 270 needed to win. As of October 27, they show the count as Obama 375; McCain 157, almost a landslide. This is why Sen. McCain claims that Sen. Obama is "measuring the drapes" for the White House although Obama has made no such claim of apparent victory and warns voters not to get complacent urging them to get to the polls.


Now, according to my unscientific method and analysis, there are several factors in play that I predict will make this race to 270 much closer than the experts think. Let's briefly look at the history of some key battleground states. In 2000, you had the recount debacle in Florida with the "hanging chads", misreporting of data, and the premature end to the recount by partisan forces resulting in a victory for George Bush by about 325 votes (out of almost 6,000,000 votes cast). In 2004, talk of a slew of voter irregularities plagued the Ohio vote which caused delays as well, although nowhere near as bad as Florida in 2000.


This year, both Florida and Ohio will once again be pivotal to watch. However, I believe this year the state to watch that will determine who wins the White House will be Pennsylvania. Historically, Pennsylvania along with many other states in the Northeast favors Democrats. But, there have been some interesting developments in Pennsylvania in the past few months that could make a difference in the outcome. First, take Sen. Obama's comments about blue-collar individuals in Pennsylvania communities that "get bitter and cling to their guns and religion" in hard times. Second, the recent comments made by Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) that residents in Western PA are "racist and redneck" gave the radical right-wing media fuel to ignite a firestorm of discussion amongst these communities in Pennsylvania that in my mind have been racist, redneck and gun-clinging since day one. In other words, these people wouldn't vote for a black president no matter who is on the ticket - Democrat or Republican, which gives validity to Rep. Murtha's comments and somewhat diffuses the argument made by the right-wing extremists.


Now, let's break down the battleground states and see which areas favor which candidates. In Pennsylvania, McCain should do well in most of the state except for the city of Pittsburgh and in the Philadelphia city and surburbs (Montgomery and Bucks County) where Obama is the overwhelming favorite. In Ohio, Obama should do well in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland area), Franklin County (Columbus area), Lucas County (Toledo) and Montgomery County (Dayton). McCain will do well in the rural areas, but the key area to watch will be Hamilton County (Cincinnati area). In Florida, Obama should carry Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County, and Leon County (Tallahassee) with McCain carrying the areas more populated by retirees.
Current early voting trends indicate record turnout for this election with the majority of new voters registered as Democrats. The experts predict this favors Sen. Obama and he should have no problem winning the election on November 4. However, with the potential of the "Bradley effect" coming into play as well as several other factors such as voter suppression and voter discouragment due to long lines at the polls, this election is far from over and has the potential to be another nail biter that could drag through the night.
PLEASE make your voices heard and make your vote matter this historic election year!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Rep. John Murtha calls Western PA residents "racist and redneck"

It is a travesty how the radical right wing media has totally spun the comments of Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) out of context. The truth of the matter is there is very much still a racist and redneck mentality amongst residents of Central and Western Pennsylvania. I went to Penn State University and have witnessed first-hand the racism and prejudice that exists in the region. I totally understood what he meant when he made those comments.

The fact of the matter is those right wing radicals do not want to admit that it is the truth because it is not "politically correct" to do so; but it does seem to be OK to attack a political figure who refers to "Americans" as "racist or redneck". (I thought it was OK to be a "redneck"?) Where's Jeff Foxworthy when you need him? Besides, HE (Murtha) is the representative of the people there and live in the area. Wouldn't he know best what the general mentality is of the people there? Even Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA) has been quoted saying that his state’s white electorate was not prepared to vote for a black presidential candidate. The smear tactics of the right wing extremists are just mind-boggling!

I totally support Rep. Murtha, applaud of him for his honesty and wish him well in his bid for re-election!

All points of view are welcome and encouraged on all my blogs. Thanks for your comments!

Sean Hannity Whines About Obama "Attacks"

This is for fans (or haters) of FOX News: Why is Sean Hannity such a cry baby accusing Sen. Obama (D-Ill) of attacking him? Well, gee, if someone was talking about me being associated with an "Anti-American" pastor and a known admitted terrorist every night for 7 months, I think I might have something to say about that myself. That guy has some nerve! Somebody help Sean Hannity change his diaper and tell him to stop whining so much! And what is with these cupcake interviews with Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK)? Sean Hannity has his hand so far up her skirt it is ridiculous.

Anyway, all this anti-Obama rhetoric can be summed up best by my good friend Rush Limbaugh: "It's all about race." Enough said! Please go vote!

All points of view are welcome and encouraged on all my blogs. Thanks for your comments!