Petition to recall Wash. Secretary of State goes to court

[merwin]

Petition to recall Wash. Secretary of State goes to court
(I would recommend bugmenot.com for a login)

07:05 AM PST on Monday, February 7, 2005
Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Starting at 9 a.m. in Olympia, Wash., Monday, a Thurston County Superior Court judge hears arguments on whether a petition to recall Secretary of State Sam Reed can move forward.

Some Republicans accuse him of wrongly certifying the election of Democrat Governor Gregoire, but Reed says he was simply following the state constitution.

For a happy-go-lucky guy who hates conflict, Reed finds himself the lightning rod for Washington’s endless Election from Hell.

Reed is the state’s chief elections officer—and the screwiest election in state history happened on his watch. So he’s been sued in the courts, vilified by longtime friends in his own party, and made the subject of a recall attempt.

His office got so many nasty and threatening phone calls and e-mail during the three vote tallies for governor that security guards were posted and caller ID was ordered for all of the office phone lines. Death threats—both political and physical—were received.
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Republicans... eating their own

[cmf]

1. Typical Republican behavior

Because Reed did was is LAWFUL and RIGHT instead of cheating for the Republican party, they are going to bring him down. I really feel bad for him. Perhaps this will make him reconsider his party affiliation.

[TahitiNut]

7. Organized crime values LOYALTY to the Family above all.

The Reichpublican Party has become an organized crime Family. Like an organized crime Family, the 'Godfather' is often an inherited position, even if the descendant is a total imbecile.

[Skink]

2. Brought to you by the tort reform crowd....

:nopity:

[tanyev]

3. Following the constitution.

He must not have gotten the RNC memo about disregarding those quaint, irrelevant things.

[Zgrrl]

4. Sam Reed is an honorable man

I have met Sam Reed and know he is an honorable man. Although I did not vote for him in the last election (I voted for Democrat Laura Ruderman), he is definitely no Katherine Harris or J. Kenneth Blackwell. He is paying the price for following the law of our state, something which to me is unbelievable. Have these Republican whackos no shame?

[LiberalFighter]

20. Now is the time to write a letter to your local and state papers

[NVMojo]

5. Too bad the Dems in Nevada don't do this with their Sequoia loving SOS

Washington voted on Sequoias and you will see California go to Sequoias, they are nothing but a Diebold machine with a different name.

[geniph]

11. Only a couple of counties voted on Sequoias

and this election has DEFINITELY highlighted the reason why electronic voting without a paper audit trail should NEVER be permitted. For the recount, the only thing those counties could do was rerun the tapes, which did nothing to verify the accuracy of any vote counting. Had they had a voter-verifiable paper ballot produced by those machines, the votes could have been properly verified during the hand recount.

[CanOfWhoopAss]

6. So if he is removed...

Does Gregoire get to appoint his successor or is a special election held?

[geniph]

12. It's very difficult to recall an elected official in Washington

I am not certain who would fill that office until the next election cycle. However, it is extraordinarily difficult to recall an elected official in Washington state, and it is highly unlikely the recall will be successful. I expect it to be completely thrown out of court; they have absolutely no validity for a challenge to Reed's election.

[Walt Starr]

8. Democrats should sign the petition

If the Republicans are going to eat their own, let them eat them. We'll get a Democrat in there.

[struggle4progress]

9. When you need death threats, think GOP. eom

[geniph]

10. Republican message to all their pod people:

Thou shalt not think for thyself! Thou shalt not rule based on law and ethics. Thou shalt march in lockstep with all other righteous Republicans and never stray from the path of conformity!

I voted against Reed, but I have to say, I've gained a hell of a lot of respect for the man based on how he's conducted himself during this, the closest statewide election in Washington state's history. His conduct has been unimpeachable. For the Republicans to turn on him like this is nothing but petulance and childishness. They do their own cause no favors with this kind of idiocy.

However, I have to admit to a sneaking little hope that they'll drive every last moderate element out of their party with this kind of devouring their own - then the likes of Reed will come over from the dark side.

Washington state used to be noted for its moderate politicians of both parties. We had a great bipartisan system, but the state Republicans have been taken over by the whackjob element for years. There's a reason Washington was the only state to go for Pat Robertson for the Republican Presidential candidate in ... what was that, 1984? How ironic.

[genius]

13. Republicans are out to get rid of all Democratic Sof S's

[geniph]

18. Reed's a Republican

that's what is so ironic about this.

[brooklynite]

14. If you don't like the message...

shoot the messenger.

[Seemann For Congress]

15. This isn't a bad thing

If they recall the Republican SOS, there's a new election for an SOS. That could go either way.

But if the Republican wankers badger him enough and get him to resign, the new SOS is named by the Governor....Gregoire.

Funny how we're now defending the guy who would have been running against Andy Stephenson, isn't it?

[Blower]

16. It is a ruse--doesnt make sense

Sam Reed is groomed by Ralph Munro--who worked hard for Rossi. Both are Republicans.

Sam Reed is trying to steer clear of earlier ethics violations from the Democratic side, by throwing a bone to Dems, or having a bone thrown for him.

These guys know how to stay in office for YEARS here in washington state.

[geniph]

19. It's very unlikely that the recall attempt will work

Unlike California, which has very liberal recall laws, it's virtually impossible to recall an elected official in Washington state.

Also, I don't find it ironic to express some support for Reed, even though I was a supporter of his Democratic opponent. The man has exercised his office with restraint and integrity, in my opinion.

[Democat]

17. Why are Republicans the only ones on the offensive, almost always?

If people can be recalled, why don't Democrats ever recall anyone?

Our party is weak and afraid to go on the attack.

Recall every Republican that can be recalled.

Where is the Democratic fight?

[Rainscents]

21. 600,000 signature is lot...

and this is what they need to have this happen. I hardly doubt there will be recall election, 600,000 signature (register voters) is lot Republicans need for this to happen.