CNN Crossfire Tuesday: Bob Wexler (D-FL) -- BBV?

[Bozita]

Crossfire at 4:30 pm ET
On March 9, 2004
And online at http://CNN.com/CROSSFIRE

From CNN's Crossfire staff:

TODAY’S NEWS HEADLINES:
* Sniper Muhammad sentenced to death
* Sources: Bin Laden may be eyeing move
* Haiti's interim president sworn in

TODAY’S POLITICAL HEADLINES:
* Primaries under way in TX, FL, LA, MS
* Ashcroft undergoing surgery
* Hillary gives Martha Stewart donation to charity

TODAY'S GUESTS:
Rep. Robert Wexler - (D) Florida
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen - (R) Florida

In the Crossfire… in a state that has become the butt of political jokes and frustrated tirades, Florida voters will cast their ballots for a presidential candidate for the first time since Election 2000. Having largely dispensed with the now infamous "chads" in favor of more modern systems, all eyes today will be on the sunshine state to see if it looks like they'll get it right this November. John Kerry is getting ready and already putting together a legal team to contest any irregularities. But there is more at stake than Florida's 27 electoral votes. A Bush win could help finally put to rest questions about 2000, and a Kerry win could seem like final vindication for the Democrats.

One thing is certain, in 2004 Florida is the king of battle-ground states. Will it be the deciding factor in who occupies the White House for the next four years? Will Florida be able to pull off an election without a hitch? Has Bush done enough to reach out to Florida Democrats and Independents? Will Kerry use Social Security to make mince-meat of Bush with Florida's elderly?

Join Tucker Carlson and James Carville for Crossfire, 4:30 p.m. Eastern, 1:30 p.m. Pacific - live from the George Washington University. Teamed up with Judy Woodruff’s Inside Politics, we promise to give you the best 90 minutes of politics anywhere.

To be part of the studio audience e-mail us at: [e-mail]

Visit http://CNN.com/CROSSFIRE to send in your e-mail to be included in our Fire Back segment and offer your opinions on our show topics and guests.

[leftchick]

1. I remember James saying several months ago that BBV

and the problems with it were not an issue. I hope he has changed his tune!

[Bozita]

2. Last evening, I heard that Wexler was filing a BBV suit today ...

... but I can't recall the source.

If so, BBV will be the main topic.

[oasis]

3. Wexler is taking legal action that will force the use of voter printouts.

[Bozita]

4. Yep ... link to AP article - Lack of Paper Trail for Votes Spurs Lawsuit

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040309/NEWS/403090383/1004

Published Tuesday, March 9, 2004
Lack of Paper Trail for Votes Spurs Lawsuit

By JILL BARTON
The Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH -- Florida's voting machines came under attack again Monday when a lawmaker sued state election supervisors because new ballot counters lack a paper trail needed for possible recounts.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler said voters need to be assured every vote is counted, particularly in close races where a manual recount is required by law.

"Why doesn't Gov. Bush simply say, `Let's improve our Florida election system even more than we've done so, provide for certainty and provide for security and in case something goes wrong, have a backup?' " Wexler said moments after filing the lawsuit in federal court. "Then all Floridians, Republicans and Democrats and independents alike can have confidence in our system."

The Department of State notified elections supervisors last month that manual recounts don't have to include ballots from Florida's new touchscreen voting machines because there is no question about how voters intended to vote.

more...

[leftchick]

5. CNN just did the most bizare thing...

They had some reporter in Fl talking with that smug chick with short blonde hair. He was going on and on about how much better and easier these new touchscreens are for the voters. As opposed to the chads of 2000. All the while these two are giggling and carrying on about that debacle not happening in 2004 there was a crawler at the bottom....
"Touchscreens offer no paper trail" and "Fl Rep. Wexler sues state for paper record of vote"

Those two never mentioned it once! :crazy: