John Edwards: "I gotta get this off my chest.

[MelissaB]

While we're working on democracy over there, we've got a little work on democracy to do over here. (Standing ovation) You know, I don't know about you, but I've seen about enough of vote challengers and vote protectors. You know, it is an outrage that in America, in America, any voter should have reason to doubt their vote. So here's a new idea. How about if we actually build the best election system money can buy so that the next time you choose the leader of the free world you don't have any doubt that when you go to the polls you're going to be able to vote, you gonna to be able to vote quickly, and you have absolutely no doubt that your vote was counted in the election. That's what we believe in.

Source: CSPAN

(I transcribed. Thank god for tivo.)

[CottonBear]

1. How about all paper ballots and no electronic voting.

Just a thought.

[MelissaB]

3. I couldn't agree more!

[Pacifist Patriot]

7. My SOE was rendered speechless when he made that

suggestion at a DEC meeting out of frustration to our objections about our county's Diebold optical scan system and was greeted by a hearty round of applause. He honestly could not understand that we'd be willing to wait for a hand count instead wanting instant computer tabulations of unverifiable results.

[silverweb]

8. No profit in that!

Remember the corporate/government merger is all about control and that bottom line. Gotta keep things complex, expensive, and manipulable for that!

:eyes:

[1monster]

11. and no eletronic counting either, unless the count is not certified until

it is backed up by a hand count.

[merwin]

22. Personally, I think that they should use an ATM way of thinking.

First, all software and hardware involved will have extensive code reviews by various universities the public will have access to the source code.

Have the voting machines linked up to a SECURE database of registered voters, with every voter being given a PIN after they vote, where they can later look up whether or not their vote was recorded, and get a copy of their ballot if they want to.

All machines print paper ballots directly into cases that lock when removed from the machine, as well as storing them in the central database, and after the election ends, these cases will be plugged into a central machine that unlocks the cases and counts the printed ballots.

Working at an election booth will be a JOB that you get paid to do, and extensive training on it, as well as reviews by supervisors. Everything you do while you are working election booth will be biometrically recorded, and it will be a felony to tamper with even a single vote.

[Virginian]

53. We DO get paid...

$100 for the day
$150 for the chief because there are additional meetings, training and responsibilities.
Sign up. It is open to anyone in VA I don't know how they run it in any other state.
I've been taking vacation days from my regular job to work the polls. Try it. Contact your local (county?) electoral board and sign up. It will be an experience you will never forget.

Our polls open at 6:00, so we have to be there at 5:00 am. I usually get home around 10 - 10:30 -- after all day on my feet, then tallying the votes for my precinct, filling out all the paperwork and dropping it off at the electoral board. In November I was up 'til 11:00 the night before getting the room set up and marking all the people on my pollbooks who had requested absentee ballots.

By the time the polls close, the people working have had a very long day. The last thing they need is to hand count the ballots. I could almost guarantee mistakes from people who are that tired. I am glad you said to let a machine count, but don't certify until they have been confirmed by hand. That allows for the hand count to be performed at a later date. It also allows for a second, confirmation hand count if the human and machine numbers don't match.

[loudsue]

56. Not good enough for Democracy.

Too tired? Fine. Let there be a SECOND SHIFT! People who are bright eyed and bushy tailed, and teams of people there to confirm that votes are counted properly!

THERE IS NO FUCKING EXCUSE IN THE WORLD TO HAVE TO PUT UP WITH COMPUTERIZED VOTE COUNTING MACHINES THAT TALLY VOTES IN SECRET, AND COME UP WITH BOGUS TOTALS!!

"Too tired" for Democracy? You shouldn't HAVE TO BE!! The whole system needs to be set up so that every vote is counted honestly, no matter how many people, no matter how many shifts it takes, to get the job done right.

:kick::kick::kick:

[marions ghost]

63. agreed

:applause:

"too tired" is not a good excuse. Right, bring in fresh counters. We need hand counting, even if machine counting (optiscan) is also done.

Maybe in the future computerized voting can be made safe and transparent--but that day is a LONG way off.

[Eric J in MN]

55. You don't need software for a process done once in 2 years (nt)

nt

[jayctravis]

57. Every voter should draw a sticker out of a fishbowl

when he approaches the voting booth. The sticker has a 20 digit serial number and the date of the election. The voter affixes this serial number to his ballot and votes, retaining the card the sticker came from which has the same serial number on it.

All votes are posted on a website by serial numbers, and the list of votes are published in a paper almanac. Nobody knows what number you got, because the sticker is drawn randomly.

All votes would be accounted for and verifiable and countable by anyone who wishes to verify the results and their own vote.

[IdaBriggs]

59. That is the EASIEST, CHEAPEST, BEST SOLUTION --

I have EVER read!!! Please go start a separate thread for it!!! Thank you!!!

[marions ghost]

67. this has possibilities

I really agree with increasing public survelliance during the actual process. This would help.

[FreedomAngel82]

26. Hear hear

Paper ballots EVERYWHERE. Why should I be able to go in and vote for a few minute's while someone else has to wait two-three hours to vote? That's just bullshit.

[Eloriel]

43. Yeah -- quite a lot cheaper than "the best machines money can buy"

but at least he's talking about it. Many, many months too, too late, but ... well, at least he's talking about it.

[marions ghost]

64. DRE electronic voting machines

are roughly 5X the cost of paper ballots/optiscan systems. They also have high maintenance and repair costs. It's a scam.

[orleans]

48. was just thinking the same thing!

it's no good unless you specify that we need ballots, a paper trail, no e-voting!!!




(did you sign the letter? here's the link)

[Eric J in MN]

54. I agree.

Paper ballots, publicly hand-counted on election night.

Let anyone who wants watch the ballot box during the election and watch the couting on election night.

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. Okay, John. I'm with you on that. Now let's put that legendary

class action trial lawyer butt in gear and get a suit going on behalf of voters everywhere. ;)

[Dhalgren]

10. Hear! Hear! Get all "Clarence Darrow" on their ass!

[elehhhhna]

4. Nom. for Greatest

[MelissaB]

12. Thanks, elehhhhna! I do believe it is important that a politician said

this on live television.

[elehhhhna]

27. Well you're up to 8 nom's, toots! Good job!

[spooked911]

5. Right on, baby. Why wasn't he saying this earlier though?

[davsand]

6. Too bad the Kerry Edwards ticket wasn't this passionate on the issue.

Seems a little late to be standing up and speaking out for counting the votes.


Laura

[Lex]

9. I understand Edwards wanted to fight in Ohio about the votes

but Kerry didn't.

[Dhalgren]

14. Yeah, I'd heard that, too...

[ultraist]

38. Edwards DID want to fight for the votes

Senator Edwards stated in an interview he did want to fight but that it wasn't his decision.

[Al-CIAda]

15. After the STOLEN election of 2000, there is NO excuse!

Additional warning signs and corruption were popping up for YEARS leading up to 2004.

No fucking excuse. The Dems FAILED -again.

[MelissaB]

17. I agree that there is no excuse, but you don't know until you know.

The fact that our elections are screwed up was a hard pill for me to swallow, too. It took countless hours of research and reading for me to come to that conclusion.

[hippiegranny]

13. so in other words,

Mr. Edwards is confirming the election was stolen. It is nice to have some validation from our leaders on this.

[Pacifist Patriot]

16. Actually, I think he is just confirming that we can't verify that

it was stolen or not. I don't think he's gone as far as to cast accusations of fraud. I think he should, but I think he's being careful in what he says.

[MelissaB]

21. I think you are right. It's clear he is saying there were doubts in the

election, but do you think he would even bring this up if he didn't think he (actually we) was screwed royally?

[Pacifist Patriot]

25. Oh I think that is what he believes.

and probably what he means. I just think he's going to be very careful about how he frames it in speech.

[BigBearJohn]

18. YES!!!!!!!!!!!! (((RECOMMENDED)))

[MelissaB]

24. Thanks, BigBearJohn!

:pals:

[linazelle]

19. How about "we're going to ensure every vote is counted"?

Yeah right. :eyes:

[MelissaB]

23. Just remember that he didn't make all of those decisions, and

he had a very sick wife.

[ultraist]

41. It was KERRY'S decision, not Edwards'

KERRY chose NOT to fight.

[jmatthan]

20. Looks like he read my entry on his blog

about Russia at the TPM Cafe. This is a direct answer to my views that I had expressed. I had written at

http://www.tpmcafe.com/story/2005/6/1/143249/6794

"I noted with interest that the Committee was to review:

The state of Russia's democracy (or lack thereof), changes that could be anticipated between now and Russia's presidential election in 2008, human rights in Russia, the Russian economy (including energy), non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and its cooperation in the fight against Islamic extremism.

I think John Edwards and the Committee he is co-chairing, before embarking on this visit, should examine exactly the same questions vis-a-vis the US. Many of us in the international field are likely to view any comments by US on these issues in Russia (or any other country) as the Pot calling the Kettle Black!!

Let not this Committee, like Nick Coleman's or Rishard Lugar's, be the laughing stock of the world!!"

Jacob Matthan
http://jmpolitics.blogspot.com
Oulu, Finland

[ChiciB1]

28. For About the 20th Time... I Say

Edwards/Richardson!! You've just got to think about it. It works for me!!!

Love the guy and I really really feel he can do it!

[MelissaB]

30. I don't know anything about Richardson, but I followed Edwards the last

time and really like him.

[AmBlue]

31. I'd take Edwards/Anyone...

but Richardson would do. Personally, (though probably unrealistic) I'd prefer Edwards/Boxer.

[sojourner]

35. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....Yummy!!!

[Daphne08]

29. Yes! I would choose paper ballots counted in full view of

all interested parties to verify the process.

Americans have placed too much trust in the election system.

We cast our votes and then forget about 'those who count them' at the various levels.

No more!

[kentuck]

32. People vote by precincts...

and they could count by precincts... There aren't that many votes in any precinct that could not be counted by handed....screw the machines!

[Twist_U_Up]

33. National Election Day !!

this should be a day off from work Holiday. A Friday or a Monday would be nice

Hi Mr. Edwards I like your style

[Pithlet]

46. Yes

At the very least, all employees should be allowed to take the time to vote without worrying about being harassed for it.

[MelissaB]

34. Evening kick

[sojourner]

36. Another "Kick" for ya!!!

:kick:

[ultraist]

37. Check out Edwards' speech @ the Campaign for America's Future Conference

http://www.dembloggers.com/

He frames the Republican agenda well by asking, "what values does it represent when they cut support for our most needy?" "What message does that send out?" "What does that say about the values of our country?"

"How about we stand up and fight with passion for what we believe in?"

[MelissaB]

39. Thanks for the link.

I'm sending it around. :)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

40. KICK!

I love you John and Elizabeth!!

:loveya:

[ultraist]

42. John and Elizabeth are starting a video blog and book forum

On their website:
http://www.oneamericacommittee.com/

They are also doing podcasts linked at their site. Elizabeth posted recently that she was completing her treatments and she sounded great on the last podcast!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

45. Thank You

Just signed up :D

Alas, I'll settle for the blogs, I am podless, technoluddite that I am.

[ultraist]

49. Edwards discusses the importance of the internet in one of his videoblogs

On one of his videoblogs, he states that the press picks and chooses and the internet allows for an UNFILTERED message.

BTW, you don't need a pod to listen to the podcasts. If you have realplayer on your computer (download is free) you're all set!

[journalist3072]

44. My admiration for John & Elizabeth Edwards....

Just continues to grow!! They are awesome. They keep fighting to make this country better for the least among us. Way to go!!

[sellitman]

61. I agree. Edwards is still a rising Star.

After Dean was in the tank he was my second choice. I hope I have the chance to pull the lever again for him. I suspect I will.

[OzarkDem]

47. Hear! Hear!

I'm with you, John & Elizabeth!

[Melissa G]

50. Thanks for all you do MelissaB! Great post! n/t

[ailsagirl]

51. Thanks for transcribing that-- I've done it myself when I didn't

have a link but wanted to pass on what I heard. It takes a little effort but well worth it.

:hi:

[Turn CO Blue]

52. Does John Edwards have the best smile or what?

Elizabeth, sweetie, you sure did marry a cutie!

Anyway, thanks to John Edwards, the REAL Vice-President of the US, for speaking up about voting and elections today!

The rest of the speech was great too -- about our Democratic core values and convictions...some lines very reminiscent of FDR...mention of workers and poverty here and abroad.

[jus_the_facts]

58. I HEAR him...but I'll believe it when I see it.....

....and even then I'll be skeptical...I sent him several black box voting emails this time last year and got jack SQUAT back about it either....havin' blind faith in some rhetoric....can't get excited about it..been let down to damn too many times! :nopity:

[scarletlib]

60. He gave a great speech.

Really hitting on the issues of poverty and lack of opportunity.

I think he is really a true populist -- a man of the people. He clearly has not forgotten his roots. He appears to be truly compassionate.

Honestly, If he runs again and continues speaking in this way he will get my vote.

He is photogenic and just unbelievably likable and a good, compelling speaker. Just hope he isn't assasinated.

[Roland99]

62. Bravo, John!

[marions ghost]

65. Yay John

ANY politician (state or fed) who isn't concerned with fixing--really fixing--our ridiculous, corrupt, pathetic, byzantine SHAMBLES of an election system does NOT have the best interests of the American people at heart.

The more JE and other Dems confront this fundamental flaw in the system the better, and the more support they will have. Maybe after the "selection" process backfired on them, they finally got it. This is a key issue. I will not "vote" for or support anyone who has not actively worked on bringing about major election reforms.

*(right now I have to put "vote" in quotes--maybe someday we can actually think voting matters again).

[Catchawave]

66. "I choose to be inspired"

What an inspiration he is too....if you haven't already, read his book "Four Trials" :thumbsup:

There's also a group dedicated to the man and his ideals and politics at:

www.jregrassroots.org

This shameless plug brought to you by having Hope for America :hi:

[spooky3]

68. Well put, Mr. Edwards!