Saturday, October 04, 2008
A little clarity re: Michigan
From Jonathan Simon:
McCain is reported to have "conceded" Michigan, cut back his campaign there.
Here's a little historical factoid to put this in perspective: Bush did not set foot in Ohio (the critical swing state in 2004) between Oct. 3 and Oct. 31 2004. In fact, he spent an inordinate amount of that month resting up at his ranch. This was noted as "bizarre" campaigning in the MSM. Of course they let it go at that.
It's quite obvious that the reason why Bush didn't bother to campaign in the most crucial state in the country is that whoever ran his campaign schedule had a little birdie whisper in his ear as follows: "Don't worry about Ohio, pal. We'll take care of it for him."
So if anyone thinks Michigan is now in the Obama column--it ain't.
Jonathan
And...from an email I received from MERA
From Advancement Project voter protection newsletter:
Purging Practices Challenged in Federal District Court
MICHIGAN – Attorneys for Advancement Project, Pepper Hamilton LLP, and the ACLU of Michigan appeared in federal district court in Detroit Tuesday to challenge the state’s unlawful purging practices. The plaintiffs in the case — the United States Student Association Foundation and the ACLU of Michigan — have asked the court for a preliminary injunction to block the purges until the matter can be settled in federal court. The defendants are Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Michigan Bureau of Elections Director Christopher M. Thomas and Ypsilanti City Clerk Frances McMullan. Lawyers for the plaintiffs argued before U.S. District Court Judge Stephen J. Murphy III that the state is violating federal law by removing voters from the voter rolls if those voters acquire a driver’s license in another state. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 requires that voters suspected of having changed their primary residence receive notification before their voter registration is cancelled, and then be given up to two federal general election cycles to respond. The plaintiffs also claim that the NVRA prohibits Michigan’s practice of nullifying the registrations of newly registered voters whenever their voter identification cards are returned by the post office as undeliverable. Lawyers representing Land and Thomas, who rejected repeated attempts to meet with Advancement Project concerning these issues, claim that notification from a cooperating out-of-state DMV agency that a voter has obtained a driver’s license in another state constitutes the required notice from the voter that the voter no longer resides in Michigan. The state defendants also argue that Michigan’s laws requiring the rejection of voters whose original ID cards are returned do not conflict with the NVRA because the voter is not considered registered until he receives the original identification card. Lawyers for Ypsilanti Clerk McMullan claim that she is merely following state law and has no particular intention to purge voters unless required. Judge Murphy said he would try to issue a ruling as soon as possible, given the impending November 4 general election.
http://markcrispinmiller.blogspot.com/2008/10/little-clarity-re-michigan.html