BRAD BLOG: Staffer Confirms Sen. Nelson's Interest in Joining Challenge!

[BradBlog]

Senator Bill Nelson to Join Conyers' Electoral Challenge?
Staffers Express Hope That He Will!

A source in Senator Bill Nelson's office has informed The BRAD BLOG that Nelson is seriously taking a look at the issue, and is currently amidst meetings and phone calls on the very topic.

The staffer was willing to tell us off the record, in regard to whether Nelson will join the challenge, that "I am hoping that he will. And so is he...There are many of us in the office who are hoping he will do so."

FULL STORY: http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001094.htm

---
Brad Friedman
THE BRAD BLOG - The uprising continues...
http://www.BradBlog.com

[SharonRB]

1. And then there were two...

maybe!

[Freddie Stubbs]

48. Who is the other one?

:shrug:

[TexasChick]

50. I think SharonRB might be referring to this guy:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x226935

I'm not sure though.

[Freddie Stubbs]

55. He certainly sounds like a definite

[SharonRB]

58. You are correct. That's exactly who I was referring to! n/t

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. How reliable is "bradblog"?

Also, how long will the votes be delayed if a Senator challenges the EV's?

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BradBlog]

34. Nice try, Crunch...

Feel free to let us know about *any* inaccuracies we've reported so far in the Clint Curtis story.

Brad
The BRAD BLOG
http://www.BradBlog.com

[Jo March]

35. Brad, they are on to you!

You need to give up, my friend! They know that you are not reliable! "Who is this Brad guy anyway?"

LOL!

:eyes:

[Raksha]

70. Brad, take it as a compliment!

They NOTICED!!!

[BradBlog]

88. I do indeed, Raksha :-)

They've been "noticing" for a while.

We must be do something right for them to work that hard :-)

Brad
The BRAD BLOG
http://www.BradBlog.com

[SlowDownFast]

38. you are talking out of your *ss, crunch....

Bradblog has been very thorough and accurate thus far with everything. Brad has tirelessly chased down the Clint Curtis story and exposed it for what it is. He's probably the sole reason that Mr. Curtis ever even got to talk to Rep. Conyers and testify.

If you are going to spew negative assertions without backing them up, crunch, go spew them in the toilet where they belong.

I for one thank the BRADBLOG for what he has done to further investigate election fraud and expose it further.

[SicTransit]

43. Apparently not as accurate as you'd want...

Statement acquired by RAW STORY -- not posted. (http://rawstory.com )

"Senator Nelson believes valid concerns have been raised about the conduct of the election, but that no conclusive evidence has been presented to warrant overturning the results. Absent such evidence, Senator Nelson doesn't at this time feel he can support a congressional challenge.

"Meantime, he’s awaiting the findings by several government agencies that are investigating allegations of voter irregularities. And in the upcoming session of Congress, he intends to file legislation to further improve our election process."

[pacalo]

42. I bet you also think WhatsHisFace was elected, then re-elected.

:eyes:

[Name removed]

54. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[pacalo]

57. Accurate as in "Swift Boat Liars for the Truth"?

[Clark2008]

74. What got DU on the NYT "hit list" is that ...

THERE IS NO LIBERAL MEDIA.

Take that back to your Freeper friends...

[SueZhope]

3. thanks Bradblog

If this is not promising news..
I shall eat my :tinfoilhat:

When do I get to jump up and down?
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[AmerDem]

4. Thanks for the update BradBlog n/t

[Kota]

5. Thank Brad!

[Liberty Belle]

6. It says Senator Nelson is contacting Kerry.

We must urge him to contest the election regardless of whether or not Kerry wants this done. This isn't about the future of one political candidate. It's about protecting Democrats' rights to have our votes counted--not stolen through fraud sponsored by the Republicans.

BradBlog has a link to Nelson's office. You can call or e-mail. I called Nelson's office and they ask for your zip code. Note that there are Florida zip codes listed on the site.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Just one thing

this is not about democrats having a right to have their votes counted... this is NOT a partisan issue.

This is about having the votes of ALL Americans counted.

:-)

[Verve]

18. Agree! Agree! Agree! n/t

[KerryOn]

102. and to make sure that...

every American that has the right to vote, GETS TO VOTE!

[zann725]

96. I second that! It's no longer entirely about what Kerry wants...

it's about Democracy. I am an avid supporter of JK, but if he's more concerned about Democracy abroad this week than here at home, we need to take care of priorities HERE. And that means doing everything we can to see the Jan. 6 EV count is contested by at least one Senator, or more!

[corbett]

101. Nelson Campaigned For Kerry

They did several key Sunshine State events together during Campaign 2004. Nelson is a moderate who cares about his constituents. Election fraud in Florida in 2004 was different from 2000 and different from Ohio 2004 but just as bad, if not worse.

Go, Bill!

[Chimpanzee]

7. Oh, just great!

"The staffer told The BRAD BLOG that Nelson has been in communication with Sen. John Kerry, and is currently "waiting to hear back" from him. He could not, however, tell us what the results of those communication have been so far."


If Kerry talks him out of it I'm going to be really pissed off!

[Nothing Without Hope]

33. Me too, BIG TIME!!!!!

[seito]

67. Why is that the thought that "pops" into your mind

Just wondering. Has John Kerry issued a statement that he does not want the election challenged? The last I heard he was filing motions to preserve evidence and take depositions regarding possible election fraud. Did I miss something?

[Chimpanzee]

86. Nobody knows for sure what he's thinking

but Gore told people not to contest and I'm just hoping Kerry doesn't follow his lead.

[Pithy Cherub]

8. Interest first, commitment next.

Appreciate the Senators taking the issue seriously! 1/6/05...

[tx_dem41]

9. Senator Nelson is one of the more conservative senators on

the Democratic side. He is up for re-election in 2006 in Florida...a state where he will need a lot of swing and cross-over voters.

The story makes no sense to me at all.

[KoKo]

13. I don't get it either, I thought his wife was

on the Board of "The Fellowship." But, maybe it's Ben Nelson's wife, although I'm not sure he's married. :eyes:

[madfloridian]

76. No, it is Bill Nelson's wife on the board of the Fellowship.

In spite of over 2700 calls urging him not to vote for the war, his office told me he had to consider the ones who had not called. Of course she could not tell me what the uncallers said, but they had to listen anyway.

He was very much for the war. He was on committees where he should have known better, but he fell for the bit about the Iraqi drones attacking us here. Hogwash.

[KoKo]

78. Well, if it's Bill Nelson (FLA) then we shouldn't have hoped for anything.

Thanks...Geeze how many are "bought and sold." 3/4ths?

[jsascj]

82. Maybe it's time he listened to the "unvoters" as well. n/t

[AmerDem]

16. Look at it this way poster

With the current system Florida uses Nelson will be ousted by fraud just like shrub was elected in. I can't understand what part of this some of you are missing. Do you honestly think Nelson has a chance in Florida with fraudulent voting system they use? Boggles the mind.

[tx_dem41]

23. Prepare to be boggled on the night of the 6th then. n/t

[AmerDem]

56. why

just answer my question, it's simple enough. Do you honestly think Nelson we have a chance to be reelected given the fraud based e-voting system that is used through out Florida, yes or no?

[tx_dem41]

60. I know enough Floridians to know....

that he has a verrrry uphill battle in a fair fight. To go from "What a great guy!" to "He's a c*cksucker!" in 10 minutes shows me that are very few people with much touch with reality right now...which I know sounds harsh...I'm sorry. I just worry about these people come the morning of Jan. 7th.

[AmerDem]

62. nuff said

I take that as a no.

[Ryder911]

26. Agreed!

But its all speculation at this point. We don't know what members of Congress know. Maybe there is clear, undisputable evidence of election fraud?

[emlev]

41. Maybe?!

[No Exit]

20. Maybe he's up for a group effort, while

not wanting to do it alone.

Whoever said it would be best for all the democratic senators to stand, was right. That gives cover to any of them who might be weak-kneed (I'm not accusing Nelson of that), and it also gives a show of strength--something that congressional democrats BADLY need to do right now.

[Pirate Smile]

21. My thoughts exactly.

[Patsy Stone]

10. That's my boy!

Did he get my email? :)

[Jo March]

39. Your email and my fax! LOL!

I loves automated faxing thingies!

[David Dunham]

11. Guys, no Dem Senator is going to do this. Get real.

Focus on opposing SS privatization and other real issues.

[KoKo]

14. Other "real" issues? Wow...voting isn't a "real issue?"

[SueZhope]

15. you have spoken intimately with all of them and they told you that? n/t

[Dr.Phool]

22. I believe those issues start right here

With contesting the fraud.

[seito]

68. Wrong forum...I think

[AmerDem]

73. holy hell!

since when isn't a fair an honest voting system a real issue? Do you honestly expect our party to win any major seats if we continue on this path? This is beyond crazy. Either you are totally clueless to the basic issues of e-voting or you are some how hell bent on the full collapse of our party.

Lord save us!

[Dr.Phool]

17. I hope he does

The GOP is gunning for him with both barrels in '06. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain. I'll call and fax his office a few more times!

[Annus Horribilis]

19. Nelson?

He is a pretty conservative Democrat who will probably be facing a tough election in 2006. I can't see him standing up...but let's hope I'm an idiot and wrong!

[Dr.Phool]

24. Think Katharine Harris

She's probably going to run against Nelson in '06.

[peekaloo]

28. Jebthro made a public statement that Nelson was "going down"

in the next mid term.

If he doesn't challenge he sure as hell better look at his state's voting mo-cheens!

[femme.democratique]

30. All the more reason for him to expose fraud NOW...duh :-) eom

[bullimiami]

25. ive not been a huge fan of my senator nelson.

but this would make me a proud floridian.

hopefully my congressman, Meek will be in on it too.

[KaryninMiami]

71. Good point here- has anyone been in touch with Kendrick Meek since Nov?

I wonder if it might be worth a few calls to his office. He actually has quite a bit of influence I think. Perhaps we should put in a new post for Floridians to contact their congress people and ask them to help convince Nelson (whom I also have never been a big fan of). What do you think?

[Freddie Stubbs]

93. Meek seemed to think that the it was fair a few days after the election

Insiders discuss outcome of presidential vote

BY DANIEL A. RICKER

[e-mail]


U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, was licking his political wounds as head of U.S. Sen. John Kerry's Florida presidential campaign on Wednesday over lunch with friends at Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach.

The congressman had made the Kerry campaign a full-time job.

Before the election, he was confident his candidate would be successful.

''Apparently the people of the state of Florida spoke, we have to agree with that, even though we may disagree,'' Meek told the Watchdog Report.

more: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/dan_ricker/10125321.htm

He has yet to take back his words.

[bj2110]

29. I also spoke to Nelson's staff earlier today...

The guy I talked to seemed no more interested than any other Senator staffer that I talked to. I did note, though, that the staffer seemed more aware of the issue than many others. Nelson's office is definitely getting informed.

[KerryReallyWon]

31. I just spoke to Nelson's chief of staff and he said....

there original statement has not changed. It mirrors the few statements other senators and house members have made. "If they can show evidence of fraud and that the election should be challenged, we will join the challenge". So far no one has been shown any evidence. Not senator Nelson anyway.

If they had proof, probably everyone would challenge it.

I remain hopeful, that Conyers has not shown everything.

I am still wondering where the FBI is in all of this, from Florida and the Yang Corp. to Grand Rapids, MI, where they ended up tearing up computers for all kinds of fraud....Any news of this?

[tx_dem41]

37. "If they can show evidence of fraud...we will join the challenge"

That sounds like a very polite blow-off line. Those Senate staffers learn quickly.

[nashville_brook]

32. what's his website? nelson.senate.gov isn't working - eom

[KerryReallyWon]

36. Google it!!

[BradBlog]

45. Contact Info/Site for Nelson...

Phone, Fax, Email Bill Nelson via:
http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Brad
The BRAD BLOG
http://www.BradBlog.com

[Freddie Stubbs]

47. Wrong website. Try: http://billnelson.senate.gov/

He is not the only Nelson in the Senate.

[Not a Sheep]

40. Maybe once we get one Senator, more will follow. /eom

[Freddie Stubbs]

44. Nelson will not challenge the election

He is a Democrat from a red state who is up for reelection in 2006.

[beammeup]

75. Reminder: FL might have been BLUE in a fair election!!! n/t

[sabra]

46. Brad, why is RawStory reporting some different?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x227725

Thanks,
sabra

[BradBlog]

49. Speaking to them...

They were working on the story concurrently, and received a different statement from a different staffer.

Looking into their report now, and will report any mitigating or conflicting info as soon as I can confirm it.

The report, of what the staffer told me, is accurate.

Brad
The BRAD BLOG
http://www.BradBlog.com

[sabra]

52. Thanks, Brad! Keep doing your thing. n/t

[demo dutch]

51. Hope he does, but the the repugs in Florida will try to nail him!

[Freddie Stubbs]

79. He is the ONLY state-wide elected Democrat in FL

Unless he gets luck and Catherine Harris is his opponent, he is going to be in for a tough reelection in 2006.

[demo dutch]

84. Harris will inspire the voters, both those who love and hate her! But

remember she won easy when she ran for the house. Let's just hope that Nelson gets more support than Betty Castor. Graham and other dems were nowhere to be seen during her campaign. It should have been a landslide for her. Martinez was an unknown to most of the state but had the GOP machine behind him.

[Freddie Stubbs]

87. Harris' district is overwealingly Republican

Any GOPer would have been elected.

[demo dutch]

94. If she decides to run for senate against Nelson she will

have to convince the dems to vote for her as well.

[Freddie Stubbs]

95. She will have a hard time being elected to the Senate

Many people already have an impression of her, and it is not a great one.

[demo dutch]

99. Hope you're right, repugs might vote her in just because she's

their hero!

[Freddie Stubbs]

100. Bush may recruit a strong candidate

as he did last year. If he hadn't, it is likely that Castor would have beaten McCollum. Bush could appoint Harris to an ambassadorship or another position.

[demo dutch]

103. Castor ran against Martinez. A slime and former secr. of

HUD, he replaced Senator Bob Graham(D)

[Freddie Stubbs]

104. If Martinez had not run

McCollum would likely had been the GOP nominee. He would not have been as strong a candidate as Martinez, and Castor may have won.

[demo dutch]

105. You're probably right. Martinez only won because of the help

of the white house and because (sorry to say) he is hispanic. He certainly didn't win based on his resume. As far as qualifications for Senator is concerned, it's a very short one. What can I say the Florida voter isn't generally the smartest group of voters.

[Freddie Stubbs]

106. He also had geography on his side

Northern FL tends to vote Republican. Southern FL tends to vote Democratic. He is from Orlando, smack dab in the middle of the swing area of the state.

[demo dutch]

107. You're right, however Orlando area has been leaning Democratic

more and more. Mostly because of the Hispanic influence from Central America. Martinez narrowly carried his home Orange County. Castor carried all the traditional democratic areas like Broward and Palm Beach but also carried Pinellas and Hillsborough which are around Tampa. I think her biggest problem was, that she had real problems in Cubans stronghold like Miami-Dade, where Martinez’ Cuban roots helped him and she lost big in Southwest Florida and the North. There was also some swift boat type stuff going on, to do with the professor, who was being investigated for alleged terrorist links -- while she was president of the University of South Florida.

The last thing I want to say is that I was very disappointed in how little support she received from the DNC, any of the major dems for that matter.Remember the race had been too close to call throughout, and then she lost by 9000 votes!? So what do you figure? Election irregularities in the electronic voting areas? (all democratic counties by the way) Additionally the stuff (that we know about) which was uncovered in Volusia as well as in Pinellas?
Thanks Freddie it has been a pleasure

[righteous1]

53. Jeeez , the only thing worse than no information at all is incorrect

information

[LiberalHeart]

59. I just called his FL office ... Nelson WILL reconsider....

I was told that the Senator is still receiving and tallying the public's opinion. I wish my zip code had been his zip code because I think it would have carried more weight. Took a long time for the phone to be answered, couldn't even get an answer in D.C., and while I was on the line the guy had to take another call. I stressed that his stand against certification does not have to be a statement that he thinks there was vote fraud -- only that he allows for the possibility of machine and human error with the current system, and also the possibility of fraud. I stressed that we need the two-hour discussion in order to get this issue in the MSM. We need to let Senator Nelson know that there are ways to present his stand that will be supportive of voters all across American now and in the future, without making him come off as someone set on over-turning what "might" have been a fair election.

[BradBlog]

77. Yup...

A lot of calls and email from folks have been sent to Nelson's office. *Prior* to today's news.

So I can confirm that my source in Nelson's office said the same thing you've mentioned.

Which is, overall, good news I suppose.

We'll see if he (or the others) object or not! As I've reported in my UPDATE, Conyers and the Judiciary Office intend to give Senators *much* to look at and think about (hopefully) tomorrow.

Brad
The BRAD BLOG
http://www.BradBlog.com

[Vinnie From Indy]

61. Are We Alwyas Supposed to Refer To The Brad Blog in the 3rd Person?

Just curious. Can we call you Brad or is it essential that we address you as "The Brad Blog"? It is kind of cool to say "The BradBlog" all the time. It is like "The Borg" or like "Jimmy" on that Seinfeld episode where he goes around referring to himself in the third person. Hey! It is kind of like Bob Dole. "Come over here girls, Bob Dole's got a rocket in his pocket!"

[troubleinwinter]

63. His post is signed in his name, Brad Friedman.

Presumably, you may call him Brad.

Obviously, he is directing readers to BradBlog for the complete article.

"Just curious."???

[merh]

64. Thanks Brad!

:thumbsup:

[righteous1]

65. Pulled? n/t

[Debbie13]

66. I just emailed him hoping he would get into the fight for Ohio & Florida

[BradBlog]

69. BRAD BLOG: UPDATE to STORY with info from NELSON office & JUDICIARY COMM!

UPDATED INFO IS IN SAME PLACE AS ORIGINAL STORY:
http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001094.htm

Brad
The BRAD BLOG
http://www.BradBlog.com

[Laurab]

72. I still don't think anyone is going to commit prior to Jan 6

I think these "hints" are good because it shows that they are, indeed, aware of the election fraud. I just don't think anyone is going to go public prior to their actual "stand" (or non stand), on the issue, and really, I don't think they should. I like the thought of the element of surprise, and I believe they WILL stand - I just don't think we're going to know ahead of time.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

80. I just put his feet to the fire a bit...

I emailed Bill Nelson (my senator) and reminded him of his speeches that I attended on the campaign trail with Kerry and Edwards last summer where he criticized the disenfrancisement of thousands of his constituents in the 2000 election, and promised that this would not repeat in the future. So I told him that I expected him to make good on this promise because I didn't want to think that his words were just lip service.

[ClassWarrior]

83. Nice job, tin... And welcome to DU!

:hi:

NGU.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

85. TY!

If only it would make a difference. :)

[jsascj]

81. What the?

I just read that he is NOT going to stand up.

Too much information and misinformation out there for one like me who stays confused much of the time anyway.

Guess I'll just wait until Jan 6th.

[regularjoe]

89. The staffer was willing to tell us OFF THE RECORD?

What is the difference between off the record and on the record if the "off" stuff is still reported?

[Freddie Stubbs]

90. Didn't want to catch hell from her boss

[BradBlog]

98. Off the record means...

...Quote me if you want. But don't identify who I am precisely.

If that makes sense.

Brad
The BRAD BLOG
http://www.BradBlog.com

[steve2470]

91. I live in Florida and I think if Nelson votes against the cert., that ..

political homicide will be committed against him in this state. I don't know that Bill is that courageous. Maybe I am wrong.

[steve2470]

92. I just emailed Bill's office. I believe my dad knows him, so maybe

my email will do some good. Here's hoping.... :-)

[keepthemhonest]

97. thanks bradblog

for bringing the info toour doorstep. Much appreciated.

[Turn CO Blue]

108. I am actually beginning to get a little excited here...

Trying to keep my emot i o n s in cheeeccckkkkk!
Er. Ah. Uh.

ooohh, noooo. Uh,oh.

Yeeeehaaaaw!