New Kerry PAC to Focus on Voter Disenfranchisement and More

[kerrygoddess]

I get that there are a lot (putting it mildly) of naysayers around here... for the benefit of those who still wish to support John Kerry and work with him on this issue... here's the latest news:

The Boston Globe notes in tomorrow’s edition that the new Kerry PAC formed after the election will be focusing on voter disenfranchisement and more. Last Wednesday I reported here on LUTD, that some recent changes had been made to the Kerry website.

From the tomorrow’s Boston Globe:

Without offering details, Kerry aides said yesterday that the senator plans to file legislation to correct some of the election problems that occurred in 2000 and 2004. Aides also said that a political action committee he started after the election -- a committee that could lay the groundwork for a second presidential campaign in 2008 -- would also be dedicated to preventing disenfranchisement.

After the disputed vote in Florida in 2000, Congress approved the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and authorized $4 billion so that states could create central computerized voter lists and update voting systems by 2006. But many states have not yet made improvements, and two federal agencies are planning inquiries to look into problems that plagued both old and new systems last November.

From JohnKerry.com:

With your support, johnkerry.com is fighting for a national standard for federal elections that has both transparency and accountability in our voting system. It's unacceptable in the United States that people still don't have full confidence in the integrity of the voting process. I ask you to join me in this cause -- and in working to make our voices heard on the most critical issues of 2005.

I understand the strength, commitment, and passion that are at the core of what we built together -- and I am determined to make our collective energy and organization a force to be reckoned with in the weeks and months ahead. Let's roll up our sleeves and get back to work for our country.

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=241

[purduejake]

1. You can fight for it all you want...

But you have to have the power to actually accomplish anything. He had the power to demand an investigation and create a lot of attention to this issue, but he didn't. Now it will go unnoticed AGAIN. This has happened what... 3 TIMES now?!?

[kerrygoddess]

6. How many people have told you

How many people have told you over the past few weeks that the day after the election the margin was to large and there was nothing substantial to be demanding anything about?

Now there have been investigations, some are ongoing, attention has been garnered and it does not look like John Kerry crying poor me.

Why is this so hard for some people to understand?

He's got more power and more clout on this now because the investigations by others and his lawyers have come up with something.
Boxer, Kennedy, Conyers, Tubbs-Jones and others are on this now as well.

However this is not going to change overnight and as much as we would all like, the damn election is not going to be overturned.

[purduejake]

25. Tell me who knows about these investigations...

Or takes them seriously other than activists? If Kerry would have demanded that EVERY vote would have been counted like he promised, I guarantee you that there would be a nationwide FIGHT and it would draw a LOT of attention to the issue.

I was in DC on the 6th, so I don't think I have any trouble understanding the importance of what OTHER people have been doing... you know, the ones who probably care more about what is right than getting re-elected.... the kind who deserve my vote, which I don't think is Kerry next time around.

It certainly would have been nice if Kerry fought what we all knew happened from the beginning so that it would NOT have to be overturned at all. The right man could have been elected if an investigation was done in the first place instead of after the re-coronation.

[angrydemocrat]

79. KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

[purduejake]

94. Yea, I was cheering for him then, too.

Little good that did.

[angrydemocrat]

98. KERRY! KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

http://209.150.59.148:8080/dontphoto/young/image/image11.jpg

[Leilani]

2. Don't tell me...

He's raising more money?

[LittleClarkie]

4. I wonder if it will be like Boxer's PAC

or like Citizen Soldier, his first pre-2004 prez PAC.

Perhaps a bit of both.

[Maat]

10. I was thinking that too, Little Clarkie.

Boxer's PAC seems to be quite effective. She's got a group (of which I am a part) that stands ready to sign petitions, e-mail, and direct resources to her causes (with which I agree 99% of the time).

[LittleClarkie]

16. So, is it the Kerry PAC that asked us to email the majority leaders?

And donate to the troops.

And sign his children's health care petition?

Was that the PAC's beginnings. Sure sounds like it, if you compare to Boxer.

I wish it would get it's own website, so we could identify it.

[kerrygoddess]

18. I believe so ...

Johnkerry.com works fine for me! Hopefully we will have more news soon.

[Liberty Belle]

23. I'd give to Boxer instead. She has election reform bills, too.

Work with her to fine-tune them if needed, but in my view, she's earned our trust--while Kerry has lost it.

[kerrygoddess]

27. There will be more than one bill sponsored on the floor

One would think it would be about who has the best plan and can get it passed.

[Liberty Belle]

50. True. What group do you trust to analyze and recommend

which bill(s) we should get behind? There ar so many now.

[LittleClarkie]

28. It's not a race

I don't care who comes up with it, as long as it gets done.

And from me, Kerry has lost nothing yet.

[electropop]

43. Boxer has my vote for pres

if she runs. Kerry told me he doesn't care about my vote when he ran and hid in Iraq on Jan 6th, while I stood outside the Capitol that cold misty day.

[bunny planet]

44. Iraq, what a great place to HIDE.

:wtf:

[electropop]

45. Kerry's not afraid of bullets, his war record shows that.

But he is mortally afraid of being called names by the GOP.

[bunny planet]

52. Bullshit!

[loudsue]

118. Thank you, bunny planet!! I'm sick of these ........people

That come around here trying to throw a wet rag on anything positive getting done.

You'd think people could put them on "ignore" more often.

They're doing nothing but trying to depress DU activists and activism, and it STINKS!!!

:kick::kick::kick:

[angrydemocrat]

99. KERRY! KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

[bunny planet]

121. great pic Angrydem, thank you for posting it.

[livvy]

107. Why, you mean that's not the first place you would think of to hide?

When someone wanted to play hide and seek the other day, why the first place I thought of to hide was Iraq! ;)



The only people who are hiding anything or hiding anywhere is that malevolent chimp and his beastly troop!

Why is this such a hard concept for some to get?
Kerry=good guy
*=very, very bad guy

Bunny, I know you get this. I get this. How come we can't get everyone else to get this?:toast: A toast to those of us that do get it!!

[bunny planet]

122. Cheers!

:toast:

[KittyWampus]

47. Speak For Yourself. Kerry Never Lost My Trust. It's Many DU'ers Who've

damaged their credibility.

[ginnyinWI]

54. I've never lost faith in him either

He told us he'll still have our backs. I believe he tells the truth.

I predict that he does more than any other individual in government will to get election reform.

[angrydemocrat]

63. Faithful Kerry Supporter HERE

KERRY KERRY KERRY KERRY!!!!!!:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[KerryReallyWon]

73. Me Too!! He's the Prez

:shrug:

[Liberty Belle]

22. He won't get a nickel from me.

Whatever happened to all the money he raised for his legal fund? Seeing as he had the Greens and Libs foot the court costs, he should have plenty of my money and others left over.

[jmknapp]

34. Greens elected Bush in 2000

I wouldn't hold them up as a solution.

They (and Nadir) deserve shame for all time for that.

[merh]

39. Maybe Greens & Libs feel guilty, instead of working for

a candidate that could possibly beat the weed, they worked against the candidate and ran against him, thus they hindered the efforts to dethrone the weed and in turn harmed our nation. Guilt is a funny thing.

:shrug:

[ginnyinWI]

55. here's whatever happened to the money

The new PAC, "Friends of John Kerry, Inc." will be tackling election reform and the money will give it a start. Our money which will be put to the uses we want it to--election reform! I think it's brilliant.

[angrydemocrat]

100. KERRY! KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

He will get plenty of money from me and his other supporters so I'm sure your nickle won't be missed to bad. Thanks anyway.

[alittlelark]

3. Skull and Bones........

I will not give a rats ass until he does a BCCI or I/C exposure. Until then... let him whistle Dixie, or whatever the frack he wants

[kerrygoddess]

8. Maybe he will...

Until then you should try whistling "Till The Saints" or something with a nice soothing melody for your bad attitude!

[LittleClarkie]

19. S and B is B and S

I don't expect him to do the BCCI thing in a vacuum. I won't make his job harder with negativity.

Of course, feeling as I do, he'd probably have to grill puppies on a hybatchi and invite the DLC over for a barbeque before I'd stop supporting him.

Payment will have to wait though. Through theft and one drunken incident where I left my purse in a bar, I'm out 200 dollars. I wanted to answer the Carville call and join the Dem Party by Jan. 20th, but alas.

[merh]

42. Don't sell those memberships to fraternities and organizations short.

I was a member of the Brownies and I remember everyone in my troop and I would sell my soul if it meant helping one of them. "there is something in my pocket, it belongs accross my face, I keep it very close to me, in a most convenient place". :evilgrin:

Wait a minute, I almost forgot, I stopped going to Brownies because the troop leaders lied to us about day camp. They didn't take us to day camp like they had promised and I had made my newspaper packed vinyl pillow to use at camp. But then again, I must have been wise beyond my years to recognize that belonging to an organization or club did not necessarily mean that I shared the values of the club and its leadership. :shrug:

[angrydemocrat]

101. KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

"Whistle while you work John or whatever the frack these people want. You know you have to meet their demands. Didn't you know they know more than you thats why you are there out working to making a difference and they are behind a computer passing judgment on others. So whistle loud John or whatever the frack they want."

[Timebound]

5. People are fickle.

So, to all the naysayers, what are YOU doing to help change things?

Give Kerry a break. He's trying to change things.

[Senior citizen]

7. And he needs my money.

I think I've heard this before.

[kerrygoddess]

9. Don't you worry...

Don't you worry... there are plenty who will be happy to give!

Word is Kerry's top fundraisers have not backed off like Gore's did.

[fearnobush]

29. WE are his freaking fund raisers!!! We raised over 100 mil for him,

from online contribs etc. How much did GORE get in 2000 from his so called fundraisers... 60mil total. We here at DU alone could raise half of that alone.

The problem the naysayers have... likely 1/2 or more of DU, is not that we don't like him, we love him, the problem is HE SURRENDERED and did not watch our backs. He's lost many a trust and now has been unfortunately lumped in to that growing catagory of spineless Dems that DO NOT FIGHT anymore.

[bunny planet]

46. Exactly.

[LittleClarkie]

11. Too little too late blah da blah da blah da

No matter what he says or what he does, someone will say:
"Too little too late"

"He had his chance"

"He is dead too me"

"I don't care -- that's why I always answer these kinds of posts by the way, because i don't care. Every day, I want you to know just how much I don't care. I just don't care at all. Did I tell you I didn't care? Well, I don't... still not caring.... nope, not now either... by the way, I think I will go start my own thread about how much I just. don't. care."

I'm not annoyed. Nosiree. If I see that Kerry is working toward what he said he would work for, then I will be supportive. He has already made moves to be involved. Not spectacularly, but still, he's been around when he didn't have to be.

If he works for change, I will do what I can to help. I am on Democratic Party Back Watch, after all (salute).

[ginnyinWI]

56. and I am too--

I'm on the Kerry Back Watch subcommittee of that committee! :)

[corbett]

72. Member At Large

Salute

[Laurab]

89. I'm a member I mean I want to be

I hope I am, I want to be, can I, can I? I swear I'm watching ALL their backs to the best of my ability. This is my solemn oath: "Kerry has not yet offended me, nor has any other democrat, well, wait, there were one or two, but none that are going to be out there fighting for us. I will stand behind any dem who is going to fight to get our country back. I will sign any petition, send money on occasion, email my thanks if they behave, and most of all, I promise not to bash a single dem who is fighting the good fight."

[rodeodance]

14. I agree, give Kerry a break--He is trying-which is more than I can

say for many Senators!! Dem or otherwise.

[mousie]

40. Kerry is a GREAT man...

I'm really sad about this Kerry bashing now... no matter what Kerry did he would have been bashed by someone I suppose...he was in a pretty tough situation! ... but it's a shame to see his supporters turn on him like this. I guess they're just workin' out their frustrations, but enough already. Kerry doesn't deserve this! Kerry unfortunately knew (better than the rest of us) that we did not have enough evidence/proof to stop bush from being re-elected yet, but he did the best he could under the circumstances, and he IS going to fight to change our election process, not to mention so many other good things. Kerry IS still on our side. Don't prove yourselves to just be "fair weather friends" of his. Do you ever try to imagine being in his shoes??? I still say we could not find a finer man than John Kerry. Please don't take your frustrations out on him. If it were possible, I'm sure he would have changed the outcome... but it simply wasn't, and it simply isn't HIS fault either.

[babylonsister]

12. My, I love Kerry lots but I do agree with us all that gave

to his election and legitimacy and were ignored. I'm of more than one opinion, but when I see him, it sure is nice to see a man who is intelligent! It's so refreshing!

[kerrygoddess]

17. His intelligence is big plus...

We weren't ignored however.

[driver8]

37. My sentiments exactly...

I still think that Kerry would (will) make a hell of a president, but he didn't have "our backs" when it really counted and when he could have made a huge impact. Right now, I'm at the "fool me once..." stage in my thinking. I'm hoping I "won't get fooled again".

[merh]

41. You are so right, he did jack shit with that money we sent him and

helped him raise during the campaign. What a f*ckin' waste. He didn't even campaign and we all know he lost, so f*ck him! {{{ Fake Rant }}}

Give me a break for God's sake! :nopity:

The problem with our party is we eat our own. I am no cannibal, I support Kerry and I know he has my back, and even if he doesn't, I still have his.

[ginnyinWI]

66. that was so good I almost believed you, merh! n/t

[merh]

67. Gee thanks.

{{{ curtsy }}} :hi: How have you been?

[WildEyedLiberal]

13. Is there a website for the PAC?

I wanna join.

[kerrygoddess]

15. Looks like they will be using JohnKerry.com

[GetTheRightVote]

20. I lost my faith in Sen John Kerry along with many not because of who he is

but for better reasons then just one person. I believe with all my heart what my country represents should be displayed in her leaders, JF being one of them. When our Democracy fails or is stolen from us it must be defended by all who see it happen be it, you, myself, or our elected representatives. This opportunity appeared to be slipping away on us until we the people stood up and said no to everyone. That is everyone, Republicans, Democrats, and all the right wingers who would take what is ours away from us in the shadows of the night.

We told them all to hold on one moment, we smell a rat on this sinking ship and we demand a stop to it all. You will not take what is mine from me without a fight. Now I feel more American then I have ever felt in my life. I am alive with Democracy running thru my blood and I know that as long as you and I live this country is safe because we will fight for her when all others fail us.

Though I to was very angry with JF and will be watching him to improve over the next few weeks and months because I am sure this man wanted to be President perhaps too much to the point he even questioned what was happening in this country. WE THE PEOPLE are becoming reborn, slowly but surely we are awakening to the dangers which our country faces and we want badly to protect her and to hold on to her. I feel a bond which strengthens every day more so then the day before with those who will stand up with me to claim their rights as citizens.

It warms my heart to see the actions and to read the words of fellow patriotics so I will allow JF to stand up now and have his say. It is better then the other option with Mr. * who will not even admit that he made a mistake, it takes strength to stand up after making a mistake. Remember this, Sen Barbara Boxer stated that she felt badly about not standing up for the stolen election of 2000 yet this year she stood up to defend Democracy and has made up for her previous mistake. She is forgiven, can we not now extend the same thoughts to JF and give him his day as well to be forgiven or are we not the Americans we represent ourselves to be ? We must stand together as one force against those who would destory us.

:kick:

[super simian]

21. Very well spoken!

This comes straight from the heart.
:kick:

[Old and In the Way]

24. Thank you....well said.

I'm behind JK all the way. This race ain't over.......

[Senior citizen]

51. When did Kerry admit his mistakes, apogize, and

stand up and do the right thing?

He knew the electoral count was coming, but he wasn't with Boxer when we could have used another Senator. Leaving Boxer out there alone was cowardice.

[angrydemocrat]

102. KERRY! KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

http://209.150.59.148:8080/dontphoto/clendenin/image/image5.jpg

[super simian]

26. OK kerrygoddess...

...that is quite a handle. What does it mean to be a kerrygoddess? Would I be risking a lightning bolt if I dared to criticize him?

Well, I won't. Kerry is a brilliant man and would have been a great president, I am sure of that. He was elected, I prayed that he would be elected, but forgot to pray that they would count the votes. Joke's on me, kerrygoddess! I have never Kerry-bashed, since I want to take responsibility for my own choices. I chose to support him, and I supported him. And I forgot to pray that they would count the votes.

And now I still support him, but I support him to join the Al Gore Club. Al Gore was a man who I had 100% faith in. To me, he had all the right values and he was smart and experienced and he cared about all of the things that I care about. And he was elected. We all know that he was elected. And then what did he do? Did he stand up and fight? No. He dropped out of politics and came around like a long weekend to really cheer me up with great speeches every now and then.

So Kerry didn't lose, but he lost because the Democrats didn't even have enough clout to INTRODUCE legislation that would give us a verifiable vote count. During the past two months I have understood him keeping a low profile, I don't think he really had much choice. But I did NOT understand him coming out and saying that his army of lawyers had not found enough evidence to point to a rigged election. I know these were not his exact words, but I felt his message that came out just before the electoral votes were counted UNDERMINED the fight against this stolen election. It was the first time I really wondered if people were right when they said that Kerry was all about covering his ass and keeping his eye on 2008.

The democrats still don't have any clout, so what has changed? What am I supposed to believe in this time around? What legislation are they going to introduce that the repug controlled senate will pay any attention to? Give me a break! Is the media going to jump on board and help us wake America up?

So that's why I support John Kerry to join the Al Gore Club and, unless I see him stand up and fight for his stolen presidency, that's all I'm ever going to support him for. If he had to maintain a low profile, fine. I give him credit for that. But the time is fast approaching that he will have to speak up loud and clear, or forever hold his peace.

:think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think: :think:

[kerrygoddess]

61. It's a long story...

"...that is quite a handle. What does it mean to be a kerrygoddess?"

It's a long story that has to do with my business name, my email address and my early involvement with the Kerry campaign.

You are of course entitled to your opinion. Personally I will continue to support John Kerry.

[super simian]

76. Thanks for the entitlement!

You are of course entitled to your opinions also!

Just curious... what are you supporting John Kerry FOR? Senate 2006? Well, I can't vote in Massachusetts, so count me irrelevant to John Kerry's future.

[kerrygoddess]

95. You don't neccessarily have to be

You don't neccessarily have to be a constituent to support a politician's work in office.

Kerry is up for re-election in the Senate in '08. If he runs for president again, he will have my full support.

[super simian]

97. I'm glad you support Kerry

And I think he did a great job in the Rice hearings, although I have to say that the big prize goes to Barbara Boxer.

Just a tip that you should be a little patient with people like me who are still angry over the results of the stolen 2004 election. Some people on this forum, I don't include you, but some Kerry fans are being IMHO a bit heavy-handed and are alienating people who just need time to adjust and focus our energies towards how to move forward into the future. It's a period of adjustment and transition and not time to draw lines in the sand about whether we are with JK or against him. No one can force that adjustment on anyone else, we all have to find our own way.

I was on Daily Kos a lot after the election and must have written at least 50 posts in defense of John Kerry, but I always included a disclaimer to let people be angry and vent a little since it is natural for us less-than-perfect humans to need to let off some steam now and then. It is a very unnatural and unbalanced situation and I think it is only fair to give people time, to let them find their balance and to be understanding that there are strong feelings involved since * is such a walking disaster and there is so much at stake for everyone on this planet.

Just a top for whatever it's worth!

Good luck with your work. :hi:

[angrydemocrat]

113. There are many many Kerry supporters. And very proud to be!

KERRY! KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

http://209.150.59.148:8080/dontphoto/lane/image/image5.jpg

[super simian]

119. That's great...

...that you are such a Kerry cheerleader, but miss your response to the "nuances" of what I was trying to communicate in my post. I am just not a cheerleader-type of personality, not a sports spectator either, and don't subscribe to the cheerleader level of involvement in politics. I'm just a responsible citizen with a healthy conscience. Hope that's relevant to you, but if not then okay by me. A healthy conscience is always good company!

[juajen]

30. I will still support John Kerry. He has courage and dignity

and only did what had to be done. He was and is a wonderful candidate. Do you think John Edwards will be in the race? Interesting! They were a great team. BTW, I will still also support Clark Dean and Kucinich in whatever they do. We have some wonderful democrats and we all need to support them.

[garybeck]

62. too bad he didn't use his courage and integrity in the last 2 months nt

[angrydemocrat]

103. KERRY! KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

[cornermouse]

31. Sorry, but at this point in time, he's going to have to prove

himself and his worth. For now, he's put himself in the "people change over time" category.

[Alizaryn]

32. Listen.....

I was disappointed and...well yeah angry, at least a few different times when Kerry did not react as I thought he should to help get "every vote counted". I even wrote him a couple of letters communicating how strongly I felt that he and the Democratic party were letting us all down.

Then I got thinking.....

1.) Rule number one in life...Things are not always what they seem.

2.) The ghost theory .... What if Kerry came out bitching up a storm from jump street, the media got on board and the Republicans began their spin, (they HAD to have had one prepared) and the "hard" evidence remained as it does now. Not only would the Republicans have spun him and the Democrats into being poor losers and wrong the WHOLE ELECTION FRAUD ISSUE would have been manipulated into oblivion along with the charges. With Kerry remaining outside the fringe, he became a ghost, who did they have to shoot at? Just us "conspiracy theorists", they could not shoot at Kerry along with the whole election issue because they would look silly shooting at a ghost.

3.) Grey vs black&white .... One of the attributes that Kerry possesses above all others and makes me see the possibilities of a truly great leader is his ability to see things as Grey, which many misinterpret as being indecisive. I see it as being a wise man who has learned through life and experiences that things are truly not always what they seem. Issues have many sides that overlap and only the most honest,clear, vision will lead to an honest, clear resolution. Grey = Wisdom

4.) Taking on the system ... Since standing up for what he believed in regards to the Vietnam War to Iran-Contra he has been clear headed enough to realize that to win the war you need to win the RIGHT battles. Perhaps he has the information we do not and therefore the ability to see what we cannot that this battle would have to wait and be fought in the Senate, for his part. Encouraging us and the others involved to do what they could, in their ways for their part.

Yeah, I was mad at him. Disappointed, disgusted and hurt.....................But, then I got thinking.

In any event, we all have to stay united while we continue to fight in our own individual ways.

[Laurab]

90. Very well said, thanks

if more people would take the time to think about what could/would have happened it would be a wonderful thing. Had Kerry done what they seem to have wanted him to do, I think it would have been very damaging, not only to him, but to the whole party. Not that it SHOULD have been damaging, but in the right-wing-controlled media spin world, it would have been.

Thinking is almost always a good thing, unless you're GWshrub or someone like that.

[livvy]

109. Nice post, Alizaryn!

It was the grey in him that I liked also. * is so black and white.

[Alizaryn]

111. Thanks laurab and livvy, Its comforting to see that I am

not over rationalizing things and others see them this way too!

[Vektor]

33. Thanks, KG -

This is great news. Please disregard the whining. I hope you will continue to report these stories, as many of us want to hear them, and still support Kerry wholeheartedly.

Others will never be happy.

:nopity:

[kerrygoddess]

36. Nice violin Vector! LOL!

If there's JK news I'll continue to share it... it's force of habit!

[Vektor]

87. No problem -

I'm always happy to hear about our guy. :-)

[meganmonkey]

35. Thanks for posting this

I really just wish we could all look at this kind of news as a Senator who is supporting the cause and keeping it on the front burner, instead of a debate about Kerry's integrity.

Remember folks - if any other Senator did this, we would be posting email addresses and fax numbers and phone numbers so we could thank them. We would be encouraging them to keep it up.

edit for spelling

[Coexist]

38. I am willing to see how this goes -

there would have been no Iran-Contra issue without him.

[Bill Bored]

48. PAC huh?

So will it be funded by the $50 million they already collected for the GELAC fund, or are they asking for more money?

[kerrygoddess]

49. Wow are misinformed or what!

[Bill Bored]

53. What...I think.

I'm still waiting for them to count all the votes in Ohio.
What's up with THAT?

BTW, I'm not a major Kerry basher, so if you have something to say, say it. Where's the $50 mil. and why haven't they counted all the votes in OH YET? We need a PAC for that?

[TayTay]

59. You mean the $7 million

There was no $50 million. There is $7 million left over. This goes into the PAC and is earmarked for voter education drives to get reform.

[Bill Bored]

74. The $7 mil was campaign money. The $52 mil was GELAC money.

So where is it and why haven't we counted all the votes in Ohio yet?
I mean, that's over $10 per vote man! How am I misinformed?
That's all I'm askin' here people. (You too, goddess.)

[kerrygoddess]

80. Wrong

The GELAC Fund as of 12/02/04 was at $7,344,285 - http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?_24981710001+0

Knock yourself out looking through the FEC reports for info -
http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/?_04+P80000235

[Bill Bored]

85. OK, so where did the rumor about the $52 mil. come from?

It has been repeated everywhere, even on Air America I think. Was this a different fund or is it totally bogus? Thanks for posting this.

I still think the votes in Ohio need to be counted though.

[kerrygoddess]

88. I don't know

I don't know where it came from... right wing slime maybe?

[angrydemocrat]

106. KERRY! KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

http://209.150.59.148:8080/dontphoto/herbert/image/image15.jpg

[Klimmer]

115. I support Kerry, signed his petition, now I need a Beer!

Angrydemocrat,

Thanks for posting these great pictures of John.

I would like nothing more than to sit down and talk and swill a beer with JFK. He is hard at work. He knows this election was stolen, he just can't come out say it without proof that a prosecutor would need. In time I believe we will have this proof. He's got our backs, we better have his.

Sure all of us would have liked for things to be different, but with the Repugs having all the advantage and now rigged elections, the only way to fight them is with smarts. And John has plenty of that!

Let's do the work that needs to be done and support one another. Every soldier is needed.

Now about that beer . . .:toast:

[garybeck]

57. great, he wants more of our money

we need a real leader not a wimp who just wants our money

[merh]

58. You call him a wimp, but all you do is whine. I find that odd.

Whatcha doing, other than using your computer to fight the fraud?

[garybeck]

60. excuse me???

What the heck are you talking about? I've been doing everything I can to fight fraud. I've been sleeping 2 hours a night to run one of the most used websites on election fraud there is. I've been running an email network, getting people to act,spending my own money, driving to my state capital to protest, contacting my legislators. What else would you like me to do?

I don't have to defend myself. I know, and most of the other people reading this know, that I'm doing my share...

Kerry on the other hand did basically nothing. Millions of people worked their asses off for months to get him elected and he won and he just let them steal it.

Even today, he still just talks about disenfranchisement and not the real problem - the electronic voting machines.

I'll say it again - he's a wimp.

And you should think twice before you go criticizing others on this board for not doing enough.

[angrydemocrat]

81. KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

[angrydemocrat]

108. KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

http://209.150.59.148:8080/dontphoto/gunther/image/image19.jpg

I have agree with you John some people memories are that short. So short in fact they forget what a real leader is and believe and speak repuke talking points.

[kerrygoddess]

64. New Petition on JohnKerry.com

Looks like Kerry's PAC is starting to move forward with actions:

Mr. President, Stop Rewarding Incompetence

Fresh from the Daou Report comes word of a new petition at JohnKerry.com urging Bush to replace Rumsfeld.

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=243

[McCamy Taylor]

65. Divide and Conquer is a GOP Game. Solidarity Should be Our Moto!

[kitkat65]

68. jee-ZUS! Can we cut the Kerry bashing already?

You are totally putting the blame of your frustration on the wrong target.

Kerry did not steal the election, Bush and his minions did.

Kerry did not have secretaries of states muddying the waters to cover up fraud, Bush and his minions did.

Kerry did not divide this country by using hatred towards gays to rally a base, Bush and his minions did.

After election day, there was not a large enough margin to avoid conceding. And his concession speech did NOT show a man happy about losing.

And once the possibility of fraud was showing, Kerry backed the Green and Libs with money to investigate. And NOBODY has been able to substantiate that fruad really happened beyond a reasonable doubt. There are the pieces, but not the whole puzzle which leaves him with bupkis.

Kerry did not hinder the Ohio investigation, Blackwell did.

You know the MSM would have a had a field day with Kerry's credibility had he cried foul over the election results without proof AND THERE'S STILL NO SMOKING GUN, SO WTF?

In case you didn't notice, this country was BITTERLY divided up to AND after the election because of the whole morals thing, and, oh yeah, don't forget there's a war on. Do you really want a country fighting from the inside when we are having our service men and women slaughtered overseas? "LOOKATME, I'm Amerika! I'm a big dumb evil empire bringing you Duh-mocracy and we can't even run fair elections. Doh!" Even I can see how even the slightest perception of voter fraud here in the states would have given the insurgents a stronger rationale to instigate more violence towards our soldiers. For all we know, he kept low key about the election because he didn't want to put our soldiers in more harm's way than they already are.

Right now John Kerry has all the credibility he needs to go for election reform. Try considering all that has been learned from people looking at the election issues and how they affected turn out, numbers, statistics, etc.

If Kerry still has the numbers that we believe he had on election day, he has an excellent chance of rallying enough public interest about election reform in order to never let it happen again.

And he still has the credibility to go after the Bush regime with both arms swinging. Watch the Condi hearing. Maybe it'll make you think twice, maybe it won't.

But, if you want to switch horses midstream and shoot it in the head out of spite, so be it. Just realize that there's more to this whole thing than the promise to "count every vote." Oh, yeah, Blackwell wouldn't let anybody do that either.

Peace. No really, peace.
:pals:

[garybeck]

69. Kerry bashers are not blaming Kerry for stealing the election

they (we) are blaming him for doing nothing to try to stop it from being stolen.

for that, we have a right to point the finger.

[kitkat65]

70. Then tell us what steps you can take to unsteal

something? The burden of proof lies in the prosecutor's hands not the defendent's.

[garybeck]

71. OK very well, since you ask

He could have

1) talked about the problems before the election. Diebold and ESS have been around for at least two years. He could have raised awareness and prepared people for the inevitable before the election took place. he could have started this "PAC" a year ago. election problems should have been a campaign issue.

2) he could have shortcircuited the lack of media attention on the problems with the election by speaking publically about it.

3) He could have demanded that the complete exit polls be released (they still haven't)

4) He could have contested Ohio, not only because of well documented voter disenfranchisement but also because the recount was done illegally

5) He could have called for a recount in NM

I could go on.

he did nada and he deserves our criticism.

[kitkat65]

75. Well, there's criticism and then there's character bashing.

"Kerry told me he doesn't care about my vote when he ran and hid in Iraq on Jan 6th, while I stood outside the Capitol that cold misty day."

"But he is mortally afraid of being called names by the GOP."

"Leaving Boxer out there alone was cowardice."

"we need a real leader not a wimp who just wants our money"

Criticsm or bashing? Hmm.

Obviously he has not taken the steps that you mandate:

1) talked about the problems before the election. Diebold and ESS have been around for at least two years. He could have raised awareness and prepared people for the inevitable before the election took place. he could have started this "PAC" a year ago. election problems should have been a campaign issue.

Yup, that would have made a great slogan. KERRY/EDWARDS If we don't win it's because of the machines!

2) he could have shortcircuited the lack of media attention on the problems with the election by speaking publically about it.

Are we talking about the same media that gets all giddy over a stained blue dress when it involves a democratic president than absolute lies and incompetence from a republican one? Two words: deaf ears. That and the misperception of sour grapes.

3) He could have demanded that the complete exit polls be released (they still haven't)

Given enough spin, they wouldn't have proved a thing.

4) He could have contested Ohio, not only because of well documented voter disenfranchisement but also because the recount was done illegally

He didn't demand the recount, the greens and libs did. How can he claim foul about a recount when he didn't take part in that recount?

5) He could have called for a recount in NM

Because of suspected fraud? For a whole whopping total of 5 electoral votes?

Just because he didn't follow the path you would have him take does not make him weak, greedy, or cowardly which is what the Kerry bashers are saying. We have yet to learn his motives and in this political climate it would be a dumbass who shows his cards early.

I applaud you for your efforts to educate the masses about the problems with voting machines - it's very noble on your part. But to pooh-pooh a man who is gearing up to take on the same cause as you because he didn't play the part well enough seems like a self-defeatist move and I don't understand it.

[Bill Bored]

77. Well nobody answered post #s 48, 53 or 74, at least not correctly

as far as I can tell, so I think those particular points are still valid. And I still don't consider myself a Kerry basher.

[kerrygoddess]

83. See Post #80

[garybeck]

78. wake up my friend

you said:
Criticsm or bashing? Hmm.

Call it what you want... Our nation is in crisis. What amounts to a coup just occurred. Kerry failed miserably at even raising awareness about this. He should have used the opportunity to raise awareness. Instead he allowed the corporate media to cover up the biggest crime in the history of our country.

---

You said:
Are we talking about the same media that gets all giddy over a stained blue dress when it involves a democratic president than absolute lies and incompetence from a republican one? Two words: deaf ears. That and the misperception of sour grapes.

We are talking about the media that owns the exit polls and refuses to release them. When I said short circuit the media, I mean bypass it. I mean getting on TV and demanding that the exit polls be released.

----

you said:
He didn't demand the recount in Ohio, the greens and libs did. How can he claim foul about a recount when he didn't take part in that recount?

Actually that's exactly what he did do. You should read the news. His lawyers finally jumped in when a Triad employee broke the law by tampering several vote counting machines. It doesn't matter that the greens asked for the recount. He should have also anyway. You don't see Cobb turning his back on the facts just because he's worried about the political fallout do you?

------------------


you said:

NM--Because of suspected fraud? For a whole whopping total of 5 electoral votes?

You obviously don't understand the problem. If fraud is found in one state where the electronic voting machines were used, it opens up the question to all the other states.

------------



you said:
KERRY/EDWARDS If we don't win it's because of the machines!

you are making light of a very real problem, the biggest problem our nation has faced in decades. I said that they should have made it an issue during the election, to raise awareness, not make up stupid campaign slogans.

Look friend, if you want to win next time, you are going to have to choose a candidate that is willing to take on the election problems full force. It starts now. If the problems aren't fixed by then, I don't care who your candidate is, or how much everyone hates Bush, the republican will win again.

----------

you seem to be looking for and finding every opportunity to apologize for Kerry's lack of initiative and failure to deal with the election problems.

the bottom line is, by the time 11/2 came around, there's nothing he could have done to win. the election was rigged and all the courts were stacked against him. but it was his duty to raise awareness of the problems. At least then a lot more people would know the facts now, and we wouldn't have all these Democrats running around trying to figure out why they lost and how to be more "moralistic" next time around. The fact is Kerry won. Democrats should be focusing on fixing the election problems, not trying to reframe the party (move it even further to the center, which is exactly what Rove is trying to make happen).

[Der Blaue Engel]

91. I think you should pay close attention to what happens in the Senate

in the coming days and weeks.

He has said he is making election reform a top priority. I don't see any reason to disbelieve this. He has also said that we should not start kowtowing to the right, but should demand that they fix election problems. Why haven't you heard this?

Here's a hypothesis: what if he gave up the public grandstanding opportunity to shout fraud that would have made him popular with some Dems but gained him and us nothing without proof, in order to do real work in the senate so that the next Dem candidate could actually take office when they win?

You seem to be quite tunnel-visioned in your belief that Kerry lacks initiative and is failing to deal with the election problems.

Apologizing for it? Not a chance. We just don't see eye to eye on this.

[garybeck]

104. uh...

you said:
He has said he is making election reform a top priority. I don't see any reason to disbelieve this.

I see plenty of reason to disbelieve this.

He also said that he would not allow the minority voters to be disenfranchised. And he did.

He also said they would count every vote. And they didn't


He has a pattern of saying one thing and not doing it. If he does it, great. But let's not blindly follow behind this guy cheering along the way considering his track record.

[Der Blaue Engel]

117. Like I said, we disagree

I see one thing, you see something else.

:shrug:

[garybeck]

123. I'm just quoting what he said

it's not opinion. he did say that stuff and then he didn't do it.

i'm not saying Kerry is all bad. i'm just saying that people should be allowed to speak out against his lack of action if they want to, without being condemned.

[Der Blaue Engel]

124. And I'm saying we disagree that he didn't do it.

:hi:

[kitkat65]

125. Unfortunately your posts don't make that clear & resort to name-calling

I don't think anyone here would say you don't have a right to be frustrated - we all are. It's just that flaming Kerry really doesn't change a thing and we have yet to see what Kerry's full intentions are. This board has gone ad nausem over how, when, or why he did or didn't do things but I have yet to see anyone say (especially Kerry), the fight's over, go home now.

It's frustrating that whenever someone makes a post referring to a Kerry action/petition/speech/whatever, there's always the inevitable anti-Kerry rant. Quite frankly, we know already that you're disappointed but it's time to focus on what he's trying to achieve within the Senate regarding election reform and the current administration.

Personally, all I'm asking is that you try to keep an open mind.

[4democracy]

93. garybeck, I agree 100% with your analysis

The widespread voter disenfranchisement in Ohio should have been enough to nullify the election in that state. It would have been if there had been any publicity at all regarding it, but even now most Americans have no idea what went on in Ohio.
There is a lot of evidence of the lines, lack of machines etc,etc. Kerry could have made that into an important issue, if he would have stood up in the beginning. Now it is too late, most people want to forget about the election.
He should have spoken out on Nov.3rd and continued until someone started listening.
Kerry should have stood up because of the VOTERS, not because of himself or his campaign. How could standing up for the right to vote have been criticized by anyone? Then we would have had the media involved and the investigations the way it should have been in a real democracy.
A democracy where the leaders actually stand up for the people they are supposed to be leading, instead of playing politician while the people and their rights are being trampled.

[angrydemocrat]

110. KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

http://209.150.59.148:8080/dontphoto/young/image/image19.jpg

[angrydemocrat]

82. KERRY! KERRY! KERRY!

[kerrygoddess]

84. Great Photos!

[Democrat Dragon]

86. Why is there a black and white stance on how DUers feel about Kerry?

Sheesh! Why is it always "it was hopeless from the beginning" or "Kerry caved-in".

Does it occur to you that the one thing that could have handed Kerry the presidency was the recount? BUT IT WAS RIGGED! Remember that Kerry's lawyers wanted to examine uncounted ballots and joined the recount effort. Cliff Arenbeck tried convincing a REPUBLICAN Ohio supreme court into overturing an election and counting some uncounted ballots. Kenneth Blackwell denied records to volunteers like Katrina and there were even thugs to harrass them.

In short, I believe Kerry AT LEAST TRIED but Kenneth Whitesick TWARTED his efforts by certifying the election late and hiding the smoking gun. But I do believe that more could have been done, at least some kind of plan B (sueing Blackwell?). But Kerry at least tried, so that shows me that at least he knew, and cared.

And don't forget the CMW's efforts in gagging the issue.

[Bill Bored]

92. There are 93,000 uncounted ballots.

And there are 3 counties in which Bush got 130,000 more votes than Kerry and in which Kerry got fewer votes than the a Democratic candidate for Ohio Chief Justice. You mean to tell me that they can't recount 3 counties and count 93,000 undervotes for the very first time ever to see how it would affect the margin? Come on! If it had no effect, then you can give up. But if there's a change, do the rest of the state by hand.

If you promise to count every vote, this is what you do. Otherwise don't make that promise.

[propagandafreegal]

96. Why did Jesse Jackson say that Kerry worked against his efforts in Ohio?

If you don't believe me go to the Air America Radio archives for The Majority Report.

This PAC is just a disengenous SHOW.

[angrydemocrat]

112. ...........The Kids Say It Best

http://209.150.59.148:8080/dontphoto/herbert/image/image9.jpg

http://209.150.59.148:8080/dontphoto/rudick/image/image16.jpg

:hi:

[propagandafreegal]

126. Very mature.. You are entitled to support Kerry's BS if you want. I don't

have to.

[napi21]

105. This is a good fight, and I will support you, as long as you don't run.

I listened to Kerry this morning at the Condi nomination hearings. He is intelligent, throughtful, and a good Dem, but he just doesn't have the personality to be a national candidate.

I like the idea that he is supporting Federal voting standards, and I will support him, as long as his doesn't decide to run again in 2008!

I'm tired of losing, and we need a different candidate!

[minorjive]

114. Kerry's PAC will do nothing for Ohio's voters . . .

Of course I agree with Kerry's statements about disenfranchisement. But, as I said on my blog:

what's despicable about Kerry's statement is that it is intended more for me than for the people whom he speaks about, the voters in Ohio who were disenfranchised. On December 2, 2004, Kerry and the Democratic Party made clear their intentions towards the people in Ohio who got screwed

On Election Day, the Ohio Democratic Party had brought a case in federal court due to the long lines in Franklin and Knox Counties. http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/docs/ohio/041102LongLineTROmotion.pdf and http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/docs/ohio/041102LongLinecomplaint.pdf

The only relief sought in the complaint by the Democrats was an injunction requiring election officials to provide paper ballots or other alternative means of voting in the affected counties on election day.

The court issued a temporary restraining order requiring officials to provide paper ballots or other alternative means of voting and directed that the polls had to remain open for all voters who had been in line at 7:30 p.m. http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/docs/ohio/041102LongLineOrder.pdf

The order further provided that it would expire on November 2, 2004, unless good cause were shown to extend it.

On December 2nd the Democratic Party agreed to withdraw its case http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/docs/OhioDems/stipulationofdsm.pdf and made a motion to dismiss its own case http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/docs/OhioDems/dismiss.pdf.

The Democratic advocacy on behalf of the voters was insufficient from the outset and then withdrawn entirely. What else could Kerry and the Democrats have done? Attorney Cliff Arnebeck and the Alliance for Democracy have a few ideas. On January 14, they made a motion to intervene in the case. Meanwhile, Kerry aides have said that

a political action committee he started after the election – a committee that could lay the groundwork for a second presidential campaign in 2008 -- would also be dedicated to preventing disenfranchisement.

If John Kerry publically supported the legal battles in Ohio, it would make an enormous difference. His brief appearance at the Martin Luther King Jr memorial breakfast got the issue of voter disenfranchisement onto the front page of the Boston Globe. Kerry has the power to not only legitimize the issue in the eyes of the wider public but to give proper prominence and attention to people who supported him and were disenfranchised. But Kerry does not want to spend his politial capital on justice for real people.

So why is Kerry paying high profile lip-service to caring about voting problems? Because he knows that since his premature concession there has been a mass citizens' mobilization in the name of clean, verifiable elections and justice for disenfranchised voters. Barbara Boxer heard that call and stood with twenty-nine Representatives to make an intervention in the name of democracy. John Kerry hid his cowardly face from his would-be supporters. Now that the dust seems to have cleared he's come forward to lead the movement for a true democracy.

Did I say lead? That should say co-opt. John Kerry's movement is nothing better than a movement to make sure he gets our votes in 2008.

[Angelique]

116. Please forgive me, but I am finished.. count me as a true blue naysayer..

I for one, am getting sick and tired of the emotional whiplash over this vote count, exit polls, machine corruption, disenfranchisement, media blackout, one note samba that saturates this place.. If there is any hard evidence of organized, massive corruption, for heaven sake.. BRING IT OUT.. FAST!

If you can prove the Bu** campaign had systematically arraigned to stuff ballot boxes, added votes on computers, and made up dummy voters, in sufficient numbers to deprive the Kerry election, I swear, I will leave home and carry it to the New York Times myself.. No one can say that the NYT is a Bu** organism, they would wet their pants to stuff the chimp up the GOP ass@S!! FLAME AWAY, I know I am not alone on these boards.

[babylonsister]

120. I also wonder. In the meantime, I

guess I so don't agree with * that I'm willing to grasp at straws.