Bill Richardson has a big problem.

[kstewart33]

Go to: http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/
and take a look.

[Wilms]

1. Is this the (perma-)link you're referring to?

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/001884.php

[Orangepeel]

2. I'll wait until it isn't something that was "heard" and "may be completely contrived"

hearsay is a problem and this is something that should be addressed by the Governor. But for now, I'll take it with a grain of salt.

[havocmom]

3. How about the fact that he decided to order scrubbing the vote machines

prior to the completion of the recount?

[Orangepeel]

5. scrubbing them of what? votes they didn't record?

I don't understand this criticism.

Voting in New Mexico in 2004 was fucked up. But, it was fucked up precisely because the machines lost votes. "Recounting" them would have resulted in the exact same thing that happened in Florida when they "recounted" the machines by looking at what they recorded again. Nothing. You can't recount votes that disappeared. :shrug:

If people want to blame Richardson for what happened with the 2004 election, that is their right. I don't. Based on what people who work in the state government have told me, I give him credit for helping to fix it. Blame him if you want, but in my opinion, Bill Richardson has done more to fix voting problems in New Mexico than anyone else has done in any other state.

[babylonsister]

7. Here's an article that puts blame directly at Richardson's feet, per Palast:

http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?id=1511

snip//

The voting-industrial complex

New Mexico’s Secretary of State, Rebecca Vigil-Giron, seemed curiously uncurious about Hispanic and Native precincts where nearly one in ten voters couldn’t be bothered to choose a president.

Vigil-Giron, along with Governor Bill Richardson, not only stopped any attempt at a recount directly following the election, but demanded that all the machines be wiped clean. This not only concealed evidence of potential fraud but destroyed it. In 2006, New Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled the Secretary of State’s machine-cleaning job illegal — too late to change the outcome of the election, of course.

snip//

Governor Richardson, who ducked the issue for three years, and his Secretary of State, once openly hostile to reform, had to relent in the face of the public uprising. In February of 2006, Richardson signed a model law requiring that all voting in the state take place on new paper ballot machines, with verifiable tabulating systems. Richardson now claims the mantle of leader of the voting reform campaign.

[Orangepeel]

9. yes, I've read it. I don't understand it. Wiping them of WHAT?

if the machines kept a record of lost votes, we wouldn't need paper ballots. They don't. That's why we need paper ballots (which New Mexico now has).

I think this "wiping the machines" criticism is bogus and I believe Palast is wrong to blame Richardson. Your mileage may vary.

[havocmom]

11. Any and all data

Prevents anyone from auditing ANYTHING about the results they issued.

[Orangepeel]

12. the machines don't necessarily keep accurate data

(and didn't in New Mexico). What good does auditing inaccurate data do? Confirm that they lost votes? We know that.

[havocmom]

13. Ah, that's the point. Can't prove the discrepencies after erasure

[Orangepeel]

14. the discrepancies are a matter of record

An incredible number of people, particularly in Latino and Native American precincts didn't cast a vote for president. But, all you would be able to tell from a "recount" of the machines would be that. Because the machines lost their votes. They're gone. That's why we need paper ballots. Which again, New Mexico now has.

I don't blame Richardson because 1) I don't see how "auditing" bogus data would have helped (just like it didn't help in Florida); 2)someone I trust who watched the paper ballots being recounted throughout Novemeber told me that Richardson did what he could do (which I realize hold no water with you, but works for me); and 3) New Mexico now has a standarized paper ballot system that I think every other state should emulate, which I give Richardson some credit for.

But, of course, you should base your vote on what you want to base your vote on.

[davidwparker]

4. not having the votes recounted in his state? Just my guess.

[Dems Will Win]

6. My problem with Richardson is that he is very Pro-Nuclear Power

More nukes are the last thing we need on this planet.

[janx]

16. He is pro clean and alternative energy.

His record on this (and NM's record on this) is stellar.

[Greyhound]

8. He also outsourced many of New Mexico's services and call centers

so now if you have a problem with your tax assessment you get to talk to "Dave" in Bangalore who, even if he understands what you need, cannot give you any real information nor do anything about it. But rest assured he will pass your concern over to the proper person/department.:eyes:

This is one of the issues that he and HRC have in common and they will have to answer some pretty tough questions during the run-up.

[Buzz Clik]

10. Thank you, Church Lady, for looking after the moral fiber of this country.

yawn.

[kstewart33]

15. Not talking morality, just political impact. eom