Rove's Replacement Was Florida '2000 Recount 'Rioter'

[kpete]

Rove's replacement was Florida recount 'rioter'



Turns out Rove's replacement as policy czar had a hand in the "recount riot" that shut down the vote counting in Florida back in 2000. http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/008256.php

New WH Policy Chief Was "Brooks Brothers" Rioter
By Justin Rood - April 19, 2006, 1:31 PM
To the Burberry ramparts!

The man Bush tapped to fill Karl Rove's spot as his policy wizard is none other than Joel Kaplan, who took part in the infamous "Brooks Brothers riot" of 2000. That's when a bunch of Washington GOP operatives, posing as outraged Floridians, waved fists, chanted "Stop the fraud!" and pounded windows in an effort to intimidate officials engaged in the Florida recount effort.

In George Bush's Washington, there's no shame in staging a fake protest to undermine a democratic election, apparently: last year, the Washington Post's Al Kamen noted that "the "rioters" proudly note their participation on resumes and in interviews." Kaplan was even the one to cheekily dub the fracas the "Brooks Brothers Riot."

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000416.php

[autorank]

1. Typical...

:puke:

[autorank]

37. This should be the VERY first question asked of this clown.

Upon reflection, it's clear that this guy is totally unacceptalbe for government service.

AFTER ALL the "preppy" riot in Miami was all the election board needed to stop the recount.
What idiots. Miami stopped some major protests down there with swat teams etc. a couple of
years ago so the Hill preppy riot was not the cause but it was the excuse.

He helped steal 2000 for Bush, who is the author of many of our ills.

Unaceptable totally unacceptable.

Let's watch the press and see if they go after him. I'm sure they will. Didn't they do
a great job at spotting and exposing Jeff Gannon! Oh, oops, that was the guy at
AmericaBlog. Well, anyway, lets see if they do it.

[AuntiBush]

68. Clown is right!

And, typical. Still hard to comprehend the out-and-out nerve. People are not stupid. They're over-worked, busy w/kids and tee-vee anchors LIE, or do not tell Joe & Jane public the real stories anymore. So, people do not know, less they get out here or hear from those of us that do :)

[WI_DEM]

2. typical, replacing one cheating asshole with another

[FiveGoodMen]

18. Well, yeah, but THEY wouldn't WANT an honest person in that position

he or she would blow the whistle on them.

[cascadiance]

25. Bush Whitehouse: Equal asshole opportunity employment!

[bryant69]

3. Yep.

Protesting is bad and only done by unpatrotic americans who would rather riot than work. Except in this case when the rioters were patriotic Americans who should be proud of their intimidating tactics.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Cooley Hurd]

12. Reading comprehension issue on my part...

Sorry, bryant. :hi:

[tatertop]

13. What are you talking about?

[Cooley Hurd]

16. bryant meant that the Brooks Brothers rioters were employing brownshirt...

...tactics.

I had to reread it myself, but I dig what he meant.:hi:

[tatertop]

amazing deduction, Mr. Holmes!

:toast:

[bryant69]

33. I'm sorry

If I were saying that post I'd use a goofy pseudo newscaster voice to make the point clear - it's putting together the standard conservative response to protests with the conservative response to this particular protest; putting those ideas as close together as possible to highlight the contrast.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[bananas]

34. I think it was sarcasm

Conservatives complain about protesters - but not their protesters.

[Virginia Dare]

4. All hail the yellow elephant...n/t

[Bridget Burke]

5. Another Florida Warrior who was richly rewarded....

[debbierlus]

6. Another Bush whore....

I am shocked.
:sarcasm:

[annabanana]

7. Which one is he?

Is that him, #1?

[debbierlus]

11. OMG!

What a doughy bunch of closeted white boys....

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

(He DOES look to be the one in front!)

[AllieB]

30. To be fair, there is one frumpy fascist chicita in the bunch

[IndyOp]

27. He isn't #1 - looks more like #3, but I don't think he is in that pic.

HOW DO those people sleep at night...

Fascist, ends-justify-the-means, self-aggrandizing, scum.

:grr:

[IntravenousDemilo]

32. Let's just split the difference and say he's #2...

...a big, steaming pile of #2...

[lostnfound]

70. You're right, he's not #3 either

#3 is identified as Rory Cooper.
http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/blfloridagopmob.htm

Even thought they look a lot alike.

[Maven]

46. I think Garrison Keillor came up with the best term for these douches

when he called the new conservatives "aggressive dorks."

Please tell me they're not actually closeted. I think I speak for the GLBT community when I say, we don't want 'em.

[catzies]

61. Here's the "Who's Who," courtesy of BartCop issue #1046 (4/17/03)

"1. Tom Pyle, policy analyst, office of House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Tex.).
2. Garry Malphrus, majority chief counsel and staff director, House Judiciary subcommittee on criminal justice.
3. Rory Cooper, political division staff member at the National Republican Congressional Committee.
4. Kevin Smith, former House Republican conference analyst and more recently of Voter.com.
5. Steven Brophy, former aide to Sen. Fred D. Thompson (R-Tenn.), now working at the consulting firm KPMG.
6. Matt Schlapp, former chief of staff for Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), now on the Bush campaign staff in Austin.
7. Roger Morse, aide to Rep. Van Hilleary (R-Tenn.).
8. Duane Gibson, aide to Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) of the House Resources Committee.
9. Chuck Royal, legislative assistant to Rep. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.).
10. Layna McConkey, former legislative assistant to former Rep. Jim Ross Lightfoot (R-Iowa),
now at Steelman Health Strategies.


Many thanks to http://vander.hashish.com/articles/election2000/ for the link
I know there are other versions, I think the furst one I saw was from MWO."

[Up2Late]

66. That's the list I have too.

So, maybe this guy is lying about this, trying to take credit?

Or was he working behind the scenes?

[Canuckistanian]

71. He's not in that photo, here's the key:

No. 1. Tom Pyle, who had worked for Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), went private sector a few months later, getting a job as director of federal affairs for Koch Industries.

No. 7. Roger Morse, another House aide, moved on to the law and lobbying firm Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds. "I was also privileged to lead a team of Republicans to Florida to help in the recount fight," he told a legal trade magazine in a 2003 interview.

No. 8. Duane Gibson, an aide on the House Resources Committee, was a solo lobbyist and formerly with the Greenberg Traurig lobby operation. He is now with the Livingston Group as a consultant.

No. 9. Chuck Royal was and still is a legislative assistant to Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), a former House member.

No. 10. Layna McConkey Peltier, who had been a Senate and House aide and was at Steelman Health Strategies during the effort, is now at Capital Health Group.

(We couldn't find No. 4, Kevin Smith, a former GOP House aide who later worked with Voter.com, or No. 5, Steven Brophy, a former GOP Senate aide and then at consulting firm KPMG. If you know what they are doing these days, please e-mail [e-mail] we can update our records.)

[phoebe]

8. more on the slimy little bastard..

snip
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/organization/office.html

Joel D. Kaplan
Deputy Director

On August 1, 2003, the United States Senate unanimously confirmed Joel D. Kaplan of Massachusetts as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). As Deputy Director of OMB, Mr. Kaplan will assist the Director in overseeing the preparation of the Federal budget and help to supervise its administration in Executive Branch agencies. He will also work closely with Congress and federal departments to successfully implement the President’s agenda, from growing the economy and creating jobs to ensuring a strong national defense and a secure homeland.


Previously, Mr. Kaplan served as Special Assistant to the President in the Office of the Chief of Staff, where he assisted in the coordination, development, and implementation of Administration policies. In that capacity, Mr. Kaplan focused on a wide range of issues including international economic affairs, homeland security, energy, and transportation.


Before joining the White House Staff in January of 2001, Mr. Kaplan worked as a policy advisor on the 2000 presidential campaign in Austin, Texas. Earlier, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Antonin Scalia, Supreme Court of the United States and for the Honorable J. Michael Luttig, United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit (Alexandria, VA). He also served for four years as an Artillery Officer in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Kaplan earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.

[YDogg]

17. Honorable? Scalia? I guess that's an unfortunate formality.

[Jose Diablo]

23. Is the title 'Honorable Scalia' an oxymoron?

Or is the term oxymoron reserved for Rush?

[mattclearing]

9. But, but, I thought the staff shake-up was supposed to change things...

:D

[annabanana]

10. jeez they've got an awfully small pool to draw from

It'll probably dry up completely by November....

[MetaTrope]

40. Remember that they've still got the staff of Diebold to draw from

[vickitulsa]

51. This is an interesting point...

Made me start thinking about these changes in WH staff and any future personnel matters in this administration in a new and different light.

I mean, if you were someone tapped by this highly unpopular pResident for a position in his administration, wouldn't you be thinking long and hard about whether you wanted to be closely associated with him? Especially as his future may well hold some indictments in store....

I'm sure many who are opting out now that they have this opportunity to leave (the ones who are "going willingly" and not being discretely removed) have weighed the facts and decided it's in their own best interest to dissociate from their former boss and his troubles. At least I'm guessing this is happening with some of the smarter ones ... you know, the ones who have a BP (Baccalaureate Primate) and can read.

The pool Dumbya has to choose from now to fill staff positions probably IS a small one indeed these days....

[EFerrari]

14. This is to distract from their immigration faux pas. n/t

[emulatorloo]

15. kick and nominating n/t

[Botany]

19. I would love 5 minutes alone with that boy.

Riot to stop the counting of legally cast ballots and you make earn
your bones w/ the bush crime family.

This is not democracy but a criminal operation

Call the White House Comment Line

Comments: 202-456-1111

[Southsideirish]

39. Bunch of cowardly, simpy wimps.

I feel literally sick when I think of those days in Fla and as much as I love Al I could shake him for not letting the people take the issue to the streets at that time. I think he now knows what vermin he is dealing with but its too late now and us and the whole world has suffered so much from those rats and their wall banging.

[Old Vet]

55. Hold On Buddy-Get in Line-I get first slaps!

[katinmn]

20. The only possible worse pick would be

"Booby" Harris.

[rfranklin]

44. Hey, aren't you supposed to keep your heels down?

Then again that could be dangerous for Katherine "Roundheels" Harris!

[IChing]

21. Also he is or was President of B’nai B’rith

AS JOHN BOLTON ASSUMES POST, B’NAI B’RITH INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS NEW U.N. ENVOY

Washington, D.C. (August 3, 2005) – As John Bolton assumes his place as United States ambassador to the United Nations, B'nai B'rith International is expressing its firm backing for the new envoy and his commitment to the thorough reform of this world body. Bolton presented his credentials on August 2 to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who said he looks forward to working with the new ambassador.

John Bolton played a central role in the rescinding of the infamous "Zionism is Racism" resolution at the U.N., an institution that has proven to be a singularly hostile environment for Israel. “Ambassador Bolton deserves our support,” said B’nai B’rith President Joel S. Kaplan. “He has been a tireless and unwavering friend to the Jewish community. But more importantly, America needs someone like Bolton to give it voice at the U.N.”
>>>>>snip

http://bnaibrith.org/pubs/pr/050803_bolton.cfm

[marmar]

22. Along with Bolton...

I guess he's a "made" man now, in mobster terminology.

[Pithy Cherub]

24. Meet the new corrupt boss, same as the old corrupt boss...

It's not like the republicans has a bench with an amazing amount of ethical people ready to step up...:eyes:

[katty]

26. how bushlike to pick a brownshirt

[Coexist]

28. those darn, pesky bloggers.

I love 'em.

[Catchawave]

29. Then Gannon replacing Scotty is a posibility now,

and makes as much sense :silly:

[phoebe]

31. here's another article on the rest of the "recount" crew..

http://www.ciponline.org/cuba/cubainthenews/newsarticles/mh071402rosenberg.htm

Very edifying..
and yet another from ..the Freeper site..showing how the recount money was spent..

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/822786/posts

snip

The documents show that the Bush organization put on the payroll about 250 staffers, spent about $1.2 million to fly operatives to Florida and elsewhere, and paid for hotel bills adding up to about $1 million. To add flexibility to the travel arrangements, a fleet of corporate jets was assembled, including planes owned by Enron Corp., then run by Bush backer Kenneth Lay, and Halliburton Co., where Dick Cheney had served as chairman and chief executive officer.

Only a handful of the Brooks Brothers rioters were publicly identified, some through photographs published in the Washington Post. Jake Tapper’s book on the recount battle, Down and Dirty, provides a list of 12 Republican operatives who took part in the Miami riot. Half of those individuals received payments from the Bush recount committee, according to the IRS records.

The Miami protesters who were paid by Bush recount committee were: Matt Schlapp, a Bush staffer who was based in Austin and received $4,276.09; Thomas Pyle, a staff aide to House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, $456; Michael Murphy, a DeLay fund- raiser, $935.12; Garry Malphrus, House majority chief counsel to the House Judiciary subcommittee on criminal justice, $330; Charles Royal, a legislative aide to Rep. Jim DeMint, R-S.C. $391.80; and Kevin Smith, a former GOP House staffer, $373.23.

Three of the Miami protesters are now members of Bush’s White House staff, the Miami Herald reported last month. They include Schlapp, who is now a special assistant to the president; Malphrus, who is now deputy director of the president’s Domestic Policy Council; and Joel Kaplan, another special assistant to the president.

The Bush committee records show, too, that Bush’s operation paid for the hotel where the Republican protesters celebrated after the Miami riot at a Thanksgiving Day party. At the party, the activists received thank-you phone calls from Bush and Cheney, and were serenaded by crooner Wayne Newton, singing “Danke Schoen,” German for thank-you very much.

The IRS records show that the Bush recount committee paid $35,501.52 to the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where the party was held.

The House of Masquerades

A number of miscellaneous expenses, reported by the Bush recount committee, also appear to have gone for party items, such as lighting, sound systems and even costumes. Garrett Sound and Lighting in Fort Lauderdale was paid $5,902; Beach Sound Inc. in North Miami was paid $3,500; and the House of Masquerades, a costume shop in Miami, had three payments totaling $640.92, according to the Bush records.

The Brooks Brothers Riot – carried live on CNN and other networks – marked a turning point in the recount battle. At the time, Bush clung to a lead that had dwindled to several hundred votes and Gore was pressing for recounts. The riot in Miami and the prospects of spreading violence were among the arguments later cited by defenders of the 5-to-4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Dec. 12, 2000, that stopped a statewide Florida recount and handed Bush the presidency.

Backed by the $13.8 million war chest, the Bush operation made clear in Miami and in other protests that it was ready to kick up plenty of political dust if it didn’t get its way.

A later unofficial recount by news organizations found that if all legally cast ballots in Florida had been counted – regardless of which kinds of chads were accepted, whether punched-through, hanging or dimpled – Gore would have won Florida and thus the presidency. Gore also won the national popular vote, defeating Bush by more than a half million votes, making Bush the first popular-vote loser in more than a century to be installed in the White House.

This article just about says it all..Bush wanted the election and was prepared to pay whatever price necessary..

[pat_k]

35. One thing Delay's riot demonstrated. . .

. . .a small group of determined citizens (in his case, thugs) can exert powerful influence on local election officials.

If you think we can't reject the results of EVERY suspect election in 2006 and 2008, regardless of our success in the legislatures and the courts, just recall how Tom Delay stopped the recount in Dade County.

You don't need to riot to strike fear in the hearts of local officials.

Stop Election Thieves RIGHT NOW: No Legislation Required (Really)

[simonm]

48. Assistance

I wouldn't be surprised if these brown nosers had a little help from Jub Bush since he is Governor.

[bushmeister0]

36. What a douche bag!

I remember when I first saw the riot on TV I thought to myself, 'wow, those guys are really white.' You see, I was 30 year resident of Florida and I knew what the average person looks like down there. Being a good Dolphin fan also I knew the Packers weren't in town to play us, so these guys had to be from somewhere else.

What a crock. Will wonders never cease with this bunch?

[progressoid]

38. Yeah, so what. Business as usual.

[ClintonTyree]

41. Does anyone really believe Rove has lost Bush's ear?

KKKarl Rove IS George Bush. Bush us absolutely NOTHING without Rove. Who's going to tell Bush...inhale....exhale...inhale...exhale...inhale ...exhale? George Bush would be cleaning out public toilets at Six Flags if it weren't for Rove. I hardly believe he's being totally cut out of the loop. Unless a big fat indictment is forthcoming, in that case.....maybe, but I think Rove would still have a hot-line to the Oval Office in his cell.

As for this NEW cretin....another Bush crony that will tell him whatever he wants to hear. :eyes: His main job will be stroking Bush's ego, telling him what a great man he is and what a great job he's doing. :puke: I hope the press jumps all over this but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

56. yes, but . . . .

Ever see the movie kagemusha? A brilliant film. The thief eventually started believing his press releases and thought that he was Shogun.

Bush might actually believe that he is president. And that with all that bad press, it had to be someone's fault, anyone but his own doing. Therefore, he had to be getting bad advice - ergo, Rove needs a demotion.

[Supersedeas]

42. rewarding the loyal act of thuggery

[DemGa]

43. It never ends with these thugs

[paparush]

45. Its the Eli Whitney Principle of Replaceable Parts...

[neuvocat]

47. Replacement?

What happened? Did Rove get sacked altogether? Sorry but I haven't had the chance to catch up on all the news yet. Thanks.

[Dr Fate]

49. Are any Top Democrats talking about this on TV today?

If not, why?

[medeak]

50. I hit the media list on DU n/t

[Dr Fate]

52. Why would the Republican owned media make an effort to report this?

I want to know what Democrats are on TV making a stink about it.

[medeak]

53. then hit the dem list in research on DU

edited to say...CNN just reporting Dean's statement re Rove "should be fired for outing CIA agent"

[DFW]

54. Why would the media report this?

Now if Bush had appointed someone competent, honest, and with the good of
the country at heart, well, now, THAT would have been news!!

[Cha]

57. I hate this guy already.

How many screws do you have to have loose to have joel kaplan's resume?

[northofdenali]

60. I hope the good bloggers are digging into his resume

as we speak. He stinks, and hasn't even started the position yet. Let the researching begin~~

[confludemocrat]

58. Give no quarter to these people, they are by definition criminals&perverts

and anyone who cozies up to them (Lieberman for example) are scum, too. Or whoever doesn't fight them at every turn is making a mistake, whatever "strategic errors" they are seeking to avoid.

[Chiyo-chichi]

59. staging a fake protest?

Fake protest.
Fake pretenses for war.
Fake Niger memo.
Fake WMDs.
Fake mobile labs.
Fake Katrina response.
Fake election results (again)
Fake (fill in the blank)
Fake administration.

He'll fit right in.

[johnnyrocket]

62. Criminal cabal, through and through..Bush doesnt even KNOW

...and honest man anywhere, he works and conspires with criminals and thugs.

[Pachamama]

63. Hmmm...him and John Bolton too?

And people wonder whether there was a coup in this country in 2000 or not... :eyes:

[The Wizard]

64. Lying scumbag

He should have his foreskin sewed back on. He's a disgrace to the tribe.

[LoZoccolo]

65. TRAITOR.

He attacked America and should go to jail right the fuck now.

[AuntiBush]

67. Jeezie-Peezies...

Bottom-barrel time. Grabbing at left-over straws.

[Imagevision]

69. Bush is supplying himself with trusted crooks - excellant, Bush is no fool

he has the most corrupt employed and their performing to the nines!

[Raster]

72. Bastard! Let's remember this face well. Someday there WILL be an

accounting for attempting to overthrow the legitimate government of the people. Someday. And this fellow deserves special treatment. The Brooks Bros. Riot. Isn't that just too fucking cute for words. I hope he is real proud of himself.

On edit: And now that it is so obvious to everyone on the planet just what a liar, thief and cheat bush* was and is, and what a disaster his "rule" has been for human civilization, this prick must be real proud of the part he played to thoroughly fuck things up. Yeppers, let's put that on a resume.

Last job held: Helped bushco* fuck the planet and diminish human civilization.