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At times I wonder how the GOP does this shit with a straight face:
I'd be interested to know if people actually registered as Republicans got this mailer as well. Seriously, seriously doubt it. What's all the more fishy is that it makes no difference what your party affiliation is for the general election, making the purported purpose of the mailer a non sequitur.
For you freedom-loving people out there who intend to vote for McCain, how do you reconcile the fact that your party's campaign strategy literally includes challenging voters' ability to vote? And before you reply that the Democrats do it, too, I'm here to tell you as a member of the voter protection team for Kerry and Obama's campaigns, our marching orders are exactly the opposite -- we're instructed to make sure that come hell or high water, no one leaves the polling center without at least voting a provisional ballot, so that the vote can be counted after their eligibility is confirmed. My credentials refer to me as a "Challenger," but we are expressly prohibited by the campaign from challenging any voter, for any reason.
What a farce of a democracy this is...
TALLAHASSEE — A new pitch for John McCain's presidential campaign aimed at older Democratic voters is causing complaints by Democrats and concern by elections officials.
The piece, paid for by the Republican National Committee and authorized by McCain, tells voters it is seeking to double-check their "unconfirmed" party affiliations while asking for money. A letter signed by McCain tells the Democrats: "We have you registered as a Republican."
...
"This is simply a fundraising piece," said spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson, adding in an e-mail it was not "worth writing about."
Two top Florida elections officials, both Republicans, faulted the GOP mailing, calling it "confusing" and "unfortunate" because of a potential to undermine voter confidence by making them question the accuracy of their registrations.
...
Some Democrats suspect a motive beyond raising money. The first-class GOP mailing has a "Do not forward" instruction on the envelope, meaning they will be returned to the GOP if a recipient has had mail forwarded, perhaps to a summer address, or has moved.
Letters returned as undeliverable can be compiled into "challenge lists" of unverifiable addresses and can be used to challenge voters' eligibility during early voting or on Election Day. The vote suppression technique is known as "vote caging."
The piece, paid for by the Republican National Committee and authorized by McCain, tells voters it is seeking to double-check their "unconfirmed" party affiliations while asking for money. A letter signed by McCain tells the Democrats: "We have you registered as a Republican."
...
"This is simply a fundraising piece," said spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson, adding in an e-mail it was not "worth writing about."
Two top Florida elections officials, both Republicans, faulted the GOP mailing, calling it "confusing" and "unfortunate" because of a potential to undermine voter confidence by making them question the accuracy of their registrations.
...
Some Democrats suspect a motive beyond raising money. The first-class GOP mailing has a "Do not forward" instruction on the envelope, meaning they will be returned to the GOP if a recipient has had mail forwarded, perhaps to a summer address, or has moved.
Letters returned as undeliverable can be compiled into "challenge lists" of unverifiable addresses and can be used to challenge voters' eligibility during early voting or on Election Day. The vote suppression technique is known as "vote caging."
I'd be interested to know if people actually registered as Republicans got this mailer as well. Seriously, seriously doubt it. What's all the more fishy is that it makes no difference what your party affiliation is for the general election, making the purported purpose of the mailer a non sequitur.
For you freedom-loving people out there who intend to vote for McCain, how do you reconcile the fact that your party's campaign strategy literally includes challenging voters' ability to vote? And before you reply that the Democrats do it, too, I'm here to tell you as a member of the voter protection team for Kerry and Obama's campaigns, our marching orders are exactly the opposite -- we're instructed to make sure that come hell or high water, no one leaves the polling center without at least voting a provisional ballot, so that the vote can be counted after their eligibility is confirmed. My credentials refer to me as a "Challenger," but we are expressly prohibited by the campaign from challenging any voter, for any reason.
What a farce of a democracy this is...
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