Category: Campaign 2004

Voting Irregularities In Wisconsin?

Captain Ed takes a look at the results of the Presidential elections in Wisconsin and finds some rather iffy numbers coming from the Badger State. Given that Bush was expected by many to win Wisconsin by a narrow margin, the fact that Kerry outperformed Gore’s totals in 2000 is more than a little surprising. Of course, there could be a reasonable explanation for all of this, but instead we have the “count every vote” crowd complaining about fictional irregularities in a state Bush won by well over 100,000 votes.

Of course, the “count every vote” crowd have no desire to count Republican votes, which is why when Christine Gregoire manages to steal an election in Washington using ballots from King County that magically appeared in time to give her a 138 vote win and when Milwaukee’s vote counts don’t match the census data there is hardly a peep from those who would hold themselves as the defenders of American democracy.

UPDATE: Captain Ed gives an example of this double standard with the latest bloviation from John Kerry. What Kerry forgets:

The complaints center on Cuyahoga County, of course, where Cleveland voters complained of standing in line for hours due to the lack of voting machines, a side effect of the higher turnout from 2000. However, what Kerry doesn’t mention — again — is that Cuyahoga County election officials are Democrats, not Republicans. The county goes heavily Democratic in elections at all levels. If anyone screwed Cuyahoga County voters, it’s the Democrats who have always promised their minority-bloc voters the moon and delivered below subsistence.

But of course, it’s always the Republicans fault, never mind the fact that the Democrats are the ones who are charged with running elections in the districts that had the highest number of problems…

The Voting Undead

Investigators are finding that dead people were voting in King County, Washington.

Not that it’s a big surprise, without the Undead-American vote in Chicago and Texas in 1960, JFK would have never been President. The history of the dead spontaneously rising from their graves, shambling to the polls, and voting Democrat has a long and stories history, from the machines of Tammany Hall in the 19th Century to the Zombies for Gore.

After all, when you die the first thing to go is higher brain functions, which is why the dead are such a reliably Democratic segment of the electorate.

Sore Losers – Again

The Democratic Party proves once again that it’s the part of no class by a pointless and idiotic delay of the certification proceedings for the reelection of President Bush.

Bush won Ohio by well over 100,000 votes, after a recount. The counties where there were supposedly election problems happened to be counties that were run by Democratic election supervisors. The Democrats have no one to blame but themselves.

A shameful and partisan display which only serves to illustrate the reasons why they lost.

Going Out With Grace

I managed to catch some excerpts of Kerry’s concession this afternoon, and it was one of the best speeches that Kerry has ever given. By dropping any challenges in Ohio he is facing reality, but also sparing this nation from what could have been a long and drawn out process. I especially like this line: “In American elections there are no losers, because whether or not our candidates win or lose, the next morning we wake up as Americans.”

Indeed, I feel a paradoxical twinge of sadness that it’s all over. Kerry made a dignified and graceful exit, and while I disagree with nearly everything he believes in politically, the excitement of the race has been exhilarating.

It’s Over, Deal With It

Bush’s lead in Ohio has gone up to 137,606 as 98% of the state has reported in. Unless the remaining votes are somehow massively for Kerry, there’s absolutely no way that Kerry can win, John Edwards blather about “counting every vote” notwithstanding. Kerry’s hoping for some final Hail Mary in Ohio, but the chances of that are slim to none. At this point, there just aren’t enough votes. If it were a margin of 50,000, they might have some case. But when it’s nearly 140,000 votes, there’s just no case there. Even if Kerry completely sweeps all that’s left of the state, it’s not going to be enough.

Bush won. He got a majority in the popular vote, something not even Clinton did. This election is over, and the only thing that Kerry can do by not conceding is make himself look like a sore loser. It’s not close, Bush has won the popular vote, it’s time to bow out with some dignity.

I’m going to try and get some sleep with the TV on. If something breaks, I’ll try and cover it then…

UPDATE: Right now Bush’s margin is over 145,000 votes, which means he picked up support as the last few precincts came in. At this stage, I very highly doubt that the provisional ballots could give Kerry a win here. Not that it will stop the Democratic lawyers from trying.

BUSH WINS!

NBC has also called Ohio for Bush. Bush’s lead in Ohio has rebounded to just over 125,000 votes, which means that Kerry is nearing the point where he can’t overwhelm Bush’s margins.

Currently, Bush is ahead in New Mexico, will win Alaska, is nearly tied with Kerry in Nevada, and is very narrowly ahead in Iowa. At this stage unless there’s a last minute surge for Kerry in Ohio, there is absolutely no way in which John Kerry can win.

George W. Bush has been reelected by a decent but not overwhelming margin. It’s a good day for America.