Election Day delay planning

[suedanim]

hmmmm.. interesting that the request for legislation was made by Bush's man in April.. before this recent announcement of possible attacks.

Officials discuss how to delay Election Day (http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/07/11/election.day.delay///url)

Talks stem from recent fears of terror attack timed to election ????
Sunday, July 11, 2004 Posted: 5:24 PM EDT (2124 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. officials have discussed the idea of postponing Election Day in the event of a terrorist attack on or about that day, a Homeland Security Department spokesman said Sunday.

The department has referred questions about the matter to the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel, spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said.

The department wants to know about the possibility of granting emergency power to the newly created U.S. Election Assistance Commission, authority that Roehrkasse said was requested by DeForest B. Soaries Jr., the commission's chairman.

Soaries, who was appointed by President Bush, is a former New Jersey secretary of state and senior pastor of the 7,000-member First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey.

He wrote in April to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice asking them to seek such legislation from Congress, Roehrkasse said.

Roehrkasse said the recent discussions were sparked by intelligence indicating al Qaeda wants to "disrupt our democratic process." (Can't be as bad as Florida in 2000)

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge warned of such an attack in a news conference last week, saying it was based on intercepted "chatter" among al Qaeda operatives.

Roehrkasse noted, however, that there was no specific information suggesting such an attack would be aimed at the political conventions or Election Day.

Democratic Rep. Jane Harman of California, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, took issue with Ridge's comments Sunday.

"Six days ago, the leadership of the House and Senate intelligence committees and leadership of the House and Senate were briefed on these so-called new threats," Harman said on CNN's "Late Edition."

"They are more chatter about old threats, which were the subject of a press conference by Attorney General [John] Ashcroft and [FBI] Director [Robert] Mueller six weeks ago.

"[Ridge] sounded more like an interior decorator talking about what more we can do under the shade of yellow," she said.

What has Homeland Security officials worried is that terrorists could attempt to disrupt the election in same way that March 11 train bombings in Madrid created unrest three days before the Spanish general election, Roehrkasse said.

Although there is no evidence that the bombings influenced the Spanish election, Socialist Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero unseated Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, whose government supported the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

[Zan de Man]

What influenced the Spanish election was the crass and calculating way the little fascist Aznar responded to the bombing.

[lily]

;) Sue...............maybe he has better intel than the intel that got us into this mess???

Zan, do you really beleive that? I honestly think the Spaniards voted out the man that got them into Iraq in the first place and replaced him with someone that actually listened to what the voters wanted. I know that it looks like the bombings had everything to do with it, but don't you think that most of the people had their minds made up before the day before going to vote?

[kramsret]

If Bush delays the election, I predict blood on the streets.

That said, I don't give much credence to this story.

[Malkah]

I find this interesting. "What has Homeland Security officials worried is that terrorists could attempt to disrupt the election "

I assume they "homeland security" is not referring to Chicago, Illinois.
We have all our ducks in a row and would never allow anyone to disrupt the election process here.

We take the election process very serious here. Just ask anyone that ever attempted electionnerring beyond the 100 ft. mark. A terrorist wouldn't make it. All we have to do is sic a tired judge of election at them. :lol

"I think I'm going to like it here" Malkah :)

[lily]

Ok, seriously what is changing the date going to accomplish? What, they're going to change it and this will throw the terrorists off? We'll have it two weeks later...........pass it on :eyes

[Atenhotep]

If we keep changing our planned events doesn't that mean "the terrorists have won?"

[sir digalot]

they are gonna delay the date of the election for say ohh the next 10 or so years :lol

[Atenhotep]

AMENDMENT XX
Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23, 1933.

Note: Article I, section 4, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of this amendment. In addition, a portion of the 12th amendment was superseded by section 3.

Section 1.
The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

Section 2.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Section 3.
If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

Section 4.
The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

Section 5.
Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.

Section 6.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.

[kramsret]

The only "terrorists" who might disrupt the elections are currently occupying our White House.

They're enemies of America, of the highest order.

[Fredfredson]

U.S. Mulling How to Delay Nov. Vote in Case of Attack

Sun Jul 11, 2:57 PM ET Add U.S. National - Reuters to My Yahoo!

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1896&u=/nm/20040711/us_nm/politics_election_terror_dc_5&printer=1

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A senior House Democratic lawmaker was skeptical on Sunday of a Bush administration idea to obtain the authority to delay the November presidential election in case of an attack by al Qaeda,


Reuters Photo


U.S. counterterrorism officials are looking at an emergency proposal on the legal steps needed to postpone the presidential election in case of such an attack, Newsweek reported on Sunday.


"I think it's excessive based on what we know," said Rep. Jane Harman of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, in a interview on CNN's "Late Edition."


Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge warned last week that Osama bin Laden (news - web sites)'s al Qaeda network want to attack within the United States to try to disrupt the election.


Harman said Ridge's threat warning "was a bust" because it was based on old information.


Newsweek cited unnamed sources who told it that the Department of Homeland Security asked the Justice Department (news - web sites) last week to review what legal steps would be needed to delay the vote if an attack occurred on the day before or on election day.


The department was asked to review a letter from DeForest Soaries, chairman of the new U.S. Election Assistance Commission, in which he asked Ridge to ask Congress for the power to put off the election in the event of an attack, Newsweek reported in its issue out on Monday.


The commission was created in 2002 to provide funds to states to replace punch card voting systems and provide other assistance in conducting federal elections.


In his letter, Soaries wrote that while New York's Board of Elections suspended primary elections in New York on the day of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, "the federal government has no agency that has the statutory authority to cancel and reschedule a federal election."


Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Rochrkasse told the magazine the agency is reviewing the matter "to determine what steps need to be taken to secure the election."


Republican Rep. Christopher Cox of California, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, told CNN that the idea of legislation allowing the election to be postponed was similar to what had already been looked at in terms of how to respond to an attack on Congress.


"These are doomsday scenarios. Nobody expects that they're going to happen," he said. "But we're preparing for all these contingencies now."

[suedanim]

There is no solution to this problem. And I thought we were not going to allow the terrorists to win by altering our lives, our culture. No matter when the schedule is set for.. the danger will always be there. They know this, but I believe have a different agenda in mind.

imo.. this is a ruse to allow gw to stay in office. They stooped low to get us into Iraq, they stooped low to take the Oval Office in 2000, they no doubt, will stoop as low as necessary to hold on the the Oval Office in 2004. And you know what? Nobody will challenge it. Not in DC... Not in the population. In fact, I believe, gw could right now declare himself, supreme leader without any end in sight... and nobody in this country would say shit. We're all a herd of drones, mind controlled drones with no opinion, but the government story. Right?

We live in complacent times, when the boob tube reigns, when pundits spin and the people listen, when Foxnews and government propaganda are comforts that no one questions. To question it all or any part of it is to cause ..... T-R-O-U-B-L-E And we can have none of that!!

[thaanatos]

We're all a herd of drones, mind controlled drones with no opinion....
yes, I have noticed that about a number of our posters.......

[Atenhotep]

Did that go over your pointy little head thaanatos?

BTW - If anyone takes time to read the 20th Amendment you'll notice that if the election is not concluded by January the Congress can appoint a President.

[goddesscon]

Aten...Congress apointing the president is NO saving grace...it would ensure another four years of lying and deceit!

We the people should open up our mouths and tell then NO F-ing way we should even THINK about postponing the elcetion...
My suggestion...if they are so scared of an attack...perhaps we should do this years election purely by absentee vote...
Then you do not have to worry about exit polls...someone calling the election for a true winner...no worries about bombs going off in voting booths...just plain ole every election office has to feed em all through the machines and BINGO...New president...

[suedanim]

By mail voting? Hey they do that in Oregon I think... maybe elsewhere.

Makes WAY too much sense for the government to ever allow such a thing. Why all those brown, black, elderly, hearing, physically and mentally disabled might find it less intimidating to vote and vote in greater numbers! Not to mention those who work a couple of jobs, mothers with children at home and kids in high school and college will find it way too convenient. Nope.. not a good idea at all. The very idea!

:)

[lily]

Nobody will challenge it. Not in DC... Not in the population. In fact, I believe, gw could right now declare himself, supreme leader without any end in sight... and nobody in this country would say shit. We're all a herd of drones, mind controlled drones with no opinion, but the government story. Right?

We're all drones? Nobody is speaking up? We're still talking about the LAST election. How easily we forget the challenges and re-counts and the uproar over that. Nobody just sat back. We're still talking about the UN overseeing our elections. We the people are no just sitting back and taking it. By We the People, I don't mean us few on a message board, the world is a much bigger place.

I don't see it as some big conspiracy. I see it as Bush making terrorism worse than it already was. To be afraid to vote in the United States? I never thought I would live to see the day. I'm surprised that one of his peers or at least the media has not called him on this.

[goddesscon]

I was watching John Stewart tonight...and though it is Comedy...he made a valid point...at no time in the history of elections ...was an election delayed.. For president...and that includes the Civil War when Lincoln won...
No stopping elections in WWI or WWII....VietNam..Korea.. even during the 60's and riots and protesting was all over this nation...it was in distress and the world knew it...but it never stopped it from happening...
One major terrorist attack and we are still being told to look over our choulders and be afraid....be very very afraid...

There is NO need to even address this...nothing will happen UNLESS Bush sets it up ...I do not see terorrists giving 2 shits about our elected officials..
(when they are actually elected that is :D)...any, I don't think they really care who is on top in America... no matter who it is they wish them dead...so???
Who would they want to kill more???
I dunno...
Guess it is supposed to be psychilogical...put the country in chaos by not knowing who the next president will be...
The election will go on...and hopefully this time they learn how to push the pins all the way through the ballots!

Has anyone thought though...that this is perhaps a ploy to keep people from taking the trip to the polls come November???
Who would be hurt worse???
Kerry or Bush???

[thaanatos]

we need to address the issue, but only to reach a committment that the elections will continue no matter what.....

if we don't, and on election day the terrorists drop a bomb in some city that has even a single democratic voting precinct, we will spend four years arguing that Bush only got elected because the voters were disenfranchised and we didn't count all the incinerated chads.....

[suedanim]

I can agree that the election must be held on the same day across the country.. and seriously .. not changed. What possible difference would it make to change it? It must be announced.. and the terrorists.. DUH! will have that info too.

thaanatos... gw doesn't have to worry about counts or recounts.. he knew that the first time around. He's got the Supreme Court to solve that issue for him. And all the people said..... amen.

[lily]

Just the thought of postponing the elections this week, last week it was have the UN oversee the elections has me shaking my head in wonder. Wondering what has become of this country. :eyes Also wondering what next week will bring :/

[suedanim]

You can count on one thing, lilly. Its going to get worse.... I hate it, you hate it.. signs of our times.. and perhaps the current administration's manipulating fear.

[lily]

........but when is their manipulating fear going to backfire on them? I mean other people have got to see what he is doing, not just us few that post on political message boards. Why aren't they asking how if he made us safer, that we are worried about terrorists at election time/ :dunno Why don't they ask him this when they are cheering in the paid for seats of his campaigning?

Well, that was a dumb question..........they'd get thrown out :eyes

[lily]

Practice????????


US launches Afghan poll operation

By Andrew North
BBC correspondent in Kabul



Elections organisers have been the target of attacks
The US military in Afghanistan has announced a new operation to
protect the forthcoming presidential elections planned for 9 October.
Lt Gen David Barno, commander of US-led forces here, told the
Associated Press the operation would focus on helping the UN, which is
organising the polls.

The coalition troops would help provide the necessary security, he
said.

But with the 20,000-strong coalition due to reduce in size,
international forces could be stretched.

As with all US military operations, the latest comes with a muscular
sounding codename.

This one is called "Lightning Resolve". The US commander said it was
already getting going.

Little detail has been given other than US troops will work more
closely with United Nations' election staff to keep them safe from attack.

But the announcement appears to be acknowledgement that holding an
election remains very risky in the current security climate.

Daily attacks

And that is not the only challenge.

Not a day goes by now without an attack somewhere in Afghanistan.

At least 11 people have died in violence since Sunday.

This new operation comes as the total strength of the US-led coalition
is dropping - with the withdrawal of a 2,000-strong marine unit from Taleban
strongholds in the south.

It is not clear if it will be replaced.

Nato countries have promised some 3,000 extra troops to boost its
peacekeeping force here. But they have yet to arrive.

Speaking to the BBC, General Rick Hillier, the peacekeeping commander,
said he still did not have a date, less than three months before polling
day.





Nit picker that I am, it already has an Operation name :lol and what kind of writer uses the phrase getting going???

[sinterest]

If the Ohio or Mississippi river were to have it's worst flood on record at election time, how long would U.S. elections be delayed?

Think about it.

Enough fear will keep them from voting for change.

The administration invades a country and which creates a huge haven for the "old" terrorists while creating untold number of new ones.

Then we are insulted by the same group who created more terrorists; more threat to our safety – “vote for us, we’ll make you safer”.

ELECT US – WE WILL SAVE YOU FROM THAT WHICH WE CREATED.

[Fredfredson]

If the Ohio or Mississippi river were to have it's worst flood on record at election time, how long would U.S. elections be delayed?


Has there ever been a national election delayed for NATURAL causes?

I can't think of anytime off hand.

F
:pooter

[sinterest]

Has there ever been a national election delayed for NATURAL causes?
that's my point Fred. We wouldn't think of it. So why should we think for it relating to terrorism?
We need to get over our paranoia and look at terrorist attacks as we do natural disasters.
We can and should take reasonable steps to reduce the threat. Reasonable being the key.
We could build mighty levies/dikes along the full length of the Mississippi and stop flooding, but the cost would approach the cost of the Iraq invasion/occupation i.e. isn’t practical.
Neither is our present war on terrorism practical (excerpt in the eyes of the Military Industrial Complex).
The MIT is thriving and soon its control might be unstoppable.
Our odds of dying in a car wreck are much greater than by terrorists. We accept the risk and continue driving. We take reasonable steps to be safer in cars. We don’t wreak the economy trying to make them “death proof”.
We are spending 25% of our taxes to prevent .000001% of our people from being killed by Terrorists.
We don’t like statistics, but we might well consider them here.