Democracy for New Hampshire - Elections

Politics and the Hidden Persuaders

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:03:28 -0400

You can help National Public Radio spot the efforts of independent groups to sway voter opinion. These groups aren’t part of any campaign but make no mistake about it, they use “push polls”, robo-calls, and all sorts of advertising in print, radio and television to help the candidate of their choice.

NPR’s Peter Overby has been doing stories on this activity and NPR has set up a web page where you can report what you’ve seen and heard. You can see that page here.

The ultimate goal is to make sure we all know who is behind this stuff. If one of these groups crosses your path and you think that a little more transparency would help the political process , we hope you’ll let NPR know. To see the stories Peter has already done, you can go this page about the Secret Money Project.

Does John McCain Have a Walter Mitty Complex?

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:03:55 -0400

I ask that question in all seriousness and not just because John McCain actually owes the start of his political career to a Walter Mitty sort of guy, Darrow "Duke" Tully, the publisher of Arizona's largest newspaper when McCain arrived in Phoenix. A profile in the Arizona Republic outlines the particulars:

The Ghost of Richard Nixon

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:51:50 -0400

I have to admit to a persistent affection for any important person who answers one of my many importunate missives in detail. There aren't many. But Richard Nixon is one and John Kenneth Galbraith is another.

Galbraith wrote back that I was right about much economic analysis being flawed because the data collection and the models developed are static and, therefor, an inaccurate representation of a dynamic system--one that constantly changes over time. I don't remember what I wrote Nixon or what he wrote back, only that I'd decided that his most significant action and the least reported was cutting the strings between the dollar and the gold bars in Fort Knox--significant because in one fell swoop both the Soviet Union and South Africa saw the store of gold which fueled their repressive regimes rendered virtually worthless. As a result, if these nations wanted to be considered as equals on the global stage, they had to adjust their behavior and become more supportive of human and civil rights. Nixon set the stage for the fall of the walls.

The Power of One

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:26:59 -0400

Friday, August 15th, 7:30 pm: The Power of One: A Talk by and Conversation with Doris “Granny D” Haddock at South Church, 292 State St, Portsmouth NH. NH's own Granny D talks about how each of us can make a difference, and how public funding of elections can help us. Changing our election funding system can bring peace, the environment, alternative energy, education, poverty, healthcare and more the attention they deserve. Also, from 5-6pm join Granny D and the Leftist Marching Band for the Peace Vigil, Market Square, Portsmouth.
Free and open to the public. Refreshments and a book signing will follow the program. Sponsored by Outreach Associates of South Church, NH Codepink: Women for Peace & Seacoast Peace Response. For more info contact bgh3@comcast.net or 603-431-0138.

Summer jobs to help keep New Hampshire blue

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:49:13 -0400

Make a difference this summer as a paid canvasser for the New Hampshire Democratic Coordinated Campaign and help with one of the nation's most competitive Senate races!

Now hiring individuals to begin immediately to canvass weekday evenings and weekends. Canvassers will be going door-to-door in targeted areas, talking to voters about the issues and identifying support. No fundraising is involved.

Use your summer to do something that matters while gaining valuable job and leadership skills that will last a lifetime, all while helping elect great Democrats from New Hampshire.

Positions ranging from part-time (20 hrs/wk) to full-time (40 hrs/wk).
Now hiring for positions in the Salem/Derry/Nashua and Manchester areas.

Contact Summerjobs@nhdp.org for an application or with questions.

What Barry Would Do, If He Could

Wed, 07 May 2008 09:41:03 -0400

Every once in a while, George Will gets something right. His review of Shelby Steele's "A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win," is one of those times. Of course, that's just my opinion.

Nevertheless, for his comparison to Fred Astaire alone, Will deserves credit:

So far, Obama is the Fred Astaire of politics -- graceful and elegant, with a surface so pleasing to the eye that it seems mistaken, even greedy, to demand depth.

See why over the fold.

Florida Primary

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:41:30 -0400

This email was forwarded to me from a Florida Dem County Chair, and I thought it would be of interest, so am passing it along. I'll add a copy of the referred-to attachment as well (excerpt).

Dear Democrat:
If you haven't already received this it will make you real mad. Open up the attachment and then open the link to Democratic Rep Ron Gelber's exchange. The importance of this it gives us a true picture of the attitude of the Republicans in Tallahassee. You will hear the Republicans mock and laugh at Rep Gilber as he pleads with them not to move the Presidential Primary to January 29. Remember it was a Republican Legislature and the Republican Governor that made this happen. Please forward this to your friends; we need to get the word out.

Chair, Hernando County Democratic Executive Committee
Spring Hill, FL 34611

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
For Immediate Release: March 7, 2008
re: Crist's Concern for Dem Voters

TALLAHASSEE - While Florida's governor plays the role of nonpartisan leader on television, he's a true partisan Republican in real life. During his week-long media tour to "help" Democrats, Crist seems to have conveniently forgotten that he vowed to veto legislation proposed by Democrats to move the primary to February 5th.

MI and FL in Modern Times

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:25:21 -0400

Michigan and Florida in Modern Times
by Bob Franken, March 10, 2008 |

Actually, by "We", I mean "Me" but what the hell. By "Opportunity" I mean the chance to be unbound by the old-fashioned ways of solving this idiotic dillema.
About the most adventurous idea they're discussing beyond the traditional voting booth or caucus is a postcard primary.

Wowee-zowee! Is that edgy or what? Actually the word that more comes to mind is "timid". Isn't it time we started thinking outside the ballot box?

Actually, there are some alternatives in plain sight, particularly if you watch Fox network during primetime.

I'm thinking, of course, of American Idol. Instead of a debate, each candidate performs his and her song-and-dance. Rather than passing judgement, Randy, Paula and Simon get to ask some dumb followup question. Following that, the residents of Michigan and Florida vote by phone.
Each must press in a registration number, which is used one then disabled to prevent duplication.

Florida Debacle

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:24:41 -0400

re: all votes must count

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 14:38:54 -0500

The recent post All Votes Must Count mysteriously left out the petition website. Please go to the following website to read and sign the petition demanding the DNC not disenfranchise millions of its own voters.

Florida-delegates.com

You can go directly to read and sign the petition here

All Votes Must Count

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:39:18 -0500

There is a fast growing movement to make sure Florida and Michigan voters are not disenfranchised. Since my own mother is one of Florida's disenfranchised voters, I have strong feelings about this. (as does she!)

Please read, sign and forward the petition below.

Please keep these facts in mind:

The Florida Democratic primary election ballot had all Democratic presidential candidates listed.
Florida Dems have been disenfranchised, through no fault of their own.
HB537 was written by a Florida Republican to change Florida's primary date.
The Florida legislature has an overwhelming Republican majority.
The state of Florida has a Republican Governor.
HB537 was passed by the Republican-ruled Legislature in May 2007 & legislatively changed the Florida primary date.
The Florida Democratic Party did NOT change this date.
The citizens of the state of Florida did NOT vote on this date change.
This date was, and still is, unalterable by the Florida Democrats.

Passage of Florida legislative bill HB 537 has caused 2.6 Million voters to become disenfranchised. Democrats made up the bulk of those, with 1.7 million voters, an all-time record-breaking turnout. This may have been a manipulation of the legislative process to intentionally influence the outcome of a presidential race. Please help us reinstate the voting rights of Florida Democrats. How you can help:

Florida Tea Party?

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:47:29 -0500

FL Delegate Tempest Could Give State To The GOP
by Ron Levitt,

Florida Democrats, at first "just angry" over the Democratic National Committee's refusal to accept its Jan. 29 Florida primary results, are now engaging in infighting that could put the Sunshine State in the Republican column in November, and that, once again, might mean the presidency.

Even the state's leading newspaper, which rarely editorializes on intra-party political decisions, entered the fray Friday calling the DNC's decision to blacklist Florida's delegates a "kamikaze tradition" which will benefit the GOP.

The newspaper editorial, titled Time to Fix the State's Primary Mess, noted that the 1.7 million record Democratic turnout would be disenfranchised if not counted the same as other states, and "the party stands to lose any claim they have to the loyalty and support of the voters of this state."

"We will not sit on the sidelines and see our votes ignored," said one Democratic activist. She recalled that it was only a handful of ballots that cost Al Gore Florida's electoral votes and the loss of the 2000 election. "The DNC is now doing it again with its ridiculous punishment."

DNC Primary Rules/Disenfranchisement of FL & MI Voters

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:47:06 -0500

Here's some background on DNC rules, and this research (by Andre Walker) covers those rules pertinent to early primaries. Of course, the devilish details are not reported in the big newspapers or covered by major television news programs. Doesn't anybody in the media check the facts anymore? The DNC has a Convention Credentials Committee and anyone concerned about Election Integrity should be contacting them as well as the Rules Committee. (We're talking over 1.7 million Dem voters in Florida -- an all-time record-breaking turnout -- who have been disenfranchised by its own Party).

Note to the DNC: Apply the rules equally & fairly
by Andre Walker (andrewalker08, firedoglake)

As a prelude to this diary, I am serving notice to anyone who may feel the need to opine about how the Florida & Michigan delegations should not have their voting rights restored at the Democratic National Convention; and how it is breaking the rules by seeking to have those two states' delegations votes count in Denver; notice is hereby given that before you hit that "submit" button to post your comments, you better make damn sure that what you're saying is consistent with the Charter & Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States, the Call to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, the 2008 Delegate Selection Rules for the Democratic National Convention, and the Regulations of the Rules & Bylaws Committee for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Buckey withdraws from U.S. Senate race

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:34:44 -0500

Dear Friends,

Today I'm announcing with regret my withdrawal from the campaign to represent New Hampshire in the US Senate. I remain committed to the goals of our campaign, but I do not have the financial resources needed to campaign full-time for the next nine months, which is what would be required to beat John Sununu.

I would like to thank all the people who have volunteered their time, money, and energy to support the campaign. I'm proud that our campaign has brought the need for an Apollo Program for Energy to the forefront of the Senate debate here in New Hampshire, and Im going to continue to work for the issues that have been the foundation of our campaign, including:

Promoting the awareness that Americas energy policy is crucial to our national security and economy as well as to our environment.
Keeping our nation a leader in the global economy by investing in education, supporting science and technology research and development, and providing affordable, portable health care for all Americans.
Eliminating the excessive power of special interests in our political process.

On Recount Results and Election Integrity

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 05:32:35 -0500

SOURCE: Bluehampshire

by elwood

The recount of the New Hampshire primary is well underway. 79,344 ballots - some 27% of the statewide Democratic total - have been recounted in public view. That total now includes 14 towns using hand counts, where 5,661 votes were cast.

Key results so far:

1)The raw miscount rate - that is, changes between the election night total and the recount total - is 857 votes.

2)There are an additional hand-counted 70 write-in votes originally lumped together as 'scatter' that were reallocated to obscure candidates, accounting for another 140 changes in total.

3)The raw miscount rate was 1.08%.

4)The miscount rate in scanner precincts was 1%.

5)The miscount rate in hand count towns was 2.6%.

6)Of the 857 miscounts, 401 from both scanner and hand count precincts are known to be or clearly appear to be simple human error.*

7)Subtracting the human errors, the maximum error attributable to the scanners is 0.57%.