Recount Decision Brings Challenges

By: Mary
Published On: 12/9/2005 2:00:00 AM

From the Hampton Roads Daily Press:

A three-judge panel of the Richmond Circuit Court denied a request by Democratic Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County to rescan all "optical scan ballots"--paper ballots read by machine during the recount scheduled for Dec. 20.

By eliminating recount of optically scanned ballots, the three-judge panel prevented the opportunity to double check undervotes--circumstances where scanning equipment did not pick up on cast votes.  Depending on the calibration of machines, scanning equipment have the possibility for error, particularly if ballots are marked faintly.  According to court papers filed by Senator Deed's legal team, there were 929 undervotes in Chesterfield County and 1,393 in Virginia Beach. Voting experts have noted that this past election was characterized by significantly higher than average undervote rates in paper ballots cast for all races. 

Moreover,  one member of Gloucester County Electoral Board provided an affadavit that indicated that 78 ballots were never counted.

"Here there is a meaningful chance that a full recount ... could result in the difference in the election," [Deeds' attorney Joseph] Kearfott told the panel. "You owe it to the candidates and to the state of Virginia."

The Secretary of the Electoral Board, Jean Jensen, opposed the measure for reasons of expediency. 

Chief Judge Theodore J. Markow, Judge Larry Kirksey and Judge Wilford Taylor rejected Kearfott's argument, finding he had failed to provide enough proof that there were substantial missed or miscounted votes that likely would alter the result of the election.

If there are questions on specific ballots during the recount, those will be brought before the judges for consideration.

"This ruling and this order just leaves more questions than answers, and leaves many important questions unanswered," said Deeds' spokesman, Mark Bergman.

The recount--of illegible and contested records--will occur December 20 and results will be announced December 21.

The State Board of Elections last week certified Republican Bob McDonnell as the winner of the attorney general race by 323 out of 1,943,250 votes cast.  In accordance with  his rights under State Law, Democrat Creigh Deeds filed for a recount if the margin fell under 1%.  This close election featured a margin of just 0.0166%.

Not a bad accomplishment, considering that an article from earlier today in the Richmond Times Dispatch showed that McDonnell outspent Deeds more than 2 to 1:


In the attorney general race, Democrat R. Creigh Deeds, a state senator from Bath County, spent almost $3 million...The McDonnell campaign said it spent about $6.1 million.

Similarly, in the Lt. Governor's race, Bill Bolling spent $3.2 million to Leslie Byrne's $1.4 million,  a race where Bolling won by a narrow (but not contestable) margin.

Deeds and Byrne can both go away from the election with the satisfaction that they did achieve much more value from the money available than their Republican contenders.  However, if funds had been matched, it is likely that Democratic candidates would have swept the down ticket races in the past election.

Update Dec 10, 7:30 am
According to the Washington Post, this ruling means that 26% of the vote will be excluded from the recount.  More critically, that means that the ballots most subject to error--paper ballots--are now barred from reconsideration in counties where these kinds of machines are used (30 localities use them for all votes, 50 for only absentee/provisional ballots). 

Luckily, there are many counties where these machines are not used, but limiting the recount to just 74% of the vote is not good.  We'll just have to really hit that remaining bit of vote with extra scrutiny.


Comments



I find this decision (Mary - 4/4/2006 11:28:41 PM)
I find this decision very, very disturbing.  It appears that fairness is being sacrificed for reasons of expediency. Affadavits of uncounted ballots and huge undervote margins--not to mention the extremely tight margin--all seem to be conclusive indication of the need for a complete recount. Still, the three judge panel determined it unnecessary. It just leaves me wondering if the judges would ever approve of a recount. What is happening to our right to vote?

I hope each of us will do whatever can for the recount--hope, pray, volunteer, donate to the legal fund (the Deed's recount donation page is available by link from his homepage at www.creighdeeds.com). Whatever you do, it matters, since it's our right to vote at stake.



I just don't get it. (Steve Nelson - 4/4/2006 11:28:41 PM)
I just don't get it. They can usually count ALL of the votes within a day. Why is this such a big deal?


Adam and Steve: I a (Lowell - 4/4/2006 11:28:41 PM)
Adam and Steve:  I agree.  This is bullshit.  Perhaps Deeds should appeal this to the Supreme Court?  On second thought...heh.


Do you know much abo (Lowell - 4/4/2006 11:28:41 PM)
Do you know much about this 3-judge panel?  I spent some time looking for info on Richmond Circuit Court Judge Theodore Markow and didn't find much.  Is this known as a "conservative" court or what?


do you guys ever rea (alva - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
do you guys ever read over your own posts and think, man maybe we shouldn't be so angry and bitter.


The Mayor’s remarks (Gail - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
The Mayor’s remarks were very clear and concise, the moderator controlled intense questions and answers, and the YPN staff was very professional and organized.  The audience anticipated by the Republican candidates was disappointed that they chose to send Black representatives on their behalf; a pointed slap in the face.  They do not get it.  The issues count and Republican's discount the importance of the young, Black vote.  Their representation closed a listening ear.  I very much appreciated that Mrs. Byrne chose to represent herself.  Word of mouth spreads fast among the Black community...do not count her out, she has my vote.  She was very clear and spoke to the issues; plus responded to direct and pointed questions.  She was believable.  YPN thanks for the invite. 


I like Byrne. She ha (Gary - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
I like Byrne. She has zero chance of winning, but I like her.


Good show, guys! Th (Mary - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
Good show, guys!  The protest was pretty darn sucessful, Rove didn't show!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/15/AR2005101501286.html



"ziik" Let me intro (Josh - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
"ziik"  Let me introduce you to the Jerry W. Kilgore scorched earth campaign for Governor:

http://jerrykilgore.com/contents/media/videos/ads/

what was that you were saying about being angry and bitter?



oh man! Now THAT'S f (Steve Nelson - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
oh man! Now THAT'S funny.


If Rove, Libby, Chen (Josh - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
If Rove, Libby, Cheny and Bush are indicted, we should make it a point to hold all these pro-death penalty fanatics to their absolutist determininations about mass-murderers.

http://theunitedamerican.blogs.com/Movies/2000A/2000.html



http://www.cnn.com/2 (William Jackson - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/08/berger.sentenced/index.html
"Sandy Berger fined $50,000 for stealing documents"



Karl Rove isn't just (Lowell - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
Karl Rove isn't just a "criminal," he's potentially a traitor if the allegations are true.  And who knows if revealing the covert CIA operative's name led to the deaths of any of her covert contacts.  That would put Karl Rove at the level of Aldrich Ames.  Great company for Jerry Kilgore the Weasel...


Sandy Berger did com (Steve Nelson - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
Sandy Berger did commit a crime of removing documents and he was fined $50,000 and his security clearance was revoked for 3 years. A fitting sentence seeing that he returned the documents.

He committed a crime, he was caught and sentenced. Karl Rove may or may not have committed a crime, the courts will make that decision. But removing secret documents from the archives is hardly equivalent to leaking the name of a spy. Leaking the name of an operative puts that person, their team and anyone connected to them in the past in immediate danger.

So if convicted I will be very upset it Rove doesn't *at least* received the same punishment as Berger. Seems to me Rove committed a much greater crimer than Berger so he should receive a greater sentence. I would think some jail time. But the courts will make that decision.

What do you think William?



ziik: Actually, we (Lowell - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
ziik:  Actually, we just watch the right-wing Republican radicals spewing hatred and lies, trashing our Democracy and our freedoms, and descending to levels of corruption and incompetence not seen in decades.  That's quite sufficient to make us "angry."  As far as "bitter" is concerned, I'd say that word describes the entire conservative mindset to a "t."


Funny subtrefuge, bu (Josh - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
Funny subtrefuge, but incredibly incredibly stupid.  Karl Rove, may have been the architect of a conspiracy to send the entire nation to war based on lies, and exposing an undercover CIA operative when her husband denuded some of those lies. 

Sandy Berger?  Are you kidding me?  That issue is closed.  Nobody died, no information was lost, every iota of information was included in the 9/11 Comission Report.

When Rove, Libby, and possibly Cheny are indicted it will bring down this White House. 

You're raising a molehill to distract from the Mountain rising in our midst.

This Republican Culture of Corruption is falling like spears from heaven after the Morning Star.  Jerry Dubya Kilgore is a child, servant, and stooge of these ilicit power-brokers and deserves neither respect nor praise, and certainly not money.



Berger never did any (summercat - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
Berger never did anything wrong.  He did not take any documents, correct?


What do you guys who (William Jackson - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
What do you guys who think Rove is a traitor think of Sandy "socks" Berger?


Right, he was fined (Steve Nelson - 4/4/2006 11:28:43 PM)
Right, he was fined $50,000 AND his security clearance was revoked for 3 years.

He broke the law, he must pay the price.

If Karl Rove broke the law, he SHOULD pay the price. Don't you agree?

btw, if you're going to put something in quotes, quote it correctly. "taking" is very different from "stealing". He had clearance to access the files, just not take them out of the archives. He didn't sneak in wearing a black suit, Mission Impossible style, and "steal" them.



I have renewed faith (Jen Little - 4/4/2006 11:28:44 PM)
I have renewed faith in the justice system! 

Do we know if the Republican Party was ordered to reimburse Union for their legal fees and administrative costs, or will those costs transfer to those who have policies with the company? 

Also, do we know if taxpayers will be reimbursed for the expenses associated with the filing of this frivolous lawsuit, including time of the all the judges, clerks and secretaries in our judicial system, or are we (the taxpayers) writing the check?



Absolutely amazing! (Soccer Mom - 4/4/2006 11:28:44 PM)
Absolutely amazing!  Judge Donhal is my hero!

Accountability, responsibility....oh yes! Can you imagine what a Republican Highhorse would be being made if the parties were reversed in this situation?!

The gall, the nerve, the insanity of the Republican Party filing suit in the middle of a campaign to get their own insurance company to pay up on a claim for reimbursements for CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND LEGAL FEES?

Is this insane or what? 

I suspect that the few Real Republicans remaining in the ranks acquiesced to the arrogant Rightwingnuts when they said, "hey guy, we oughta sue the insurance company...." in the wild and crazy hope that this would so totally outrage the electorate -- Republican and Democrat alike -- to say, oh no......this is not the way we want to go.

I challenge the FORMER, Mister Attorney General of Virginia, to release his SEALED deposition in this case prior to election Day so that everyone in Virginia can know what his TRUE ROLE IN THIS MATTER WAS?

C'mon, Jerry, 'fess up.....we certainly don't want to run the risk that a SITTING GOVERNOR COULD BE INDICTED FOR CRIMINAL EAVESDROPPING DO WE?

CONFESS, JERRY.  Release the depossition NOW!



If Kilgore's elected (Lowell - 4/4/2006 11:28:44 PM)
If Kilgore's elected -- God forbid -- we seriously could have a situation like in Connecticut recently with Governor Rowland, who was sentenced to 1 year in jail for corruption. Watch out!


Maybe if Kaine would (I Publius - 4/4/2006 11:28:45 PM)
Maybe if Kaine would get his story straight about his level of involvement in trying to overturn those death sentences, Virginians wouldn't have such a hard time trusting him.

As it is, with his long record of trying to overturn Virginia law on capital punishment, it's impossible to think that Tim Kaine can keep a straight face while telling voters that he'll send condemned criminals to the execution chamber.  Kaine just doesn't pass the smell test on this one.



Jerry Kilgore is a L (Jen Little - 4/4/2006 11:28:45 PM)
Jerry Kilgore is a Liar!

Kilgore needs any diversion he can get, this keeps the spotlight off the fact Jerry Kilgore has no plans for Virginia if elected.  Nothing!  Kilgore needs something to be focussed on other than the real issues Virginian families face.  That is why he refused to say he would devote more than 50% of his ads to positive messages.

Kilgore has NO positive message.

Tim Kaine is an honorable public servant possessing strong leadership skills.  Jerry Kilgore is a cheap car salesmenesque politician who is really trying desperately to paint a picture of Tim Kaine other than the truth.  Jerry is failing miserably in his attempts - None of it is flying with the press and it is causing Jerry to lose support from his base.

Jerry Kilgore cannot be trusted period!
Jerry Kilgore cannot be elected Governor!



Maybe if Jerry Kilgo (Josh - 4/4/2006 11:28:45 PM)
Maybe if Jerry Kilgore would get his message straight on issues ranging from abortion to taxes people would be able to believe him when he grandstands on issues.

As it is, there's no credibility for Jerry W. Kilgore, and he doesn't deserve a single vote on November 8.

Tim Kaine's positions are principled and clear, if you get past the Kilgore fearmongering, grandstanding, and flat-out lies.



Say what you will, f (cut the crap - 4/4/2006 11:28:45 PM)
Say what you will, folks, but I'm glad we have three pro-choice candidates running for Governor this year: Jerry Kilgore, Tim Kaine, and Russ Potts.

All will protect the woman's right to abortion on demand.



My own personal opin (cut the crap - 4/4/2006 11:28:45 PM)
My own personal opinion is that Jerry Kilgore likes abortion.


Don't relax yet; rem (Teddy - 4/4/2006 11:28:47 PM)
Don't relax yet; remember Mark Warner was ahead by several points in the polls but on election day his lead shrank. I suspect the reason that happened was because the Democrats did not get their supporters to the polls.  The ground war continues.


It is all about who (Scott Nolan - 4/4/2006 11:28:47 PM)
It is all about who actually bothers to vote, and we have to get ordinary citizens and responsible people out to vote on November 8th.  The whackos will certainly be ther e, we should too!


They fired up our ba (Paul - 4/4/2006 11:28:47 PM)
They fired up our base. Thanks Jerry!


I think that's the m (Paul - 4/4/2006 11:28:47 PM)
I think that's the main point to be remembered:

More than anything, these Hitler ads made Democrats ANGRY. They pissed us off because they were blantantly unfair.



Jerry Kilgore just m (Alex - 4/4/2006 11:28:47 PM)
Jerry Kilgore just might be the best person on our team..


From what I've heard (notice - 4/4/2006 11:28:50 PM)
From what I've heard, they will be trying the "phony police officer" thing at highly African American polling locations: guys dressed up to look official that then give voters walking to the polls a hard time about this or that.  These people will be out of state, quietly coming here to intimidate Democratic voters.

But it's no surprise.  This is a party that regularly gets together and tries to figure out how to depress turnout and make sure vosts don't get cast or are cast the wrong way so that they get tossed.



According to his des (Josh - 4/4/2006 11:28:50 PM)
According to his despicable "Hitler" ads, Virginia's most popular Liar, Jerry W. Kilgore, despite having once been Attorney General has no respect for due process of the law, nor any belief in fair representation for criminals.  Why would a guy like that give a red god damn about your right to vote?


Ziik: Why don't you (Lowell - 4/4/2006 11:28:51 PM)
Ziik:  Why don't you stop throwing out rotten, stinking red herrings and talk a little about your corrupt, sleazy, weaselly boy wonder, Jerry Kilgore for a change?  Of course, you don't want to do that, because you know if you did, you'd LOSE big time!  Perhaps you don't trust your candidate - never have, never will?!?  Ha ha ha.

The bottom line with Kilgore is that if he doesn't understand the role of attorneys in the American system of justice, then he must have skipped Civics 101, let alone a bunch of key classes on Legal Ethics and the like. 

Or, perhaps he knows FULL WELL what he's doing.  My guess is that he knows EXACTLY what the role of an attorney is supposed to be, he's just being cynical and nasty (what else is  new with Kilgore?) with his heinous (and backfiring) "Hitler" ad.  Just as, by the way, Kilgore's running mate Bill Bolling knows exactly what HE'S doing with his racist, xenophobic, anti-Hispanic ads

Hey, these Republican candidates of yours may be evil, but they're not stupid!



i hope you guys know (alva - 4/4/2006 11:28:51 PM)
i hope you guys know how much joy you give me.


Are you sure you rea (Mary - 4/4/2006 11:28:51 PM)
Are you sure you really read it?  The article opens with this statement:

"The content of Kilgore?s commercials has even irritated local attorneys, who say it is unfair to criticize lawyers who accept court-appointed work, even if it is for death row inmates."

Four lawyers were interviewed, more were referenced. Your comments, Ziik, are the only "misrepresentation" in this thread.

Could "Ziik" possibly be an alias for a member of member of the Kilgore communications team?  You certainly do show the same suicidal tendency to cling to liabilities.

You know, Ziik, right now the VA Bar Assn has held back from commenting--but if the Kilgore campaign just continues on like this, maybe you'll just force them to a comment. Is that really what you want?



ok, Walt, uh... I me (Josh - 4/4/2006 11:28:51 PM)
ok, Walt, uh... I mean ziik.  How about you find a couple of lawyers who, like Jerry Kilgore, want to undo the constitution by eliminating due process, and then we can talk. 

Until then you're just talkin' outcher butt, and the stink's gettin' nazzztaaay!



ziik, it would suit (Alex - 4/4/2006 11:28:51 PM)
ziik, it would suit you to read the referenced article before running your mouth...oh, and the name on the post as well.


Ziik, Obviously, (Mary - 4/4/2006 11:28:51 PM)
Ziik,

Obviously, you failed to notice that Lowell did not write this and it is also clear you did not read the referenced article.

If you had read that article (as you really should before passing judgement on someone who wasn't even involved), you would see that lawyers are perfectly articulate in voicing how deeply offended they were by Kilgore's advertisements.  They speak for themselves, I merely reported their impressions to a wider audience.

Any other complaints--or are you ready to do your homework next time?

 



good to see that low (alva - 4/4/2006 11:28:51 PM)
good to see that lowell is now speaking for the entire legal community, in bold no less.


And just like that, (Alex - 4/4/2006 11:28:51 PM)
And just like that, Mary nails it with one powerful swing of her giant hammer.

Excellent work.



uh excuse me mary, y (alva - 4/4/2006 11:28:51 PM)
uh excuse me mary, you were the one misrepresenting the entire legal commmunity, not lowell..and i read the article, looks like only 2 lawyers object to me, not the entire legal community.


Kilgore has hit an a (Keith Kessler - 4/4/2006 11:28:51 PM)
Kilgore has hit an all time low by playing on the vulnerable emotions. As a lawyer, Kilgore should realize that it was Kaine's law firm that took on "court appointed" cases and he just assisted like any firm member would. But people like Kelly Timbrook are just being exploited by Kilgore to try and perpetuate a lie. Perhaps Kilgore may wish to explain why he refuses to answer groups representing the elderly, disabled and the poor? Kilgore has been asked many times but refuses to answer. Could it be that Kilgore has no viable plans so he ignores this important population? Figure it out, Jerry knows he's in desperate waters so he'll do anything desperate that he can to perpetuate lies that people just aren't buying into. Kilgore is definitely not governor material nor should he be voted in as governor. If he was voted in you'd see this state revert 30 years back in time. We can't afford to go backwards after all we've recently gained.

Keith Kessler - Founder
Disabled Action Committee



I nominate this post (Hanover - 4/4/2006 11:28:58 PM)
I nominate this post for "Most Ridiculous Post Ever."



Goodness, folks, I t (Teddy - 4/4/2006 11:28:58 PM)
Goodness, folks, I thought this was a Hallowe'en parade, not a formal "pass in review." The green scarf was, in my opinion, appropriate attire for the occasion. And yes, Creigh Deeds is a decent, honorable, polite man.  And honest.


Jonathan: You are h (Jen Little - 4/4/2006 11:28:58 PM)
Jonathan:  You are hysterical.  Really, I was just sneaking a peak before I left the office for the day, and read your comments and busted out laughing.  So few people have that gift! 


It doesn't look as i (Jonathan Mark - 4/4/2006 11:28:58 PM)
It doesn't look as if Creigh is packing any heat in that photo. What is the problem? Virginia is a concealed carry state.

There is no excuse for the NRA endorsed Creigh to be going out without being  fully armed.

What if Creigh observed a crime being committed? Wouldn't you want Creigh to take out his weapon and hold the criminal until the police could arrive? Or maybe pop the criminal anyway?

An armed citizenry is an important aspect of crime prevention. Shame on Creigh for not acting on his beliefs and for going out without his weapon.



Creigh is a really, (I.Publius - 4/4/2006 11:28:58 PM)
Creigh is a really, really nice guy.  I just wish he'd been smart enough to not run for AG.  He would be a much better Lt. Gov. candidate, and might have even won.  As it is, he's going to get creamed.  And just like L.F. Payne (another moderate Democrat who I supported and voted for), Creigh will
retire from public life after this defeat... which is too bad.

And I'll second your agreement with Hanover.  What a freaking ridiculous post.



Whoever lent him tha (Ben - 4/4/2006 11:28:58 PM)
Whoever lent him that scarf should be banned from Democratic parades.


Is that a scarf? (Ben - 4/4/2006 11:28:58 PM)


I'm still stuck on t (Ben - 4/4/2006 11:28:58 PM)
I'm still stuck on the scarf.  Mary- who decided to treat Creigh like a Barbie doll and dress him in a woman's scarf.  He's so nice too- he would totally never say no if someone tried to do that. Seriously, I want a name!!! 

:)



I agree with you, Ha (Mary - 4/4/2006 11:28:58 PM)
I agree with you, Hanover, this was an entirely ridiculous situation created by folks who did not want to make Jerry Kilgore accessible. I had only heard rumors before that Kilgore was essentially cloistered so he is only surrounded by syncophants.  Despite this, I was rather surprised to see that this is true, even in a parade appearance.  Maybe if you have influence with his handlers, you can convince his handlers that holding him away from the electorate can lead to unfavorable impressions.  If he is truly deserving of being governor of Virginia, Kilgore should be willing to meet voters of all persuasions.  Dodging voters (especially me!) seems somewhat indicative of less than forthright convictions and dubious accountibility.

Yes, Ben, Creigh was wearing a scarf (lent from a marcher)--it was exceptionally cold last night.



Dan great comments, (Jen Little - 4/4/2006 11:29:05 PM)
Dan great comments, but Kilgore is not anti-meth.  Kilgore is soft on Meth.

Kilgore is Anti-Cop and Anti-Virginia so you were right there.



Kilgore is Anti-C (I.Publius - 4/4/2006 11:29:05 PM)
Kilgore is Anti-Cop and Anti-Virginia

Errr.... yeah, tell that to the Fraternal Order of Police, which endorsed Kilgore.



Ah, Mama Kilgore is (Jenny - 4/4/2006 11:29:08 PM)
Ah, Mama Kilgore is pulling some dirty stunts already. This is scary. I hope Kaine's campaign staff is watching this very closely.


Kirk -- You said (Soccer Mom - 4/4/2006 11:29:08 PM)
Kirk --

You said it ... I have heard that "absentee voter registration" has dramtically spiked in all localities across the state. I hope the state board of elections is keeping an eye on that and that the Kaine campaign people are aware that as far as Kilgore goes -- if it worked once, it will work again!



Welcome to the real (Chris from ASL - 4/4/2006 11:29:08 PM)
Welcome to the real "cess pool" of corruption!


All your ideas of ac (Teddy - 4/4/2006 11:29:08 PM)
All your ideas of achieving media attention to this ongoing fraud are good, just see that it gets done NOW. I have a modest suggestion meanwhile on the political comedy side: let's add Willie Mae's name to next year's list of hurricane nomenclature.  (She does seem a big ole bag of wind)


I I don?t know how (The Rev - 4/4/2006 11:29:08 PM)
I I don?t know how much media attention this will draw in other parts of the state but if you live in Scott County and rely on The Kingsport Times News for info, they portray Willie as the victim, as usual.Most folks in Scott County have to read the Roanoke times for local news and the real story. Or wait until Wednesday and read the good ole Scott County Star,This Story needs to be in every newspaper in the state.These people run this county from the courthouse to the outhouse and all points between,Tim Kaine and is our only hope to clean this mess up.


Someone needs to cal (ALERT - 4/4/2006 11:29:08 PM)
Someone needs to call on the State Baord of Elections to send TRAINED personnel down to Scott County to monitor the election next week.
Trust me, Willie Mae and the Kilgores will play every trick in the book to run up the score for both their sons in the county. There is cause and past evidence of vote misconduct in Scott to warrant SBE intervention!

Lowell, you need to beat the drum on this!



You need to send a p (Mimi Schaeffer - 4/4/2006 11:29:08 PM)
You need to send a press release to all the media.

And quickly!!!

They need to know what kind of shenanigans run in the family.



The Kaine mailing sa (posta - 4/4/2006 11:29:11 PM)
The Kaine mailing said it was a message for Republicans, and it said the text was from the VCG.  It was. 

This mailing says it's FROM the Democrats and that they are endorsing Potts.

The Kaine mailer played with the line.  But this goes way way over it.



When I finally got m (Teddy - 4/4/2006 11:29:11 PM)
When I finally got my mail yesterday, there was the infamous Kill-gore pamphlet referred to above. I am in the 37th District, and when I opened the mailer and saw what it was like inside, it had exactly the same layout right down to the colors of ink used by Republican candidate John Mason for the 37th District seat vacated by Chap Petersen. Therefore, I knew instantly that this was a Republican mailout, and that was confirmed when I saw, in 6-point type the legend next to Tim Kaine's picture stating this mailout was paid for by Virginians for Kilgore.

Did anyone else have this rather eerie experience? Mason's numerous daily mailouts which have flooded the Fairfax City area, are, actually, quite elegant and beautifully printed, different from the usual political crap we see, and I had thought they were reflective of Mason's own personality... although the ultimate bottom line is that they are repetitive and, while pretending to be a "Voter's Official Guide" to transportation, taxes, etc, provide little substance and quickly pall as being nothing more than a paen to Mason and an attack on a strawman opponent he erects only in order to attack his opponent. His opponent is David Bulova, a fine young Democrat who would make an excellent Delegate. 

I ask if anyone knows who designed this Rus Potts phony mailout and, by implication, John Mason's. It might be worth knowing for the future.



Pretty good graphics (Teddy - 4/4/2006 11:29:11 PM)
Pretty good graphics with posting--- appropriate. Have you seen (and heard) all the desperate Kll-gore ads on widening I-66? On illegal immigrants? Will someone please point out to voters that sidening I-66 is also on Kaine's agenda, but in a far more feasible and likely-to-occur way than Jerry's half-baked plan-- you know, inbound add another lane, but ignore what happens when the line of traffic reaches the Potomac bridge, which still has the same number of lanes (guess the inbound cars will hurl themselves off the end I-66 right into the river, like lemmings over a cliff; THAT will eliminate all those pesky drivers coming from Haymarket at one fell swoop, thus easing congestion). And this business of having local police pick up "illegals," thus doing the Feds' job for them, and at our expense. Guess Jerry doesn't want to bring up the fact that his role model, Bush, has dropped the ball on border security and screwed up that job, too.


oops... AND, IT M (Soccer Mom - 4/4/2006 11:29:11 PM)
oops...

AND, IT MATTERS GREATLY THAT ON NOV.8TH WE ELECT TIM KAINE.



LET US NOW PRAISE (Soccer Mom - 4/4/2006 11:29:11 PM)

LET US NOW PRAISE FAMOUS MEN

Mr. Oliver Hill is man of integrity, intellect and raw courage.  I hope Kaine frames this endorsement and treasures it for the rest of his life. 

He was right back when he and the other NAACP lawyers began fighting racism and segregation and he is right now when he castigates Kilgore's dishonest cynicism and lifts Kaine up in praise.

Mr. Hill has seen it all.  And, at age 98, he still knows that the fight for honesty and accountability matters.  And, it matter greatly that on Nov. 8th we elect Tim Kaine. 



When I am 98 years o (Soccer Mom - 4/4/2006 11:29:11 PM)
When I am 98 years old, I hope I am still able to see the truth as well as Mr. Hill does.

Who needs the likes of Doug Wilder when you can be endorsed by a living legend?



This endorsement fro (Soccer Mom - 4/4/2006 11:29:11 PM)
This endorsement from Mr. Hill, a veteran lawyer/warrior for Civil Rights, now 98 years old and blind, demonstrates the courageous leadership and morality needed from Virginia's leaders if we are to move forward. 

In terms of class, in terms of intellect, in terms of knowing what is necessary to move Virginia forward, Mr. Hill's integrity and accomplishments are beyond approach.

Raising Kaine should make sure this endorsement gets maximum exposure!



John: See here.


Noteworthy re: Neali (Soccer Mom - 4/4/2006 11:29:12 PM)
Noteworthy re: Nealie Pitts matter is that the AG office wanted to use taxpayer money to PAY for Mr. Matthews 2-hours of class!

Basically saying yeah, yeah, yeah ....he got caught, but this isn't any big deal...kinda like how Matricardi's eavesdropping and wiretapping weren't a big deal ...



Dan -- I agree wi (SoccerMom - 4/4/2006 11:29:12 PM)
Dan --

I agree with you. Astounding also is that a local television station in Richmond (NBC12) had Mathews on tape using the "N" word and even then, Kilgore did nothing, said nothing --looked the OTHER WAY !



Where is the usual m (Teddy - 4/4/2006 11:29:12 PM)
Where is the usual media outrage and uproar? Why is this sort of another piece of stealth bigotry by the Republicans (who are the inheritors of what used to be Dixie-crat Jim Crowism)? More to the point, what part of "illegal" does Kilgore not understand, eh?


Yes and where is th (The Rev - 4/4/2006 11:29:12 PM)
Yes and where is the media uproar from the stealth bigorty, the voter fraud, and mafia chokehold that Scott County has been under for years. If this dupe wins the governors race the great state of Virginia will be referred to as Pond Scum, I hope the good people of Virginia don't let that happen. 


It's a shame that th (Chris from ASL - 4/4/2006 11:29:12 PM)
It's a shame that this stuff is still being done today...


Hmm, "I can't commen (Jim E-H - 4/4/2006 11:29:13 PM)
Hmm, "I can't comment when there's an ongoing investigation," where have I heard that before?  Seems to be the mantra of Republicans under investigation everywhere!


Willie Turner was li (informed source - 4/4/2006 11:29:13 PM)
Willie Turner was likely helped by a corrupt guard or his lawyers in placing the gun into his typewriter. I'll acknowledge that Turner as a ingenious escape artist and inventor (he got a patent for "de-ending shears" while on death row), but he was first and foremost a cold blooded killer.

Turner could make duplicate keys for cell house locks just by _listening_ to how a key turned in it.  He also fashioned a bomb out of the cardboard backing of a legal notepad and a match as well as made a samurai style sword nearly three feet in length from his Mecklenburg cell toilet.

Some VADOC administrators who manage death row acknowledged to me that Turner was a criminal genius.  However, they haven't seen those problems replicated by any other inmate since that time. 

There was fallout at VADOC from the Turner gun incident, but positive steps for public safety were subsequently made by Ron Angelone, the tough as nails VADOC Director (1994-2002).  Today, death row, as well as the Level 4-5-6 security prison facilities in Virginia are quiet, without any outbreaks of violence or shenanigans as carried out by Turner.



very interesting. th (criminal records - 4/4/2006 11:29:13 PM)
very interesting. things of this sort happens all the time people just dont get caught.


Actually Jim E-H, th (informed source - 4/4/2006 11:29:13 PM)
Actually Jim E-H, that statement is quite true for any internal investigation that takes place within the Virginia Department of Corrections.  If someone high up in the hierarchy were to speak, that would open up the agency to potential litigation based on a misstatement.

This has proven true in many incidents, such as investigations of the Ultron-II stun gun "caused" death of an inmate at Red Onion (later disproven by the autopsy finding of natural causes) or a personnel issue.  Larry Traylor, communications director at VADOC, will tell reporters, "we're not going to comment until our investigation is complete".

So the stance taken by Kilgore (as Secretary of Public Safety) in response to the 1995 investigation of the Willie Lloyd Turner gun incident was quite appropriate.



One question: isn't (Teddy - 4/4/2006 11:29:13 PM)
One question: isn't your original date at the beginning incorrect?


You forgt to mention (Soccer Mom - 4/4/2006 11:29:13 PM)
You forgt to mention that during Kilgore's tenure, the Justice Department launched a major investigation into the physical abuse of children in Virginia's detention facilities.

Kilgore ignored the finding of that investigation and claimed it was a hoax!

That's right, Jerry, anytime anyone has any criticsm of you or how you do business it is either a "hoax" or a "grand conspiracy."

Jerry-man doesn't ever do anything except deny that he did anything.

Folks, we can't really have both Bush and Kilgore at the same time....just sorting through their lies will make us all sick.  These two boys are such high maintainence.

ELECT KAINE.  For the sake of our children and the Commonwealth of Virginia.



Regardless of the La (FreedomLover - 4/4/2006 11:29:13 PM)
Regardless of the Landlord's reasons - and they are quite rediculious ones - private property right exists. No matter what the reason, the house, MORALLY, is his to do with as he pleases - she has no right to the house. Fair Housing is probably the single greatest violation of the bill of rights in existence today.


...that Jerry Kilg (Soccer Mom - 4/4/2006 11:29:13 PM)

...that Jerry Kilgore is the kinda guy who would just love Clarence Thomas.

Kilgore's racism is not at all hidden.  He talked all nicey-nice to Doug Wilder, but then turned around and dissed him.  And, Wilder must be getting old and suffering from early onset Alzheimers or something.  If someone had disrespected Doug so profoundly as a younger man, Doug woulda torn this Kilgore into tiny pieces and used him as fish-bait.

Alas, it is a pity that Doug so despises his fellow Democrats who did not help him as much as he thought they should in his aborted attempt to run for the Senate and for US President, that he is willing to become a step-and-fetch-it for Republicans who want to play games.

Doug usedta be smarter than this.  Why aren't other legislators and citizens outraged by Kilgore's nonchalance when it comes to people of color or people who have disabilities? 



Jerry Kilgore has n (Soccer Mom - 4/4/2006 11:29:13 PM)
Jerry Kilgore has not one thing to brag concerning his tenure as George Allen?s Secretary of Public Safety.

I would be interested in hearing the answers to a few questions concerning the administration of the juvenile justice system in Virginia and about WHY the U.S. Justice Department was called in to investigate. 

Those with good memories, will recall that overcrowding and abuse in the state?s juvenile detention centers could qualify Virginia for a ?Shame of the Nation? award. 

Under Kilgore?s tenure as Director of Public Safety, there were not just simply ALLEGATIONS of child abuse, but CONFIRMED CASES of children being beaten into unconsciousness by guards.

This all came to light in May of 1996, when the Justice Department, after tipped off to routine abuse of children, launched an investigation.

Allen, having been elected on a ?tough on crime? ticket, established harsh new standards for juvenile offenders, putting them in prison for lesser offenses and keeping them in longer.  Kilgore was eager to please and more than ready to lock?em up and throw away the keys.

Overcrowding inevitably got worse, abuse became more common, and the whole system quickly ceased to rehabilitate children, and instead turned them into hardened criminals.

This was a stark contrast to just a decade previously, when Virginia?s juvenile-justice system was considered the model for the nation and the envy of leaders of states across the country. Allen and his Secretary of Public Safety, in an effort to prove themselves to be ?tough guys,? turned that whole system on its head and managed to destroy everything good about the system, making it worse than useless.

Despite the obviousness of the abuse ? the reaction from the Allen administration and Jerry Kilgore was shocking.

Rather than admit fault, express even an iota of shame at the federal government?s need to get involved, they became very defensive. Get this.  Kilgore CLAIMED the whole probe was purely political, and attempted to BLAME it on President Clinton, saying that Clinton was making up stuff (hmmmmm, sound familiar?) to detract from Allen?s juvenile justice overhaul.

As the Virginian-Pilot wrote in an editorial at the time (May 23, 1996):

Much as Virginia would like to handle its own problems, officials should listen carefully to what the Justice Department has to say. This probe should not disintegrate into a federal/state standoff, but should be taken as a chance to assess what?s wrong and move forward.

Lives may be at stake, literally - those of errant juveniles, of the men and women who guard them and of a public that sooner or later will have most of these young people back in its its midst.

Is blaming someone else for a problem considered? ?LEADERSHIP??  Is claiming ignorance of a problem? ?LEADERSHIP??  Is the ability to tell BIGGER AND BIGGER lies to protect your boss? ?LEADERSHIP?? 

How many of the juvenile offenders who were warehoused and subjected to abuse in the Allen/Kilgore administration are now adult offenders contributing to increased crime across the state?  Are these chickens coming home to roost?

Just wondering when Mr. Kilgore will stop whining and blaming other people for his troubles and stand up as a man, ?a man in full,? and take some responsibility?



Good point, Teddy. O (Lowell - 4/4/2006 11:29:13 PM)
Good point, Teddy. Obviously this was a typo and should have been "1995."  I fixed it. - Lowell


In the final hours o (The Rev - 4/4/2006 11:29:15 PM)
In the final hours of the election worse things will happen, In Scott County as of Saturday the 7, the voting machines are missing, Willie says she don?t know where they are, they have been reported to be in the republican hands,these machines can be programed two different ways in house or by phone these people have thrown several elections they will do anything, Virginia is going to experience some of the fraud that folks around here have lived with for years.


Supposedly the US At (RickyD - 4/4/2006 11:29:15 PM)
Supposedly the US Attorney has dispatched several officials to watch the election.  Hopefully with a keeping a close eye on the election will limit the funny business.


Voice impersonator? (I.Publius - 4/4/2006 11:29:15 PM)
Voice impersonator?  LMAO!

Are you that ashamed of your candidate's own words? 



Also, I hear from my (Doug in Mount Vernon - 4/4/2006 11:29:15 PM)
Also, I hear from my Loudoun friends that Dick Black's conservative Catholic Church in Sterling handed out voter guides in church, as well as a scathing homily from the pulpit that scorned anyone who would vote for a candidate that isn't pro-life and/or anti-gay (David Poisson).  The voter guides supposedly explicitly mentioned Dick Black's pro-life and anti-gay positions.

When are thinking church-goers going to demand an end to politics from the pulpit?



The weasel meter nee (RickyD - 4/4/2006 11:29:15 PM)
The weasel meter needs to go to 10!  Kilgore has stooped lower than I figured possible.


Not ashamed, just su (RickyD - 4/4/2006 11:29:15 PM)
Not ashamed, just surprised at what lowball tactics your campaign would stooped to win an election.  Lie, smear and mislead, the indictments wouldn't be far behind a Kilgore administration.


The stuff that churc (Chris from ASL - 4/4/2006 11:29:15 PM)
The stuff that church did is against the law, sadly though, that law is not enforced.


Mary, screw politics (Steve Nelson - 4/4/2006 11:29:16 PM)
Mary, screw politics! you should be a professional photographer.


"I began to realize (Hans Mast - 4/4/2006 11:29:16 PM)
"I began to realize hat future progress was not guaranteed"

Hats are important. Especially the future progress of hats.



My goodness, Leslie (Ben - 4/4/2006 11:29:16 PM)
My goodness, Leslie looks fabulous.


I have read three st (Thadd - 4/4/2006 11:29:16 PM)
I have read three stories of touch-screen voter fraud in VA.  One specifically in Roanoke county.  My own experience was that a poll worker asked to cover my T-shirt b/c it made an anti-Bush political statement.  And my fiance was harrassed for her KaineforGovernor T-shirt.  There is no law against wearing anything to a poll.  I know we're in the south but I thought Jim Crow was over.  Please spread the word.


I've said it before, (Lowell - 4/4/2006 11:29:16 PM)
I've said it before, and I'll say it again..Mary Dotson is an inspiration!!!  Yes, everyone, it's true "There's something about Mary!" :) - Lowell


I voted at 11:00. I (Alex - 4/4/2006 11:29:17 PM)
I voted at 11:00.  If they were basing the election on the number of tacky election signs cluttering the ground of the school where I voted, Kilgore would definitely win haha...

But alas, there are also alot of VT grads in this county who might be offended by his gratuitous use of the UVA colors! 

One could hope.

It was also refreshing to have an incumbent, virtually unopposed county supervisor on the ballot out there shaking hands at ground zero, thanking everyone for their support.



anyone know if any e (uva08 - 4/4/2006 11:29:17 PM)
anyone know if any exit polls are out?


maybe they were tryi (Alex - 4/4/2006 11:29:17 PM)
maybe they were trying to say that broke the rules about campaigning within so many feet of the polls.

i'm not saying that it DOES fall within those rules, but i suppose if one wanted to nitpick, it could.



My impression is tha (Mary - 4/4/2006 11:29:31 PM)
My impression is that the details (times, locations) not included are still being worked out.  You will have to contact the transition team directly for the rest of your questions (leafletting, speaking rules, etc.).


Hopefully the Slugs (Annie - 4/4/2006 11:29:31 PM)
Hopefully the Slugs will be out in full force to argue against HOT lanes.  They have really gotten organized and politically active. Good for them!


Where in Manassas on (Jonathan Mark - 4/4/2006 11:29:31 PM)
Where in Manassas on the 29th? What time?

What are the rules for who gets to speak? Is handing out of leaflets allowed?

My guess is that there will be 10 to 100 people who wish to speak for everyone who will be able to. Gov. Kaine cannot be expected to stay up all night listening to us jabber at him.



You're right, Mary, (Teddy - 4/4/2006 11:29:50 PM)
You're right, Mary, anyone who has ever met Senator Deeds instantly recognizes that here is that unusual animal, a political man with integrity. We desperately need him as Virginia's next Attorney General. I've already donated, and I urge every one hopeful for Virginia's future to do so as well.


Thanks for the recap (Josh - 4/4/2006 11:30:10 PM)
Thanks for the recap Mary.  Sounds like a great event.


I love reading the t (sam walters - 4/4/2006 11:30:10 PM)
I love reading the truth. I am a registered republican but all the "dirty obvious tricks" has left me no choice but abandon the party. I will be a democrat next election, I promise.


An interesting dicot (nova_middle_man - 4/4/2006 11:30:11 PM)
An interesting dicotomy while some choose to leave something when they don't like it others choose to change it.  The moderate wing of this site it working to change the democratic party.  I for one am trying to help moderate the Republican party.  Basically the point is, crossing over to the dems is of course one option but another option is to help shape the republican party instead of totally abandoning it. 


I agree, "27 competi (Lowell - 4/4/2006 11:30:11 PM)
I agree, "27 competitive House races...out of 439 seats" IS a "bit lame."  Actually, it's a lot more than a BIT lame.  I'm sorry, but in the country, EVERY HOUSE SEAT SHOULD BE COMPETITIVE, or at least COMPETED.  Obviously, some aren't going to be simply because the incumbent truly is super-popular, but at the minimum there should be a serious challenger for each incumbent - Republican, Democrat, Green, whatever -- in every district, every time.  Anything less does a disservice to our Democracy, IMHO.


Mary: By the way, th (Lowell - 4/4/2006 11:30:11 PM)
Mary: By the way, thanks for filling us in about this conference...sounds fascinating!


To Mr. Walters, Welc (Teddy - 4/4/2006 11:30:11 PM)
To Mr. Walters, Welcome from another "former Republican" who felt the party left her, she didn't leave the party... and that the only way to rid the country of the current rascals in power was to join the formally organized opposition and help them kick the idiots out.  You have made the only honorable choice.

As for the lame number of seats considered in play in the next Congressional election, this brings us back to the matter of ruthless gerrymandering done by Republican legislators, working with modern computers, which enables sitting legislators to make themselves politically eternal. I say again: take re-districting out of the hands of the legislators and politicians. Give it to professional demographers and/or a non-partisan task force based on the most recent census (the legislature will of course have to give final approval, up or down). Until we do that--- and some states have already moved that way--- we will continue to have outlandish jiggering of district lines resulting in "safe" districts, resulting in turn in extremist politicians and uncontested elections.

Unless we end gerrymandering, the electoral system will continue to be distorted, and democracy will die.