Exclusive: U.S. official focused on election security being shoved aside

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of a federal agency who has helped U.S. states protect election systems from possible cyber attacks by Russia or others is being removed from his post by Republican House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and the White House.

Matthew Masterson, currently chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and a former Ohio state official, has been passed over for a second four-year term as one of the agency’s four commissioners, according to sources familiar with the matter.

It is up the House speaker to recommend a nominee for the commissioner post that Masterson currently holds, with the president then making a formal nomination.

Masterson has been a popular figure among state election officials, many of whom have praised his expertise and leadership on cyber security issues and expressed chagrin at his pending departure. The agency was created by Congress in 2002 to assist states in complying with federal election standards.

-snip-

POLITICS FEBRUARY 22, 2018 / 2:46 PM / UPDATED 13 MINUTES AGO
Dustin Volz
6 MIN READ


Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cyber-election-masterson-exclusiv/exclusive-u-s-official-focused-on-election-security-being-shoved-aside-idUSKCN1G62NI

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Of course, can't have anybody standing in the way of a rigged election.

[Angry Dragon]

2. Paul Ryan TRAITOR

[lagomorph777]

3. Serious stuff. We need to force this into loud public debate.

[LiberalLovinLug]

4. So in the midst of an investigation of Russian meddling into the last election....

...which Ryan and most other Republicans agree happened....
And also with a cloud of suspicion on the President for colluding with Russia, he removes this important person, literally months away from another election. And the person that will give the final ok on a new head is this same President?

What could go wrong?

The GOP are so disgustingly corrupt, and they do it now in broad daylight. They are riding a wave of "scandal fatigue" created by Trump. They love Trump because hes the best distraction they could ever hope for.

[Wellstone ruled]

5. So,Paul Ryan is not going to address

voter and ballot security until he is reelected with the help of Putin and Company.

[iluvtennis]

7. I'm betting on the Democrat Randy Bryce to take Ryan out for the 1st District

[Wellstone ruled]

8. Understand there is now a

second Candidate in mix. A Teacher?

[iluvtennis]

9. Don't know. But Randy Bryce is the real deal. Army vet. Steel worker. Cares about ppl. Like him.

[Wellstone ruled]

12. Love to see Randy win.

Growing up in Wisconsin,we were always proud to elect Union People to Office,both Statewide and Federal. That all changed for the Worse after Vietnam when the Lawyer Class and Lobbyists with ad budgets from hell took over. And at the same time,the dominate Newspaper chose the GOP side.

[murielm99]

17. Cathy Myers is running for this seat.

She deserves and equal mention.

[Wellstone ruled]

20. Okay,she, I understand

will bring more Voters to the Table. Two really qualified Candidate's should drive Ryan nuts.

[mopinko]

18. if he hears mueller's footsteps,

he may decide to spend more time w his family.

[byronius]

6. Da, Comrade. He must go, says Vlad.

Serving the Russians is the conservative mantra.

[safeinOhio]

10. Moose and Squirrel must go.

Orders from the top at Kremlin.

[Ilsa]

11. K&R. nt

[Stonepounder]

13. Does anybody actually believe that we will survive as the nation that we were before Trump?

Does anybody think that we will have an election this fall that isn't totally rigged for Rethugs?

Does anybody think that the Dems will actually take back Congress?

Does anybody think that if there aren't at least 236 Democrat Representatives in the House that Trump will be impeached?

Does anybody think that if there aren't at least 67 Democrat Senators that Trump will get removed?

[sinkingfeeling]

16. No, I believe the USA, as I knew it, is gone for good.

[SergeStorms]

14. He must have been too good at his job.

Republicans can't stand that. Just like Trump's "best people", they need to be ignorant, sycophantic loyalists who will destroy whatever governmental department they're put in charge of.

Next in line for the job? Trump loyalist and Republican shill, Mr. Ham Sandwich.

[red dog 1]

15. Another example of Eddie Munster doing whatever Shitler tells him to do

Since he has no mind of his own.

K&R, thanks for posting.

[BadgerMom]

19. DUers, anyone know if there is any recourse here?

Last edited Fri Feb 23, 2018, 12:07 AM - Edit history (1)

Can Ryan be pressured to renew this guy? Can we weigh in on his replacement? If so, who should be called?

I’m amazed that only one person is responsible for filling this position. No hearings? No vetting?

Anyone have these answers?

[Nitram]

21. I have been so naive. I really used to think Republicans wouldn't betray their country

just to win elections. I was wrong. All they really care about is their own personal power and wealth.