GOP chairman Charlie Webster to investigate ‘black people’ voting as potential fraud (Maine)

[Maine-ah]

Source: BDN

AUGUSTA, Maine — Outgoing Maine Republican Party Chairman Charlie Webster plans to investigate claims that “dozens of black people” who were unfamiliar to municipal officials voted Nov. 6 in rural Maine towns.

Webster, who will step down Dec. 1 after four years as Maine GOP chairman, first mentioned the questionable voter activity 16 minutes into a 21-minute interview Tuesday with Don Carrigan of WCSH-TV in Portland.

“In some parts of the state, there were dozens of black people who came in to vote,” Webster said. “Nobody in town knew them.”

When Carrigan pressed Webster to identify the towns, the Maine Republican Party chairman only specified that they were small rural towns.

Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/14/politics/gop-chairman-charlie-webster-to-investigate-black-people-voting-as-potential-fraud/

---

what a fucking embarrassment. Video at link.

[Angry Dragon]

1. NFP = no facts party

[BouzoukiKing]

17. Actually, the odious Mr. Webster's claim...

...could have some basis in realty.

I've been reading several articles lately - some here on DU - about how many unregistered AA voters didn't vote in 2008 because they were so afraid of expressing and/or exposing the hope of electing a black man to the presidency, that they couldn't bring themselves to go to the polls and risk crushing disappointment. Which makes a certain kind of sense.

But this election was more important to many of those who hadn't voted in 2008: this was a confirmation of a brilliant job well done. They just couldn't let that go by. And many voted who hadn't, four years earlier.

I don't know if that's true or not - but as a theory, it does have some logic behind it.

[6502]

57. I'm Black. Your theory is ridiculous.

What exactly are you trying to peddle here, BouzoukiKing??

It's not just me that deserves to know... Everyone deserves to know.

[BouzoukiKing]

58. "Peddling" is kind of a loaded word, 6502.

I'm not peddling anything. And it's not that it didn't occur to me my post could be misinterpreted before posting it, either.

After some thought, I think what I'm pointing out is that fear exists - and takes strange turns. Now me; I'm white, 61, male, and became politically active (not only aware) just before JFK was elected. It's too long and winding a story to tell here, but St. Mark's Church back home in NYC (I'm in Minneapolis these days) was a hell of a training ground for a young boy. But fear...

So I remember it all - Martin Luther King, both Kennedy brothers, Malcolm X... and yes, George Wallace. It was a terrifying time. Nobody who went through it with much or any awareness was thinking about the 'sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll' (TM) that the media would have us recall in fondness. It was an insanely political time: 'insane' being the operative word. Actually, it was clearly the closest our country has come to any kind of outright revolution since the Civil War. It was a very close thing, I believe.

Then cut forward ( < snip > ) to Athan Gibbs in 2004. Curious, that.

So anyway, during the DKOS primary blogwars of 2008 I came down firmly in the Obama camp. Then I worked; and then I voted. And you know... my first thought as I was leaving the polling place was this: "Shit. What have we done to that man?" And the fear never really goes away. In fact, the better he gets - and he does keep getting better, doesn't he? - the more pervasive the fear is.

None of which stops me from voting, or working for what I see as right. I put the fear aside because I don't really matter. I'm just a guy. And whatever I may contribute, it isn't really much.

But that's not true of everyone I know. We all hang out with our own generation in meatspace, mostly - and what I see in mine is a group of people, all of whom react differently to the fear in us. Some react much better than I do, as I see it - some have totally caved, feigning disinterest. But, knowing them, I can see the remembered fear in their eyes, and see what it does to them.

Tell me then, 6502 - is your generation so different from mine? Is your fear different than mine because you're black and I'm not? And note please, that I'm not asking if your fear is more or less experientially valid - only if you see it as different.

So yes - I'll stand by my post, and my statement that "...as a theory, it does have some logic behind it." Not that I like that logic, or agree with it, or think that's how the world should be. And not - as I thought I'd made clear - that it was my theory at all.

* shrug *

Have a good evening Sir or Madame, as the case may be. Not too many bearable nights left up here in the northwest - I think I'll take a walk and enjoy it.

In any case, I thank you for the moment of introspection. There's always value in that.

[6502]

59. As I expected... you did not answer the question at all...

... it would seem that you've outed yourself, BouzoukiKing.

[BouzoukiKing]

65. Ah, yes... I know this one from DKOS.

The Trail of Tears Redux. I won't play.

But I note that yes - I did answer your question quite directly: "What exactly are you trying to peddle here, BouzoukiKing??"

"I'm not peddling anything."

[6502]

68. Please, you misunderstand...

Your answer was the equivalent of me walking into the kitchen, a gallon jug of milk dumped and covering the floor, and my 4 year old standing right smack in the middle of it half soaked in milk with some still draining from her sneakers.

I then ask her, "What did you do?"

She replies sheepishly, "Nothing."

But it's so obvious that she's bullshitting, but she's only 4 so you clean her up, hand her a rag and get to cleaning together.

But, you see, you're not 4, but in your 60s... and you got caught just like 4 year old, except that we don't have to tolerate it.

So... yeah... you were obviously peddling. And it was also obvious what you were peddling... the fun was watching how a grown man would react after being caught like a 4 year old.

[MarianJack]

2. Hello from Winthrop, Maine!

For those of you in the other 49 states and elsewhere, we are the whitest state in the union and chalie webster is stupid.

I feelbad that I may have just insulted many people who just can't help being lessthan intelligent, but webster CHOOSES stupidity. That alone makes him a very dangerous person.

PEACE!

[olddad56]

3. the keyword is "outgoing" as in gone and grasping at straws.

[Bluenorthwest]

36. Keyword is 'Republican'.

nt

[FailureToCommunicate]

4. "...dozens of black people came to vote...Nobody in town knew them"

Last edited Thu Nov 15, 2012, 08:31 AM - Edit history (2)

"They" must have been local college teachers, librarians, or mental health professionals...

folks with whom few Republicans seem to mingle.


Boo!

[freshwest]

24. +1

[bucolic_frolic]

28. It is understandable

why no one knew them. For non-whites, this is obviously a place
to remain on the down low.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

46. LOL!

[FailureToCommunicate]

47. Welcome to DU Scruffy!

[Scruffy Rumbler]

55. Thanks, FailureToCommunicate!

Last edited Fri Nov 16, 2012, 06:27 PM - Edit history (1)

Love Maine. Spent two winters in Rockland. Was there in October. How is it that I know more A.A. in Maine then this supposed man of the people does? Crazy!

[kelliekat44]

53. Yeah, and I bet they didn't know the precint people either. nt

[bluedigger]

5. Webster is a dumbass and an embarrassment to my hometown.

He fouls a lot playing in rec basketball games, too. Never, ever, admits it.

[RKP5637]

6. The GOP just keeps getting more and more bizarre. ... almost need warning signs

anymore! "Warning, approaching GOP, stupid might be contagious!"

[bjobotts]

7. The black guy did it

[freshwest]

25. In the library, with the candlestick...

[bjobotts]

8. Dozens could throw an election huh

Are all sore losing bigot republicans this ignorant?

[Iliyah]

9. GOP really do want to take Blacks, Latinos, and Asians votes away

really.

[tom_kelly]

10. Oh, My...

I sure hope they're out looking for those blacks!

[SoapBox]

11. Hey Mr. Puke Asshole...

I don't know you...so you must be a FRAUD!

...scum.

[defacto7]

12. Stuff like this really makes you sick...

But on the other hand, this kind of behavior, this bigoted, fascist, crazy, ignorant, right wing behavior that is going on all over America is telling us exactly who is who. As they "come out" and rant about how how bad they've got it, and how America is lost forever and the anger spews... we are finding out exactly who they are, what they believe and how they govern... and it's documented.

That should help us in the long run when it comes time to show what and who the GOP are really made up of.

They are digging their own hole and jumping right into it.

[madrchsod]

13. 1.3% of maine`s population are black and over 95% are white

[fujiyama]

15. LOL, and Obama won the state by like 15+ points

[Maraya1969]

14. Well how special.

[pipewrench]

16. just code words people

A way to deflect blame and focus anger on a scapegoat.

[radiclib]

30. HA! What "code words"?

This fuckwad just said it straight out.

[AlbertCat]

18. Every town in Maine is a small rural town.

[bluedigger]

19. LOL

It's all relative. Augusta was the big city when I was growing up.

[AlbertCat]

23. Augusta was the big city when I was growing up

I'm from NC!

Portland is about the size of Winston-Salem.... if that. The NW part of Maine has no towns in it that I can see. Just logging roads.

Don't get me wrong. Maine is GREAT! So beautiful, and the folks nice and "homey". I loved my visit!

But now that I think about it. I saw about 3 black people the whole time I was there.... and I think 2 of them were tourists...

[MADem]

20. Somalis and Bantus in Maine, OH MY!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somali_and_Bantu_migration_to_Maine

Look, Maine doesn't have a huge black population--go up there and be prepared to stand out a bit--but that said, this guy is a frigging idiot. A frigging racist idiot.

How nice that he's after the Chinese as well--safety in numbers?

My favorite paragraph in that article:

Maine People’s Alliance communications director Mike Tipping issued a statement Wednesday condemning Webster’s actions. “First it was union members, then it was college students, now it’s African Americans,” Tipping wrote. “Every one of the outlandish and offensive claims Chairman Webster has made in an attempt to restrict voting rights has proven to be completely untrue. I look forward to the day, coming very soon, when he is no longer given a public platform to launch his conspiracy theories.”

[JoeyT]

21. They should give him

a nice tinfoil hat on his way out. Or take up a collection and make a statue of him wearing a tinfoil hat.

[mainer]

48. Don't forget the fat people. He has something against them too.

Those of us lucky enough to live in Maine have lots of clowns up here to entertain us.

[sheshe2]

22. Holy Shit African Americans have the right to vote???

Next thing you will find out that they will allow women to vote too!

Holy shit what is this world coming to!

I don't have the sarcasm thingy to post.

However....

[freshwest]

62. Here you go, just type in :sarcasm: in the message box:

Apply liberally as needed.

[sheshe2]

64. Thanks! Okay let's see how this works .......

Yeah!

Good to see you freshwest! Thanks again for the help.....
and this is not intended as a sarcastic statement.LOL

[freshwest]

66. Sure! And :loveya: and :dem: and :donkey:

[sheshe2]

67. You are a bottomless Pit of Information! I just used two of them on posts.

I Thank you!

I read your replies on posts ....they are insightful!

[jpak]

26. Charlie Webster is certified world-class dumbass

Keep up the good work Charlie - and make sure that the GOP will remain Maine's permanent minority party.

yup

[Botany]

27. 2 stupid 2 take

Last edited Thu Nov 15, 2012, 12:31 PM - Edit history (1)

the only way a voter gets to vote is to be a registered voter ........
so not unless those "black votes" had same day voter registration
or were using the names of different voters they must be legit
voters ...... but to some GOP people ANY BLACK VOTER = voter
fraud

************

Barack Obama 397,754 56.0%
Mitt Romney 290,437 40.9%
Others 22,547 3.2%

So 107,000 african americans snuck into small maine towns and voted illegally?

[6502]

61. Well, yeah! that's exactly what we do...

It's like mad elaborate.

You see, we all like rent a few stadium during the first 2 weeks of Febuary --Black History Month -- then live stream the entire thing using our own YouTube live stream channel.

We do all our planning for how many buses we need to rent so we can travel around to invade polling districts and corrupt the voting process in our favor -- we call these "Freedom Rides".

And Mother Smith makes the best sweet potato pie in our District Invasion Squad -- a DIS.

Like I said, it takes the first 2 weeks of Febuary --Black History Month -- and as is the shortest month of the year, we don't even get a full 2 weeks rest after the conference.

[Botany]

63. I knew it!

A large army of over 107,000 melanin rich people invaded Maine to steal
4 electoral votes but how did you do it? Did you assemble by Mt.
Washington and cross from New Hampshire or did you come in from
Quebec and New Brunswick across the border or was it by sea after meeting
in Savannah, Georgia and then sailing up the east coast and then landing at
Night outside of Bar Harbor?

BTW to vote in Maine you have to be a registered voter so how did you
get to be registered in all those small Maine Towns so on election day
2012 "you people" could vote so easy?

[6502]

70. Very astute...

... but clearly it could not be by sea as everyone knows: we can't swim.

But as to our exact methods of "stealing" votes, that will have to remain a secret.

But I can give a hint without me having an Audiban Ballroon incident on me: we also coordinate with some "Goldstiens". What do you think goes on at those Bar Mitzvas?

[Botany]

71. So this is much more complex than it seems

So "you people" came in from New Hampshire and showed up in rural Maine
towns in huge #s and stole the election?

Now did the UN or the New Black Panthers help?

[6502]

72. Nah... just us regular folks...

... that's how we roll.

[tanyev]

29. They've sure got interesting techniques for winning hearts and minds.

[Thor_MN]

31. Does he propose searching for them with torches and pitchforks?

They have the addresses of every one who voted... They must be having trouble finding the "Skin Color" field in the Voter Registration database.

[bitchkitty]

32. LMAO!

Republicans are never at a loss for feet to shove into their mouths.

Maine is pretty white though. Still, they have TV - the sight of a black person shouldn't be so shocking!

Anecdote - an African American friend of mine in Atlanta went home with a college friend to Maine one summer. They were at a clam bake or something at the beach, and when she pulled sunscreen out of her bag and started applying it, they all started asking questions and exclaiming that they didn't know blacks could get sunburned! LOL

[Tommy_Carcetti]

33. "Who are these dark skinned people and why are they voting?"

"Are they some sort of outer space creature?"

Here's a video of his initial reaction:

[valerief]

34. Black people in Maine. The Horror!

[adieu]

35. Ok, so we'll cede these "dozens" of supposedly undocumented voters

The GOP still lost Maine. Deal with it.

[bluedigger]

37. Charlie spent too much time working on lead pipes, I think.

He's a plumber by trade.

[frylock]

41. he needs to be worked over with a lead pipe

[Ash_F]

38. Republicans only realize black people exist on election days. /nt

[wryter2000]

39. Fuck these people

Just fuck them. If I have to hear one more racist idiot, I will scream!

[struggle4progress]

40. Holy shizz! Dozens of black people in Maine! Scary! scary! scary! What could they possibly want?

Stay tuned for more tales from the Republican crypt!

[frylock]

42. why do you dems always have to bring race into this?

i mean errr ummm..... derp?

[drynberg]

43. CHARLIE (WHO SO MUCH WANTED TO BE A US SEN.) IS RIGHT THERE WITH...

Lyin' Ryan. Pathetic, bitter, and just a piss poor loser, no? Say goodnight, Charlie...

[Skittles]

44. LOL - the GOP is in official meltdown mode!!!

[socialindependocrat]

45. Two comments by Martin Bashier tonight on MSNBC

1) Why would they do this in a state that has voted Dem
by 15 points in past elections?
2) Why didn't anyone at the polls try and stop them?
3) Why do it in a state with only 4 electoral votes?

Sometimes common sense rules out the acceptability of
a seemingly juicy bit of propaganda...

They just keep coming and coming and coming!

[blackspade]

49. what a liar.

friggin' idiot.

[Skittles]

50. OMG HA HA

I LOVE THIS:

“In some parts of the state, there were dozens of black people who came in to vote,” Webster said. “Nobody in town knew them.”

[Mapletonian]

51. I live in Mapleton,

In Aroostook County, Maine. We are predominately white farmers and loggers, and Franco- American, but we judge people by the content of their character, not the color of their skin.

All people of peace are welcome, any time.

Ayuh

[Mapletonian]

54. I will add this:

Last edited Fri Nov 16, 2012, 04:09 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.pressherald.com/politics/lawmakers-election-a-victory-for-all-of-us_2012-11-16.html

http://blackgirlinmaine.com/current-events/the-gop-and-their-personal-responsibility-problem/

[Marrah_G]

60. Welcome to DU!

[6502]

69. Welcome to DU!!!

[nxylas]

52. Not an isolated case

I saw RWNJs posting in comments threads even during the early voting stage that the Democrats were stealing the election, and they knew this cuz they done seen minorities arriving in groups of 6 or 7 to vote. Ain't that against the law?

[are_you_serious_1234]

56. Remind me again how many electoral votes Maine has?