Prosser wins recount.

[elocs]

Source: La Crosse Tribune

http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_6ce16b86-8337-11e0-a14f-001cc4c03286.html

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Unofficial results from a statewide recount show incumbent Justice David Prosser has defeated challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg in a race that became as much about Republican Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining bill as the state Supreme Court.

The recount began on April 27 and finally ended on Friday afternoon. It found Prosser had 752,697 votes compared with Kloppenburg's 745,691.

Kloppenburg's campaign got a boost after her supporters worked to link the conservative Prosser to Walker, hoping to capitalize on outrage over the governor's plan to strip public workers of nearly all their collective bargaining rights.

Initial results from the April 5 election showed Kloppenburg had narrowly defeated Prosser. But the Waukesha County clerk announced days later she had failed to report 14,000 votes, flipping the race for Prosser.

Read more: http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_6ce16b86-8337-11e0-a14f-001cc4c03286.html

[PuffedMica]

1. The Republicans successfully steal another election. n/t

[elocs]

5. Could be, but are Republicans really that omnipotent that we are helpless against them

when it comes to stolen elections? Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. How many times must Democrats be fooled and not change things before it is they who look like fools? Otherwise, if Republicans are really that powerful and unstoppable when it comes to election fraud maybe it would be smart to give up rather than bleat at every election loss that we was robbed.

This election was really a long shot for the relatively unknown Kloppenburg running against the well known incumbent Prosser. It was amazing that she came as close as she did and the cruelty was the inept clerk putting her behind when we all thought she had won.

Wisconsin has 3609 precincts. Think there might have been at least 3 voters in each of those precincts that would have voted for Kloppenburg had they bothered to vote? Think of the difference that would have made.

Otherwise, as I've said, if Republicans are really that omnipotent and for years can steal elections at will maybe it is time to concede that resistance is futile if Democrats are powerless to stop them.

[socialist_n_TN]

6. Maybe it's time for extra electoral remedies

instead of giving up.

You can complain about people not voting, but why do you think that extra 3 votes per precincts would have even been counted? Or if counted, that's just a few more votes for Waukesha County to "find" and stuff in the ballot bags.

They stack the deck and steal elections. You can give up or try and do something about it.

[elocs]

7. So, since the 2001 election, what exactly has been done to stop Republicans

from stealing elections? Tick, tick, tick, tick....

I don't believe that this election was stolen. Some obviously are and it is easy to make that accusation, harder to prove it. I'm not about to cry that each close election that a Democrat or their preferred candidate loses was stolen. Lord knows that there are more than enough people who will make that cry every time and in doing so lose their credibility when it comes to elections that are truly in doubt.

Elections are all about turnout and living here in Wisconsin I believe that just those few more votes in each precinct or ward would have made a difference. Too many Democrats here in Wisconsin chose to stay home last November and that is what allowed Walker and his minions to take over the state as well as helping to defeat Russ Feingold.

[socialist_n_TN]

10. Not a thing....

And why do you think that is? Could it be because BOTH parties are vested in the actual SYSTEM itself and have an INTEREST in having people believe that voting makes a difference? The Dems holding Republican feet to the fire over stealing elections would undercut the belief that elections are "fair".

I know you live in Wisconsin, but I honestly don't believe that, in this particular election, turnout would have made a DAMN bit of difference. Waukesha County would have simply "found" a few more votes to overcome any lead that Kloppenburg might have had. And then stuffed them in those opened ballot bags. I'd be VERY surprised if it makes any difference in the recalls either, NO MATTER WHAT THE TURNOUT. THIS is what you get for putting your faith in the system.

Speaking of turnout, wasn't this a HUGE turnout compared to past elections of this type?

All that said, I say vote to your heart's content. Eventually MOST people will see that voting doesn't cut it for getting the changes that MOST of the people want. But until then, play the game. With every stolen election, more and more people will see the bankruptcy of the SYSTEM itself.

[bigwillq]

2. How can one FAIL to report 14,000 VOTES?

:shrug:

Election reform is drastically needed. And maybe paid

[appleannie1]

3. What is with the 7000 vote difference?

She 'failed' to report 14,000 vote but there is only about a 7000 vote difference.

[karynnj]

4. An entire town's votes were not reported - some were for Kloppenberg

In addition, there were changes all over the state. It actually looks like they essentially zeroed out. The 14,000 and 7,000 are rounded numbers.

[Botany]

8. The county clerk a known republican activist .....

..... did not notice that the second biggest city in the county had not reported
it's vote? Fucking A please!

Scott Walker, " ..... as long as there aren't ballots somehow found out of the blue that weren't counted before ..... "

Eric Holder are you w/ us or against us?

[Ian David]

9. John Kerry made it clear that we'd let them get away with this shit.

"Help is on the Way," my ass.

[DavidDvorkin]

11. Perhaps the election was stolen, but there's a worse possibility:

That it wasn't.

That's a really depressing thought.

[elocs]

12. I don't think the election was stolen. It was a long shot all along for Kloppenburg

and it was especially cruel when we all thought she had won only to have the victory snatched away.

What is depressing is that the kind of ineptness in dealing so casually with ballots and the voting process likely goes on all the time and is not known because statewide recounts are relatively rare.

[TheWraith]

13. I agree. It's incredibly easy to make accusations.

Backing them up is another thing. The reality is that yes, people DO behave that stupidly with votes, particularly in rural counties, because usually the people handling the elections are not particularly suited to that job. They're just whoever was popular enough to get put in office.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

29. This is way more than ineptitude in dealing with ballots

but I know I'll never change your mind on this so I won't waste my breath.

[RBInMaine]

14. That she came from NOWHERE in a low turnout spring election to damn near beat this guy was GREAT.

It was that god damn Wausheka County (or however the hell you spell it) and low turnout overall that did her in (though larger in some areas than the average special election), but she got damn close. There was no fraud here. Some shitty handling of votes, and that clerk should be fired for that, but there is no evidence of fraud at all. Let's not get paranoid. She damn near beat him in a race he was supposed to take in a cakewalk. It was enough to scare the asshole RePUKES. Now focus on the Senate recalls and get that chamber back.

[elocs]

16. Here in La Crosse where I live we had a 40% turnout and Kloppenburg won with 59% of the vote.

That being said, a vote for Kloppenburg even in Waukesha was as valuable as one here in La Crosse since it was a statewide election. This election should have been important enough for Democrats in the state to turn out and vote in even greater numbers, or in at least great as numbers as they did here in La Crosse.

Here we have one of the best bets to defeat senator Kapanke in his recall election in July.

[RBInMaine]

32. Still, much better turnout than usual, but still too low in enough places to allow the R to squeak

it out. STILL, what should have NEVER even been close became a near upset. A virtual tie. Trust me, it STILL shocked the shit out of the PUKES. And also remember how well other Dems did in that election, like those who won County Executive seats. Like Walker's former seat. The Dem CRUSHED the RePUKE in that race. Right now, the R's are scared shitless of losing the State Senate. MAKE IT HAPPEN WISCONSIN !

[Doctor_J]

23. Yeah, great

this is what constitutes a victory for Dems these days.

We are the weakest political party in the country's history.

[RBInMaine]

31. No. Please find some perspective here. Spring elections usually have extremely

low turnout on both sides. Usually 20%. Prosser was a very well known former state politician and an entrenched incumbent judge. Kloppenburg had little money, little time, and was not at all well known. All things being equal she'd have never stood a chance in hell. And yet under the Walker controversy circumstances enough Dems who wouldn't have otherwise come out did come out to damn near win the election. It was a virtual tie. Too bad 8000 more didn't come out to vote Dem, then she'd have won. But you must understand the precedents and the big picture. This was a major accomplishment all things considered, and, notwithstanding the ultimate outcome, STILL shocked the shit out of the RePUKES. Too bad it wasn't a win, but you must commend the effort and accomplishment nonetheless and see the bigger picture. And also remember that other Dems in other races did clobber their Puke opponents. So let's have some perspective here. Taking back the state senate is entirely doable, and the Pukes are scared as hell that is just what will happen.

[Doctor_J]

38. Aw, come on

It saddens me to read a post like this. All of that rage and momentum and cash influx that resulted from the protests to the blatant corruption and anti-union tactics resulted in...a loss. Even though this election was completely bogus, Prosser will still take office. And by the time the recalls starts, very few Dems will be allowed to vote. Our chances of winning this will never again be as good as they were right after the protests.

you must understand the precedents and the big picture

The big picture is that the Repukes have implemented fascism in WI, with rigged election, voter roll purging, and a locked down state house, with no resistance.

Too bad 8,000 more Dems didn't come out

Huh? You think Nikolaus's 14,000 manufactured votes was an actual fixed number? If 8,000 more Dems had come out, 22,000 votes for Prosser would have been "found". The fact that she isn't in federal prison after years of election fraud is all you need to know.

The only thing they're "scared as hell" of is laughing themselves to death over the feeble response to their criminal activities.

[Yon_Yonson]

15. The devil is in the details

I have been gearing myself out for this bad news for a couple of weeks. I was involved in the recount, as a Kloppenburg Volunteer, in two different counties and saw no abnormalities that would have alarmed me! In such a short organizing time our grass root movement did an excellent job to get Kloppenburg as close to victory as we did!

Now watch Waukesha Clerk Kathy be elevated to a stately position within the Walker regime! This is off course her third offense in dealing with the voting system and she is getting good at her shenanigans. I have all the faith that the GAB will dismiss any and or all investigation into her piss poor performance as a county clerk.

We all need to get behind these recall elections and make sure we change the balance of the Senate and the Walker Recall is gathering pledges. The only way to handle this GOVERNOR TROLL is to recall his arse and we are coming after him. In the mean time the NEOCONS will do as much damage as they can.

[DumpDavisHogg]

17. Is Kloppenburg going to sue?

She should. This has to be stopped all costs.

[karnac]

19. of course she is. but the possible ramifications are awesomely bad also.

Unless somebody talks who isn't lawyered up, the result will stand. Afterall, there is no specific person to blame. We have the clerks in both county/city seats. volunteers, lower clerks, the unionised city highway workers who moved the ballots, the overnight guards/police. far too many people involved.

If kloppenburg succeeds in getting whole bags tossed out because of tears. the simple tool to disenfranchise an entire ward BECOMES tearing the bags when somebody is not looking. Don't have to prove fraud anymore. give me a box cutter and can disenfranchise Milwaukee all by myself! and leave no evidence. No bag stuffing or removing ballots necessary. Don't tell me republicans won't use this nifty tool to maximum advantage. They LOVE to disenfranchise on a whim. Afterall, a democrat would have set the standard!

If republicans get disenfranchised in mass, they will STAY angry and motivated for the upcoming recall votes. Anger is the key to the recalls. the side that is angriest and comes out to vote, wins. simple as that.

If the legal process is stretched out past August 1st, there is NOTHING to prevent Walker from re-appointing Prosser or similiar republican during the vacancy. the longer the vacancy looks like it's going to take, the more likely and less political fallout for Walker,

[Historic NY]

18. Elections have consequences, people can't see how one judgeship matters...

lets hope they come out for the recalls in greater numbers.

[elocs]

20. Well here in WI this election was supposed to be a referendum about Walker and his policies.

At least Democrats should have viewed it that way. It was the first statewide election after the huge rallies and protests in Madison, our opportunity to show Walker and his minions just what the Democrats, progressives, and working people could do when they are stirred up. Apparently some more stirring was needed.

I really don't understand why it is necessary to beg, plead, and cajole people to get out and actually cast their vote when the issue is important and it is in their best interests to vote. Here in Wisconsin it couldn't be easier to go and cast your ballot before voting day. There should be no excuses.

[Doctor_J]

24. As predicted, at least by me, the protests are

nothing more than a feel-good joke.

It's over folks. Get ready to live like slaves because there is nothing to be done legally, and we don't have the backbone to do the things that might actually work.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

25. speak for yourself

Some of us are giving it all we have and more.

[Doctor_J]

26. that's my point

it isn't working. And I always speak for myself. I admire your perseverance, but believe you might want to stop doing the same ineffectual things.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

28. How do YOU know I am doing the "same ineffectual things"?

I can tell you I have been doing all kinds of things and I find your comments offensive. You continually denigrate those of us who are not only working very hard, but sticking our necks out, too.

[Doctor_J]

37. Because nothing is changing

Even you must be able to realize this. Prosser will again take office, even though the election was as phony as could be. You may count this as a win, but it isn't. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites are having their right to vote removed as I write this. So all of the protests have failed to keep a reliably blue state from slipping into fascism in a matter of 6 months. WTF are you going to when these recalls fail, due to completely corrupt courts, criminally corrupt election judges, and willful and selective disenfranchisement?

I'm sorry my comments are offensive to you. But from here it seems that the peaceful protests and petitions are accomplishing nothing.

[LanternWaste]

42. We see, or do not see those things which better validate our opinions.

"Because nothing is changing..."

We see, or do not see those things which better validate our opinions. Even if we're forced to rely on vague dogma to achieve that...

[AngryAmish]

40. We need more drum circles inside the capital.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

41. I'm not a drum circle aficionado. I have been devoting

my time, heart and soul and brain to the recounts, documenting and reporting every 'anomaly' I find. And believe me, I look hard, and find a lot.

[RBInMaine]

33. This was a virtual tie in what should have been an easy R win. Taking back the Senate is very doable

and the R's are scared shitless.

[RBInMaine]

34. She very nearly won a race she didn't have a chance to win otherwise. You need some perspective

bigtime. Other Dems DID clobber their R opponents in that election. Such as the county executive races. The protests do help fuel the movement. I do agree though that the protests need to result in actual calling, canvassing, and VOTING. It is not enough just to protest. But it doesn't hurt either.

[roody]

21. Very sad.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

30. x 1000

[robcon]

22. Only a few thought it would turn out any other way.

Prosser won.

[progressoid]

27. Why does it always seem that recounts seem to cost Repubes votes?

Probably just selective memory on my part, but it seems like an accurate, detailed count favors the liberal more.

Hmmm...time for my weekend :tinfoilhat:

[Keith Bee]

35. Yech!

:puke:

[dael]

36. We Are Playing The Election Shell Game!

http://richardcharnin.com/WIVoteCounts
http://richardcharnin.com/ObamaProof.htm
http://www.richardcharnin.com/2008ElectionAnalysisLinks.htm
http://richardcharnin.com/2008PrimariesLinks.htm
http://richardcharnin.com/Conversation2008.htm http://richardcharnin.com/2008ElectionModel.htm

Kathy Nicklaus was supposed to recuse herself but she was there everyday with access to everything.
For a responsible paper to come out so early on this is oxymoronic.

Kloppenburg has ALL the evidence she needs BY LAW to challenge the recount NO PROBLEM.
The list of election improprieties far outweighs any legitimate claim to a win.
We have seen too many, in the past, give in under circumstances where no THOROUGH investigation was complete.
Democracy can and should wait, for the TRUTH.
The voters demand better and should get it!

[No Elephants]

39. crap