Raw Story: Questions surface regarding legitimacy of Baker-Carter Comm.

[Wilms]

PARTISANS DISCUSS 'REFORM'

Questions surface regarding legitimacy of Baker-Carter election reform commission

By Larisa Alexandrovna | RAW STORY Staff

April 14, 2005

Serious questions of conservative partisanship have surfaced surrounding an electoral reform commission co-chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and erstwhile Secretary of State James Baker, RAW STORY has learned.

The Carter Center denies any involvement with the Baker-Cater Commission on Federal Election Reform even though they are on much of its literature. Carter stepped down from the center in March.

-snip-

After seeing the full map (which will be published this evening), Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), who held Congressional hearings on Ohio’s election irregularities and fueled the effort for the Ohio electoral challenge, issued the following statement Thursday.

“These connections truly are astounding,” Conyers said. “It apparently wasn't enough that Republican officials helped sway the election in favor of Bush—now they've even created a phony voting rights group to combat the real work that progressives are doing to make sure that every vote is counted.”

-snip-

http://rawstory.com/exclusives/alexandrovna/carter_baker_electoral_reform_controversy_414.htm

[understandinglife]

1. We were posting at nearly the same moment. I deleted mine. (nt)

www.missionnotaccomplished.us (a day to reflect on the tragic costs to humanity that have resulted from the stolen national elections of 2000 and 2004)

[MelissaB]

2. Kerry quote and more...

A spokesman and senior adviser to Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), who conceded the election over Ohio, said the Commission's attempt at electoral reform was "deceptive."

"It's as deceptive as it is dishonest,” David Wade, the senator’s communications director, said.

“Talk about a window into the Republicans' sincerity on electoral reform,” he added. “This is the height of cynicism. First they cook the intelligence on Iraq, now they create a shadowy operation to hide the truth on electoral reform…With news like this, it's pretty clear the Republicans have other plans."



Nominated!

[torque]

3. The fix is on...

Lets get this news out!

[MelissaB]

6. Hi, torque!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[torque]

8. Thanks MelissaB, the truth is FUN!

You folks are pretty cool too! John Conyers for President 2008!

[MelissaB]

13. I'd vote for the man in a heartbeat.

I was just reading his blog: http://www.conyersblog.us/

which lead to his post at KOS: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/13/175339/272

:hi:

[KaliTracy]

4. nominated....

[Nothing Without Hope]

5. This must be the "big story" you promised us last night - and it IS!

Without internet-based activism, I don't believe Conyers could be taking this stand. He has the documentation he needs thanks in part to many dedicated people, some of which we have the privilege of having as DU colleagues.

Go Conyers! And may others take up the cause as well!

Recommended

[Old and In the Way]

7. Good to see we are nipping this in the bud.

Better to expose the sham now than to allow them to feign concern for voting rights. James Baker looking out for my best interests? I doubt that....he's looking out for the BFEE interests.

[lala_rawraw]

28. That was it, delivered in a 72 hour marathon of no sleep and loads

Of coffee:) Ta Da:D Thanks for your feedback.

[DulceDecorum]

9. Advancing Open, Fair and Honest Elections.

The RNLA seeks to promote open, fair and honest elections at all levels of American society in a non-discriminatory manner. It provides election law training from preeminent election law professionals. It responds to requests for assistance from the Republican Party and its candidates by communicating the requests to its members.
http://www.rnla.org/AboutRNLA.asp

Lawyers who have contributed greatly to Bush's "election" victories have been given awards which consist of blocks of Lucite containing handfuls of chads from Florida ballots.

The 2005 Inaugural event was held as a luncheon on January 19, 2005 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, DC to celebrate the re-election of the Bush-Cheney national ticket in 2004. Of the Inaugural Luncheon, John Fund wrote in the Wall Street Journal's Political Diary on January 21, 2005 "Amid the inaugural celebrations in Washington, a quiet luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton stood out. The Republican National Lawyers Association may well have contributed as much as anyone to making sure it was George Bush, not John Kerry, who took the oath of office yesterday. . . . At the RNLA lunch this week, former Solicitor General Ted Olson, who as a private lawyer argued George W. Bush's Florida recount case before the Supreme Court in 2000, told the group: 'The strategy of delegitimizing election results didn't work in 2000 and it didn't work in 2004. Anyone who says lawyers don't make a difference in politics doesn't know what the people in this room did.'"
http://www.rnla.org/About-Benefits.asp

Members and former members serving in government
Members of RNLA often serve in federal and state governmental positions. Persons listed below are members or, in some cases, former members who have resigned their membership as a condition of their governmental service.
http://www.rnla.org/About-Members.asp

The RNLA professional and volunteer national organization has prepared detailed materials, all posted to this site for member-only review, which instruct members on election law and election day activities in support of Republican party entities. Included is practical information on all aspects of election day activity as well as petition preparation and circulation, petition submission, pre-election planning and election litigation.
A local RNLA chapter provides a means to recruit, train and utilize lawyers in your area. The RNLA offers beginning and advanced training at its National Spring Conference and Annual National Election Law School on financial disclosure,election law and election day activities.
http://www.rnla.org/About-Leaders.asp

Who's Who
http://www.rnla.org/bio/Leadership.asp

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL LAWYERS
"527" Political Organization Filing Information
Money in, money out.
http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/527/republican_national_lawyers.asp

These people have been VERY active in setting up 501(c)(3) organizations which are tax exempt.
These latter organizations are legion and are active in the struggle to destabilize both foreign nations and the Democrats.

[DulceDecorum]

11. They Get What You Pay For:

They Get What You Pay For: Neo-Conservative New Media Outlets Finance Widespread Scheme to Disseminate G.O.P. Propaganda--With Your Money
http://nashuaadvocate.blogspot.com/2005/03/they-get-what-you-pay-for-neo.html


Now, why would Brent Bozell, head of the current GOPUSA news service, want to train enterprising young Jeff Gannons on what to do if a Congressional oversight committee subpoenas documents relating to whether or not your tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization has engaged in illegal political activity?
http://nashuaadvocate.blogspot.com/2005/03/meet-new-boss-same-as-old-boss-brent.html

[suziedemocrat]

10. The GOP must be SCARED Shitless to go to all of this trouble?

Maybe in some twisted way this is a good sign. (Especially since it was caught by Larisa Alexandrovna - if it hadn't been caught it would be terrible.) But could this show that Bush and the rest are a little scared of us? That we can no longer be completely ignored or written off as nuts?

I also posted this comment on the "heads up - Article coming" thread.

[FreepFryer]

16. It is indeed good news. They're 'off message' and running scared.

Just a matter of time and hard work by the Democratic Party and the netroots.

The media and the majority party in Congress oppose us.

Resist the Media!

Learn What Happened!

Decide for Yourself!

[DulceDecorum]

12. Reform Coalition Call for James Baker Resignation

Press Advisory
April 13th, 2005

Scores of voting rights and electoral reform organizations nationwide have united to demand real electoral reform proposals from the private, blue ribbon, Baker/Carter Commission on Federal Election Reform. They are organizing a visible presence at 10:00 a.m. in front of the Kay Spiritual Center on the American University campus where the Commission is planning what they call "public hearings."

These groups, including Code Pink, Progressive Democrats of America, U.P. (United Progressives) for Democracy and Velvet Revolution, are opposed to the inclusion in any form of James Baker III on the Commission. Baker was the lead attorney in Florida for the 2000 Bush/Cheney campaign which engineered Bush's selection as President by five Supreme Court justices.

The pro-democracy groups are also opposed to two other members of the Commission who have direct ties to Mr. Baker's law firm, Tom Phillips and Robert Mosbacher, and to Ralph Munro, CEO of VoteHere, a company that manufactures vote-counting machines.

On April 11, Congressman John Conyers, minority chair of the House Judiciary Committee, wrote a letter to Jimmy Carter expressing his concern about the inclusion of Mr. Baker and strongly urging that the Commission include members of the voting rights coalition.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0504/S00224.htm

[Helga Scow Stern]

14. Nominated. This is big news, but no surprise. We have known...

Big news although it's no surprise at all. We have known this is the tactic the thugs would take ever since the 50 Congressmen, joined by Feeney of Clinton Curtis fame, wrote and signed a letter to the Justice Department before the election, that they were concerned about Democratic fraud....

We have known ever since Ney announced his special investigation that would begin in the spring.

We have known ever since members of the Congressional Black Caucus wrote a letter to the UN asking them to monitor the election and the Republicans threw such a fuss that only the complicit OSCE was allowed, and not very close at that. Instead, we had the partisan, Bush appointed EAC sitting in with DRE advocates like Conny McCormack of California on election night.

[Andy_Stephenson]

15. Add one more name to the list of those needing to be removed

Ralph Munro, Chairman of the board of VoteHere.

[Wilms]

17. Munro

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=351775&mesg_id=351775

He's with these folks, too.

http://reforminstitute.org

[lala_rawraw]

18. Check this out

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/13/opinion/main687887.shtml

[MelissaB]

19. OMG! I'm shocked!

:popcorn:

I've been waiting to use that popcorn smilie. :) It looks like this may really get exciting.

Thanks, lala_rawraw, for all you do.

[rigel99]

20. GREAT JOB LARISA and BRAD...

once again the Alternative media tells the truth while others are lying...

Hey guys, I was told today, that the Commission is being sponsored by 3 organizations

Carnegie
Ford Foundation
Knight Foundation


*** Does anyone think this can go well with such backers?

also, how do we get them to take Carter Center off their letter head (I received a formal invitation that had Carter Center listed, when Carter Center says there is NO WAY they are affiliated).

Can we do a CEASE AND DESIST ON THE LETTER HEAD because it is innacurate, what's our options here?

[lala_rawraw]

29. That is correct and listed on the Web site...

Public information. Also, the speakers are listed, though not the witnesses.

[rigel99]

21. PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS PRESS RELEASE Calling For Baker's Resignation

from velvet revolution

Coalition of Electoral Reform Groups Call for

James Baker's Resignation from Electoral Reform Commission;

Plan Presence at April 18th "Public Hearing"



Press Advisory For more information:

April 13th, 2005
Brad Friedman, [e-mail],




Scores of voting rights and electoral reform organizations nationwide have united to demand real electoral reform proposals from the private, blue ribbon, Baker/Carter Commission on Federal Election Reform. They are organizing a visible presence at 10:00 a.m. in front of the Kay Spiritual Center on the American University campus where the Commission is planning what they call "public hearings."

These groups, including Code Pink, Progressive Democrats of America, U.P. (United Progressives) for Democracy and Velvet Revolution, are opposed to the inclusion in any form of James Baker III on the Commission. Baker was the lead attorney in Florida for the 2000 Bush/Cheney campaign which engineered Bush's selection as President by five Supreme Court justices.

The pro-democracy groups are also opposed to two other members of the Commission who have direct ties to Mr. Baker's law firm, Tom Phillips and Robert Mosbacher, and to Ralph Munro, CEO of VoteHere, a company that manufactures vote-counting machines.

On April 11, Congressman John Conyers, minority chair of the House Judiciary Committee, wrote a letter to Jimmy Carter expressing his concern about the inclusion of Mr. Baker and strongly urging that the Commission include members of the voting rights coalition.

The last two national elections here have been marred by irregularities that have called into question the legitimacy of the results. In 2004, there were literally tens of thousands of documented cases of impropriety that, in many cases, significantly affected the vote count. Over the past five months, grassroots electoral reform groups have joined together in a pro-democracy campaign calling for a range of reforms in order to restore integrity, trustworthiness and accountability to the elections process. Some of their demands include: a constitutional right to vote for all citizens, paper ballots as the official record of all votes cast, independent analysis of all vote machine software and hardware before and after elections, unified national standards for national elections, election day registration, independent and non-partisan administration of elections, a strengthening and reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, public financing of elections and fair ballot access for all candidates and parties.

[rigel99]

22. Proof they are Already Lying to us...

Here is a link to the OFFICIAL Letter Head from the Commission
saying "IN AFFILIATION WITH" Carter Center in lower left

www.countpaperballots.com/VIDEO/KayInvite.pdf

and here is email from Tynesha Green of Carter Center saying NO AFFILIATION..

GUYS , THEY ARE ALREADY LYING TO US....

let's all show up April 18th and give them a Boston Party Style Reception.... anybody got some tea??? maybe we can use lots of those little kiddie pools and fill them up for water for affect...

**** From Tynesha Green at Carter Center.....
Hi Phyllis,

Thanks for the letter. I've passed it on to our public information department to see if/how they want to handle this. They also confirmed what I said when I spoke with you..."The Carter Center" as an organization is not involved with the Commission, only President Carter as a private citizen.

Since President Carter, as chair of The Carter Center, made the decision that The Carter Center would not be involved with the US elections, if any dialogue is to be started, it would need to start with him, or with John Moores as the new chair of the Center. Mr. Moores (or President Carter) can be reached at the same fax number I gave you earlier: [phone].

Thanks again for scanning the letter. It's good to know when our name is put out there like that! I probably can start to expect a deluge of phone calls because of this!

Best regards,
Tynesha

**************************
Tynesha L. Green
Democracy Program
The Carter Center

[AuntiBush]

25. Un-Real.

Un-fricked real.

Kicked. Gotta keep a lot of popcorn around these days.

:popcorn:

[kster]

23. kick.........n/t

[tommcintyre]

24. Wow! Well-done story. I will add it to the blaster today.

It will fit in well with the BradBlog story already there: "Conyers has expressed his "strong opposition", etc.

I think we have an opportunity to turn this story into the next "Gannon-Guckert" that could force serious coverage of the election issues by the MSM. When that happens, the people Will know, and the "house of cards" that Bushco built will fall apart.

[AuntiBush]

26. Thank you RAW STORY & CONYERS!

For staying committed to telling us the truth.

OMG. Where would we be without them. Conyers should run for Prez. He'd get my vote hands-down.

[lala_rawraw]

31. I will run with him, lol...

I want to be Secretary of Poetry and Satire...otherwise, I will take Secretary of State because I can actually speak Russian (cough Ms. Rice). How about Andy and Brad on a ticket and I can be their poster child?:D

[New Earth]

27. i hate that asshole

i watched James Baker through that whole Election 2000 bs and i don't know how many times i wanted to break my television. no way in hell he can do this. :mad:

[lala_rawraw]

30. Thanks for posting:)

[lala_rawraw]

32. The MAP IS UP

http://rawstory.com/exclusives/map_conservative_ties_raw_story_415.htm

[Wilms]

33. Please title that map

But, wow!

[lala_rawraw]

34. Title it what? It is part of this story, but what the hell to call it?

[Wilms]

35. I thought the same thing!!

I felt bad after I posted.

:spank: me.

Perhaps after you've rested the title will come to you. :)

[lala_rawraw]

37. No feeld bad. There is no way to call this anything but Map 2

I mean we could think of words...that is, you guys could thinks of words, i have to just call it "the map" lol.

[DulceDecorum]

36. Kick

:kick:

[MelissaB]

39. Oh, what a tangled web we weave

when once we practice to deceive!

[Wilms]

38. .

[dzika]

40. Oh yeah.... a commission in the tradition of "fair and balanced"

Click here for the full Conservative Connection map on Raw Story

Let's see if I can get then entire map from Raw Story to fit in here.
You will have to scroll your screen to the right to see the entire map.

Is John Fund on the map? I don't see him.

[tommcintyre]

51. Very useful, but a printer-friendly version would be nice

I want to print it and paste it together (it was no-go with both IE and FIREFOX). If none exists, and/or no one posts it here, I'll post it here if I get a reasonable one put together.

[liam_laddie]

56. smoke & mirrors again...

My take is that this commission was cooked up completely
by rethugs, and they cajoled Carter into signing on to give them
a veneer of credibility. Any way Carter could resign at the very start of the hearing with a statement to the effect that "the testimony will be highly partisan and without merit? That real election reform is elsewhere and he and others will "bring it on?"
This could have profound media focus if done right.
May be tough for Jimmy, an honorable man indeed, to fuck up the circus this way, but I feel it's the most valuable service he could perform. Anyone agree?

[KoKo]

41. Great Work! But, is Carter affiliated with this or not......

Very confusing about him.

[lala_rawraw]

42. The Carter Center is not, Carter apparently is...

He stepped down from the center, so he represents himself at this event.

[rigel99]

43. CARTER CENTER SAYS NO AFFILIATION

but the American University website and letter head says Carter Center Involved..

see next thread for their reversal of information...

[rigel99]

44. OK, Now Carter Center PR Person Says Carter Center IS Affili

Ms. Huster:

At your request, here is a statement from me regarding the Carter Center's role in the election commission.

"Three organizatons - the Baker Institute, Electionline.org, and The Carter Center - are working in association with American University's Center for Democracy and Election Management on the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform. Each of the organizations is playing a different role. The Carter Center is affiliated through President Carter's role as Co-Chairman. However, American University is responsible for organizing the project. The Carter Center has no direct role in that."

Further questions about the Commission should be addressed to staff at the Commission. Here is a Web site link:

http://www.american.edu/ia/cfer/

Best regards,

Deanna

Deanna Congileo
Director of Public Information
Press Secretary, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter
The Carter Center
One Copenhill
Atlanta, GA 30307
[e-mail]
404-420-5117

[lala_rawraw]

45. Wow, so someone

Needs to hold a meeting within the Carter Center and decide either they are in or out. They don't seem to know.

[lala_rawraw]

46. No, if you read it...

Closely, they are saying that they are not but are "sort of" because Carter is going, but only for that reason. Are they insane?

1). Carter no longer with Carter Center
2). Carter Center has no direct role
3). Affiliated because of Carter's role as a private citizen


Anyone see a great deal of confusion, but clearly very little support for the event?

[lala_rawraw]

47. This is not what was

Said by the way. It is very different from "I am a 100 percent sure...". They are backing out, no?

[MelissaB]

48. Hey, Lala!

You are linked on Michale Moore now. Congratulations! The word is spreading.

[lala_rawraw]

50. Moore? I don't think so, he has more room to say what he really wants to:)

[lala_rawraw]

53. oh, i read this wrong... Lil

I thought you said I was "like" Moore, good lord I need rest. Thanks:) He sometimes posts my stuff, but if only he would do it consistently damn it:D

[Wilms]

49. Yes. Those are the 3 vague bullets.

[rigel99]

52. QUICK UPDATE

been busy all day

FIRST OF ALL , LET'S ALL SEND EMAIL TO [e-mail]
** blas them with your organization's Information.....

this email will get read, they promised it will get read directly by Dr. Robert Pastor (he's a carter center person doing elections all over world).

I get the feeling this is a Carter/Pastor run thing with Baker on as an way to show bipartisan.

Bottom line, we have to work hard to 'weight this thing' with our folks..
I've asked for a hearing that is CITIZEN focused.. I will meet with someone in person for this plea... I'm there in person on monday... anyone who wants to get their literature to them, email it to [e-mail] or snail mail:

Dr. Robert Pastor
AU Center for Democracy
3201 New Mexico Ave.
Suite 265
Washington, DC 20016

Learned that all folks are 'unpaid' as of now including our lovely Thor Hearne.. it is privately funded by
Knight Foundation
Carnegie
Ford Foundation
and indirectly thru electionline.org Pew Charitable trusts.

we must start asking folks in these 3 funding organizations to listen to our information as well. When asked about stated mission, to provide a privately funded Commission report to congress on problems of current election system. So in the end guys, are we giving this group too much power when in the end a fully GOP majority in HOUSE/SENATE will ultimately decide to ignore their findings anyway...???

Who here thinks we will make headway with mostly legislative lobbying? I personally have said the only value of legislators to me now is to help with statewide audits and help to speak out to the public about our findings.. I do not see the GA legislature or the Congress passing a DAMN THING THAT IS GOOD FOR US... why would people vote themselves out of power... just won't happen...

so let's use this for PR value for education value and for grassroots activism.. but be sure not to distract from the lawsuits not to stop spending time doing statewide audits and not to lose our focus of proving that election fraud invalidates all future elections nationwide.....

[lala_rawraw]

54. I do not think this appropriate....

Firstly, this would be considered mass spamming. Secondly, it is more important to get the news out to the people than it is to spam the people who already know the news. Just my two cents.

[lala_rawraw]

55. MAP UPDATE

We had some errors in the first map, because we were crazy tired and on deadline. Those errors have been corrected. Just FYI

[tommcintyre]

57. Great work! Any chance to make it printer-friendly? n/t

[lala_rawraw]

58. You have to have re-print rights and then you can have the...

actual map in various formats.

[LatePeriduct]

59. kick

careful kick

[LatePeriduct]

60. kicked

[LatePeriduct]

61. kick