VA Gov McDonnell backtracks on requiring Felons to write essay to get voting rights

[HipChick]

He now claims that letters were sent in error...Typical rethug - it was all an error = or it was a mistake - yeah -when they get caught.

VA Gov McDonnell: Letters To Felons On Voting Rights Sent In Error

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/va_gov_mcdonnell_letters_to_felons_on_voting_right.php


Was the news about Virginia governor Bob McDonnell's move to make it harder for felons to vote all just a big misunderstanding? That's what he's now claiming.

A spokesman for the governor, a Republican, told the Washington Post that letters sent to over 200 felons, telling them that they would now have to submit an essay as part of the application process -- a process that previously had been almost automatic -- were sent in error, and that the essay idea was just a "draft policy proposal."

"The letter was sent without approval by a well-meaning staffer attempting to continue to process requests even while new procedures were being considered," McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said.

Last week, Secretary of the Commonwealth Janet Polarek and Deputy Secretary Christie Heath told the Post that the decision had already been made to require the essay.

The essay requirement sparked outrage from Democrats and civil-rights groups, with some comparing it to the literacy tests that were used to stop blacks from voting in the past. The Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights formally complained to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, arguing that approval from the Justice Department was required before Virginia can make a change to voting qualifications.

This isn't the second time this month that McDonnell has angered civil-rights groups before trying to make amends. Last week, he amended a proclamation declaring Confederate History Month and apologized, after the original version did not mention slavery.

[Bitwit1234]

1. Discrimination is against the law.

How about some one prosecuting for doing that. Just cause he is a governor he has no more right to break the law than the people in his state. It is about time we started to FIGHT THESE BUTTS BACK.

[dtotire]

2. How much longer do Virginians have to put up with this a**hole? n/t

[virgdem]

4. Unfortunately...

for almost 4 more long years, unless the idiots in this state reelect him for another 4 years. Hopefully, that will not happen, but this is Virginia, so you never know. I keep on telling myself that I didn't vote for this A**hole, but somehow, I don't really feel better.

[HipChick]

3. I'm sure he'll spend the rest of his time trying put VA back 2 centuries..

[GreenTea]

5. Just bullshit that you donate all your free time at the local republican HQ -

You'll swiftly get your voting rights back.

[superduperfarleft]

6. McDonnell sure has had a rough couple of weeks.

Maybe this idiot should focus more on getting his looney Attorney General under control as opposed to clumsily attempting to throw a bone to his base of Klansmen and mental patients.