Critics blast handling of elections bill

Dozens of organizations and Democratic legislators mobilized Monday to condemn a rewrite of Florida's elections code contained in two bills racing through the Legislature's final weeks. Their news conference was partly a response to Friday's decision by a House council to hurriedly pass a version without debate and after shutting down public testimony after two minutes.

"There is a chilling similarity between the way this bill was railroaded through committee and the provisions of the bill itself," said Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston. "Both are unabashed attempts to limit the ability of ordinary citizens to have a say in their government." She also singled out the bill's sponsor for criticism, saying that Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, was unable to cite a single instance of voter fraud in the 2008 cycle that would justify the ban on two forms of ID used mainly by retirees.

"This is how it starts, in this insidious, little tiny way," thundered Rep. Janet Long, D-Seminole, who's a member of the House council where the Republican majority silenced opponents. "One step at a time. Shut down the people who don't agree with you. I won't have it, and that is not what I was elected to do."

Sunday's New York Times (headline: "Suppressing the vote in Florida") editorialized against the bill, and said that "Since 2000, Florida has been synonymous with badly run and undemocratic elections. This distinction has not come to it by chance."

*

Comments

[Sick of RINOs]

One, the New York Times has become a rag of a paper who, deservedly, are going bankrupt. The National Enquirer produces more news stories than the Times. Reap what you sow Times editors.

Two. The Republican leadership should follow our President's position on dissension by simply saying what he said, "we won."

[FloridaProgressive]

If you care about preserving a shred of democracy in Florida you will oppose this reckless attempt to undermine voters. The Rethuglicans pushing this bill are a shameless bunch of power-hungry goons, and that's putting it charitably.

[James Crow]

The more irrelevant and upopular the GOP becomes, the more draconian their measures to disenfrachize voters will become.

[VoterFraud?]

If all of these people vote legally, as Sen Rich insinuates it shouldn't be a big deal for them to show proper ID. What do you know that you aren't telling us, Nan?

[Sick of RINOs]

FloridaProgressive: As your counterparts in DC have said, "quit whining, we won."

[terminator]

If DLP's behind it you know it's got to be corrupt!

[I passid duh FTAC!]

This is why we're Floriduuh!

"Last in Education; First in Corruption!"

... go figure

[Unbelievable Action]

NYT is still ther most respected paper, and when they single out Florida, for all their readers around the country, it's pretty bad. The members who pushed this are shameless, and the ones who let it happen are worse. Hopefully Charlie will veto it, or the Senate will have to stop it, as is usual with these bad ideas. This is simply beyond the pale.

[me2]

"VOTER FRAUD", like "wmd's" and
"tax reform" are repooplikan fabrications that in reality are LIES designed to advance their agenda of LIES, RACISM and CORRUPTION.

while one listening to ther LIES about VOTER FRAUD being rampant in virtually every corner of the nation would be scared spitless, there are few cases actually discovered and prosecuted.

REMEMBER, THEY ARE REPOOPLIKANS!

THEY ARE DYING OUT!

THEY ARE DESPERATE!

ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO COOK THE BOOKS IS NOT BENEATH THEM!

do you trust the people who brought us BUSH/CHENEY?

[Carl]

Similiarity between how Nancy Pelosi rushed Obama's pork-filled stimulus bill through Congress.

Now the dems are crying.

[A.C.O.R.N.]

DO NOT HAMPER OUR EFFORTS TO LET DEAD PEOPLE VOTE!

[John]

The Republican won big in Florida in 2008. Just like Obama believes he has a mandate from the people, the Republican has the support of the people of FL.

[John]

The Republican won big in Florida in 2008. Just like Obama believes he has a mandate from the people, the Republican believe they have a mandate & the support of the people of FL.

[Spirit of 76]

The Republicans are giving Florida an atrocious record for political fraud and corruption. Not content with stealing an election in 2000, now they want to make it SOP. It's time for the GOP to go.

[A.C.O.R.N.]

Thank goodness for ACORN helping to sign up new voters, making sure the real will of the people is heard at election time. When all those GOPers that voted for Obama get wind of this, they're going to flip over to the Dems.

[A.C.O.R.N.]

DEAD PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE TOO!!

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10162008/news/politics/fbi_probes_acorn_voting_group_133894.htm

http://blog.silive.com/latest_news/2008/10/large_ACORN.JPG

[poop]

Must be a good bill by the looks of the enemies