Tom Mihalek / REUTERS
Barring a reversal, Pennsylvania voters won’t be required to produce a photo ID at the polls next month, thanks to a judge’s ruling this morning. But voting-rights groups say they’re concerned the state may continue with a campaign telling voters they do need ID, potentially causing confusion and keeping some voters from the polls.
“That is the big question: Will the state continue to run advertising saying that people need ID?” Witold Walczak, a lawyer with the ACLU of Pennsylvania, told Lean Forward. “Because that’s false.”
Judge Robert Simpson ruled Tuesday morning that the state must continue with its “soft rollout” of the voter ID law. That means poll workers can ask voters for ID, but can’t turn them away, or force them to cast provisional ballots, for not producing one.
But the ruling did not address the state’s $5 million advertising campaign telling voters that they’ll need an ID to vote. One TV ad that last month was running across the state says: “To vote in Pennsylvania on Election Day, you need an acceptable photo ID with a valid expiration date,” and tells voters to “show it.”
In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Secretary of State Carol Aichele said the ad campaign would go on. “We will continue our education and outreach efforts, as directed by the judge in his order, to let Pennsylvanians know the voter ID law is still on track to be fully implemented for future elections, and we urge all registered voters to make sure they have acceptable ID," said Aichele.
Asked for clarification, Aichele spokesman Matthew Keeler told Lean Forward, via email: "We are looking into the media campaign to transition and update information and ads to continue to educate voters and prepare for election day."
And Walczak told Lean Forward he's feeling "cautiously optimistic" after a Tuesday afternoon conversation with state lawyers.
Still, supporters of the law are claiming that changing the campaign would be impractical. “It’s already in the works,” said Steve Miskin, a spokesman for Rep. Mike Turzai, a Republican, told Lean Forward. “How do you just pull it back?”
But voting-rights advocates say if the state doesn’t do so, the result could be widespread confusion, leading some voters to stay away from then polls because they wrongly believe they need ID.
"There is a concern on our side about the possibility of misinformation going out," David Gersch, a lawyer for civil-rights groups challenging the law, told reporters on a conference call. If there’s confusion about whether an ID is needed, he added, “folks may just stay home.”
Gersch and other voting-rights lawyers on the case said they might pursue further legal action if the state won’t assure them it’ll change the ad campaign, though they’re hopeful that won’t be necessary.
“We’d like to think that at the end of the day, they’re not going to be interested in having ads and educational materials out there that are incorrect,” Gersch said.
In one sign that the state is tweaking its campaign, before Tuesday's ruling the Pennsylvania elections website read: “Voters are required to show an acceptable photo ID before casting their ballot." It now says:"Voters will be asked, but not required, to show an acceptable photo ID on Election Day."
Will you, or will someone you know, be affected by voter ID laws this November? Email us at LeanForwardEditors@msnbc.com with your story.
Leave a Comment:
If PA authorities don't do it soon, a public service organization -- or even the Democratic Party -- should publicize the new ruling, making clear that voter ID is not required for this election. This "PSA" should be run throughout the campaign season, right up until the election.
Then it is up to all the "news" stations, local and otherwise, and the Major station like MSNBC etc. to get it out. If nothing else....Democrats should take it to the streets. Got and email friend in PA. Send them out.
Republicans will pull any trick they can. Democrats have to be on guard. I doubt they will make any effort to inform anybody they can vote.
i am sure that the DEMOCRATIC PARTY in PENNSYLVANNIA will take NOTHING FOR GRANTED.
they will assume this responsibililty, of educating and informing the voters, AS THEY SHOULD, because repubs will not inform the voters.
I am thinking that the ones who it affects the most already know, also betting by now that the word is getting out. just look at the blogs they are good at getting out the much needed information.
I am sure the Democrat Party and MSNBC will not only inform the voters in PA, but the college students and Union members in the surrounding states as well. What is the saying, yeah, "Vote and Vote Often".
Oh , the desperation is certainly Bleeding through !
2sleazy's comment days are coming to an end.
Chris, you couldn't be more wrong. If Obama wins I will be here with a bunch of I told you so's, as he continues to decrease the Middle Class and increase those in Poverty. I will also be here if Romney wins, just to read your comments on Democrats attempting to obstruct the implementation of his policies.
Mud, I don't think the Democrat practice of voting in two or more states is a sign of desperation, it just the way they roll.
Do you mean like , willard did ? with No repercussions ! some-how ? Stop your projecting !
Did Mitt Romney Commit Voter Fraud In Massachusetts in 2010?
Michael Kelley|April 20, 2012|
This question has been asked before, but it takes on new significance now that Romney has all but clinched the Republican presidential nomination and Stratfor emails accuse Barack Obama's 2008 campaign of stuffing ballot boxes.
The issue arises from the ballot Romney cast for Republican Scott Brown in January 2010 in the special election to replace the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.
The former Massachusetts governor did not own property in the state in 2010 and registered to vote from an address in the unfinished basement of an 8,000 square-foot Belmont mansion owned by his son Tagg.
Last June GOP political consultant Fred Karger filed a complaint with Massachusetts state election officials alleging that Romney voted in several elections without residing in the state.
Karger spoke with members of the Mormon Temple and Meetinghouse in Belmont — where the Romney's attended weekly church services when they lived there — and one told Karger that she "hadn’t seen the Romneys since 2008."
The Romneys' former realtor told Krugar that they moved to California and allegedly Ann Romney told him the same when he saw her at a conference in Las Vegas where Romney was speaking.
The Romneys bought a $12.5 million home in La Jolla, Calif., in May 2008 and sold their home in Belmont in April 2009 (for $3.5 million). In May 2009 the Romneys began describing their $10 million estate in New Hampshire as their primary residence (presumably to prepare for the 2012 election).
President Obama has disclosed his 2012 state tax return (from Illinois) whereas Romney has not (from ?).
From Mother Jones:
Residency issues have plagued Mitt Romney in the past. When he campaigned for governor of Massachusetts in 2002, he ran into trouble because he had switched his residency to Utah three years earlier when he moved to Park City to take over the struggling Salt Lake Olympic operation. The move technically made him ineligible to run for office in Massachusetts, which requires seven years of continuous state residency before a candidate is eligible to run. After a lot of legal wrangling and paying back taxes, he was finally allowed on the ballot.
According to Massachusetts law, a residence for voter registration purposes as “where a person dwells and which is the center of his domestic, social, and civil life” and anyone found guilty of committing voter fraud faces up to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-04-20/politics/31371937_1_ann-romney-massachusetts-governor-residency
9 Florida Counties Report Faked Voter Registration Forms From GOP-Backed Firm
By AMY BINGHAM (@Amy_Bingham)
Oct. 2, 2012
A GOP-backed consulting firm may have submitted "hundreds" of faked voter registration forms in Florida, according to the Florida Department of State.
The GOP cut ties with the third party voter registering company Strategic Allied Consultants on Thursday after the Palm Beach County elections supervisor flagged 106 of the firm's registration forms for having similar handwriting, incorrect addresses and incomplete information.
Since then, elections officials in nine Florida counties have unearthed hundreds of possibly fraudulent registration forms.
Chris Cate, a spokesman for the Florida Department of State, said the state does not yet know the exactly how many forms were allegedly faked. While it is not unusual to get reports of incomplete registration cards, Cate said it is rare for the state to have so many forms with false or wrong information.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/voter-registration-fraud-gop-backed-firm-spreads/story?id=17370445#.UGuAFBz9Ufc
2ez,
give up your accusations of the democratic party and voter fraud.
have you been paying attention to the news about nathan sproul and ALL THE STATES he is responsible for voter fraud?
gee, its a shame he got he caught-now repubs will LOSE several swing states.
Suzette, Voter Fraud is wrong no matter who does it. Not only do I believe every one caught should criminally prosecuted, I think there should be investigations in every state and that the Federal Government should compare Voter Rolls for all states. I would wager to say the absence of a system that validates and verifies citizenship opens the door for Fraud and that Door is widely used, by both conservative and liberals.
Now, let's contrast that bull@!$%# comment with your previous one:
2ez4u2c2
I am sure the Democrat Party and MSNBC will not only inform the voters in PA, but the college students and Union members in the surrounding states as well. What is the saying, yeah, "Vote and Vote Often".
#5 - Tue Oct 2, 2012 5:59 PM EDT
2sleazy-Always ready to be a hypocrite.
chris, there is nothing hypocritical about the two comments. One is Joke directed at Liberals and the other is my opinion. If you knew me, you would have understood that.
Apparently, hypocrisy to you is a joke.
The standard way for Republicans to get out of being caught lying is to say "I was just joking."
i can't help but be "amused" (BUT I AM NOT SURPRISED) that the w.bush administration tried for 6 years to find the kind of voter fraud that they want everyone to believe the democratic party is guilty of AND THEN THEY WERE FOUND GUILTY OF THE VERY SAME KIND OF FRAUD IN SEVERAL SWING STATES (AND OTHER STATES?).
the fact that the RNC was aware of the problems that nathan sproul had in the past, but hired him anyway AND ASKED HIM TO CHANGE THE NAME OF HIS "COMPANY", AND PAID HIM 3 MILLION DOLLARS is "LAUGH-OUT-LOUD" FUNNY, except for the fact that many voters were DENIED THEIR CIVIL RIGHT TO VOTE.
JOKE?
i don't think so.
Suzette, The problem with some of the folks on the blog is that what they see as horrific behavior by one political party as acceptable behavior by the other. The fact is there are elements of both political parties that participate in Voter Fraud and Fraudulent Voter Registration. The sad thing is while we all agree fraud in voting and voter registration exists, we can not agree that something should be done about it nor on exactly what corrective action should be pursued. Leaving party affiliation out of the discussion, I would simply say there is a problem. I am not confident in the system, because of the absence of citizenship validation or verification. A person, any person is currently free to affect the result of any given election by registering and voting in different states. Non-citizens residing in the US are free to register and to vote. It is true that it is unlawful to do both, but prosecution for violations doesn't change the impacts of illegal voting on an election. I for one would like to have a voting system that I have confidence in, I do not have that confidence now.
Florida has had a voter ID law for 20 years.
And guess who signed it into law?
Yeah but purging voters from the books? That's taxation without representation. Leave it to the REPUBLICANS. Yesterday we found out they're caging the Military serving in Afganistan. They will send in their ballots just to have them thrown in the trash. Thanks Mitt, Governor Scott, and the Republicans for screwing over the military.
Vote straight Democrat 2012.
More leftwingnut propaganda.
Just beleave what the special ed shows tells you to.
Forget the truth & the facts.
Next go check the ratings.
Notice the special ed show can't pull the numbers.
So try to explain taxation with out representation when it comes to Obamacare.
Lets see obummer care steels over $700 billion from Medicare.
Then it is keeping small companies from adding workers.
Next it stoped Cook Medical from putting 1500 American to work.
But the sepecial ed show will never talk about those facts.
It's all propaganda.
Notice the Govnr's Park in Denver is not even advertising that ed is going to be there LOL.
www.govnrspark.com
Propaganda? Ha Ha Ha! Hit the links below Cow! I know as always you are impervious to fact, but the links below (especially the second) has multiple links to multiple news sources around the nation.
Sorry dude the only one who listens to propaganda is you. Everyone but you knows Fox and Limbaugh is just tabloid news. Bigfoot and batboy aren't real Cow. Ha Ha Ha!
npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2012/09/25/1617636...
dailykos.com/story/2012/09/27/1137364/-Voter-Fraud-R...
Isn't it nice that any comment that doesn't meet cowmans ideas, are "leftwingnut"? Wonder if it ever had a real open minded thought? I don't believe so. I also believe it's hate is spurred by it's racism. It has never acknowledged that the collapse of our economy was caused by right wing policies, or that the deficit and debt were mostly caused by the right wing President. But to no surprise. It never will.
I, on the other hand, believe he had his "leftwingnut" blown off in a fireworks accident and it now resides in a jar next to his bed. When he writes these tirades I believe he is actually typing them to that "jar."
So give "Cow" some space. He's a very damaged person. Ha Ha Ha!
Blah Blah Blah.
Any thing else?
You Uh , You Uh , sure have allot to say and contribute to this country - don't you ?
I can't believe anybody can be against photo ID unless of course they have something to hide..This all an attempt to get this incompetent nin com poop elected again..Totally un-F-ing believable.....
I can't believe you would be for taxation without representation! Oh wait, yes I can, you're Republican.
You're for women having alley way abortions with hangers again, you're against equal rights for women, the LGBT community, Hispanic, African Americans, You're against food for starving children, you're against equal pay for women, you're against fair wages, healthcare for poor and middle class workers, for pensions for workers, you're against jobs for workers, jobs for vets, safe water, safe food, safe air, you're against safe roads & bridges, you're against modern airports, you're against fair taxes.
But you're for subsidies for oil companies and corporations and billionaires. You're for bailouts for banks and free rides for corporate criminals and no rules for corporations.
Don't preach your bulls#*t here bud.
sedwinmars, What if they are the 47% that don't pay Federal Income Tax? There should be a phrase, "No Representation without Taxation."
True except for the fact that 68% of that 47% pay federal payroll tax, including active and retired military. Are you saying you don't think the military should be allowed to vote? Because if you are I and a bunch of my friends would like to have a personal discussion with you.
Additionally, part of that 67% is made up of working poor and middle class. The Congress made this payroll tax to encourage working families to be able to work and survive.
The other 1/3 of that 47% are retired people. Perhaps you don't believe they should be able to vote after working their whole lives?
It's interesting to me that you think because these people don't pay income tax that they all don't deserve to vote when Mitt Romney and his rich friends don't pay income tax either but you have no problem at all with them voting. Mitt and those guys pay Cap Gains at only 15% a much lower rate but you are fine with that you HYPOCRITE.
It's always so funny to me how you clowns have this double standard. Now GO AWAY.
No, I am saying EVERYONE should Pay Their Fare Share to use a Liberal phrase. And no, I don't consider ZERO a Fare Share.
The most frightening thing for conservatives is a fully functioning democracy where every vote counts -- even the ones from black, brown and poor people. Republicans are closing down voting booths and threatening folks that have the temerity to want to take part in their constitutional right to cast a ballot out of fear. The right is deathly afraid of the 99 percent of ordinary, poor and middle-class Americans that are fed up with the loopholes and benefits for the wealthy, fed up with a political party devoted to destroying the American Dream so Corporate America can send our jobs to China and make a fat profit.
More leftwingnut propaganda.
Oh , The hate , the unequivocal hate !
Why is you moniker "Got Hate"?
You use the word hate more than anyone I have ever seen.
You got a Problem with that ? Moooooo - deliver your milk !
Wholly Crap's and udder fool.
Maybe that's because all you ever spew is hate cowpie. OH, forgot, racism as well. But then, that's where all your hate comes from.
Reading theses post from you guys on the Left make it really easy to understand why Democrats are the Party of Compassion and Tolerance.
Like shooting fish in a barrel.
Oh , didn't realize that cows could swim in a barrel !
All this is well and good but is this realy news. I mean with everything thats coming out about the terroist attacks shoudnt that be front page news? I dont even see where ED has even mentioned it.
OH , skip,skip,skip,skip,skip,skip,skip..................skip.... skip......................
That was yesterdays new. Nothing new to report. Come out of the dark ages.
If you think for one second there will ever be peace in the middle east, you a bigger idiot than even I thought. And there isn't a damn thing the US can do about it.
No I remember...when the twelve embassies were attacked under Bush's watch that's all he ever talked about. Bush is so incompetent. Bush has to go. Bush is an idiot.
I remember when all those embassies and hundreds of people died when Reagan was President thats all Rolla could SCREAM Reagan is so incompetent! This guy is the worse President we have ever had! Holy Cow where did this clown come from! Get this flaming jerk out of office. It was constant (because we were constantly getting bombed).
Seriously Rolla ain't a hypocrite. He doesn't have double standards at all.
Yesterday?
It's everyday!!
Well at least I can rent my voter registration for 100 bucks again this year.
Rolla, I'm not sure you understand what were talking about.
You do understand that voter registration ID is a card we use to vote for our elected officials and not a prostitute right? Ha Ha Ha!
If these people are so stupid they have to be told, they weren't planning on voting anyway. Typical Obama supporters.
You sure do have a Thang for President Obama ! And , again , he is a married man !
The hate master and his words of wisdom.
And what is "Thang"?
Ever hear of Google ? Or do you just prefer Slobber ? OH - ho - ho , The Hatred !
Yeah how would they know that the Republican's just changed the long standing laws regarding ID's and that the ID's you have used for 70 years are no longer valid? Those stupid VETS who fought and killed the Nazis in WWII. Damn Obama supporters. Screw them!
No screw you Bill. I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you in person some day Billy Boy.
Right bill after the Penn State republicans ran ads for months telling voters they needed the new improved voter ID to cast their vote it is now up to those people to know that the republican ads are now wrong without anyone telling them the voter ID law failed, really bill people are supposed to know this without anyone retracting the republican ads, funny how you expect people to know things without anyone telling them what is going on.
Who cares only a handful of people dont have IDs anyway. I personal carry my wallet me just about everywhere I go. Only shutends and people not looking for a job would not have an ID anyway.
How do you think Google started?
Next explain to us all why it is the worlds search engine.
Hurry now.
People not looking for a job...Uh you mean like retired Vets, regular retired people, maybe even your own grandfolks right Rolla? I guess you don't think they deserve to vote right?
Tell me tough guy did you serve in the military? Cause WWII, VietNam, Korea, Middle East and all retired Vets deserve to vote 1000 times more than you or any non-serving working Republican even the 4 time draft dodging Republican presidential candidate Mittens the Kitten.
http://fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/washington-insider-obama-member-of-chicago-gay-mans-club/
Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me.
It reminds you of you recent and past excursions - huh ?
Not that there is anything wrong with that , these days !?
Do you wear a trench coat ?
"got hate?"
Just says it all.
Keep but the uber work.
cowpie
Just telling you a little about yourself. You don't even realize how much hate and racism you project.
Show me how I do that please!!!!
Hurry oh and don't forget I am a African America you know a black man, that's right a bro from da hood.
What ? You do not have the capability to Learn on your own ? Obviously Not !
Yeah , Your racism is showing Again - Shut-Up !
Ever notice it takes 3,4,5 special ed show liberals to answer one question?
And then they can't give an answer.
Too fuuny.
well i have loOked at all th news stations ad they are all reporting it
There has been much said about the need for voters to show ID’s at the polls but little if any about the need for someone to send a copy of their ID when voting absentee. 33 states require some proof of residency or identification at the polls which ranges from a copy of current bill showing the address, a signed credit card, any ID with a photo to government issued ID’s with an expiration date to vote. However, only Alabama and Kansas require an absentee voter to send a copy of a photo ID. Wisconsin use to require a copy of a photo ID but was changed March of this year. Out of the nine states with the strictest voter ID laws, only Kansas requires the voter to send a copy of a valid government ID. Most other states just require the last four numbers of the voters Social Security Number.
If preventing voting fraud is truly important for these nine states with strict requirements as to what form of government ID is acceptable at the polls then why was Kansas the only state to stipulate the need for the absentee voter to send in a copy of their ID? Absentee voting is wide open to abuse and fraud. There is nothing truly preventing someone caring for a disabled person or their elderly parents from requesting absentee ballots in their names then filling the ballot out as they wish and sending them back. Someone could technically vote up to three times or more depending on the situation.
After combing through 2010 primary election results for these states, I found that the majority of absentee voters were Republicans. It makes me wonder if these states, besides Kansas truly want to protect elections from fraud as they state or the Republicans truly want to make it harder for voters that typically vote Democrat such as college students. After all, it was the increase in college age voters that significantly helped Obama win in 2008. Due to the need for ID’s to match their voter registration address, out-of-state students and in-state students that live on campus would have to get a new state ID.
I also found the states with the strictest ID requirements are states with Republican Governors and majorities in their legislative houses. It appears they left off the ID requirement for absentee voters because it would make a significant portion of their base (the elderly) to jump through hoops to get an updated ID to vote. If they truly wanted to prevent voter fraud they would have added a voter ID requirement to absentee voting too. It also doesn’t help their in-person voting fraud argument when Pennsylvania Republican House Leader Mike Turzai belches out, “Voter ID, which is gonna allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done!” It is obvious they put these laws in place for pure political reasons.
I write the same thing over and over like a broken record but the truth is that most of these Voter ID laws are unconstitutional. You can not make voting an undue burden, a hassle, or have any type of expense, fee, or tax associated with voting. Poll taxes are exclusively prohibited under the 24th Amendment and the 1965 Voter Rights Act. Any type of fee required to get substantiating documentation, typically marriage licenses or birth certificates, that cost the voter ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY to get a free voter ID are POLL TAXES. Poll taxes are unconstitutional period, end of discussion. So even conservative judges have a hard time trying to make these types of laws stick. Go read the 1965 Voter's rights Act or look at the information at the Brennan Center for Justice website listed below for Voter ID information and pending cases. The bottom line is that the conservatives/ALEC are failing to screw up our voting system because people are alert and watching every move they make and counter-punching effectively.
http: //www.brennancenter.org/content/section/category/voter_id
So, in other words, you admit that the PA law is legal since there are no costs required to get your ID. Thanks for your support...the Republicans appreciate it.
just saying...
Leave it to capt re reg to not to be able to get that the PA ID law got shot down because it was illegal.
Stormguy: Go screw yourself because I have said all along that Voter ID in Pennsylvania is unconstitutional because there are costs to getting supporting documentation. Sometimes that documentation can cost $20 plus for birth certificates from out of state or marriage licenses etc. Those costs are unconstitutional poll taxes. Your side lost this one big time and now its all sour grapes for you. So go piss on yourself. Secondly who the heck appointed Republicans judges to be able to take away or suppress another citizen's right to vote? You do not have any right to take away other's voting rights but conservatives always want to do that.
Go join the John Birch Society if you think that Voter ID is so wonderful for America. The John Bircher's can always use a new recruit. As a bigot you would be a prime candidate. Right wingers have a hole deep inside their bodies that can not be filled with enough hate, bullying, intolerance, and bigotry to ever fill it up.
Actually Rex, you are wrong as usual. All a person has to do is walk into a PennDOT office and sign an affadavit saying that they cannot afford to pay for the ID and it will be given to them FREE of charge. Additionally, you are not required to bring in ANY form of birth certificate or other ID. Once again, all you have to do is sign a document. Names on the ID does NOT have to match exactly to the registration name, but it must substantially conform.
How does it feel to be wrong all the time? Maybe you should read the law before you continue to display your stupidity of the subject...let me help you out with this info from the PennDOT website......
Photo ID Requested for November 2012 Election
Voters will be asked, but not required, to show an acceptable photo ID on Election Day. All photo IDs must contain an expiration date that is current, unless noted otherwise. Voter's names on their photo IDs do not need to exactly match their voter registration, but the names must substantially conform. Acceptable IDs include:
If you do not have one of these IDs, and require one for voting purposes, you may be entitled to get one FREE OF CHARGE at a PennDOT Driver License Center. To find the Driver License Center nearest you, and learn what supporting documentation you will need to get a photo ID visit PennDOT's Voter ID Website or call the Department of State's Voter ID Hotline at 1-877-VotesPA (868-3772).
If you need anymore help in understanding the facts and the truth, let me know and I will be happy to help you out...
just saying...
As always Stormguy you are wrong.
Retired military ID's do not have expiration dates on them.
How do I now? I'm looking at mine right now.
Now GO AWAY!
SED - your argument is with the PennDOT, not with me. All I am reporting is what they are saying, but what does that have to do with whether they charge a fee for an ID which is what Rex's point was?
As usual, I am right...
BTW...the word is spelled...know...not now.
NOW, go away...
just saying..
Thank you for pointing out my error.
The ID might be free, now that the court has decided to postpone issuing the Republican required ID's. However the Republican ID's require documents that do cost money. Hence the rub. Oh well, at least everyone has four years (I think), to get their Republican required Id's in order.
Once again, SED, you have not done your research into the law. It clearly says that if anyone does not have the forms that they request, that the person can sign an affirmation stating that fact and can then receive their FREE ID.
Sorry to shoot you down, but as usual, Dems like to misrepresent the facts about these matters to fit their agenda. Maybe if you did your own research instead of relying on the daily talking points from the likes of Rex and Larry you would learn something and be a better informed voter.
just saying...
I think it is a sad day for all American citizens when a presidential candidate, Romney condones voter suppression. This is a person who claims he wants to represent all the people, but goes along with his party's attempt to prevent citizens to exercise the consitutional right to vote. There is nothing he can say a million debates to convience me that he would be concerned about the 47%--HELL he is making it his business to keep them from the polls. Men and women lost their lives so that others could have the freedom to cast their vote. No debate can possible excuse his behavior in going along with obstructing and confusing people when it comes to voting on who "we the people" want as POTUS. They have been going across the country yelling voter fraud and putting in place restrictions for the 47% to prevent them from voting. Romney and Ryan are trying to take this country back in time when minority citizens where taken through a series of tests designed to disenfranchise them casting their votes. This is not the actions of a LEADER--it is the actions of a coward. Stacking the deck against the American people. Romney and Ryan are frauds. In my view I think the actions of the GOP could be viewed as domestic terrorism.
If somone truely wants to vote he will do whatever it takes to be able to vote. I think its downgrading to poor people when we say that they cant manage to get an ID. I have been homeless and sleeping in the bushes in the wet and wild parking lot which was beside thew sahara hotel and casino in vegas. Even then I went to day labor and worked however I needed to first round up enough money to get an ID. Not only was it required just to sign up we got paid daily by check. Its realy unrealistic to think anyone would not be able to get ID. Not having an ID is simply a choice made by the person because if you need an ID you will get one.
What the Pennsylvania Supreme court is saying is that the state was incapable of issuing all the new ID's in time for the election, thus it is being put on hold till after the election. That is as it should be. After the election people can get the new ID's for the next midterm election. These ID's should also be otherwise useful, such as being picture ID driver's licenses and State ID's for people who don't drive.
Absolutely idiotic that voters don't have to produce an ID at the poles. I dont care what side youre voting for, what a moronic state of affairs when the simple lines of common sense are so easily blurred..
In most cases it is not that they don't have to show an ID, but a new harder to get ID that requires what a lot of people may not be able to get, such as legitimate birth certificates for the really elderly, etc. as complete records may not exist for some people, IE African- Americans who were born but their birth's were not recorded.
robert...before you make uninformed statements about subjects for which you have no understanding, please read the actual law. In regards to PA, your statements are completely false. citizens can get their ID at no cost and without any of the documents that you cite.
just saying...
Romney's journey beyond truthiness:
We have all had time to sleep on what we watched in the presidential debate. For whatever reason I slept well during the night and after a soundly doing so I awoke in the morning and over coffee and my morning paper I started thinking about the Hail-Mary hail of words that Mitt Romney threw out from behind his podium in Denver.
Did Romney win more fence-sitters than he lost Libertarians? He appeared to be thrusting himself out there as a guy who if president would out Obama as Obama---an Obama Light or an Obama Heavy?
And apparently Romney’s supporters are now to stop believing what he has been saying during the months of campaigning right up until this debate in which with straight face he did a full flavor version of Yogi Berra’s quip, “I never said most of the things I said. '
As a person that has found no reason to believe anything Romney says, I don’t know what anyone that wants to find something to believe is going to believe at any given moment that keeps pace with what Romney has just said, or said he did or didn’t say, or will say next.
I think Romney has gone well beyond the political flimflam that comedian Steven Colbert coined as “truthiness.” Romney seems to have moved at warp-speed into a far-out cyber world of “sayiness.”