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7/13/2007
Earth to Dems: Name calling doesn't do it
“Extremely cynical or just plain chicken?” What? I guess them’s is fightin’ words.
The Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee’s (ADCC) July 10 press release responded to the GOP budget proposal that would ban straight ticket voting:
“Rather than standing up to George Bush, they want to stop people from easily rejecting the failed policies of the Republican Party at both the national and state levels.
“Let’s be clear, Republicans have a documented track record of creating barriers to make it difficult for the poor, the elderly and minorities from voting because they usually vote Democratic….
“This proposal simply tries to make it more difficult for people from [sic] easily rejecting the Republican party as a whole…. This is a weak, gutless move.”
What?
Following last November’s election, FoxPolitics.net commented on a great article from The Hill that explained the effect of straight-party voting, a “slowly dying ballot option,” still in use by only 16 states, including Wisconsin.
The article clearly states why Republicans are wise to try to eliminate the antiquated system – and just as clearly, why state Democrats will fight it.
“Of the 29 seats House Republicans have lost thus far in this year’s election, 15 came in the 16 straight-party states, and three more are still possible. Also, several of the most stunning GOP losses occurred in these states, including Rep. Jim Leach in Iowa, Reps. Jeb Bradley and Charlie Bass in New Hampshire and Rep. Melissa Hart in Pennsylvania.”
Ok, so you’re a Democrat in the Assembly. You think straight-party voting is the best thing since sliced bread because State Treasurer Sass was elected purely on the basis of straight-party voting – and it has been credibly argued that Rep. Kagen won with big help from the one-armed lever as well.
I don’t think that means you have to revert to name calling. Geez. You could even try to keep the discussion a little intellectual. In that vein, The Hill talked to University of Rochester political science professor Richard Niemi:
“recent field experiments he has conducted show people are often confused by the straight-party option, and most experts agree that it encourages voters to not take the time to get educated about candidates.
“’It seems pretty clear that what it was designed for is to keep people voting for a particular party without thinking about who they were voting for,’ Niemi said.”
Perhaps all our partisan elected officials should have the courage to run on their own ability to educate and work with voters. What a refreshing thought. Ok, enough said.
COMMENTS
Part of the news release spoke of Republicans' well-documented efforts to keep the downtrodden from voting. I'm not sure how to keystroke a heavy sigh and rolled eyes, but I just did those. The moment a GOPer advocates voter ID, some gifted orator conjures images of the Deep South and Jim Crow, etc. You know, I visited Selma, Ala. and the museums. Gutless rhetoric like that against voter ID proponents cheapens the cause of those who actually suffered in a real struggle such as Selma and demonizes the opposition. One more thing; I recently came across a photo of that famous Iraqi woman displaying her purple fingerprint ink after voting. Can you imagine suggesting that ID system here? Oh goodness! The Coalition for Diversity and Happy Thoughts would immediately commission an anti-hate curriculum to infuse into the local redneck culture. Sorry for the rant-quality at the end there :-) Happy Weekend.
You are so right on. All well said. JE
Brady Kiel (Fri Jul 13 16:06:05 2007)
Anything, and I mean anything, that Republicans want to change in the voting procedure should be viewed with suspicion. Even if it seems benign on the surface.
For instance, does it pass The Small, Petty and Mean test? From the post above, I'll say yes (or no depending what your position on Small Petty and Mean or SPM is. Or maybe it was a topic on Newsmax or the Charlie Sykes show or made the cover of The New American (house magazine for the John Birch Society.)
I don't know. But I would be curious to know why Wisconsin has not diddled with the law rather than why it should.
Ooh, getting a little huffy Lon! JE
Lon Ponschock (Sun Jul 15 12:43:27 2007)
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