Lawmakers criticize absent Blackwell (not just Dems)

[sabra]

I guess we might not be the only one's asking Blackwell, "what are you hiding"?

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http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050209/NEWS/502090437

Lawmakers criticize absent Blackwell

By Malia Rulon
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Lawmakers blasted the secretaries of state from Ohio and Florida, the two states at the epicenter of election complaints, for not appearing today at a hearing that marks the first congressional review of the 2004 election.


"We can have disagreements, but you can't run and you can't hide," said House Administration Chairman Bob Ney, R-Ohio.


Ney, whose committee oversees election issues, said he would continue to push for Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell and his Florida counterpart, Glenda Hood, to appear before a new federal voting commission. Elections chiefs from four other states were to testify later today before the Election Assistance Commission

Ney called the commission hearing to examine the successes and failures of the Help America Vote Act, which was passed after the disputed 2000 election in Florida but has been fraught with delays and a shortage of money.

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[Roland99]

1. Blackwell was busy finding ways to fund the next takeover

Blackwell, a Republican, was invited to testify but could not break a prior commitment, spokesman Carlo LoParo said. Blackwell was in Washington today to chair a meeting of the Campaign Finance Institute, a nonpartisan group that evaluates campaign finance issues.

[Cha]

2. Dare I say.."Halleluja"?

You figure the repugs would have some excuse for them not being there..not this!

"You Can't Run and Hide"!

[Botany]

3. Ney is a punk who called any looking into last fall's vote .....

...... un American on the house floor on 1/6/05.

He knows it was dirty and is scrambling to CHA.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x321921

Thread already going.

[PA Democrat]

5. Isn't he also Mr. "Freedom Fries"

the guy who had the names of food changed on the menu of the Congressional cafeteria?

[aquart]

4. Would this be "contempt of Congress"?

And, if so, what can one do about it?

[keopeli]

9. Only if they were issued suppoenas to appear

[aquart]

10. Why weren't they?

Issued subpoenas?

[Pam-Moby]

6. This is great.

I hope they are not just blowing smoke again.

[gratuitous]

7. Dog and pony show

If Ney was serious, he'd issue a subpoena for Blackwell to appear. As it is, Blackwell is under no compulsion to appear, and there's no penalty for him dodging the committee. Since only the majority party can issue a subpoena, it's up to Ney to require that Blackwell appear. If Ney doesn't issue the subpoena, then all of his huffing and puffing about running and hiding is just so much window dressing and doesn't mean anything.

[liberal N proud]

8. I would think they should be subpoena to appear

Then it would blatant and obvious violation of the law and could be jailed.