David Cobb on Democracynow talking recount Why Isn't Kerry Using $50M Unsp

[sce56]

Here is the text of what was said



Wednesday, November 17th, 2004
Why Isn't Kerry Using $50M Unspent Campaign Money to Fund Recounts?

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Third-party candidates are requesting recounts in swing states as reports of widespread voting problems and malfunctions in electronic voting machines continue to emerge. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate John Kerry is sitting on over $50 million in unspent campaign funds, which could be used to fund recount efforts. We speak with Green Party presidential candidate David Cobb.
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President Bush nominated Condoleeza Rice yesterday as he continues to reshape his Cabinet for his second four-year term.
But, controversy continues to rage over the fairness of the November 2 presidential election. Stories are still emerging from states like Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and New Mexico of widespread problems with vote counting, voter suppression and malfunctions of electronic voting machines.

Now three candidates in the 2004 presidential race are demanding recounts. And not one of them is John Kerry.

In New Hampshire, independent candidate Ralph Nader is asking for a recount to test the accuracy of optical scan vote-counting machines. The request covers 11 of the state's 126 precincts that use Diebold's Accuvote optical scanning machines to count paper ballots. Backers urged Nader to request a recount after a statistical analysis posted on the Internet appeared to show that some New Hampshire precincts using the machines gave President Bush up to 15 percent more votes than had been expected on the basis of exit polls and the 2000 presidential vote.

Meanwhile, the Green and Libertarian Parties announced they raised $150,000 over the past week, enough to file the required fee for a statewide recount of the vote in Ohio.

While they scrambled to raise the required $150,000 in time to file the recount request, Democratic candidate John Kerry has been sitting on over $50 million in unspent campaign funds. According to the Center for Public Integrity, Kerry could use that money to fund recount efforts.


David Cobb, a lawyer from Texas. He now lives in California. He is seeking the Green Party nomination for president.
To purchase an audio or video copy of this entire program, click here for our new online ordering or call 1 [phone].

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/11/17/152...
listen to whole show here
http://www.democracynow.org/streampage.pl






http://www.democracynow.org/ or http://www.kpfk.org/

[seaveggie]

1. Thanks for the update

Thanks for posting this - for some reason WBAI in New York (where I get Amy Goodman) was off the air this morning.

That's one heck of an icon you've drawn there, by the way.

[sce56]

2. I wish I could take credit for it but I just found a link on another page

for it right click it and look at the properties and you to can use it!

[sce56]

3. Here is the text of what was said

Wednesday, November 17th, 2004
Why Isn't Kerry Using $50M Unspent Campaign Money to Fund Recounts?

Listen to || Download
Help Printer-friendly version Email to a friend Purchase Video/CD

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third-party candidates are requesting recounts in swing states as reports of widespread voting problems and malfunctions in electronic voting machines continue to emerge. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate John Kerry is sitting on over $50 million in unspent campaign funds, which could be used to fund recount efforts. We speak with Green Party presidential candidate David Cobb.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
President Bush nominated Condoleeza Rice yesterday as he continues to reshape his Cabinet for his second four-year term.
But, controversy continues to rage over the fairness of the November 2 presidential election. Stories are still emerging from states like Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and New Mexico of widespread problems with vote counting, voter suppression and malfunctions of electronic voting machines.

Now three candidates in the 2004 presidential race are demanding recounts. And not one of them is John Kerry.

In New Hampshire, independent candidate Ralph Nader is asking for a recount to test the accuracy of optical scan vote-counting machines. The request covers 11 of the state's 126 precincts that use Diebold's Accuvote optical scanning machines to count paper ballots. Backers urged Nader to request a recount after a statistical analysis posted on the Internet appeared to show that some New Hampshire precincts using the machines gave President Bush up to 15 percent more votes than had been expected on the basis of exit polls and the 2000 presidential vote.

Meanwhile, the Green and Libertarian Parties announced they raised $150,000 over the past week, enough to file the required fee for a statewide recount of the vote in Ohio.

While they scrambled to raise the required $150,000 in time to file the recount request, Democratic candidate John Kerry has been sitting on over $50 million in unspent campaign funds. According to the Center for Public Integrity, Kerry could use that money to fund recount efforts.


David Cobb, a lawyer from Texas. He now lives in California. He is seeking the Green Party nomination for president.
To purchase an audio or video copy of this entire program, click here for our new online ordering or call 1 [phone].

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/11/17/1525203
listen to whole show here
http://www.democracynow.org/streampage.pl

[seaveggie]

4. Awesome, thanks

The site usually posts a full transcript of the show later in the day, or by the next day, it seems. I think you can hear the show later on in the day, as well.

Amy Goodman might be the most important journalist working today, because she's thorough, trustworthy, and has a growing audience. She covers, in one hour, what it takes the MSM to cover in a month, assuming they even touch the stories she brings to light. I've turned five friends at work on to her show and they are all moderate to conservative folk. At least they were....Now they listen to her every day.

[Doohickie]

5. He's saving the money for the fight in the SCOTUS after the recount

goes his way.

[milkyway]

6. Amy Goodman is a national treasure. She's the rarest of Americans these

days--a real journalist, not just somebody who pretends to be one on television.

[Deb S]

7. Cobb on WI Public Radio

He said provisionals might be done this week in Ohio. He's doing this because of possible vote fraud, repression, etc. Also wants voter reform - PAPER TRAILS!!! They need more donations to do the job right possibly in other states. Need volunteers in Ohio. He suggested http://www.votecobb.org and http://nostolenelections.org for more info. He wants the American people behind him. He did a fantastic job of stating his case!!! Lots of call ins!!!

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Ok ok time people start thinking strategically

now I will add to this argument what one of Kerry's people told franken and how he seemed surprised the quetion was asked, and how franken seemed to miss the don't ask

Anyhow he gave teh standard answer, we did not want to bring the country though the hell it would have and "time to move on" but the votes have to be counted and we suport the small parties doing this.

Ok folks it looks to me that they are still there in the backgrond, working at it.

It also seems to me that everybody is working on this, but the small parties have taken the lead for obvious reasons, they can fly under the radar.

IF and WHEN they find something they can take to the bank, they will tell you and me, not until then.

As to that money, it is the legal reserve but they cannnot just transfer it to the Greens or the radar woudl suddenly show a huge return.

[maryallen]

9. Sorry ... wish it were so, but ...

I heard Cobb tonight on Democracy Now (Link TV) and that was certainly not what his tone of voice implied. In fact, Cobb couldn't understand Kerry's motives.

Cobb stated that the loyal base of the Democratic party was crying out -- raging, I think he said -- for something to be done about the election, but Kerry had provided no response to their pleas ... no leadership at all.

Very disconcerting ...

[Eloriel]

10. The small parties are taking the lead because

THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES WHO GET IT ... or perhaps care.

It wasn't Kerry or any of our Dem leaders who got this recount ball rolling, it was two DUers -- IdaBriggs and long-time DUer (and personal friend of mine) hedda_foil. Hedda is co-founder of the National Ballot Integrity Project and also co-founder of the brand new 527, Help America Recount, founded specifically to help fund as many recounts around the country as possible.

DUers did this!! A flurry of faxes from DUers (and others, thanks to Randi Rhodes and perhaps several other people) to Nader persuaded him at the last possible minute (literally ONE MINUTE before the deadline) to request that NH recount. Within a very few days, Cobb and Badnerik were talking about it in OH.

This has NOTHING to do with our illustrious Dem Leaders. In fact, EVERY BIT OF IT IS IN SPITE OF THEM. Perhaps they will eventually see the handwriting on the wall and decide to follow the People who are leading the way.

A LOT of effort has gone into this, and it chaps my hide for people to imagine that Kerry or ANY of our Dem leaders had a damn thing to do with it. They didn't.

Here are a few links for your edification:

*****Want to Help America Recount? The website is UP!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1344801
Link: www.helpamericarecount.org
National Ballot Integrity Project http://www.ballotintegrity.org/

***** Donations for the Recount" Fundraising Kit > > >
(Use this to send to your friends -- enormous amount of info -- pick and choose what you need)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x37833


BACKGROUND:
DU INFO ALERT: Why Recounting in New Hampshire Could Save Democracy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2617155

Need Some DU Help w/New Hampshire Stuff!!! (URGENT)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=26802&mesg_id=26802

RALPH NADER MAY SAVE THE WORLD!!! (Its NOT Over in NH!) Updated Fri 8:15p
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x25116

Nader requests NH vote recount. (Did we just make a huge blunder?)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=965216

Nader, Cobb and Badnarik may all be willing to look into recounts in Ohio
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x26843



Edited to add: Psssst. Secret for ya. Kerry has NO farkin' secret plan, nor is he flying under the radar -- except perhaps to escape ALL responsibility in this election mess.

[JD Lau]

16. Agree!

[txindy]

18. You've nailed it

Don't bother trying to convert anyone else, though. That seems to be a conclusion that has to be reached on one's own.

I still believe this is going to go our way.

[metisnation]

11. If he did he would be falling into Rove's trap!

It is a risk he is taking but much better than being sucked into being called a sore loser nationally use your better judgement folks.

[fearnobush]

15. Rove's trap my ass. It's looking all to clear: Kerry is failing us.

We will not forget who left our backs exposed. Back in Feb 2002, Sore and Loserman (Gore) was leading public opinion polls over Bush. The Sore Loserman bullshit is just that... bullshit. Al Gore was fucking God for going as far as he did in 2000 compaired to Kerry.

[JD Lau]

17. You are just mad. I think you have to look at the whole

picture, most of which none of us even see. I think we need to be patient here. We need to just allow this third party movement, and the recounts to proceed so we can get some feel of how this may go.

I also have to think that Kerry is thinking way ahead of many of us. Sorry to contradict your feelings, but when was the last time you spent any time in Washington, or got elected to a public office? I haven't been there, myself, but I know it must be a very different universe than the one that most of us live in. And Kerry has already stated that he has not given up the fight for what he is concerned about.

So...who knows how this will play out in the long run? I don't think any of us know this now. We are just running by the seat of our pants. I just WANT THE VOTING MACHINES to be made relevant!!! That is the focal point for my being. You are welcome to join in! It looks like the tent is pretty damn big!

[fearnobush]

19. I am pissed, he, they, the DNC had two years to audit the BBV machines

and it looks like they did nothing. Kerry promised us that all the votes will be counted and now he sits on 45 million counting nothing. Yea, I'm pissed real pissed. My back is exposed.

[seaveggie]

12. Full transcript on Democracy Now's site

Folks, a transcript of the interview is now up on Amy Goodman's site. A worthy read, rather sobering.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/11/17/1525203

[Bread and Circus]

13. 2 things...

First, I want the money back that I gave Kerry

Second, I hope that Kerry realizes at some point that
this was his race to lose and that he ran a pathetic campaign.
His chances in 08 are zero.

[JaneEyrez]

14. I sent this e-mail to Senator Kerry tonight to tell him how many

of his supporters feel:


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1366590