BRAD BLOG: Despite Reports, California Electoral College Split Initiative Has NOT Been Withdrawn

[BradBlog]

Despite Reports, California Electoral College Split Initiative Has NOT Been Withdrawn
Backer of Original Initiative Speaks out in Colorful Interview with The BRAD BLOG
Says Clinton's 'Pricks', Gay People 'Loony', Republican Ballot Measure Would Return 'Power to the People'...

By Brad Friedman from Denver, CO...

A late-night report from the Firedoglake blog last night indicated that a Republican-backed initiative to split California's 55 electoral votes by Congressional district has been "withdrawn". In fact, it has not been, as The BRAD BLOG has confirmed this morning, with both the California Secretrary of State's office and the initial proponent of the original initiative which Democrats have regarded as a dirty trick by Republicans desperate to hold on to Whitehouse in next year's general election.

The version of the initiative, the one which has currently raised millions of dollars, and is said to have garnered some 400,000 signatures in support, continues to move forward as planned.

There had been two, nearly identical initiatives in circulation working to receive enough signatures to make their way onto the ballot for next June's election in California. The original measure, known as "07-0016", as filed by Anthony F. Andrade Jr., has indeed been withdrawn, according to the California Sec. of State website, as of November 27th. But the version of the measure most likely to make it's way onto the ballot next year, "07-0032" barrels full steam ahead for the time being.

The BRAD BLOG has confirmed that point with two officials at the CA Sec. of State's office. We have also confirmed it with Andrade himself, a colorful fellow who we spoke to earlier today, who is now supporting the other, still-active, initiative...

FULL REPORT: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5380

[helderheid]

1. K&R

[Elspeth]

2. kick for CA

:kick:

[Greyskye]

3. very important

[L. Coyote]

4. DU Nov-25-07 California GOP Front Group: We'll Definitely Get Electoral Vote Measure On Ballot

DU Nov-25-07 California GOP Front Group: We'll Definitely Get Electoral Vote Measure On Ballot
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2342994

[mod mom]

5. Is Anthony Andrade related to Juan Andrade the Diebold lobbyist from Ohio?

[mod mom]

6. Here is the Andrade I am familiar with:

The exposure of ACG Group

Black Box Voting investigators Kathleen Wynne and Bev Harris uncovered the relationship of an obscure corporate entity, ACG Group LLC, after tracing payments made by Diebold Election Systems to Hispanic leader Juan Andrade, Jr.

Black Box Voting obtained check stubs, accounts payable ledgers, general journal reports, and other internal financial documents from Diebold Election Systems and Diebold, Inc. Curious about the $20,000 per month going to Andrade, a seemingly unlikely associate for Diebold, in that he had been a long time Hispanic voting rights advocate, Harris and Wynne traced Andrade's corporate interests, coming up with "ACG Group LLC." Further examination of ACG Group led to Ohio, and Pat Gallina.

Andrade's story begins to crumble

In April, 2005, Black Box Voting conducted a videotaped interview with Andrade. Several statements made by Andrade on videotape did not check out during later investigations. Black Box Voting worked with Cook County and DuPage County election integrity advocates to gather documentation disproving Andrade's statements.

- Andrade implied that he did not get involved with ACG Group until December 2003.

- Andrade also said that the 'A' in ACG Group stands for Andrade.

- ACG Group was incorporated in Ohio in June 2003, and in Illinois in December 2003. The Ohio entity shows no name change. Therefore, Andrade -- who lives in Griffith, Indiana -- clearly had some association with the Ohio group as early as June 2003.

- Andrade said that he disclosed to his group, the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute ("USHLI"), that he was involved with Diebold at its annual meeting in December 2003. Andrade told Black Box Voting, after disclosing his association with Diebold to the USHLI, in order to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest, he announced at the annual meeting that he was stepping down as Executive Director of USHLI, but would remain as its President. He indicated that his duties as President were largely fundraising for USHLI. However, he was still listed on its Web site as recently as May 2005, as both the Executive Director and President. The annual meeting was held in September, not December.

- Andrade claims that he registered in Cook County as a lobbyist.
-snip
http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/messages/1954/7638.html

[BradBlog]

7. Not sure mod mom...

...But I appreciate your info below. On the road all day today, so haven't been able to follow up with more detail for the moment. So glad to have your info...

[mod mom]

9. Juan & his friend Pat Gallina are tied to the Franklin Co BOE Director, Matt Damscroder,

by that $10,000 "donation" to the OH Republican Party.

[Gold Metal Flake]

11. kick

[seafan]

8. John Dean also weighed in on this today:

John Dean: GOP gaming California electoral system; Dems should push for National Popular Vote Plan

[Kurovski]

10. K&R. (nt)