September 19, 2008

Conyers Calls out McCain over Voter Suppression

@ 12:22 pm by Andy Barr

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) told John McCain's campaign Friday to take control over its supporters following reports that a Republican county chairman in Michigan planned to use lists of recently foreclosed residents to block them from voting

"It is beyond disgraceful that the Republican Party now seems to be targeting those who are suffering the most," Conyers said. "It appears that individuals who can't recall how many houses they own don't understand how awful it is to lose your home to foreclosure, and don't know that you don’t need to own property to vote in the United States of America."

"It should surprise no one that the people who gave us the worst economy since the Great Depression would now want to prevent those victimized by this economy from voting in the coming elections. Senator McCain needs to step forward now and halt the Republican Party's efforts to profit politically from the economic misery of others."

In a letter sent to the McCain, Conyers asked the Arizona senator to "repudiate any efforts of the Republican Party and any of its state affiliates to engage in voter suppression and intimidation tactics."

Archived under: Campaigns, News, Presidential Campaigns
Tags: John Conyers, John McCain

24 Comments »

1. Thank you, Rep. Conyers. It truly is disgraceful.

   Comment by Sarah — September 19, 2008 @ 12:45 pm

2. Don't REQUEST. DEMAND and arm yourselves and fight back the brownshirts at the polls. The Republicans are trying to make a new and different government than the one in which we were originally founded. Therefore, this is a COUP. Nothing short of a fascist takeover of the US.

   Be prepared or be lead away when they come for you.

   Comment by Neil — September 19, 2008 @ 12:48 pm

3. It will be interesting to see if McCain steps up and does just that. It would be a smart thing to do in the eyes of the public by making him appear ethical, like he cares about these people, etc. But it seems like the fear of losing has won over and his ethics in this campaign have gone by the wayside. Really sad.

   Comment by Shawna V — September 19, 2008 @ 12:50 pm

4. Why would McCain step up, it benefits him if voters are suppressed. The bulk if not all are democratic voters. This is only the beginning folks, stay tuned.

   Comment by Fitz — September 19, 2008 @ 12:57 pm

5. McCain and ilk are too busy in Alaska trying to suppress the inquiry into Troopergate; same thing; different site! If the Democrats don't step up their efforts this will be 2004 all over again. Quit waiting on McCain to be ethical; do something now and stop this obvious attempt to stop those votes of those supporting Obama.

   Comment by Winn30344 — September 19, 2008 @ 1:02 pm

6. They're republicans…what do you expect?

   Comment by Paisano — September 19, 2008 @ 1:02 pm

7. Rep. Conyers, I do sincerely hope your colleagues from both sides of the aisle will join you in demanding that John McCain take responsibility for those acting on his campaign's behalf. Truly sad and disgusting.

   Comment by David — September 19, 2008 @ 1:03 pm

8. Don't be a wuss. Fight them now! Later is too late. Get the media to publish/show what is going on and get a cutthroat lawyer to get an injunction to stop them. Otherwise…2000 all over again.

   Comment by Ron1951 — September 19, 2008 @ 1:06 pm

9. Thank-you Rep. Conyers! This should be front page news! Is the USA a democracy or a third world country? One vote, one person! Lets make sure this news is heard in every corner of our democracy!

   Comment by cheryl — September 19, 2008 @ 1:09 pm

10. We all have the power to call and write and express our outrage regarding voter supression and voter fraud. If you are in a swing state it has been noted that your voting systems are not in good order so I recommend calling and talking to your representativs and demanding that they guarantee your a true and fair election. Please encourage everyone you know to check their voter registration before the registration deadline, even if they've been registered for years.

    Comment by ldb — September 19, 2008 @ 1:12 pm

11. If McCain really puts country ahead of party, as he touts, an open/free/fair election in which all voters can be assured of a ballot which is cast and counted should be a high priority. If he allows Republicans to subvert the voting rights, our country ceases to be a democracy.

    He would be putting winning an election ahead of doing what is best for the country-a charge he often hurls at Obama.

    And as for those voter suppressing Republicans, SHAME ON THEM. And if our Justice Department does not pursue them for violating election laws, SHAME on the Bush Justice Department.

    Comment by Roger Iverson — September 19, 2008 @ 1:13 pm

12. The American People need to be outraged over this. There is going to be a lot of mess this election season; the stakes are too high. I would advise all to carry their cell phones and take video of any impropriety. Republicans are going to try to suppress the vote.

    These folk are trying to suppress the vote.

    Please visit obamamatters.wordpress.com for a polling plan.

    God Bless

    Comment by Obamamatters — September 19, 2008 @ 1:14 pm

13. and while we're at it, lets start bailing out the taxpayers who are losing their homes to predatory banks, instead of bailing out the banks and allowing them to squeeze the taxpayers longer.

    Comment by Mckeaton — September 19, 2008 @ 1:15 pm

14. "Voter fraud" is a smokescreen for voter suppression, pure and simple. It should be federal LAW that you need only be a citizen to vote, and many of whom have no permanent address.

    Comment by Greg Jung — September 19, 2008 @ 1:15 pm

15. The Super wealthy rich kept down the women voters, the blacks and dirty farmers. So has anything really changed at all now that the world has moved into the 21st Century?

    The Bushes and McCains are no better than the despotic rulers of other countries who violate and abuse their authority by keeping the less fortunate down.

    Look out Jesus; dont visit the US or Alaska on this mother Earth again. You will be crucified again.

    Comment by Madhu Athavale — September 19, 2008 @ 1:27 pm

16. I can think of no one who is benefiting from the foreclosure debacle facing America…

    Oooopsss!!! Spoke too soon. John McCain and the GOP are seeking to benefit from people's pain.

    Pathetic!!

    Comment by Steve — September 19, 2008 @ 1:28 pm

17. Your heart and concerns are in the right place, Rep. Conyers, but when the Repuglicans disregard your pleas and do it anyway, what then? Do we have to put up with another illegitimate administration, or will we this time set the "president", that James Baker said did not exist in '00?
    If John McCain is wrongly conferred with the office of the Presidency, while the vote has been "worked" by Repuglican operstives, I predict there will be blood in the streets.
    It will be the protesters letting the blood, at the hands of our "Gestapo" patterned fascist police cadres.

    Comment by John A Santomasso — September 19, 2008 @ 1:40 pm

18. I am just a voter,old enough to remember the LINCOLN SAVINGS AND LOAN SCANDAL of the mid 1970's.I lived in Orange Co.at that time and if I recall John Mc Cain was right in the middle of it…please ck I don't recall allthe details.All I know is there was larceny then and I see larceney now..that that was O.C. .California thank I appreciate the vigil. …Oh and there were lots of POW's during Viet Nam they are not runnging for pres.

    Comment by e.cameron — September 19, 2008 @ 4:19 pm

19. I have seen no proof of this alleged offense. Internet gossip among the chattering children of the left is not proof.

    Where is the proof?

    If this proves to be another smear campaign then shame on all you screaming lefties.

    Comment by Bob Woodward — September 19, 2008 @ 4:33 pm

20. Don't expect McCain to do anything; the minority vote is generally democratic and he won't do anything to help blacks or latinos or whites who are under the foreclosure gun. Most people in economic trouble don't or won't vote republican. Do something, please.

    Comment by Joyce — September 19, 2008 @ 4:42 pm

21. Hey "Bob Woodward", all you need to do is read up on it. Conyers wrote a book "What Went Wrong in Ohio" about the stolen election of 2004, and if you want proof of these voter suppression tactics you can read more at http://www.bradblog.com, http://www.velvetrevolution.us and http://www.gregpalast.com, just for starters.

    Comment by Carol — September 19, 2008 @ 5:09 pm

22. McCain and the Republicans have no moral compass as they lost their way years ago. McCain learned the dirty Republican ways in 2000 when they were used against him and now he shamelessly uses those same tactics and worse against Obama.

    BTW, Palin is a joke and she is in way over her head.

    Comment by Yurdelite — September 19, 2008 @ 5:13 pm

23. Too bad nothing Conyers says is reported in the MSM.

    Comment by Bob — September 19, 2008 @ 9:34 pm

24. TIMELINE: Mich. Vote Caging Scheme Exemplifies Mounting Dirty Tricks Operations

    On Sept. 10, reporter Eartha Jane Melzer of online publication, the Michigan Messenger broke the story that the GOP of Macomb County, Mich. was planning to use public lists of foreclosures to challenge the eligibility of potentially thousands of low-i…

    Trackback by Project Vote Blog — September 30, 2008 @ 2:01 pm

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