Disenfranchising the Military
All America was shocked, after listening for ten days to Gore’s minions preach on the necessity of letting every vote count, to discover his systematic plan to disqualify military ballots based on a “hypertechnical adherence to the letter of the law.”
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.” Alexander Hamilton
Military Ballot Case Set for Today
Dec. 5, 2000: A federal judge has agreed to hear arguments today in a case involving hundreds of overseas military ballots that Republicans say Florida elections boards improperly threw out.Judge to Hear Military Ballot Cases
Dec. 4, 2000: A federal judge will hear arguments Tuesday in a Republican effort to pad George W. Bush’s slim lead in the presidential election with more overseas ballots, mostly from military voters. Republicans have sued canvassing boards in seven counties that rejected undated overseas ballots. Bush led Democrat Al Gore by about a 2-1 margin among overseas voters.Clinton DOD Gives Up on Military Vote
Nov. 28, 2000: Defense Secretary William Cohen is giving up on trying to make Florida count military absentee ballots, but he took steps Tuesday so the military won’t be robbed of its vote in the next election.The Democrats’ War on the Military
Nov. 25, 2000: As the postelection impasse continues in Florida, military e-mail circuits are aflame with denunciations of Al Gore and the Democratic Party. Members of the U.S. military at all ranks are enraged at what appears to be a systematic attempt on the part of the Democrats to exclude as many military absentee votes as possible.Disenfranchising the Military
Nov. 22, 2000: In a concerted effort to trim George W. Bush’s margin of victory, [Gore’s supporters] challenged a great many overseas absentee ballots, many of which come from military members. County canvassers disqualified a total of 1,527 ballots from overseas, according to an Associated Press report--more than 40% of the total. What could be more divisive than disfranchising Americans who are risking their lives to defend their country?Bush Sues to Include Military Votes
Nov. 22, 2000: Attorneys for Texas Gov. George W. Bush filed suit Wednesday in a state court asking that the court reinstate hundreds of overseas military ballots rejected by county election officials.Democrats Anger Servicemen Overseas
Nov. 21, 2000: Around the world, American servicemen are lashing out at Al Gore and the Democratic Party for challenging 39 percent of the overseas absentee ballots cast by military personnel. Tuesday’s Washington Post quotes military personnel as being disgusted, angry and disappointed that their votes might not count.Florida Attorney General: Include Military Ballots
Nov. 20, 2000: Bowing to pressure from military rights advocates, Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth directed the state’s 67 counties Monday to count absentee overseas ballots that bear no postmark.Let Every Vote Count: Except Soldier’s Votes
Nov. 20, 2000: “I think it’s a time to simply get on with counting the votes,” said Al Gore’s attorney, David Boies, who appeared on Fox News Channel Sunday morning. But does he mean it? Look at what they do, not at what they say. If you watch the actions of the Gore campaign across the board you will find out that what Gore’s mouthpiece is really saying is: “We in the Gore campaign think that it’s time to get on with counting votes from areas where Gore is likely to get additional votes, and to stop counting those ballots, such as military ballots from overseas, where Bush is likely to get additional votes.”Democrat Memo to Disqualify Military Votes
Nov. 19, 2000: Mark Herron, a Tallahassee lawyer helping shepherd Democratic presidential election lawsuits through the local courts, sent this five-page letter to Democratic attorneys across Florida giving them tips on how to lodge protests against [absentee] ballots which heavily favored Republican George W. Bush. Bush comfortably won Florida’s overseas absentee vote by 1,380 votes to Vice-President Al Gore’s 750 but, after vigorous challenges by Gore canvassers, 1,527 of the postal ballots, many of them from soldiers and sailors on active service, were rejected using Herron’s bluprint. From Matt Drudge.General Norman Schwarzkopf’s Statement
Nov. 19, 2000: It is a very sad day in our country when the men and women of the armed forces are serving abroad and facing danger on a daily basis in places like Bosnia, Kosovo or on ships like the USS George Washington, yet because of some technicality out of their control they are denied the right to vote for the President of the United States, who will be their commander in chief.Cohen Angered by Tossed Military Ballots
Nov. 19, 2000: Defense Secretary William Cohen called it tragic that many U.S. service members’ votes were thrown out in the Florida election for lack of postmarks and is looking into what legally can be done to get them into the count.Gore to GIs: Drop Dead!
Nov. 17, 2000: n what can only be described as a blatant and outrageous display of coldblooded hypocrisy, Gore Democrats - specifically counseled and directed by the veep’s campaign - have rejected the votes of some 1,000 U.S. military personnel, thumbing their noses at Americans serving in defense of the nation.Military Didn’t Get Ballots, Plan Class-Action Suit
Nov. 16, 2000: Attorneys for disenfranchised military personnel plan to ask a judge to either let them vote late or allow them to refuse to pay taxes for the next four years. Large numbers of military personnel have complained that they did not receive absentee ballots in time to vote, and now they are taking action in court.