# Get Ready For The GOP To Do Whatever They Can To Steal This Election (Too) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 4, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746 "2012-10-04T21:48:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/81 "2012-10-05T19:21:37Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Training people to challege voters for non-existent requirements - who cares? I suspect both the voters themselves and the candidates they support care quite a bit. > [@bup](#): > > This thread should be a serious contender at the next Diogenes Awards. Huh? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/82 "2012-10-05T19:28:05Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > I suspect both the voters themselves and the candidates they support care quite a bit. > [@Shayna](#): > > Huh? 😕 I think **bup** meant the first sarcastically and the second was to highlight how, in this thread, the ACORN show is mirroring The Dio Show and taking us away from the original topic. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/83 "2012-10-05T19:50:24Z")
Ah. Thanks for the explanation. Now it makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/84 "2012-10-05T19:56:14Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > [This](http://www.tshirtsmoselikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/littlewarrior-300x253.gif)is what I see when I read your posts. And it amuses me. The Anti-Cupid. The arrow hits you and you suddenly hate the guts of somebody you don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/85 "2012-10-05T21:30:11Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Look, **Yog** , we know the collective IQs of the ACORN defenders doesn’t reach three digits - you don’t have to show us. > > Regards, > Shodan Don’t have to be smart to get your guy in office. I’m sure the belief that you’re our betters is of great comfort when we’re forcing you to give up chunks of your paycheck to pay for our welfare. Why should I work when you can support me? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/86 "2012-10-05T21:52:29Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > Jesus, man, don’t be silly. > OJ was a _running back_, not a quarterback! Yeah. Just like Tebow. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/87 "2012-10-05T21:53:12Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > And Lobohan shows us how it’s done — Woo! > > There are [dozens of documented cases](http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7Bfb3c17e2-cdd1-4df6-92be-bd4429893665%7D/DECEPTIVEPRACTICESREPORTJULY2012FINALPDF.PDF) of unconscionable tactics overwhelmingly used by Republicans for years, in an effort to deceive Democrats about where and when to vote, and about their voting rights in general. We’re going to see more of these tricks than ever this election. If you can take the time, volunteer to be a poll watcher at your polling place. [http://www.electionjournal.org/2012/10/03/mass-confusion-in-florida-ofa-robocalls-give-wrong-early-vote-dates/](http://www.electionjournal.org/2012/10/03/mass-confusion-in-florida-ofa-robocalls-give-wrong-early-vote-dates/) ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/88 "2012-10-05T22:06:19Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > [http://www.electionjournal.org/2012/10/03/mass-confusion-in-florida-ofa-robocalls-give-wrong-early-vote-dates/](http://www.electionjournal.org/2012/10/03/mass-confusion-in-florida-ofa-robocalls-give-wrong-early-vote-dates/) This is worrisome and should definitely be investigated. If it can be shown that this was done purposefully then those responsible should be brought to full account. Still, giving an early date for voting is less egregious than training your challenge staff to use illegal methods to discourage voting or force people to use provisional ballots. At least with the early voting people will still have a chance to get the correct information and cast their ballot. With what the Republicans are accused of the people they disenfranchise will not have that second chance. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/89 "2012-10-05T22:12:28Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Most successful thread hijacking ever. Is there even a single post other than the OP’s and \*\*Bricker’s \*\*about the subject matter of this thread? > > Well done **Shodan**. Yes. I’ve repeatedly said that the actions the OP describes are reprehensible. There’s no disagreement with that, and if that was all that was discussed, the thread would be a dull parade of me-too-ing. It interests me that those on the right are demonstrably able to criticise their own, whilst those on the left can’t. Go on, say ACORN was wrong. It won’t hurt that much. > [@LIONsob](#): > > If it was only a single incident in New Mexico you could try to pass it off as a misguided registrar, but when its happining in Fla. and Col. also that line wont fly! > [http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/28/1137628/-BREAKING-Florida-GOP-Election-Fraud-scandal-spreads-to-ten-counties](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/28/1137628/-BREAKING-Florida-GOP-Election-Fraud-scandal-spreads-to-ten-counties) What happened to ACORN should happen to Strategic Allied\*, and any individuals who are breaking the law should be prosecuted, and severely punished. \*Assuming, of course, the allegations are true. There doesn’t look to be much doubt that they are, though. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/90 "2012-10-05T22:20:39Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > What happened to ACORN should happen to Strategic Allied\*, and any individuals who are breaking the law should be prosecuted, and severely punished. > > \*Assuming, of course, the allegations are true. There doesn’t look to be much doubt that they are, though. Should what happened to ACORN happen to the Republican Party if they are indeed guilty of the accusations made in the OP? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/91 "2012-10-05T22:27:47Z")
It should also be noted that ACORN committed no voter fraud. Many conservatives believe it did, but that’s a myth that gullible conservatives have been taken in by. ACORN had some fraudulent registrations, that their contractors wrote up. ACORN did their best to find and mark those. These lead to no fraudulent votes. ACORN in Nevada, had one incident where the person in charge had an incentive program that was against local law. He didn’t hide it, and it appears that he simply didn’t know. It was stupid, but it apparently was a mistake. Compare the above with what the Republicans and their people are doing now. It’s not the same. Steophan may try to draw equivalence, but he’s basing it on misinformation he was told. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/92 "2012-10-05T22:41:18Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > It should also be noted that ACORN committed no voter fraud. Many conservatives believe it did, but that’s a myth that gullible conservatives have been taken in by. > > ACORN had some fraudulent registrations, that their contractors wrote up. ACORN did their best to find and mark those. These lead to no fraudulent votes. > > ACORN in Nevada, had one incident where the person in charge had an incentive program that was against local law. He didn’t hide it, and it appears that he simply didn’t know. It was stupid, but it apparently was a mistake. > Compare the above with what the Republicans and their people are doing now. It’s not the same. Can you point out, in the OP, where Republicans broke the law? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/93 "2012-10-05T22:49:57Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Can you point out, in the OP, where Republicans broke the law? Why? There are plenty of attempts at voter suppression happening this cycle. From voter ID laws, to misleading advertisements suggesting that ID is still required where it has been struck down. Even if you accept that the OP events are legal, which I don’t by the way, they are still attempting to manipulate the election. Certainly ACORN never did anything like that. So where is the similarity? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/94 "2012-10-05T22:59:16Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Why? There are plenty of attempts at voter suppression happening this cycle. From voter ID laws, to misleading advertisements suggesting that ID is still required where it has been struck down. Even if you accept that the OP events are legal, which I don’t by the way, they are still attempting to manipulate the election. Why? Because I see the plaintive calls of “ACORN did nothing illegal” up there. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/95 "2012-10-05T23:46:11Z")
Coincidentally, I was listening to the Diane Rehm show on PBS today. One of the topics was the election in Venezuela which is an interesting situation. Anyway, one of the commentators said, when commenting on Chavez’s tactics, “You don’t steal an election on the day of the election. You start at least a year ahead of time.” The GOP has been hard at work. The GOP doesn’t have the least interest in democracy. Its all about holding power at all cost. Democracy be damned if the popular vote doesn’t fall in their favor. The Clinton impeachment proved that and they didn’t learn anything from that fiasco. The massive effort to disenfranchise voters is so transparent that with an intelligent, informed populace Romney’s voluntary emigration would apply to Republicans that need to live in a totalitarian society in order to know their place in the world. McConnell’s words about the mission of the party just cements what I’ve said. Nothing about honest, effective governance. It’s just about holding power. Please, get the fuck out of America if you can’t stomach an honest vote of the people that actually live there. Go live with Chavez. Gas is really cheap in Venezuela. The Tea Party would love the place. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/96 "2012-10-05T23:52:21Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Why? Because I see the plaintive calls of “ACORN did nothing illegal” up there. Oh, I forgot you’re a mindless partisan. Reread my post and get back to me. Remember that ACORN was scammed by some few of its contractors. Such scamming included zero fraudulent votes or suppressed votes. How is that at all similar to the willful voter suppression from the OP? I’ll save you the trouble, it’s not. I’m sorry that hurts your head. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/97 "2012-10-06T00:38:05Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Why? Because I see the plaintive calls of “ACORN did nothing illegal” up there. Can you explain why you think that ACORN being guilty of one count of using a method of remuneration to its employees is as bad, or worse than the Republican Party knowingly training their poll challengers in illegal voter suppression tactics? I admit, it should not have happened. The person in charge of payroll should have been aware of the legalities and should never have let it happen. There is, however, a vast gulf between having a payroll system that may incentivise voter registration fraud (but is still legal in the majority of the states) and deliberately providing your poll challengers with misinformation in an attempt to illegally suppress votes by turning people away or making them unnecessarily fill out provisional ballots. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/98 "2012-10-06T01:45:39Z")
> [@Cyros](#): > > Can you explain why you think that ACORN being guilty of one count of using a method of remuneration to its employees is as bad, or worse than the Republican Party knowingly training their poll challengers in illegal voter suppression tactics? Once something illegal actually occurs, get back to me. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/99 "2012-10-06T02:21:49Z")
> [@Cyros](#): > > Should what happened to ACORN happen to the Republican Party if they are indeed guilty of the accusations made in the OP? I’m not sure that “the Republican Party\*” is an entity that _can_ be shut down like that, even if the party as a whole is guilty of this. More realistically, the local organisation could be shut down, and its leaders prosecuted. But certainly, whichever organisation is spreading lies about voting requirements should be denied government money to spread those lies. If this leads to widespread knowledge of their actions, which leads to a reduction in private funding, good. \*Or the Democrats for that matter, that’s just not how US political parties are organised. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746/100 "2012-10-06T02:23:17Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Once something illegal actually occurs, get back to me. **Terr** , you’re being as bad as the ACORN deniers here. What happened in those training seminars was immoral and indefensible, even if it was technically legal. You’re better than that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-ready-for-the-gop-to-do-whatever-they-can-to-steal-this-election-too/636746.md?page=6)