"Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) suggested that the House’s end game in passing the Voter ID law was to benefit the GOP politically.
“We are focused on making sure that we meet our obligations that we’ve talked about for years,” said Turzai in a speech to committee members Saturday. He mentioned the law among a laundry list of accomplishments made by the GOP-run legislature.
“Pro-Second Amendment? The Castle Doctrine, it’s done. First pro-life legislation – abortion facility regulations – in 22 years, done.**** Voter ID, which is gonna allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done.”****
The statement drew a loud round of applause from the audience. It also struck a nerve among critics, who called it an admission that they passed the bill to make it harder for Democrats to vote — and not to prevent voter fraud as the legislators claimed."
Is this statement an admission of the ulterior motive? What effect will the admission ultimately have?
This is a gaffe, defined as a moment when a politician speaks the truth. Of COURSE that’s why voter ID laws get passed. They’re the last gasps of a party desperate for power as the demographics begin to pile up against it. I’d have more respect for Republican sympathizers if they would would put on a red cheerleader uniform and shout “Yay, RED TEAM” than trying to hide behind the fig leaf of preventing voter fraud.
I give him kudos for honesty (while lamenting that Romney is indeed quite likely to win the election precisely due to such shenanigans.)
No kudos to the GOP “intellectuals” at SDMB who have proved their [check? are we in BBQ Pit?] less-than-celestial intelligence and/or honesty by denying the obvious.