Exclusive: Election Day Worries

[gldstwmn]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5411741/site/newsweek

July 19 issue - American counterterrorism officials, citing what they call "alarming" intelligence about a possible Qaeda strike inside the United States this fall, are reviewing a proposal that could allow for the postponement of the November presidential election in the event of such an attack, NEWSWEEK has learned.

The prospect that Al Qaeda might seek to disrupt the U.S. election was a major factor behind last week's terror warning by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. Ridge and other counterterrorism officials concede they have no intel about any specific plots. But the success of March's Madrid railway bombings in influencing the Spanish elections—as well as intercepted "chatter" among Qaeda operatives—has led analysts to conclude "they want to interfere with the elections," says one official.

As a result, sources tell NEWSWEEK, Ridge's department last week asked the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel to analyze what legal steps would be needed to permit the postponement of the election were an attack to take place. Justice was specifically asked to review a recent letter to Ridge from DeForest B. Soaries Jr., chairman of the newly created U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Soaries noted that, while a primary election in New York on September 11, 2001, was quickly suspended by that state's Board of Elections after the attacks that morning, "the federal government has no agency that has the statutory authority to cancel and reschedule a federal election." Soaries, a Bush appointee who two years ago was an unsuccessful GOP candidate for Congress, wants Ridge to seek emergency legislation from Congress empowering his agency to make such a call. Homeland officials say that as drastic as such proposals sound, they are taking them seriously—along with other possible contingency plans in the event of an election-eve or Election Day attack. "We are reviewing the issue to determine what steps need to be taken to secure the election," says Brian Roehrkasse, a Homeland spokesman.

—Michael Isikoff

[dissention]

I don't know how I'm supposed to react. Should I be surprised? I'm not. Just angry. But I've been so angry for so long that now I'm just numb with hate.

These strange times, eh?

[sparky]

It is all beginning to make perfect sense. If Shrubby looks really weak in the polls, some flunkies stage some lame assed attack attempt (or 3). The Department Of Orwellian Paranoia and Colorforms delays the election while everyone gets good and scared about a "regime change", then the "election" is rescheduled after the terror is firm in people's minds. Brilliant. Wag the dog ! Wag the dog !

[strandinthewind]

Other than some kind of absentee or military type situation, they would literally have to amend the Const. to hold the election on any other day - at least in theory

[DeeGeMe]

Remember where Shrub was at in the approval polls before 9/11? And remember how high his numbers shot up post 9/11?

[DeeGeMe]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. counterterrorism officials are looking at an emergency proposal on the legal steps needed to postpone the November presidential election in case of an attack by al Qaeda, Newsweek reported on Sunday.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge warned last week that Osama bin Laden (news - web sites)'s al Qaeda network may attack within the United States to try to disrupt the election.

The magazine cited unnamed sources who told it that the Department of Homeland Security asked the Justice Department (news - web sites) last week to review what legal steps would be needed to delay the election if an attack occurred on the day before or the day of the election.

The department was asked to review a letter to Ridge from DeForest Soaries, who is the chairman of the new U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the magazine said.

The commission was created in 2002 to provide funds to the states to the replace punch card voting systems and provide other assistance in conducting federal elections.

In his letter, Soaries pointed out that while New York's Board of Elections suspended primary elections in New York on the day of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, "the federal government has no agency that has the statutory authority to cancel and reschedule a federal election."

Soaries wants Ridge to ask Congress to pass legislation giving the government such power, Newsweek reported in its latest issue that hits the newsstands on Monday.

Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Rochrkasse told the magazine the agency is reviewing the matter "to determine what steps need to be taken to secure the election."

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1895&u=/nm/20...

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by dissention

I don't know how I'm supposed to react. Should I be surprised? I'm not. Just angry. But I've been so angry for so long that now I'm just numb with hate.

These strange times, eh?

Very. Could this be the fall of the Roman empire?

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by sparky

It is all beginning to make perfect sense. If Shrubby looks really weak in the polls, some flunkies stage some lame assed attack attempt (or 3). The Department Of Orwellian Paranoia and Colorforms delays the election while everyone gets good and scared about a "regime change", then the "election" is rescheduled after the terror is firm in people's minds. Brilliant. Wag the dog ! Wag the dog !

I'm telling ya. I've been getting awfully strange vibes about that "red alert" on the terra chart lately. If martial law is instituted, then I believe that can suspend the elections. Remember, Jebby already did a test run and declared it in Florida on 9/11.
Then again maybe the "teasing spirits" are just messing with me.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Other than some kind of absentee or military type situation, they would literally have to amend the Const. to hold the election on any other day - at least in theory

At what point has this group ever shown any respect for the Constitution?

[David]

Originally Posted by sparky

The Department Of Orwellian Paranoia and Colorforms

BWAHAHAAAAAA!!!!!

sparky, you're a torch among matchsticks!

[sparky]

Originally Posted by David

BWAHAHAAAAAA!!!!!

sparky, you're a torch among matchsticks!

I am humbled, honored, and proud to be of service.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

Very. Could this be the fall of the Roman empire?

According to Charlie Krauthammer (Ayn Rand's dreamlover) in his op-ed today:

"A serious, coordinated attack on the United States could so shatter the United States as a functioning advanced industrialized society that it would take generations to rebuild."

The neocons are coming after the American people with a vengeance. That's just vicious.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by dissention

According to Charlie Krauthammer (Ayn Rand's dreamlover) in his op-ed today:

"A serious, coordinated attack on the United States could so shatter the United States as a functioning advanced industrialized society that it would take generations to rebuild."

The neocons are coming after the American people with a vengeance. That's just vicious.

Isn't Krauthammer a member of PNAC?

[dissention]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

Isn't Krauthammer a member of PNAC?

Who knows, all he does is sit in his wheelchair and concoct the wildest bull**** on the face of the earth. I'll never forget the column I read from him back in 2000 where he said he had the "definitive proof" that Gina Gershon was a man who had a sex change. He's a f*cking nut.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by dissention

Who knows, all he does is sit in his wheelchair and concoct the wildest bull**** on the face of the earth. I'll never forget the column I read from him back in 2000 where he said he had the "definitive proof" that Gina Gershon was a man who had a sex change. He's a f*cking nut.

Thanks. I needed that.