RWNJ » Election

Ohio Voting Laws

admin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:06:55 +0000

Ohio is in preparation to start loosening its voting laws. The AP is reporting that consensus is growing for adding early voting locations and easing voter identification laws.

Personally, I have never been a fan of early voting. Elections are dynamic and things often will come to light shortly before election day. Picture voting for a candidate early only to find out a large scandal about that candidate the day before election day. We have an election DAY, not an election week or election month.

I do not take issue with voter ID laws. You should be able to prove you are who you claim to be. It is not difficult to get identification. Everyone should have identification, even if they are not voting. It’s common sense! I know when I lived in Indiana that you could get free ID once the voter ID law passed. Transportation was even provided by many groups close to election day. If you cannot be bothered to get an ID, why are you bothering to vote?

It doesn’t matter how much effort is put towards stopping voter fraud, it will happen. A report from Wisconsin just today tells the story of a man who voted on behalf of his late wife. People like to claim that fraud never happens, but it does. Loosening laws put into place to protect the integrity of the vote will only make the issue worse.

Coin Flip Decides Mayor’s Race in Minnesota

admin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:23:39 +0000

WCCO reports that a mayoral race in Goodridge, Minnesota was decided by coin flip. The town of 98 people had nobody file to enter the race for Mayor but incumbent Bob Homme and former Mayor Dave Brown were written in by residents. Both nominees got 22 votes.

In lieu of recounting, they decided to let a coin toss decide the winner. Brown won.

If only all politics could be this simple!

Obama Campaign Workers in Indianapolis Having Difficulty Getting Paid

admin — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:54:24 +0000

Obama is already running into difficulties spreading the wealth. WTHR in Indianapolis is reporting that some of the Obama campaign workers had difficulty getting paid yesterday. Some are claiming they are being short changed on what they were told they would pay. All had to wait past the time they were told they would be paid. Many sounded upset.

Video is on the WTHR article.

2008 Ohio Issues – Calling a Couple

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:06:25 +0000

Just a couple Ohio initiatives that can be called.

Issue 6 – The Clinton Casino issue will fail.

Issue 5 – The Payday Lending issue will pass.

The “Battle of the Steves” is still undecided as of now. I expect that this will be close and might not be called tonight. Chabot is currently trailing Driehaus, but very few precincts have reported. It’s too early to call this one.

McCain Loses Ohio – Obama Wins Election

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:23:28 +0000

It would take more than a miracle now, Ohio has been called for Obama. As of 9:20PM, RWNJ is calling the 2008 Presidential election for Barack Obama. Given the certainty of the non-battleground states, McCain is going to be unable to garner the 270 electoral votes necessary to win.

This certainly doesn’t appear to be the landslide that Obama had hoped for, but it will be a victory nonetheless.

As much as I disagree with Obama’s political views, I am not a sore loser, so let me be the first to say congratulations to President-elect Obama.

Don’t worry, RWNJ isn’t going anywhere. I didn’t make the blog just for the election, I made it to share some of my views and passions for politics. If anything a President that does not share my views will give me more to write about in the future.

Exit Polling and State Calls Favoring Obama

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:08:41 +0000

New Mexico has just been called for Obama. With Pennsylvania going early to Obama, numbers are looking worse for McCain.

It appears that my early instincts on the states to watch were correct. At this point, if McCain loses Virginia, Ohio, Florida, Missouri, or Colorado, it will be safe to call this race.

On the Senate side of things, the Democrats have only picked up 3 seats so far. It appears that they won’t be able to hit that filibuster-proof number of 60 barring a miracle.

Ohio Exit Polls – Obama 53, McCain 45

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:38:38 +0000

Still no call, but the exit polls in Ohio show Obama ahead by 8. If McCain were to lose Ohio it would pretty much seal victory for Obama.

Pennsylvania Exit Polls Show +15% for Obama

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:16:06 +0000

According to The Drudge Report, Pennsylvania exit polls are showing that Obama is up 15%. If that is the case, McCain’s path to victory will be much more limited.

Update (9:10PM): This was simply no contest. Exit polls showed a big victory for Obama despite all the work Murtha did to insult the southwestern part of the state. Who knows, maybe insulting your constituents is the new way to win? Speaking of Murtha, It’s way too early to call that race.

States and Exit Polls to Watch in the 2008 Election

admin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:01:47 +0000

First off, let me preface by saying that exit polling has been extremely unreliable. But, if you are itching to see what the night is going to bring, here are what I believe the key swing-state races are to watch tonight (times are Eastern).

7PM: Virginia is likely place to look for a McCain victory. Although it is possible for McCain to win without Virginia, it would be an uphill battle. Georgia and Indiana should be solidly in McCain’s column (despite what the polls have said). If he loses 2 of these three, it’s not going to be a good night for McCain.

7:30PM: Ohio, as usual of late, has the potential to be the deciding state in this election.

8PM: Missouri should fall to McCain and a win by Obama here is disaster for McCain. Pennsylvania has been a war zone of late for the election, and a win here by McCain would be a major blow to the Obama campaign. Given its independent nature, New Hampshire is a possibility for McCain, though I think a bit of a long-shot.

9PM: It should be clear if this will be a close race or not by this point. If it is still close, the race will hinge on a few states. Obama is looking to pick up Colorado, which looks to be a true toss-up at this point. New Mexico has been leaning towards Obama, but a McCain victory has a distant possibility. Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are long-shots for McCain, but it’s his best chance at winning the election if he didn’t secure Pennsylvania.

10PM: Nevada is the last of the toss-ups, winnable by either candidate. By this point it’ll probably be clear where things lie in the race.

I predict it will either be a long night (good sign for McCain), or it’ll be over swiftly. A McCain sweep of Georgia, Indiana, Virginia, and Ohio will keep his hopes quite alive. Pennsylvania would likely tip the tide into his favor. These early battles will set the tone for the night.

Black Panthers Intimidating Voters in Philadelphia

admin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:20:17 +0000

A report came from Philly that there were two members of the black panthers intimidating voters. Apparently, one of them was brandishing a night stick while persuading voters not to vote for McCain. A witness said he was told not to vote because “a black man was going to win this election no matter what.” The panther also allegedly said that he was “tired of white supremacy.”

The police were called and the person with the nightstick was escorted from the polling place.

Update: Here’s a raw video, but it doesn’t have any of the initial allegations on it.

Republican Election Board Members Ejected in Philly

admin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:39:38 +0000

According to TownHall, GOP election board workers have been removed from several polling stations in Philadelphia. Previously, a judge had ruled that the court-appointed workers could be removed from the boards due to their “minority” status.

If anything, a minority status should protect them from ejection even more. The job of these individuals is to monitor and protect a fair election. How can this be done if both parties are not properly represented?

Some of the cited precincts are: the 44th Ward, 12th and 13th divisions; 6th Ward, 12th division; 32nd Ward, Division 28.

Yes, Philadelphia is the same place that was in the news for potential fraud in 2004. They had 2000 votes for Kerry before the polls were even opened.

Obama Flips Off McCain Like He Did Hillary Clinton

admin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:22:42 +0000

During a campaign speech in Florida, Obama gave a casual flip of the middle finger as he mentioned he would congratulate McCain on a hard-fought campaign. I wouldn’t look much into this except for the fact he did this back in April towards Hillary Clinton. Though they denied intent back then, I found it unlikely it was accidental. He gave a pause and had a knowing look on his face after he made the gesture, not the sort of action you’d expect had it been accidental. I’m including clips of both incidents. Decide for yourself.

IBD/TIPP Poll Down to 2 Points

admin — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:04:35 +0000

The IBD Poll shows more McCain gains today. McCain trails in the poll 46.7% to 44.6%. 8.7% say they are still undecided.

McCain has pulled even in the Midwest, increased his lead with Protestants and Catholics, and is now ahead with High School Graduates. Most importantly, he has switched some Independents to his side from Obama. This is the tightest the IBD poll has been since October 23.

More details at the IBD Site.

All Three Presidential Debates Together

admin — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:41:22 +0000

Interesting video I came across compiling the three Presidential debates.

Handicapped Man Forced to Vote For Obama in Georgia

admin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:49:54 +0000

This story is out of Albany, Georgia. A handicapped man claims that he was escorted to the polls, without his family’s notification or permission. Jack Justice attends the Adult Day Rehab Program of Primus Industries, and was taken to the polls. The person assisting Justice would not cast the ballot for McCain, Justice’s choice for President. Instead, Justice claims that his vote was cast against his wishes for Obama.