ACORN is a Threat to Democracy

A genuine threat
ACORN targets a weakness in democracy

Editorial
The San Diego Union-Tribune
October 18, 2008

To end the many obstacles Southern states put up before African-American voters as late as the 1960s, Congress worked for decades to make voting much easier. These efforts had a hugely positive effect – until the 1993 “motor voter” law. This measure and some related laws made registration so easy – and so difficult to verify because of a lack of resources and time – that they created nothing less than a structural weakness in American democracy.

This election year, we're seeing a determined, well-funded effort to exploit this weakness, led by ACORN – the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.

Using corporate, partisan and taxpayer grants, the nonprofit group has spent $35 million this year to register 1.3 million people in 21 states. But it's highly likely that hundreds of thousands of these registrations are bogus. That's because ACORN relies on canvassers who appear to be paid based on how many signatures they get – an invitation to fraud – and because ACORN as an institution appears to collectively think such fraud is tolerable in the name of “social justice.” ...

Unfortunately, many Democrats depict concern over ACORN as Republican hysteria. They are right that voter fraud has been a tiny problem in recent years. But they ignore a key point: the stunning scale of bogus registrations this time around.

Even if a tiny fraction of these fake voters actually fill out a ballot, they have the potential to tip the presidential vote in battleground states – such as Ohio. Or Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina or Wisconsin – all swing states where ACORN has been active. ...

So, please, spare us the “social justice” rhetoric. What ACORN has done isn't noble. It's reprehensible. We hope that the FBI's investigation into the group is vigorous and thorough.

The Magic Number

"McCain's broader point is sound. Many small-business owners pay taxes on their business income as individuals, and if they are successful and employing people, they will pay higher taxes under Obama. This would be a tax on job creation, at the worst possible time. Where Obama's 95 percent promise is fundamentally dishonest is in how it discounts the effect of his health-care plan. Obama would require businesses to cover their workers or pay a tax. If the tax is relatively low, employers will choose to dump their employees into Obama's new public program, making a hash of his talking point that no one will lose his current coverage under the plan. If the tax is high, employers will provide coverage themselves, but will inevitably fund it by paying less in wages or hiring less. Obama is proposing a large new tax on employment." (Lowry, Rich, "O's Magic Number," The New York Post, 10/17/08)

ACORN turns in fake voter registration forms

In case you missed it...

N.C. elections board confirms 100-plus fake forms in Durham

By Mark Donovan
The Durham Herald-Sun
October 15, 2008

DURHAM -- A North Carolina State Board of Elections investigation has found more than 100 voter registration forms submitted in Durham by a group -- ACORN -- whose efforts have led to similar probes in other states, are fraudulent.

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now works to register low-income people as voters. ACORN claims to have registered 1.3 million people nationwide since 2007, including nearly 28,000 in North Carolina and 4,000 to 5,000 in Durham, according to county Board of Elections director Mike Ashe on Tuesday.

ACORN pays its field workers to sign up new voters, and some submitted registration forms included fake or duplicated information, according to the state Board of Elections.

Durham County's elections office last month gave about 120 suspect forms to the state for investigation. Wake County's elections office sent in about 30 suspicious forms last week, but other counties didn't report problems with forms from ACORN.

WRAL TV reported online Tuesday that the state had determined 104 of the 120 suspect Durham forms were bogus. ...

NCGOP E-Letter - October 15, 2008

ONE-STOP VOTING BEGINS TOMORROW

One-stop voting begins on Thursday, October 16 and ends on November 1, 2008. Use the link below to search for the One-Stop Voting Sites in your county. Any questions about these sites or the times that they are open should be directed toward your county’s Board of Elections office.

Click here for the list of One-Stop Voting Locations throughout the state…

PAT McCRORY ENDORSED BY FOUR MAJOR NEWSPAPERS THIS WEEK

FOR GOVERNOR, MCCRORY’S ACHIEVEMENTS GIVE HIM THE EDGE

Asheville Citizen-Times

…As mayor, McCrory led in the development of a 25-year land use, transportation and infrastructure plan for Charlotte, which is now in its 13th year. He used the bully pulpit of the mayor's office to fight for sidewalks, bike paths and a strong tree ordinance. He increased the bus line by 80 percent and implemented a light rail line. Thanks in part to these efforts, in 2000, Charlotte was one of only four cities to be distinguished as a “most livable city” by Partners for Livable Communities. In 2005, Money Magazine listed the city among its Top 3 Best Places to Live and it was named one of the 20 Cleanest Cities in America by Readers Digest.

During his tenure as mayor, McCrory has also distinguished himself in the areas of public safety and economic development….

We recommend McCrory because we feel he is best prepared to lead the state through the period of significant growth it is and is expected to continue to experience….

ELECTION ’08: GOVERNOR

Winston-Salem Journal

…Of the three, McCrory stands out as most likely to do great things for this state. Life in Raleigh has been tough for our only two Republican governors. Just ask Jim Martin and Jim Holshouser. But we believe that McCrory has the managerial skill and the record of success working with Democrats to help him hurdle those political problems. Pat McCrory promises to be a charismatic leader and a progressive governor for this state. The Journal endorses him enthusiastically.

EDITOIRAL ENDORSEMENT: MCCRORY FOR GOVERNOR

Greensboro News & Record

…Pat McCrory's stump speeches and debate performances make a good case for his candidacy. But his record as the longest-serving mayor of North Carolina's largest city makes an even better one….

McCrory is willing to step forward and defend his positions. Even as Perdue chose not to take part, he debated the issues last week in a televised forum with Libertarian candidate Mike Munger, 50, chairman of Duke University's political science department. This was the second time Perdue bypassed a debate with her two opponents….

But the governor is rarely a cultural warrior in North Carolina, nor should he be one. McCrory's skills and experience are best suited to provide what Raleigh needs most right now: a broad view, a clear plan and an ambitious vision.

WE RECOMMEND MCCRORY FOR GOVERNOR

Charlotte Observer

…McCrory would bring an urgently needed energy to the office. While we don't agree with him on every issue, he knows where he stands on most aspects of state government and why he stands there. He's too sure, sometimes, that his position is right, but that certitude is preferable to Perdue's tendency to base her stands on what she believes is politically expedient….

But we detect no core compass within her. She speaks in platitudes, not specifics. She often appears governed by polls, changing her stance, for instance, on oil drilling and refusing to lead on the issue of illegal immigration. On immigration, Perdue seems not to understand either the law or the reality, and doesn't explain a rational basis for her position, giving the impression it's simple political convenience.

McCrory's success will depend in large measure on his willingness to seek wise counsel, study the issues without political blinders and make independent decisions. He has done so in some, though regrettably not all, cases as Charlotte mayor, taking the right course even when it brought some heat. That's more appropriate to the kind of leadership North Carolina needs.

Click here to read each of the full endorsements…

McCAIN VOWS TO BE AMERICA’S ‘FIGHTER’

By Rob Christensen and Ryan Teague Beckwith
News & Observer
October 14, 2008

WILMINGTON - Sen. John McCain, conceding he is behind in the presidential race, cast himself Monday as the fighter America needs to face its enemies abroad and to restore the economy at home.

"The national media has written us off," McCain told 2,500 people at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington. "Senator Obama is measuring the drapes.

"But they forgot to let you decide. Friends, we got them just where we want them. What America needs in this hour is a fighter."

McCain drew several contrasts between himself and Obama: experience versus inexperience; fiscal restraint versus high taxes and increased spending; and withdrawal from Iraq "with honor" rather than a precipitous withdrawal.

McCain advisers said the Arizona senator was retooling his message to feature more "straight talk" about the economy.

"These are hard times," McCain said. "Our economy is in crisis. Our savings are in danger. Our retirement is at risk. Jobs are disappearing. The cost of health care, of children's college, and gasoline are rising all the time."

"The next president won't have time to get used to the office. We will have to act immediately and to do that we will need experience, courage and judgment, and a bold plan to take this country in a new direction."

McCain compared Obama with President Herbert Hoover, who was in office when the country went into the Great Depression in 1929. He said Obama's proposal to raises taxes would be the wrong remedy for an economy in decline. (Obama has said he would raise taxes only on those who make more than $250,000 per year and would reduce taxes on the middle class.)

"The last president to raise taxes and restrict as Senator Obama proposes was Herbert Hoover," McCain said. "They say that those who won't learn the lessons from history are doomed to repeat them."…

Click here for the full article…

DOLE TOUTS HER SUCCESS FOR N.C.

By Suzi Carter
Richmond County Daily Journal
October 14, 2008

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole was “surrounded by friends” at a campaign gathering with the Richmond County Republican Party Tuesday at Ellerbe Springs Inn and Restaurant.

Party members and some undecided voters gathered to meet the senator, who arrived to a round of applause. Party Chair Teressa Beavers introduced Dole.

“We need strong women in the public arena and we need to send Sen. Dole back to Washington,” Beavers said. “She’s served under five presidents and she’s done a great job for North Carolina.”…

“The beauty of North Carolina is something to be proud of,” Dole said. “I’ve already been in our 100 counties and I’ve been to many of them many, many times.”

The tobacco quota buyout was top on Dole’s list of accomplishments. The buyout brought in $4 billion to North Carolina’s economy.

“The buyout allows people to retire, pay their debts, grow another cash crop or continue growing leaf,” Dole said. “We got that done by getting votes. How many senators know about tobacco? We go after people one-by-one in the Senate to get their votes.”

Speaking to the concerns of Richmond County, Dole also brought up textiles and the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

“The recent economic transition made things quite tough for this state and every trade agreement that is presented, I look at it and ask, ‘How will this affect North Carolina?’” she said. “I want to double the funding for the Trade Adjustment Assistance program and make it available to every textile worker who has lost a job. What that does is gives people the opportunity to get training to work in today’s workforce.”

Dole also described some of the work she has done on the Senate Armed Services, Banking, Aging and Small Business and Entrepreneurship committees.

“I work on committees that matter to North Carolina,” she said. “And Rep. Robin Hayes and I have worked together on many things. We worked together on base closing rounds ... And brought 9,000 additional jobs to Fort Bragg.”

As a member of the Senate Banking Committee, Dole said that she worked on legislation to “reign in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac” as early as 2003. The legislation would have placed a regulator over the two mortgage companies.

“It is infuriating to me that all of this could have been prevented if they had just listened,” she said about opposition from Democrats who blocked the legislation….

“This is a time to pull out all the stops and we’re going to win this,” Dole said. “You’re doing something bigger than yourselves, bigger than me or Robin Hayes, when you get involved in the election because this is an important time for our country ... Sure things get tough, yet as I recall, in the Bible it says to face adversity so we’re not going to give up."

Click here for the full article…

PAT McCRORY'S “FUTURE” AD

Click here to view the video…

GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE TONIGHT

Tonight at 7 p.m. is the final gubernatorial debate for this election.

Please read the below information to see where you can view the debate tonight at 7pm:

Stations Broadcasting the Debate on October 15th, 7-8pm

**North Carolina News Network, a statewide radio network, is offering 75 radio

affiliates across the state to take the debate.

** Also, live streaming online at www.wsoctv.com

Statewide

UNC-TV, Air on 10/19 @ 1pm

Charlotte

WAXN-TV, Live

WCCB, Fox 18, Live

WSOC-TV, Live

WTVI, Live

Triad

WGHP, Fox 8, Live

Greenville

WNCT, Using parts later in eve/next day

Triangle

WRAL-TV, Live

WUNC-FM, Live

WPTF-AM (680AM), Live

Click here for information about debate watching parties…

They Said It! Obama Wants to "Spread the Wealth Around"

Obama Tells The Tax Truth

New York Post
Editorial
October 15, 2008

An unscripted moment with an Ohio plumber produced a startling confession from Barack Obama Sunday: The Democrat's "middle-class tax cut" is in fact a scheme to "spread the wealth around."

Toledo plumber Joe Wurzelbacher - who had asked the Democratic nominee why he wanted to jack up his taxes just for "fulfilling the American dream."

"I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes $250,000 to $280,000 a year," Wurzelbacher had told Obama. "Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn't it?"

At last! The truth outs!

Obama's plan isn't about sinking hooks into Wall Street CEOs and other fat cats, as he usually says. Fact is, there's not enough of them to raise the cash necessary to finance his other grand plans.

No, to do that, he'll have to go after ambitious working-class guys like Wurzelbacher - who's been a plumber for 15 years and is looking to better himself and his family while just maybe creating a few jobs.

The American Dream?

Wurzelbacher personifies it - but Barack Obama seems determined to tax it to death and be done with it, period.

That's been the case all along, of course. What's different is that the Democrat finally said so. ...

ICYMI: ACORN under investigation again in NC

State reviewing ACORN voter forms

By Lynn Bonner
The News & Observer
October 14, 2008

The State Board of Elections is investigating suspicious voter registration forms submitted by an organization whose problems have drawn national attention.

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, known as ACORN, conducted a voter drive that registered nearly 28,000 people in North Carolina. But some of the forms it filed had information that may have been copied from phone books, local election officials said.

Durham County's elections office turned over about 120 suspect forms to the state for investigation about three weeks ago, and Wake County's elections office sent in about 30 suspicious forms last week. ...

The office received information about the Wake forms Friday, Bartlett said, but no other local elections official has alerted the state office to ACORN-related problems. The head of elections in Mecklenburg said that county did not have problems with ACORN forms. ...

He said he expected the board's investigator to refer the Durham case to the local district attorney for prosecution.

ACORN is a community organizing group that runs issue campaigns and was active a few years ago in ballot initiatives to raise the minimum wage. It pays workers to register voters. ...

ACORN must return to the local elections boards the forms its workers submit, even the questionable ones. ACORN separates forms with potential problems from the rest and notifies election officials about them, McCoy said. ...

After McCoy and officials from ACORN's national office met with Mike Ashe, the Durham elections director, ACORN retrained staff and developed a system to trace problems.
"A lot of ACORN people just filled out the same name multiple times," so they would be paid, Ashe said, and "one or two were getting information from the phone book."

ICYMI: Obama Camp Downplays Payments to ACORN

Obama Camp Downplays Payments To ACORN

By S.A. Miller
The Washington Times
October 10, 2008

Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama's campaign distanced itself Thursday from its $800,000 payment linked to the liberal ACORN organization, which is under investigation in several states where it is suspected of filing fraudulent voter registrations.

Federal Election Commission reports show ACORN-affiliated Citizens Services Inc. got $832,598 from the Obama campaign for get-out-the-vote work during the primaries. ...

Still, the contributions to Citizens Services draw the Obama campaign closer to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN, and the growing voter-fraud scandal that this week spread to the battleground state of Ohio.

Citizen Services is inextricably tied to ACORN. Along with nonprofit sister organization Project Vote, Citizens Services and ACORN share the same New Orleans address and the same executive staff while money flows freely between the three entities. In 1996, Project Vote's tax returns show it paid ACORN more than $4.6 million for campaign services and Citizens Services more than $779,000 for legal and administrative services.

The ACORN political action committee endorsed Mr. Obama for president.

Its national voter-registration drive - which is targeting low-income, minority and young voters who tend to vote Democrat and likely favor Mr. Obama at the polls - is implicated in investigations of bogus voter applications in a dozen states, many of them battlegrounds. ...