Body Slam

Ken Mehlman replies to Howard Dean's request to look the other way while Democrats commit voter fraud:

Dear Chairman Dean:

I write in response to your October 30, 2006 letter, in which you asked me to join in working to make next week's election one in which "all eligible registered voters can be assured of a fair election and of having the opportunity to vote free from harassment, intimidation or other efforts to deny them the right to cast their vote and have it counted." The Republican Party works to further these goals in every election. It is my hope that you are making the Democrat Party, and all of its affiliated and allied organizations, aware of your own support for this concept. I request that you please do so.

As I stated in my October 6, 2006 letter to you, recent history suggests some in your Party view the right to vote merely as a political tool. For example, just two years ago, a Democratic "Election Day Manual" (a copy of which is attached) encouraged Democrats to launch "preemptive strikes" and report voter suppression where none exists. It is my hope that this year Democrats will refrain from such activity; the right to vote is not a partisan issue.

As you are also aware, recent elections have revealed your party's actions in this regard to be cause for serious concern. For example, in 2004 Florida Seminole Circuit Judge Nancy Alley had to issue an order before the DNC, Florida Democratic Party, and Democratic Executive Committee of Seminole County stopped "further intimidation, (and) further dissemination of () materials ... designed or intended to intimidate or unduly threaten the activities of poll watchers who are duly carrying out their responsibilities" under Florida law.

The following are other recent examples demonstrating that your party's efforts in support of your stated goal have been less than genuine.

Marion County Ohio Court Enjoined Democrat Operatives Targeting Ohio Voters With Phone Calls Providing Deceptive Information to Voters

-- Ohio voters who had identified themselves as Republicans received telephone calls telling them that the election was to be held a day later than Election Day, that their polling locations had been changed, and that they could only vote if they brought four separate pieces of identification to the poll.

-- The Marion County Common Pleas Court issued a temporary restraining order against the Marion and Greene County Democratic Parties, the Ohio Democratic Party and America Coming Together (ACT) enjoining them from making inaccurate and deceptive phone calls to targeted voters.

Intimidating And Misleading Phone Calls Made in Florida To GOP Volunteers By, Among Others, The DNC's General Counsel.

-- In addition to the aforementioned intimidating material sent by the DNC to Republican volunteers in Seminole County, the DNC paid for recorded phone calls to Republican poll observers' homes in Florida featuring the same message that the court found to be intimidating.

-- These phone calls were recorded by former President Bill Clinton and the DNC General Counsel.

Five Democrat Operatives In Milwaukee Criminally Charged For Slashing Tires Of Republican Vans On Morning Of Election Day

-- Democrat Party employees and operatives slashed 40 tires on 25 separate get-out-the-vote vehicles, causing $4,192.35 of damage to the tires, plus $1,125 in towing charges. Five Democrat employees and operatives were charged with felony "criminal damage to property," which carries a maximum punishment of 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

-- While the Kerry-Edwards campaign and Wisconsin Democrat Party denied knowledge of the plan to vandalize the Republican get-out-the-vote vehicles, the vehicle used by the defendants was rented by a political consultant working for the DNC in Wisconsin. When questioned by police on the night of November 2, the consultant said he knew that five of his workers were involved in slashing tires at Republican headquarters early that morning, and identified all five defendants to police.

-- According to the criminal complaint, when one of the defendants saw the newspaper article he stated that he wanted to frame it and put it on his wall.

Ohio Lucas County Court Ordered Democrat Polling Place Challengers To Remove Deceptive Arm Bands and Badges.

-- On Election Day, several Lucas County voters brought suit against the Lucas County Board of Elections and Democratic challengers in the polling place who were wearing armbands and/or badges identifying them as "Voter Protection Staff," "Voting Rights Staff," and other similar terms. The Lucas County Court of Common Pleas granted the temporary restraining order prohibiting the use of such intimidating insignia.

Cuyahoga County Ohio Prosecutor Sent Letters Threatening Criminal Prosecution To Republican Poll Watchers. Virtually identical letters to the prosecutor's (containing the same spelling errors) were sent to the same poll watchers by the DNC.

Vote fraud is another example of, in your words, "other efforts to deny voters the right to cast their vote and have it counted." Unfortunately, the list of fraudulent election activity connected to Democrat affiliated groups such as ACORN is long and growing longer. For example, this month alone, the St. Louis Election Board has found nearly 1,500 potentially fraudulent registration cards, all submitted by Democrat- affiliated ACORN. In 2004, more than 1,000 similar fraudulent cards were uncovered in St. Louis. The Kansas City Election Board has found more than 3,000 fraudulent cards, all submitted by ACORN. Similar occurrences have taken place in, among other states, Ohio and Pennsylvania. It has also been reported that some of these Democrat-affiliated groups have gone so far as submitting false change of address cards for legitimate voters - in order to prevent those voters from being able to cast a ballot on Election Day. Indeed, recent press reports indicate that ACORN is being investigated by the local United States Attorney in Missouri. Yet you have remained silent.

Sadly, this list of intimidation and fraud by Democrats is not exhaustive. It is my hope that this year Democrats' rhetoric concerning the right to vote will be matched by action, and that you will do your best stop such suppressive and intimidating Democrat activity.

Sincerely,

Ken Mehlman

Chairman, Republican National Committee

Well said, Ken.

You know, I like this guy more and more all the time...