Florida Preps for Battle With DOJ Over Non-Citizen Voters

Florida isn’t backing down.  More at PJ Tatler:


Gov. Scott’s office also released a memo to the media Wednesday noting the state’s communications with the Obama administration regarding use of the SAVE database and other related communications.


True the Vote, an election integrity watchdog group, is hailing Florida’s decision. Chairman Catherine Englebrecht said, “Our Department of Justice is supposed to support the rule of law and safeguard the rights of American citizens. Instead we have the bizarro version of the DOJ; they abandon the rule of law and safeguard only those who they believe will further their race based political agenda.


“We are affiliated with citizen led election integrity groups across the state of Florida and they are livid about the DOJ’s attempt to strong-arm Governor Scott and subvert Florida’s electoral process for political gain. True the Vote applauds Governor Scott for standing strong against the bullying tactics of the Department of Justice. We will do all we can to support Florida’s effort to ensure election integrity.”

Tampa Bay Times and Hyperbole



hy·per·bo·le

   


noun Rhetoric .
1. obvious and intentional exaggeration.

2. an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity.”

The Tampa Bay Times has an editorial today about Governor Rick Scott of Florida.  It outlandishly compares him to George Wallace, complete with a photo of Wallace at the school house door.  Desperate tactics by desperate folks are unfortunately predictable.  The law of diminishing returns makes charges of racism incrementally less effective, especially when the underlying dispute involves illegally registered voters. 

Accusing someone of being a racist who isn’t is the worst sort of false witness.  The Tampa Bay Times should be ashamed.

Tampa Bay Times and Hyperbole



hy·per·bo·le

   


noun Rhetoric .
1. obvious and intentional exaggeration.

2. an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity.”

The Tampa Bay Times has an editorial today about Governor Rick Scott of Florida.  It outlandishly compares him to George Wallace, complete with a photo of Wallace at the school house door.  Desperate tactics by desperate folks are unfortunately predictable.  The law of diminishing returns makes charges of racism incrementally less effective, especially when the underlying dispute involves illegally registered voters. 

Accusing someone of being a racist who isn’t is the worst sort of false witness.  The Tampa Bay Times should be ashamed.

New York Times on Florida: “So Sue Them”

The New York Times urges the DOJ Voting Section to sue Florida over the fact that Florida believes that DOJ has acted in extra-legal ways regarding illegal voters on Florida voter rolls.  (National Review has the legal context of the fight.) 

The GOP couldn’t get a bigger gift from the DOJ than a lawsuit against Florida.

There could hardly be a bigger issue to hand the GOP than the Holder Justice Department suing Florida to prevent them from removing illegal aliens and non-citizens from the voter rolls.  Are such people registered on American voter rolls? Undoubtedly, I’ve seen the applications forms where they even admit they are noncitizens. 

After yesterday’s disastrous performance by the Attorney General before the House Judiciary Committee, Holder’s standing has fallen even further.  He is by far the most unpopular figure in the administration.  Even ranking member Nadler was visibly unhappy with Holder.

If the Justice Department uses a risky interpretation of Section 5, and an absurd interpretation of NVRA to keep illegal voters on the rolls, it will be used like a club all through the fall against Holder and Obama.  Congress has already started.  Americans don’t want ineligible voters on the rolls, period.  They don’t want gamesmanship and the smartest people in the room devising ways to keep them on the rolls.  If that happens, there will be a steep political price five months before the election.  An excited base can’t swamp and outraged majority.

New York Times on Florida: “So Sue Them”

The New York Times urges the DOJ Voting Section to sue Florida over the fact that Florida believes that DOJ has acted in extra-legal ways regarding illegal voters on Florida voter rolls.  (National Review has the legal context of the fight.) 

The GOP couldn’t get a bigger gift from the DOJ than a lawsuit against Florida.

There could hardly be a bigger issue to hand the GOP than the Holder Justice Department suing Florida to prevent them from removing illegal aliens and non-citizens from the voter rolls.  Are such people registered on American voter rolls? Undoubtedly, I’ve seen the applications forms where they even admit they are noncitizens. 

After yesterday’s disastrous performance by the Attorney General before the House Judiciary Committee, Holder’s standing has fallen even further.  He is by far the most unpopular figure in the administration.  Even ranking member Nadler was visibly unhappy with Holder.

If the Justice Department uses a risky interpretation of Section 5, and an absurd interpretation of NVRA to keep illegal voters on the rolls, it will be used like a club all through the fall against Holder and Obama.  Congress has already started.  Americans don’t want ineligible voters on the rolls, period.  They don’t want gamesmanship and the smartest people in the room devising ways to keep them on the rolls.  If that happens, there will be a steep political price five months before the election.  An excited base can’t swamp and outraged majority.