Posted on 01/03/2005 4:51:43 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
COLUMBUS, Ohio - President Bush's re-election campaign asked the chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court on Monday to throw out a challenge of the election in this swing state, saying the case resembles "a poorly drafted script for a late night conspiracy-theory movie."
The court filing was made as the Rev. Jesse Jackson held a rally before hundreds of people in Columbus to support the challenge and urge the U.S. Senate to debate Ohio's results on Thursday when Congress is in joint session for the official tally of the electoral votes.
Thirty-seven Ohio voters who filed the challenge are asking Chief Justice Thomas Moyer to set aside the election results. Some of the voters are suspicious of Bush's victory over Sen. John Kerry, while others say hours-long waits in heavily black neighborhoods caused voters to leave in frustration without casting a ballot.
"In 2000, if Al Gore had just held on and fought to the bitter end, he would have been president," said Mark Lomax, a black Columbus musician challenging the vote. "I kind of have the same feeling now whether or not you like John Kerry, that's not the issue. It's just that your vote counts."
Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell said there's no reason to prolong the election.
"Jesse Jackson can complain, grandstand, whine, stamp his feet all he wants," said Blackwell spokesman Carlo LoParo. "It's not going to change the results of Ohio's election or how voters cast their ballots on Nov. 2."
The Bush campaign echoed those sentiments in the filing, saying the challenge falls "far short of a legitimate election contest."
It is not known when the chief justice might rule on the challenge.
Bob Fitrakis, one of the lawyers who filed the challenge, said that if Moyer's decision comes after the tally by Congress, it likely wouldn't have any effect on the outcome of the presidential election. But any ruling favorable to the challengers regardless of when would bolster their efforts to improve voting law, he said.
"Can anyone tell me what the name of Reverend Jackson's church is? Does he have one? Why is he never there? What seminary did he attend? "
Jeez you are picky. Can't a con man call himself "Reverend"? We had one call himself "President" for 8 years. What is this world coming to anyway?
Agreed...
Where I come from, that's called "talkin' trash"...
I'm not familiar with Ohio law. If the judge determines a lawsuit to be frivolous, does the plaintiff have to pay legal fees for both sides?
If Blackwell runs I'll contribute to the campaign, and I'm in WA.
The numbers seem to be dwindling.
No.
Sorry, must pastors I know worked hard to get where they are, and gave up a lot to do it, and they devote their time to their flock!
It be the Church of Lining the Pockets of Me and Mine Forever - halleluia bruthuh!
Somebody at the DUmpster who went said the ballroom held I believe 800 people and there were about 50 empty seats. That's way better than the last little gathering Jesse had.
Who pays him?
SHUT THE F**K UP, JESSE!!!
There, I feel better;)
Litigation proceeds? Extortion/Settlement proceeds?
All of the above plus private donations.
I don`t know if currently true but at one time the DNC funded many of his activities.If that had been Republican the bloodletting over it would be unbelievable.
Someone more knowledgeable on the DNC connection could shed more light on it.
Hey, WAIT A MINUTE, now ...
Jesse Jackson and Move-On's comin'
We're finally on our own
This winter I hear the drummin'
Dems dead in O-hi-o.
He devotes his time to his flock of $$$$.
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