Posted on 11/01/2004 8:49:32 PM PST by jwalburg
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle took his Republican opponent, John Thune, the South Dakota Republican Party and 200 GOP lawyers to court Monday over allegations of intimidation of American Indian voters.
According to the complaint, Daschle asked U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol for a temporary restraining order to prevent Republicans from doing anything that would "harass, intimidate or discourage voters or having that effect."
During a hearing Monday night, David Jordan of Charlottesville, Va., a volunteer Daschle poll watcher, testified about activity that he considered to be intimidating to people who had not yet voted early.
"On an Indian reservation, word travels fast," he said.
Jordan said he spent Monday at Lake Andes and saw GOP lawyers follow Indian voters out of the polls and write down their license plate numbers.
"They did it pretty much every time" an Indian voted, Jordan said.
He introduced several photographs that he said showed the activity.
Dick Gregorson, a lawyer for the state Republican Party, tried to keep them out of evidence but the judge allowed them.
"I think they're worthless," Gregorson said.
Jordan said at one point, a lawyer said something loudly that could be considered intimidating and another attorney rolled his eyes when voters signed an affidavit if they didn't have identification.
"Then he wrote something down," Jordan said. "I think that would be intimidating."
On cross-examination, Jordan said none of the lawyers kept anyone from voting, spoke to any voters or wore clothing with Thune's name on it.
After Jordan testified, one of the Thune lawyers took the stand and told the court he was not intimidating voters but was just there as an observer.
During a break in the hearing, Daschle spokesman Dan Pfeiffer and Thune campaign manager Dick Wadhams got into a back-and-forth exchange with reporter.
Pfeiffer said Thune's campaign lied in saying Daschle was trying to keep Republican observers from watching the polls.
"It seeks to stop this behavior," Pfeiffer said of the testimony. "All we're trying to do is to let people vote."
Thune campaign manager Dick Wadhams shot back that the intent was to keep GOP watchers away and lay the groundwork for a judicial challenge of the election results.
"Who goes into court the night before an election if they're not afraid they're going to lose," he said.
Wadhams said Piersol was at one time Daschle's lawyer, the judge was recommended to the bench by Daschle and Piersol's wife supports Daschle's campaign.
"This is a joke," Wadhams said.
Pfeiffer challenged the Republicans to ask the judge to recuse himself if they're serious about the allegations that he couldn't be fair.
A crowd made up mostly of Thune supporters gathered outside the federal courthouse with signs such as "Don't Steal Tom," "Shame on Tom" and "Time for Change."
By tomorrow the 'Rats will accuse Republicans of "intimidating breathing" and "intimidating existance".
"...he wrote something down."
That is absolutley terrifying!!!!
EEEK!
Daschle's Indian name is "Running Scared."
I don't blame them for taking down license plate numbers. Probably checking to see if they, too, are from Virginia.
Okay. As long as the judge doesn't have a conflict of interest....
No wonder so many RATS look like mongoloids. The political incest is so pervasive.
Apparently "intimidation" means "any activity meant to reduce the Dems precious vote fraud".
How much wampum has Chief Daschle promised these Indians in return for their support?
All of the above is true, yet the AP has to make it seem that it's all Thune spin.
I heard it was giving them (back) Wind Cave in the Black Hills.
How about bringing in an intiminated voter?
Are they serious about this? My God, what a joke.
Yep.
On the face of it, this should be an easy case for the Republican lawyers to argue: "Your Honor, why is it okay to have UN election monitors but not American? We humbly rest our case and look forward to seeing you soon at your impeachment trial you miserable, incestuous piece of crap."
Yes, I think if this obvious fraud attempt goes through, impeachment should be seriously considered.
Typical behavior one comes to expect from A Pee.
I wonder if we are getting closer to national voter registration guidelines to avoid the mass voter fraud we seem to be experiencing?
Oh man, what a great question. I hope Rush asks it tomorrow.
What I don't understand is that the AP story has the Dems challenging the GOP guys to ask for a recusal. Why don't they? Is it a time thing? Would the no poll watcher rule stand if they ask for a recusal or something?
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