Rush Limbaugh Implicated In Vote Fraud Scheme Posted by Pile (23399 views) [E-Mail link]

In case you missed it, Rush Limbaugh, the oxycotin-taking conservative talk radio host, was urging Republicans in Texas and Ohio to skip their party's primary on March 4 and instead cast a vote for Hillary Clinton in order to prolong the fight between her and Barack Obama. And that Tuesday, as media in both states reported, thousands of Republicans did just what Limbaugh and others had suggested -- they changed parties to vote for Clinton.



One problem. That's basically illegal. And now the board of elections is looking into a criminal investigation of the matter.

As the board of election in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where Cleveland is located, launches an investigation into illegal crossover voting in the state's 2008 presidential primary, a big open question remains unanswered: Will county officials go after the ringleaders of apparently illegal electioneering where thousands of Republican voters swore -- under penalty of law -- allegiance to the Democratic Party in order to vote for Hillary Clinton?



"I want Hillary to stay in this, Laura," Limbaugh told Laura Ingraham on Feb. 29, near the start of his Hillary crusade. "This is too good a soap opera. We need Barack Obama bloodied up politically, and it's obvious that the Republicans are not going to do it and don't have the stomach for it, as you probably know."



And on Wednesday, the day after the Ohio primary, Fox News asked Clinton if she owed Limbaugh a thank you. "Be careful what you wish for, Rush," she replied. Later that day, Limbaugh played the Fox tape on his show and said, "How do you interpret this, folks? She could have said thank you. She could have said thank you! In fact, I was expecting in her victory speech last night to be thanked.



"I helped give Mrs. Clinton the biggest and happiest moment and night of the campaign season so far, maybe her life, and she tells me, "Be careful what you wish for, Rush"? Why, that sounds like a threat, does it not? I've got a Democrat presidential candidate threatening your host. Why, I am stunned! After all I did ..."



While this all makes for great talk radio and sounds like fun, there is one catch: What Limbaugh encouraged Republican voters to do in Ohio was a fifth-degree felony in that state, punishable with a $2,500 fine and six to 12 months in jail. That is because in order to change party affiliation in Ohio, voters have to fill out a form swearing allegiance to that party's principles "under penalty of election falsification."



On Thursday, March 20, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that the "Cuyahoga County Board of Election has launched an investigation that could lead to criminal charges against voters who maliciously switched parties for the March 4 presidential primary." According to the report, "One voter scribbled the following addendum to his pledge as a new Democrat: "For one day only."



"Such an admission amounts to voter fraud," the report continued, attributing that conclusion to BOE member Sandy McNair, a Democrat. The report said the four-member board -- two Democrats and two Republicans -- had yet to vote on whether it would issue subpoenas, although Ohio's secretary of state, Democrat Jennifer Brunner, is empowered to cast tie-breaking votes when the BOE is deadlocked.

Details



Posted by eddie on 2008-03-22 13:48:58 i would definitely prosecute Posted by Matt Moore on 2008-03-22 16:07:23 Party allegiance pledges are stupid. Posted by HEddease on 2008-03-22 16:19:37 noooo really,

Posted by zlaya on 2008-03-22 16:22:27 this is the least of our vote fraud worries...



the whole system is a giant fraud, so what? Unhappy dems

Posted by cfo on 2008-03-22 16:26:18 OH,pleaze. Dems not happy someone subverting the system? Take your meds. Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-22 17:31:26 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Voter Intimidation

Posted by Read The Law on 2008-03-22 20:01:00 i can vote in any primary, I can choose to vote for anyone I want, I can choose to vote for some one regardless of my political affiliation. Any attempt to stop me is agents the law.



US code

TITLE 42 > CHAPTER 20 > SUBCHAPTER I > § 1971



(b) Intimidation, threats, or coercion



No person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of such other person to vote or to vote as he may choose, or of causing such other person to vote for, or not to vote for, any candidate for the office of President, Vice President, presidential elector, Member of the Senate, or Member of the House of Representatives, Delegates or Commissioners from the Territories or possessions, at any general, special, or primary election held solely or in part for the purpose of selecting or electing any such candidate. Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-22 20:46:38 @voter intimidation that applies only to candidates for president, not candidates for candidate for president. the political parties are organizations which can proscribe any set of rules for determining who they choose as their candidate. concerned citizen

Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-22 21:52:13 Man I hope that fat bastart gets what is cumming to him. Too bad Oreally from faux didn't join this bandwagon to PMITA prison... Posted by ej on 2008-03-22 22:08:31 FCC should suspend his license at least. He should be forced to air public service announcements rennouncing election fraud schemes for a year.



It's defintely against the spirit of a fair electoral process. Pretty much something someone lacking a high school diploma would come up with.



Guess he figures subvert and sabotage is legal under current leadership.



I can see how Rush appeals to the type of person who would do this sort of thing. It would make a great college thesis. Red or Blue. Who are most easily coersed to subvert democratic principles? My City Was Gone

Posted by 7oby on 2008-03-22 23:06:47 I WENT BACK TO OHIO

BUT MY PRETTY COUNTRYSIDE

HAD BEEN PAVED DOWN THE MIDDLE

BY A GOVERNMENT THAT HAD NO PRIDE

THE FARMS OF OHIO

HAD BEEN REPLACED BY SHOPPING MALLS

AND MUZAK FILLED THE AIR

FROM SENECA TO CUYAHOGA FALLS

SAID, A, O, OH WAY TO GO OHIO



--



That song is the theme song to The Rush Limbaugh Show. It's quite fitting (I believe) that this is occuring in Cuyahoga County. It is wrong

Posted by Vacationer on 2008-03-22 23:42:09 Limbaugh is trying to subvert and corrupt the Democratic primary process, whose purpose is for the Democrats to elect their representative for President. It is not meant for vitriolic hate-mongers to enjoy a "bloodbath". This guy must be held accountable for his actions. Thry were after Kucinich too

Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-23 05:44:10 This wasn't just about Hillary and Barack -- it was also about the attempt to derail Dennis Kucinich's bid for reelection to the House. He still won his primary, however, thank God! In any event, this is Ohio's problem and it's all Ohio's fault. They allowed for this, so they have nothing to complain about if they don't change their process. Ohio got what it asked for. Only Myself

Posted by Mr Ferrell on 2008-03-23 17:50:58 Couldn't you just say voting for McCain (or whomever) in your opinion was in the best interest of the Democrat party? Posted by David Chesler on 2008-03-23 20:19:04 Which principles of the Democratic Party do the McCain supporters not support that all bona fide members of the Party do support? Plenty of people hold their noses while voting. Posted by buzz on 2008-03-23 20:31:29 Lord, you people are nuts. While I would prefer that people not do this, the idea that this law is enforceable is nonsense. The guy who wants the FCC to fine him and remove his from the air, its interesting that your first response is to censor. Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-24 10:39:25 Talk about a BS alert. How about reporting something real? And the principles of the Democratic Party are....??

Posted by lholman on 2008-03-24 11:50:24 Just a question - is there a list of Democratic Party principles? Hardly anyone - Democrat or Republican backs everything in their party's platform. My congressman is a conservative Democrat. There are very liberal Republican congressmen. Which one better represents the principles of the Democratic party? Posted by Jeffrey DeWitt on 2008-03-24 20:55:36 Gosh, where do you think Rush got the idea from? The Democrats have been doing this for years.



Guess they can dish it out but not take it... figures. DOJ

Posted by Gman on 2008-03-24 21:02:41 All we need is one person to flip on Rush and he's done. When faced with a year in prison, or flip on rush. Guess what, Rush is toast. Switched

Posted by Janet H on 2008-03-25 04:21:31 I did switch to become a democrat, not because of Rush Limbaugh, I have no respect for him or what he is trying to do. I switched because the Republican party seems to be taking this country to hell. Where's the proof!?

Posted by TripleT on 2008-03-25 13:39:43 To Jeff Dewitt who wrote:

"Gosh, where do you think Rush got the idea from? The Democrats have been doing this for years."



This to me is a typical political expression (mostly from Republicans lately)... Jeff... show me the PROOF that the "Democrats have been doing this for years". Site the case, news article, people involved.. .etc, instead of a intellectually dishonest blanket statement. Rush Limbaugh is a PROVEN liar (and I can back that up with published FACTS).



TripleT Ohio Secretary of State Official Ruling

Posted by Ohio Republican on 2008-03-26 04:28:56 I am a McCain supporter, and since Rush had been dissing McCain, I had not been listening to Rush on the Radio since November. So, I was surprised when my conservative friends asked me if I was following Rush’s suggestion when I suggested to my conservative friends that they vote for Hilary in the Primary and McCain in the General. I told them that I felt that our choice for the White House was to rank candidates based on Experience. McCain had the most, Hillary was second, and Barack was third. So, voting for Hillary would help guarantee that I get one of the top two into the White House.



My preference was McCain, of course, but if Hillary won the primary and I lost my first choice (McCain) in the General, then at least we would not have someone with little experience in the White House. I believe this approach was reasonable approach to protect my interested since the General Elections have been so close.



BTW – I do not believe Hillary has any experience, but I figured Bill does; and Hillary will just ask Bill what to do when she gets that 3 AM phone call.



To make sure I did not violate the law, I contacted the Ohio State Secretary’s Office before voting, and they confirmed that what I wanted to do was legal. So, I say sorry to Dan Abrams and anyone else who wants to judge my vote. BTW Dan, What pledge are you talking about? I never had to sign a pledge.



Below is a copy of my email exchange with the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office:



________________________________________

From: Nickolas, Eric [mailto:ENickola@sos.state.oh.us]

Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 7:51 AM

To: Ohio_Republican

Subject: RE: primary elections



Mr. Ohio_Republican: You are absolutely correct. You couldn't have put it more clearly.



Eric Nickolas, Constituent

Liaison Rep.



-----Original Message-----

From: Ohio_Republican

Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 7:59 PM

To: Nickolas, Eric

Subject: RE: primary elections

Thanks.



I think you cleared it up.



I understand you to say … No matter how I have voted in the past, I can vote in the primary. And no matter how I vote in the primary, I can choose whoever I want in the General Election.



Do I have that correct?

Thanks again!

Ohio_Republican



________________________________________

From: Nickolas, Eric [mailto:ENickola@sos.state.oh.us]

Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 3:36 PM

To: Ohio_Republican

Subject: primary elections



Mr. Ohio_Republican:

No need for confusion. First, you don't need to re-register to vote in the primary on Mar. 4th. Second: Yes, if you register to vote as a dem or rep in the primary, you can vote for either or none in the general on Nov 4th. Third: if you vote as an "independent" in the primary you can vote for whomever you choose in the general on Nov 4th. Fourth: If you're still confused contact your local Board of Elections.



Eric Nickolas, Constituent

Liaison Rep. Limbaugh

Posted by Foley on 2008-03-28 10:30:52 If I am on Limbaugh jury, he will NEVER be convicted and neither will anyone else. They are innocent before trial! Democrats crossover all the time.

Posted by Da Weasel on 2008-03-28 11:27:35 To Triple T:



It happens all the time. I am sure that if you took the time to do a google search, you could find several more links. Here are two from Ohio:



"For example, in Franklin County in 2000, 4,160 Democrats crossed over to vote in the GOP primary, which pitted George W. Bush against Sen. John McCain. In the 2006 primary, 4,720 Democrats crossed over to vote in a Republican primary that included a hotly contested race for the nomination for governor."



http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2008/03/23/crossover.ART_ART_03-23-08_G4_6A9N1MJ.html?sid=101



"The board's inquiry turned up about 17,100 Republicans and 3,000 Democrats who crossed over, and on Monday, the four board members -the aforementioned Democrats, and Republicans Jeff Hastings and Rob Frost - are to decide whether to take the next step toward making all of that party-switching a criminal matter: subpoenaing crossover voters to testify to the purity of their motives on March 4."



http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/kevin_o_brien/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1206520238126350.xml&coll=2 Voter Intimidation

Posted by The Weasel on 2008-03-28 11:31:48 Posted by Anonymous on 2008-03-22 20:46:38:



"@voter intimidation that applies only to candidates for president, not candidates for candidate for president. the political parties are organizations which can proscribe any set of rules for determining who they choose as their candidate."



False. The discussion here is about Ohio Law, which is NOT governed by "the political parties are organizations". The DNC cannot tell an Ohio Voter, not matter what party he supports, that they cannot vote in the Democrat Primary. To do so, would be a violation of Federal Law. Thankfully, the Ohio SoS has respect for the US Constitution.

Posted by The Weasel on 2008-03-28 11:34:42 Posted by eddie on 2008-03-22 13:48:58:



"i would definitely prosecute"



And if you were the prosecutor in the case, it would probably end your career.



"Brunner told The Dispatch on Friday that she believes the board is on sensitive ground because voting is the the form of free speech that enjoys the greatest constitutional protection. All the more reason why she should communicate this message forcefully to Cuyahoga County officials. After all, she has not been shy about intervening forcefully with county boards in other matters. Surely this is an issue as important as any."



http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2008/03/23/crossover.ART_ART_03-23-08_G4_6A9N1MJ.html?sid=101 Posted by Angelene on 2008-03-31 18:58:02 How disgusting! The people that participated in this type of fraud should not be allowed to vote republican in the General, they should only have a chance to vote for a democrat.



How shameful that an ex drug addict can move people to do such dreadful things. Oh well, it's just the America we live in. Voting is Free Speech

Posted by The Weasel on 2008-04-01 08:32:18 To: Angelene



"The people that participated in this type of fraud should not be allowed to vote republican in the General...."



Voting for the candidate of your choice is not a fraud, it is a constitutional exercise of free speech.



Further, how do you propose to enforce your UNCONSTITUTIONAL plot to VIOLATE the rights of these Ohio voters? Are you going to tell them that they will go to jail if they do not vote for a Democrat?? Do you really think that any court would allow for such voter intimidation tactics to be carried out? Posted by ned on 2008-04-04 17:00:31 i would spank the them so damn hard, till shit starts flying and tears start pouring.

Thats how i solve thing, barebutted spanking, hard as hell spanks, till the shit gushes out!

thats my style Name: (change name for anonymous posting) Title: Comments: 1 Article displayed.