Excluded from debate, Kucinich sells voting machines Jason Rhyne

Published: Monday January 7, 2008



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Print This Email This With "change" as a watchword in 2008's opening presidential primary contests, Oval Office seekers from both parties are making political hay of sweeping talk about America's future. But hard-fighting Democratic hopeful Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) in recent weeks has been drumming up precious fundraising cash by selling off relics from elections past: Genuine Palm Beach County voting machines used in Florida's contested 2000 elections. For a shade over $200, hardcore politicos can claim the ultimate artifact from last century's definitive political debacle -- along with a handful of "actual chads," according to Kucinich's website. The machines also ship with a replica ballot and a signed copy of "The Stolen Presidential Election of 2000," a Kucinich missive personally signed by the candidate. Kucinich communications Sharon Manitta told RAW STORY that sales were "perking along," and that buyers had snapped up between 12 and 15 of the machines through the Christmas holiday. "It was great for Christmas, but also birthdays, various events during the year," said Manitta. "What better gift can you give somebody in an election year really?" She says Kucinich and his wife, Elizabeth, helped hatch the fundraising idea following a conversation with Florida supporter and collector Jim Dobyns, who happened to mention that he owned 1,200 of the infamous punch-card devices. "We discussed the idea at a strategy meeting and everybody around the table went 'Wow, what a hoot,'" said Manitta. "They're little pieces of history." The machines are the very ones that Palm Beach County residents in 2000 used to mark notorious Palm Beach Post found that Democratic candidate Al Gore potentially lost more than 6,500 votes when poll-goers invalidated their ballots by voting for more than one presidential candidate. Dobyns, who acquired the machines from another collector after the Florida state legislature outlawed their further use, told RAW STORY that buyers were getting a prize. "It's got all the Palm Beach County supervisor of elections property tags," said Dobyns, adding that the machines come complete with election-ready folding legs and a metal carrying case. "We're shipping a lot of them to the West Coast -- Seattle and California. " The collector also sells the machines independently, but says he is giving the Kucinich campaign a bargain basement deal to help his candidate of choice raise funds. "I'm selling them to the campaign at a significant discount," he said. "They're getting the lion's share of the proceeds." Dobyns' equipment is also getting a supporting turn in the forthcoming HBO film Recount, which chronicles the Florida election and the legal battles that followed. The devices will play themselves in the movie's mock-up of South Florida polling places. Manitta said the machines were also a great way for those still smarting over the 2000 result to let politically opposed friends know the election mess was not forgotten. "It's the perfect gift for your favorite political junkie, or any Republican you know, I suppose," she jabbed. "And you won't have to worry about five other people getting them the same thing." Kucinich has thus far been unable to gain significant traction in presidential polling, and was dealt another setback this weekend when he was excluded from ABC's Democratic debate. The candidate has filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission stating that the network violated equal time provisions by failing to feature him in the event. "It will just be a number of dittos up there," said Kucinich last week. "They are doing everything to block me out."



