GOP Efforts To Rig Big Senate Race Hit Snag
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and the state GOP's apparent efforts to rig this year's big Senate race have hit a bump in the road, with the state Dems winning a victory today in court -- though it may prove to be only temporary.
Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Tomie Green has just ruled that the governor and secretary of state -- both Republicans -- violated the law by sending out a sample ballot that placed the hotly-contested Senate election in obscurity at the bottom of the ballot, where lower-information are more likely to skip it. Instead, Green has ordered the state to issue a new ballot that places the Senate race towards the top with other federal races.
"The language in these two statutes is clear and unambiguous," Green wrote. "The legislative intent is explicit and definite."
This doesn't end here, though -- Barbour is almost certain to appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court, which is more likely to rule in his favor.
Late Update: Judge Green's opinion can be read here.
Only in this political climate could something "clear and unambiguous" be reinterpreted soley on political interests.
We're really f#cked if our laws are only what Republican judges say they are.
September 12, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
no shit....I feel the dirty tricks and the voter suppression coming on like we haven't seen before. These guys are crooks and are stealing our rights!
September 12, 2008 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll stipulate that the MS senate race should be positioned below the Presidential race. That said, can someone explain to me why repositioning the Senate race on the ballot will necessarily hurt Musgrove? I understand that participation drops in the down ballot races, but why have folks concluded that more potential Musgrove voters will drop than Wicker voters?
Just as a theoretical matter, it seems the move could easily hurt Wicker. Voters in MS often split their ballot, voting GOP in federal races and Dem in state races. If the special senate race appeared down ballot (where state and local races usually appear) isn't it possible that Wicker could lose this natural advantage? What am I missing here?
September 12, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well at least you'll be able to blame us and not yourselves for nominating an empty suit and a gaffe prone windbag to run against us.
September 12, 2008 2:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mose,
The low information voter is more likely a Democrat in Mississippi. With Obama bringing in many first time voters, the plan to move this race to the bottom will undoubtably hide it from voters who are showing up to first and foremost vote for Obama. History says that the lower the turnout the better the GOP does down here.
September 12, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, history show that the lower the illiterate dumbass turnout the better the GOP does everywhere.
September 12, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Elitist.
September 12, 2008 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
TheCount - Thanks, that explanation makes sense to me.
September 12, 2008 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
TheCount - Thanks, that explanation makes sense to me.
September 12, 2008 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking of windbags...
September 12, 2008 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
The law is clear. Even the state Supreme Court can't ignore this. I think DEMS should send the case to federal court on civil rights grounds if the state Supreme Court rules in favor of Barbour. The new voters are likely to be black voters who have newly registered in MS to vote for Obama. This move was meant to negate their effect on the race....most will vote straight DEM and might push Musgrove over the top.
September 12, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Our State Supreme Court was bought and paid for by the U.S. Chamner of Commerce. They pumped over $1 million into our judgeship races and now control 7 of the 9 seats. They will overturn this decision. We will have to take this to the federal courts to get justice.
Read more about our corrupt Supreme Court here:
Mississippi Supreme Court
September 12, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even if the Ms. Supposedly "Supreme" Court rules the ballots are OK, the publicity generated will have voters searching for the contest that caused the uproar.
September 12, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually I have been in some Republican precinct meetings early in the election cycle and saw that that was their entire point. Placing high interest namers at the end so voters may get too tired to vote in the last few races. It is their diabolical plan and one of the reasons I now vote with the Democrats.
September 12, 2008 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mississippi law could not be clearer on the order of the ballot -- it states it bluntly and in language that simply doesn't leave judges wiggle room.
If their Supreme Court overturns the district court decision, I would think there are grounds for impeachment of the judges. Certainly more than enough material for a strong impeachment campaign.
September 13, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink