Palin: Ohio Vets Are Unqualified Voters?

Watching John McCain attack our veterans has become the norm these past few years, with his status as a symbol for the American veteran merely a weird plot twist in his history. We have watched him stand on the Senate floor for five-and-a-half hours, leading the fight against the dwell time amendment that would give our troops more time between tours. We have seen him speak out against the 21st Century GI Bill that would expand education benefits for our troops for the first time since the Senator himself used them to pay for college. Like a bizarro-world version of Mark Foley, who ruthlessly fought pedophiles while being one himself, so goes McCain's inexplicable record on veterans issues.

But finally, he's put his mouth where his money is. McCain and Palin, who both have children in the Armed Forces, have declared Ohio troops and hospitalized vets unqualified voters.

I get emails from McCain's Ohio arm to try to keep an eye on what they're doing there. Ohio will probably decide the election, but it has a Republican party establishment that would purge every voter without a butler from the rolls if it had the chance. This is what they sent out after the debate last night under Palin's name:

The Obama-Biden Democrats and their allies are exploiting loopholes in Ohio election laws that we fear may result in unqualified voters casting ballots.

The "loophole in Ohio election laws" that Palin is talking about is not a loophole at all, just a very sensible premise that is standard for absentee ballots -- that a vote is not technically cast until it is tabulated. Republican groups cited a rule that requires 30 days between registration and voting and sought to disqualify absentee ballots that were filled out on the same day as registration. Same-day registration and filling out of absentee ballots is the best option available to unregistered troops abroad and hospitalized vets in VA facilities. The "Obama-Biden Democrats and their allies" include non-partisan veterans advocacy groups like Veterans For America and IAVA that fought tooth and nail to defeat a lawsuit that challenged this very sensible notion to protect thousands of troops and vets from disenfranchisement.

With deployed troops donating 6:1 in favor of Obama, the cynic in me can see why the GOP doesn't want their votes to count. Then the decent person in me chimes in and says, "I can't see how anyone could try to block a deployed soldier's right to vote and be able to live with themselves."

Despite Gov. Palin's strange relationship with colloquialism ("Hockey Moms across America," anyone? How many are there?), the use of the term "unqualified voters" in a country that generally lets citizens over the age of 18 vote is the kind of phrase that should've been phased out long before the word "email" was phased in. With regards to the only American citizens who don't get to vote, felons, that's left up to the states. In Ohio, felons are disqualified from voting only while incarcerated, and I'm pretty sure Palin isn't talking about prison visitors stuffing stacks of voter registration forms and absentee ballots into God-knows-where in the name of democracy, though that would be quite the heist.

That leaves the troops and hospitalized veterans, the target of this power-grab. Nope, don't want those dangerously unqualified voters pulling the levers at all...

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Comments

[Herkybird]

All of you...no matter what party you are affiliated with remember this. If McSame by some fluke wins the election he WILL go after Iran. We don't have enough troops for Iraq much less Iran. What does that mean? He already said reinstating the draft is NOT off the table! So if you are between 18 and 25 you can expect to be sent a draft notice just like millions of vets were during Vietnam. He WILL do it. As president he WILL have the authority! And if you are lucky enough to come home alive, you too will be treated like a convict! And no...this is not bunk. I served in Nam. I experienced it first hand. I get to say you should be afraid if McSame wins. Very afraid! Me? Hell I am 60 yrs old. What do I have to be afraid of? Been to hell and back already. But do not take my word for it. If you are reading this you can do the research. If he wins
and between 18 and 25 you are toast!

[MsLiz]

Male and female will be eligible for the draft this time around. Had I been male, my number would have been 131, and I would have been drafted. My older brothers developed health problems which resulted in their rejection.

Over the past nine years, I have been dismayed how the Vietnam generation was willing to support the candidates and policies which got us into Iraq. Since my older brothers and I are not among those who voted for W or supported the invasion of Iraq, I haven't talked to anyone who bought into W or his imperialstic program. I just don't get it.

Are those of us who were young adults in the late 60s and early 70s so self-centered that going to war for a bad cause lead by feckless politicians was only a bad thing if it applied to themselves? Do we not value the lives of volunteers? Especially volunteers who joined for economic reasons, because it was a way to get some experience and education?

This in no way is meant to derogate Herkybird, whose service and point of view I greatly appreciate. I apologize for the disrespect shown to Vietnam Vets by their countrymen.

[blust8r]

My cousin and I are separated by a week in age. In 1969, his number was 331... mine was 10, guess what? I served 3 years, since I volunteered for service and picked an MOS (job function). If you're drafted you have no option to choose. I was very lucky, most of my training school went to Vietnam... I ended up in Monterey, CA. (REAL damn lucky!)
BTW - The NAVY and MARINES (they are part of the Dept. of the Navy) CANNOT DRAFT YOU! The U.S. Army, and the Air Force are the ONLY ones that are allowed to draw from conscripts. If you do NOT want to serve in the Marines... just say NO! They cannot force you.

[R.W. Sanders - Huffpost Blogger]

only fish with bioluminescent fins can live at the depths a politician can reach when in search of votes.

[MarcoEsquandolas]

it's remarkable, sad, and hysterical that this is the same stuff that's been going on since our very first presidential election..­...don't let the minorities or the foreigners vote...it'­s sort of why these people will never comprehend barack's statement about not turning back, and moving forward...­.it's one of the many underlying faults (there are a million better words) that these ass***** will never overcome..­..WE shall overcome..­.

[ILOVELOSANGELES]

The GOP will attempt to steal this election as they did in 2000 & 2004. Their primary target of course will be poor minorities. What will be different this time is they will also target poor ' Joe Six-Packs and Soccer Moms '. I'm sure they sense an overwhelming tide turning against a Bush/McCain/Palin continuation of failed policies both domestic and international. Beware America ! The GOP has plundered our treasure, our blood, and our position as leaders of the free world. Democracy is at stake!

[MsCanadian]

If a soldier is fighting or has fought for the country, there is no way that he or she should be disenfranchised! That is just WRONG.

[SusaninIN]

They can put their lives on the line for their country but aren't allowed to vote. What is wrong with that picture?

[Perla]

This attempt at disenfranchisement is yet another item that should be included in an Obama ad juxtaposing his and McCain's records on vets' issues, including their widely divergent approval ratings among vets.

[RRonin]

Have you ever read "Catch-22"? There was a character in it known only as "the Texan". The Texan believed in "more votes for the decent folks." Sound famliar?

[nvegrl]

I am so tired of McCain using his line about being a POW. His actions over the past few years have negated his right to use that as a tale about how much he loves the troops. country...­(fill in the blank) I too was in the navy, and I watch this man and think to myself, he has forgotten the core values. Honor, Courage, and Commitment. He doesn't give a rat's a** about us. He has never had the "pleasure" of having to go through the VA health system and doesn't understand the difficulties and damn near close to malpractice that occurs there. He sold his soul, if indeed he has ever had one. He sold out his brothers and sisters in arms. I'm tired of him exploiting vets. With one hand he says he loves the troops, with the other hand he does everything possible to keep the troops from excelling. Both in service and out.

[MsLiz]

Wow, that was powerful.

What would have happened to McCain if he had used VA hospital care instead of the wonderful health insurace provided to members of Congress/Senate?

[LITU]

Either Ohio residents are complicit in the c r I m e or they’re among the most miserable failures in c I t I z enship in this country. For four years the Secretary of State’s office has been under the microscope, and yet, they continue to fail the legitimacy test.

[MsLiz]

I don't understand this comment. I thought the Republicans were suing the Secretary of State, who won the last round in court, and who favored counting the absentee votes. Who does the pronoun "they" refer to? The citizens?

[Paralogos]

I find it odd that the article doesn't address the real purpose of the Republican activity. They're obviously not out to disenfranchise soldiers. They're out to disenfranchise the poor. Soldiers are just collateral damage.

[kellygrrrl]

Michelle 0bama just sent out a letter today asking US to log on and get a phone list to call OHIO voters.
Let's just keep our head down and stay focused.

Yes, We are Angry! Now let's get even!

[fredamae]

I agree with you.

[LITU]

Either Ohio residents are complicit in the crime or they’re among the most miserable failures in citizenship in this country. For four years the Attorney General's office has been under the microscope, and yet, they continue to fail the legitimacy test.

All in all, you can keep the midwest.

[Perla]

Fyi, LITU, Ohio Republicans tried but failed to scuttle this law -- the one-stop early vote law -- which they themselves had put in place under Bob Taft, a Republican governor.

Ohioans were outraged in 2004 by the obvious conflict of interests of Sec'y of State Ken Blackwell -- who was charged with overseeing the state's election but also committed to seeing Bush get re-elected. He not only cheated Ohio voters but the entire country.

Ohioans "threw the (Republican) bums out" and have been organizing around electoral integrity ever since.

Okay, we'll keep the midwest. Good luck wherever you are.

[LITU]

We shall see. Interestingly enough, though, it has once again been reported here on HuffPo that Ohio continues to be one of those states whose voting record should be scrutinized. I find that to be in conflict to your position.

Yes, you may keep the midwest, where the vision of America resembles a puckered as$.

[WhyNaught]

I don't get your logic. Blaming the citizens of Ohio and by extension the entire mid-west for the attempts of Republicans to disenfranchise disabled veterans is a feat of pretzel logic worthy of the Alaska Governor herself.

No system is perfect, there are always flaws. It seems Republicans are skilled at exploiting them more than the Democrats. The sort of blame the victim mindset you display is disconcerting to say the least.

[LITU]

The goal of perfection is in itself illogical, and that was not my point. Disenfranchised veterans notwithstanding, my point is that Ohio has yet to address the real mechanism behind its voting malfeasance. It leads to the general concern about the red state mentality, i.e. the midwest.

[Rog49Thomas]

Then the decent person in me chimes in and says, "I can't see how anyone could try to block a deployed soldier's right to vote and be able to live with themselves­."

Well, how about seeing how anyone could

(1) send our brave servicemen to a needless war without a sound plan for exit
(2) fail to provide them the right equipment and supplies
(3) give them abysmal health care after service

Denying their right to vote is really small beer compared to the above.

Mistreating our servicemen and servicewomen gives aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States and I believe there is a definition of that act in Article III Section 3 of the US Constitution. You may have heard of this document though recently it has been neglected except for the Second Amendment.

[angryveteran]

McCain is no friend of this veteran. Civilians must understand that legislation such as the GI Bill mainly benefits enlisted people, many of whom enter the service with little or no college. Unfortunately, many officers (like McCain) don't understand the struggles of enlisted folks. Where many officers have the benefit of a stay-at-home spouse to care for kids, married enlisted folks need a spouse who works just to make ends meet. It's been a generation since McCain has worn the uniform and he's way out of touch on veterans' issues just like he's way out of touch on the economy, education, health care ... you get the picture. While McCain’s views on these and other issues may differ from mine, my problem with him is more intangible. I'm sickened by his lack of core values that most military people hold close to our hearts. Words like integrity, service before self, duty, honor, excellence, country first aren't slogans to us. They're real ... that’s why we serve. I don't know what happened to the man that John McCain once was ... this one is a shameful puppet. Folks need to know that when John McCain claims that he takes care of veterans, it's a lie from the pit of hell.

[schatsie]

McCains head has always been too big to get thru the door... See the Rolling Stone article, he's been just as big a spoiled brat as Bush and neither grew up at all or have held a real job with real consequences (Of course McCain was in the Navy where his father looked out for him, anybody else was thrown out after crashing 2 planes, but not John Sidney McCain the THIRD....

Obama has built a real life helping out real people even though his father was out of the picture. He had good solid midwestern roots and returned to Chicago to do the REAL WORK.

[isaacsVT]

Remember
Remember
Remember

THEY CAN'T STEAL IT IF IT ISN'T 'CLOSE1

KEEP WORKING; KEEP FIGHTING; KEEP DONATING1

[boycottrightwingthings]

AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL- VOTE!!!

[roshni]

As I keep saying, let's overwhelm them with sheer numbers and boot them out!