I want to thank Jon Husted and Mike Turzai for their candor, if not their malevolence. Are they also perverting state laws to deny reproductive choices to women, all the while railing against big government?

Best answer award ⬆

Don't give these people any more ideas. You'll overheat their brains and their ability to make logical arguments will totally fail them.

Yes, but then the GOP will require a Birth certificate, and DNA from you, your mother and your father just to prove your White.

STEVE-- you keep misreporting this. Ohio early voting starts on OCTOBER 2ND.

Yes, the last 3 days (Nov. 3 -5) were eliminated by the Ohio GOP, but your reporting again and again gives the impression that those 3 days are the only chance Ohioans have to vote early. Not the case.

A link would have been helpful, Mike! In any case, here is the Ohio Board of Elections website on early voting (note that all of the hours are still on normal workdays, though, and none are on the weekend):

Voting Early in Person:
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/Voters/absentee/inperson.aspx

Poll workers have no place to show up... at least in Summit county... the polling places have not been announced... they haven't even been approved by the county board of elections.

This 3 days of voting is nothing compared to the chaos that is coming!

Reprecincting reduced the number of precincts in Summit County from 475 to 298.

Election Day polling locations for the November 2012 General Election have NOT been established or approved by the Board.

http://www.summitcountyboe.com/

This will be the next voter suppression tactic - rich, white Republican majority precincts will get more, and better quality voting machines. Precincts for majority black will get fewer machines, older and less reliable.

This is an old trick. Then you load up the minority run precincts with partisan "poll watchers", (Truethevote.com), who can make bogus challenges to minority voters to slow up the process further.

When it works for the GOP, the machines break, the lines get too long, too many people get challenged, and it gets uglier - and people give up and leave. It's a very successful form of voter suppression - and I garuntee you will see it or some variation in Ohio in November. And Florida. And Virginia, Texas - all the super red states with bad histories of discrimination are very experienced at this.

Ruth...,

And the usual trolls on this site will be busily insisting that everything is okey-dokey, no problem, etc.

I fear you are correct. Whatever kind of obstructionist tactics can be deployed to suppress the vote will be attempted until they run out of ideas.

The attitude is let the '@!$%#s and spics' vote after its all over and our man is in only for the sake of letting us (and most importantly, them) know / see how successful we were in denying them -- teach 'em a real 'lesson' from the 'old days'.

RUTH: I fear that only the DOJ can save us, and I'm not sure they'll be out there. This is scary.

Agreed. Motion to Show Cause is definitely in order here. I presume the Sixth Circuit will review the lower court's order on an expedited basis, but still...the Governor cannot simply ignore the district court's ruling. On the other hand, whether he is required to "make an announcement" is, I suppose, a finer point. I would have to see the exact wording of the district court's order to know that for sure. But in any case, he will have to follow the order if the Sixth Circuit doesn't issue its ruling in the case prior to the time for voting.

Yes, Husted definitely belongs behind bars.

Shouldn't the AG have moved for a stay of the court's ruling pending appeal if he wanted to ignore the ruling? I haven't seen any mention of that anywhere.

Yes, OAG Jon Husted is everything we think he is so long as the focus of thought deals with dastardly anti-democratic behavior that has no place save incarceration in this great land of enfranchisement!

Abominable, untoward or just plain rabid-mouthed stupid this Husted seems to be! No worse a villain to our exceptionalism exists today but this one named Jon Husted who dares soil our democracy through his elected office no less!

OMG, his will be a place in infamy!-Kevo

Gawd forbid that one of your teabag heroes should ever suffer negative consequences for his malfeasance, eh, troll? Take your petulant bloviating to Free Republic or one of the other knuckle-dragger sites, where that sort of bullpucky is admired.

Yes, of course a request for a stay pending appeal is in order, but if you don't ask the court, the court can't tell you no. If your just trying to delay by appealling, and you don't expect to carry your appeal, getting shot down on the stay is the worst case scenario. Right now, Dems might get a contempt order but a no on a stay guarantees it.

It doesn't seem the AG is ignoring the ruling, he is just not announcing new hours. As it stands, the court's ruling means the voting days have been restored. No one is disputing that.

But, given the previously announced hours, voters have a month to vote including 7 days of extended hours leading up to Tuesday, November 6. How many days do we need to vote. Seems a little excessive if you ask me.

Above post should say "the Secretary of State" not "the AG."

DIRECTIVE 2012-40 September 4, 2012 To: All County Boards of Elections Directors, Deputy Directors, and Board Members Re: Obama Decision: Voting Hours On August 31, 2012, a federal court struck the portion of Ohio Revised Code 3509.03 that ends inperson absentee voting the Friday before the election at 6:00 p.m. Obama v. Husted Case No 12-cv-636. The decision is being appealed. Announcing new hours before the court case reaches final resolution will only serve to confuse voters and conflict with the standard of uniformity sought in Directive 2012-35. Therefore, there is no valid reason for my office or the county boards of elections to set hours for in-person absentee voting the last three days before the election at this time. If the appellate courts ultimately reverse the trial court’s decision, in-person absentee voting for non-UOCAVA voters will end the Friday before the election. If however, the appellate courts uphold the trial court’s decision, I will be required to issue a consistent uniform schedule for statewide in-person voting hours for the last three days before the election. I am confident there will be sufficient time after the conclusion of the appeal process to set uniform hours across the state. Let me again emphasize, the constitutionality of the statute setting in-person absentee voting hours is still subject to court review and it would further confuse voters to set hours now that the court may change later. As such, this Directive strictly prohibits county boards of elections from determining hours for the Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday before the election. If you have questions concerning this Directive, please contact the Secretary of State elections attorney assigned to your county at (614) 466-2585.

http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/Upload/elections/directives/2012/Dir2012-40.pdf

Husted's memo. Read it.

By not announcing new hours Husted is thumbing his nose at the ruling that strikes down what the @!$%# he is trying to do: suppress Democratic votes.

To twist this and say anything else is lying and shows that anyone who believes Husted is not doing otherwise to be a right wing tool.

Yes, "right wing tool" describes Robbywobby. Actually it may be too charitable, come to think of it.

It seems to me to be a reasonable decision since the ruling is being appealed and Ohio still has pretty liberal early voting windows. If the ruling is overturned, early announcement would just add more confusion http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120830/EDIT02/308300119/Vote-at-your-convenience

Bull@!$%#, Tom.

There is no way to defend what Husted is doing unless you are a right wing tool who wants to suppress Democratic votes.

Donna...,

There are plenty of of those on the right who are probably drooling over the prospect of suppressing Democratic votes.

He hasn't said he will not implement the court ruling, he's only saying he will see how the appeals process works. Please stop jumping to conclusions.

Husted's memo. Read it.

I did read it before I posted my original comment...

1. A federal court struck down a portion of the law.

2. The court's ruling is being appealed.

3. No need to issue new hours yet.

4. If federal court ruling is upheld, we will issue new hours.

Got it.

What Tom-3671033 is stating is right - very often, even if a law has been struck down by the courts, things stay "as is" during the appeals process unless the court orders otherwise. The judge could order that the law must not be enforced until the court of appeals has been exhausted and a final decision has been made.

However, what I think is the underlying frustration with what Tom-3671033 is ignoring is that this whole process started when Husted approved early voting for Republican counties and denied it for all Democrat voting counties. This is what got this whole situation started. When you add the fact that Doug Preisse, chairman of the Franklin County Republican Party and close adviser to Gov. John Kasich, in an email to The Columbus Dispatch on Aug. 19 defended Husted by saying, "I guess I really actually feel we shouldn’t contort the voting process to accommodate the urban — read African-American — voter-turnout machine,” you can see why this has become a racially, and politically, charged event.

How many days does one need to vote?

Wow Rob, just wow. I see you're still confusing your own ego with objectivity again. Don't worry everyone- Robby is Jesus and he's returned!!!! Sheesh

Blob and Tom,

I will say this again: both you trolls are defending Husted's defiance of a court order. Both of you are defending the suppression of Democratic votes. Which makes you both right wing tools.

Cartoon, so you think having a month to vote is not long enough. Okay, that's your opinion.

Michael, I agree, there's definitely at best a perceived racial element and at worse a deliberate one, either partially by some or whole. In regards to the county hours, is this what you are talking about:

Husted prescribed statewide hours on Aug. 15 in response to complaints of disparities in available early voting hours. Bipartisan boards of elections in Republican-leaning counties readily approved weekend hours while boards in Democratic-leaning counties split on the issue, sending it to Husted who voted against weekend hours.

Cartoon, so you think having a month to vote is not long enough. Okay, that's your opinion.

Way to straw man Rob. The point I was getting at was the implicit arrogance you give here. You sit atop your very entitled chair delegating outward "now now you underlings if you can't cast a ballot in the time, I your god Robby, give you then you don't deserve to vote." Get over yourself dude.

The point I was getting at was the implicit arrogance you give here. You sit atop your very entitled chair delegating outward "now now you underlings if you can't cast a ballot in the time, I your god Robby, give you then you don't deserve to vote." Get over yourself dude.

I'm calling your bluff. Accusing me of arrogance is all you've got! I make the observation that under Ohio existing voting one has a month to vote and then give the opinion that one month seems more than adequate.

Then you say...instead of saying "a month is not long enough," you say, in essences 'how dare you, you arrogant twit, tell me and others we can't vote when the heck we want to...who do you think you are god?!'

Wow. You can't argue on the merits so you attack me. Hope that makes you feel better.

Be sure and read the response further down, too.

All the whining, narcissistic self-pity in the world...that's our Robbywobby. Spout a bunch of bullpucky and then get all pitiful when people call you on it.

Spout a bunch of bullpucky and then get all pitiful when people call you on it.

Then you play the arrogant role. Enlighten us, what "bullpucky" did I post that is incorrect.

Rob

It isn't a month to vote. That would imply a person could vote during non-working hours and weekends and that simply isn't the case. Ohio unlike California doesn't allow for time off work to vote. In California I can take either 3 hours time in the morning before I come to work or 3 hours time in the afternoon without it affecting my work. If a person is an hourly wage worker like myself that can mean a lot.

Also the Sunday before the election there is no early voting. A lot of African Americans who attend church vote that day. For many of them (see reasons I site above) that's the only day they can vote. That is the "urban vote machine" that the Secretary of State mentioned before he did not want to accommodate. But he would allow that for serving military and I think their families. That's voter suppression pure and simple Rob. I think it's unconstitutional under Article 1 Section 9 Clause 3 of the Constitution.

Ohio enacted early voting laws because the election of 2004 was a hot mess. The election of 2008 under the laws was manageable. But also President Obama was elected because more people were able to vote and the Republican party in Ohio didn't like that. So since they came to power they have been trying to verse those laws and repress the vote. I am sorry if you can't see that.

Maria, now that is what I call a substantive response.

You make excellent points, especially about hourly workers. Looking at the "in person voting" hours as they are currently scheduled (despite ruling to extend), there are approximately 23 hours of voting opportunity outside of normal 8-5 work hours. Mainly the two weeks leading up to election where scheduled hours are extended to 7pm.

This certainly means that those who do not have any flexibility are much more limited in voting hours. While mail in is available, that is much more effort oriented than walking in an pushing a button.

I would think most would agree that you can't have different hours in different parts of the same state, but making it as convenient for some as it is for others would have to be a consideration.

Lastly, it was not the Secretary of State who made the totally inappropriate (and scary) "urban voter" remark, it was a county official.

So since they came to power they have been trying to verse those laws and repress the vote. I am sorry if you can't see that.

I agree. As I stated earlier, there's definitely political motivation behind the fight and, at worst, blatant racism.

Thanks for the correction Rob about which officail made the "urban vote machine" remark. I agree political motivation and at worst blatant racism.

He is appealing to a higher court. Hopefully this will be resolved before Oct. 2nd, and people can go vote.

By the time the Court of Appeals rules, it'll be too late to do anything about it.

To quote Senator Palpatine, "I will MAKE it legal!"

How many divisions does the District Court have? Or was that, "Judge Economus has made his decision, now let him enforce it!"

I'm sure some of the trolls who infest this site could come up with a lot of flim-flam excuses for Husted.

Right now the state is at less early voting . Even though the judge ruled that more early voting will be reinstituted, Husted is appealing that. So until appeal is heard, and ruled on, Husted's original cutting down of early voting hours stands.

The real concern is the speed of the appeal being heard. Also, how many appeals he can get. If you lose, you can appeal a higher court, all the way up to the Supreme Court. They could appeal this past the election, sadly.

He can not do that . all he is doing is pandering to the racist and bigots..

The reps don't want Obama re-elected.

why is it lately the progressive side of this conversation actually leaves content, and the more conservative leaning simply leave insults and hollow rhetoric? i guess when one has no answer that is relevant that is what one is reduced to.

Russell, I think when the judge makes a ruling, it becomes the law unless he/she or a superior court issues a stay. But I'm not a lawyer.

Are there are people with legal knowledge on this thread who can explain how a state official can ignore the ruling of a federal court prior to appeal?

Russell, I think when the judge makes a ruling, it becomes the law unless he/she or a superior court issues a stay. But I'm not a lawyer.

I'm not a lawyer (but I am a "troll"). David's above statement seems correct to me. The court's ruling is effectively the law unless a stay of some sorts is issued or the ruling is overturned.

It seems the Secretary of State is not ignoring the ruling, he is just not announcing new hours yet until the appeal is heard. I can't find any timeline or estimate for the appeal. Bloomberg says,

The appeals court will next set a briefing schedule for both sides to file papers on their positions, Dan Tierney, a spokesman for DeWine, said in an interview today. No schedule has been set yet, Tierney said.

While it is definitely a delaying tactic, there is logic in not setting voting hours, changing voting hours, and then possibly having the change them again.

The Dem counties are free to set up the early voting hours without regard to directions from Husted. Only the Court of Appeals can stay the order.

It looks like Husted has pretty much created his own stay, which isn't within his power. If he wants a stay, he needs to get a court to give him one, he can't just declare one.

RobDon is not a troll. He is almost always respectful and intellectually honest—even if completely misguided! :)

The Dem counties are free to set up the early voting hours without regard to directions from Husted.

Mike, where did you get this bit of info...usually the Sec. of State oversees voting statewide.

GM, thank you...I think :)

George,

Blob is a right wing troll. No matter how much you don't want to believe it.

Donna...,

A few people are fooled by Robbywobby's faux-humble, faux-reasonable schtick.

Entropy,

Exactly! And you can see it too. These trolls need to be identified and called out for it. This election is too important for that not to happen.

"Faux-reasonable shtick?" Well, gee, you put me in the uncomfortable position of defending my defense. I don't doubt RobDon's motives; I don't consider I've been "fooled."

Sure, RobDon is intentionally provocative. But from what I've seen (obviously, I'm not here every day) He doesn't resort to nasty name-calling, ad hominem "you're stupid" arguments, or other offensive behavior.

If he has, I stand corrected. If he hasn't, he doesn't deserve to be insulted or banned. Just refuted. Considering who HE'S trying to defend, it shouldn't be that hard.

Robbywobby has a long history of false equivalence, distortion, and other nefarious rhetorical tactics on this site. I said faux-reasonable for good reasons. I said what I meant and meant what I said. Robbywobby is a complete phoney, and most of us here recognize that. Oh yes, false humility is also part of his schtick. On a thread some time ago, he actually delivered himself of the following gem:

"I never pander, I'm not smart enough."

Isn't that just too, too precious?

Ah, yes, the old "Aw, shucks." Straight from the Ronnie playbook. OK, I gotta admit, that's a pretty good one.

Granted Rob isn't an overt jerk like other trolls, I will certainly agree with that. He certainly doesn't go out of his way at least initially to snap at people. However what Rob does (usually) is even worse- he engages in passive-aggressive attacks against people.

Disagree with him or try to fact check him? He will then throw out some sentence like "and you call me stupid" (even if no one said it at any point in any of the previous threads). He often uses that I'm-being-victimized card as a way of justifying any negative retort he then throws out- although to his credit he usually doesn't devolve into using curse words or something overtly vicious. I suppose I would distinguish it by saying he acts like a douche, but doesn't act like an ass. And he will usually do this while intentionally misrepresenting (straw-manning) someone else's argument.

He also has a huge ego problem where he invariably decides that everyone else is just not as precious as he is (hence my Jesus comment earlier). Personally I find that the most offensive- it's a common thread among every Republican who has posted here that I've noticed except for skip. I'm better than you and you should be grateful that I grace you with my presence which all the other underlings would be happy to have, but I have blessed you with it instead.

Sometimes he even throws out the "only a liberal would say this" or "only to Democrats does this seem justified" or some other snotty remark. Granted, again, he doesn't get specific. He won't go only Mark would do this. He'd just go on to give a rather detailed description of someone who looks like Mark and then leave it up to you to decide whom he's talking about.

But I will give him another piece of credit- at least he seems willing to provide sources for his information and his thinking isn't crazy contradictory like Shooter or the other guys who post here. Still douchey, but at least it's an honest level of douchery.

Cartoon, I don't necessarily disagree with much of your above post other than the Jesus complex. Outside of this blog, most people find me more than willing to listen. Maybe my emotional writing needs improvement.

Anyway, I have written some of the throw away lines you mentioned, like "only liberal thinking"...etc. Two things, a) I will try and re-frame from making such generalities, and b) I am always willing to be more specific or clear with any comment that leaves to much interpretation to guess.

I will also say as much as you jump my case, you will also attempt to make your case as well.

Side note: DNC seems off to a good start.

So your answer is to play the false-humility card even after being called out for playing it?

You do realize that my complaint here is your arrogance, yes? Here in you say you will think about re-wording yourself. The very idea that you assume it's your phrasing of sentences and not the ideas behind those sentences is insulting. You assume that a. I can't tell the difference and b. that I will just magically see the good in you if you find some fluff words to make the sentence better. That is the attitude that makes you obnoxious.

But, to be fair, I won't keep riding your ass about it. I'll back off since this is just going to degrade into a bully contest and that wasn't my objective from the beginning.

So your answer is to play the false-humility card...

How do you know whether my humility is false or not? Do you have a crystal ball or something? I offer sincere concessions and you can't even accept that without trying to throw them back in my faith. Wow.

The very idea that you assume it's your phrasing of sentences and not the ideas behind those sentences is insulting.

I'm not "assuming" anything. I know my motives and my temperament. You can't see my intent, you only see my words. So, if my actual intent is not being communicated effectively, then examining my words is a natural place to start.

I won't keep riding your ass about it. I'll back off since this is just going to degrade into a bully contest and that wasn't my objective from the beginning.

Ride my "ass" all you want to...I think it speaks more about you than it does about me...And no, you didn't want a "bully contest," you just want to attempt to bully...but then again, that's probably me just being arrogant.

There...to me, this issue is over...attack all you want on future comments. The best to you...

Somebody get the fainting couch for poor dear put-upon Robbywobby! Right here, I have the world's smallest violin playing "Hearts & Flowers" just for him!

Hey, I'm not crying or asking for sympathy. I think it funny but sad that individuals feel the need to attack and belittle others instead of addressing the topic of discussion. That's the whole point of the previous two posts (4.15 and 6.21), I can more than stand up for myself. I look forward to continuing to discuss relevant topics.

What a hypocrite!!! The second sentence aggressively contradicts the first! Robbywobby is a real piece of work!

I can play this game all day long.

It is easy for most to see you were accusing me of being "put upon" and thus loathing in self-pity. I said that was not the case, quite the opposite. I have pity for those who feel the need to attack others instead of engaging in constructive dialog. Sorry if my brevity confused you.

Wallowing in self-pity is not usually "loathing in self-pity", but I'm sure you knew that. Aren't you going to pray for me, Robbywobby? I'm not at all sorry if my brevity displeases you.

Are you requesting prayer?

(If we keep this up, I may grow to like you.)

How does that make you feel?

Happy.

You have a great evening...

I'll take that as a tacit admission that you are a Christian and not some kind of non-religious person.

That's right if you are in line by poll closing time they MUST stay until ever person has had the chance to vote. My question who in the H does he think he is? I say throw the book at him for disobeying the federal law

I am waiting for a disabled person( like me ) , to sue the state of OH. I could not stand for more than 30 mins to vote. They will have to let everybody vote, but how many have the time? What about people who go to work in the afternoon, and can't get in to vote before 5 p.m.? This will work, if it is allowed to stand, or appealed past the election

There's this thing called a "Hugo" it's a walker that allows you to move and sit. If you can rent or borrow one for voting night, that would be a good solution for you.

I thought there were provisions in place at all voting places for the disabled?

County officials can put out chairs and the disabled can be accommodated by allowing them a priority in line so they can vote ahead of everyone that is not disabled.

Rob

I thought the DNC got off to a good start too (if you're not being sarcastic ;-) )

Lorr you assume he cares..

do not attempt to teach a pig to sing. it is utterly impossible and it annoys the pig

Yes, Husted's entire behavior on this voting matter makes one wonder if it will take torches and pitchforks to get the dear Sec. of State to see the errors of his ways! -Kevo

Maybe letters to editors, public petition online, phone messages to the judge to override the new Ken Blackwell shill for Republican party. This is the most disgusting thing to watch, the FLA Sec of State Katherine Harris seems to have led the way to tainting elections. 2000 was the epitome of voter disenfranchisement and 12 years later we still have interference to voting. Jim Crow was abolished, but there are still people so utterly entrenched in recreating it.

They wish to say this has nothing to do with race, but it does have to do with some Americans that are disapproved by the authoritarians. So who is approved to have rights? Only these (_____) people within this circle that I determine are worthy.

We can't go back, which is what they want. As a caucasian I observe other caucasians worried about non caucasians outnumbering caucasians and non caucasians being in charge. Losing privilege. The Spanish speaking skill being desired for employment is resented. Well, if it is desired skill, learn Spanish like any other desired job skill.

I'm also tired of hearing that God is a Republican. Not literally, but that's the falsehood being dished out.

Yes, I am aware that non caucasians are dotting the Republican landscape.

Yes, we would. However, things are different for important people; keeping them from their work would cause far too much harm to society. That's why it was so important not to go after Wall Street machers after the Big Bust, after the Bush torture regime, etc.

Look forward, not backward.

The consequence is supposed to be losing the next election. Assuming, of course, that enough voters disapprove of the illegal activity.

That isn't a legal consequence, that is a situational consequence. I'm talking about a little jail time and (not or) a heavy fine.

The LAW is that elections have consequences, and they won. Don't like it? Vote them out.

So because they won an election they are able to defy a court order?

Governor is a Republican.

In that sense, it's the good ol' boys against the regular folks.

Amen, RVG,

And anyone can even trying to defend Husted's actions is just a sorry excuse of a human being.