Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Good Times
It's amazing how a little taste of victory can change your outlook on life. A good win Monday in court has certainly raised my spirits during these dog days of summer.
Yes, it is true that Greg Mackay, a tried and true Democrat, remains as the Knox County Administrator of Elections. But that should not be a surprise to anyone. It surely wasn't to me. If I had any doubts as to what was going down, they were alleviated when I arrived at 7:40 A.M. on Monday morning at the City-County Building and witnessed Mackay glad handing and backslapping Election Commissioner Paul Crilly. The liberals of Knox County had already said that Crilly was in Mackay's back pocket, so it didn't take much to put two and two together and reinforce their assertion.
What is quite sad, though, is one exchange that occurred while I was answering questions from the Election Commission Monday morning. I was asked about Convenience Voting, and I stated that I believed there were more pressing issues related to Knox County elections than a total reconstruction of how we do elections, that this was not the right time for such a discussion. Chairman Heagerty asked me what I meant by that. I replied that, for instance, that our voting machines were not compliant with the HAVA 2005 standard nor the TVCA standard that must be implemented by 2010. Heagerty asked if it was my opinion that our current machines did not meet those standards, and I replied that it was my understanding that no machines in Tennessee at this current time met both standards. I could tell from the reactions in the room that the commissioners either a) didn't believe me or b) didn't know what I was talking about.
In either case, it's a poor reflection on their employee, Mr. Mackay, if he has not kept the commission apprised of this looming problem. To reinforce my contention (with a tip of the hat to A.C.), the Secretary of State put out some information yesterday regarding the TVCA which backs up what I told the Election Commission.
Much like when Mackay - despite being told that what he was doing was going to jeopardize Knox County's lease with Knoxville Center management - placed an early voting location in East Town Mall despite a prohibition on solicitation there, it appears that Knox County elections are still behind the curve. (How do I know that the election office was warned? Because I was the one who warned them.)
And before there are calls of "sour grapes," please note that I told the Election Commission that I cared not if they gave the job to me or some other qualified candidate. I was honest in that I had a great job come Tuesday morning either way and that I was not exactly looking forward to exiting the practice of law for such a political apolitical position. That probably didn't help my candidacy, but it was the truth. I just think it's a shame what happened to keep the status quo in Knox County.
Yes, it is true that Greg Mackay, a tried and true Democrat, remains as the Knox County Administrator of Elections. But that should not be a surprise to anyone. It surely wasn't to me. If I had any doubts as to what was going down, they were alleviated when I arrived at 7:40 A.M. on Monday morning at the City-County Building and witnessed Mackay glad handing and backslapping Election Commissioner Paul Crilly. The liberals of Knox County had already said that Crilly was in Mackay's back pocket, so it didn't take much to put two and two together and reinforce their assertion.
What is quite sad, though, is one exchange that occurred while I was answering questions from the Election Commission Monday morning. I was asked about Convenience Voting, and I stated that I believed there were more pressing issues related to Knox County elections than a total reconstruction of how we do elections, that this was not the right time for such a discussion. Chairman Heagerty asked me what I meant by that. I replied that, for instance, that our voting machines were not compliant with the HAVA 2005 standard nor the TVCA standard that must be implemented by 2010. Heagerty asked if it was my opinion that our current machines did not meet those standards, and I replied that it was my understanding that no machines in Tennessee at this current time met both standards. I could tell from the reactions in the room that the commissioners either a) didn't believe me or b) didn't know what I was talking about.
In either case, it's a poor reflection on their employee, Mr. Mackay, if he has not kept the commission apprised of this looming problem. To reinforce my contention (with a tip of the hat to A.C.), the Secretary of State put out some information yesterday regarding the TVCA which backs up what I told the Election Commission.
Much like when Mackay - despite being told that what he was doing was going to jeopardize Knox County's lease with Knoxville Center management - placed an early voting location in East Town Mall despite a prohibition on solicitation there, it appears that Knox County elections are still behind the curve. (How do I know that the election office was warned? Because I was the one who warned them.)
And before there are calls of "sour grapes," please note that I told the Election Commission that I cared not if they gave the job to me or some other qualified candidate. I was honest in that I had a great job come Tuesday morning either way and that I was not exactly looking forward to exiting the practice of law for such a political apolitical position. That probably didn't help my candidacy, but it was the truth. I just think it's a shame what happened to keep the status quo in Knox County.
Labels: Election Reform, Knox County Politics
Monday, March 09, 2009
A Few Words about the Knox County Election Administrator
My name has been floated as a possibility for the Knox County Election Administrator position. I know this, and I have spoken with several members of the Knox County GOP Caucus regarding the position.
The truth is that I am interested in the position. However, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Steve Hall, and I anticipate that if he would be a great Administrator.
I am aware that my friend, Rep. Stacey Campfield, will support Steve Hall if Steve does go through with the vetting process. That's fine with me, by the way; Stacey and Steve have helped each other with elections for many years.
I am also aware that Stacey is going to do what he has to do to get his man the position, as put forth by KNS columnist Georgiana Vines. I'm not sure if he will be successful, but that is the way to getting your man the job. Of course, if the other members of the Knox County GOP Caucus don't play along...
MORE:
KnoxViews
Post Politics (I and II)
The truth is that I am interested in the position. However, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Steve Hall, and I anticipate that if he would be a great Administrator.
I am aware that my friend, Rep. Stacey Campfield, will support Steve Hall if Steve does go through with the vetting process. That's fine with me, by the way; Stacey and Steve have helped each other with elections for many years.
I am also aware that Stacey is going to do what he has to do to get his man the position, as put forth by KNS columnist Georgiana Vines. I'm not sure if he will be successful, but that is the way to getting your man the job. Of course, if the other members of the Knox County GOP Caucus don't play along...
MORE:
KnoxViews
Post Politics (I and II)
Labels: Election Reform, Knox County GOP, Knox County Politics
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Record Voter Turnout Not Only Predicted, But 100% Guaranteed
How do you know that more people will vote in this election than in any other? Well, it sure helps to have more people registered to vote in a county than actually live there.
Obama's connections with ACORN warrant an immediate investigation by the DOJ. I would say that would be the necessary course of action just for what is happening in Indiana. Then add the voter fraud that is occurring (apparently at the bidding of ACORN) in Connecticut, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and Missouri. By hook or by crook, right, Barrack?
I'm just a bit confused, though. If the election is over - as the mainstream media has all but guaranteed - for the White House, then why are the Democrats involved in such blatant acts of voter fraud?
Obama's connections with ACORN warrant an immediate investigation by the DOJ. I would say that would be the necessary course of action just for what is happening in Indiana. Then add the voter fraud that is occurring (apparently at the bidding of ACORN) in Connecticut, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and Missouri. By hook or by crook, right, Barrack?
I'm just a bit confused, though. If the election is over - as the mainstream media has all but guaranteed - for the White House, then why are the Democrats involved in such blatant acts of voter fraud?
Labels: 2008 General Election, Election Reform, Voter Fraud, Voting
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Is This Any Way to Run a Democracy?
OK, I'm now sold on changing our antiquated system of choosing the President of the United States.
First, as I've written recently, I completely back a national primary day. Move the date to sometime in May in order to give every candidate enough time to raise the money to get on a bus and travel from sea to shining sea. Take the power away from such homogenous states like Iowa and New Hampshire that have nothing in common with the rest of Creation. I've heard others call for such changes as a regional primary system which would rotate every election cycle, but that will just lead to regional candidates being favored. I've also heard calls for replacing primaries with the caucus system nationwide, which would favor informed activists and disenfranchise voters. Although the idea of having those who are informed on the issues picking nominees is intuitive on many levels, I'm not ready to give up on democracy and the right to vote just yet. That being said, the whole system needs a major overhaul.
Second, the idea of delegates needs to hit the bricks. I'm no layman, and even I can't justify why Barack Obama carried Alabama yesterday by 14% (about 78,000 votes) but somehow received fewer delegates from that state than Hillary Clinton. That's mind boggling and nonsensical. The superdelegate and uncommitted delegate system used by each respective party oozes elitism, and in this system where its the delegates that count at the convention, it reeks of impropriety.
I say we try that whole democracy thing again. After all, we've put a man on the moon. Surely we can figure out a system that is more democratic and works better than the clunker we have now.
First, as I've written recently, I completely back a national primary day. Move the date to sometime in May in order to give every candidate enough time to raise the money to get on a bus and travel from sea to shining sea. Take the power away from such homogenous states like Iowa and New Hampshire that have nothing in common with the rest of Creation. I've heard others call for such changes as a regional primary system which would rotate every election cycle, but that will just lead to regional candidates being favored. I've also heard calls for replacing primaries with the caucus system nationwide, which would favor informed activists and disenfranchise voters. Although the idea of having those who are informed on the issues picking nominees is intuitive on many levels, I'm not ready to give up on democracy and the right to vote just yet. That being said, the whole system needs a major overhaul.
Second, the idea of delegates needs to hit the bricks. I'm no layman, and even I can't justify why Barack Obama carried Alabama yesterday by 14% (about 78,000 votes) but somehow received fewer delegates from that state than Hillary Clinton. That's mind boggling and nonsensical. The superdelegate and uncommitted delegate system used by each respective party oozes elitism, and in this system where its the delegates that count at the convention, it reeks of impropriety.
I say we try that whole democracy thing again. After all, we've put a man on the moon. Surely we can figure out a system that is more democratic and works better than the clunker we have now.
Labels: Democracy, Election Reform
