corrente

Consider this as you push people to the polls. Turnout is the key, and a true landslide popular vote victory for Kerry may be important in the long run.

Bush v Gore was theoretically decided by the Fuq’d Five based on their contention that a recount would be a violation of the equal protection clause.

I say “theoretically” because their real motives were completely partisan. And a lot of voters were willing to accept it and roll over for the sake of preventing “national chaos” and so we could have a “peaceful transition of power.” Even Gore rolled over when the Black Caucus handed him a weapon.

What about this year? Equal protection is equal protection. Interesting take from Mr. Dean, below. Even George Will is predicting May 2005 will roll around before we have a decision, though of course he does it with one finger up his ass.

Anyway, here’s ex-Nixon advisor, turned truth-teller John Dean. I just give you the intro and main points, which are all discussed in order in the complete article, linked at the end. I'm off to canvass for Kerry in a nearby burg this afternoon.

A storm warning of things to come if the vote is as close as expected.

This next presidential election, on November 2, may be followed by post-election chaos unlike any we've ever known.

Look at the swirling, ugly currents currently at work in this conspicuously close race. There is Republicans' history of going negative to win elections. There is Karl Rove's disposition to challenge close elections in post-election brawls. And there is Democrats' (and others) new unwillingness to roll over, as was done in 2000. Finally, look at the fact that a half-dozen lawsuits are in the works in the key states and more are being developed.

This is a climate for trouble. A storm warning is appropriate. In the end, attorneys and legal strategy could prove as important, if not more so, to the outcome of this election as the traditional political strategists and strategy.

Let's go over each factor that spells trouble - and see how they may combine.

A GOP Disposition for Nasty Campaigns

The GOP's Campaign Tactic of Attempting to Disqualify Votes and Voters

Rove's Refusal to Accept Defeat: The Knee-jerk Response of Suing

Still Too Close to Call: The Conspicuous Closeness of the 2004 Race

An Election for Attorneys: Neither Side Will Budge If Litigation Begins

The Nightmare Scenario: An Election up in the Air for Months

It may be days or weeks, if not months, before we know the final results of this presidential election. And given the Republican control of the government, if Karl Rove is on the losing side, it could be years: He will take every issue (if he is losing) to its ultimate appeal in every state he can.

The cost of such litigation will be great - with the capital of citizens' trust in their government, and its election processes, sinking along with the nation's (if not the world') financial markets, which loathe uncertainty. After Bush v. Gore, is there any doubt how the high Court would resolve another round? This time, though, the Court, too, will pay more dearly. With persuasive power as its only source of authority, the Court's power will diminish as the American people's cynicism skyrockets.

It does not seem to trouble either Rove or Bush that they are moving us toward a Twenty-first Century civil war - and that, once again, Southern conservatism is at its core. Only a miracle, it strikes me, can prevent this election from descending into post-election chaos. But given the alternatives, a miracle is what I am hoping for.

The whole thing--including a discussion of each "trouble factor" is at FindLaw or more easily at The Coming Post-Election Chaos

Arrrgghhh, me hearties! Getting them to the polls is only the beginning. In the words of another Nixon retread with far less brains and scruples than Dean, we could be in for a long, hard slog to victory. I just reckon it's worth thinking about now so nobody is surprised later and everyone's ready to rumble for months if need be. A huge popular vote victory for JFK would make the rumble easier, perhaps...