Although Coriden claims to have the support of many Republicans, Walker tells Schneider there is no split in the party and the district is heavily Republican. Walker tells Schneider he doesn't even think the race is competitive. Schneider notes the third party candidate in the race, Libertarian Kenn Gividen. "I'm not so much running against Greg as I'm running against that Republican button on the voting machine," Gividen told Schneider. She writes, "If elected, he said, he'd caucus with the Republicans and would even consider becoming one, if he got 'the blessing of Libertarians.'"
And there's this other very interesting item in today's Star. If Indiana Republicans weren't worried about this election before, they should be after reading the story about how MicroVote's voting machines' software has a flaw which does not permit voters to cast a straight party vote. Jason Thomas writes:
Without the fix, voters wouldn't be able to cast straight-party votes on MicroVote General Corp.'s Infinity voting machines. The machines are used in 47 counties, including Hamilton, Hendricks, Morgan and Shelby.
The Indianapolis-based voting machine vendor is used in a lot of big Republican counties, including most of the Republican-rich counties surrounding Marion County. Making matters worse is the fact that the vendor didn't bother to alert state election officials of the flaw. Thomas writes:
MicroVote discovered a software problem on its Infinity system days before the primary election and disabled the system's straight-ticket function so its machines could be certified for the primary. MicroVote did so without telling the Indiana Election Commission, the four-member state board that certifies voting equipment.
MicroVote's action -- discovered weeks after the company filed to make an upgrade in August -- has shaken the commission's trust.
"I am disturbed by their lack of candor, and the commission is disturbed by their lack of candor," said commission Chairman Tom Wheeler, who sent a three-page letter to every county election official using MicroVote's Infinity system.
The company is now hustling to upgrade the software used by nearly 5,000 machines in Indiana to ensure the straight party feature required by law is functioning by election day. The voting systems were utilized in this year's May primary without the feature. Although the feature is not needed in a primary election, the feature was required for the system's use notes Election Commission lawyer Brad King.
5 comments:
weren't those MicroVote machines the ones used in Johnson County that prevented a recount in the Borst/Waltz primary?
This is something Illinois did and frankly I think Indiana could do also. Do away with the straight ticket.
I know that has nothing to do with the continuing issues behind electronic voting but taking away the straight ticket will lead people to look into all candidates for an election.
1 - Explained to Mary Beth Schneider in graphic detail (literally, I gave her a printout) is that fact that Greg Walker's defeat of the most influential conservative Republican in Indiana was due to a cross-over of liberal Democrats in the May 2nd primary. You may view that stats on my website, http://www.kenngividen.com
Mary Beth opted not to mention that crucial aspect of this race. Unfortunately, writers are limited by space and must limit their observations to those deemed most pertinent.
2 - Also, Mary Beth thought it not useful to elaborate on the other odd religious beliefs that flow from Greg Walker's particular sect.
Including those are:
* It is a sin to celebrate Christmas. Add all other religious holidays; Thanksgiving, Easter, etc.
* If you've not been baptized into Walker's religious sect, you are not a valid candidate for heaven. Eg., you're going to hell. That would include the myriad of religious rightists who voted for him May 2nd.
* Back to Christmas: Syllogism - If you sin, you go to hell, celebrating Christmas is a sin, therefore, those who celebrate Christmas will go to hell.
* Divorced folks, with few exceptions, must abandon their mate and return to their original spouse. If you don't, you will face the same fate as those who celebrate Christmas.
Greg Walker is a fine person. His religious views don't mesh with the mind set of most Hoosiers.
3 - The 41st district (note the jagged edge protruding into Greenwood) was drawn to assure a Republican stronghold. To win this district, one must appeal to Republicans.
Considering the Libertarian Party is, essentially, comprised of Barry Goldwater Republicans and that Republican Congressman Ron Paul was our party's 1988 presidential nominee, it is not unreasonable to expect conservative Republicans to embrace a sense of camaraderie with the Libertarian mind set.
In short, I am running against a Democrat who was nominated by the Democrats who cared nothing for the prospect of facing Bob Garton in November. Consequently, they crossed party lines to help nominate Greg Walker. I am facing two candidates who were chosen by the Democrats.
Will the Republicans catch on by November 7?
Unfortunately, writers have only so much space to fill and must omit some pertinent information.
A key point that Mary Beth opted to omit is that, as indicated by the Sec of State statistics, Democrats crossed party lines in the May 2nd primary to defeat Bob Garton, thus paving the way for a potential Democratic win in a Republican district.
http://kennsquotes.blogspot.com/
I find it hard to believe the posted statements about Walker's religious beliefs. If these things were true, it would have already been broadcast (especially by Garton's supporters), and this election would be rendered moot because Garton would still be involved. Didn't you participate in a debate with Walker recently? Was this issue addressed?
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