Count Every Vote For Hillary

Here's a dress-rehersal for the 2008 Clinton comeback tour:

New York Senator Hillary Clinton is actively campaigning for new legislation that she calls the "Count Every Vote Act," promising that the bill "will restore the integrity of our system and strengthen our democracy."

But in an email pitching the measure to supporters, Mrs. Clinton makes no mention of the bill's most controversial provision - eliminating voting restrictions on ex-cons.

"The Count Every Vote Act provides for common sense reforms that will make an immediate difference," the top Democrat promises.

"This bill ensures that every electronic voting machine provides a verified paper ballot for every vote cast; sets uniform standards for provisional ballots; and requires uniform access to voting machines so residents of minority communities will not have to wait hours to cast their ballots while other precincts in the same state are voting in minutes!"

Nowhere in Senator Clinton's missive, however, does she describe the real impact of the "Count Every Vote Act" - a provision for "felons who have repaid their debt to society" to have their voting franchise restored.

Now why do you suppose she's reticent about that little detail?

A recent study by Jeff Manza and Marcus Britton of Northwestern University and Christopher Uggen of the University of Minnesota found that 30% of felons would vote if Hillary's law was passed. That's 1.4 million new voters.

With 85% of felon voters statistically likely to vote Democrat, that could add up to 1.2 million votes to presidential candidate Clinton's tally in 2008.

In a close race, that's more than enough to put her over the top.

In other words, it isn't "count every vote," it's "count every Democrat vote I can scam, swindle, and fabricate."

This is classic Clintonism: dress up pure, undiluted partisan cynicism in lofty, idealistic rhetoric that bullyingly shames any would-be critic as "corrupt," an "enemy of election reform," and even "anti-democratic." Case in point:

"I know the Republican Congressional majority does not want to address this issue," Hillary complains in her email, signaling she knows her bill has no chance of passing.

And that she'll demagogue the issue like mad in next year's re-election campaign - and beyond.

Meanwhile, we see in Indiana what Democrats think of true election reform (via GOP Bloggers).

The Indiana Democratic Party sued in federal court Monday seeking to overturn a new state law that requires most voters to show government-issued photo identification before casting a ballot.

Of course Hoosier Donks are suing - requiring "most" voters to show ID before they vote would put a serious brake on their ability to cheat. And cheating is the only way they can remain competitive nationally anymore.

I will never fail to be amazed at the fact that I have to show my ID when I use my check card to purchase a bucket of chicken, but not when I go to the polling place to exercise my little piece of American sovereignty. Much as I will never be surprised at the zealous determination of the political opposition to cancel out my vote and leave me, and multitudes of like-mind, functionally disenfranchised.

But you'll never catch Senator Thunder-Thighs admitting that.