We - the broad progressive movement - won a huge victory today.
No, we didn't win the vote to reject Ohio's Electors - but we never thought we would.
We did win the debate. (C-Span) (Michael Moore) (DU)
Our side won the debate because we talked about the fundamental basis of Democracy: the right of everyone to vote, and the right to have every vote counted.
Republicans could not challenge our facts. So they viciously attacked our motives. If you missed Tom DeLay's closing argument, you must watch it. It was pure poison - like everything Tom DeLay says and does. We're counting the days until his theft of the Texas legislature puts him behind Texas bars - where it won't be "Camp Cupcake."
But our champions did not wither under withering fire. They stood their ground. They stood tall.
What now?
First, Ohio is not over. There are two cases still in the courts. They raise crucial substantive questions that go to the heart of whether Ohio's election was fair or fraudulent. We will continue to track these cases, to make sure justice is done.
Second, Election Reform is not over. Every Democrat - and even a few Republicans - emphasized the voting problems that need to be fixed. If Republicans block action on basic reforms like paper trails, they will confront millions of very angry voters.
Third, Bush's "legitimacy" is not over. Millions of Americans know that he certainly stole Florida in 2000, and possibly stole Ohio in 2004. The dark cloud over Bush's head will not be lifted until the questions raised in the Conyers Report are answered. As long as Ken Blackwell refuses to answer those questions, Bush's second term will be as illegitimate as his first.
Finally, the pro-Democracy movement is not over. We fought for this debate against infinite odds, and we got the debate we demanded. We fought against the fear of Democratic leaders and the rage of Republican leaders, but they could not silence us or repudiate our cause. Our champions have stepped forward, and we will work with them until we guarantee every American has the right to vote.
Let's thank the Democrats who fought with us for Democracy.
- Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones
- Senator Barbara Boxer
- Rep. John Conyers
- Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
- Rep. Corrine Brown
- Rep. Julia Carson
- Rep. Bill Clay
- Rep. James Clyburn
- Rep. Danny Davis
- Rep. Lane Evans
- Rep. Sam Farr
- Rep. Bob Filner
- Rep. Raul Grijalva
- Rep. Alcee Hastings
- Rep. Maurice Hinchey
- Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee
- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
- Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick
- Rep. Dennis Kucinich
- Rep. Barbara Lee
- Rep. John Lewis
- Rep. Ed Markey
- Rep. Cynthia McKinney
- Rep. John Olver
- Rep. Major Owens
- Rep. Frank Pallone
- Rep. Donald Payne
- Rep. Jan Schakowsky
- Rep. Bennie Thompson
- Rep. Maxine Waters
- Rep. Diane Watson
- Rep. Lynn Woolsey
- The Democratic staff of the House Judiciary Committee
Let's thank the Patriots who took the fight to the streets, the courts, and the blogosphere:
- Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman of FreePress.org
- Susan Truitt, Bill & Ruth Moss, Katrina Sumner, and many Ohio recount activists
- David Cobb of the Green Party
- Attorneys Cliff Arnebeck, John Bonifaz, and many volunteer lawyers
- Researchers Steve Rosenfeld, Richard Hayes Phillips, Steve Freeman, Ron Baiman, Tim Lohrentz, Werner Lange,
- Bloggers Ray Beckerman, Ben Greenberg, Noah Diamond, John Byrne, Glenn Sanders, Will Pitt, Newsclip Autopsy, Nashua Advocate, Georgia10, Bush Eye
- Rev. Jesse Jackson of RainbowPush.org
- David Lytel of ReDefeatBush.com
- Progressive Democrats of America and United Progressives for Democracy
- Thousands of activists in dozens of states
Let's remember those who spoke up for election reform, even if they didn't vote with us:
Let's congratulate ourselves for fighting all the way to the end.
Let's have counter-inaugural protests across the country on January 20.
And let's meet in Washington DC with Progressive Democrats of America on January 21-23 to plan a progressive revolution in the months and years to come.
