Fraud and a High Level Mystery


The state of Oregon is beginning an official investigation into the Republican National Committee-backed company accused of destroying Democratic voter registration forms in that state, the same outfit as in Nevada.

It is interesting that this fraud was possible because of the poor job situation, and many people needing the few bucks they'd earn from this temporary job. Yet the allegations consistently are that they were ordered to register only Republicans by management, and it was management that destroyed valid registrations. Yet it was these poorly paid people who blew the whistle.

OregonLive.com: NewsFlash - State opens investigation into voter fraud allegations


The Presidential Mystery

Our hearing-impaired brother kept insisting last night that after the debate, when President Bush and Senator Kerry met in the center of the stage, that Bush asked Kerry if he could contact him later. He clearly saw Bush then ask "where will you be?"

Not that we don't trust our own brother, but the Atrios blog links to an observer who describes himself as deaf, and he verified that he lip-read Bush's words, asking if he could contact Kerry, and then asking, where will you be (later).

What was so urgent that Bush himself would ask for this contact? Normally, we assume, this already extraordinary request would be made by one top level aide to her or his counterpart.

Both candidates resumed their normal campaign schedules today.

We suspect that something's up, something involving "national security" that rival candidates are traditionally informed of in advance. The October Surprise?

It will be fascinating to see if events in the next few days bear this out, or if the mainstream media picks up on this story. What did Bush need to talk to Kerry about?