Florida GOP tells Republicans to vote by absentee
And FORD gives it a big thumbs down. Coup2k4 in progress........
GOP Mailer Says: Avoid Touch Screen
Gov. Bush unhappy with fliers telling Republicans to choose voting by mail over machines.
By BRENT KALLESTAD
The Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush has tried for months to persuade Florida voters that the computerized touch-screen voting machines are perfectly reliable, but his own political party apparently hasn't received the message.
The state Republican Party paid for a flier casting doubts about the new technology and sent it to some voters in South Florida. It features a smiling, thumbs-up picture of Bush's older brother, President George W. Bush.
"The new electronic voting machines do not have a paper ballot to verify your vote in case of a recount," the message read. "Make sure your vote counts. Order your absentee ballot today."
That's what Democrats and a coalition of civil rights groups have been saying in legal challenges, trying to force the state to provide a paper trail in case the touch-screen machines malfunction.
"It is insulting that the leadership's own party would believe that the system is broke," said Sharon Lettman Pacheco, spokeswoman for People for the American Way. "The citizens need to be reassured that this election is going to be about our vote and our vote counting and not any other shenanigans."
The machines are being used this year in 15 of the state's largest counties where about half of the Florida votes will be cast in this year's general election.
Gov. Bush, who was unaware of the mailing beforehand, wasn't happy.
"I think he was disappointed that there would be any message that's out there that criticizes these machines," Bush spokeswoman Jill Bratina said. "That's not the message we need to send."
No of course not. God forbid anybody would figure put you stole ANOTHER election, you sick fucking criminal bastard!!
His brother's campaign was also upset.
"We did not authorize the use of the president's image," said campaign spokesman Reed Dickens. "It was inappropriate. I speak for the president and it does not represent the views of the president."
Bratina said the touch screens are good technology and that the administration has total confidence in them.
Party Chairman Carole Jean Jordan was traveling and unavailable for comment, spokesman Joseph Agostini said.
State Rep. Juan Zapata was the intended beneficiary of the mailer. The party is supporting Zapata over Frank Artiles in next month's Republican primary.
Zapata said he was unaware of the language in the mailer.
"I have complete confidence in those machines. That's the least of my worries," he said Thursday. "My worry is that people aren't going to come out."
Meanwhile, in Boston, U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate, told Florida delegates that he's written Attorney General John Ashcroft seeking an investigation of the electronic voting machines "to guarantee Florida's votes."
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