Obama campaign denounces Rokita’s call for ACORN investigation

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BY PATRICK GUINANE
pguinane@nwitimes.com
317.637.9078 | Monday, October 27, 2008 | (36 comment(s))

INDIANAPOLIS | Democrat Barack Obama’s presidential campaign on Monday denounced the latest call for an investigation into hundreds of potentially fraudulent Lake County voter registrations as a "fear campaign" coordinated by Republicans.

Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita, a Republican, sent federal, state and local authorities as letter last week requesting a criminal investigation into more than 1,400 voter registration forms submitted in Lake County by ACORN, a nonprofit group that has endorsed Obama.

MORE: Read Rokita's letter requesting a criminal investigation into ACORN voter registrations.

Bob Bauer, general counsel to the Obama campaign, accused Rokita, Indiana’s chief elections official, of attempting to cast doubt on the election in a coordinated effort to aid GOP presidential nominee John McCain and running mate Sarah Palin.

"We have seen an orchestrated effort on the part of Republican officials across the country to work with the McCain-Palin ticket and the Republican National Committee to disseminate this message of fraud," Bauer said in an afternoon conference call with Indiana reporters. 'It’s a fear campaign.'

A call to Rokita seeking comment was not immediately returned. In a letter dated Wednesday, the secretary of state said after more than 100 hours of investigative work, his office has uncovered 1,438 Lake County registrations forms that were either missing information, contained data that did not match state motor vehicle records or showed indications of forgery or fraud.

"Unfortunately, this seems to be partisan attack on minority voter registration activities," ACORN spokesman Brian Kettenring said Monday. "We would point out that we have brought to attention approximately 2,100 cards that we ourselves have identified as problematic, including the Jimmy John card. What seems to have happened here is the process has been politicized and our own quality control procedures are being turn against us."

ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, has blamed the bulk of the invalid registration on a handful of unscrupulous canvassers, who were paid $8 to register voters. Kettenring said state law requires the group to turn in every application collected, so it segregated the sketchy forms before submitting them to Lake County officials.

Rokita argues ACORN knowingly submitted fraudulent applications, which he said is illegal.

"Simply put, complying with the law to submit legitimate applications does not allow ACORN officials to evade the law against knowingly submitting fraudulent applications," Rokita wrote.

A spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney David Capp in Hammond said the office had no comment Monday on Rokita’s letter. Law enforcement sources last week told the Associated Press the FBI raided ACORN headquarters in several states as part of national investigation.

Rokita’s letter, also addressed to the Indiana attorney general, Lake County prosecutor’s office and the Indianapolis office of the FBI, alleges potential misdemeanor and felony charges tied to the group’s Lake County registration drive.

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Curley Moe and Larry wrote on Oct 29, 2008 1:07 PM:

" Let's see, who is Curley, John? Who is Larry, Todd? Who is Moe, Mitch? I guess that's it.

Our Big 3 State Leaders are actually clowns, with the big money - our money and the big payoff to the Swiss and Spainards! How disgusting. Who's on first? Republicans need to re-invent their use. Dig a ditch once, and maybe, the water will run the right way. "

Kevin wrote on Oct 29, 2008 8:28 AM:

" its just another way to steal the peoples right to vote and steal the election. if thats the case why have an election. just another way of socialism if you ask me. Aint that what we as americans have been fighting all this time. and have have been winning until now "

kMak wrote on Oct 28, 2008 9:00 AM:

" Read Todd Rokita's letter. His interpretation of the law is a farce -- seriously. I know, I know, he's secretary of the state...yada, yada, yada. What he is arguing in the letter is entirely unenforceable and strains logic. As a matter of public policy it would provide for criminal liability for any organization that registers voters.

Think about it. An Organization is compelled by law to turn in all registrations. If those registrations are flawed, under Rokita's reading, the organization that collected them could be held criminally liable.

Taken to its logical conclusion this reading would shut down ALL voter registration organizations. Remember there is no evidence of "voter fraud" (as opposed to registration). Also remember that ACORN, outside of their legal obligation, flagged a portion of these registrations as problematic prior to turning them in (the percentage flagged that Rokita is referring to is unclear from the article).

Scary times, people. Think about what this elected official is trying to do here. "

Christina L. wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:55 PM:

" Have you guys forgotten what really happens on election day? The only way that you can cast a vote is if you are on A LIST. Anybody can fraudulently REGISTER voters; only the ones that pass the tests (actual social security #'s, addresses, etc.) ACTUALLY make it onto the roll call! Meaning that you can put 50,000 fake names and addresses and social security numbers to be registered, BUT THEY WON'T COUNT IF ANY ONE OF THE TESTS FAILS IT!!! This political grandstanding is pure idiocy! "

every man for himself wrote on Oct 27, 2008 9:45 PM:

" I say every man for himself.Black or White we are human. God made all of us equal. So why all the complaining if anyone thinks they can do a better job try running for president yourself. But I know one thing I wouldn't want the job. "

Never know wrote on Oct 27, 2008 9:35 PM:

" We will never know if there is fraud because the NWI Demacrates will cover it up...The moral fabric is gone...ACORN should be investigated...Look what happened in East Chicago. "

Jay Ballou wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:39 PM:

" "It's about time somebody REALLY investigated ACORN. It's been proven they don't follow the rules."

If that had been proven, there would be no need for further investigation. The fact is that no such thing has been proven, but facts are of no concern to McCain supporters who see everything in terms of "a win for the team", without any concern for whether it's best for the country. "Party first, country irrelevant" would be a more accurate slogan. "

truth wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:45 PM:

" Sweetpea -- It is federal law that all registration forms, regardless of suspicion of fraud,be submitted. In many places, hefty fines accompany not submitting the forms. While there have been fraudalent forms from canvas workers of ACORN, the practice has been to submit those forms separately as potentially false....in this case, Rodika is grandstanding by talking about forms that were submitted because they had to be and were submitted as flagged to bring attention to them for inspection. "

Concerned Citizen X wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:43 PM:

" On its website in the history section, ACORN openly acknowledges using illegal tactics (squatting) to combat housing issues. Whether or not one agrees with ACORN's tactics, the fact that he organization openly admits to using illegal tactics in at least one other scenario and then justifies the use of those tactics should disqualify ACORN from being elegible to participate in such a legally sensitive activity as voter registration. "

Use Your Brain Vote McCain wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:09 PM:

" We all know how honest the elections are in Lake County. We proved it when the Democratic mayoral primary was overturned in East Chicago because of voter fraud. We proved it again when Lake County kept the entire country waiting for it's results in the 2008 Primary. One thing we can all be sure of, even without ACORN, there will always be voter fraud in Lake County. "

Overtaxed wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:51 PM:

" If the Democrats feel that there has no voter fraud committed by ACRON, what do they have to fear of an investigation. Would not an investigation that found no voter fraud vindicated them? By opposing an investigation it appears that have something to hide. Maybe they can find out if my father who died several years ago is still alive and well and still voting. "

Obama funded ACORN wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:10 PM:

" Obama is worried about too much investigation of the corrupt ACORN, because those are his buddies and he funded them! "

Get over yourselves wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:59 PM:

" Still voting "OBAMA" you would not be crying if McCain/Palin was leading in the polls. Stop your whining!!!! He may not win, but we are definitely not up to trickery and deception like they did in Florida. "

Bush won Florida wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:59 PM:

" Bush won in Florida, any way you look at it. Outside entities and media like The New York Times, The Washington Post and CNN have confirmed the vote counts of the Florida election, and Bush would have won any way you count it. Thank God Al Gore’s illegal attempt to steal the election was stopped by the law. Sore/Loserman fails again.

Liberals have a religious belief that somehow Gore won Florida…and they will not be talked out of their belief, even with facts! "

Capitalist Jack wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:39 PM:

" It seems Obama has something to worry about here....why protest if there's nothing to hide. Seems chicago style voter fraud is alive and well in the Obama camp. "

The laws are the laws wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:07 PM:

" Yeah, I'm sure ACORN can interpret and dictate the state laws better than our ELECTED Secretary Of State, Todd Rokita (Indiana's Chief Elections Officer, which if you didn't know is part of his duties). Did you even bother to read the letter he submitted?
How dare Obama's campaign people or anybody who's campaigning for office, try to dictate how we run our state elections, and how the election laws are interpreted. "

Kathy wrote on Oct 27, 2008 4:52 PM:

" All you right wingers can you say Florida and how Bush stole an election??????????

We have voter ID which the REPUBLICANS put into place and now you are bashing Acorn.

If Voter ID doesn't work why did the Republicans demand it? DUH "

Good Job Rokita wrote on Oct 27, 2008 4:27 PM:

" Please continue to protect our vote in Indiana from the crooks that are trying to steal an election. "

Chill out wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:46 PM:

" Indiana has one of the strictest voter identification regulations in the country - let it work. "

Sweetpea wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:15 PM:

" Ok, so ACORN submitted voter application they knew were fraudulant; why are they now crying FOUL when an investigation is mentioned? I say prosecute the individuals that are responsible for the bogus applications. It's a shame people were not honest after being trusted with such an important responsibility. "

George wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:04 PM:

" Secretary of State Rodkita HAS EVERY RIGHT to defend Indiana...

HOW DARE OBAMA try and dictate what we do here in NWI.

HOW ARROGANT OF HIM.

He just LOST my vote. Thank goodness I didn't vote early.

McCain/Palin get my vote 2008 "

mccracken wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:54 PM:

" So, let's get this straight: ACORN, as they are required by law, alerted the State that over 2100 registrations that they submitted (again, they are required to submit all registrations - even suspicious ones) might be fraudulent. Then, our partisan Republican Sec. of State says that he is SHOCKED that just under 1500 might be bad and he wants to disenfranchise everyone who Acorn registered. Todd, you took 100 hours of taxpayer paid time to confirm that Acorn's registrations aren't as bad as they suspected. "

Please Post This wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:47 PM:

" Rokita is wasting time since Indiana has a photo ID law. ACORN let the registration office know of the questionable forms so what is the big deal? Don't waste my Tax money "

Here we go wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:41 PM:

" In a Socailist society, voter fraud is the norm. So let it be....BHO knows what he is doing. "

Please wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:39 PM:

" Please, investigate to make sure the voting is fair. What safeguards are in place to prevent someone from voting early and then at the poles? Is the list keep updated daily so when the pole books are printed it’s logged that that person has already voted? Same for absentee voting. Or for different ID’s being used for the same address’s or the person may have two addresses? "

Hammond wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:17 PM:

" Since Obama did in fact donate campaign funds to ACORN (even though his entire campaign staff and Biden) deny this fact, maybe he can donate to the state to pay for staff hours necessary to investigate the submitted voter registration applications. "

ACORN has already do it wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:16 PM:

" "Bob Bauer, general counsel to the Obama campaign, accused Rokita, Indiana’s chief elections official, of attempting to cast doubt on the election " - Figures Obama camp would say potentially fraud is an attempt to case doubt rather than actully embrace teh investigation. Just proves Obama does not care if he gets elected legally just as long as he gets elected. Can you say Obama is sealling the election? "

Rokita wasting Tax money wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:16 PM:

" We have a voter ID law so who the heck cares?! This is all a waste of time and money. ACORN pointed out the fraudulent forms when they turned in the forms and I highly doubt Jimmy Johns has a photo ID. Lets just vote and be done with it!

PS Whoever keeps stealing my yards signs, I have Photoshop and know how to use it. "

DEAD WILL RISE wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:09 PM:

" Mr Bauer,

If you have your way there will once again be a resurrection, this time in Lake COunty. Four days after Halloween, there will be more walking dead, then in a cheap B movie. The only difference is that this time they will be casting ballots. Thank goodness Rokita has enough guts to point out the inequity. Just like every person in prison is innocent, I am sure every one of those 1438 registrations is tied to real voter - NOT!!! "

enforcer wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:31 PM:

" If the Secretary of State has police powers, I would like to see some serious enforcment at the polls, especially in the cities after 6 pm. There sure seemed to be a whole lot of hanky-panky last spring. I would also like to see a comparison, by zip code, of absentee ballots printed and mailed versus ballots returned. "

To Investigation wrote on Oct 27, 2008 12:58 PM:

" The Indiana Attorney General is a law enforcement officer for entire state. The last time I checked Munster and Lake County were part of Indiana. It is time they started acting like it. That might be one of the reasons Lake County gets such poor treatment in Indianapolis, because they deserve it. "

To Investigation wrote on Oct 27, 2008 12:45 PM:

" Apparently you don't understand the concept of Federalism. In this country, we let federal respresentatives (i.e. Pete Visclosky) worry about federal issues. Here's the point you obviously don't understand so pay attention. State officials (i.e. Todd Rokita) deal with state issues. Specifically, the Indiana Secretary of State (Todd) has a duty to investigate election fraud. Mr. Visclosky has no such duty, unless he wants to launch an investigation of federal election violations (which is really handled by the U.S. Attorney's office). Generally, feds will defer to state officials before getting there nose into it. By the way, what does any of this have to do with the flood in Munster? I'm sorry it happened, but this really has nothing to do with flooding. "

Thank you. wrote on Oct 27, 2008 12:12 PM:

" It's about time somebody REALLY investigated ACORN. It's been proven they don't follow the rules. When they first started I'm sure their intentions were good, but just like most things, people see a way to abuse the system and it's been proven they don't have a very good track record. Keep up the good work. "

Geezer wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:56 AM:

" ACORN like other voter registration groups used by McCain are paid by the signatures gathered, so some mischief might turn up.
If someone turned up to vote in IN they would have to show a picture ID to vote. No ID, no vote, no fraudulent vote cast. "

Good wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:49 AM:

" Fair elections are what we as Americans deserve! Lets have the winner be the winner and no funny business. "

Investigation wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:26 AM:

" Todd,

I met you on Beech the day the flood was witnessed by Mitch and boated to River Drive. I thought you were from Munster and understood the area's basic representation problems. If Visclosky thought that ACORN had integrity problems, as bad as Dan Gardner, he would have been way ahead of you and called for an investigation. Keep your nose in Indianapolis and get businesses to locate along the White River canal works. It is not needed here. Pete can handle the situation, as if it is as you imply, then Pete doesn't want the reputation as supporting it, by not objecting to its practices. Instead, call for an investigation into who allowed the flooding to happen in Munster, given Homeland Security and all of the many commissions assigned to the rivers and tributaries surrounding Munster. You came from Munster? Then do something right for the elderly whom lossed their confidence in the Republicans to defend them from the no good democratic machine. You are too young to know this and that is why you strike out at ACORN and do not expose the fraud and the self-servers of Munster. "

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