MyDD :: The "Caging" of Black voters in Jacksonville by the GOP

The "Caging" of Black voters in Jacksonville by the GOP

by Jerome Armstrong, Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 07:33:13 PM EST

What happened in Jacksonville during 2000 was criminal. In some of those black precincts, 50% of the votes were not counted, but it seemed a local-affair, and due to confusion on the ballots. This time, it's organized top-down within the GOP machine, which is laying the groundwork for a repeat effort of stealing the election in Florida.

Most of the emails in the "caged" documents are coming straight out of the RNC HQ's, the Republican Party of Florida, and someone named B Doster in the Bush campaign. The voter ID effort is laying the groundwork for voter confusion and voter intimidation of Jacksonville voters on election day.

Cage-gate or whatever. Those "Caging" files of Jacksonville voters are very damning. It proves that these are tens of thousands of black voters in Florida that are getting "Caged" (Just what the hell is that supposed to mean?) by the national Republican organizations. You know what though, not a gawd-damn thing about it yet in the national media, only the BBC.

Ken Mehlman's hotline is 1-888-610-8170, just in case you want to talk with them about their Republican-led tactics to limit the voting by African-Americans in Florida.

Tags: General 2008 (all tags)

Permalink :: 31 Comments :: Post a Comment

re: Jacksonville (none / 0)

Is anyone directing the Kerry folks or the DNC to this??

by judyo on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 07:36:50 PM EST

The problem is... (none / 0)

...nobody knows what the hell "caging" is supposed to mean. I saw the e-mails (they were mass mails that accidentially went to addresses at georgebush.org instead of .com-hello there Mr. Vice President). One contained an Excel file, presumably of the names/addresses (and no text). The next was somebody else on the list going "Thanks". There may be an innocent explanation for this-although I doubt it.

by Geotpf on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 07:37:32 PM EST

Re: The problem is... (none / 0)

There are actually three "caging" files in those emails. It's a grouping together of Jacksonville voters by their addresses, and the national GOP is creating a database of those 90% Democratic voters. "Caging" appears to be a database term of some sort; but the connotation here, of black voters in Florida being rounded up by the Republicans, is just insane.

by Jerome Armstrong on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 07:43:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

caging (none / 0)

Here's some background on the term from Buchanan's campaign in 1992, posted by DFWmom on Daily Kos.

Caging
The opening and sorting of orders and the handling of checks and cash. So called, as people work in cages for security purposes.

As successful as they were at the polling halls, however, the Buchanans were even more so in the "caging rooms" where envelopes stuffed with campaign contributions were ripped open. By the time the '92 campaign was over, the Buchanans had raised at least $7.2 million, most of it through direct-mail solicitations. It was a record-smashing haul. Not since Reagan had a candidate used direct mail so successfully.

If "caging" is just an innocent slang term to mean that these are fund-raising lists, and honestly so far I haven't seen any evidence yet that contradicts that, then this is just a tempest in a teapot.

A list of voter names and addresses does not mean anything in and of itself. I'm all for calling out dirty vote-suppression tactics, and I have donated to ACT and ACORN because I think they're doing the best work against it, but I haven't yet seen any evidence whatsoever that this is what it's claimed to be. Please contradict me if I'm wrong.

by drewthaler on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 09:53:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: caging (none / 0)

By the way, I'm fully aware of all the conjecture and hearsay and accusations that have been flying. I'm just playing skeptic. There's a claim that the people "must be" Democrats and that therefore it "must be" part of a voter suppression campaign.

But as far as solid evidence goes, seems to me there's only a single Excel file.

So far the solid evidence doesn't say anything one way or another. They could easily be donors, which is what's suggested by the term caging. You know, some Republicans do live in Democratic areas, and some Democrats do live in Republican areas.

by drewthaler on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 10:12:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: caging (none / 0)

I support your skepticism.

by Drostie on Wed Oct 27, 2004 at 12:25:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

you can watch this on the web (none / 0)

You can watch the show from the BBC website, either live or on demand for 24 hours after originally broadcast, by clicking on the latest programme button

by redpeter on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:14:48 PM EST

B doster... (none / 0)

his first name is Brett. Or "Brettler", though that may be a nickname.

by Silent E on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:16:29 PM EST

"Caging" (none / 0)

Caging - To confine in, or as in, a cage; to shut up or confine.

Clearly this is a reference to containing or confining turnout/voting of those listed.

by Steve in Sacto on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:20:14 PM EST

Careful, is this a trap? (none / 0)

I saw references to this earlier today; has anyone found any indicia that this is on the level, coming as it is from a humor site? Would it be logical to expect those emails, if part of a real vote fraud scheme, to be sent to the gwb domain? One of the emails, I think, was supposed to have been intended for the FL state campaign director; would that person be likely to have an email address on gwb.com?

This looks too fishy - maybe created by Rove to see if it can generate hysteria before being debunked, a sort of Rather II? As of this morning, at least, I found no reference to anyone having seen the full header of the email messages in order to confirm their source.

But maybe someone has gotten some independent confirmation of the story AND of the authenticity of the emails?

by Ron in Chicago on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:23:30 PM EST

Re: Careful, is this a trap? (none / 0)

Yea, follow the link, the guys running GeorgeWBush.org are totally legit.

by Jerome Armstrong on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:26:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The KKK re-born... (none / 0)

Let's call it what it is - Klan bullshit. It's a bit more subtle, but the intent and impulse behind it is identical to the shit that went on prior to the civil rights movement.

It will help the Democrats, I think, to say loud and clear that "The Klan is back".

Ideas drive elections, and if we can get the idea that GOP efforts to "challenge" minority voters is an example of 21st century KKK tactics, we may be able to get the media to see this bullshit for what it is.

by Toadvine on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:23:57 PM EST

There's more damning stuff in those emails (none / 0)

http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=369

by Jerome Armstrong on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:27:18 PM EST

Ask a top BC04 guy why he hates voting rights (none / 0)

Looking over the dead letters posted on GeorgeWBush.org, I spy what must be the current hotmail address of Matt Schlapp, a deputy campaign manager for the evil ones/BC04. It is a CC address in an otherwise banal email from a BC04 Cuban desk operative in Florida, Ana Carbonell.

Schlapp was a prominent participant in the "Brooks Brothers Riot" that frightened the Miami ballot counters in the 2000 Florida recount. He has a curious history of putting himself physically into the fight to deny people their constitutional rights. Schlapp started out in street politics protesting abortion. He was arrested for blockading an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas during the Operation Rescue siege of that city in 1991.

He started in electoral politics as staffer for Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS). Tiahrt was elected in 1994 in an upset of Dan Glickman (D-MPPA.) From Tiahrt's staff Schlapp jumped to the 2000 Bush campaign and must have pleased Rove enough to get a job in the White House political office. His participation in the Miami stop-the-recount stunt might have given him some cred.

Schlapp plays tennis with Brit Hume (R-FOX).

Anyway, if anyone wants to politely inquire of Matt Schlapp why he hates constitutional rights, this might be a good week. He probably isn't busy or anything. (Next week he'll be busy directing the disenfranchisement phase of the BC04 campaign to steal the election.)

mvschlapp@hotmail.com

by ectn on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:27:50 PM EST

Re: Ask a top BC04 guy why he hates voting rights (none / 0)

Thanks, all these goons should be exposed. I'm surprised that @foxnews.com isn't on the list.

by Jerome Armstrong on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:32:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ask a top BC04 guy why he hates voting rights (none / 0)

In the dead letters, I think there are a couple of Mehlman email addresses, too. If there is any interest....

by ectn on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:55:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ask a top BC04 guy why he hates voting rights (none / 0)

Some folks at dailykos are already all over this. These guys will have to either filter their email to only receive messages from people they know or drop the addresses all together. This morning it looked like only about 5 of the addresses were dead.

Probably not the best time to inconvenience them but hey "politics is a contact sport."

by nwoknu snwoknu on Wed Oct 27, 2004 at 12:14:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ask a top BC04 guy why he hates voting rights (none / 0)

(laughed out loud at your quoting them)

by Nevadangreen on Wed Oct 27, 2004 at 12:48:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Election Protection (none / 0)

Election Protection is going to be in Jacksonville this time.

by anijoni on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:49:18 PM EST

Brett Doster (none / 0)

Florida Brett Doster (850) 224-2874 bdoster@georgewbush.com

by zoechow on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:49:59 PM EST

how best to pressure MSMedia to cover the story? (none / 0)

What is the best and quickest way to pressure the main stream media to cover the story? Is there a way to email them all at once with a web form somewhere?

by zoechow on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 08:50:43 PM EST

Re: how best to pressure MSMedia to cover the stor (none / 0)

I would imagine that the media respond to automated mass form letters about as well as legislators and presidents do -- which is to say, hardly at all.

by Dan Hartung on Wed Oct 27, 2004 at 04:54:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Move Along, Nothing to See Here (5.00 / 1)

I think the "caging" reference is a true tempest in a teapot.

Do a quick search on "caging fundraising glossary" and you'll find:

http://www.cdmdirect.com/glossary.htm

Caging: The process of receiving, processing, and reporting the mailing results

Let's get back to the important stuff like Getting Out The Vote.

by PghArch on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 10:20:08 PM EST

B Doster (none / 0)

I googled this from the St. Augustine Record article on Octber 6th. It identifies a B Doster in the article (emphysis mine):

"It gives us the opportunity to start organizing now for the full-on general effort without having to worry about how the campaign is doing in early primary states," said Brett Doster, chief of the Bush-Cheney campaign in Florida.

As this guy has an "official voice" in the campaign, does this make the B/C campaign "Official Biggots"?

by NvDem on Wed Oct 27, 2004 at 12:24:37 AM EST

my question (none / 0)

My question is: has anyone, anyone at all, contacted the nearly two-thousand people on that "caging" excel-file to see if THEY know what it's all about? I mean, it concerns THEM, they ought to be notified, right? If the people on the list are being targeted for intimidation because they are black and/or democrats, they should be prepared for that -- and if this is all just a big misunderstanding then the people on the list can clear the air, right?

by Nevadangreen on Wed Oct 27, 2004 at 12:52:32 AM EST

What are the codes... (none / 0)

in colummn J of the spreadsheet? ANK and RTS

Any ideas?

by Marc Brazeau on Wed Oct 27, 2004 at 04:43:51 AM EST

Re: What are the codes... (none / 0)

ANK = attempted not known
RTS = return to sender

by ari on Wed Oct 27, 2004 at 05:18:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What are the codes... (none / 0)

If those codes are right, does that indicate this is as harmless as the Republicans claim it is? Does it indicate that the list refers to campaign donors or some other such scenario unrelated to voter intimidation?

by Nevadangreen on Wed Oct 27, 2004 at 11:14:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

From Salon's War Room (5.00 / 1)

As journalism goes, Salon's one of the most reliable -- they're intellectually honest while at the same time, editorially, they have a left-leaning position. That's not the same as Fox, which disparages the left and pretends they're balanced.

Anyway, so far, they don't give too much truck to this stuff....a quick excerpt:

"It's possible to see how, looking at these lists, Palast -- a reporter with more than a little bit of experience in uncovering Florida Republicans' disenfranchisement plans -- concluded that they constituted plans for voter intimidation. But it didn't take War Room much Googling to discover that "caging" is a common term in the jargon of direct marketing, meaning, according to one online source, "the process of receiving, processing, and reporting the mailing results."

That definition jibed with an explanation we got from Mindy Tucker Fletcher, a spokeswoman for the Florida Republicans, who said that the list was part of a direct marketing campaign. Fletcher sent us a letter that she sent to the BBC in response to Palast's article in which she explains that the list "was a listing of returned mail that came from a mailing that the Republican National Committee sent to new registrants in Duval County in Florida, encouraging newly registered Republicans, Democrats and Independents to vote Republican."

In other words, Fletcher is saying that the lists were essentially for collecting bad addresses that were returned from a direct marketing campaign -- a plausible explanation.

Palast's breathless story comes at a time of extraordinary worry over voter fraud, but without much evidence to support his claims regarding the "secret document," it only feeds Republican claims that opponents are more interested in taking cheap shots than seeking out the truth. Salon has certainly been on the lookout for Republican malfeasance in this election, and we've found no small bit of it, especially in Florida -- but without clearer evidence, we can't add this to the pile.

UPDATE: A few readers have pointed out that even if the Republicans are telling the truth that the list is only a compilation of bad addresses returned from a direct-marketing mail, its purpose could have been less than innocent -- to challenge voters on residency grounds (since the GOP would have some reason to believe their addresses didn't qualify). This is plausible; it's worth noting, and we should have noted earlier, that the RNC has in fact been accused of these actions before, and in 1987, in response to a civil rights suit, it signed a consent decree pledging not to do this. But Republicans told War Room that this was not the purpose of this list, and, so far, we have no way of proving them wrong.

I don't think this is something that those of us who care about voter intimidation should let go, but Salon, often, serves as my barometer. Just my 2 cents.

by TheGaffer on Wed Oct 27, 2004 at 09:59:31 AM EST

Voter tips (none / 0)

Don't let the bastards win. Here's a list of voter tips. Print it and hang it up in your office lunchroom. Forward to a few friends. People MUST have their democratic rights protected.

by Nanovirus on Wed Oct 27, 2004 at 10:46:45 AM EST

I thought polls showed Bushit doubling his support (none / 0)

among blacks. If that is true then it would be hard for Kerry to win. Kerry will need late 80s or early 90s of the black vote like Clinton and Gore got. I think that is strange that this poll came out 2 weeks before the election. You haven't heard a thing about improving in the black community until a week ago, fishy.

by BushNotMyPresident on Wed Oct 27, 2004 at 06:31:27 PM EST

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