[EL] Check out New O'Keefe video: Obama campaign staffer caught helping a...

[Lowenstein, Daniel]

       Jim's second point illustrates the only aspect of the photo ID controversy that interests me.  So far as I can tell, the opposing concerns that animate the opposing sides are utterly unfounded.  Republicans are wrong that photo ID will prevent significant voter fraud and Democrats are wrong that the requirement will prevent significant numbers from voting.  There are no doubt some demagogues on both sides who are whipping up these two forms of hysteria for partisan reasons, but I have spoken to many ordinary voters on both sides and I am convinced that they are utterly sincere in their belief in their own party's form of hysteria.  But while each side believes what it believes, neither is willing to credit the other side for sincere belief.  Thus, each side demonizes the other--Republicans believe Democrats are trying to steal elections with fraud, Democrats believe Republicans are trying to suppress voting by preponderantly Democratic groups.

             Best,

             Daniel H. Lowenstein
             Director, Center for the Liberal Arts and Free Institutions (CLAFI)
             UCLA Law School
             405 Hilgard
             Los Angeles, California 90095-1476
             310-825-5148


________________________________
From: JBoppjr at aol.com [JBoppjr at aol.com]
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2012 7:32 AM
To: Lowenstein, Daniel; rhasen at law.uci.edu; law-election at uci.edu
Subject: Re: [EL] Check out New O'Keefe video: Obama campaign staffer caught helping a...

Before the controversy over the Voter ID, I thought the same thing -- that absentee voter fraud was the problem.  But I have changed my mind for two reasons:  (1) if someone, like these Obama campaign workers, would so willing commit voter fraud through the absentee process, why wouldn't they also do it on election day, if there were opportunities to do so without getting caught.  A person is either a crook or isn't. So, for instance, if you have instant registration and then voting on election day, without a voter ID law, then in precincts dominated by one party this seems like a prime opportunity.  (2) Has been the reaction of the opponents, particular the Democrats. I first thought that voter ID was a modest proposal all the way around: it was dealing with a modest threat of voter fraud, but also without a serious impediment to voting.  What happened is that Democrat politician flipped out, calling it racist, claiming thousands would be disenfranchised, etc, without reason. In other words, they "protest too much." I figured we were on to something -- in person voter fraud -- that was more serious than I thought.

In person voter fraud in such cases as I have mentioned is very hard to prove, but that does not mean that it does not happen.  From time to time, however, we see people like these Obama operatives who clearly are prepared to commit voter fraud and it is just reasonable to suggest that they would do it in person if they had a chance -- which voter ID laws, in large measure, prevent.  Jim Bopp

In a message dated 10/12/2012 10:08:44 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, lowenstein at law.ucla.edu writes:
       I think the more sensible Democrats have claimed there is no or virtually no voter fraud that can be avoided by a photo ID requirement, not that there is no significant voter fraud at all.  I very much agree with Rick and others who have said the biggest concern about voter fraud arises from the widespread use of voting by mail, which gives rise not only to potential fraud problems but, I believe, even worse problems of intimidation and bribery.  Indeed, the reporter in the video is representing to vote, fraudulently, in Florida by mail, not be impersonation.

             Best,

             Daniel H. Lowenstein
             Director, Center for the Liberal Arts and Free Institutions (CLAFI)
             UCLA Law School
             405 Hilgard
             Los Angeles, California 90095-1476
             310-825-5148


________________________________
From: law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu [law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu] On Behalf Of JBoppjr at aol.com [JBoppjr at aol.com]
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2012 6:44 AM
To: rhasen at law.uci.edu; law-election at uci.edu
Subject: [EL] Check out New O'Keefe video: Obama campaign staffer caught helping activist v

Click here: New O'Keefe video: Obama campaign staffer caught helping activist vote twice | The Daily Caller<http://dailycaller.com/2012/10/10/new-okeefe-video-obama-campaign-staffer-caught-helping-activist-vote-twice/#ixzz293I3dEts>

Obama campaign caught red handed participating in voter fraud by helping voters vote in two different states in this election.  And some say there is no voter fraud!  Jim Bopp