We were worried about the prospects of an October surprise from Republicans that did not materialize.  However, I am now more concern about a post-election, November 8 surprise to distract the public and the media from voting irregularities and to rally voters around Republican candidates amidst disputed election results. At the first sign of a November 8 surprise to cover up election shenanigans, we must be quick to make the charge that it is simply a political ploy.

Let me be clear.  I have no direct evidence that a November 8 surprise will occur, nor is this a prediction that it will happen.  However, do I think that the psychopaths in the White House and the Republican Party would throw our country into war to divert attention from charges that they are behind voting irregularities?  Yes, if they thought of it and that it would keep them in power . . . absolutely.  

I am not from Texas, but I do read your newspapers and follow your politics.  It is fascinating.  Could you answer some questions for me?  

You had a few close elections for the Texas legislature where Democrats appear to have won against Republicans.  Texas has a strange law where the final word on election results is with the legislature itself.  Republicans now control the legislature and like it that way, and they appear unwilling to seat some Democrats who received more votes than their opponents by the last count.   Is that correct?  

It seems that the Republicans could keep control of the legislature indefinitely by simply refusing to recognize any Democratic victories.  They could even make sure that no Democratic is every again elected to the legislature, or they could keep one or two around to "give the air" of free elections.  

Like I said, Texas politics is intriguing.  However, I am curious: What type of government do you call this?  

Sincerely,

Bryan E. Burke
Pullman, WA

We need a TV advertisement of Bush flip-Flopping.  There is certainly enough material of him going back and forth on important issues ranging from the 9/11 commission, to health care, to social security.  

This has probably been mentioned already, but I want to take a different angle.  The main goal of the ad should not be to criticize Bush for inconsistency.  Other goals are more important.  

For those of you from the good State of Washington, there is a new, progressive, political action organization that will interest you.  It is called Eastern Washington Voters.  http://www.ewvoters.org  

We sprung up out of the regional network of volunteers for Howard Dean and Wesley Clark, and have added members from other Democratic Presidential campaigns.  All of us are now working hard to elect other Democrats.  Currently, we are focused on state races, but might lend a hand to Don Barbieri in his attempt to take back Tom Foley's old 5th Congressional seat.  

We can win here.  Although we are in a fairly conservative part of the state, in the last 14 years Democrats have come within 10% of winning in 13 races, and within 5% of winning in 9 races, and within 3 % of winning in 4 races.  There are pick-up opportunities!  If you want to get involved, email me.  

In solidarity,

Bryan E. Burke
Eastern Washington Voters
Email: bryanb at the domain of ewvoters dot org