John Fund Knows ACORN. 
Great pleasure to attend a dinner briefing by John Fund, Wall Street Journal, at a Hudson Institute event in New York City, re his new issue of his book "Stealing Elections: How Voter Fraud Threatens Our Democracy;" and to hear Mr. Fund crisply describe the bunko artists who run ACORN, (Association of Community Organizations Now). Barack Obama's entanglement with ACORN dates to his Project Vote operation in 1992 (right), when he led the sign up on 150,000 voters in Chicago to help oust the Democratic incumbent and open the US Senate seat for the amateurish Carol Mosley Braun. ACORN is a scheme that works well within the Democratic Party idea of turn out the vote no matter what mistakes might be made turning it out, and that Mr. Obama has managed to get this close to the presidency without needing to explain his ACORN gamesmanship is a tribute to his sleight of hand. What I most enjoyed of John Fund's presentation was the commentary about the closing days of the election, and how the polls do not reflect the traditions. Republicans close elections fast, even elections they are going to lose. Gerald Ford the unshrewd, who pardoned Richard Nixon, went from more than a twenty point deficit to losing to Jimmy Carter by 2. Ronald Reagan went from down 11 points to winning by 1o. Lyndon Johnson's victory over Barry Goldwater in 1964 is the only instance where Democrats have exceeded Jimmy Carter's 50.1 percentage in 1976 since the Second World War. Mr. Obama has finished exactly where he is in the last polls throughout the primaries. No comfort level from the undecideds. If he finished in the polling against Mrs. Clinton at 48%, that was where he finished in the election. If Mr. Obama finishes the last polling next Sunday at 51%, it is his contest. If at 50 or under, it is a struggle.
The House of Disaster
Mr. Fund offered no such comforting words for the House of Representatives, where the rosiest scenario I have seen limits the Republican losses to 25 seats. This moves the party form the minority of 199 to the meaninglessness of 174, and that is the best outcome. Down 35 is possible, and the price is imaginable at 4o if it rains in Florida and the election is called early east of the Mississippi (Obama sweeps Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio and Indiana). And who gets the blame for this disaster? John Boehner, the minority leader who betrayed his party's principles and vast majority to collaborate with Nancy Pelosi on the Paulson folly of the bailout. Now the Wall Street Journal features a soft piece, "Bohener Pulls Out All Stops to Avert Disaster for House GOP," that politely but clearly illustrates why John Boehner is responsible for this imminent ruin in the House.
Mr. Boehner, who supported the administration's $700 billion rescue of financial markets, says it was needed to "save the free-enterprise system." But it was controversial. Taken together with the broader turmoil in the economy, it has shifted the election-year debate onto territory favorable for Democrats. "We had big momentum, and then this economic crisis hits," Mr. Boehner says. "Rightly or wrongly, Americans blame Republicans."No, John Boehner, we rightly blame you. You betrayed your own House members, not once but twice, September 29 and October 3. On Sunday 28 you personally threatened members who intended to vote their consciences and oppose the reckless, hasty, and soon inert bailout. You were deaf to the email from the voters at 100 to one against the Paulson folly. You larded the bill up and let the Senate's meaningless mid-week vote rush your members to judgment. You are responsible for buying votes to deliver to Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer. The Wall Street Journal story, by the careful Gregg Hitt, describes how Mr. Boehner is much on the road to lend support to troubled House candidates despite the fact that he had a back operation within the week. Recommendation to the troubled Mr. Boehner from the 8th Ohio District (Butler and Miami counties): Put down the load from your stressful job and your back will improve. Resign next week and retire to lobbying your golf game (right) or some other activity where you can't do harm such as robbing $700 billion of our money for your pals the maximum bankers.
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Great work sir. I'm a fan of Fund's and of course yours. I was nearly afraid you had given up on J Mac's run and thrown in your lot for B.H.O. Albeit for hopes of a brighter tomorrow (in a few years)
This race is not for the faint of heart. There is too much at stake. Not the least of which is the Agenda Media's stake in this battle and how it has soared to an all time high. They have been not so secretly building massive and thus far effective defense shields for Barack. While concurrently firebombing all fiscal and social conservatives. It is high time to run their ship aground, fire all cannons, destroy, conquer, rebuild. Blood will spill on both sides in this war, but the Presidency is a prize that should never be conceded or dismissed before all options are exhausted and realized. Go nuclear, let the congress right itself in a couple of years. Until then J Mac will make a fine ambassador between the branches. They all know and respect the man. That's why I'm good with him being the bouncer at our night club. I don't care if the patrons (world powers) like him. They will respect him and kiss his ass to get in the door to eat, drink, and catch the show. If the patrons are assholes I'm pretty sure J Mac will throw them out by the scruff of their neck. BHO as our bouncer? I can just imagine him trying to "befriend" the trouble makers to death. Boooo, and it's not even halloween yet
I would imagine that JB and most of the people who visit this site have seen this footage from the House floor where Rep. Brad Sherman claims that many in Congress were told that the U.S. could be facing imminent Martial Law if the market melted into chaos. If you haven't seen this footage from the US House floor, it may help explain to you why so many in Congress felt compelled to vote for this bailout:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DHaG9d_4zij8&ei=JyYISZ7jEomGsQPsrem5Aw&usg=AFQjCNEXWPgADd2-DCtwBhaUImA_oK8YwA&sig2=sBS6Z4tePsDt6av_p2a0cw
Whether you were stampeeded into voting Pelosi or simply went along for the sake of getting along, you displayed such a lack of leadership and character that you've exposed yourself for what you are. So, seconding Mr. Batchelor, just go. Go anywhere, but go that we may clean up the disaster you helped create. Disgraced people are to be shunned. Disgraced people are to withdraw themselves from public view. None of the "new values" of tolerance for everything. We're exhausted from tolerating the intolerable. So go and never return.
I think you will have Republicans who win back (largely by their own insurgent efforts) traditionally Red Seats lost in 2006, who will have a jaundiced view of the National Committee and warm feelings for Gov. Palin, who brought out the base that stayed home in disgust in 2006.
Clearly there are problems with ACORN today, but did the same or other problems exist with the organization back in 1992? I think that question needs an answer before we demand Barack Obama defend himself.
I think that this is a *MUCH* closer race than anyone consuming media realizes. I would not be in ANY way shocked to see McCain win. Wait until Nov. 5th before you start assuming defeat. John McCain may yet still be the leader of this party on that day.
There may be a much larger concern of STUNNED voters crying foul because they've been lead to assume that this would be a rout. They will not be happy listening to an Obama concession speech.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24559929-2703,00.html
CAROL MOSLEY BRAUN
When reading this, wasn't sure why CMB wasn't still in the Senate. Googled her on Skeleton Closet. It's an eyeopener. It also gives a tiny glimpse of Chicago corruption. Is the past any indication of the future?
Will Patrick Fitzgerald be removed, as per deal discussed last night on John Loftus Show?
If BO wins, will Rezko be pardoned at the end of his term? If so, why should Rezko talk now?
Clearly ACORN is guilty of a good number of inappropriate registrations. But how does that translate into voter fraud? Do people working at election centers vote the false registrations?
Finally, the narrative of the debate seems to be approaching the nub of the issue: socialism vs. liberty. I would like to have seen this debate started sooner. Now that it's here, it is dismaying to see both concepts being used more within the context of emotional blackmail rather than receiving an honest non-partisan evaluation. The questions perhaps should read: How would socialism work in America today? Is there any room for individual liberty with the world's problems pressing so hard on us on every front? Should we not be compelled to stand united in an all-out effort to solve these problems? How are we to define said problems and, hence, structure solutions we can all agree on?
Clearly, the left does not consider Islamic radicalism as a threat. Should we then do nothing about it? Should we abandon long-standing treaty obligations and let the chips fall where they may?
Clearly, the left's priorities do not include the smooth functioning of global markets. Should we then ignore it when these same markets convulse and tear themselves to pieces? Perhaps it's enough to keep the printing presses working to produce IOU's so the perennially hungry can keep microwavable boxed foods on their government issue tables.
The MSM claims that capitalism has failed. But was it really capitalism that failed? Was it not the sand of rouge social policy that has clogged the gears and brought the system to a grinding halt? Has it indeed halted? I was able to get a car loan just this week. Perhaps it has halted for the unqualified; in which case: What’s ahead for affirmative action?
Lastly, is change truly warranted? Have we messed up so badly that we now need to jettison all we have stood and fought for since George Washington led our fledgling nation to victory over the British? Were our sins so heinous as to require us to don sack cloth and grovel before every self-styled tyrant who spits on our flag?
The MSM has clouded every serious issue to the point of making it unpalatable for human consumption. We have become like dogs chasing our own tails in the effort of trying to sort it all out. It’s no wonder that there are still “un-decideds” and many more who have opted out of the process altogether. No doubt, on November 4th, old-fashioned American common sense will prevail. Whether the integrity of our electoral system matches our expectation is yet to be seen. With so many pillars already in flames, one more (or less) will surely make no difference.
I fear that too many of us have not left our wood-paneled studies in some time. We have failed to notice the extent of the damage the conquering armies have already wrought. We think that hope is still alive; that the intrepid messenger we have assigned to take our plea for reinforcements across enemy lines will complete his mission in due course. And that we will be saved the utter humiliation of a left wing coup.
Re ACORN. Mr. Obama's entanglement begins on the record in 1992, and continues on the record consistently. He was an important lawyer and voice for ACORN for the Motor Voter challenge in Illinois in 93. He and Bill Ayers served together on a board at the Woods Fund that funded ACORN projects in Illinois. Mr Obama's work in the Illinois Senate sent money to ACORN related groups. (Recall that ACORN is an umbrella group: as John Fund says, it is all deliberately and cunningly complex, to discourage investigation of the same win in new bottles.) Up to date, Mr. Obama's campaign directed more than $800k to ACORN, and listed the expense as staging etc. When challenged with all this history, the Obama campaign says that John McCain has praised ACORN in the past. Cheers.
JB:
Why Barbara West didn't follow up with that in her questioning of Biden is incredible. Biden outright lied on TV, but what else is new? Just once, I'd like to see someone pursue questioning against Obama with some tenacity. Even though he wasn't my man, I thing Giuliani could have done it, as he was a prosecutor and has the stuff as it were. The problem with Giuliani is that his closet has a few bodies in it as well.
All of this has gone far beyond organizing. It's about the man who says such things as:
Make some calls for me; knock on some doors; talk to friends and neighbors; get them to vote, etc, etc... all agree innocuous exhortations in speech, but, then to finish the thought, pertaining to the motivation, there comes this: "AND WE WILL SAVE THIS NATION AND WE WILL SAVE THE WORLD"
Hmmm, not exactly the rhetorical flourishes we are accustomed to. Not the stumbling over words that we usually hear from fallible humans that have a hard time conveying their message and ideas, especially verbally.
Another is the biblical reference "A HOUSE DIVIDED CANNOT STAND". Where has he been for all his life? We have been divided for many decades, though, not so equally as today shows us to be. Our nation still stands, so, what do you have in mind, BO?
This is very bothersome and is a trait that has developed over the campaign as the taste for fortune and immortality has brought "A RIGHTEOUS WIND AT THE BACK" while proclaiming supremacy over all doubters of the faith.
Where are the Pillars of Fire? Let the people go or plaques shall curse the land? Personnally, I want to see a dry land passage after the sea has parted? Then, I might be convinced... maybe.
There was, after all, 40 years in the desert before the Promised Land was revealed and according to Joseph B, they won't get it right the first time, but, O yea, of little faith... it will be your burden if you don't grasp the moment and trust the WAY.
This is not the path to righteousness. Au contraire, this is the way to condemnation.
And while I am on the topic, I will add this in the manner of the distraught that must place blame- the earthquake in Pakistan occurred because GOD grows weary of the Evil Ones who practice murder and terror against innocent women, children, and old people indiscriminately and hide under the skirts of women and take refuge from GOD'S wrath by forcing the innocents to harbor them in their homes, schools, and hospitals. They are murderers and subhumans and GOD is not pleased with them and will destroy them and their kind.
There are warnings, then there are warnings.
Well if Taleb and Mandelbrot, who are famous for writing about and discussing the future, won't predict what will happen, then what good are they? ... I mean this in jest but with a grain of truth. They are what an author once called "Coyote Blue" ... they've gotten so famous that they are afraid to move because, for them, every direction looks like down from here. Better to waffle and appear wise.... less risk.
Look, let me talk some common sense here, and remember where you heard it:
IT'S JUST A MARKET CORRECTION. Been lots of them.
IT'S JUST ANOTHER BUNCH OF BANKS FAILING. Happened lots of times.
IT'S JUST ANOTHER RADICAL DEMOCRAT about to be elected. We've survived many of those. Sometimes, they even do a good job in spite of themselves. This one happens to have an exotic name and dark skin, so we're more frightened than usual, which is pretty frightened.
Come on, people. Act like you've been there before!!
I think it was beautiful the way William Wallace died.
Congratulations to the Phils on their Whirled Series win.
I wonder how surprised everyone would be if John McCain won next Tuesday.
Democratic speechwriter Wendy Button tells the ‘new’ Democratic Party where to go.
I thought that her statement was very telling. Here’s hoping the public will hear what she has to say.
The PUMA’s may have more to say about who wins on the fourth than does Howard Dean.
I will be watching and I think there could be a possibility that McCain is not as dead as you think, John.
If Obama should win, America is not going to like Socialism and he is a Socialist. I just hope that he is not a Marxist. I have read entirely too much about Obama to swallow hook, line, and sinker the propaganda being fed by his camp. He and the Congress will destroy our military, the middle class, and the healthcare system.
Obama is not as smart as has been advertised. His twelfth grade high school teacher is still wondering how he made it through college.
He still has a problem with substance abuse and that is going to be a major problem for Obama and our country.
To JB and all the wonderful brainiacs that comment on this site-I so admire your intelligence. Please answer my question. Why is OBAMAS birth records in Hawaii and Kenya (records in Kenya?) sealed, as of Oct. 29 and NOBODY is reporting it? Was Grandma really sick or were signitures needed and records in her posession had to be collected? Can anyone give an answer.
All of us here are preaching to the choir. We need to keep turning our thoughts somehow -> "Out There" ...
All this exposure for BHO is just due to the lefty media hype and Soros type funding. No substantive record. I mean the guy makes a speech and gets all this money and gets plastered all over every type of media there is. Maybe right wingers just don't go for all that hype and activism and vote the intelligent way. Too busy working and paying taxes.
Kind of like a battle between a kid who has great marks in High School and one who has a rich family and zero transcript trying to get a spot in a university.
I think the John Batchelor Show should have been on all the networks on prime time... then the public would actually learn something.
vsk
re: how does fraudulent registration become vote fraud?
If ACORN registers an additional 300,000 voters in a state (assume most fraudulently) and only 10% show up to vote, what happens? They cry FOUL! They make claims of voter suppression to undermine the legitimacy of the elected officials. They weaken the fiber of the political system by undermining the trust of the disenfranchised.
Haven't we seen this movie before? People running around saying, "He ain't MY President!" It divides the Nation. It is exactly the outcome that they seek - chaos.
Lou:
I don't think being drawn and quartered is beautiful. it makes seppuku and kaishakunin look civilized.
... leaving tomorrow and probably will not be able to access the site. When I return, the elections should be over and we should be well into the wound-licking phase of the exercise. Good luck, John! Don’t abandon the ship! Will try to get back on board in about two weeks time.
"ACORN is a scheme that works well within the Democratic Party . . . "
When people ask how I could have sworn a blood oath in 1995 never to vote for another Democrat as long as I live, I tell them simply, "The Democratic party is a criminal conspiracy masquerading as a political party."
Jim,
It's the absolute courage and conviction of principle that is beatiful, not the corporal aspects of it, which are admittedly frightful. Ditto for Saint Joan of Arc. Or Jesus Christ.
"What is it to die, but to stand naked in the wind and melt into the Sun?" - Kahlil Gibran