Holt Election Reform Bill in Meltdown...Again

[BradBlog]

We're on the road for the bulk of the day today, but will have more on all of the below during our weekly Friday appearance on the Peter B. Collins Show at 5pm PT (8pm ET) tonight. You can listen across the country via http://www.PeterBCollins.com.

We'll also be happy to hear your thoughts and take your questions on the mess (call-in: 888-5-PeterB) during the hour as well. -- Brad

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Holt Election Reform Bill in Meltdown...Again
Republicans 'Chortle' as House Democrats Wrangle in an Attempt to Bring Real Election Reform to a Crumbling System of Democracy...

-- By Brad Friedman from Richfield, UT...

As we reported from a source late last night, today's scheduled hearing in the House Rules Committee for Rush Holt's Election Reform Bill (HR 811) has been canceled. The same source had also said that if the hearing was canceled, it could mean an "indefinite hold" for the controversial legislation.

Today, Republicans are predictably enjoying what has been termed as a Democratic "split", by The Hill, and a Democratic "revolt", by Politico, in the majority-led Rules Committee, once known as "The Speakers Committee" since it's generally the last stop before legislation hits the House Floor. It's also the place where the leadership determines whether amendments will be allowed to be brought for such legislation.

Of course, what Republicans seem to find most amusing is that Democrats in Congress don't necessarily march in lock-step, as they do. Instead, the Democrats seem to have this crazy idea that in a democracy, there should be actual, responsible debate, care, and attention to details for an Election Reform bill which would have enormous national consequences to every local, state and federal race in the union for decades to come. Go figure.

"Democrats believe in democracy, unlike that monolith we had before," committee chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) told The Hill.

Nonetheless, the Republicans are attempting to make partisan hay from the situation. Minority Leader John Boehner's website described the situation as a "House Committee Meltdown" yesterday. A spokesperson for David Drier (R-CA), the ranking member on the House Committee described the situation as "chaos".

They're all right. Democracy is chaos. Though the Holt bill has been largely dysfunctional from the get-go as its lead author, Rush Holt (D-NJ) began with a very open process, inviting many voices (including our own) into the bill's drafting process, but then shut down the process in favor of both fear and agenda-driven interests...

COMPLETE REPORT: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5042

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And from late last night, with some additional new information...

The Latest on the Holt Election Reform Bill and the Davis Amendment to Restrict DRE Touch-Screen Voting Systems
Reps. Hinchey and Lee Now Joined as Co-Sponsors of Davis's Amendment...



COMPLETE REPORT: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5041

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---
Brad Friedman
Publisher/Editor, The BRAD BLOG

[Land Shark]

1. Thanks for all those trying to stay on top of this story! nt

[althecat]

2. And particularly Brad..... :) Who does what he does so well... n/t

[BradBlog]

3. Thanks guys...

Both to the Shark and the Cat. Looks like I should have posted this to Gen. forum to get more eyeballs on it, eh?

[althecat]

4. Cross post it to GD or LBN...

And post a link... we can boot it up greatest...

Your coverage really has been remarkably comprehensive Brad. Especially since you seem to be on the move. You are putting the MSM to shame.

Kia Kaha

:yourock:

[BradBlog]

5. Good Idea A.Cat! Done...Here's the link...

Cross-posted:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1759267

Go stir it up!

And thanks for your kind words, amigo. You do realize that if I had the option, I'd prefer the MSM get back to doing their job, so I could retire, right?!

Oh, well. Have a feeling that ain't happening any time soon. Thanks for all you do as well, my friend!

[kster]

6. Kick & Recommended............nt