The Nashua Advocate: Paul DeGregorio of the U.S. E.A.C. Slams The Advocate

[nashuaadvocate]

Will we be responding shortly?

Yes, we will be. Stay tuned.

DeGregorio's screed can be found under the "Comments" section at this link.

A selected quote from the comments of DeGregorio (of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission):

"It’s because people like you, who distort and take out of context what people like me may say, that the election reform movement is unable to gain enough traction and obtain the political support that is needed in this country to make it a real priority..."

This is not the end of this story.

[papau]

1. So DeGregorio "outs" himself as a GOPer - ??????????

If you—or folks like you who are always quick to criticize or smear Republicans--ever took the time to learn of my passion for election reform in America, and that of other Republicans, you would find the common ground that is out there for election reform.

[nashuaadvocate]

2. He's an acknowledged Republican. The EAC has 2Dems/2GOP. nt

[papau]

4. by your actions you are judged - we will see about his actions -words are

not enough.

[nashuaadvocate]

8. I agree --

-- and it's pretty incredible that the second most-powerful election-focused official in the Bush Administration, Paul DeGregorio -- Vice-Chairman (no less) of the Election Assistance Commission -- would, in comments to The Nashua Advocate, sound so utterly removed from the movement he purports to help lead.

-- TNE

[BeFree]

9. Uhhh...

They have reformed the elections. Now it's a system only a handful can trust, I'd say they reformed it alright.

There is only on thing to do for 2006... Paper ballots, hand counted.

[marions ghost]

3. OK Prove It, Mr DeGregorio

I sincerely hope that we can hold Mr DeGregorio to these strong words:

"If you—or folks like you who are always quick to criticize or smear Republicans--ever took the time to learn of my passion for election reform in America, and that of other Republicans, you would find the common ground that is out there for election reform. It was President Bush and the Republican Congress—with strong Democratic support--who has appropriated $3.1 billion for election reform in America." (From his response at link above)

----------
OK then--
We will see if he indeed has a "passion for (REAL) election reform."
We will see if we have any "common ground for election reform."

The commission began work in January 2004 with Bush appointees at the helm apparently. It is a new organization. Mr. DeGregorio is Vice Chair. So we will see....but his response does not make me very comfortable about his adopting a non-partisan approach. What about the way they thwarted the Democrats objections to HAVA last year? NO mention. :eyes:

[nashuaadvocate]

5. We've put our response up. n/t

[marions ghost]

6. new link?

[nashuaadvocate]

7. Yes, here's the link --

Sorry about that, it's here.

Or you can access it from our main page, here.

-- TNE

[marions ghost]

10. OMG--DUers Read THIS!

....if you want to find out more about our brand new Election Assistance Commission! Nashua Advocate, I hope you will keep writing about the activities of this commission. I think we need to know what's going on there. I am speechless after reading your lengthy response, just :toast: and NGU to all you at

http://nashuaadvocate.blogspot.com/2005/02/news-republican-bush-appointee-paul.html

[Lugnut]

19. Yowza!

I have to kick this so nobody misses this one.

:kick:

[EFerrari]

11. Someone get the dust pan for what's left of PG!

TNE,

This response is a good model for the way we should handle all of these faux public servants. We've had four years to study their m.o. They've had four years to pile up wrongdoing, shuffle scandals and go on the record with both.

[DemReadingDU]

13. Great response, TNE!

I always read your articles, very informative.

[troubleinwinter]

14. A+++++. MUST read!

[thingsarelookingup]

15. reply from Nashua Advocate gave me goosebumps.

Powerful response! Should leave em' stammering.

[bleever]

16. Excellent, excellent response. Thank you for this,

and all your well-researched, well-thought out, and well-written work.

:thumbsup:

[icehenge]

20. Wow

Great response!

Imagine your fishing, you haven't had a bite in forever.
You start day dreaming because your bored, then all of
a sudden the line starts going out as the reel wizzes
faster and faster.

After reading DeGregorio comments thats how I felt.

"the election reform movement is unable to gain enough
traction and obtain the political support that is needed
in this country to make it a real priority,"

Keep up the great work. And plan your movements carefully.

[MadisonProgressive]

21. Talk about both barrels!!

I hope I never get on your bad side!

[Amaryllis]

12. Kick. Keep on 'em.

[Melissa G]

17. Absolutely Stellar Response Nashua! n/t

[Helga Scow Stern]

18. What I'd like to tell Mr. DeGregorio is so hypocritical is

their in-depth investigation of California SOS Shelley, while they give Ken Blackwell free reign.


January 28, 2005

REGION & STATE
Audit Adds to Troubles for Shelley
# U.S. panel will examine secretary of state's use of voting reform funds. Agency says it will seek reimbursement if money was misused.


By Esther Schrader and Tim Reiterman, Times Staff Writers

WASHINGTON — Heaping yet another problem onto beleaguered California Secretary of State Kevin Shelley, a federal watchdog agency Thursday ordered a special audit of the state's handling of millions of dollars in voting reform funds.

The Election Assistance Commission agreed unanimously to examine whether Shelley's office improperly spent Help America Vote Act money, which Congress authorized to help avoid problems like those in Florida during the 2000 presidential election. It is the first such audit ordered by the bipartisan, four-member commission created to oversee state spending of voting act money.


Officials said that if the audit finds that California spent money for partisan purposes or other matters not authorized by the law, the agency will seek reimbursement. It could also refer the matter to the Justice Department for civil or criminal action.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-shelley28jan28,1,5505083.story?coll=la-headlines-california

[Moderator]

23. Ojai Person

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
copyrighted news source.


Thank you.


DU Moderator

[Helga Scow Stern]

24. Sorry. Will be more mindful in the future. n/t

[EFerrari]

22. Kick for the Sunday morning readers. Read 'em and weep :)

[Helga Scow Stern]

25. Somebody had MUCH better luck with the EAC,

look:
http://www.etopiamedia.net/empnn/pages/cpt-emnn/cpt-emnn115-5551212.html

On Friday, August 20th, shortly after revelations and allegations published in the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury kicked off the "Shelleygate" scandal, California Politics Today contacted the Election Assistance Commission to find out what, if anything, it was doing to monitor the spending of California's HAVA money. Brian Whitener, spokesperson for EAC, told CPT that EAC was expecting a report from California regarding the spending of its HAVA money in March, 2005.

Asked about the reports in the San Jose Mercury that almost half-a-million dollars in federal HAVA funds were being misappropriated by the state's chief elections officer, Mr. Whitener indicated that EAC couldn't comment on news reports.

Asked if EAC had a mechanism in place for the on-going auditing of the hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds it was allocating under the HAVA to California and other states, Mr. Whitener indicated that it did not.

Mr. Whitener suggested that inquiries regarding the misappropriation of HAVA funds in this case be directed to "California," which he indicated meant the Secretary of State of California, the very person whose use of these funds was at issue.

At Mr. Whitener's suggestion, CTP prepared and e-mailed to him a list of questions regarding the allegations made about California Secretary of State in the San Jose Mercury article.

At 12:48 pm, PDT, on Friday, August 20th, this e-mail was sent to Mr. Whitener at the EAC:

Hi Brian,

Here's a link to today's article in the San Jose Mercury alleging that California Secretary of State Kevin Shelley has misappropriated almost half a million dollars in HAVA money:

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/9449482.htm

As a reporter for California Politics Today, at http://www.etopiamedia.net/empnn/pages/cpt-emnn/cpt-emnn0.html, I'd like to do a short recorded audio interview with someone at EAC to discuss:

1. Is there an ongoing audit function at EAC to monitor/supervise the disbursement in the states of the HAVA funds EAC is responsible for providing to the states?
2. Has EAC taken note of the recent allegations against Secretary of State Shelley?
3. Does EAC have any comment about these allegations?
4. Is EAC conducting or planning to conduct any investigations of these allegations?
5. What criminal charges or civil remedies could be pursued by EAC if it finds wrongdoing on the part of Secretary of State Shelley?
6. Can misappropriation of HAVA funds by state election officers result in action by EAC to limit further payment of HAVA funds to the offending states?
7. Have there been, to your knowledge, any other instances of alleged or proven misappropriation by states of HAVA funds and, if so, what has been the disposition of these cases?

If possible, I'd like to get something on the record about these questions before the close of business today.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide about these questions.

Regards,

Marc Strassman
Reporter
California Politics Today
Etopia Media Political News Networks
Etopia Media News Networks

[Alizaryn]

26. Wow, that was incredibly well written! Well said.