Feingold to Object to von Spakovsky

by: Matt Stoller

Wed Oct 03, 2007 at 18:19

One thing we don't need in 2008 is a practiced Republican expert at voter suppression as a Commissioner of the Federal Elections Commission.

Hans von Spakovsky, who was the boss from hell at the Justice Department (he would apparently go through the private inboxes of employees he didn't like), as well as a practiced expert at denying voting rights to minorities, is causing a bit of wrangling within the Senate. Von Spakovsky is up for appointment to the FEC, which regulates elections. The FEC has four commissioners under recess appointments right now, and Mitch McConnell is using this as leverage to force von Spakovsky onto the FEC by putting a single up or down vote on all four current FEC nominees at once. Reid wants to allow this to go forward because one of his guys is slated to be appointed.

A credible but non-Hill source told me that Feingold is going to object to McConnell's attempt to force von Spakovsky onto the FEC through this tactic. I don't know if the FEC will shut down if it doesn't have enough commissioners, but this is another back-against-the-wall surge strategy maneuver from the right-wing.

Feingold's standing his ground. Good for Russ. And Reid is not. Boo.

Matt Stoller :: Feingold to Object to von Spakovsky

Tags: Hans Von Spakovsky, FEC, voting rights, Russ Feingold, Harry Reid, (All Tags)

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Feingold to Object to von Spakovsky | 11 comments

A cowardly act of moral failure (0.00 / 0)

Bypassing individual hearings is an abdication of Congressional responsibility. Recess appointments are flagrant thefts of due Congressional authority. An up or down vote on the full slate of recess-appointed FEC stooges gives a stamp of approval to the Bush power grab. Bypassing individual hearings is a cowardly and morally corrupt act. Additionally it gives a full speed ahead signal for the entire panoply of Republican dirty tricks vote tampering.

Shame on Harry Reid, for throwing away yet another necessary check and balance so carelessly. Each day it looks like he is more concerned with exercising power than exercising judgment.

by: T Maysle @ Wed Oct 03, 2007 at 17:38:55 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

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It looks like (0.00 / 0)

he could pull off a facial scar and eyepatch pretty well

John McCain opposes the GI Bill.

by: Lucas O'Connor @ Wed Oct 03, 2007 at 18:17:32 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

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Shame on you Mr. Stoller (0.00 / 0)

Wow... making fun of the guy's name. That really makes us all look good... Thanks a lot. Should all people with German names be excluded from public life? Don't you also argue that the right's attacks on Barack Obama's name evince racism and ignorance? Shame on you. You should post an apology.

by: laser72 @ Wed Oct 03, 2007 at 20:04:09 PM CDT

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the Hans (0.00 / 0)

I have sources that say Obama and Feinstein are also blocking him, demanding a up or down vote on the Hans. Word is, GOP is giving into that, but if the Hans loses, the whole slate of appointees (and Shumer's LD, who is up for a spot) will be blocked by Mitch McConnell.

Also, I wouldn't go the Nazi route with the Hans. His family are Holocaust survivors, according to him. And even though the rest of his testimony before the Senate Rules Committee was full of sh!t, I think even he wouldn't lie about that.

Truth over balance, progress over ideology

by: Oldenburg @ Wed Oct 03, 2007 at 21:01:24 PM CDT

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I don't know if they are or not but... (4.00 / 1)

.....................I would not put anything past this scumbag. After all who's gonna call him on it?

Feinstein?

Reid?

The 'Capitulation Caucus' would fold if Mr. Decider nominated Caligula.....

Peace, Health and Prosperity for Everyone.

by: ACitizen @ Wed Oct 03, 2007 at 21:18:00 PM CDT

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correction (4.00 / 1)

I misheard by source. It is Feingold instead of Feinstein, but still is also Obama as well.

As for Schumer's LD, she is not formally part of the package of FEC appointees up for a vote this time (this round is Republicans I believe), but originally she was to be traded in for the Hans.

So again, Feingold and Obama are keeping the Hans from the floor and there is pressure for them to relent, but give them a call to say thanks. This is one bad dude they are asking for a up or down vote on.

Truth over balance, progress over ideology

by: Oldenburg @ Thu Oct 04, 2007 at 08:27:31 AM CDT

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Thanks for the update... (0.00 / 0)

Peace, Health and Prosperity for Everyone.

by: ACitizen @ Thu Oct 04, 2007 at 17:48:52 PM CDT

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an apology is still in order (0.00 / 0)

Thanks for taking down the offensive remark, but you do still owe an apology for it.

by: laser72 @ Wed Oct 03, 2007 at 21:55:42 PM CDT

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Von Spakovsky? (0.00 / 0)

His parents were NEVER in a 'concentration' camp. His bio says they met as refugees, in 1951, in a Displaced Persons camp, but he's a fucking Junker, a junior fascist fuck.

by: konopelli @ Thu Oct 04, 2007 at 09:05:55 AM CDT

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shameless (0.00 / 0)

Wow, he really is that low to stoop to claiming to be linked to concentration camp survivors.

Yet another reason to can this clown.

Truth over balance, progress over ideology

by: Oldenburg @ Thu Oct 04, 2007 at 10:37:00 AM CDT

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