Can somebody explain to me or provide a link to an explanation of why Robert Novak isn’t these stories? Did he talk to the grand jury or what? He was the first to publish her identity right?

USATODAY.com – Laura Bush: First lady of comedy?

I saw my in-laws down at the ranch over Easter. We like it down there. George didn’t know much about ranches when we bought the place. Andover and Yale don’t have a real strong ranching program. But I’m proud of George. He’s learned a lot about ranching since that first year when he tried to milk the horse. What’s worse, it was a male horse.

I didn’t even realize he was still around. Everybody should read this: The New York Times > Washington > George F. Kennan Dies at 101; Leading Strategist of Cold War

Although I’m not naive enough to think that voter fraud doesn’t occur, I’d like to go on the record as saying that I believe the outcome was legitimate on Tuesday. However, I am still distressed that there is no paper trail for some of these voting machines. It seems that a redudant electronic and paper trail would help immensely. Here’s a good overview article by the Economist from a couple months ago and another from earlier in the year.

Also, in the intro to Jay Nordlinger’s Impromptus on National Review Online, he writes:

The most disturbing aspect of the morning was the ease with which I voted — and I’m not talking about a laudable ease. I gave my name, gave my address, and that was it. No ID, no nothing. How did they know my name was Jay Nordlinger, and that I lived where I said I lived? True, I had to sign my name under a previous signature of mine — but such things are easy enough to copy. So too, I’m fairly sure I could have written “Mickey Mouse” and waltzed right in.

The whole setup seemed to me an invitation to fraud.

Speaking of which, an informed Michigan source told me they were “passing out provisional ballots like candy,” and, moreover, running them through — counting them as votes, contrary to the rules. This misbehavior was rampant, said my source, amazed and disgusted. I know that I, personally, as a citizen and as a journalist, have been far too ignorant about the mechanics of Election Day. If I had more discipline (and time), I would read John Fund’s Stealing Elections: How Voter Fraud Threatens Our Democracy.

Maybe I will.

(This book he mentions is a partisan hackjob and is paired by Amazon.com with the extremely subtle: If It’s Not Close, They Can’t Cheat: Crushing the Democrats in Every Election and Why Your Life Depends on It by Hugh Hewitt. Hopefully, there are some more even-handed takes on election techonology out there. If anybody knows of any, let me know.

even though all the news organizations are too scared to admit it. Congratulations to him. I wonder when the Democratic party will learn how to campaign effectively. It’s pretty sad how inept they are and how few people actually vote. I’m already wondering who the nominees in 2008 will be. Keep on rockin’ in the free world.

Well, today I voted for Kerry and it went very smoothly. The wait was about 5 minutes which was fine with me. In a state of 700,000 I guess the lines shouldn’t be too long. It will certainly be interesting to watch the results come in tonight. Hopefully we’ll know who the winner is before tomorrow morning. Peace.

Let’s hope none of these scenarios actually occur: Florida 2000: The Sequel – Five ways the election could end up in court, again. By Richard L. Hasen: “jurisprudence The law, lawyers, and the court.

One dude in the Fray posted the following. Can you imagine if Bush was re-elected and Kerry was his Veep? Man, oh man.

“If the electoral college ties 269-269, or if one state simply cannot decide who it elected, then the twelfth amendment sends the election of President to the House voting in state caucuses, where Bush wins. The vice president to the newly elected Senate. There may be 51 or more Democratic senators after this election (especially if Jeffords votes with the democrats). If Bush is going to be President, who do the Democrats choose for vice?

(a) Cheney, since the President should have his choice in the position.

(b) Edwards, since he got half the votes for Vice President.

(c) Kerry, since he got half the votes for President

(d) Some compromise candidate, perhaps McCain

For a bunch of Senators, this will be their very first vote. Some of the Democratic Senators will come from Bush-voting states. interesting . . .”

–historyguy