And The Hits Just Keep Coming
Today's Los Angeles Times contains an article which is frightening in its implications. It now appears that the "Saturday Night Massacre" over at the Department of Justice was just one part of a massive and concerted effort by the GOP to control elections via voter suppression.
The article deals specifically with former US Attorney for Minnesota, Tom Heffelfinger, who served in that position from 1991 until he resigned in 2004 for reasons not connected with the current investigation. Mr. Heffelfinger is described as an award winning "tough Republican prosecutor," so it came as quite a surprise to people who know him that his name appeared on the list of US attorneys targeted for firing. The reason for his inclusion on that infamous list? He actively tried to protect the voting rights of Native Americans in the state.
At a time when GOP activists wanted U.S. attorneys to concentrate on pursuing voter fraud cases, Heffelfinger's office was expressing deep concern about the effect of a state directive that could have the effect of discouraging Indians in Minnesota from casting ballots.
Citing requirements in a new state election law, Republican Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer directed that tribal ID cards could not be used for voter identification by Native Americans living off reservations. Heffelfinger and his staff feared that the ruling could result in discrimination against Indian voters. Many do not have driver's licenses or forms of identification other than the tribes' photo IDs. ...
The issue was politically sensitive because the Indian vote can be pivotal in close elections in Minnesota. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area has one of the largest urban Native American populations in the United States. Its members turn out in relatively large numbers and are predominantly Democratic. ...
"I have come to the conclusion that his expressed concern for Indian voting rights is at least part of the reason that Tom Heffelfinger was placed on the list to be fired," said Joseph D. Rich, former head of the voting section of the Justice Department's civil rights division. Rich, who retired in 2005 after 37 years as a career department lawyer — 24 of them in Republican administrations — was closely involved in the Minnesota ID issue. [Emphasis added]
Mr. Rich has some pretty good evidence for his conclusion:
... Rich says, that he got an Oct. 19, 2004, e-mail from an assistant U.S. attorney in Minnesota named Rob Lewis, informing him about possible voter discrimination against Indians. ...
After reviewing the matter, Rich recommended opening an investigation.
In response, he said, Bradley Schlozman, a political appointee in the department, told Rich "not to do anything without his approval" because of the "special sensitivity of this matter."
Rich responded by suggesting that more information be gathered from voting officials in the Twin Cities area, which includes Minnesota's two most populous counties.
A message came back from another Republican official in the department, Hans von Spakovsky, saying Rich should not contact the county officials but should instead deal only with the secretary of state's office. ...
The orders from Schlozman and Von Spakovsky, who wielded unusual power in the civil rights division, effectively ended any department inquiry, Rich said. [Emphasis added]
This story certainly fits with the rest of the stories that have emerged over the past several months, fits so well that it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the DOJ was used as part of a conspiracy to subvert the voting process. The question then becomes, what is Congress going to do about it?
Calling for a no-confidence vote in Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is not enough, nor is his resignation or impeachment.
Crimes have been committed. Prosecutions are warranted.
The article deals specifically with former US Attorney for Minnesota, Tom Heffelfinger, who served in that position from 1991 until he resigned in 2004 for reasons not connected with the current investigation. Mr. Heffelfinger is described as an award winning "tough Republican prosecutor," so it came as quite a surprise to people who know him that his name appeared on the list of US attorneys targeted for firing. The reason for his inclusion on that infamous list? He actively tried to protect the voting rights of Native Americans in the state.
At a time when GOP activists wanted U.S. attorneys to concentrate on pursuing voter fraud cases, Heffelfinger's office was expressing deep concern about the effect of a state directive that could have the effect of discouraging Indians in Minnesota from casting ballots.
Citing requirements in a new state election law, Republican Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer directed that tribal ID cards could not be used for voter identification by Native Americans living off reservations. Heffelfinger and his staff feared that the ruling could result in discrimination against Indian voters. Many do not have driver's licenses or forms of identification other than the tribes' photo IDs. ...
The issue was politically sensitive because the Indian vote can be pivotal in close elections in Minnesota. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area has one of the largest urban Native American populations in the United States. Its members turn out in relatively large numbers and are predominantly Democratic. ...
"I have come to the conclusion that his expressed concern for Indian voting rights is at least part of the reason that Tom Heffelfinger was placed on the list to be fired," said Joseph D. Rich, former head of the voting section of the Justice Department's civil rights division. Rich, who retired in 2005 after 37 years as a career department lawyer — 24 of them in Republican administrations — was closely involved in the Minnesota ID issue. [Emphasis added]
Mr. Rich has some pretty good evidence for his conclusion:
... Rich says, that he got an Oct. 19, 2004, e-mail from an assistant U.S. attorney in Minnesota named Rob Lewis, informing him about possible voter discrimination against Indians. ...
After reviewing the matter, Rich recommended opening an investigation.
In response, he said, Bradley Schlozman, a political appointee in the department, told Rich "not to do anything without his approval" because of the "special sensitivity of this matter."
Rich responded by suggesting that more information be gathered from voting officials in the Twin Cities area, which includes Minnesota's two most populous counties.
A message came back from another Republican official in the department, Hans von Spakovsky, saying Rich should not contact the county officials but should instead deal only with the secretary of state's office. ...
The orders from Schlozman and Von Spakovsky, who wielded unusual power in the civil rights division, effectively ended any department inquiry, Rich said. [Emphasis added]
This story certainly fits with the rest of the stories that have emerged over the past several months, fits so well that it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the DOJ was used as part of a conspiracy to subvert the voting process. The question then becomes, what is Congress going to do about it?
Calling for a no-confidence vote in Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is not enough, nor is his resignation or impeachment.
Crimes have been committed. Prosecutions are warranted.
Labels: Justice Department, vote suppression
posted by Diane at 3:38 AM
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