Slow-Rolling Democracy in Ohio - Blackwell is "foot-dragging" [View All]

From: consortiumnews.com

Slow-Rolling Democracy in Ohio
By Robert Parry
December 4, 2004

-snip-
George W. Bush’s political allies appear to be slow-rolling a
requested recount in Ohio, leaving so little time that even if
widespread voting fraud is discovered, the finding will come too
late to derail Bush’s second term.

Though balloting occurred on Nov. 2, more than a month ago, Ohio’s
Republican Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell still hasn’t
certified an official vote, a move now expected on Monday, Dec. 6.
Since Blackwell also has battled requests from third-party
candidates for an expedited recount, a review of Ohio’s vote now
won’t begin until Dec. 13, at the earliest, according to Blackwell’s
office.

But the Dec. 13 date is the same day the electors of the Electoral
College meet to formally select the President of the United States.
So even if the recount uncovers enough fraud to reveal John Kerry as
the rightful winner in Ohio, it would be too late to change that
outcome.

Meanwhile, as Ohio’s official foot-dragging has gone on, Bush’s
election-night lead has continued to shrink with the counting of
overseas and provisional ballots.

-snip-
Now, with Team Bush running out the clock in Ohio, one has to wonder
what contortions the mainstream news media would put itself through
if a belated recount – after Bush’s election is formalized – shows
that Kerry should have won Ohio and thus the White House.

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2004/120404.html