The party of Lincoln? “Honest Abe” would NOT be proud.

In the latest example of why most rational people consider the Republicans the party of cheaters, liars, and thugs, a former RNC official is about to be sentenced on telephone harassment charges related to a 2002 election scheme. The scheme involved hiring a telemarketing firm to place hang-up calls to “jam” the phone lines of a Democrat “get out the vote” program in New Hampshire. Here’s a Boston Herald article on the case…

http://news.bostonherald.com/election2004/view.bg?articleid=139653

I hope this is the first of many convictions on Republican election fraud. Because that is what it really is. The Republican party, in typical Rovian style, feels that the best way to win an election is to cheat.

What happened to the old-fashioned concept of offering up the best candidate? Or offering up the best ideas? Has that gone out of style?

Don't the Repubs. realize that when this sort of thing comes to light, it will produce a backlash against their party and their candidates? That voters who were "on the fence" will likely lean Democrat because they don't want a bunch of crooks, tricksters and cheaters in office. Whether that impression is accurate or not, that is the impression that people will have when they see things like this.

This case is one that HAS come to light. What other stunts like this (or worse) have yet to be revealed from previous elections? This type of activity is an affront to everything that our great country was founded upon. Our electoral system MUST be above partisan trickery and manipulation.

The American people will never forgive those who would dare to take away our most basic right, the right to vote for our representatives, through dirty tricks and outright cheating. If the Republicans think otherwise, they’re in for a rude awakening come this November.