Think Progress

Congressional Campaign Behind Letter Telling Immigrants They Will Be Deported If They Vote

maldefletter1.gif Approximately 14,000 Hispanic Democratic voters in Orange County, CA recently received a Spanish-language letter warning them to stay away from the polls:

Be advised that if your residence in the United States is illegal or if you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that can result in incarceration, and possible deportation for voting without the right to do so. …

Not like in Mexico, here there is no benefit to voting. In the United States there is no registration card to vote. Therefore, it is useless and dangerous to vote in any election if you are not a citizen of the United States.

Do not pay attention to a politician who may try to tell you otherwise. They only care about their own interests.

This letter is a deceptive ploy to suppress Hispanic voter turn-out. Immigrants who are naturalized U.S. citizens can legally vote. The letter has now been traced back to the campaign of Tan D. Nguyen, a Republican challenger to Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA).

Twenty-two organizations have written to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales requesting an investigation into the Orange County voter suppression. California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson has ordered an investigation into the mailing, which may have violated the Voting Rights Act. Read House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) statement HERE.

UPDATE: MSNBC Breaking News is reporting that “Calif. GOP leaders want candidate to drop out after threat to Hispanic voters.”

Digg it!



144 Responses to “Congressional Campaign Behind Letter Telling Immigrants They Will Be Deported If They Vote”

  1. Mack+MacKenzie says:

    can you say “desperate”?

    BushCo = LIARS


  2. Badmoodman says:

    I’m sure sock puppet A.G. Gonzalez will be happy to initiate a cursory investigation . . . after the November elections of course.


  3. ForTruth says:

    Yeah, really, wtf will Gonzalez do about it.


  4. Roger_Roger says:

    THis letter was very wrong and I am assuming illegal. It is important however to make sure we arrest anyone trying to vote that is an illegal. They should revise the letter and resend it simply stating that anyone who is illegal was be arrested and put in federal jail if they even try it.


  5. gmnotyet says:

    First Blacks, now Hispanics.

    The GOP really does practice equal opportunity, in their bigotry.


  6. RUCerious says:

    More Rovian stench…


  7. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) says:

    Outrageous!! Somebody’s got to pay for this – by immediately correctly informing those individuals of their voting rights, hefty fines, removal from the ballot, jail.


  8. Ben says:

    Damn, interfering with our non citizen votes.

    ROTFL!!!…

    and CRAZY LIBERALS!!!


  9. Karim says:

    You can smell the desparation from the Grand old Predators.


  10. Republicans are the fear and smear party says:

    #4… A letter like that should not be mailed out at all, especially from a Republican campaign office. It should not be revised and re-sent. It is just a letter of intimidation. What do threats and intimidation have to do with a Republican campaign?


  11. RUCerious says:

    I must agree with Roger. We need to have hundreds of law enforcement officers posted at each polling place. Each voter must be strip searched to see if any incriminating evidence can be obtained. All those voting by mail must be brought in for questioning.
    All voters must be presumed guilty unless they can prove otherwise.
    How dare they try to evade the long arm of the law?


  12. Republicans are the fear and smear party says:

    #9…this letter was adressed to many legal voters and it is a federal and state crime to threaten or intimidate voters.

    But of course you wouldn’t understand that because you’re a CRAZY NEOCON!!

    ROTFL!!!!


  13. RUCerious says:

    Now if there were a way to know exactly who is and is not eligible to vote, and their addresses were verifiable, no problem sending a letter reminding the ineligible not to vote. Buy why would a candidate be sending that?
    To send it out without that discernment is a Rovian, illegal dirty trick.
    Oh, by the way, Rove is a dirty trick, just ask Jeff.


  14. Squidbilly says:

    Sounds like a Karl Rove imitator tactic. Except they got caught before the elections.

    Awwww…………


  15. Gp says:

    Sick lying bastards.


  16. yangho says:

    Not like in Mexico, here there is no benefit to voting

    Bingo! hey Mexican-American no benefit to voting only trouble.


  17. Happy+Guy says:

    Maybe it will turn out to be as real as the Dan Rather letters. DemocRats love to pull this crap right before an election. They hope it can’t be cleared up before the election. Even if it is proven false the liberal media won’t tell you is is false as loud as they shout when they fist make it up.


  18. Minuteman America says:

    Are you fools actually criticizing this letter, which points out that is illegal for NON-CITIZENS to vote in our elections? How can you support illegal aliens and non-citizens voting in our election? This is craziness!


  19. RUCerious says:

    btrue – Yup. I was trying to point out the bizarre irony of Ben and Roger’s pathetic twerping.


  20. Bruce+Gorton says:

    Roger_Roger

    Illegal aliens are well aware of the fact that they can’t vote. If you are an illegal immigrant the voting booth is the last place you want to be.

    Aside from that: These letters were being sent to naturalized U.S. citizens, who happened to be Hispanic (you know, the guys who registered to vote, thus giving their adresses to the mailing list.) It was a contemptable, and highly racist move intended to intimidate voters.


  21. SpudgeBoy says:

    Right in my home town area. The republican bastion in California. The OC.

    BTW: My mom the republican who was turned off by the Foley incedent will really be pissed when she finds out that her party is dissing all of her Latino friends. I don’t think my republican dad will care about this, but he was also turned off by the Foley scandal. Of course my Latino girlfriend will make sure that her Latino mother who works on all of the Latino political committees in OC and make sure that the Latinos know what is really going on.


  22. RUCerious says:

    SecondMan Amurika
    We aren’t criticizing the LETTER, but sending such a communication is INTIMIDATION. That’s against the law. Perhaps you’d like to revert back to the good old days when blacks were strung up for attempting to fight back against that intimidation.?


  23. Jay Randal says:

    Karl Rove has his fingerprints all over that letter > shame on him!


  24. Caught+and+fired says:

    Don’t be surprised when we learn another Bush thug did this.


  25. Ben says:

    That’s right Minuteman. No requirement for ID either. How do you expect us to be able to cheat?

    Comeon you know the drill. Any measures to remove voter fraud are met with accusations of fraud and racism and intimidation and and and……Hey , we got it down pat.

    Don’t you know we need to make up the extra votes for people who say they are going to vote but they did not realize that their moms needed them to come over and help them fix the dryer. Stuff like that.

    What are you ignorant?


  26. Minuteman+America says:

    #26-

    Intimidation? You mean like when the ACLU and Democrats threaten to sue every time they lose an election? This isn’t intimidation. This is a letter telling non-citizens to stay away from the polls and not pollute our election. Sending the letter to Hispanic citizens, many of whom are harboring, supporting, and encouraging illegal aliens to subvert our laws and sap the American welfare, heathcare, and educational systems, is simply an efficient way to get the word out.


  27. SpudgeBoy says:

    Are you fools actually criticizing this letter, which points out that is illegal for NON-CITIZENS to vote in our elections? How can you support illegal aliens and non-citizens voting in our election? This is craziness!

    Comment by Minuteman America — October 19, 2006 @ 2:28 pm

    Nobody is supporting illegal aliens to vote moron.


  28. Ben says:

    Hey Jay R just like Rove was on the Plame deal…wrong again dumbass.


  29. bobcat_grad says:

    Are you fools actually criticizing this letter, which points out that is illegal for NON-CITIZENS to vote in our elections? How can you support illegal aliens and non-citizens voting in our election? This is craziness!

    Comment by Minuteman America — October 19, 2006 @ 2:28 pm

    Read it again. It says “if your residence in the United States is illegal or if you are an immigrant” you can be arrested and deported.

    Now, for all of those in the first group, residents here illegally, yes, that punishment is possible and should be enforced.

    For the other group, just plain immigrants, it’s voter intimidation. This letter, that was sent to legal, naturalized immigrants who are full fledged citizens of the United States of America with all of the rights that that entails, tells them they could suffer the same fate as those here illegally.

    That’s the issue.


  30. ccoaler says:

    Operation Together Forward
    Caldwell says insurgents try to usurp US midterm elections

    btw the way can u be deported for sayin together forward instead of forward together?

    http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/10/19/baghdad.operation/index.html

    I think mr.caldwell should mention that north korea also tries to influence us mid term elections thru nukes. They try to support gwb as communists. I think its unfair just to mention the bitterly invovled Iraqis.
    Furthermore mr.caldwell should reread ngis. It is a detached situation in which no incidents can occur that have the ability to influence exterior vectors.Mr Caldwell can use these designed usurpist counter force efforts to enact further deceissive means as torture or manslaughter or overkill to guarantee thru ngis that the situation is even more detached, singular, special, exceptionary than before. I think Mr Caldwell tries to usurp the empire.


  31. Ben says:

    Yeah you are Fudgeboy. You know that is exactly what your doing and because of your natural dishonesty you’re not ashamed of it either.


  32. Minuteman+America says:

    #31-

    Of course you are! Why else would you care about this letter? Obviously, the intent of the letter is to stop voter fraud. What is the deal?


  33. Gregor Samsa says:

    This is a letter telling non-citizens to stay away from the polls and not pollute our election.
    Comment by Minuteman+America — October 19, 2006 @ 2:39 pm

    The letter was sent to Democratic voters who happen to be Hispanic. It was not sent to non-citizens.

    Sending the letter to Hispanic citizens, many of whom are harboring, supporting, and encouraging illegal aliens [...]

    How do you know the recipients of the letters are harboring illegal aliens? Or did you just make that up?

    Wait -I think what you are saying is that you want to racially profile Hispanics and assume they’re all breaking the law. Am I correct?


  34. bobcat_grad says:

    Sending the letter to Hispanic citizens, many of whom are harboring, supporting, and encouraging illegal aliens to subvert our laws and sap the American welfare, heathcare, and educational systems, is simply an efficient way to get the word out.

    And requiring driver’s licenses to vote is simply an efficient way to keep people without driver’s licenses to vote. You know, all of those icky inner-city people who would probably vote Democratic.


  35. Jay Randal says:

    LOL Ben you are the dumbass > Rove was the guy who outed Valerie Plame-Wilson > they just had another person take the fall for it! Karl Rove is known to write putrid letters like this one!


  36. Gregor Samsa says:

    Any measures to remove voter fraud are met with accusations of fraud and racism and intimidation and and and……
    Comment by Ben — October 19, 2006 @ 2:39 pm

    And intimidating US citizens into thinking that simply because they are Hispanic immigrants they are not allowed to vote, is voter suppresion -which is a form of fraud.

    Is this too difficult for you to understand?


  37. Minuteman+America says:

    #33-

    Obviously, the letter is poorly written. Hell, it could be a TYPO. For all we know, the writer could have mean’t “if you are an immigrant, but you have yet to gain your naturalized citizenship.” That is way I would have wrote it. Just make sure you read between the lines. The intent of the letter is obviously to stop illegal immigrants from voting. Could it have been written better? Yes. But don’t let the poor writing get in the way of the message.


  38. Gregor Samsa says:

    Why else would you care about this letter?
    Comment by Minuteman+America — October 19, 2006 @ 2:43 pm

    Because it was sent to US citizens.

    Obviously, the intent of the letter is to stop voter fraud. What is the deal?

    Obviously the intent of the letter is to discourage the Hispanic vote. That is the deal.


  39. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) says:

    Minuteman America

    “14,000 Hispanic Democratic voters” – not Republican, not illegals, not non-citizens. If this wasn’t an intimidation directed at Democratic voters, why wasn’t it suggested that the state’s attorney general (if that’s who is in charge of elections, like here in Ohio) send the letter to ALL Hispanics, or better all voters.

    And shut up about the ACLU already – this organization has taken on Republicans as clients as well.

    Finally, Democrats haven’t threatened to sue every time they lose an election. Your histrionic hyperbole is nonsense.


  40. bobcat_grad says:

    Minuteman+America:

    Please directly address my post in #33. As well as Gregor Samsa’s in #37.

    And to address you point:

    Obviously, the intent of the letter is to stop voter fraud. What is the deal?

    The intent of the letter was not to stop voter fraud. The intent was to keep naturalized, legal, Hispanic voters from voting under the guise of warning illegal residents that they can’t vote.


  41. Minuteman+America says:

    #38-

    Dude. Please. It isn’t hard to get a drivers license or official government ID if you are a citizen. That excuse by you libs is getting old. If a person is so irresponsible that they cannot obtain some sort of ID, then they shouldn’t be voting in the first place.


  42. Ben says:

    Jay..son are you just stupid? Where have you been? on crack?


  43. Gregor Samsa says:

    But don’t let the poor writing get in the way of the message.
    Comment by Minuteman+America — October 19, 2006 @ 2:47 pm

    Well, this excuse is even weaker.

    Are you trying to have us believe a letter dealing with the important issue of vote fraud -important enough to send at least 14,000 copies- would not be reviewed many times before being sent?

    So you are saying they are simply incompetent.


  44. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) says:

    You know that is exactly what your doing and because of your natural dishonesty you’re not ashamed of it either.

    Comment by Ben

    If that’s true, then Spudgeboy would have admitted it!


  45. Minuteman+America says:

    #41-

    Dude, if somebody is so stupid as to not understand the message of this letter, then they shouldn’t be allowed to vote either. I just had my 11 year old son read the letter, he understood perfectly what the meaning was. Get real!


  46. big papa says:

    Damn!

    Is it my imagination or…

    ..are those Vietnamese politicos…

    …like the one who advised Bushiva on torture…

    …and the other one who clerked for Scumlia…

    …some hardcore al Cracker wannabes?


  47. Ben says:

    PLC…FU…The ACLU used to be a good organization but no longer. The average parent understands that all to clearly.

    Bobcatboy….you claim you know the intent but you don’t know…just more dishonesty right here at good ole TP.


  48. RUCerious says:

    Gotta Love Benny Haha and the MinuteMaidMan.
    Supporting intimidation and ethnic profiling as valid political expression.
    Rove is behind ya guys, or maybe Rove is wishing he was behind you?


  49. Jay Randal says:

    LOL Ben > ask the Bush twins where to buy some crack > you are the dummy boy on here > only certified morons defend GOP!


  50. BillJ-MN says:

    If I were a non-citizen, voting would be among the last things I would consider doing. It would raise my chances of being caught and deported significantly while providing me almost no benefit. The number of non-citizens who would even attempt to vote is very close to zero. High risk act for little gain.

    If I were a candidate for office I would be aware of the unlikelihood of actually accumulating a significant number of non-citizen votes. I would put that together with the obvious risk of legal and political consequences of even being perceived as trying to appeal to non-citizens as voters. No candidate would take that chance. High risk act for little gain.

    Only idiots seriously believe there’s any significant effort to win non-citizen votes.


  51. bobcat_grad says:

    Obviously, the letter is poorly written.

    How exactly is it obvious? Obvious is defined as: easily seen, recognized, or understood; open to view or knowledge.

    Your opinion does not make it obvious.

    Hell, it could be a TYPO.

    I disagree. I think it was probably very intentionally worded the way it is.

    For all we know, the writer could have mean’t “if you are an immigrant, but you have yet to gain your naturalized citizenship.”

    But it doesn’t. Does it?

    If a murder used the line, “well, I didn’t mean to kill that person,” would you let them off?

    That is way I would have wrote it. Just make sure you read between the lines. The intent of the letter is obviously to stop illegal immigrants from voting.

    There you go, dubbing everything ‘obvious’ again.

    Could it have been written better? Yes. But don’t let the poor writing get in the way of the message.

    On the contrary, I believe their intended message is coming through loud and clear: don’t vote if you’re Hispanic, you might get deported.


  52. RUCerious says:

    Gotta wonder if MinuteMaidMan is grooming his 11 year old to be a page…?


  53. SpudgeBoy says:

    Hey Jay R just like Rove was on the Plame deal…wrong again dumbass.

    Comment by Ben — October 19, 2006 @ 2:40 pm

    Hey Benis,

    You do know that the investigation is not over yet, right? But why would you let things like facts get in the way.


  54. Luis Abreu says:

    I suspect that this letter was originally written in English and then translated into Spanish by a person who does not know Spanish very well. The letter in Spanish has a style is awkward and stilted and contains many spelling mistakes. It is nevertheless very threatening.


  55. bobcat_grad says:

    Dude. Please. It isn’t hard to get a drivers license or official government ID if you are a citizen. That excuse by you libs is getting old. If a person is so irresponsible that they cannot obtain some sort of ID, then they shouldn’t be voting in the first place.

    Comment by Minuteman+America — October 19, 2006 @ 2:51 pm

    It’s not an issue of it’s hard or not, it’s an issue of who will have a license come election day, then the following happens:

    1. Republicans pass the law.
    2. The average citizen doesn’t know about the law.
    3. They show up on election day and are told they need a license. But they don’t have one.
    4. They don’t vote.


  56. klyde says:

    #9…this letter was adressed to many legal voters and it is a federal and state crime to threaten or intimidate voters.
    But of course you wouldn’t understand that because you’re a CRAZYNEOCON!!
    ROTFL!!!!
    Comment by Republicans are the fear and smear party

    I hate to disagree with you but this fool at #9 is not by the classic definition a neo-con. He is one of the insane right who worship at the alter of bush, that 30% or so of the population who are submissive and frightened and love the idea of the strong man who will protect them. From what they don’t know. Neo-cons are the smart guys who use that 30% and then laugh at them behind their backs


  57. Gregor Samsa says:

    if somebody is so stupid as to not understand the message of this letter, then they shouldn’t be allowed to vote either.
    Comment by Minuteman+America — October 19, 2006 @ 2:53 pm

    And assuming -like you did- that all Hispanics who are US citizens harbor illegal aliens is beyond the pale.

    Should you approach this subject with honesty, you’d have to recognise there was no point in sending any such letter to US citizens -regardless of their ethnic background.

    But the assumption of the senders -just like yours- is that Hispanic voters are by definition aliens. Illegal aliens, to boot.

    I just had my 11 year old son read the letter, he understood perfectly what the meaning was.

    Reading your rants, I think he had some coaching and that he will up to be a bigot, just like you.


  58. Bruce+Gorton says:

    Funny, most americans feel that way about the REPUBLICAN PARTY!!

    It USED to be a good organization – but NO LONGER!!!

    When was it a good party?


  59. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) says:

    Here in Ohio, a law requiring an ID to vote was enacted and this is the first election it is in effect. I live in a very Republican district. How would it be if I sent the following letter to a few hundred elderly Republican voters in my district?:

    Be advised that to vote in Ohio you must show a driver’s license or other form of state approved identification. If you don’t, you will not be allowed to vote. So if you don’t have a driver’s license or other approved identification, don’t try to vote.

    Do not pay attention to a politician who may try to tell you otherwise. They only care about their own interests.


  60. Happy+Guy says:

    Why do DummyRats always need the votes of people who are illegal in the country and criminals? Didn’t they get the vote for felons?

    Hmmm, what is your votes base…..Losers!


  61. Republicans are the fear and smear party says:

    Since Republicans have a history of threatening, intimidating, and suppressing minority votes, it’s obvious that the intent was to threaten, intimidate, and suppress minority votes.


  62. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) says:

    This is the way I meant to have the “letter” print (important).

    Be advised that to vote in Ohio you must show a driver’s license or other form of state approved identification. If you don’t, you will not be allowed to vote. So if you don’t have a driver’s license or other approved identification, don’t try to vote.

    Do not pay attention to a politician who may try to tell you otherwise. They only care about their own interests.


  63. bobcat_grad says:

    #71 -

    You nailed it. Perfectly stated.

    Where in Ohio? I’m just outside Franklin county, in Fairfield. I’m extremely encouraged by the large number of Strickland and Sherrod Brown signs and stickers I see here. Very few Blackwell or Dewine.


  64. Brendan says:

    MinutemanAmerica:

    You’re right, it could be a typo, but you also have to remember that this thing was funded by a republican candidate and was directed at democrat-voting Hispanics. Now I think we can agree that almost all politicians use dirty tactics. Democrats are no exception, it’s just that they do it less. The truth is that it may be a typo, but due to the circumstances it’s likely to be meant for intimidation.

    Even if it was a typo, there’s already damage done. Legal immigrants with full citizen status could now be afraid to go to theirm local polling place. That’s really the issue here.


  65. SpudgeBoy says:

    Why do DummyRats always need the votes of people who are illegal in the country and criminals? Didn’t they get the vote for felons?

    Hmmm, what is your votes base…..Losers!

    Comment by Happy+Guy — October 19, 2006 @ 3:06 pm

    Why do republotards like HappyDumbGuy think it is clever to change the name of something to try and make it derogetory? My 11 year old stopped doing that years ago.


  66. bobcat_grad says:

    Happy+Guy:

    Brilliant tatic to state your view: childish name calling, guilt be association, and direct insults.

    So much better than succintly stating your view points in a concise, controlled, and mature matter.


  67. Gregor Samsa says:

    Why do DummyRats always need the votes of people who are illegal in the country and criminals?
    Comment by Happy+Guy — October 19, 2006 @ 3:06 pm

    Let’s try this one more time: The letters were sent to US citizens who happen to be of Hispanic origin. US law guarantees the right to vote to all citizens, regarless of ethnic origin.

    That you should think Hispanics are by definition illegal aliens and/or criminals is exactly why the letters were sent in the first place: They were written, and mailed by bigots like you.


  68. Republicans are the fear and smear party says:

    #79…thank you for your post. If everyone explains it enough times they might get it through their thick skulls.


  69. barfly says:

    They should revise the letter and resend it simply stating that anyone who is illegal was be arrested and put in federal jail if they even try it.
    Comment by Roger_Roger

    And send it to the Vietnamese neighborhoods as well. And the Laotian and Thai neighborhoods, the Iranian neighborhoods, and especially the Iraqi neighborhoods!


  70. Wilco says:

    In Ohio, you need an approved ID with your CURRENT address. A lot of people will be turned away from the polls this year.


  71. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) says:

    bobcat grad (OU, I presume)

    Your neighbor in Licking County. I agree on Strickland and Brown, unless Blackwell’s group has some successful dirty tricks. They’ve already tried smearing Strickland as “gay”, refusing to condemn pedophilia, and not having a legal residence listed. Desperate tactics for a desperate campaign.

    I had the privilege of being in a group of about 5 or 6 people who talked with Strickland for about a half hour two years ago when he was considering running. I’ve also heard him speak to a group of psychologists (as I am). He is passionate, articulate, and impressive.


  72. Fredric L. Rice says:

    What’s ironic is that a white supremacist hate cult is goiven the final word in the original AP article. The “California Coalition for Immigration Reform,” as they’re calling themselves this time around, is probably ranked among the top 20 hate cults operating in California, in my opinion.

    What’s also ironic is that the Republican whose office committed these felonies is himself an immigrant.

    My opinions only and only my opinions.


  73. Gregor Samsa says:

    And send it to the Vietnamese neighborhoods as well. And the Laotian and Thai neighborhoods[...]
    Comment by barfly — October 19, 2006 @ 3:24 pm

    Realistically speaking, the letter should be sent to all kinds of neighborhoods, if the real goal is to raise awareness on vote fraud.

    Why, even a sate-sponsored campaign would be good, if the actual intention were to educate the public. But there wasn’t such thing. It was a scare tactic, courtesy of the Party of (in)Moral Values and Personal (ir)Responsibility.


  74. Happy+Guy says:

    We shall see loser. ROTFL, ROTFL, besides it is true. DummyRats want illegal aliens and convicted felons to vote. That is a fact!

    This article even states they are not sure who sent it but this website twisted the facts to say “Congressional Campaign Behind Letter

    They do not know yet but you people jump to conclusions. Just like Dan Rather it will probably be a DummyRat trick that backfires.

    You CRAZY COMMIES are so funny ROTFL, ROTFL


  75. bobcat_grad says:

    PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC):

    Yes, I’m an OU grad, class of ‘99. I became familiar with Strickland while in Athens, and as my interest in politics has grown tremendously since I graduated, I was thrilled when Strickland ran. Knowing Blackwell and his role in the 2004 Presidential election, I’m hoping Strickland maintains his double digit lead in the polls, making the election tamper proof.

    If Strickland goes into election day up 56% to Blackwell’s 38% and loses, I will officially give up on democracy in this country.


  76. Maria says:

    Yes. But don’t let the poor writing get in the way of the message.

    Comment by Minuteman+America — October 19, 2006 @ 2:47 pm

    oh minuteman–did your son read the Spanish version? because if he did, then he would really get it. Take it from me, a 16th Generation New Mexican, the letter is a voter suppression tactic.

    If you can read Spanish, which is not translated directly from English and has nuances that change meanings, you might get it. But I take it you don’t know any other language than English, therefore I take it you don’t understand the letter. the English translation is correct but the nuances of the Spanish language are not and that changes the context of the letter. Emigrado=immigrant (even naturalized citizens). I am a citizen who can read, speak and write both languages, I read the Spanish version and came to the same conclusion. I sent it to my father, who has a masters in Spanish. He said the same thing.

    I love my state, we have a voter ID card, we have a paper trail and we have a DEM GOV that may become our next president. We also print those ballots up in English, Spanish, and Dine (Navajo). Ain’t it great!! I love my state that gives me the right to have anything in Spanish, it’s written as a right into our constitution. Wow, we’ve only been a state since 1912 but we are way more progressive than others.


  77. g says:

    The republicans really like to pass blame.

    in the article he says “I did not do this. I did not approve of any letter,”

    sounds like:
    rumsfeild and abu ghiraib
    hastert and the foley cover up
    delay and funneling money
    and on and on


  78. Willy says:

    California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson has ordered an investigation into the mailing, which may have violated the Voting Rights Act.

    I don’t believe “may have” is correct in the above statement. It’s my opinion that there’s no doubt this is an egregious violation of the Voting Rights Act. I hope Bruce McPherson won’t cop out on persecuting the perpetrators of this illegal act to the full extent of the law.


  79. Willy says:

    Re: #94

    “persecuting” should be “prosecuting”


  80. ForTruth says:

    I love my state, we have a voter ID card, we have a paper trail and we have a DEM GOV that may become our next president. We also print those ballots up in English, Spanish, and Dine (Navajo). Ain’t it great!! I love my state that gives me the right to have anything in Spanish, it’s written as a right into our constitution. Wow, we’ve only been a state since 1912 but we are way more progressive than others.

    Comment by Maria

    Oh crap, you are talking about Arizona. I have lived in AZ since 1976, Yes the Governor is great. Yes we don’t have Diebold. But other than that, AZ is so far behind in so many things, last in education, dumbest state, almost last in public mental health funding, right to work state, the legislature is full of good ol’ boys, and many more. Are you sure you love it so much?


  81. And+You+Thought+REAGAN+Was+Stupid says:

    Roger_Roger: Isn’t that true of any criminal offense? I don’t think we need to send letters to every household stating that robbery is illegal and, if you do it, you will be put in jail.


  82. WaltTheMan says:

    #70 – Bruce+Gorton,
    From 1952 through 1960, the Republican Party was not too bad. Ike was a no-nonsense leader who kept his mind to the very end. He was also the last President, til Clinton, to actually have a fiscal year that contained a surplus. One of his legacies is the interstate highway system.


  83. And+You+Thought+REAGAN+Was+Stupid says:

    Minuteman: you are a moron. This LETTER doesn’t make it illegal or legal. That fact that some of us don’t support intimidation of voters doesn’t mean we support illegal acts. Moron.


  84. And+You+Thought+REAGAN+Was+Stupid says:

    #48: how about a poll tax? is that a good idea too?



  85. Ben says:

    Dow closes over 12,000…what a crappy economy!!

    ROTFL!!! and

    CRAZY Liberals!!


  86. And+You+Thought+REAGAN+Was+Stupid says:

    Republicans want to reinstate the poll tax.


  87. Ben says:

    In Ohio, you need an approved ID with your CURRENT address. A lot of people will be turned away from the polls this year.

    Comment by Wilco — October 19, 2006 @ 3:27 pm

    You know voting is important. Maybe people should treat as such.


  88. Maria says:

    for Truth: I am in NM with Governor Bill Richardson. I like AZ too, but I love my state, New Mexico

    You know our Constitution in NM is written in both English and Spanish. They kept the rights of those of us whose families settled the southwest in the 1600’s. My own family has been here since 1603 but to this day, some don’t speak English, at all. Yet they are just as American as you. Hell their great great grandmothers were born in NM.


  89. Maria says:

    for truth: did you know Janet Napolitano graduated high school in ABQ, NM?.


  90. Ben says:

    unbelievablystupid and her rants….well a lot of teachers like yourself are deserving of the mockery but not over discussing evolution but the complete deficiency in education that you have bestowed on the public education system.


  91. unbelievable says:

    Wow, we’ve only been a state since 1912 but we are way more progressive than others.
    Comment by Maria — October 19, 2006 @ 3:45 pm

    I spent some time in New Mexico last year when I was moving cross-country. I fell in love with Santa Fe. The people seemed very friendly and happier than their neighbors in Arizona. Now I know why. You’re right – it is a great state.


  92. The Juice says:

    You Republican trolls need to tell the management not to lean too hard on the Hispanic voters….after all they are projected to be the majority in this country in the next 50 years or so. You may need a few of their votes some day.

    Here’s my advice. Stay home, watch more Fox News, keep listening to Rush and wait for the Armageddon which should be arriving shortly. In fact, don’t leave the house until at least November 8th.

    I feel sorry for you guys. It’s the same ol’ tricks on the same ol’ hicks.


  93. ForTruth says:

    Sorry Maria,

    I was close. Yes I like NM. Kinda sluggish economically, but a nice place.

    No I did not know Gov. Napolitano graduated from HS in ABQ. Cool.

    Very good Maria, thank you.


  94. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) says:

    In Ohio, you need an approved ID with your CURRENT address. A lot of people will be turned away from the polls this year. Comment by Wilco

    As an Ohioan, this bothers me. My wife’s and my driver’s licenses do not list our home address, for security purposes. So, despite the fact that poll workers are our neighbors who know where we live, we will have to spend time to find acceptable alternatives. As if it is the individual voters who are the primary source of voter fraud!


  95. Republicans are the fear and smear party says:

    #108…Any deficiency in public education is because of the underfunding bestowed on schools. Stop blaming teachers, moron. You seem like you are severely brain-damaged. Can’t you say anything that makes any sense?


  96. unbelievable says:

    Dow closes over 12,000…what a crappy economy!!
    Comment by Ben — October 19, 2006 @ 4:00 pm

    The stockmarket is NOT the economy. It’s an indicator of how rich people’s money is doing…


  97. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) says:

    Ben

    A School Citizenship Proficiency Test question for you: what is the leading factor determining a student’s success in school?


  98. Wilco says:

    You know voting is important. Maybe people should treat as such.

    Comment by Ben

    So important it should be made as difficult as possible? I’m not sure what point you’re getting at. When voting is a right of every US citizen (not convicted of a felony), how is restricting access important? Shouldn’t voting be as easy as possible? Shouldn’t access to polls be so, too? Voting is THE most important issue in a democracy.
    My brother just moved back to Ohio from New York and still has his New York drivers license. But that’s not good enough, to have an ID that matches his name to that on the register. What if a registered voter doesn’t have an approved ID with their current address on it?
    Voting is a right, not a privilege.


  99. bobcat_grad says:

    Dow closes over 12,000…what a crappy economy!!

    Comment by Ben — October 19, 2006 @ 4:00 pm

    It’s great if you’re already rich. I’m guessing outside of the the top 10% income earning households, stock ownership is low.

    The gap between rich and poor is widening, Ben.


  100. Wilco says:

    And while 12,000 is definitely good, if you factor in inflation, it’s still well off the record set under the Clinton admin.


  101. bobcat_grad says:

    Also, Ben, about the economy, this took me all of 10 seconds to find… currently on CNN’s front page:

    “The economy continues to weaken. But everyone is convinced the Federal Reserve will be able to engineer a soft landing,” said the president of one brokerage.


  102. Maria says:

    When voting is a right of every US citizen (not convicted of a felony)

    Did you all know that in NM persons convicted of felonies and have served their time, (meaning they are not in the pen or on parole) have their right to vote automatically restored? I told you all we were progressive. This happened in the last few years, but it’s law in NM–felons who’ve done their time can vote.


  103. unbelievable says:

    unbelievablystupid and her rants….

    Are you Minute Man’s 11 year old son? You sound like it.

    well a lot of teachers like yourself are deserving of the mockery

    My students don’t mock me. I respect them and therefore they respect me in return. Unlike you authoritarian and patronizing control freaks with very small genitals, I know how to treat my students.

    but the complete deficiency in education that you have bestowed on the public education system.
    Comment by Ben — October 19, 2006 @ 4:05 pm

    You’re blaming me for something I just started doing last year? Irrational nonsense from you as usual, Ben…

    I actually got into the system to help fix it. I’ve kept two of my students from dropping out this year, so far. My other students frequently tell me how much they like my class because I teach them things about the real world, and make my class relevant. I’m not condescending or patronizing like you radical righties, and in return, they are good to me and I have no behavior issues.



  104. Fredric+L.+Rice says:

    #12: Give these Repoublinazis the chance and they’ll stop anyone with brown skin at the polls. In Republinazi Christianity, anyone with brown skin is an “enemy combatant.”


  105. unbelievable says:

    Any deficiency in public education is because of the underfunding bestowed on schools.
    Comment by Republicans are the fear and smear party — October 19, 2006 @ 4:14 pm

    Just think what the $800 billion spend on the destruction of Iraq could have bought us in terms of education.

    Yesterday, I took my students on a field trip to look at buildings in downtown Atlanta. On the way home, someone mentioned taking a field trip somewhere like Washington DC or San Francisco or New York. I told them that in Germany, they are required to travle as part of their education.

    This summer. I’ll be taking some of them on a trip to Europe. It’ll be the first time most of them have left the country.

    No wonder we rank 7th in terms of education – compared to the rest of the world.


  106. Wilco says:

    No wonder we rank 7th in terms of education – compared to the rest of the world.
    Too many students can’t even find the rest of the world.


  107. unbelievable says:

    Also, No Child Left Behind is ruining school systems… Because it is forcing teachers to teach irrelevent trivia instead of useless problem-solving skills…


  108. DS says:

    A second letter should immediately be sent out to all recipients clarifying the truth. It should NOT be sent by that campaign, but they should be required to pay for it.

    The state shouldn’t wait for the campaign to pony up the bucks. They should do it now — with enough time still left before election day — and make the campaign pay for all of the costs.

    I’m sick of Republicans doing this crap and getting hit with a $100 fine months after the fact. The letter should be corrected NOW and the fine should be the cost of doing so plus any punitive damages. They do this because they get the message they want out and afterward it costs them almost nothing in fines.

    Actually, I think the candidate should be disqualified from the race for this type of illegal move, but that probably goes against election laws.


  109. Wilco says:

  110. SpudgeBoy says:

    Dow closes over 12,000…what a crappy economy!!

    Wow, Benis told the truth twice in one sentence. I am so proud of you Benis. You are correct. the Dow closed over 12,000 and the economy is crap. Thanks for finally telling the truth. I thought you were becoming one of those walking dead republican zombies. But, we know you are smarter than that don’t we Benis?


  111. Fredric+L.+Rice says:

    #15: It’s also a felony for political advertizements like this one to be mailed without the originator being accurately and truthfuylly identified. Presumably the Republinazi’s office didn’t indicate anywhere on the letter that their office mailed these letters so that’s an additional felony that the Republinazis need to be executed for — after a fair trial, of course.

    I find it also amusing that Republinazis farely put their Party affiliation on their political mailouts any more. The Pedophile Party is embarrassed to admit that they’re part of an overwhelmingly criminal and pedophile Christian cult.

    Democratic campaigns nearly always note their Party affiliations.

    Speaks volumes about Christofascist Republinazism.

    My opinions only and only my opinions.


  112. PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) says:

    Ben

    Got an answer for my question (115) or are you searching for another “topic bullet” to fire and run when away from when confronted?


  113. unbelievable says:

    Too many students can’t even find the rest of the world.
    Comment by Wilco — October 19, 2006 @ 4:32 pm

    That’s funny because it’s true…

    I asked 7 different students to point to Finland on a map before one could (we were looking at a building there). I went through the entire class one day trying to get them to point to Iran…

    In Georgia, Geography is a 9th grade year requirement…


  114. unbelievable says:

    Where in Europe?
    Comment by Wilco — October 19, 2006 @ 4:33 pm

    As far as we can get in 3 weeks. Mostly Western capital cities like Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Berlin and Barcelona where the architecture is abundant.

    I’ve been having to reign in the two guys helping me plan it. Their initial suggestion of where they wanted to go was impossible : )


  115. Wilco says:

    I hear Amsterdam is lovely this time of year


  116. Republicans are the fear and smear party says:

    $8 1/2 trillion deficit. Republicans sure are fiscally responsible.


  117. BillJ-MN says:

    In Minnesota we have had election day registration for decades. Opponents of it have cried about its potential for voter fraud that entire time, but have never been able to produce evidence of it. In recent years right-wing talk radio hosts have publicized anecdotal cases of fraud, but they never stand up to scrutiny. The problem is that their half-wit listeners only remember the third-hand stories they heard on the radio.

    The fact is, there is virtually no voter fraud problem in the country. Election day registration works great. Minnesota consistently is among the nation’s leaders in election participation and election integrity.


  118. unbelievable says:

    I hear Amsterdam is lovely this time of year
    Comment by Wilco — October 19, 2006 @ 4:43 pm

    We’re going in June, after they graduate and turn 18 – that way I’m not accountable for anything stupid they might do… :)

    Actually, only the smart and well-behaved ones are going. They are the kids who want to be engineers on buildings or architects.


  119. Wilco says:

    Actually, only the smart and well-behaved ones are going. They are the kids who want to be engineers on buildings or architects.
    And they want to smoke pot and wear pretentious berets while eating crepes?


  120. Bruce+Gorton says:

    WaltTheMan

    Ike wasn’t bad I guess, but it has been a steady collapse since then. This current generation has gone over to the point where all a good Republican Politician is, is an oxymoron.


  121. RUCerious says:

    un – maybe teaching “useful” skills??


  122. Wilco says:

    Or would just the nerds be going? If so, then don’t waste Amsterdam on them.


  123. unbelievable says:

    And they want to smoke pot and wear pretentious berets while eating crepes?
    Comment by Wilco — October 19, 2006 @ 4:52 pm

    They want to see a hooker in a window and legally drink a beer. I picked responsible kids to help me plan the trip, so only other responsible kids would go.

    Not nerds. They are smart and curious and don’t relate to the mainstream population because they want more from life than reality t.v. and one night stands. They are us…


  124. unbelievable says:

    un – maybe teaching “useful” skills??
    Comment by RUCerious — October 19, 2006 @ 4:53 pm

    God forbid (literally)! : )

    One of the few useful things I ever learned in high school was when my trigonometry teacher taught us how to do our taxes.


  125. RUCerious says:

    Could Roger be Wilco? Out.



  126. carollt says:

    Voter suppression is an tried and true tactic of the GOP. They are very good at denying people their right to vote. Expect more of the same all over the country until election day.

    The GOP can’t run on their record, so they resort to dirty tricks to win the election. A whole bunch of folks in Ohio will be surprised to discover they have been purged from the voting rolls on election day.

    Don’t be discouraged by the dirty tricks of the GOP. Expect more and more dirty tricks as the election nears. In the end, the Ds will prevail.


  127. RUCerious says:

    carol
    Ohio has provisional ballots, which may be used if an election official challenges your ID or residence status.
    Let’s just hope Kenny Blackwell’s relatives aren’t counting the provisionals!


  128. Grumpasaurus.com » Gee, I wonder which party was behind that letter? says:

    [...] Update: it turns out that the letter comes from the campaign of Tan D. Nguyen, a Republican challenger to Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA). Quel surprise. [...]


  129. nym@alias.net says:

    Could Roger be Wilco? Out.

    hahahahaha

    made me laugh.



  130. We Laugh at Politics » Archives » Immigrants will be Deported if they Vote! says:

    [...] From Think Progress: Congressional Campaign Behind Letter Telling Immigrants They Will Be Deported If They Vote [...]


  131. We Laugh at You » Archives » Immigrants will be Deported if they Vote! says:

    [...] From Think Progress: Congressional Campaign Behind Letter Telling Immigrants They Will Be Deported If They Vote [...]


  132. Cal says:

    Many illegal immigrants have fake drivers licenses. Just do a search on the web or at a local flea market. As cheap as $50. One of the workers at DMV was just arrested for selling them out of her trunk. (Real CA drivers licenses.)


  133. EveryDigg » Blog Archive » Congressional Campaign Tells Immigrants They Will Be Deported If They Vote says:

    [...] Approximately 14,000 Hispanic Democratic voters in Orange County, CA recently received a Spanish-language letter warning them to stay away from the polls. (Includes full text of letter.)read more | digg story Links [...]


  134. » Congressional Campaign Tells Immigrants They Will Be Deported If They Vote says:

    [...] Therefore, it is useless and dangerous to vote in any election if you are not a citizen of the United States. This letter is a deceptive ploy to suppress Hispanic voter turn-out. It is important however to make sure we arrest anyone trying to vote that is an illegal. All those voting by mail must be brought in for questioning. Of course my Latino girlfriend will make sure that her Latino mother who works on all of the Latino political committees in OC and make sure that the Latinos know what is really going on. Summary of: http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/19/latinos-vote/ [...]


  135. » Congressional Campaign Tells Immigrants They Will Be Deported If They Vote says:

    [...] Therefore, it is useless and dangerous to vote in any election if you are not a citizen of the United States. This letter is a deceptive ploy to suppress Hispanic voter turn-out. It is important however to make sure we arrest anyone trying to vote that is an illegal. All those voting by mail must be brought in for questioning. Of course my Latino girlfriend will make sure that her Latino mother who works on all of the Latino political committees in OC and make sure that the Latinos know what is really going on. Summary of: http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/19/latinos-vote/ [...]


  136. Esteban says:

    Boy the dems get mad when somone tries to interfere with thier voter fraud.

    Look at every election where the New York/Florida Jewish Vote/Absentee vote happens, the hundres of dead voters that show up at the polls in Chicago, Boston and New York or the college kids that vote 5/6 times on campus.


  137. mighty+aphrodite says:

    Warning 14000 voters not to vote if they are illegal?? As opposed to the Dems who encourage illegal aliens to vote…..Dems never had the moral high ground with respect to elections – they have sunk EVEN lower……


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