Voter fraud, again!

Stop the presses! I mean it. Stop the election!

Something is going on in Washington and California that will have a great
impact on tomorrow's election -- and it stinks to high heaven.

Let me start by telling you how I found out about it.

A very good friend of mine, who shall remain nameless, has a long-time
live-in housekeeper from Guatemala. The housekeeper has a daughter who just
turned 18. The immigration status of both mother and daughter has been
pending for years. Papers have been filed with the Immigration and
Naturalization Service. Hearings have been held. But they are not citizens.

This is very important: The daughter has not registered to vote.

But, a few days ago, the 18-year-old got a very attractively packaged
"Dear friend" letter from Bill Clinton, paid for by the California
Democratic Party.

Here's what it said (on one side in Spanish and on the other side in
English): "While every election is important, the November 7th election will
determine our future for the next decade, and beyond. The stakes are high
for America's Latino families. And California is the critical battleground.

"That's why I'm writing. We need your help to elect a Democratic
Congress.

"Despite our strong economy, many hard-working people still struggle to
make ends meet. Quality, affordable health care, a world-class education,
aging with dignity, and well-paid jobs are part of the American dream --
rather than an American reality -- for too many people.

"Electing a Democratic Congress is essential for our 'Families First'
legislative agenda.

"Congratulations on your decision to register. Registering to vote is a
basic responsibility of citizenship that far too many people ignore.

"Now that you are registered ...

"Can I count on you to vote Democratic on November 7th?
"Will you make an extra effort to elect Democrats to Congress -- and
to your State Legislature -- by talking to your family, friends and
neighbors?

"Remember: Your Vote is Your Voice.

"Su Voz, Es Su Voto. Make your voice heard on Election Day.

"Sincerely, President Bill Clinton"

Clinton letter in English. Click for full size.

Below that letter is a P.S. that explains: "Here is your personal Voter
Identification Card. Sign your name, then detach your card. Bring your card
with you to your polling place on Election Day. It will help your voting go
more smoothly."

Apparently all the recipient needs to do with this Voter Identification
Card is sign it to be eligible to vote. Keep in mind, this was sent to a
previously unregistered voter.

As my friend points out, only the U.S. government knows her age and
pending residency status, and, obviously her Latino background. How did this
information wind up in the partisan political hands of the California
Democratic Party? And what kind of impact will a mailing like this --
obviously utilizing a government database for political purposes -- have on
the California legislative races? How widespread is this fraud?

This is making my head spin. The recipient of this letter happens to live
in congressional and state legislative districts that are very hotly
contested in Southern California. But this appears to be a statewide mailing
from the Democratic Party headquarters in Sacramento.

It's mind-boggling. The fraud is so blatant. Yet, not a peep out of the
Republicans. They apparently won't even know what hit them. The polls in
recent days show them making big gains in this once-invulnerable Al Gore
stronghold state. A mass mailing like this effectively registering tens of
thousands of potential Democratic voters days before the election is a
secret weapon held back deliberately to avoid detection, scrutiny and
publicity. After the election, the party will be happy to pay a fine for any
illegalities involved. Clinton will be out of office and untouchable as
always. There will be a new regime in at the INS. And it will all be swept
under the rug.

And who knows if this technique is not being deployed by other state
Democratic Party units? I don't doubt it for a minute.

This is voter fraud, pure and simple. And those responsible include the
president of the United States, the Immigration and Naturalization Service,
possibly the Census Bureau and certainly the California Democratic Party.

I'm outraged. Are you?