Richie Waves

Republican State Rep Mike Turzai Of Pennsylvanua Admits Voter ID Law To Make Romey Win State | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Polo

The video of his remarks shows him getting big applause for his "Voter ID, which is gonna allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania--DONE" line.

He may not consider it a gaffe. He may feel that the GOP can be perfectly open about voter suppression, since the mass of low-information voters are paying no attention anyway. The GOP will face no negative consequences for suppressing the votes of those likely to vote for Democrats...so why should they try to keep their efforts secret?

Void

the problem is, this isn't a republican admitting voter suppression, this is a republican accusing democrats of ballot stuffing.... and that's exactly how it'll spin.

the reality is that both are the ridiculous accusation and voter suppression are in effect here, which makes it even uglier, only with 3 blades instead of just the one. yes, 3; think about it.

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Polo

Yes, I think you're right. He almost certainly intended to convey the meaning that his party's efforts had succeeded in preventing ballot stuffing, rather than the meaning that his party's efforts would keep Democratic-leaning voters from being able to vote. It was just the MSNBC types who made hay with the 'he admits to suppressing votes' storyline.

Though I still think that Turzai and his ilk DO discuss 'discouraging' the votes of students, blacks, Latinos, and other likely Democratic-leaners, behind closed doors---and feel little shame about it. They ARE aware that most people aren't paying attention.

Can you expand on this? I'm not following the "3 blades" reference.

Void

I agree, in fact, from what I see they don't bother with closed doors any more

blade = working end of a knife... no reference to anything particular outside of cutting and stabbing... my brain was taking too long to pick a more appropriate analogy so I vetoed.

goals achieved:
1) Voter Suppression (hamper the opposition)
2) Falsly imply the opposition is doing wrong (demonize the opposition)
3) Claim victory over the above (sanctify themselves)

I'll give them credit, it's beautifully organized, because almost no one is directly challenging #2 even though ballot stuffing has a stronger past with conservatives, because it leaves them the claim of cleaning up their side, so what's the other side doing? which gives a free pass to #3... quite good tactically if you're out to win hearts.