This is just a quick reply to Jim Lindgren on whether the 2008 election was, as he claims, “easily . . . the most corrupt election” in his lifetime. Jim believes this is “obvious,” but I am unpersuaded. Even assuming that every allegation Jim has cited is true, I still think he overstates his case. […]
Author Archive | Jonathan H. Adler
The “Most Corrupt Election” in Years?
In a post below, Jim Lindgren remarks that this year’s election has “easily been the most corrupt election in my lifetime.” This seems a bit much to me. There have certainly been many election irregularities — indeed, I’ve posted quite a few items that may raise eyebrows — but I don’t think there is much […]
Ohio SoS Issues New Directive on Abesentee Ballots:
Yesterday, Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner issued a directive to county election boards instructing them to give would-be absentee voters notice about potential irregularities (e.g. birthdate mismatches) and an opportunity to provide additional information before discarding the ballots. This seems rather sensible. Dan Tokaji has more on the directive here. Meanwhile, Ohio newspapers are […]
Another Palin Troopergate Report:
A second report on the Alaska “Troopergate” scandal was released yesterday. The Anchorage Daily News reports: The state Personnel Board-sanctioned investigation is the second into whether Palin violated state ethics law in firing her public safety commissioner, and it contradicts the earlier findings by a special counsel hired by the state Legislature. Both investigations found […]
I See Dead People (Voting) in Cleveland:
A local news program reports that dead people in Cleveland remain on the Cuyahoga County voter rolls, and that some have continued to vote from beyond the grave. The number of dead voters who actually cast ballots does not appear to be very large, but this is not the first report of dead people voting […]
Colbert for President:
Campaign finance laws may have derailed Stephen Colbert’s campaign for president in the real world. In the Marvel Universe, however, he’s apparently still running.
Sunday Song Lyric:
To celebrate Halloween, Bruce Springsteen posted a free download of a new song, “A Night with the Jersey Devil” on his website. The song release is being offered in lieu of Springsteen’s annual Halloween display, which he and his wife canceled. You can see the song here or read the lyrics here. They begin: Hear […]
The Election and the Appellate Courts:
I have an article up on NRO this morning examining the potential implications of the Presidential election on the composition of the federal appellate courts. In it, I suggest that the next President is likely to have a greater effect on the federal appellate courts than on the U.S. Supreme Court, particularly if Barack Obama […]
Don’t Fear the Fairness Doctrine:
Jesse Walker thinks that re-imposition of the Fairness Doctrine is highly unlikely, even under an Obama presidency. Alas, he thinks there are many other things to worry about: First the good news: The fairness doctrine is still dead, and it probably will stay dead even if Barack Obama becomes president. . . . On June […]
How Should Libertarians Vote?
It’s a good question. Like many, I am quite disappointed by Republicans and no big fan of John McCain, but also quite concerned about the combination of an Obama presidency with large Democratic majorities in Congress. I fear the result will be a significant increase in taxes, spending, and economic regulation, with little offsetting decrease […]
Will the Financial Crisis Spillover from Wall Street to Main Street?
This new paper from the Minneapolis Fed says no (at least of the first week of October). Update: I should clarify that this is not any sort of official publication of the Minneapolis Fed, but rather it is a paper by independent scholars published through the Minneapolis Fed Working Paper series. My apologies for any […]
Unconstrained Conservatives (and Constrained Liberals):
Peter Robinson’s column on Thomas Sowell and “A Conflict of Visions” focused me on a point that I hadn’t thought of previously. A Conflict of Visions originally was written back in the 1980s and Peter’s idea in the interview was to try to frame the 2008 election through the lens of the constrained and unconstrained […]
Lehman Bankruptcy Professional Fees May Reach $1.4 Billion:
According to this story: Fees could reach a record $1.4 billion for lawyers, accountants and other professionals working on the Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. bankruptcy, the largest in U.S. history. The biggest winner will be New York-based law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Lehman’s adviser, with an estimated $209 million in fees, said Lynn LoPucki, […]
Whale Endangered, Palin Pouts:
The NYT reports that Cook Inlet Beluga Whales were listed as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act yesterday. The relatively small, whitish whales, sometimes visible from downtown Anchorage, declined by almost 50 percent in the late 1990s, and federal scientists say they have not rebounded despite a series of protections, including a halt to subsistence […]
Republicans Commit Registration Fraud Too:
The LA Times reports on a GOP contractor with “a trail of fraud complaints” in California. he 70,000 voters YPM has registered for the Republican Party this year will help combat the public perception that it is struggling amid Democratic gains nationally, give a boost to fundraising efforts and bolster member support for party leaders, […]