Gingrich: Campaign worker's signature fraud cost slot on Virginia ballot

[RandySF]

Algona, Iowa (CNN) - Newt Gingrich cited fraud Wednesday as the reason he didn't get on the Virginia primary ballot.

Last week his campaign acknowledged they used paid volunteers to scramble to get the required 10,000 signatures but fell short after the former House speaker and Virginia resident boasted his campaign was submitting as many as 12,000-14,000 signatures.

On a campaign stop at an Algona chocolate store, the former House speaker said the "mistake" occurred because one of their workers committed fraud.

"We hired somebody who turned in false signatures. We turned in 11,100 – we needed 10,000 – 1,500 of them were by one guy who frankly committed fraud."


http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/28/gingrich-campaign-workers-signature-fraud-cost-slot-on-virginia-ballot/

[surfdog]

1. Maybe Gingrich and the GOP

Will now learn the difference between vote fraud and voter registration fraud

[JHB]

7. They know, it's just useful for them to pretend they don't. N/t

[Old and In the Way]

2. Gee, Newt, maybe you should have parted with a few bucks and gotten paid volunteers.

Cheap prick got what he deserved.

[ohheckyeah]

3. Last week his campaign acknowledged they used paid volunteers n/t

[alcibiades_mystery]

4. This is dog-whistle as the day is long, for those of you who don't hear it

Just sayin'...

[etherealtruth]

5. Of course it's someone else's fault, Newt

It always is ...

[jberryhill]

6. Ah, when this happened to ACORN, it was a crime against humanity

News flash - paid signature gatherers will always include a few lazy ones.

[JHB]

8. He's just emulating his role-model, Newt

You have an entire career built on fraud.

[AtomicKitten]

9. My that sounds awfully familiar.

It's the exact accusation * fraud * that is the basis for the new GOP voter suppression laws in place in several states. Funny how that works. It's been apparent for decades that whatever the GOP is accusing the Democrats of doing is being done by the GOP itself. Case in point, 'activist judges'.

[spanone]

10. ah, newt, the blame game...it wasn't because you suck as a candidate, was it?

[gratuitous]

11. Gee Newt

Anyone who's ever gathered signatures for a ballot measure or a spot on a ballot knows that there is a certain number of signatures that won't pass muster. Some people die, others sign illegibly, one of the petition sheets drawn for a sample just happens to have a high number of bad signatures. There's about 10,000 reasons why 11,100 signatures isn't enough to qualify.

The plain truth is that you didn't have a good plan in place to qualify for the Virginia ballot. Your cushion for signatures was barely 10%. An experienced campaigner would know that was inadequate. If you don't have the experience needed to gather enough signatures, how could we surmise that you have enough experience to run the country? This isn't like going through another divorce of your latest disposable wife, this is serious.

[oldhippydude]

13. yes

he should have paid some Wisconsin Democrats... they know how to get good signatures!!!

[BR_Parkway]

12. Poetic Justice?

[Generic Other]

14. Sore Loserman

pffft

[rustydog]

15. Newtered: : "It's not MY fault! it was a campaign staffer!!!"

I was too busy making money at book signings and shopping at Tiffany's.

[greiner3]

16. I call bullshit;

On this claim. Newt is in a lot of trouble because of this mess up. All of a sudden he DISCOVERS one of his, whatever they are, people committed fraud. This one person got nearly 10% of the total signatures in VA. Yeah, right. Another lie for Newt and this is one that should be followed up.