DEC 6 PRESS BRIEFING: election was viewed as very free and fair

[k8conant]

Q Scott, Congressman Conyers has asked the GAO to conduct an investigation of possible voter suppression during the election in Ohio. The most egregious example of it was, of course, these lines that were at certain voting places, many of them in minority districts where people had to wait eight or nine hours to vote. And of course, many people --

MR. McCLELLAN: No, that may be your opinion on the most egregious example. I heard a lot of other examples that were very egregious.

Q This was reported. And of course, people who have jobs -- I mean, we saw the lines, and people who have jobs who couldn't stay there eight or nine hours obviously had to go to work instead of sacrificing their job in order to vote. There were also instances of voter registration forms which had been given the okay at a late date by the Secretary of State; the message did not get out to some counties, so many of the then accurate voter registration papers were not submitted, thereby depriving these people of a right to vote. If there is an indication of voter suppression --

MR. McCLELLAN: I think we're getting a very one-sided view of the election right now. Let's get to the question.

Q There is an investigation ongoing. There is indication that there was suppression of the vote. This is a violation of the Voting Rights Act. And if it is shown that there is a systematic voter suppression in the case of Ohio, doesn't this cast a pallor on the great victory celebrations that you had after the election?

MR. McCLELLAN: No, the American people spoke very clearly on November 2nd. It was a clear victory for the President of the United States. Now is the time for us to all look forward in how we can work together to get things done. I think you gave a very one-sided view of things there, and I do not agree with it.

Q But does the President support an investigation into what, if anything, might have gone wrong in the system in Ohio?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think the election was viewed as very free and fair, and we hope that there will be free and fair elections in places like Iraq and the Palestinian Territories, as well.