Math proves that Dems could have fought back on Jan 6th!

[brainshrub]

I'd like to point out that the Democratic party lost a MAJOR opportunity to gain leverage, respect and guarantee that, at least in future elections, every vote would count.

If the Democrats had simply showed up for work, worked together and done their job; January 6th would have been one of the greatest days in Democratic Party history.

Consider: In order to exclude the electors from Ohio, a simple majority was needed in both Houses.

For the House of Representatives the final vote was as follows:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll007.xml

Dems who voted yea - 31
Dems who voted nay - 88

Reps who voted yea - 00
Reps who voted nay - 178

Indy who voted nay - 01

Now here's were it gets interesting. Of the 435-member House, 132 members did not vote! (I don't think they even showed up that day.)

Dems not voting - 80
Reps not voting - 52

Let's imagine for a moment that the Democrats in the House decided to stand up for the disenfranchised voters of Ohio and all of them showed up for work and voted together. This is what the results would have looked like:

Hypothetical yea - 201 (All Dems show up for work and vote together.)
Hypothetical nay - 179 (Surprised-as-hell Republicans!)

Bam! At least in the house, Senator Boxer's objection to accepting the electors from Ohio would have won.

Now lets look at the Senate. The famous vote was 74 - 1.

Dem Senators who voted yea - 01
Dem Senators who voted nay - 35

Rep Senators who voted nay - 38
Indy Senator who voted nay - 01

Again, note all the people who did not show up. 25 in all.

Dems who did not vote - 08
Reps who did not vote - 17

Therefore, if the Senate Democrats had stood together for the cause of Democracy this is what the final tally would have looked like:

Hypothetical yea - 44 (Dems showing up for work)
Hypothetical nay - 39 (Surprised-as-hell Republicans)

This could have been a MAJOR "January Surprise" that would have been one of the most glorious moments in Democratic Party history.

Now I'm sure that even if the Democratic Congresspeople had done their sworn duty, shown up for work and worked together... the Republicans would have regrouped later on in the day and made sure that Bush would continue to be President. But at the very least the Democrats would have had the leverage to demand that in 2006 ALL VOTING MACHINES WOULD HAVE A VERIFIABLE PAPER BALLOT!

Instead, the Democrats in congress decided to roll over; obviously taking the lead from Kerry's example back on November 3rd.

Even basic math shows how broken the Democratic Party is. This is not the same party that pulled us out of the Depression, won two world wars and championed the working person. The current Democratic Party is an empty shell of it's former glory.

Are you ready to get to work at fixing our party?

I sure as hell am.

www.brainshrub.com