by Eric Jaffa, Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Representative John Conyers, (D-MI), was one of the main investigators of the election irregularities which had taken place in Ohio during the 2004 election.

These include lines in black neighborhoods which gave some voters a choice of waiting several hours to vote-away from their jobs and families-or not voting at all ("None dare call it voter suppression and fraud" by Bob Fitrakis, Free Press of Ohio, November 7, 2004):

On Jan. 11, John Conyers endorsed Howard Dean to become the next DNC Chair in a letter which discusses the importance of election reform:

In the past three election cycles, there have been far too many eligible voters disenfranchised by official misconduct, negligence, faulty machines and discriminatory practices. As a party, I strongly believe that we cannot continue to ask for volunteers and voters to make extraordinary efforts to get out the Democratic vote if we do not undertake an equally extraordinary effort to make those votes count.

Regardless of the outcome, the Democratic Party should, in the most aggressive and proactive way possible, combat any disenfranchisement of any voter. I appreciate your extraordinary commitment to this principle.

Howard Dean is an advocate of election reform, and his first weekly column at Democracy for America discussed the need to add printers which produce paper ballots to electronic voting machines, so that citizens can verify their votes. (If you're new to this issue, please visit verifiedvoting.org.)

If you would like to show your support for Howard Dean in his run for DNC Chair, you can sign the petition at drafthoward.com.

To view the John Conyer's letter as a .pdf, click here.

The full text of Rep. John Conyers' letter is below.

January 11, 2005

Dear Governor Dean:

I write to offer you my enthusiastic endorsement for your candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee. While I believe many qualified candidates have indicated an interest in this position, I have decided to endorse you because I am convinced you are the best choice for the Democratic Party.

The foremost issue for the party and the nation, in my view, is the issue of electoral justice and reform. In the past three election cycles, there have been far too many eligible voters disenfranchised by official misconduct, negligence, faulty machines and discriminatory practices. As a party, I strongly believe that we cannot continue to ask for volunteers and voters to make extraordinary efforts to get out the Democratic vote if we do not undertake an equally extraordinary effort to make those votes count. Regardless of the outcome, the Democratic Party should, in the most aggressive and proactive way possible, combat any disenfranchisement of any voter. I appreciate your extraordinary commitment to this principle.

Second, despite disappointing results in the 2004 elections, I believe there were promising developments for the party and opportunities that must be seized. Our party saw a new influx of funding, effort and enthusiasm from ordinary Americans. In many respects, your campaign was the template for the newfound Democratic resurgence and you were a pioneer in this regard. I look forward to your seizing these opportunities for the entire Democratic Party.

Third, retaking the Congress should become even more central to the mission of the DNC. As you know, a reelected President's party traditionally loses seats in Congress in the midterm elections. Today, despite his reelection, the President's popularity is below fifty percent, his economic stewardship is seen as lacking, and his international leadership, particularly in Iraq, has been nothing short of a disaster. In this political climate, I see no reason that Democrats cannot take back the House of Representatives in 2006. To do this, we must compete in every Congressional race in every area of the country. I appreciate your devotion to this goal.

Finally, and most importantly, it is time for our Party to realize that a strong commitment to core Democratic principles is not only good policy and good for Americans, but is also good politics. Our vision for America is one where we protect all Americans, and do not turn our backs on any American. The most critical part of protecting Americans is ensuring our safety from the threat of terrorism, but our commitment should not end there; it must include health care security, retirement security, and economic security. You have spoken eloquently about those values and would be an ideal messenger for our party in this regard.

The outgoing Chairman of the Party, Terry McAuliffe, is leaving the party in the best shape it has ever been financially and with its infrastructure, and the entire party should be grateful for his tireless service. It is time for the party to choose a new Chairman, and I believe you are the best candidate to pick up the torch and take the Party to a new level of success.

Sincerely,

John Conyers, Jr.