What Should Kerry Do?

Posted on November 5, 2004 in Accountability Campaign 2004

The Daily Kos asks this question of its readership. First, I think he should follow the Reagan example: Let the people lead. And bloggers want answers about the electronic voting machines. I would allow the bloggers to keep pressing the question for a few days. I would say nothing until more facts come out.

Second, he should support efforts to have the vote-counting software taken out of proprietary darkness and put out where experts can look over this. He might not find that the votes were rigged. But it is better for the health of the country if these programs are subjected to scrutiny by everyone. If we’re wrong about the rigging, then we’re wrong.

Third, if Bush is found to have rigged the election, he should claim the presidency without hesitation. A concession speech is not legally binding. Then as president, launch an investigation using the RICO Act.

Fourth, once the facts are out and the culprits indicted and imprisoned, the watchword should be mercy. By this point, the corrupt backbone of the Republican Party shall be broken. To ensure that a thoughtful opposition remains — I am not for a one-party state — he should pardon all but the worst malefactors. (If anyone was killed in hiding electoral fraud, those who ordered it should serve life sentences.) Following the RICO action, they will be ruined. That will be enough.

What should we do? Prepare ourselves spiritually and physically to support John Kerry as our president. There are men with guns who don’t want him there. Take deep breathes and hope we can keep our sanity. For the time being, we must join together — with or without John Kerry — to seek the truth. That’s the number one agenda item: seek the truth.

Be brave. Be brave.