Don't even think about it

EDITORIAL
Don't even think about it
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/07/13/EDGO37JFBC1.DTL

Tuesday, July 13, 2004
San Francisco Chronicle
Chronicle Sections

OFFICIALS OF the Bush administration are said to be pondering what power 
they have -- or should seek -- to postpone national elections in 
November in the event of terrorist strikes aimed at disrupting the 
democratic process.

The Bush people should drop the idea, lest the hint that terrorism could 
curb the rights of Americans be an added incentive to our enemies.

The suggestion that acts of terrorism might delay the election, in which 
President Bush seeks a second term, apparently originates with an 
appointee of the president, DeForest Soaries Jr. He heads the Election 
Assistance Commission created to help states replace punch-card ballots 
and head off other problems that marred the 2000 presidential contest.

Soaries urged Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to acquire power 
from Congress to put off the election if terrorism justifies this 
course. Ridge's department is consulting with the Justice Department on 
the legal aspects.

The administration should heed the words of two Democratic members of 
the congressional intelligence committees, both from California. Rep. 
Jane Harman said talk of postponing the election is "excessive, based on 
what we know," and she described Ridge's latest cries of alarm as "more 
chatter about old threats."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein noted, "We hold elections in the middle of war, in 
the middle of earthquakes, in the middle of whatever it takes. The 
election is a statutory election. It should go ahead, on schedule ... "

This nation, which already ceded far too many liberties in the immediate 
aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, needs to demonstrate its resolve and 
fearlessness. America's message to the world should be: We're prepared 
to vote on Nov. 2, no matter what.
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