Questions surface regarding legitimacy of Baker-Carter election reform commission
Serious questions of conservative partisanship have surfaced surrounding an electoral reform commission co-chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and erstwhile Secretary of State James Baker, RAW STORY has learned. The Carter Center denies any involvement with the Baker-Carter Commission on Federal Election Reform even though they are on much of its literature. Carter stepped down from the center in March. Perhaps most significant, however, is the partisan makeup of those on the Commission's panels. In a situation reminiscent of GOPUSA and Gannongate, a recent election reform group has seemingly sprouted from nowhere and in short order landed a seat at the table. As revealed earlier by Brad Friedman of Bradblog.com, The American Center for Voting Rights appeared on the election reform scene less than a month ago. It is led by GOP operative and election attorney Mark F. ("Thor") Hearne who also managed to appear as the only voting rights group to Rep. Bob Ney's (R-OH) recent House Administrative Committee hearings on Ohio voting issues during the 2004 election. ACVR is not, however, the only controversial entity to appear as either a witness or a panelist before the Baker-Carter Commission. [more]