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The Spectacle Blog
While listening to the opening of today’s session of the Democratic National Convention, I heard some of the most remarkable political theater, at one of the most unexpected moments, that I’ve ever encountered.
Convention Chairman and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villarigosa introduced former Ohio Governor Tom Strickland who was the Chairman of the party’s Platform Committee which has taken so much heat in the press over the past couple of days for removing any reference to God and certain positive statements regarding Israel, including recognition of Jerusalem as our ally’s capital.
Strickland first asked for the rules to be suspended so he could move a motion. Villarigosa asked for a voice vote of the delegates, noting that a 2/3 majority was needed to approve the suspension of the rules. Based on the yells of the delegates in response, it was well above the 2/3 majority. In fact, Villarigosa obviously thought of the vote as such a foregone conclusion that he started saying (and I won’t get the words precisely right) that “In the opinion of the chair, a sufficient majority has approved the suspension of the rules” even before the sound of the few “no” votes had stopped echoing in the room.
However, Strickland then went on to propose a 2-part amendment to the party platform: One item would add a reference to God back into the official document. And the second item would say that President Obama recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Villarigosa then went back to the delegates, saying that a 2/3 vote was needed to approve the amendment. He asked for the “ayes”, which were quite loud, then asked for the “nays.” Immediately after asking for the “nays” he started to say that in his opinion there was a sufficient majority, but the sound of the nays was so loud — to me it was as loud as the “ayes”. He stopped saying that there was a majority and asked again for the voice vote, and again the opposition was, to me, just as loud as the support.
Then (and since I’m traveling and can’t go back and listen to it today, I hope one of you will…I was listening on CNN), I heard a quiet voice, apparently speaking to Villarigosa, mutter something like “let them do what they’re going to do.” Villarigosa asked for a third voice vote and this time, even though the support and the opposition sounded equally loud to me, said that in his opinion there was a 2/3 majority in support and the amendment to the platform was accepted.
I tell you, from how it sounded to me listening on satellite radio, there was no way it was a 2/3 majority.
I understand that Bill Clinton will be the big story of the DNC today, but this should be right up there.
Clearly a large number the Democrat delegates are perfectly happy with the platform as it was modified, to exclude God and Israel. And clearly the Democrat big-wigs brought this forward without talking to the delegates first. They are, after all, used to members of their party doing whatever they tell them to do because if you don’t, you are likely to be reminded by Barack Obama himself that he is “keeping score.”
Based on my score-keeping, the vote on the platform amendments was a tie, and the umpire lied.
Just the latest example of the petty tyrannies of the non-democratic Democratic Party.
Seriously, this needs to be the main story of today’s Convention proceedings, if we can get through all of Bubba’s hot air.
View all comments (22) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Ross Kaminsky
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/09/05/stunning-development-at-dnc
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C Bowen | 9.5.12 @ 5:55PM
Same thing happened at the Republican National Convention. Boehner ignored the voice vote on new rules to make life easier for the Establishment RINOs; he was reading a teleprompter that magically already had the results of the vote--a vote that hadn't taken place yet-- in the script.
RJ| 9.5.12 @ 7:01PM
Yes, both parties refused to honor there own rules. While it is disturbing and unacceptable, it is not new.
Today's folly at the DNC problems ends with supporters on both sides of the two issues getting mad at the party.
spike59| 9.6.12 @ 10:09AM
the sight of the DNC booing God and cheering for abortions is telling
RCV| 9.5.12 @ 6:20PM
You're just unhappy, Ross, that Democrats took away two issues you were hoping to capitalize on.
JmsA| 9.5.12 @ 7:08PM
Good luck. The genie is out of the bottle. Quite a few, and a lot more will be informed of the democrats' original intent, and their crass walking back of it.
Nick| 9.5.12 @ 7:48PM
El wrongo, RCV. (A little Spanish lingo, there.)
The democrat party voted THREE TIMES to REJECT the amendment to affirm that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and the "God" language from the '08 plank.
For the WHOLE WORLD to see.
If you haven't heard it, Hugh Hewitt is replaying it, repeatedly, for his audience. He's on for the next hour and fifteen minutes.
Listen to him here:
http://www.krla870.com/
The democrats have only ticked-off pro-Israel voters and marxist/atheist/pro-terrorist/pro-Palestinians who hate Israel.
WAY TO GO, democrats!!
Kingofthenet| 9.5.12 @ 6:24PM
Sad that we have to pander to God and Israel, I guess I can understand God but WHY the HELL Israel, their OUR Lapdog?
Paul McGrath| 9.5.12 @ 7:09PM
On September 1, 2012, under the blog post titled, "Michelle Malkin is a Racist Like Me," by Quin Hillyer, Kingofthenet wrote this:
Kingofthenet| 9.1.12 @ 1:38PM
Michelle practices YELLOW Journalism, I would say the SLANT to her work is obvious. I would not pay even 5 dollar, for her 'work' because it never leaves me with a HAPPY ENDING.
RCV| 9.5.12 @ 7:29PM
Because, Kingofthenet, the American people -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- are steadfast in their support of Israel, and rightly so.
JmsA| 9.5.12 @ 9:18PM
Hear! Hear!
Truth to Power| 9.6.12 @ 9:52AM
Well at least Republicans. RCV types are willing to turn a blind eye to the destruction of Israel as long as gay marriage is legal. Say hi to the pretend wife and kids and your friends at the pro Israel Epicopal Church. Do you even live in California?
Occam's Tool| 9.5.12 @ 7:35PM
King, you have no daughters or gay friends, do you?
Truth to Power| 9.6.12 @ 9:47AM
Yesterday you were looking FORWARD to the day when Christians could be discriminated against in hiring and today you are a phony Christian again. Life is pretty funny somedays. Thanks for the peek behind the curtain though.
spike59| 9.6.12 @ 10:06AM
with all the shifting tales you like to tell and the multiple lies you like to spew, Queenofthenuts, I'm beginning to wonder if you're really Debbie Wasserderp Schmutz????
Jasperfenton| 9.5.12 @ 6:40PM
The Democratic Party just ended any hope of success in November. I didn't think Obama would be elected anyway, but now he has no chance; ditto for other Democrats running for office. The scene of half that hall shouting "no" to God and Israel is one that will never be forgotten.
Kingofthenet| 9.5.12 @ 7:55PM
I will give Israel respect, when she puts on her 'Big Girl' Panties and doesn't come begging for aid, and bullshit, never pay back 'loans'. I ain't holding my breath.
Kingofthenet| 9.5.12 @ 8:03PM
I was an Atheist...until I realized I was GOD!
Albert Constantine Jr.| 9.5.12 @ 10:31PM
First you pronounce yourself King, then announce that you're GOD.
Presumably, the King of Humility title didn't appeal to you.
Some people would have been content to start at the bottom (or at least in the middle) and work their way up. Since the Prince of Darkness title has been taken, couldn't you have gone with something like "Lord of the Loony"?
chuck| 9.5.12 @ 11:19PM
King,
For your sake, I hope you live long enough to realize the error of your ways, and that you truly repent.
I think your an idiot, but I'll pray for you anyway.
Jake| 9.5.12 @ 9:22PM
Antonio Villarigosa graduated from an
" unaccredited law school , "
The People's College of Law.
Otherwise , he would have known that you never ask a question
without first knowing the answer.
The look on his face is priceless as he realizes
he just made the whole Democrat Party step in it.
What's equally shocking is that the vicious liar and character assassin
Tom Strickland
proudly announced that he is an ordained minister.
Must be an unaccredited church like Villarigosa's law school.
The People's Church of Democrat Religion.
Which oddly excludes God.
Ken (Old Texican)| 9.6.12 @ 9:10AM
King o t n.
Do you just geninely enjoy showing your bare-assed ignorance here..simply to be noticed?
OK, case won. heh.
spike59| 9.6.12 @ 10:08AM
i'm thinking Queenofthenuts may actually be Derpie Wasserface Splatz...they share that Meghan McCain/weapons-grade stupidity, as well as an aversion to honesty