Aw, Nothing to Worry About

Well, I'm sure there's absolutely nothing to be concerned about here:

The government needs to establish guidelines for canceling or rescheduling elections if terrorists strike the United States again, says the chief of a new federal voting commission.

Such guidelines do not currently exist, said DeForest B. Soaries, head of the voting panel.

Soaries, a Republican and former secretary of state of New Jersey, was appointed to the federal Election Assistance Commission last year by President Bush. Soaries said he wrote to national security adviser Condoleezza Rice and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge in April to raise the concerns.

"I am still awaiting their response," he said."Thus far, we have not begun any meaningful discussion." Press officers for Rice and Ridge did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Soaries noted that Sept. 11, 2001, fell on Election Day in New York City -- and he said officials there had no rules to follow in making the decision to cancel the election and hold it later.

Events in Spain, where a terrorist attack shortly before the March election possibly influenced its outcome, show the need for a process to deal with terrorists threatening or interrupting the Nov. 2 presidential election in the United States, he said.

"Look at the possibilities. If the federal government were to cancel an election or suspend an election, it has tremendous political implications. If the federal government chose not to suspend an election, it has political implications," said Soaries.

"Who makes the call, under what circumstances is the call made, what are the constitutional implications?" he said."I think we have to err on the side of transparency to protect the voting rights of the country."

Transparency is a very good thing in my opinion. And I'm absolutely positive that Mr. Soaries only has all our best interests at heart. After all, he was appointed by President Bush, right?

And he was appointed to a shiny, spanking brand new commission. Just think of that.

Or don't. Whatever helps you sleep better, and gets you through the night.

(Sort of via Atrios, who has the same AP story, but at a different site which doesn't appear to be reachable at the moment.)