Akkam’s Razor

But none of that may matter on Tuesday. That's because Republicans only care about the "half of the half" that actually vote in mid-term elections. (While analysts predict heightened voter interest in 2006, it is worth remembering actual midterm turnout in 2002 was a dismal 39.5%; in 1998, a pathetic 38.1%.) That's where the GOP's 25% Strategy comes in.

The Republican 25% Strategy of divide, suppress and conquer is simple. First, fire up the base with red meat issues, while using the proven conservative "distribution" channel of churches and single issue advocacy groups to get them to the polls. Second, drive down the participation of potential Democratic and independent voters through curbs on registration, onerous new ID requirements, and polling place eligibility challenges. Last but certainly not least for the Republican party of Karl Rove and Ken Mehlman, when in doubt, just cheat.

• Flyers on doors and car windows in poor neighborhoods stating the election is cancelled, or that warrants, late-rent, and back-due childsupport will be verified prior to voting (an example from 2002 in Baltimore, or a letter sent to legal hispanic immigrants via this NYTimes article).
• Purging of voter rolls to remove potential Democratic (ie. minority) voters.
• Attempts to keep out-of-state yet legally registered college students from voting on campus (as happened on upenn's campus in 2004).
• "Robocalls" meant to harass and annoy voters away from Democratic candidates(plenty on this from TPMmuckraker).
• Poll workers demand ID from voters (like the Secretary of State for Missouri) despite court orders not to do so.
• Phone calls threatening arrest if the voter shows up at the polls.
• Robocalls with the intent to mis-inform voters that their polling place has been relocated.
• Repeated insistence that voters need to "show their papers" despite legislation explicitly forbidding it.
• GOP candidates us the (radio) Emergency Warning System to broadcast a commercial.
• Misleading ballots and voterguides, identifying black Republicans as Democrats.

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