"As West Virginia's chief elections officer, I describe where we are right now in a very simple concept. It comes down to un-fairness. It is unfair that someone would chip away at our democracy. It is unfair that someone would take one of our most trusted possessions, our vote, and belittle it. And it is unfair that anyone would claim the Secretary of States office is not doing its job.
"It speaks to the core and soul of who I am as an elected official and I do not allow the integrity of the election process to be compromised. You've heard me say it before, and you will hear me say it again and again and again -- I do not allow election law violations by anyone regardless of party or position. Period. End of story."
"Eh, there have been many times when the West Virginia Secretary of State's office has been criticized for not doing its job. When in fact, the men and women of the Secretary of States office were not only doing their job with diligence and professionalism but with the commitment that is commendable in the sight the Secretary of States office. The Secretary of States office does not waver. Our record demonstrates that the office of the Secretary of State can be counted on to do the Secretary of States job.
"The Secretary of States office thoroughly investigates allegations, all allegations, even the teeny, tiny, little ones to produce results and protect the rights of honest voters. Every election and every vote are important. Not for whom would be elected, but for what it represents; our democracy, our freedom, and our ability to choose who we want to lead us. Not to mention, it tarnishes my reputation as the chief elections officer in the Secretary of States office. I will not allow that to be jeopardized.
"When I began my administration as Secretary of State I vowed to address election law violations with the full force of the law. I've held to that positoin when it was easy, but more importantly, I held to that position when it has been difficult. And this is what you have here, today -- there is no voter fraud in the state of West Virginia ...uh, anymore."
Diggerer Reporter, our own Carlton Marx, posed the issue of preventing future voter fraud such as what happened when Texas felon, Keith Judd, nearly won the Democratic primary, or the millions of dead and otherwise ineligible people still on voter registrations.
Tennant was quick to reply. "I won't take questions on the Judd issue since even Vice President, Joe Biden, said he didn't blame poeple for voting for him. As far as dead voters? Look the CDC under leader ship of the Obama administration, has recognized the existence of Zombies. Frankly, I don't want to get in the middle of a Zombie-rights issue. I'll leave that up to the Supreme Court."
It was a clever line for any politician. No one wants to risk disenfranchising any group in today's political climate - even Zombies. But what Tennant failed to address were the almost 13 million registered voters who are no longer eligible, or the so-called, "deadwood" (not to be confused with the actual 'dead').
There have also been concerns raised by a claim that voters do not have to prove citizenship before registering to vote.
Nevertheless, it is the opinion of this paper that Madam Secretary, Natalie Tennant, has done a "commendable" job as Secretary of State. Our insiders tell us the floors have never looked better and the WVU Mountaineer Gun hanging beside her desk looks awesome! "This rifle means a lot to me. I used it when I was the first female WVU Mountaineer -- and I feel it represents my administration."
She says she loves to pull it down from time to time and shoot blanks.
Another reporter aksed if Tennant would be debating fellow WVU Grad, Delegate Brian Savilla, who is running against her for the Secretary of State position. Making a face that seemed to convey "Are you kidding?", Tennant recovered to say, "I, um... I don't think that will be possible. I'm, uhhh... I'm washing my cat that night!"
After wrapping up her Press Conference, Tennant stopped and turned back to the cameras and shouted with a smile, "Thank you all! Elect Obama in 2012!"
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