Thelma Drake

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I find it interesting irony in today's challenge to the legitimacy of President George W. Bush's election, the very partisans who fought against him the first time, arguing against his intelligence, political savvy and leadership abilities, are at this very moment accusing him of pulling off a major feat in tampering with and illegally affecting the outcome of the vote in Ohio. All of this he allegedly did without leaving a shred of evidence. Mr. Speaker, I find an interesting irony in today's challenge to the legitimacy of President George W. Bush's election as President of the United States: The very partisans who fought against him the first time, arguing against his intelligence, political savvy and leadership abilities are at this very moment accusing him of pulling off a major feat in tampering with and illegally affecting the outcome of the vote count in Ohio. All of this, ladies and gentlemen, he allegedly did without leaving so much as a shred of evidence. So I ask my colleagues who prefer to dwell on the past rather than fight for the future; who would rather level accusations than legislate; who would rather waste Congress's time and taxpayer dollars than work on providing health care, education and a strong military for America--I ask these colleagues, if reform is needed in Ohio, to work with their State legislature to create the best system possible and to join Senator Kerry in accepting the will of the American people.