In 2008, Republicans absolutely lost it when two members of the New Black Panther Party were seen near a ballot box. How times have changed. - MaddowBlog
Second, the Republican operatives allegedly harassing voters appear to be doing more than just putting “a set of eyeballs” on ballot drop boxes.
And third, it remains fascinating to see just how far the right has shifted when it comes to voter-intimidation concerns. In fact, now seems like a good time for a stroll down memory lane. It was nearly 14 years ago, on Election Day 2008, when two members of the New Black Panther Party were seen outside a polling precinct in Philadelphia. One of the two men was seen carrying what appeared to be some kind of nightstick.
There was no evidence that these guys actually did anything wrong. They weren’t accused of trying to harass or intimidate anyone. They made no threats. There were no reported confrontations. There was footage of one of the guys opening a door for someone, but that was about it.big deal. Two Black men, one of whom appeared to have braids in his beard, loitered outside a polling station in Philadelphia — which was seen as evidence of an intolerable voter-intimidation campaign.
The Bush/Cheney Justice Department filed a civil case against the New Black Panther Party, and Fox NewsTwelve years later, far-right volunteers are going to bizarre lengths to harass and intimidate Arizona voters, and prominent voices on the right are content to shrug their shoulders. Image that.