Austrian Freedom Party wins do-over of disputed election

On May 23rd, Walt told you how Austria's nationalist Freedom Party lost that country's presidential election -- to the leftist Greens, no less! -- by a mere 31,000 votes out of more than 4.6 million ballots cast. It was the absentee votes, mailed in from goodness knows where, that provided the margin of victory. Before the postal ballots were counted, the FPÖ's Norbert Hofer was leading the Greens' Alexander Van der Bellen by 51.9% to 48.1%.

Something outta whack there? Some possibility of election fraud? Herr Hofer's supporters thought so and brought a case before Austria's constitutional court, which agreed. On July 1st the court annulled the election because of a string of violations in the counting of postal ballots, which made up 16% of the total.

In a televised announcement, the high court’s president, Gerhart Holzinger, said there was no evidence that votes had been altered or manipulated. But he cited legal precedents, going back almost 90 years, ruling that even the possibility of foul play requires that the election be scrapped. If all the disputed ballots had gone to Herr Hofer, he would have edged out the Greens' Alexander Van der Bellen. The judge dismissed the option of a rerun limited to the disputed districts, ruling that the whole election must be done over.

Austrian voters have already shown themselves sick and tired of the centre-left coalitions that governed the country for two generations. And the anti-immigrant backlash which marked the British "Brexit" referendum is even stronger in Austria. So there's every chance that the rematch between the Austrian versions of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders will have a different outcome. (Lifetime pct .991.) To the people of Austria, Walt says:
Defeat the elite! Power to the real people!

Neither too late nor too soon! Sign the petition!

It's less than two years until the Big One -- the 2016 presidential election. There's good news and bad news. The good news is that Obama won't be running again. The bad news is that Hellery Clinton will almost certainly be the Democratic candidate. The even worse news is that her Republican opponent might well be Yesterday's Man, Mitt Romney. Aaaaargghhhh!

But let us not give up yet! It's possible, just possible that Ron Paul might respond to a draft. At least, that's the hope of his devoted followers, who are organizing a petition on the new Ron Paul 2016 website.

But isn't he retiring from politics? Well, that's what he's been saying, but you know how it is with politicians. Even the good ones [Is there such an animal? Ed.] have been known to say one thing and do another. Mr. Paul's fans say that if 100,000 supporters pledge by February 2015 to support Ron Paul in 2016, it might still be possible to convince him to run for President again.

You are invited to join in encouraging Ron Paul’s candidacy by signing the message of support on the site. And since the USA is still the Land of the Free -- in theory, anyway -- you should feel free to include your comments and suggestions for his campaign.

Disclaimer: Walt should point out that Ron Paul 2016 is not connected directly or indirectly with Mr. Paul. It is a new version of a site that has been maintained for at least four years by fans of the Great Libertarian. They make a few bucks by selling "Ron Paul" merchandise. Help the cause and antagonize your liberal friends by buying some!

Walt = Ted... NOT!

Len is still keeping Walt's seat warm. [Doubtless your doing so will be more appreciated come winter. Normally we keep it beside the stove. Ed.] This week, though, finds me a bit uncomfortable having to field questions about Walt's whereabouts and real identity.

The problem seems to be that Walt has never been seen in the same room, at the same time, as Senator Ted Cruz (Republican, Texas) who is bidding fair to be the next Republican candidate for the presidensity of the Excited States of America.

Stories like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to renounce newfound Canadian citizenship have given life to the old rumour that Walt -- like Senator Cruz -- is actually a citizen of both Canada and the USA. Walt has never said this (publicly, at least) and as far as Len knows, it's not true.

As for Senator Cruz, he was born in Calgary, Alberta. Calgary, aka "Dallas North", may be the most Americanized of all Canadian cities -- look at those stupid Stetsons! -- but being born there makes you a Canuck! The senator may renounce his Canuckitude, but he can't deny it...eh!

Anyhoo... Walt and Len wish Senator Cruz well in his quest. Senator Rand Paul (Republican, Kentucky) too.

Remembering Romney's earlier presidential campaigns

As is well known, Walt is old, old! I'm so old I can remember Lincoln's Gettysburg address. 478 Oak Street, it was. [That joke is pretty old too. Ed.] And I remember interesting facts from previous races for the presidensity, stuff that many others have long forgotten.

For instance, I remember Romney's participation in the campaign of 1968. He was the one who nominated a pig for the office of president. When you consider the quality of the two major candidates that year, the pig seemed like a good bet, but, sadly, finished out of the running. Rumour has it that when the pig saw he couldn't even beat Hubert Humphrey, he went to Cargill's and turned himself in.

Nothing deterred, Romney organized -- perhaps "fomented" would be a better word -- the "Nobody for President" campaigns of the 70s and 80s. The theme resonates even more today as Obama and Romney square off.

"Who cares about the American people? -- NOBODY!"
"Who has the solution to America's problems? -- NOBODY!"
"Who should you vote for on election day? -- NOBODY!"

Many people don't know that Mr. Romney was also the official clown of the Grateful Dead, although he has not been able to fulfill his duties lately due to other engagements. A major film documentary on his life, Saint Misbehavin', was released in late 2010 by Ripple Effect Films, and received excellent reviews. Click here to see the trailer.

Oh... just in case there's any confusion, the "Romney" I'm referring to is Hugh Nanton Romney, aka Wavy Gravy, noted political activist and clown... not the other clown.

Book review: Who killed Garfield?

In the latter half of the 19th century, the USA had a remarkably long string of mediocre presidents. (I'm quoting the Simpsons here.) Most Americans would have trouble naming four or three or even one of the presidents between Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt, for the very good reason that they were wholly unmemorable.

A couple of them died in office. William Henry Harrison for one. He was one of the generals who bungled the War of 1812 but was later remember -- and elected -- as a hero. He died from pneumonia brought on by standing bareheaded in frightful weather while making the longest inaugural speech in the history of the presidency. Didn't know enough to come in out of the rain!

Then there was James A. Garfield. General Garfield was a hero of the War of the Secession -- "Civil War" to you Yankees -- and was elected following an extremely fractious Republic convention at which he nominated someone else!

Garfield was apparently quite a remarkable man. Born into unimaginable poverty in Ohio [Not Illinois? Ed.], he rose to the heights in the army and then in Congress by dint of his brilliance, studiousness and work ethic. He was a devoted father, a gifted orator, a spellbinding speaker and a passionate advocate for freed slaves.

Just four months after assuming office, President Garfield was shot by one Charles Guiteau, a frustrated office-seeker who may have been deranged. Or not. At his trial, Guiteau admitted to shooting Garfield, but said the President's death, some six weeks after the shooting, was caused by others.

What "others"? Let Walt not be the spiller or spoiler of this plot. Better you should read Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine & the Murder of a President, by Candice Millard. This is truly a first-rate history -- carefully and thoroughly researched and written with immense narrative power. Ms Millard retells one of the great forgotten stories of US history and in so doing gives the lie to the suggestion that American politics -- indeed American life -- was at this time somehow dull and inconsequential.

A must-read for doctors and lawyers, for reasons that will be obvious, Walt gives Destiny of the Republic (Doubleday, 2011) 17 stars.

Note to Ed.: Could you please check and make sure we have the right picture of the late president?