Federal Investigation of ACORN Slow Going

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri may have prematurely applauded reports that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened a criminal investigation into whether the left-wing advocacy group the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, a/k/a ACORN, has violated federal election law by fostering and promoting a national program of voter registration fraud in the 2008 Presidential Election and local races throughout the nation.

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When the Associated Press reported that the FBI is actively pursuing leads in the investigation of ACORN, many political observers took a "wait and see" position since several roadblocks have been placed by those who are believed to have benefited from ACORN activities. Word of the investigation came less than a week after Blunt joined Reps. Candice Miller (R-Mich.), Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.), and Lamar Smith (R-Texas) in sending a letter to the Department of Justice urging it to act. However, as reported by radio and television talk show host Glenn Beck, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), the current chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said he did not believe there was evidence of fraud by ACORN in spite of reports of voter fraud. Blunt, a former secretary of state in Missouri, joined other House leaders in urging the Bureau to "take all active and appropriate measures" to ensure the civil rights of legitimate voting Americans aren't diluted by systemic voter fraud. "I was proud to join three former secretaries of state now serving in Congress, as well as our ranking members on the Judiciary and Administration committees, in calling on the Justice Department to stand up in defense of the sanctity of Americans' right to vote -- and, as important, their right to be assured that vote counts," said the Missouri congressman. "News that the Department has heeded that call and begun the process of unraveling ACORN's widespread program of alleged voter registration fraud is a heartening development -- and one all Americans ought to take notice of as they prepare to exercise their most basic civic duty in the upcoming 2010 election cycle. "I want to applaud the Department of Justice for taking this important step, and associate myself with the efforts of Leader Boehner to ensure not one more dime of taxpayer money is diverted into the coffers of this organization until Justice completes its review and determines whether ACORN's actions merit criminal prosecution," said Rep. Blunt. President Barack Obama's spokespersons claim he had a limited relationship with ACORN. However, the record shows that "[Obama] says he is drawn to politics, despite its superficialities, as a means to advance his real passion and calling: community organization. … In 1992 Obama took time off to direct Project Vote, the most successful grass-roots voter-registration campaign in recent city history." Obama also -- according to Real Clear Politics -- was hired by ACORN's Madeline Talbott to train her staff. In the past, ACORN officials admitted to submitting fraudulent voter registration forms in Ohio and press reports confirmed that ACORN submitted hundreds of fraudulent voter registration forms in Kansas City, forcing local officials to wade through fraudulent voter registrations, potentially disenfranchising legitimate voters. However, there appears to be continued hesitation on the part of the Obama Administration, the Justice Department and the US Congress to investigate and adjudicate cases of voter fraud by ACORN. In fact, if anything the group is being rewarded with its proposed participation in the 2010 Census, a process in which the stakes are high.