More than half of Republicans -- 52 percent -- believe that ACORN stole the presidential election for Barack Obama, despite a "complete lack of evidence," according to Public Policy Polling. That makes the belief more popular in the GOP than the birther theory. The news came as Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman accused ACORN of helping tip his upstate New York congressional race to Democrat Bill Owens. Do Republicans really believe voter fraud put Obama in the White House? (Watch a report about whether ACORN "stole" the election for Obama)
What astonishing paranoia: This helps explain "the anger of the Tea Party crowd," says Eric Kleefeld in Talking Points Memo. The "obvious comparison" is the Democrats who questioned George W. Bush's 2000 election. But that came down to a handful of votes in Florida -- Barack Obama clobbered John McCain by 9.5 million votes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to goThe Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala HarrisThe Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
