Why Obama wants control of the Census

By Michelle Malkin  •  February 10, 2009 09:23 AM

There’s a racial/ethnic lobby power grab taking place in the shadows of the porkulus/TARP II debates. It involves the White House shifting oversight of the Census Bureau away from the Commerce Department. Minority mau-mau-ers don’t want Republican Commerce Secretary nominee Judd Gregg watching over their fuzzy math calculations.

John Fund explains:

President Obama said in his inaugural address that he planned to “restore science to its rightful place” in government. That’s a worthy goal. But statisticians at the Commerce Department didn’t think it would mean having the director of next year’s Census report directly to the White House rather than to the Commerce secretary, as is customary. “There’s only one reason to have that high level of White House involvement,” a career professional at the Census Bureau tells me. “And it’s called politics, not science.”

The decision was made last week after California Rep. Barbara Lee, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Hispanic groups complained to the White House that Judd Gregg, the Republican senator from New Hampshire slated to head Commerce, couldn’t be trusted to conduct a complete Census. The National Association of Latino Officials said it had “serious questions about his willingness to ensure that the 2010 Census produces the most accurate possible count.”

Anything that threatens the integrity of the Census has profound implications. Not only is it the basis for congressional redistricting, it provides the raw data by which government spending is allocated on everything from roads to schools. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also uses the Census to prepare the economic data that so much of business relies upon. “If the original numbers aren’t as hard as possible, the uses they’re put to get fuzzier and fuzzier,” says Bruce Chapman, who was director of the Census in the 1980s.

He who counts the beans controls the Democrat electoral machine.

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Posted in: census,Race Hustlers

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Comments


  1. #1
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:26 am, malkin_fan said:

    Most ethical my @ss!!!

  2. #2
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:27 am, happy_mama said:

    Are they going to let Biden do some of the counting too? We all know how good he is with 3 or 4 things at a time.

  3. #3
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:28 am, Fineous Reese said:

    “I’ve always remembered what Joseph Stalin said: ‘Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything.’ The same principle applies to the census. Since one or the other party will always be in power at the time of the census, it is vital that the out-of-power party at least be able to observe the process to make sure it isn’t being stacked in favor of the party in power. This will be difficult for the GOP since I suspect Democrats will control both houses of Congress for the entire Obama first term,” Sabato said.

    link

  4. #4
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:29 am, b-cat said:

    Gerrymandering is the goal.

    I wouldn’t trust any numbers coming out of the White House.

  5. #5
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:30 am, RedDog said:

    Once again, if nothing else the Republicans need to educate the public on the fact of the Dems 20 year malfeasance and culpability in this economic disaster and breakdown in the rule of law. They at least have to blunt the current propaganda offensive and naked power grabs, the census being only the latest. Conservatives cannot win at this game, it has been rigged from the beginning. Whereas Republican legislation and initiatives are easily rolled back, the very nature of self-actualizing, unaccountable government makes it a perfect nest for liberal Democrats whose initiatives become permanent fixtures that grow like tumors.

    Republicans need a focused strategy that ultimately focuses on amending the Constitution: fair tax and a balanced budget. As I have said and will continue to say, that foundation will be impossible for even the most ardent Socialists to bypass. It is a conservative Thermopylae buying us time to restore the rule of law.

  6. #6
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:32 am, granite said:

    The decision was made last week after California Rep. Barbara Lee, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Hispanic groups complained to the White House that Judd Gregg, the Republican senator from New Hampshire slated to head Commerce, couldn’t be trusted to conduct a complete Census. The National Association of Latino Officials said it had “serious questions about his willingness to ensure that the 2010 Census produces the most accurate possible count.”

    Another obvious example of blatant projection by socialists – accusing others of exactly what they themselves have in mind.
    They should be politically INcorrectly slammed on this.

  7. #7
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:35 am, RTater said:

    With ACORN doing the counting, we will finally discover that 90% of the US is homeless black people.

  8. #8
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:39 am, taylork said:

    They want to do things like this so that their candidate can still win while only gaining 30% of the vote.

    Go ahead, try and figure out the above map. When you can’t, you’ll realize how these idiots still get elected even though their staff goes to jail and they are continually investigated for corruption.

  9. #9
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:41 am, JDinTX said:

    Chicago politics at its best. With Rahm Emanuel and Obama in charge, it is very easy to know what is going to happen. Now you know why Obama loves ACORN so much and wants to give them millions more to do his dirty work.

  10. #10
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:41 am, docflash said:

    Hope this link thing works.If not take a look at this site for the photo.It was in the Houston Chronicle today.
    Maybe someone can make it work.
    Macsmind

  11. #11
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:44 am, sonofdy said:

    I understand why although most of america will not untill it is wayyy too late.

  12. #12
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:45 am, John Deaux said:

    it provides the raw data by which government spending is allocated on everything from roads to schools.

    Anybody want to bet that illegal aliens get counted so they can get their “fair share”?

  13. #13
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:47 am, englishqueen01 said:

    Anybody want to bet that illegal aliens get counted so they can get their “fair share”?

    No….wanna bet that red states and counties don’t get counted so they don’t get money?

    You vill vote for Obama in 2012 or you vill be punished.

    There’s a reason gun sales soared after the election. Here comes another revolution. Glad I’m on the side that believes in the Constitution.

  14. #14
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:51 am, txvet2 said:

    So they’re a bunch of Marxists trying to take total control of the political system. So what’s new?

  15. #15
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:54 am, conservativesRus said:

    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:30 am, RedDog said:
    ….Conservatives cannot win at this game, it has been rigged from the beginning….

    I disagree. Conservatives can win. They do have the winning ideas. The ideas which survive over time. Lib idea have never survived, have never built a great civilization.
    Conservatives lose when they “forget” the nature of mankind. (mankind is fallen – “There is no one righteous, not even one”) When conservatives try to cooperate with those diametrically opposed to a conservative worldview, they fail.

  16. #16
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:55 am, Atlanta Media Guy said:

    Judge Napolitano said is best yesterday on Fox News. If the White House does take over the Census then they fuzzy math they use can be kept secret under rules that apply to the Executive Branch. However, if the census is controlled by the Commerce Dept, which the constitution demands, the census takers must answer to the legislative branch. The hypocrisy of the Democrats is so rich, pardon the pun, Bush should be hung for his secrecy, however it’s okay if Prompterbama keeps his secrets. Do as I say not as I do. Elections have consequences!

  17. #17
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:57 am, jsmiddleton4 said:

    “With ACORN doing the counting, we will finally discover that 90% of the US is homeless black people.”

    You left out…

    “…who would like to buy a home but need someone else to pay their mortgage.”

  18. #18
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:58 am, Tazed and Confused said:

    Well… it’s now official

    Al Franken will head up Obie’s Census oversight team.

  19. #19
    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:58 am, MarcoPolo said:

    Gregg should withdraw from consideration ASAP. If Obama is already willing to toss Gregg under his bus, it doesn’t bode too well for a productive term.

  20. #20
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:02 am, John Deaux said:

    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:47 am, englishqueen01 said:

    There’s a reason gun sales soared after the election. Here comes another revolution. Glad I’m on the side that believes in the Constitution.

    Particularly the Second Amendment. What are they going to retaliate with? Harsh language?

  21. #21
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:03 am, Virginia Patriot said:

    It’s the Chicago way, the Democrats don’t intend to lose another election, even if they have to use foreign nationals to win. Oh, wait……….

  22. #22
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:05 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    Fineous Reese
    “I’ve always remembered what Joseph Stalin said: ‘Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything.’

    Exactly, Rahm Emmanuel, author of this plan, serves his Fuhrer well. As SS Operative Reinhard Tristan Heydrich, “the Hangman” is thought to have said “everybody has their favorite Jew”.

    Asked how long he was going to continue killing people Uncle Joe Stalin remarked “As long as it takes”. Perhaps William Ayres was more prophet than fool? But the American people did elect this 21Century Fascist.

    If all power comes from the barrel of a gun where is yours?

  23. #23
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:05 am, right4life said:

    as I’ve said, anybody who has been thinking the republicans will make a comeback in 2010 is just dreaming…

  24. #24
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:07 am, eaglehaslanded said:

    Most ethical my @ss!!!

    They are being ethical. That’s why they’re not letting Republicans anywhere near it.

  25. #25
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:09 am, sonofdy said:

    eaglehaslanded said: Democrats are ethical. LOL Good joke. Way to perk me up!!!

    Democrats just put a guy in charge of the IRS WHO CAN’T DO HIS OWN TAXES!!!!

    LOL ethical. eaglehaslanded made a funny…

  26. #26
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:11 am, RTater said:

    John Deaux – They are going to retaliate with House Bill 45:

    http://www.scribd.com/doc/11057958/HR45-Blair-Holts-Firearm-Licensing-and-Record-of-Sale-Act-of-2009-

    The term ‘qualifying firearm’–
    means–
    any handgun; or
    any semiautomatic firearm that can accept any detachable ammunition feeding device

  27. #27
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:11 am, DBNinKY said:

    Of course Democrats plan to gerrymander congressional districts, by unethically manipulating the census – they don’t even pay their taxes!

  28. #28
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:16 am, steveegg said:

    Very true. Just one example I’m keeping an eye on – the race between South Carolina and Oregon to get another Representative/Electoral College vote. I did some back-of-the-spreadsheet calculations the other day and found that, if the 8-year growth trends hold until April 2010, it would be South Carolina and not Oregon that gets that extra Rep/EC vote.

    The scary thing is that it would take a net change of just over 5,000 to shift that extra seat/vote from South Carolina to Oregon. The ugly is that shift would be a partisan one.

  29. #29
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:21 am, Socky said:

    LOL ethical. eaglehaslanded made a funny…

    I increasingly suspect ehl is really a conservative funnin’ with us by acting like a stupid leftist.

  30. #30
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:42 am, wighttrasch said:

    And we all know how well the Mau-Mau rebellion turned out, right?

  31. #31
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:43 am, FamilyMan said:

    fuzzy math calculations.

    The Census Bureau does not ask anyone’s citizenship or immigration status. That’s 12 to 20 million people to play with.

  32. #32
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:46 am, englishqueen01 said:

    They are being ethical. That’s why they’re not letting Republicans anywhere near it.

    Yeah. Memo for you, the CONSTITUTION requires the census be done by the Commerce Dept., not the White House.

    This is designed to keep your beloved O and Savior in power indefinitely. Not gonna happen.

    But thanks for playin’. Liberals are in for a rude awakening if they think they’re taking this country away from us.

    WE believe in the Second Amendment and will fight for our freedoms. What are you going to do, eagle? Scream at us?

  33. #33
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:51 am, wighttrasch said:

    What are you going to do, eagle?

    Probably throw feces…like his cousins.

  34. #34
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:55 am, John Deaux said:

    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:11 am, RTater said:
    John Deaux – They are going to retaliate with House Bill 45:

    http://www.scribd.com/doc/11057958/HR45-Blair-Holts-Firearm-Licensing-and-Record-of-Sale-Act-of-2009-

    The term ‘qualifying firearm’–
    means–
    any handgun; or
    any semiautomatic firearm that can accept any detachable ammunition feeding device

    Wow, it’s a real shame that I sold all of mine in a face to face transaction with a guy whose name I didn’t catch on January 19th.

  35. #35
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:55 am, PhredE said:

    This is to follow on talyork’s post and idea:

    Luis Gutierrez’ (4th) District in Chicago: Have a look, if this isn’t Gerrymandering, I don’t know what is…

    If light of such thing, I’d like to propose a new name for this – “Gerrymeandering”

    ‘If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.’ – G. Orwell

  36. #36
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:56 am, GladzKravtz said:

    Ok, so who is supposed to police this and interpret USC 13 – US CODE 13 – U.S. Code – Title 13: Census??
    I believe the following is a snipit of the actual text:

    The Bureau is continued as an agency within, and under the jurisdiction of, the Department of Commerce.

    How or what body has authority to change the code? Still looking but if anybody knows, it would be helpful as I’d like to email.

  37. #37
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:56 am, FamilyMan said:

    Don’t forget eagle, conservatives ARE the ones with most of the guns.

  38. #38
    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:57 am, marsouin said:

    Obama reflects not the triumph of the Civil Rights movement, but its failure. We are not One people, but divided among different ethnic/racial groups competing for the spoils of political victory. This is always the consequence once the Rule of Law and small, limited government is abandoned for democratic socialism. We are destined to remain fractured along these lines for many decades to come.

  39. #39
    On February 10th, 2009 at 11:13 am, denver republican said:

    The census is a creature of the Constitution, which requires only an “actual enumeration” of the population; needless to say, the Constitution says nothing about telling the government your race, religion, sexual orientation, eye color, favorite toothpaste, most hated movie star, or anything else. So when you get your census form, simply fill out the box asking how many people live in your household and leave the rest of it blank. The left pretends to care about privacy; let’s see if they’re willing to defend it.

  40. #40
    On February 10th, 2009 at 11:55 am, eaglehaslanded said:

    WE believe in the Second Amendment and will fight for our freedoms. What are you going to do, eagle? Scream at us?

    You know that whole “Cold Dead Hands” thing?

    It’s a deal.

  41. #41
    On February 10th, 2009 at 12:00 pm, KCK said:

    #40 looks like an abusive moonbat troll to me.

    My 2 cents. Obama is in to lose the war. read what he does through that lens and see if it doesn’t make sense.

  42. #42
    On February 10th, 2009 at 12:04 pm, lgm said:

    Republicans have sabotaged the census for generations. It’s no wonder people don’t a Republican running the next one. The issue is (as though you didn’t know) that the more accurate a census is, the more Democrats it finds. Many of the harder to count people, the homeless for example, are Democrats.

  43. #43
    On February 10th, 2009 at 12:13 pm, Doo2 said:

    Many of the harder to count people, the homeless for example, are Democrats.

    Don’t forget the dead and illegals and people like Tom Daschle who have primary residences in two places.

  44. #44
    On February 10th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, Socky said:

    Many of the harder to count people, the homeless for example, are Democrats.

    And most of the homeless are mentally deranged and/or substance abusers. That they should be Democrats is easy to understand. Why their vote counts the same as that of a sane, productive citizen is not.

  45. #45
    On February 10th, 2009 at 12:38 pm, wighttrasch said:

    lgm, do you even proofread your stuff? I mean, you do have folds on your brain—it’s not smooth is it?

  46. #46
    On February 10th, 2009 at 12:48 pm, englishqueen01 said:

    The issue is (as though you didn’t know) that the more accurate a census is, the more Democrats it finds. Many of the harder to count people, the homeless for example, are Democrats.

    Funny, so are many of the dead people, cartoon characters, and made-up nonpersons that the Democrats ALWAYS seem to find. You can make up any numbers you want when you control the process with an iron fist.

    This is unconstitutional, but since the Constitution means nothing to liberals, I don’t expect you to be upset.

  47. #47
    On February 10th, 2009 at 12:50 pm, conservativesRus said:

    On February 10th, 2009 at 12:04 pm, lgm said:
    The issue is (as though you didn’t know) that the more accurate a census is, the more Democrats it finds. Many of the harder to count people, the homeless for example, are Democrats.

    Yes lgm – you are correct that many homeless are in fact democrats. But you are completely mistaken none-the-less. Whether or not the census counts a homeless person has zero effect on whether that person can vote or not.
    Further – I’ll be so bold as to state if you are homeless, we probably don’t want you making executive decisions on behalf of the rest of us. I’d prefer to have people with demonstrated success make the high level decisions.

  48. #48
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:03 pm, taylork said:

    . Many of the harder to count people, the homeless for example, are Democrats.

    What is this based on? What makes you think that they even have a political affiliation? And I’m sure you know what the census doesn’t measure political affiliation, so if it did find more democrats it wouldn’t matter.

  49. #49
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:05 pm, happyscrapper said:

    I wonder who will fire the first “shot heard around the world”? Someone will, just wait. I am praying it isn’t so, but it is almost inevitable.

  50. #50
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:05 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 10th, 2009 at 9:51 am, txvet2 said:
    So they’re a bunch of Marxists trying to take total control of the political system. So what’s new?

    What’s new? They are succeeding. That’s what’s new.

  51. #51
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:07 pm, CantCureStupid said:

    Don’t forget the dead and illegals and people like Tom Daschle who have primary residences in two places

    Not to mention house pets, Mickey Mouse and anyone who’s ever spent more than 5 minutes in Ohio.

    But hey, being a leftist means never having to say your sorry. The ends justify the means.

  52. #52
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:10 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 10th, 2009 at 10:56 am, GladzKravtz said:
    How or what body has authority to change the code? Still looking but if anybody knows, it would be helpful as I’d like to email.

    Don’t you get it yet? They don’t have to follow the rules. They are taking over the country. Rules don’t mean anything. Our constitution is toast.

  53. #53
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:17 pm, rambler said:

    Actually, the CB does more than just enumeration. Anyone get the census longform in 2000? Well, that multipage questionaire has morphed into the American Community Survey. The ACS is being mailed out monthly to “random” residences to obtain lots of personal info regarding income, health, level of education and life style. Anyone receiving this survey is eligible for the CB’s 90 day harassement cycle. Do you think it is the gov’s business how many cars you own, what time you left for work, the date you got married, how many time you were married, do you have health insurance and what kind it is, can you bath yourself or when were you sick last? And after answering 22 pages of questions the respondent is supposed to pop the survey in the mail. All this is for state funding.HAH!

  54. #54
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:20 pm, taylork said:

    Republicans have sabotaged the census for generations.

    Where do you even get this stuff from?

    I have never ever heard any social scientist who works with census data, democrat or republican, say that the data is tainted due to some sort of malfeasance. And I would venture that all of the social sciences would be pretty much screwed if this were the case.

    Why do you insist on coming here on making things up?

  55. #55
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:22 pm, taylork said:

    And after answering 22 pages of questions the respondent is supposed to pop the survey in the mail. All this is for state funding.

    Nah. It’s more for general data collection to better control for confounding variables.

  56. #56
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:28 pm, rambler said:

    You’ve never heard of a social scientist who works with the CB…
    You’ve lead a sheltered life. Let me introduce you to COSSA. This organization represents a list of social, economic and behavioral scientists who have a vested interest in the CB surveys. Their members are present at subcommittee meetings regarding the census surveys and they lobby congress to get their questions added to these surveys. They publish a bi-monthly news letter which always contains census info.

  57. #57
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:35 pm, docflash said:

    lgm,what do the homeless and that kind of ilk produce or contribute?Wait,Is there sales tax on a bottle of wine?

  58. #58
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:37 pm, reine.de.tout said:

    The decision was made last week after California Rep. Barbara Lee, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and from the story: Hispanic groups complained to the White House that Judd Gregg, the Republican senator from New Hampshire slated to head Commerce, couldn’t be trusted to conduct a complete Census. The National Association of Latino Officials said it had “serious questions about his willingness to ensure that the 2010 Census produces the most accurate possible count.”

    This talk about “ensuring the most accurate” sounds a lot like the arguments that were made for same-day voting registration, etc., that has led to so much voting corruption.

  59. #59
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:42 pm, taylork said:

    You’ve never heard of a social scientist who works with the CB…
    You’ve lead a sheltered life.

    Clearly you lead a life filled with misunderstandings that come as a result of you not reading things correctly.

    I said, that aren’t any social scientists that complain about malfeasance in the data that stems from political corruption. I did not say that I have never heard of a social scientist who works with census data.

    Reread and apologize.

  60. #60
    On February 10th, 2009 at 1:43 pm, cheapseat said:

    the left has learned that it can steal elections and intimidate voters. think the mafia. have you ever seen the mafia leave an area it takes control of. is the mafia still in control of new york, chicago, etc. and that’s from the twenties. chavez, castro, kim, the bloods and the crips and ms13 are all just the overt one leader rule groups. how did they get there? gold or lead? bribe em or get rid of them. sound familiar. our leftists are bribing the stupid, and scandalizing and villifying the opposition. palin is still being persecuted.

  61. #61
    On February 10th, 2009 at 2:02 pm, rambler said:

    Actually, there have been lots of critical statements about the accuracy of the CB data followed by court challenges regarding counts. As to whether political corruption was involved…..there’s political corruption in every other gov activity. The census would not be free from political corruption’s influences. We haven’t exposed it yet. Just wait, it will come to light as well.

  62. #62
    On February 10th, 2009 at 2:46 pm, vsatt said:

    I’m sure it will come to light once it passes through Obama’s lackeys. His group isn’t too great when it comes to hiding what they’re doing – probably because they aren’t used to people checking them out and blowing the whistle.

  63. #63
    On February 10th, 2009 at 2:52 pm, Freddy said:

    This is actually very simple. While the constitution calls for an actual count of people, there are those that profess an actual count is not as good as a statistical one.

    To get an idea of what this can lead to, look at the various statistical reports of the millions of Iraqis that were killed by the statisticians during the war.

    This kind of counting is what leads to major ‘analysis’ of ‘urban areas’ where, while it is possible to stand on every corner and count bodies, a much more robust count can be obtained by standing on one corner and counting, then extrapolating that number to the rest of the corners. An even better, and more accurate, count can be obtained by announcing that there will be free hot dogs distributed on that one corner during the count!

    This is how a city, like San Francisco, can expand their population without adding any new housing.

  64. #64
    On February 10th, 2009 at 2:53 pm, sillygatboy said:

    Fineous in #3 said:

    “Joseph Stalin said: ‘Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything.’ ”

    How well stated

  65. #65
    On February 10th, 2009 at 4:03 pm, TK-421 said:

    Umm….does it really matter what color the people are versus how many? Call me crazy I just dont see how it matters how many minorites there are versus whites, never mind mixed relations have climbed substantiually in the last 12 years.

  66. #66
    On February 10th, 2009 at 5:15 pm, Danceswithdachshunds said:

    Well at least now they can adjust the populations of their precincts to make double certain they always exceed the number of people who vote in them.

    And just guess WHO Obama would pick as the group best equipped to canvas neighborhoods to ~verify~ a given census? .. once he puts on his thinking cap that is.

  67. #67
    On February 11th, 2009 at 9:29 am, thetoysurgeon said:

    Yep, I am gonna use federal accounting on my 2009 taxes, accuracy here and there and estimates in other places.

  68. #68
    On February 18th, 2009 at 4:54 pm, DaveC said:

    Barrymandering

    Thanks to someone in the comments at HotAir..

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