Libraries across America do the same thing when you want to check out a book. You need to do the same to cash a check at a bank, fly on a plane, sometimes see a movie, or buy a beer. How is it OK in modern America to have to show and ID to do most everything now a days but not for voting?

But somehow this act of proving who you are is so very very wrong when it comes to voting? Wake up and smell your stupidity because you do not fool anyone with this argument.

Not IDing people before they vote just opens the voting process up to more scams and allows anyone to just show up at a polling place and say I'd like to vote.

mm mm …………you know who will register dead people to win the election at all costs…………..

clinton will do whatever she can to steal the nomination and any ruling she can get she will twist it as much as she can as she has been doing all along

can someone stand up agains the clinton machine?
why is everyone so afraid of the clintons?

I could have sworn that the poor vote went to Clinton. Is Wolf calling African-Americans poor. I thought that Obama received most of the rich vote.

Doubt it will affect either candidtate…Indiana already has this law…so the voters were already aware….As an Obama fan..It's amazing how when Obama is up (destined to win) the media drowns us out with negative exposure. I see the strategy. I mean Keeping the HIllraisers believing Clinton will win definitely, keeps the drama going. In return, securing the bloggers and anchors with Material. But it's clear Obama is going to represent the Dem Party for President due to Delegate count. WHY FEED INTO THE DRAMA?

What I found interesting was the breakdown of the votes in the Supreme Court's decision. Basically, there were three positions. Scalia, Thomas, and Alito (three Justices who are considered "conservative") held one position; Breyer, Ginsberg, and Souter (three Justices who are considered "liberal") held another position, and Stephens, Roberts, and Kennedy held a third position. Stephens is considered "liberal"–often, the most liberal on the Court–Roberts is considered "conservative", and Kennedy is the notable "swing vote" in many cases. That makes this third group "centrist".

In this case, since the vote was split 3-3-3, there was no majority opinion. The "centrist" group and the "conservative" group agreed on the outcome, which was that the specific law in Indiana was constitutional, but they disagreed as to the reason why. Thus, the *reasoning* behind the two positions is not considered to be binding precedent, and future cases may be required for the Court to issue a binding opinion to clarify what restrictions are constitutional and which are not.

Wolf,
You are as bias as ever ! Let me ask you a question did not the 911 terrorist have photo ID's, what good is it ? Is this not another poll tax, used to prevent people from voting? Did we not have to create the 13th,14th, and 15th amendments to include women and black people. This Supreme Court claim to be originalist to the constitution, yet they approved the photo ID, where in the original constitution did it mention photos ? Why don't you, Candy Crowley, Jessica Yellin ,and Gloria have the courage to say, you are Clinton supporters !

Wolf, Why doesn't Obama just do what Sen. McCain did with the story about a possible relationship with a former lobbyist earlier this year. He gave a short statement and said that he would no longer take questions on the issue. He has been asked about it since.

Don't be niave b-liberal, Hillary and Bill have been whining since day one. Remeber the Ohio debate "Why do I always get the first question?!"

Mr. Wolfe Blitzer,That was an excellent move of fair play to ask Candy Crowley about Gov. Mike Easley endorsing Hillary R. Clinton? Good job Wolf. This is a sign of leadership.Congratulations.

This will have fallout..especially with older and immigrant voters…The election fraud has to do with the voting machines and the fact that here is not way to track or verify..
There is wide spread voter depression..this does not deal with that issue.
When are you going to QUIT pushing the clinton spin and ASK WHY SHE CAN NOT CLOSE THE DEAL? With double digit leads- national name recognition, a expres as a husband,, all the money from big donors, and the deck stacked for/by her , Bill, and McAuliffe at the DNC- she is behind in every metric!!!!

Erick speaks the truth. Peace man.

CNNmakes it sound like poor people won't be able to vote and show a woman who says she must pay 100 for an id – baloney! You can get an id at the dmv for free.

I'm so sick of CNN bias – cafferty and wolf and borger and others on the same side of every issue. The best political team is liberal loving.

With most of those complaints's in The Texas Caucus. If you have Identification, they can't turn a Voter away.

My state requires photo ID to vote, and I have no problem with that. I also have to photo ID to get through an airport. So what!

Here goes! Obama should debate. Wright does matter. Votes and delegates in Michigan and Florida should count as is — no deals. Throw out the Texas caucus — no one should have to stay until 3:00 or 4:00 AM to vote in a caucus. (Most people have children and jobs — they can't pull all-nighters anymore.) Hillary should stay in until the convention.

Let's get back to good old fashion politics. Look at the issues. Choose a candidate of substanance — not just rethoric. Super delegates should base their votes on their states primaries or go to the house.

Wolf's republican face has come out. He only talks about Reverend Wright, Obama, however, he does talk about McCain that flip-flop all the time and involved in the Keating 5. Why he does not address McCain's problems.

No need to make it a bigger issue than it is. Here in Puerto Rico (primary June 1st) everyone who registers to vote gets a photo id electoral card. It's free. Every election it gets a hole punched in along the edge. If it gets lost you can get a new one free, even on election day. When you show your card to the election officials on election day they look you up in the voting lists. No big deal!

Oh, Wolf, when I saw something about a court case, I actually thought you were going to report on the Paul vs. Clinton case. I haven't heard much about that on the news…what are you waiting for? Perhaps after
you've spun enough of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and ruined our best chance in a lifetime to actually have a leader of integrity, sincerity, wisdom, and vision in the white house. Then the truth will come out
and what will the polls say then about Hillary's electability? Please use your position responsibly and report some real news and then
the people can decide for themselves..

Other than the obvious disrespect of the government to make you show your face for your vote, I don't understand what's the big deal. Folks you have 6 whole months to get up $16.50 for an I.D. Just get an I.D. what's the big deal? If you want to change these type of policies than make sure you get your I.D. and get that vote out in November 2008.

Voter ID is needed, one vote one person, if you don't have a picture ID, they should issue voter cards with pictures.

I have always admired Wolf Blitzer's tenacity in his questions. Lately though both he and his producer are dead set on highlighting Hillary's successes and glorifying them and at the same time belittling Obamas gains.

Racism rises again! The RNC and the Clintons are ruling on this and they are putting African Americans back in slavery. It is not bad enough that they have to live poor but now their rights are being taken away again.

Cinta

New York, NY

No matter how is it spun it is up to the state to make sure that people that want to vote get the chance to vote. And as long as the state follows the rules, that their votes count.

No matter how this turns out, the Clintonites and Internadicts will claim it unfair leading up to the election and will not shut up unless it falls in their favor.

Her royal thighness is not equipped to be president of this country

As a credentials committee member for the Collin County Texas Democratic Party, I have seen first hand how voting fraud happens. In Texas we have both a Primary and a Caucus system.

Ms. Clinton won the primary in Texas.
Mr. Obama won the caucus in Texas.

The main difference is in the primary, voters are required to be a registered voter in the Precinct in which they vote.

In the caucus in Collin and some other counties we did not require that the people be a registered voter. We did not even require they give a last name or an address.

This is a huge problem because some precincts get a large number of delegates while having relatively few voters at the caucus. The Obama campaign targeted such districts for precinct shopping.

At least 30 Obama delegates to the County Convention were representing precinct they did not live in.

I would be happy to prove what I am saying to anyone that is interested.

Not to worry Obamaites.Hispanics are tyhe ones who will need an ID BECAUSE THEY ARE USUALLY WITHOUT THE PROPER id and the illegal will usually vote for the one who mostly looks like a candidate..They are huge racists

wolf, i'm tied of hearing contiously that obama can't win some white votes, first of all, he won white votes in quite a few states, and what ever happen to clinton not doing anything close to winning the black vote, it's like primary after primary her numbers with the black vote just keeps droping, i mean look at the last primary, she only had about 8% of the black vote, does she think she could win the general without the black vote?

It will not matter if Clinton wins Indiana because when Barack wins NC it will wipe her out completely. You must understand politricks..the game is try to make people get ID's so the Clinton campaign can win..However, what peeps do not understand is that ..IT WILL NOT WORK.. i smell a rat..Clinton is desperate..

Why isn't there more analysis to try and understand why Obama is winning 90% of the African-American Vote?

Where is all the gas tax money, billions being spent now?? should be on roads and bridges!

Why do we need to raise more yaxes and money??

first soultion by our elected reps, is to raise taxes!! nobaody in the news media aks where the BILLIONS are now bering spent and why we do not have enough money when every year billions are collected.

I find it amazing that Hillary supporters can accuse another candidate of whining. I'm just about to cynic right back out of politics. If Clinton gets the nomination we're right back to the lesser of two evils. While our jobs, economy, and our young men in the service go down the American public are acting like children. Belly up to the National Enquirer politics of the United States.

Who is PETER PAUL??

Just another way to stop blacks from voting. Be here before!

Georeg R. if you want an anti American , lier. Ithen vote for Obama. Hillary won't have to steal the election, if you have mind enough to read, then you will see that Hillary is the only one who can beat John Mcain. The choice is simple Hillary or Mcain. Obama doesn't relate to the average person. Hillary will beat him.

Having photo ID is hardly what should make you eligible to vote. However, I guess it is a way of stopping some Americans from voting.
Hmmm…Now I wonder what candidate this will benefit? Any guesses?

So if an 85 year old WW 2 veteran shows up to vote and does not have his ID . We are going to make him travel to some downtown office within 10 days. Their name has to be on the electoral role. Lets get real. every day ID gets lost, stolen, misplaced.
This is just another Republican trick so that George W can become the second worst president we have ever had! When John McCain replaces him as the worst!

The only reason Hilary is still able to run is becuase she's a Clinton. Her attack adds are sinking to a new low and she's offending alot of people trying to damage Obama's electability. As a result of the political games Hillary is playing, she has offended Rev. Wright's legacy and the Nations black church community.

I agree with the need for ID, but this impacts many elderly or disabled voters. Yes, you need to provided ID for SS benefits, but after the initial approval it's not reqiured again. Many elderly people let their Driver's License lapse, and in small rural communities there's rarely a need to go out and get a state ID card.

Photo_ID is not the problem. How about birth certificate?? that will definietly prove citizenship. Legal immigrants like foreign students get Photo_IDs in order to live here.

What is improtant, is making Voting a Legal Right and not a Legal Act which every now and then needs to be voted on at the Capitol.

I think that you should have to show some sort of Identification when voting. Why not you have to show ID for a lot of reasons in the US. I also want to comment on the Rev. Wright and his conference today. When he said that the reason Obama made the comment about Rev Wright and what he said was because he was making a political comment because he is running for president and he had to make that comment leaves me to believe that he wasn't sincere when he said that he does not agree with Rev Wright that he only said it because that is what the american people want to hear. So what else has he said that he really does not mean. What about all the promises he has made are they really going to be carried out or are they also false. I feel that the american people are not attacking the black church they were questioning his statement. I know I was and still am. He is skating over the real issue which was his statements. I have been to a black church and it was not like his church. That is unfair to say that all black churches have those same beliefs.

No one should dispute this, only citizens of the US should have a vote. Those that are not citizens are visitors.

Its the government job to know who the voters are, so that people can come to the booth and be verified. We prove our identify on phone with simple questions, can we do the same for voting. I think it is unfair if voters need id to show their existence.

George R, you must be the exception to the Obama supporters.

b-liberal, you are an idiot!

I have to show my driver's license to vote in Florida. Oh, excuse me, I forgot we don't count as a state anymore. So why did I vote????

This is information that the American people NEED to know; this is VITAL to ALL voters. The Clintons are scandalous. There is a case pending RIGHT NOW in CA, it’s a real, legit case Peter Paul vs Clinton. For the skeptics, the case number is : BC304174
lasuperiorcourt.org

Jim, if you can't spell mandatory correctly then please save your Nazi comments. If you are a legal citizen of this United States then you should have simple photo identification. If you drove to the voting booth then you should have a drivers license. Even the elderly have senior citizen identification. This should be LAW – deal with it people.

It goes back to Gore/Bush 2000. Democrats tried to cheat then and Clinton Tries to cheat now. Of course Democrats would never admit that and it is just easier to claim a conspiracy. There 8 years of trying tio demonize Bush and thwart his ability to govern at every turn is borderline treasonous. Thanks to GWB we have have been kept safe from another attack since 9/11. IF a Democrat is elected in November, who will they blame then. I just hope somebody is left to blame.

Thirty-four percent (34%) of Democrats nationwide now believe that Hillary Clinton should drop out of the race for the White House. That’s up from 32% earlier in April and 22% in late March. do the math it is over for cliniton uless the wil of the people if over turn then what has she won??????????????

Wolf,
Indiana has made every provision necessary for Indiana voters to cast their ballots. You and other media personnel need a story; so, you make this decision appear to disenfranchise voters……..come visit during election time……..we simply want those who vote to verify who they are….how simple do we have to make this for people like you!

I must add to my above post that this is yet another example of the main-stream-media being completely out-of-touch with reality. This elections' biggest loser are you people in the media. You have shown to be truly out-of-touch with reality and are the true elitists playing the armchair "analysts" who spin stories to no end. I'm thoroughly disgusted and outraged. Your comments section is the best example this – Pick and choose comments to support your headlines, and then close them when you've accomplished your agenda.

Everybody should have an ID…..Hillary stay in the race…I love to hear your spin after defeat in ID, NC

OBAMA 08′

The big impact will be that non citizens will not be voting and the dead willnot be voting as long as we require ID to vote by absentee ballot also. You cannot even open a bank accoutn or go into a federal building with out an ID. The court got this one right just as they got it right preventing a state supreme court form picking our President.

Voter I.D. – good idea. We need some form of security as long as it doesn't get out of hand. A simple photo I.D. should suffice. Howard Dean thinks he will solve his problem by forcing Obama or Hillary to quit the race and not allow the super delegates to select a nominee. How would Howard Dean like this solution if one of the candidates quits: If either candidate quits the race we will vote for McCain in the fall. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Howard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wolf, please, no more Rev. Wright. It's really making for boring TV. NO ONE GIVES A CRAP ANYMORE!!!

We all know everything there is to know, now tell us something new!

IT IS MONSTROUS THAT THERE WERE STATES ALLOWING TO VOTE WITHOUT DUE IDENTIFICATION. THIS EXPLAINS THE HUNDRED OF THOUSAND OF ILLEGAL RESIDENT VOTING
MAINLY FOR HLLARY !!

BOER

Wolf, is this another one of those Hillary's desperate strategy to blame the process should she lose Indiana?

I'm sorry, but I never understood why photo ID's are not required for voters. You must be a citizen of the US to vote. I'm a naturalized citizen and fully support a federal law that requires ID's to vote. This isn't a Republican issue, this is about fair elections. Many people come to this country because they are fed up with election frauds in other places around the world. If the people are poor and elderly, chances are they already have photo ID's. Federal programs are not provided without ID's. Medicare and Social welfare programs are not provided without ID's.

Wolf,

What planet are you living on, either cnn has been misleading voters, or you have been on the moon, and could not find your way back!
We have all been hearing from cnn that Sen. Clinton does well with the poor and undereducated, Hispanics, and seniors. Why then in the above article, you are trying to make us believe that Sen. Obama has the votes of the poor voters??? This must surely be a mis-speak on your part, because I tend to believe cnn's reports.

cnn, please post this, maybe Wolf can correct the article?
thanks

I cannot believe that most people do not have ID and those that do not probably do not follow the election campaign enough to be able to vote in an intelligent way. I am 73, follow the news on conservative and liberal news programs, computer news and newspapers but know many elderly (with ID) who do none of these things but will be voting anyway and yet do not know the issues, only a name, black or white and republican or democrat. Obviously this is a problem we can't correct but we can at least require ID.

Have you ever noticed that if you don't agree with the left wing/socialist philosophy for ANY reason that you are labeled a NAZI/fascist/racist?
That in itself is very SCARY!

John Edwards has a right to allow democracy to play out here in the United States of America. The election process beats a dictatorship. He has a right as a citizen of the United States of America to keep his endorsement private until he gets to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado in August. Too many people have jumped on the bandwagon at this point and see what type of media circus you have going on now. The news today has become the news instead of reporting the facts. It is now falling under entertainment in my book. About the energy crisis the three candidates are talking about today if you reporters would become investigating reporters again. Now would be a great time to investigate all the present day executive administration close door energy meetings which was held when they first took office after the year 2000. Gee!!! That might help explain why the United States of America might be in the shape it is now enduring. What do you say? LOL

Gus, it is about time to realize that Donna Brazill is no longer nuetral. Instead of teaming her with a republican, you need to team her with a Hillary advocate.

It continues to amaze me how far some people are off base when it comes to simple requirements. There are so many basic things that require a photo id these days from cashing a check to getting a library card. Why is it so hard to use a photo id when you sign into vote so that your registration can be verified. Seems to me to be the prudent thing in order to ensure that those who have legally registered to vote are given the opportunity to vote. Those who are not going to be in the area where they are registered can always get an absentee ballot. I spent over twenty years in the military and voted like this for years. The college students can do the same thing in the area that they are legally registered to vote. The uninformed citizens who think this requirement is too restrictive must have some other motive for arguing against this simple requirement. Why is it so hard to obtain a photo id? Do it when you register to vote. Since voting is a privalege, I for one want to make sure that my vote is not cancelled out by someone who is voting under false pretenses.

I'm saddened to see the Senator like Governor Richardson endorse Obama when Hillary won their state. I thought the Supers were to keep in mind the voice of their constituents and the person's electability when considering who to endorse. Obama couldn't get elected before and even more so now that Wright has resurfaced, his Campaign Finance director has some questions to answer about her failed bank, the Rezko trial re-starts and his name comes up immediately, his complete about face on the Iraqi war, etc.
Why didn't the press vet this guy up front instead of having it all fall out now?

This is obviously discrimatory towards Democrats. How will they be able to vote multiple times in an election if they have to show ID?

It's impossible to function in normal society without proper identification. The only people who deliberately do so are those trying to stay "under the radar", mostly criminals with outstanding warrants.

So what's the issue??

I'm a Republican planning to vote for Obama in the General Election. If Clinton wins the nomination, I'm back to McCain.

It is my opinion that Hillary is the candidate with the most baggage and throwing the most mud. She couldn't keep her own story straight with regard to Bosnia; uses the word "angry" in opposition of Obama's word "bitter" (Bill and Hillary both have trouble with the dictionary); and, lest you have all forgotten, look back in the news archives (CBS) for Jan. 26 and Febr 7, 2001, and see that the Clinton's "mistakenly" moved out china, flatware and furniture belonging to the White House.

Please Democrats, give me Obama in the General!

The concern with photo id is that they are rarely free—it becomes a poll tax. This is only a good idea if they are free and can be obtained at places where people normally go like the grocery store, bank, nursing home. Will a photo id law cancel vote-by-mail? The purpose of photo id laws is to allow fewer people to vote. Republicans desire fewer people voting and they push for barriers to poor people voting.

Be careful what you are giving up people, there has been no evidence of voter fraud in any of these places but yet the republicans scream voter fraud everyone has to have an ID. You signature is on record in your local voting office and if you think most poor or elderly people have current valid ID's then you are very sadly mistaken.

I'm amazed how easily people are ready to hand the process over to big brother when he has been the problem all along!

So Now Obama is a Simili of Castro??? What a Character

b-liberal…when has Hillary not whined? She is whining about the seating of FL and MI…she whined she is being unfairly treated by the press…she whined that her daughter is being tortured by college students and the media for questioning her take on her father's impeachment…she whined that the media misportrayed Geraldine Ferraro…she is whining that Obama is not giving her another debate…she is whining because she is not going to win the nomination that she always felt entitled to. We can go on. I mean, with the whining come all of the lies…and around the corner from the lies are of course all of the bating…race…gender. Geto over it.

Any law that discourages full voter participation in the election process is a bad law.

I agree with Erik; and Wolf stick to the facts; I use to watch your show regularly; but lately you are too one sided. I am sorry to see that, it reminds me too much of FOX news.

This might hurt Hilllary!

Many of her 80 year olds have stopped driving and haven't renewed there drivers licenses.

Good decision. Photo ID is a reasonable requirement that will help avoid fraud. Well done Supreme Court.

Obama supporters are still stuck on Clinton 'stealing' the election.

Yeah?

Obama hasnt WON anything . He cant win either. He needs the super delegates too.

Also, no body has ever been given the nominatioin that LOST every single major primary across the country except his default home state.

nobody in the history of US politics have ever then gone on to win the white house.

So giving it to Obama is STEALING it from Clinton, who earned it thru all the major primaires.

Sure wish Rev Wright had spojken fully to the public before I vored. I voted for Obama and I WANT MY VOTE BACK! You know, if Obama listed to this devisive stuff for 20 Years some of it was absorbed,
Hopefully the states that haven't voted will take heed!!!!

About time!! Who do you think elected the govenor of Washington in the last election. Votes from the graveyard!! She's not my Govenor!!

No candidate has even won the white house losing all the major primaries. Never once in all of US history.

Obama is unelectable.

if you want to vote so badly, go to the dmv and get an i.d.

What's so wrong with that. I thought they did that already. I have to show my id when I go and vote. I don't see anything wrong with that.

Erick,
What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this chat room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Forget that Wolf is a Jew. How about Lou Dobbs. They all are fighting against Obama. It is a conspiracy. Some people always want to stay up.

To Portland , OR. and everyone else who feels the same way, lf you as a democrat feel this ruling will disenfranchise some voters then step up and help these folks get photo IDs or are you just gonna whine?

Great decision….!!!! You have to be a real idiot not to have an ID.

An by the way, Mike you hit the nail in the head

Will states provide a photo ID for folks who do not have pictures on their drivers' licenses?

Most people don't think about the fact that if obama wins nomination he can win against oldie. Dems should vote who ever wins nomination, unless they want 4 more yrs of bush.

Many underage people voted in WA caucuses because of no ID requirement. Guess who they voted for?

ALL states should require ID for voting.

I was a campaign captain in my precinct and we were told—show a picture ID or your voter registration I felt we should have asked for a picture ID even if they had a voters' registration, just to be on the safe side. however, the powers to be said no. I am an Obama supporter.

Kristal,

Absolutely Kristal.

It is so strange that the Obama campaign wont even bring up the Mark Penn controversy when HRC used a similar issue against Obama to maximum advantage. One of the things that befuddles me is that, Obama will not even mention these sort of things. Let him not be an attack politician, but will he lose something if he mention some negative things about HRC ?

Is this guy an idiot or what? Anyone who isn't willing to show a picture ID to voted probably shouldn't anyway. I can't believe there's that many people that would be offended by this ruling. Anything to make a news story.

And this is a surprise how? Why don't we let all our enemies in to vote for who they want. That would make an effective government. Please can't we see this makes sense!

Once again ever country around the world makes people show an id to vote.

Let's find some real news.

It's pretty telling that Hillarats are cheering the decision of a right-wing Supreme Court. Democrats obviously aren't interested in electing Bush in a pantsuit and that's why Hillary LOST the nomination. Ha Ha. Hillary isn't even a Democrat anymore, but a right-wing fearmongering clown who will stoop to any level to weaken the party that rejected her.

Photo ID also prevents fraud. That people from other states can not vote as it might have already happened in a few States in the primaries and definitely Caucuses. This will verify each person address with a photo ID. This may be a bit inconvenient to some poor and elderly people, but the benefits outweigh the negatives.

The chickens will again come home to roost,if clinton steal this election.You said you wanted a change in politics,she lied but no one died as of yet.Did I forget the whitewater guy,who killed himself.So america you want another liar as president.So you think you have something on obama with this rev. wright. Now dems are acting just like reps, what will white america do to win,will you sale your sole,lie steal.The supreme court has just stolen another election.Tim from florida you have no problem with this gang of bush idiots running this country.

If I am not mistaken, in Indiana you can get a photo i.d. at the bmv. It is not a liscence but just an i.d that works for voting. I am glad they wrote this law and it was upheld. We as a state need to make sure that people voting are eligible
It is free for an ID card for voting purposes, you just have to go to the BMV and show documentation. This law has been around for a while (2005) (because I remember the BMV opening on their closed day in the past for people to come get id's before an election.) I am not sure if they are offering that next week though. I have been to the BMV many times and have never been there for longer than fifteen minutes. Everyone in IN has known about this and it has been widely publicized on my news during every recent election (unless you are in la la land) so this should not be a problem. But again, this law has been followed in the state since 2005. New registered voters and those who have not voted recently are the only ones who might have to get the I.D. if they do not have a driver's liscence. I just wanted to add this info because the CNN article leaves out these little details.
Indiana voter.
This may become a problem for the general if many states who do not have id laws try to enact one before the General election. (And they charge money or do not provide easy access for legal voters to get identification.)

To all you whiners, Justice Stevens is probably the most liberal member of the court and HE wrote the opinion for the majority decision! You can't identify yourself, you don't get to vote! Its called common sense people! Just go get a photo ID! This ruling will only deter ineligible voters! Common sense!

In the 1930's and 40's one of the most feared questions in Nazi Germany was – "Where are your papers!"

Anyone promoting mandentory, universal "papers" is no better than a Nazi.

No suprise coming from the "Bush Court" given his families Nazi sympathies in WWII.

I am a longtime democrat but I will vote for McCain in November if Obama gets the nomination.

I suspect that there will be a major effort from the democratic party to make sure everyone gets proper identification cards before the general election in those states where it is required. The only problem I can foresee is an administrative bottleneck while the various states' Secretary of State offices try to cope with a sudden influx of ID requests.

Go Obama! You have my prayers!

ID's work, that is, if we want a fair election…

Does ID really matter in a paperless Diebold election?

Better Late! Than never….

I'm suprised this isn't a federal law. I live in Ohio and swear that I was asked to produce a photo id when I voted in our recent primary. If someone were not able to produce a valid photo id, in my opinion that would raise a red flag. it seems as though you need a photo id to do just about everything else. Of course, the democrats are making excuses for minorities, poor, and elderly people.

this dramatically effects one party….the Democrats – the party of the "even let the dead vote"

Why is it that the media doesn't mention the fact that Reverend Wright was quite a presence in the Clinton administration during the Monica Lewinski crisis? Of course the answer to that is that the media types seem to want Hillary to win this election. And the Clintons have now distanced themselves from him and act as if he is a pariah.

I'm caucasian and have listened to the speeches of Reverend Wright in their entirity – not just those "controversial" sound bites the media is so fond of. I agree with much of what he says.

Don't forget, many people referred to Bill Clinton as slick Willie. Hillary has learned well from him.

Jane,
Lacey, WAS

Since a voter is SUPPOSED to be a citizen and all people need identification I don't see this to be an issue. It would seen to make sense to have the persons place of birth put on driver's licenses, which would have to be proved with the person applied for their license. Bill Clinton had the Motor/voter bill; if all a person needed is a driver's license to vote then there would be a lot of non-citizens who could vote. How many cab drivers in NYC could vote then? a few thousand?

Why are you worried about photo I.D. I think you should be more worried about if your vote is really counted…I think that is what the supreme court should be talking about.

The present Supreme Court is just anothr arm of the Republican party Justices should not have any political affiliation, just watch how they interpetit the second amendment, they are sure to leave out this part."BEING A WELL REGULATED MALITA" and I am a gun owner.

Having to have an ID is a good idea. It shouldn't disenfranchise very many.

Some bloggers complain that the Clintons did not get fair press (along with the Clintons themselves). Take a look back at the pictures and number of articles on H. Clinton compared to Obama these past three months. There is a 3-week stretch where there were more on Obama, but they were not good since they dealt with Wright. I have watched this closely because I have difficulty watching H. Clinton on tv-don't know why. A picture of Obama is a distance picture and H. Clinton's is a close-up. Not that that matters, just something noted.

The press is so pro-Clinton that they won't even report that she only won PA by 9 points, not the double digit she boasted about. She said she received $10 million right after the win in PA. That money had been trickling in, but they needed to show an increase in support, and the press went with it without checking it out!!!

It's depressing to read these posts from Democrats who can't see past their preference for Clinton or Obama to the real heart of the matter.

Republicans always want to depress voter turnout. If people come to the polls in large numbers, they have no chance to win.

So they set up a system in which the poor, the elderly, and others who may not have driver's licenses are disenfranchised.

Democrats need to stop arguing among themselves like this and focus on the totalitarian threat posed by the Republicans.

It is funny how REPUBLICANS get items pushed through the courts that favors them in some capacity but no one is talking about how caucus states are being screwed because Hill of Beans Hillary feel like they are not important. Go Figure

Hillary's uneducated ditch diggers had better go and get themselves some ID, then, eh?

Thanks LEE WV, nor do I. You have to produce a photo id to get on a plane, prove citizenship to get a job and you should present proof of residency to vote and a photo id is best.

I won't go into which party it benefits, but only say that 100% confidence that the process is fair and aboveboard will increase voter turnout. If the ACLU and the Democratic party want to whine so be it.
The Court has spoken 6-3.

Seems like a no-brainer to me – I'd certainly prefer that only legal Americans are voting in our elections and a government ID just doesn't seem like it's that difficult to obtain.

I can hear SusanMO complaining now. All of Clinton's mindless elderly votes and illegal hispanic votes just went down the drain.

This is unfair rule by the supremcourt this would prevetn the minority and poor people from voting this is the people Obama attracts that he is working very hart to take them from poverity . America is white majority rule including the Supreme Court. People of color do not expect justice from the whitle people beleive on your self.

I think it would be great if states could require photo ID's. But the states should have to provide them at the time of registration, use a web camera, record the picture in the system (like sam's club and others do) , issue a card with photo on it, at the states expense. Then, not only would there be a picture ID with signature, and could be compared with the computer at voting time.

Message to Obama: Hammer! Don't Stammer!

This is starting to get silly. It seems like every other day, Barack
Obama promises to bolster his lagging poll numbers by changing his
campaign style and getting tough on Hillary Clinton. But even when
Obama tries to challenge Hillary, his speech is so droning, so
professorial, so lacking in emotion, that his attacks fall
flat. Hell, Obama often sounds like John Kerry on Quaaludes.

What's the problem with showing an ID when voting?? I've been a resident of 4 different states and every time I've voted I've had to show either a voter registration card or a photo ID to substantiate my identity and right to vote! Of couse those that are illegals and therefore DON'T have the right to vote, or those that are voting for the dead won't like this!!

What on earth is the Big Deal about showing photo ID when you go to vote? DUH….. How ELSE are they going to know I am who I say I am.
A total no-brainer. Mary from Sarasota, FL

I think you certainly should be able to identify who you are prior to voting in any election. I have always been asked for my Driver's License when I voted in Michigan for all but the last 10 years. I also have to prove my idenity in Texas. I am 77 years old and I don't think this is asking too much of the voter.

I do not agree with any form of paper or man made document identification. The one and only identification that should be in place for all identification is Eye and Palm scans. Then it can't be copied or duplicated.
On any street corner one can buy a fake ID of most any form for the right price.

This another road block to the poor, elderly and other less fortunate people to vote.

This is utterly ridiculous. How can anyone argue against verifying voters' identities?

If you cannot be bothered to obtain legal identification in this country, then you probably shouldn't be voting anyway.

There is nothing wrong showing an ID to vote.

How is it you people keep talking as if Rev. Wright had somehow been forgotten? You just talked the last few days about the ads being run by the RNC or the local offices of the RNC that link Rev. Wright and Sen. Obama so why make it seem as if Rev. Wright is fueling your comments?

What do you care? The media did not talk about how caucases discriminated against the elderly, handicapped and single parents with children who find it onerous to wait in logn lines for long periods of time to "caucus." So why now this court ruling?

In other words, democrats need undocumented votes or illegal votes to win elections?

If a person can take the time to go vote or find a way to vote, than they can find a way to get a photo ID. Neither my mother nor grandmother had a drivers' license but they were able to obtain a photo ID at the Div. of Motor Vehicles. It depends on what your priorities are.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IT.wILL KEEP THE VOTERS HONEST.

Very well said Erick…no need to say more

b-liberal,

"She can get the job done without whining."

Who are you kidding? You need to take another look. She is the whiniest of them all! Oh, that's right, she only "misspeaks"! Give me a break.

You need to put things into perspective…the future of this country and the citizens need to come first! Hillary has no idea what that means…she is in it for herself and herself only. She proves it everytime she throws mud at Obama and anyone else. Did you forget about the White Water Scandal? What scandal has Obama been involved in? He speaks the truth and most of the US citizens can't handle the truth…which is sad for this country.

No. Obama should not have accepted another debate. Enough is enough, I am sick of hearing Hillarys lies.
The American people are tired of Hillarys continous attempt to confuses the issues, maybe being under sniper firer has really affected her .
I am personally sick of Hillary and her same old Washington politics.
Grow up Hillary get over it . Even better yet, go away.

It’s America and It's 2008…somebody not having ID is ridiculous…

Uhhh… It won't have any affect here in Indiana because all of our elections have been running under this law for the past 2 years.

The entire argument, on both sides, was based on the theoretical. Theoretically it'll prevent people from voting… but actually we haven't seen it yet. Theoritically it'll prevent voter fraud… but we didn't have anyone trying to pretend to be someone else to vote before…

I live in Wisconsin, and we do not show ID to vote. However, you do have to state your FULL name (including your middle name, no initials) and your address down to the apartment number. If you are a first time voter you have to bring an energy or a cable bill with your name and your current address. This is mostly because there are so many colleges and students want to vote on issues where they live 10 months out of the year. But because college students move every year, they are not going to waste their money getting a new ID with every address.
I understand that if you are on a fixed income, $20 in a lot, but if the government demands something, they should give you a break if you are on Social Security.

Erick, I can't believe how ridiculous you sound and I have no idea what CNN moderators are thinking by allowing you to take up so much room in this blog when you can't even stay on subject.

CNN IS SO BIASED

HILLARY OR MCCAIN 08

Erick you said it right. I agree with you.

Wolf,

Please resist running Obama down this week. I follow you because you try to be fair. But you get drawn to whatever Clinton says very easily and it becomes the centre of your program each day. My request is simple: start from the facts and move in whatever direction you like. e.g. if you are addressing electability, start from who has received more official eligible votes to date…then you can talk about Ohio and Pa. I don't get it when you start pretending the only votes that count are the ones from the states that HRC has one. What's up with that? If we used electability in the manner that HRC defines it (and of late you) why do we have 48 states in the primaries? why don't we just the states that you've decided are important. I give you the benefit of the doubt and hope you were just taken by the HRC wave, but reality is reality, it's important that every analysis is done against the back-drop of existing reality. Don't pretend the electability arguments exists in a vacuum, it must be spoken of in the context of 50 states in the USA

ZErick you said it right. I agree with you.

Oh God if Clinton wins Indiana and does great in North Carolina then Obama supporters will say it was racist .The news media will say it was a cover-up and the black caucus in congress will say Clinton is trying to steal the election .Rev Wright will say that terrorist are on the supreme court.I say give it to McCain all we need is a bunch of Obama idiots running the country .

6 – 3

i. e.., it's a no-brainer Wolfy.

I see no impact at all..everyone should have an ID of some sort.

Wolf you really have to stop all this silly spinning.

"unless you believe that the Democrats have been getting hundreds of thousands of ilegal votes"

It's how Kennedy won in 1960.

Obama will never win!!! He doesn't have a prayer.

GO HILLARY!!

Will this keep all the deceased Illinois Democrats from voting for Obama?

Voters should be required to produce valid identification if they intend to vote, period. This is the oly way to prevent voter fraud. I am a Democrat but if the Republican Party has been pushing for this I agree with them

We get our wish! The evil Republicans can't switch back and will have to vote Dem…hahahahahhaha…YES!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a 71 year old voter and never have I been polled in my
lifetime, Pleaseeeeeee someone, ask me to be polled!

Jerry
Illinois

Photo ID- of course!!!!!!!! Only right.

b-liberal–do me a favor–stuff it.

Portland, OR,

How does this disenfranchise some voters? Which voters? The ones who don't want to make the effort to get an i.d.? Or the illegal ones that Dems depend on?

Wolf,

I don't read your pieces anymore, just to let you know. I stopped by only to recommend that you take a refresher course in investigative journalism and journalistic integrity.

Good luck,
Kevin

A sensible requirement (PROVING who you say you are)… but wait for the howls from Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Hillary, Obama about how this will discriminate against African Americans and scare off illegal aliens (whom the dems desperately need to win in November).

If (through my tax dollars) I am supporting YOUR family – then you can get off your lazy but and get a photo id.

Thats just being smart. In Illionois, we already have an ID system. Its just a state ID and nothing else. If you don't have an ID then just go get one. Its not hard. If you don't want to do that then you are just lazy. The only people I see this affecting is the illegals. And seeing how Hillary picks up the support of so many hispanics, it may affect her turnout more then Obamas. Mccain may lose some too. Like illegal Miami Cubans or what have you.

I think it is a good thing. I also think that states should do all they can to make it possible for these people to get photo identification.

Wolff,

What's the big deal. If your registered you go to your poll present your drivers license or a valid state I.D. card with your picture on it to the election judge sign-in and vote. It cuts down on voter fraud, which I'm sad to say happens more often then not.

Why are Democrats not in support of this? One should have to prove that one is a legitimate U.S. Citizen in order to vote? That only makes sense. The reason the Dems are upset is that a good portion of their vote probably comes from illegal immigrants. it's time to play fair. Thank goodness for a Supreme Court with good common sense. If people shy away from having to show I.D. in order to vote, then they probably shouldn't be voting. This it to protect American citizens who have a right to vote from be affected by the illegal voting of those who do not.

I don't think it will have a major impact Wolf. One thing puzzles me though. You say Obama has generally done well with poor voters. I thought you said he did well with affluent voters….which is it?

ID should be mandatory…
How else is someone going to know if the proper registered voter is at the poll?
Everyone should have some sort of ID… Come on it's 2008!!!

I'm a little shocked that people can vote without ID…. I mean… how do you know who they are, that thier legal at all or of age… how can you have an accurate legal election without checking the voters? This is a no brainer to me… I don't know that it helps the Republicans or not… unless you believe that the Democrats have been getting hundreds of thousands of ilegal votes… which I hope isn't true.

ID is a good way to make sure that the votes cast are by the people who are registered and not by someone else.

Yes, both Primaries and General Elections. As a democrat I believe this disenfranchises some voters and is NOT right. But it would be interesting to see the reaction of the Obama biased MSM. For this rule would definitely benefit Barry HO in the primaries and disadvantage Hillary. In the General elections it would definitely work against the "mathematically" elected candidate and favour the "presumptive" candidate.

I have to provide a photo ID in Virginia…
This is not the most important voting rights case! The most important will be the seating of delegates after Florida and Michigan willfully broke the rules, as did Hillary Clinton, allowing her an end run around an agreed upon system. Just watch it happen.

Another way to possibly get who they want in office.

=== i didnt have sex w/ that woman, i was 2 busy looking 4 bin laden==

People have to register in order to vote…why should they also not be required to have a photo ID? I think it is silly to not require photo id…are we a third world country?

If you want to vote, get an id…that way we know that you are really you.

Mr. Obama just picked up the support of Sen. Jeff Bingaman (NM), the campaign announced. Bingaman chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Add another SuperDelegate. That is his 5th in 7 Days since the PA Primary.

Wolf – You say Obama has "done better with poor voters"??? What results have you been reading???

Thsi will impact Hilalry's vote for sure.

I cannot believe the selfishness of Clinton or the apparent short sightedness of her and her electoral base. After all, the general election is for much more then just a president, and once the elected officials are in place it is not only the president to propose and develop public policy. Lets take a look at the senate races for instance. The seats that are expected to be competitive this year are OR, AK, CO, LA, ME, MN, NH, NM, NC, SD and VA. Look at these states and ask yourself which democratic presidential candidate would be the best down ticket in these states. With the exception of New Hampshire and New Mexico, Obama would undoubtedly be the better choice to attract votes for the down ticket senate races. Unfortunately for Clinton the rust belt states either do not have a senate race this year, or else, the races are not competitive.

So what, some may ask. Well, democrats should be focusing on the good of the party at this point. This does NOT mean that Clinton should drop out, however. No, indeed she should stay in the race until Obama is the official nominee, but her campaign should be one of a positive message. From now on she should only speak positively about Obama and collectively they should use the media attention on their competitive race to focus on their contrasts with the GOP. Clinton should be building Obama up and not tearing him down! Democratic voters should be rewarding positive campaigning and helping Clinton along when she is supportive of the party and voting heavily against her when she resorts to the politics of old. Unless, of course, if Americans want to continue a politics of negativity, which I find hard to believe.

So why should, or would, Clinton basically agree to concede the presidential race by talking Obama up and ceasing her recent style of tearing him down? Simply put she should be focusing on what’s best for the party, the best for her and the best for the policies that she wants to push forth for the American people. A strong presidential candidate in Obama has the potential to put all those competitive senate races into play and the stronger Obama is as a candidate the better chance of winning those senate seats. A clean sweep would mean a 60-40 senate and with this kind of a potential senate composition Clinton should be focusing now on building Obama up to get this result and targeting on her concession prize, the Senate president pro tempore, if Robert Byrd would allow it for the good of the democratic party?

By Clinton running a positive campaign, Obama would also have a much more secure shot at winning the presidential bid and taking control of the House of Representatives as president of America. Then with Clinton controlling the Senate the two would offer one of the most influential one two punches in the history of America. After all, 95% of their policy platform is identical and that is why this primary has come down to a competition of character and grit instead of what they will do for Americans – the latter is nearly identical! So, for sake of argument, lets look at Clinton’s most progressive propositions, Universal Health Care. Now, ask yourself, would Clinton have a better chance of achieving this as the Senate president pro tempore residing over a 60-40 senate, or as the President of a divided and fractured House of Representatives and a 54-46 senate? Why do we all act as if only presidents introduce bills? Surely a stronger, unified government would achieve Universal Health Care much more smoothly! Simply put, if Hillary wants what’s best for America, it is time for her to go positive!

So to all the democrats reading this. Unify and Get out to vote, vote Clinton or vote Obama, that is not important, just vote to reward POSITIVE campaigning! Don’t let negativity dictate the tone of this race. When you talk to your fellow democrats contrast Clinton and Obama not with each other, but with GOP. Give them credit when they are positive and ignore them when they are negative.

In November vote democrat!

Thanks for reading!

Mr. Obama just picked up the support of Sen. Jeff Bingaman (NM), the campaign announced. Bingaman chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Add another SuperDelgegate. That is his 5th in 7 Days since the PA Primary.

Photo identification is a good idea. If you can't prove you are a citizen or here legal you don't need to vote.

Every legal person in the US needs a photo id. Even middle school kids have them now. You can't cash a check or drive a car without a photo id. The poor and the elderly have to have one in order to get gov't benefits like food and medical care. If motor vehicles and financial inst. require a photo then why wouldn't something as important as voting not require a photo id.

if the votes are to be fair,then we have to know that voters are ,who they say they are.

Perhaps it would suit the Court if theirs were the only votes worth more than a pile of water buffalo dung – as in 2000.

May the Scalia Court rot in Hell. They have gone from the most respected branch of government to being the least respected. And that's not easily done in the Bush era.

Ozombies guidebook (be prepared to spin):

- if Obama takes Indiana – it was a fair ruling and inclusive
- if Obama loses Indiana – it is a Clinton trick and Indiana is racist!

Or we could end whining as usual from the Obama camp and be done with excuses and blame, and just vote for Hillary.

She can get the job done without whining.