Between 1985 and 1988, Barack Obama was a community organizer on Chicago's south side, working in part with the national network known as ACORN—the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. Obama's affiliation with the group has been criticized by some conservative pundits,Michelle Malkin: The ACORN Obama knows (June 25, 2008) particularly in light of investigations into possible fraud within the group's voter registration program.CNN: Thousands of voter registration forms faked (October 9, 2008)
Lake County, IN Scandal
In Lake County, in Northern Indiana, over 2,000 voter registration forms submitted by ACORN were revealed as fraudulent.CNN: Thousands of voter registration forms faked (October 9, 2008) The news comes after investigations have already started into the group's practices in Nevada. Some forms featured names of local residents who had passed away, and all of them appeared to have been filled out by the same person. Spokespeople for ACORN claim that they have their own internal vetting procedures to prevent voter fraud, and that they believe the claims may be an attempt to discredit the organization and suppress votes.CNN: Thousands of voter registration forms faked (October 9, 2008)
References
Fast Facts
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ACORN calls itself "the nation’s largest grassroots community organization of low- and moderate-income people"ACORN: Who is ACORN?
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Group advocates for affordable housing and raising the minimum wage, among other issuesACORN: Who is ACORN?
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ACORN endorsed Obama's presidential bid in February 2008The Nation: ACORN: Obama Gets It (February 23, 2008)
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Conservative critics have called ACORN a radical group that is guilty of abusing federal fundsMichelle Malkin: The ACORN Obama knows (June 25, 2008)
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Other politicians who have supported ACORN
