On Wayne Madsen and the Vote-Fraud Story

This morning I was becoming somewhat skeptical of the Wayne Madsen story on vote-rigging by the Bush campaign.

It didn't help my thinking to learn that Madsen was "a former National Security Agency operative". (Link.) That ties him to the CIA-- and in an earlier post, I speculated that the CIA might be behind this vote-rigging story. I initially wondered if the CIA rigged the election for Bush, and then would expose the vote-- thus discrediting Bush completely and the CIA wuld get their payback on Bush. But it is also possible that this Madsen vote-rigging story is some sort of COINTELPRO-type operation-- meant to drive Bush's opponent's crazy and tie them up in conspiracy theories that go nowhere.

Then via the Dailly Kos, I saw Keith Olbermann blogged on the Madsen story, and not surprisingly, was very skeptical of the whole story. However, some of Olbermann's critiques really didn't seem very valid to me.

The Kos post linked to this post from the Bradblog, where Brad takes apart Olbermann's analysis and also describes how he (Brad) had a lengthy phone conversation with Madsen. Apparently Olbermann didn't even bother calling Madsen to check out the story.

THEN, in the comments to the Bradblog I found links to a couple of Democratic Underground stories on the Madsen story. this thread has a very interesting Q&A with Madsen, and this thread has some more info on the story and some action items.

The Q&A with Madsen is probably the most interesting thing to read, and overall, Madsen comes across as very sincere and believable.

These parts are quite interesting:
Q: Are you confident check is genuine?
A: I have a color digital copy of the check. It is real, right down to anti-forgery features. I have refrained from posting it right now because at this stage the Rove types would doctor it and point to the fake version as proof of a forgery. I'm very aware what the right wing bloggers did to 60 Minutes. They may have merely cleaned up the documents for TV (I've seen that done at other networks). But the right jumped all over the docs and discredited Bill Burkett (who is solid) and Dan Rather.
Q: So just one huge check that they hope fly under the radar.
A: That's right -- this check likely generated bundles of cash used for the pay outs. The Bushes like to deal in suitcases of cash as do their friends the Saudis
Q: Is anyone working on that? Are Government officials (the legit ones) investigating this? Bush is losing friends at the CIA I would imagine we'd have some allies right now? Additionally the House Judiciary committee Dems would be interested in any info you have.
A: Some with those agencies have already offered their help to trace the money. I knew I could count on my old "buddies."
Q: May I ask why your sources chose you to investigate? Curious as to how you became a contact.
A: This came to me because of my ongoing work investigating 911 -- this info came as a result of a probe into Saudi money in Texas. It was fitting that my first source and I met at Ground Zero. This effort is as much for those who died that day as for those of us who have been left to deal with the perpetrators of that crime.
Q: One being the least and 100 being the most how sure are you that your evidence will come to the light of day and overturn the election?
A: The chances that a third rate burglary at the Watergate would bring down an administration were about a 4 out of 100 in 1972. These numbers should change but we had a much different kind of news media in 72 and 73. So this is going to be a rough ride."

and also this:
Q: i read k olberman blog and got a little sad that he seemed to be ragging on you. what about his point that why would k. r. tell his soldiers about the large and exact amount of money.
A: Keith probably doesn't get out of that bunker in Secaucus, NJ very often. Also, being an ESPN sportscaster may not have been the best experience to judge such a long lead investigative story.
Q: Any connection between Five Star Investments and FISX Group Limited? Or between Equity Financial Trust and FISX Group Limited? Also, any connection(s) to Caryle or Baker-Botts? Or Worldsec? Or Appleby Spurling and Kempe?
A: Not sure about FISX Group.
Baker a very real possibility though. Votes grabbed in FL were statewide, but especially the more populated counties where the padding could go virtually unnoticed.
Q: Has JJ or anyone from the DNC offered any assistance ?
A: I've been meeting with the Dems and Kerry folks all this weekend here in DC
Q: 1) it's so highly improbable from a logistics standpoint, based on your description and (2) it's not necessary -- those systems are riggable from inside AND via modem (or wireless) in real time. It's just not necessary. Why would they dream up a stunt like this, with all its potential for discovery, leaks, etc., when it's just NOT necessary?
A: The Bushes seldom deviate from their m.o., which is to use pass throughs, shell companies, and large amounts of money to get what they want. Yes, there is a lead on gaining access through modems. But that is where I have to be careful. The name I have connected with that is well known and he has sued journalists in the past for libel.
Q: Hopefully the DNC offered SOME support.
A: support was offered and was appreciated
Q: is this investigation the reason why the dnc & all have been quiet?
A: DNC-Pretty sad outfit -- they can't even hire a decent Karl Rove type. A "Karl Rove who likes dogs and kids, brakes for animals, but hates Republicans."
Q: There has been a lot of conjecture on here about the Kerry Campaign and/or Senior Democrats in general working "under the radar" on this
A: I just don't get the feeling that Kerry and the big shots have any master plan. But there are other Dems and Kerry people working on this angle of the story and they've been supportive.

And this is MOST INTERESTING:
Q: Just curious about this purge of the CIA. Seems to me some of those folks must be mighty P.O.'d. Also seems to me some of them would know this election is tainted and have the means to prove it. Any chance at all that there might be an "arrangement" for some info to be discovered "accidentally"?
A: Yes, meetings are on schedule

Hold on to your seats, folks! This sounds like it is going to be a wild ride.