The vote rigging is not restricted to online voting.
The Palin supporters found out that is possible to use Skype to phone in votes without caller-id, thanks to a loophole in the ABC televoting software. Thus making it possible to use auto-dialers to vote again and again and again.
Dozens of ultra conservative web sites are spreading this information to ensure a Palin win next week. The call it Operation Bristol.
Some of the sites are paid for by... Mommy Palin's clique.
Like for instance: http://www.conservatives4palin.com

The ultra conservatives are using DWTS to get back at Obama. The billionaire Koch brothers, the financial backers of the tea party, are using every opportunity to raise the profile of Ma Palin as the next POTUS. Daughter Palin is the perfect instrument to achieve that.

Some people are planning a counter attack.

And here I was, thinking DWTS was just a bit of harmless fun.

Presumably then Bristol was 4th(?) - quite often the safest position to be as so many people vote for the underdog regardless ....... Kyle must have upped his game (and Lacey her choreography!) to get ahead of Brandy on the leaderboard, as great guy that he is, his technique has always been more than a little lacking.

As for Bristol winning - although obviously she is nowhere near as bad as Ann Widdecombe in Strictly, I do think it takes something away from the credibility of these shows if a poor/weak dancer wins over someone who works hard and shows talent.

If Donny could win last year by snogging a judge and acting like a hyperactive puppy I'm not sure why Bristol can;t win this year. It won't finish the show off by any means...she's actually become a very accomplished dancer (at least on a par with the puppy of the year Kyle).

The Americans are no different to the British in liking an underdog and going for the celebrity who has had a journey. While the political sphere may be looking to build up votes, I don't think that's the bee all and end all. Maybe, just maybe, people like her for her dancing.

I guess Mark has been getting some hateful tweets. He has been tweeting this.

Show.. Not that big of a deal to cause all the hatred. It's out of my hands guys don't you all understand that??? I'm paid to teach and
about 1 hour ago via Twittelator
Reply Retweet . We have no control over the results we just try out best and work hard. So you can't be frustrated at me or the results, it's just a dance
about 1 hour ago via Twittelator
Reply Retweet . Listen as a pro dancer on this show we are given 1 task. To train and teach and perform with a partner given to you. That is our job (cont)
about 1 hour ago via Twittelator
Reply Retweet . @Tcolors5 why should I be embarrassed I'm just doing my job. The rest is out of my hands.... It's just a dance show...
about 1 hour ago via Twittelator in reply to Tcolors5

Reply Retweet . Just want to thank all our supporters... We love you.
Dance... And that is what I do and will continue to do.. Thank you to all the supporters...

So did I.

Kyle's was full of energy, but a bit frenetic for me.

Bristol's was underwhelming. The song choice was terrible - what was Mark thinking?