Dodd, Richardson Snipe Over Caucus Pledge

In a letter to Democratic campaigns in Iowa Thursday, Sen. Chris Dodd’s state director urged fellow state managers to keep out-of-state volunteers and campaign staffers from directly participating in the Jan. 3 precinct caucuses.

The letter drew an immediate rebuke from Richardson’s state director, Shari Fitzgerald, who has caucused in every caucus since 1972. “I am an Iowan and it is not just my right, but my duty as a citizen to participate in my caucus. It is unfair to try to disenfranchise any Iowan from this critical process,” she said.

Dodd’s state director, Julie Andreeff Jensen, responded: “The intention of this pledge is to ensure that Iowans, and only Iowans, are participating in the Iowa caucuses on January 3rd, and the Richardson campaign knows that. It's disappointing that they would entirely reject the priority of protecting the integrity of the caucuses, rather than working with us to alleviate any concerns they may have about specific individuals.”

Who’s right?

Excluding campaign staffers from being counted as caucus leaders means that several of the larger campaigns would be put out – some of their precinct captains happen to be field organizers – Iowans one and all.

And there’s a worry that the larger campaigns could have imported folks from out of state, changed their voter registration, and made them Iowans for the sake of the caucus. Last cycle, Democrats signed a pledge banning all out of state volunteers.

A side note: the real reason the Dodd campaign sent the letter today: they want to draw attention to the effort by Clinton and Obama’s campaigns to bus in supporters from out of state.

Comments

isn't Dodd stuck at 1%?

Posted by Micah | November 9, 2007 12:11 PM

They are busing in supporters to volunteer, not to caucus.

Posted by bob | November 9, 2007 12:38 PM

75% are still undecided in Iowa. The polls in Iowa indicate a great possibility that those who declared a choice for the January 3rd caucus could change their mind, as has happened in the past. Jimmy Carter, John Kerry and Dick Gephardt were all in single digets in November and December and went on to win. George McGovern came out of nowhere in 72. The only thing the polls are good for at this point is to test name recognition. The pollsters also haven't given consideration to second choices which is important in the caucus process. I am an Iowan and I have been to the presidential caucuses many times. After giving a good look at all the candidates, I am going to caucus for Christopher Dodd.

Dodd has the experience to lead this country. He is a five term US Senator, he has done great things in Washington, such as co-sponsoring the Combating Autism Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and establishing the Childrens' Caucus. He is, as Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa)said this past August, the "Children's Senator". He has worked with Republicans to find common ground and pass legistation for our children, our future. He also has lead the way to fight for our Constitution on Habeas Corpus, fighting immunity for telecommunication companies who have illegally given out costumer information without a subpeona. The other candidates have followed his charge on these issues. This is the most important election of our lifetime. Iowans know this, they aren't just going to look at poll numbers to see who is popular or who has the most cash raised. They are going to put serious thought into this process. When they do, you will see recognition for Christopher Dodd. He has 80 staff members in the state and they are getting his message out. When his message is heard you will hear about Dodd, loud and clear, on January 3rd.

Posted by Dan McGinn | November 9, 2007 1:11 PM