Obama Campaign On Clinton Shenanigans In Texas

From Obama state director Adrian Saenz:

“We are disappointed to see the Clinton campaign once again engaging in an effort to diminish the importance of the Texas caucuses and discourage Texans from participating. We have reported several specific incidents of Clinton campaign supporters seeking to circumvent the rules and illegally boost their caucus performance by soliciting signatures on precinct convention sign-in sheets – even before the caucuses have started.

“We are pleased to see that the Texas Democratic Party responded to our reports of wrongdoing and is working diligently to ensure that the rules are followed, and that eligible voters are allowed to participate and have their votes counted in a timely fashion.”

Below are just some of the reports we have received of Clinton campaign supporters attempting to circumvent the caucus rules:

Tarrant County Pct. 3511

N. Euless Elem. School 1101 Denton Drive, Euless, TX
HRC supporter was outside polling place using copy of sign-in sheet and having HRC voters sign-up ostensibly for precinct convention.

El Paso County Pct. 81
Report that Election Judge is being pressured to allow HRC people to sign up for convention early.

Tarrant County Pct. 3282
St. Andrews Lutheran Church
HRC supporter was outside polling place using copy of sign-in sheet and having HRC voters sign-up ostensibly for precinct convention

Dallas County Pct. 3529
Oak Clift
Election Judge is giving people who can't come back for the caucus a piece of paper with a signature line and write in candidate line. She is telling them that they can sign this and their votes will be entered later. When our precinct captain brought it to her attention and showed her the rules, she became irate.

Jefferson County Pct. 39
Election Judge is an HRC supporter and is telling people to sign caucus sheets now to vote. Then, the judge is telling people to not come back tonight to caucus because "she already has her delegates picked out."

Comments

An Obama election server complained on a message board ""I was assigned to Precinct 316 (Lovett Elementary School). I arrived, attempted to introduce myself to the Chief Judge Ella Tyler who responded "get out".

The whole comment is up at www.themodernromantic.com

Posted by Japhy Grant | March 4, 2008 6:29 PM

I, for one, am humbly grateful that none of Marc's key precincts are implicated in these troubling allegations. We can now return to watching the bellwethers that are SW Houston and Far West Austin.

(Seriously, Marc, if you'd like to expand on that earlier post, I know we're all real interested to know how you picked those two out.)

Posted by Jeff Larson | March 4, 2008 6:31 PM

I like that they named the precincts. I warned my mom that the Clinton folks were going to be up to some shady crap tonight. Looks like that was the case.

Posted by Keith | March 4, 2008 7:08 PM

OBAMA WINS VERMONT!!!

CHALK ONE UP FOR THE GOOD GUYS!!!

Posted by Jose | March 4, 2008 7:17 PM

Wow, all those storeis are strikingly similar. Sounds like this is a coordinated effort underway. I have to say, I wouldn't be surprised. The tactics of the Clinton campaign have gone nuclear...saying that McCain would be better than Obama...misleading ads...she's lost it. I'm trying to stay loyal as a Democrat, but it is very hard when Clinton appears to have no such loyalities herself.

Posted by Beth in VA | March 4, 2008 7:39 PM

Clinton will stoop to any level to win this. She sucks!

Posted by Gus | March 4, 2008 7:39 PM

Personally, I think Hillary is looking very VICE-Presidential!!!!!!

Posted by Scott | March 4, 2008 7:57 PM

More on TX shenanigans at The Field: http://ruralvotes.com/thefield/

Posted by DSG | March 4, 2008 8:05 PM

I watched Hillary at the beginning of her campaign when I was leaning to support her and I saw what she was doing and saying. I discovered that she would do or say anything to win. I then decided that I didn't want someone with that kind of charactar running our country.

Obama has shown strong charactar, sticking with the issues and taking the high ground.

It looks like he will win Texas anyway. I hope that either way the press picks this up and runs with it just like they did with that silly skit that she did on SNL. This being far more serious and having greater weight.

Posted by Dora | March 4, 2008 9:43 PM

Arrrghhhh. They're spinning this thing with the caucuses now-- a conference call threatening challenges to the procedure. I'm seriously disgusted. She and her campaign are beyond ridiculous.

Posted by zgbethie | March 4, 2008 10:47 PM

The only reason Obama has been ahead is from shady caucus practices thus far. If Democratic party representatives at the state level are dominating and pushing one candidate WITH STATE FUNDS, this violates the Fair Voter Act. By pushing for one candidate while a person is registering before entering the caucus (or being locked out!) they are subject to legal challenge. Obama's campaign capitalized on the nondemocratic and unstable nature of the caucus system. Wow! I guess Obama people want a leader that bends the rules to his advantage. What is that saying? You get what you deserve...?

Posted by kelly | March 4, 2008 11:05 PM

Obama sucks, he is just an empty vessel making calls for "change". Crap, any 16 year old can run amok on the street calling for change. Obama know nuts about creating change, all he know is to say it. Crap candidate, deserves to lose.

Posted by Edward | March 5, 2008 12:58 AM

How anybody does not see through Hillary Clinton is beyond me, even her smile is not really a smile, it is so false, she will do, say anything to get elected, and I hope Barack nails her at every turn. When she and Bill were in the White House I could never understand what was behind all the hate for them but since this election I know exactly what they are talking about. If she gets this nomination I will never vote for her, I will stay home!

Posted by helen bourne | March 5, 2008 8:55 PM

Hillary's campaign slogan should be:
"Whatever It Takes"
I hope Texas makes all caucus improprieties VERY public.
And if the Clintons DO get elected in November,the White House better inventory the silverware. Remember last time....

Posted by Laurel | March 6, 2008 12:06 PM

Regarding FL & Michigan "Whatever It Takes"
It's publictly Know all the rules applicable to this primary. As a FL is unfair and totally irrational to change the rules after the primary start. Changing the rule do not reflect transparency in the election process and bring the situation at this point is not healthy for the party. In definitive it breaks the party and the trust in the process. I will know participate in nov. elections to vote under a party or candidate that approve such changes. As they change their rules also they change their willing to comply with promisses to the citizens.

Posted by Joe | March 7, 2008 1:02 PM

Regarding FL & Michigan "Whatever It Takes"
It's publictly Know all the rules applicable to this primary. As a FL is unfair and totally irrational to change the rules after the primary start. Changing the rule do not reflect transparency in the election process and bring the situation at this point is not healthy for the party. In definitive it breaks the party and the trust in the process. I will know participate in nov. elections to vote under a party or candidate that approve such changes. As they change their rules also they change their willing to comply with promisses to the citizens.

Posted by Joe | March 7, 2008 1:02 PM

Regarding FL & Michigan "Whatever It Takes"
It's publictly Know all the rules applicable to this primary. As a FL is unfair and totally irrational to change the rules after the primary start. Changing the rule do not reflect transparency in the election process and bring the situation at this point is not healthy for the party. In definitive it breaks the party and the trust in the process. I will know participate in nov. elections to vote under a party or candidate that approve such changes. As they change their rules also they change their willing to comply with promisses to the citizens.

Posted by Joe | March 7, 2008 1:03 PM