Obama Camp Holding A Grudge Over Nevada?

By: David L Miller
Topics: Barack Obama

The bad blood between the Clinton and Obama campaigns first reached a fevered pitch in the lead-up to Nevada's caucuses, and it appears the state will continue to serve as a battleground – not over votes, but over tactics.

The Obama campaign has asked the Nevada Democratic Party to investigate claims the Clinton campaign engaged in voter suppression on caucus day, including door closings, obstruction of voters, and improper handling of voter preference cards, according to the Associated Press. Obama's team says they aren't seeking a change in the outcome – Clinton won, 51 percent to Obama's 45 percent – so there may be other motives at play.

Both campaigns accused the other of dirty tricks in the days immediately before and after the caucuses. Clinton's side claims groups of Obama supporters tried to intimidate Clinton backers. And Obama's campaign has accused the Clinton campaign of distributing inaccurate instructions that resulted in registration at some caucus sites being cut off a half hour early.

With the race now firmly focused on South Carolina, why speak up about a past contest? Claims of voter suppression may strike a chord among African Americans, who make up a large part of the South Carolina electorate and endured widespread harassment and intimidation during the days of Jim Crow – some of which still continues today. And, on a larger scale, it could help back up the "they'll do anything to win" narrative the Obama campaign is trying to attach to Bill and Hillary Clinton.

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by thatposhgirl January 24, 2008 9:50 PM EST: I participated in the Nevada caucus. When I reached the room my precinct was caucusing in there was a huge group of Clinton supports in front of the door. One puffed out his chest and said in a very threatening way "keep on walking." Later they started to close down registration at 11:30 am. The instructions from the party were that anyone in line by 12:00 pm would be allowed to caucus. When we complained a Clinton supporter showed us instructions she received from her campaign that told them to shut down registration at 11:30 am. The woman who was overseeing everything (who was wearing a Clinton shirt) admitted that the party said to register people until noon, but let them shut down registrations at 11:00 am anyway.

This didn''t just happen in my precinct. I have been talking to our supporters all over the country and it happened everywhere.; Reply to this comment


by thatposhgirl January 24, 2008 9:49 PM EST: I participated in the Nevada caucus. When I reached the room my precinct was caucusing in there was a huge group of Clinton supports in front of the door. One puffed out his chest and said in a very threatening way "keep on walking." Later they started to close down registration at 11:30 am. The instructions from the party were that anyone in line by 12:00 pm would be allowed to caucus. When we complained a Clinton supporter showed us instructions she received from her campaign that told them to shut down registration at 11:30 am. The woman who was overseeing everything (who was wearing a Clinton shirt) admitted that the party said to register people until noon, but let them shut down registrations at 11:00 am anyway.

This didn''t just happen in my precinct. I have been talking to our supporters all over the country and it happened everywhere.; Reply to this comment


by graciafiguer January 24, 2008 7:34 PM EST: Friends:

Unfortunately, the Rovian tactics of the Clintons ARE fooling voters who are not paying enough attention. If you''re commenting on forums such as this one, you''re one of the few who are. I read these forums fairly often--and I''ve seen that INFORMED VOTERS KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. The only way to stop the Billary sleaze machine is to SPREAD THE WORD. Go to the Obama website and print out the Fact Check documents. Print out John Kerry''s statement about the Clinton swiftboat tactics. Print out articles such as this:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/14/AR2007081401722.html

Then make copies and post, post, post! Post them at work. Stick them inside papers and mags at the newsstand. Give them to people on the street. Leave them on the seat of the bus/subway.

Even in states like New York, where Hillary has a definite lead, it''s not winner-take-all. Your vote to Obama counts because delegates are awarded proportionally. And your actions do make a difference. People, we have 2 weeks. GO!; Reply to this comment


by graciafiguer January 24, 2008 6:45 PM EST: Friends:

Unfortunately, the Rovian tactics of the Clintons ARE fooling voters who are not paying enough attention. If you''re commenting on forums such as this one, you''re one of the few who are. I read these forums fairly often--and I''ve seen that INFORMED VOTERS KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. The only way to stop the Billary sleaze machine is to SPREAD THE WORD. Go to the Obama website and print out the Fact Check documents. Print out John Kerry''s statement about the Clinton swiftboat tactics. Print out articles such as this:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/14/AR2007081401722.html

Then make copies and post, post, post! Post them at work. Stick them inside papers and mags at the newsstand. Give them to people on the street. Leave them on the seat of the bus/subway.

Even in states like New York, where Hillary has a definite lead, it''s not winner-take-all. Your vote to Obama counts because delegates are awarded proportionally. And your actions do make a difference. People, we have 2 weeks. GO!; Reply to this comment


by katefranklin January 24, 2008 1:21 PM EST: This story is alarming, but less surprising coming from the Clintons. The Clintons, as we all know, have a long and sordid history of dishonesty and underhandedness. The lack of principles in how they conduct campaigns rivals only the lack of principles in how they govern.; Reply to this comment


by honestynow January 24, 2008 4:44 AM EST: Ok So there is something to be said about giving ALL VOTERS the opportunity to a system that follows the rules... no matter what party or candidate! That is what a democracy is! As for Nevada there were rules broken and it was not run well. what I saw in Henderson should never happen ever again. and there were over 1600 phone calls to the Nevada democratic party from voters who got locked out, doors closed earlier when they were to close at 12noon. Clinton camp signs up on every precinct location ( I had thought I was at the wrong location) and since the caucus is new to Nevada I am sure some people may have thought they were at the wrong polling place. so from someone who was there we do need to investigate only to make sure this never happens to ANY party again. it''s pretty simple and will ensure our great democracy.

Thanks!; Reply to this comment


by ezzy222 January 24, 2008 12:38 AM EST: "It''s not illegal unless they tell you so." And you wonder why the Obama campaign is still upset about the Nevada caucus? This isn''at about the win or loss--no, it''s about voters right and the integrity of the voting process. I hope everyone will visit this link and read the Clinton Campaign''s handout from the Nevada caucus and the accounts of just what transpired there. There are currently over 1600 accounts of voter suppression. Is this still a democracy? Do you want another liar and cheater running this country? Someone who doesn''t care about you and only cares about winning? Ask yourself these questions as you read this complaint that was just filed with the Democratic Chair of Nevada.
//www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/23/164530/670/481/441908; Reply to this comment


by memekiller January 23, 2008 7:33 PM EST: The media ignores these racial issues, so kudos for mentioning Jim Crow, and that such tactics continue to day. It takes courage to say that, but we can''t ignore this with Obama a serious contender. The GOP has a very aggressive KDTV (Keep Down The Vote) campaign when it comes to African Americans, employing all sorts of trickery that works only because they know the media doesn''t want to touch it.

Anyone who is a regular in these forums knows the kind of comments that pop up any time a prominent African American is mentioned. I thought we had moved beyond that, but racism is still very much with us, which is why every Republican candidate has to make the innocent mistake of visiting Bob Jones. If you ignore the Southern strategy, you reward it by allowing the dog whistle to only reach its intended audience.; Reply to this comment