Clinton Condemns Alleged Coercion of Caucusgoers

By: Fernando Suarez
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

ELKO, NEV. -- Hillary Clinton made an impassioned plea to her Democratic opponents and to the unions of the Silver State to let Nevadans caucus for whomever they decide.

"I want to be very clear about this to everyone. I'm afraid some people may feel they can't come, or shouldn't come, or they can't support the candidate of their choice. We know that there are some unions... telling people who to caucus for and if they're not going to caucus for who they are going to choose, then don't come at all. I don't think that's right I don't think that's the American way," Clinton said.

Clinton's comments come as reports that some members of the prominent Culinary Workers' Union (with around 60,000 members) are allegedly being coerced to vote in Saturday's caucus for Barack Obama, who the union endorsed earlier this month.

During a radio interview with a local Las Vegas station, a caller who was part of the Culinary Union told Clinton that several members of the union wanted to caucus for her. Clinton said she appreciated their support and indicated that she was aware of the alleged intimidation taking place.

"Obviously, we want everyone to have an equal access and opportunity to participate in the caucus. I hear so much from people in the Culinary Union who feel like, you know, maybe they've been a little intimidated, but they're standing up and they're speaking out and that means a lot to me," Clinton told the caller.

Back in Elko, Clinton went as far as to call on her opponents to support the right of voters to choose whomever they want in tomorrow's caucus.

"So I'm calling on all the candidates and all of the unions to make it clear to their supporters and their members: the people of Nevada a free and independent state, with very independent people are free to stand up for the candidate of their choice! I'm asking all the candidates and all the unions, including the unions who support me to make it abundantly clear: there will be no interference with anybody's right to caucus for whomever they think will be the best president."

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by lovehillary January 19, 2008 6:37 PM EST: The fact that caucusgoers are being intimidated to vote for Obama is NOT RIGHT!!! This is supposed to be a free country and people should be allowed to vote for the candidate of their choice!!; Reply to this comment


by andersenme January 19, 2008 2:04 AM EST: Bill Clinton''s recent angry outbursts, seemingly symbolic of his wife''s campaign gone awry, appear like nothing so much as the scene from the old movie "King Kong"(1933), where the beast holds a terrified Fay Wray aloft while he roars "Love Me! Love Me!"

Actually the metaphor appears to address several levels of the Clintonian reality, no?

Martin Edwin Andersen
Churchton, Maryland; Reply to this comment