Obama Camp Holding A Grudge Over Nevada?
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.
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.
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.
//www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/23/164530/670/481/441908
Thanks!
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!
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!
This didn''t just happen in my precinct. I have been talking to our supporters all over the country and it happened everywhere.
This didn''t just happen in my precinct. I have been talking to our supporters all over the country and it happened everywhere.