Caucus disruption strategies by Obamites

[jackson_dem]

Texas confirmed what we all expected. It showed that Washington was not an aberration. The numbers speak for themselves:

Washington primary: 0 50, H 47
Washington caucus: 0 68, H 31

Texas primary: H 51, 0 47
Texas caucus: 0 56, H 44

The memo does not even get to the fact caucuses disenfranchise the elderly, working folks, and immigrants all of whom are heavily pro-Clinton.

-snip-

The memo was written by a University of North Carolina professor emerita of anthropology who served as a volunteer Clinton precinct committee officer in the Washington state caucuses last month. It warned other volunteer organizers about so-called strategies alleged to have been observed by herself and by Clinton volunteers in Iowa and Nevada. The volunteer, in a phone conversation I had with her, asked that her name not be used. Granted, these events were "observed" weeks ago, but are still worth considering. Here are the relevant parts of the memo:

"1. Individuals arriving all at once in large groups can disrupt the caucus by making it difficult to keep track of sign-in sheets, among other things. It created crowding in one caucus site that I am aware of and there weren't enough chairs for people to use. Other behaviors that can make it difficult for the caucus to run smoothly are deliberate disruptions with things like chanting, sign waving, dancing or singing. The Precinct Chair (or Caucus Chair) will need to insist on order.

"2. Individuals may arrive who are not registered to vote in a particular precinct with the story that 'they just moved there.' Some places where this has been observed, the person really didn't fit the picture of somebody who had 'just moved into' the precinct. They were allowed to register to vote and to caucus. (I do not know whether this individual's vote has been certified or not.) Bottom line: know your precinct demographics and make note of individuals who are registering to vote on site. (If they are so excited about participating, why haven't they registered before?)

"3. Supporters for a particular candidate, such as Senator Clinton, have arrived at caucus sites early to decorate and organize and been told that 'the building was locked.' When they are finally allowed into the building they see that signs for other candidates had already been posted. Bottom line: know who you are dealing with in terms of the caucus coordinator ... This will usually be some volunteer for the local Democratic Party."

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/354759_erbe13.html

[libbygurl]

1. The wide discrepancy between caucus and primary results in TX tells a lot.

Congratulations, DNC, for creating a mess of voting this primary season, allowing non-Dems to hijack the votes and choose the Democratic nominee in the easiest way possible! Congratulations, Howard Dean, for your wonderful leadership.

You just gotta love them Dems.

[jackson_dem]

2. Yup caucuses are a sham and should not be allowed in 2008

No wonder the Obama campaign wants caucuses for Michigan and Florida, if they are forced to enfranchise those two states. We know their preference is disenfranchisement.