Obama campaign says Clinton operatives violated rules, disenfranchised voters

Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008 | 2:44 p.m.

I Flashed on this a short time ago (go to RalstonFlash.com to subscribe) and now the campaign has put out more information to back up its case. Still waiting on Clinton response.

The Flash:

In conference call with reporters a short time ago, Obama campaign counsel Bob Bauer insisted that while "it could have had an effect on the vote," he is not "going to call into question" the results." But Bauer said that Clinton precinct campaigns were given amanual to not allow anyone into caucuses after 11:30, contrary to party rules that said doors should close at 12. He said there are over 300 incident reports they are looking into.

"There was a clear disenfranchising effect," Bauer said. "We want a full review of this."

State Director David Cohen said reports of this behavior came from "all over the state."

"We don't know fully yet how pervasive this was," Bauer said. "We're not calling the results into question at all. I want to stress that."

But he said "a pattern emerged" that is "fairly striking" that the timetable in the party rules was violated by Clinton precinct captains

Later Bauer, in response to a question, says other campaigns may have had voters disenfranchised. "Other voters may have been affected."

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And I thought it was over......

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The Obama additional information:

Despite clear rules and timelines laid out by the Nevada Democratic Party that caucus doors should remain open and voter registration should continue until noon, the Clinton campaign encouraged their operatives to close the caucus doors at 11:30 AM – a half hour before that deadline. This caused confusion and led to people leaving the caucuses before having the chance to participate.

It our distinct hope that such disregard for the rules will be avoided in future contests.

NEVADA DEMOCRATIC PARTY RULES

THIS PROCESS MAY NOT BEGIN UNTIL NOON

In order to participate in the Nevada State Democratic Party Caucuses, attendees MUST be in line, or signed in, by noon. At noon, Presidential Preference Cards should be given to any person in line, and after that point, no Presidential Preference Cards should be given to any new arrivals, as they will not be allowed to caucus.

http://obama.3cdn.net/d472e284343e050b79_1im6b5jdh.pdf [Page 8]

THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN TOLD OPERATIVES TO CLOSE DOORS EARLY

From the Clinton campaign precinct captain handbook:

11:30 am Deadline for registering (or standing in line to register) to participate in the Caucus.

Inside the Room

11:30 am Caucus Chair closes doors and announces attendance

Brief Democratic Party business (letters read, Permanent Chair elected).

http://my.barackobama.com/page/-/pdf/NV%20HRCcaucusdayguide0001.pdf [Page 7]