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Obama Boosted by Nevada Ruling
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ShareJanuary 17, 2008 2:38 PM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller, David Chalian, and Teddy Davis Report: Sen. Barack Obama's, D-Ill., presidential campaign received good news on Thursday when a federal judge ruled that the Nevada Democratic Party can go forward with nine at-large precincts on the Vegas strip.
Supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., had challenged the at-large districts in court claiming that it was unfair for shift workers on the Strip to be able to caucus at their workplaces when similar provisions have not been made in other parts of the state.
The decision is expected to help Obama in Saturday's Nevada caucuses because the Culinary Workers -- a union which has endorsed Obama -- represents the casino workers.
Obama reacted to the ruling following a round table discussion in San Francisco, Calif.
"I'll be honest with you," said Obama. "We had nothing to do with setting up these rules. We simply were planning to win under the rules that had been set up. Some of the people who set up the rules apparently didn't think we'd be as competitive as we were and tried to change them last minute."
"But you know," he added, "I think the judge was clear that you can't change the rules six days before the caucus and that any alteration would have disenfranchised maids, dishwashers, bellhops who work on the strip, so just in terms of politics, we are confident of our organization on the ground. But in terms of policy, I think it was the right decision to make sure that as many people in the caucuses participate as possible."
Clinton spokesman Jay Carson reacted to the ruling by noting that the former first lady's campaign was not a party to the lawsuit. He also reaffirmed Clinton's belief that it is unfair for shift workers on the Strip to have access to an at-large precinct while shift workers elsewhere in the state do not.
"While we were not involved in this lawsuit, and have always said that we would play by the rules that we're given, it has always been our hope that every Nevadan should have equal access and opportunity to participate in the caucus," said a statement from Clinton spokesman Jay Carson.
"Make no mistake," he continued, "the current system that prohibits some shift workers from being able to participate, while allowing others to do so, would seem to benefit other campaigns. More importantly it is unfair. We also are concerned with recent news reports about voter intimidation tactics that would further discourage some Nevadans from participating on Saturday. Our strategy remains the same -- we want as many people as possible to participate in the caucus, and we are going to reach out to as many Nevadans as possible in an effort to do as well as possible on Saturday."
According to Bill Buck, a consultant to the Nevada Democratic Party, somewhere between 4-6.5 percent of the total delegates at stake in Saturday's caucuses will come from the at-large precincts. The Nevada Democratic Party estimates that there will be 40,000 caucus attendees statewide and that 10 percent of the attendees (4,000) will come from the at-large precincts.
Nevada Democrats estimate that there will be 50,000-100,000 shift workers on the Vegas strip during the time of the Nevada caucuses who would be eligible to participate in the at-large precincts.
The Nevada Democratic Party estimates that the nine ballrooms being used as at-large caucus sites can only hold a combined total of 20,000 people from the standpoint of fire martial caps. If turnout exceeds cap in one room, another one of the nine ballrooms will be used as a spillover room.
It is unclear at this time what will happen if all nine ballrooms exceed capacity.
January 17, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (66)
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YAHOO!! In your face, Bill Clinton!!
Posted by: RuthieM | Jan 17, 2008 3:03:50 PM
Anyone who claims (usually it's republicans...) that it's more fair to NOT let lower income voters vote is WRONG. Shame on you Clinton supporters.
Posted by: Dem in Chicago | Jan 17, 2008 3:06:51 PM
There is alot going on out in Nevada with the culinary and the voters. Go to Las Vegas Sun (their newspaper) and read what is going on at some of the casino's (noteably the Paris) regarding the culinary telling voters they have to vote for Obama or they can't caucus.
Posted by: nbarendt | Jan 17, 2008 3:17:36 PM
YES! Score one for the people against the Clinton Slime Machine!
Posted by: Reinie | Jan 17, 2008 3:52:59 PM
There is some SERIOUS denial going on by Bill Clinton here. The Nevada caucuses were set up EXACTLY the way they are now 10 months ago!!!
But it wasn't until the Clinton camp found out that they were not getting the endorsement from the culinary union that they SUDDENLY REALIZED that it was set up unfairly?
C'mon! Clinton: you knew it, and it was fine by you when you thought all those people, who would have easy access to the caucuses, were going to endorse you.
YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE RULES OF THE GAME WHEN YOU DON'T GET AN ENDORSEMENT!
Shame on you, Bill!
Posted by: ListenUpPeople | Jan 17, 2008 3:53:59 PM
I do think the decision was a fair decisions that the judge made. It just seemed that the rules were being changed because Obama got the endorsement, but still its anyone game out there. Obama, Hillary and Edwards are all in a dead heat and I wish them all luck. Although, I do wish Obama more luck, but I'm a democrate and I want a democrate to win this election not a republican.
Posted by: betty | Jan 17, 2008 3:54:08 PM
Hmmm, so citing concerns about 'Democracy', the Clinton campaign defies their party leadership to ensure Hillary is the only candidate on the ballot in MI & FL, and tries to block votes for their opponent in NV. There's Democracy for you - Clinton style.
Posted by: John | Jan 17, 2008 3:54:16 PM
I do think the decision was a fair decisions that the judge made. It just seemed that the rules were being changed because Obama got the endorsement, but still its anyone game out there. Obama, Hillary and Edwards are all in a dead heat and I wish them all luck. Although, I do wish Obama more luck, but I'm a democrate and I want a democrate to win this election not a republican.
Posted by: betty | Jan 17, 2008 3:58:17 PM
If you ask someone a question and they begin their response to you with "I'll be honest with you," as Obama said to the reporter on this issue and also, strangley, to the Washington Post reporter who asked him about Rezko, close your eyes, cover your ears and brace yourself, because a whopper load of BS is going to slap you in the face.
I thought used car salesmen were the only ones still using that cheap psychological sales ploy. But I guess the line is also still in favor with con men like Obama.
Posted by: John | Jan 17, 2008 3:58:36 PM
I am a registered democrat. The more I hear Bill Clinton, the more respect I have for George Bush Sr. Sure, there is nothing wrong in Bill Clinton "loving" his wife. But the way he has conducted himself lately, is absolutely shameless. He is assuming the attack dog role of VP Chenny. Does anyone disagree ?
Posted by: al | Jan 17, 2008 4:00:30 PM
More and more, it is becoming apparent that the Clintons are raging that they may not get the coronation they planned for themselves. Bill Clinton is once again an embarrassment to the nation and the presidency. One can only imagine the train wreck he would cause if let back into the White House, even as First Laddie.
Posted by: Mark | Jan 17, 2008 4:04:52 PM
Wow, it is pretty embarassing when you come out against having working people have a chance to caucus, like the Clintons did. However, it is really embarassing when you lose in court. Hillary really better hope she does not lose the Nevada Caucus or her slide may be insurmountable. Why doesn't anybody use inevitable to talk about Hillary anymore?
Posted by: Sean O'Brien | Jan 17, 2008 4:05:37 PM
Bill Is running for office not Hillary.
They need to call burger king if they want to have their way.
Posted by: Jim Rod | Jan 17, 2008 4:08:11 PM
So, Prince Charming has his way with the culinary union in Nevada. Since the Nation is watching his antics, he may gain there but this will be remembered. Prince Charming is all mouth and no substance, so he has to stoop to such tactics. I feel for the rest of the democratic voters who get screwed in the deal. Pretty sad, Prince Charming.
Posted by: benvictor | Jan 17, 2008 4:10:34 PM
It seems the more this camoaign goes on the more it seems that the 22nd amendment on serving only two terms is being winked at and then some by the Clintons.
Posted by: E J Gallagher | Jan 17, 2008 4:12:25 PM
The Clinton's are so sleazy. I hope everyone understands all their back handed plays and gets out there to Caucus against them. They are just part of the same old, same old Washington. Let's vote people!!!!
Posted by: Anna | Jan 17, 2008 4:14:35 PM
Hillary and her 'TACTICS' remind me of other 'slimy' politicians who can't represent democracy while denying segments of the population the opportunity to vote.
There were probably people who would'nt have been able to vote without this Caucus setup.
Go Obama and Edwards. I hope there is serious BACKLASH for HER slimy, dirty, political tactics and Obama and Edwards both beat her in Nevada.
BTW, since Nevada caucuses, they don't use voting machines that can be manipulated, right?
HILLARY, you have major problems in Nevada. What other dirty tricks are you going to use out of desperation?
Posted by: Joe | Jan 17, 2008 4:15:22 PM
It is indeed very important to the integrity of American democracy that all elections include American citizens ONLY.
The upcoming Democratic Nevada caucus will likely be the first significant "election" in which illegal immigrants dominate the outcome. The reasons are: 1. The Culinary Workers Union, by it's own admission, is largely composed of illegals. 2. This union is backing O-BOMBA and is working to get the caucuses held in casinos, where the illegals/union members work 3. Since this is a caucus, not a state or federal election, the ground-rules for participation are controlled by the Democratic Party - which so far is supporting all the Culinary Workers Union's demands.
The outcome of the Nevada Democratic caucus will therefore be significantly affected by illegal immigrants. This is a new low in American democracy. It is yet another reason to do everything possible to ensue that ALL elections include ONLY American citizens.
Posted by: ALEX H. | Jan 17, 2008 4:19:38 PM
This article is about a court decission not to change the rules MID STREAM. There is no mention of any voter being denied the right to vote.
Posted by: angie | Jan 17, 2008 4:31:32 PM
Wow. ABC really has it in for the Clintons - more anti-Clinton media bias just like we saw in the 1990s. Shame on you, ABC!
Posted by: Alice K. | Jan 17, 2008 4:33:09 PM
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