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Obama Campaign Takes Up Door Closing Times in Nev. -- Targets Clinton Campaign

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January 20, 2008 10:53 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller and Eloise Harper report: The Obama campaign held a conference call, Sunday, rehashing the caucus day events in Nevada. They claim that the Clinton campaign encouraged their operatives to close caucus doors at 11:30 a.m., which was a half hour before the noon deadline.

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe claimed that the Clinton precinct captains were given a bound manual by the Clinton campaign, that said the registration deadline was 11:30, which is contrary to the manual supplied by the Nevada Democratic Party. The Obama campaign precinct captains did not carry special Obama supplied manuals -- they only had the Nevada Democratic Party's manuals. When asked why the Obama precinct captains did not speak up if they had an official manual with contrary information from the party, Plouffe demurred, and said that, because of the rushed times on caucus day, tensions were high.

The Obama campaign "claims" that they are not calling the final results of the caucus into question, rather, they are making sure this does not happen again. But their second conference call in two days on this matter, after an official campaign statement last night, clearly shows they are trying to at least cast doubt on Clinton's win.

The campaign will notify the Nevada Democratic Party, for a full review of this, to provide a full picture, and to collect relevant facts. The campaign has provided a page from the Nevada Democratic Party's manual, as well as the page from the Clinton manual, specifically discussing when door times close.

Both manuals are attached below:

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.
From page 8 of the Nevada State Democratic Party Caucus Day Guide.

THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN TOLD OPERATIVES TO CLOSE DOORS EARLY
From page 7 of 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).

The Clinton camp rejects these claims, saying that they don't have the authority to close the doors, and called Obama's accusations bogus. The Clinton camp is sticking by their assertions of voter intimidation -- and have filed complaints with the state party.

January 20, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (12)

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This looks and smells like classic Clintonian dirty politics, with the Clintons backed by the establishment Democrats. If the Dems had any sense about them, they would throw their weight behind Obama and put a stop to Bill's false accusations - he's trying to pull a Karl Rove move by finding fault with the Culinary Union endorsement and then claiming voter suppression by the Obama campaign! Absolutely disgusting, Bill.

Posted by: Kimberly | Jan 21, 2008 2:32:04 AM

There is only one person i'm voting
for and that is the man with integrity
Obama. 13 delegates to 12 so stop your crying and take it like a lady.

Posted by: j | Jan 21, 2008 2:38:36 AM

Wow, the facts are the facts. How can the Clintons on one hand publish a Caucus Guide instructing the that the doors are to be closed at 11:30 and then after the fact reject the claims on the basis that they don't have authority to close the doors?

It's simple underhanded politics - the Clintons may be correct that they don't have authority, but their guidebook instructions create enough confusion and chaos that turns voters away!! Brilliant work by Bill and Hill. Cheat, lie and win by any means necessary.

Posted by: Robert | Jan 21, 2008 2:46:58 AM

Face it. Bill Clinton is brilliant. He is probably the most intelligent president in our nation's history. His IQ is off the charts. Hillary is also brilliant. They're not just smart. They're brilliant geniuses. It's stated that Hillary is only considered because of Bill CLinton. Well, guess what? Obama is only considered because he's black. Why do I say that? Obama is a medicore, cocky, arrogant, talker, who is now in trouble over his misjudgements with Chicago's Rezko and people, that's just a fact. There are black politicians with much more to offer, such as Harold Ford and many others. Bill Clinton has an ego, but he didn't even compare himself to past presidents, and he was a great president. Our economy was robust and we were secure. We were respected in the world. What part of that don't you get or understand? He had served as a governor several years. There's the sense that Obama hasn't paid his dues. Barely elected to U.S. Senate, he almost immediately began running for president. I call that cocky, too. Then there's Oprah's coattails. The reason Bill Clinton is being attacked by Obama and mainstream media is because they can't control him, and they resent his brilliance and intelligence. In spite of all the vicious attacks about his tactics, it is very obvious that at a certain level, they admire and respect him. They talk about him ruining his legacy - like they didn't and haven't tried to dismantle him at every turn? Please. The Clinton Foundation is one of the most respected organizations in the world for problem-solving. His energy, innovative ideas, mental abilities and skills are far superior to others. We're lucky to have him in our midst in these crucial times. I, for one appreciate intelligence and his committment to making the world a better place. ANYONE should. It's in our planet's best interest to Deal with Bill. (Before her infatuation and crush on Obama overtook her good sense, Oprah was also a Clinton[s] backer)
Staunch Clinton(s) Supporter

Posted by: dealwithBill | Jan 21, 2008 3:15:41 AM

Now that is really funny (and sad)! The staunch Clinton supporter loves the brilliance of rough and tumble politics of lies, cheats, and any dirty tactics necessary to position oneself to be of great service to the World. Thanks for your honesty!

Posted by: Daniel | Jan 21, 2008 4:30:14 AM

Nobody wants to talk about the Obama strong arm tactics? I heard that was bad.

As for closing the doors at 11:30 why would this be good for hillary? Unless you Obama folks can DREAM UP some kind of conspirisy that says a whole pile of 100% Obama people were due to rush thru the doors all of a sudden LOL.

Posted by: tom | Jan 21, 2008 5:29:09 AM

They are not only brilliant but also connibing and deceiving, they will twist your words in a way you will be convinced that the sun comes at night. Watch the "rage Clinton's video", that is an excellent example! Just face it, they are well groomed corrupted politicians and they are doing a disservice to this country by throwing mud into an honest campaign, such as Senator Obama's. Here in Europe, Obama would have won the presidency already, are Americans really that..innocent?

Posted by: carmen | Jan 21, 2008 5:55:09 AM

Sounds like a sour loser to me

Posted by: Kardasia_Prime | Jan 21, 2008 8:58:48 AM

It's completely ridiculous to even pose a question about folks trying to 'dream up' a mob rush conspiracy! Nobody knows who else would have come and that's the beauty of democracy. The extra 30 minutes could have benefited any of the candidates, so there was no need for that sort of childish antic.

Posted by: Derek | Jan 21, 2008 9:31:47 AM

I don't think Obama is FIRED UP READY TO GO any more. The sooner they stop showing Obama the crybaby on TV the better.

Posted by: Oz Land | Jan 21, 2008 1:00:26 PM

You people criticizing Obama for standing up for truth and justice should get your heads out of the sand.

What is the point of supporting the Clinton corruption machine?

If you really want to look into this do a web search with these words: Widespread Cheating & Vote Suppression by Clinton Campaign in Clark County, NV

Posted by: TJ | Jan 21, 2008 4:20:29 PM

So... a Democrat (Obama) and a Republican (Ron Paul) have complained about the Nevada election. Seriously folks, is there any doubt this election is rigged? Bush taught Hillary everything she needed to know about how to "win" elections; the Bush/Clinton dynasty continues!

Posted by: Dena | Jan 21, 2008 4:37:52 PM

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