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President Clinton Makes One Last Plea to Casino Employees

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January 19, 2008 3:15 PM

ABC News' Sarah Amos and Eloise Harper report: Former President Clinton spent the morning urging casino employees in Las Vegas to come out to caucus for his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., today. Clinton, along with his daughter Chelsea, shook hands and took pictures with the employees at the MGM Grand and Planet Hollywood hotels, urging them all to go out and vote.

Clinton also spoke to reporters about what he calls "unfair tactics" being used by those who are against his wife’s campaign.

"Well, we were worried about people, even more people, being prevented from voting if they were voting for Hillary. Because yesterday, Chelsea and I were going through one of the hotels and there someone was, going behind us, saying 'if you vote for Hillary, we are going to give you a job assignment that keeps you from going to the caucus.' And I haven’t seen tactics like that in decades," said Clinton.

The Culinary Union has strongly denied any rumors that their union is strong-arming members to vote for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. Clinton, however, finds that hard to believe, telling reporters, "My daughter heard them. My daughter is a scrupulously honest person. She heard what they were saying and they know what they are doing."

Clinton has been very vocal about his issues with the Culinary Union and their involvement in the caucus process, telling voters last night about the supposed union leader who followed him and his daughter at the Bellagio yesterday. However, Chelsea, as always with the media, has stayed quiet on the issue. Today, her focus was simply about getting people out to caucus for her mom, and she has made no mention of possible union strong-arming.

The Clinton campaign has made a concerted effort to focus attention on the actual members of the Culinary Union in the past week. They are betting that, while the union may have sided with Obama, the members will stay loyal to the Clintons and come out to support Hillary.

If the president’s visits to cafeterias and break rooms are any indication, the Clinton campaign might just be right about that gamble. Everywhere the former president went, he was greeted by large crowds, fighting to get close enough for hugs or photos on their camera phones. Many in the crowd told him they were committed to supporting his wife.

"I am grateful for your welcome and hope that you go out and support her today," Clinton urged employees at Planet Hollywood, as he spoke to the entire crowd explaining why going out to caucus was so crucial.

The fight over casino employees, a large percentage of the Las Vegas community, has gotten particularly tense in the past week. Supporters of Hillary Clinton, and members of the teachers’ union unsuccessfully filed a lawsuit, challenging the fairness of having special precincts set up at casinos for their employees. Obama supporters have also been running a series of Spanish attack ads against Clinton.

Of course, now, with the caucus process underway, all either side can do is hope that all their hand shaking and visits to towns across the state of Nevada will add up to the jackpot in today’s caucus.

During a conference call Saturday with reporters, communications director for the Clinton camp, Howard Wolfson, declined to comment on whether or not the president had plans to file a formal complaint regarding the intimidation of voter tactics.

"I haven't talked to the president since he made those comments. It’s a fair question, but it's one where I’m going to have to speak to him before I can [comment]," Wolfson said.

January 19, 2008 in Bush, George W. | Permalink | User Comments (10)

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"a consorted effort"? Um... where do they find these writers?

Posted by: Peanut | Jan 19, 2008 3:40:02 PM

There's no limit to what Bill and Hill will do to get elected (for their 3rd term). Spin and whine; spin and whine. And there also seems to be no limit to the number of voters who fall for their whining and obvious trickery. Not that I really care. I'm voting Republican (as are most of my fellow Democrat friends) if she is the candidate.

Posted by: it'shopeless | Jan 19, 2008 3:40:39 PM

unfortunate that Obama and his supporters use this tactics,which just showed what type of judgement and characters he has. Obama is not tested, nor can he be trusted by America.

Posted by: jamie | Jan 19, 2008 4:01:57 PM

Yes there is no limit what Obama tried to do, the spanish insulting add, who insulted Hillary thru Spanish Standards and insulted all women thru these horrible insulting implications. Also allowing the Culinary Union to supress voters and bully employees to vote for Obama. That is indeed unfair Tacktics.
Again a I urge you to do your homeowrk!
Obama is a Jr. Senator who has hardley wet his ears in the Senate and now he wants to be President. Maybe next time around...

Posted by: VoteResponsbly08 | Jan 19, 2008 4:39:08 PM

I have a friend that works in Nevada and is a member of the Culinary..There was indeed voter supression!! The union pressured and bullied!!!Shame on them and shame on Obama..Again is he going to be the inocent bystander??I don't think so! Thank you to all those strong character Culinary Union Members that stood for what they believed and voted for a better America. You are Brave Heroes!!!

Posted by: Niliad | Jan 19, 2008 4:43:13 PM

Excuse me, but the headline you supply beings, "President Clinton.." Too bad that ABC hasn't heard--a fellow named George W. Bush was recently elected president--about seven years ago, actually.

Posted by: Ben | Jan 19, 2008 6:33:16 PM

Oh, goodness! People being pressured and bullied-- how horrible.

My heart soars to think that the Clintoniacs would NEVER do anything so dastardly.

Please, could someone distract Bill with a Big Mac and a chippy so America can get on with its business?

Posted by: Colfax | Jan 19, 2008 7:36:23 PM

When voting when has to remember this is not about dirty politics and the reality of life. Expereince is the best teacher and trust me Obama has a long way to go and also even his wife need to be groomed I watched her talking like she is talking to school kids not grown ups with brains. And women are the ones who vote for these man to be in power. Shame on us we do not want to support our own. The democrats need to be very careful

Posted by: S Evans | Jan 20, 2008 5:20:06 AM

OUr Former President Bill Clinton addressed students at UC Davis when he was campigning for his wife Hillary. The students were satisfied with his speech. I heard Obama talking about a glass of wine during his campaign speech in Nevada, I was shocked. Whatever he was talking about this does not sound right during campaigning to be talking about having a glass of wine. One would think maybe he still drinks before going out to campaign, and that is not the issue which people would want to hear about

Forward with Hillary Clinton go girl.

Posted by: S F Evans | Jan 20, 2008 5:43:32 AM

There is no way a change without experience is the way to go to resuscitate our economy and integrity overseas. Hillary is the only way, Obama must have the experience before he can brag about 'Change'. An inexperienced leader of the greatest job on earth will have a lot to learn on the job! Hillary's experience you can not match is what we really need to bring this country back on track derailed by the Bush administration. Mr. Obama scoot over, you have a lot of grains to eat yet, maybe next time is yours and I might consider voting for you because you are an intelligent person. Trust me, should you win the nomination, the White House will remain Republican - the change we definitely want to happen is having a Democrat President in the person of Hillary Clinton. Only Hillary Rodham Clinton can bring about the change we all want in this great country! Let us all move forward!

Posted by: C Bushman | Jan 20, 2008 4:33:20 PM

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