Obama Delegate Purge -- Slash and Burn in California

• Share
• Print View
• Comments

By dusk on Wednesday, the California Obama campaign had purged almost all progressive activists from its delegate candidate lists. Names of candidates, people who had filed to run to represent Obama at the August Democratic Party National Convention, disappeared, not one by one, but hundreds at a time, from the Party web site listing the eligibles. The list of Obama delegate hopefuls in one northern California congressional district went from a robust 100 to an anemic 23, while in southern California, the list in Congressman Waxman's district almost slipped out of sight, plunging from a high of 91 candidates to 17.

Who was left standing, still in the running for the Sunday delegate caucuses?

The bundlers, the men and women who skirt campaign finance laws by bundling cash, a bundle of $2,000 here and a bundle of $2,000 there -- and some, though certainly not all, of the elbow-grease: grassroots Obama volunteers, loyalists from day one.

Who was kicked to the curb? Brian Leubitz, a Calitics blogger with a mighty pen, Tad Daley, former policy advisor to Cranston and Kucinich and a career fellow with the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Alan Toy, a disabled rights activist and Chair of the American Civil Liberties Union chapter in Santa Monica, and a nameless, yet tireless grassroots volunteer who toiled nights making precinct maps... and me.

Marcy Winograd.

I campaigned for Obama -- went on the Pacifica's KPFK twice, once on election day, to promote his candidacy, to tell the world he really was our hope, the candidate who could galvanize the young and the man who could strengthen an ever-expanding progressive base in the Democratic Party. I urged our Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles chapter to endorse him and we did.

Obama for President.

But the Obama campaign was worried their delegates would switch at a brokered convention.

After the first round of voting, if no clear winner emerges, there is no such thing as a pledged delegate -- according to Hillary Caesar Clinton.

Did I take an Obama loyalty oath? Even better.

Two years ago I picketed a Hillary Clinton fundraiser in Hancock Park and was quoted telling the Los Angeles Times. "Hillary Clinton led us to war. She is not the kind of leader we need."

I sit on the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party and will vote in June on DNC delegates who will preside over the convention in August. These are the men and women who will make the rules at a potentially brokered convention.

How very sad, indeed, that the Obama campaign has chosen to slash and burn its list of supporters, as this purging policy projects the wrong image, makes the campaign look nervous, not at all confident -- and, I'm afraid, anti-democratic and mercenary, given the coveted treatment of bundlers running for delegate seats.

Perhaps there's still time for the Obama campaign to reverse itself, to celebrate its popularity with grassroots activists and let everyone who wants to participate run a proud race for a man they would like to be proud of as he moves into the Oval Office.

Marcy Winograd is an Executive Board member of the California Democratic Party, representing the 41st Assembly District (Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Topanga, Malibu, and Brentwood). In 2006, she garnered 38% of the vote in her congressional challenge to Jane Harman. At the last California Democratic Party convention in San Jose, she lobbied successfully for Party platform amendments calling for prison sentencing reform and card check certification in union-organizing drives.

Comments

[kimbakristin]

Are you kidding? Brian Leubitz is a former Edwards supporter (and small donor) who wouldn't even have been there on Sunday if Edwards was still in the race. Just a few days ago, when he discovered he hadn't made the short list, he told the press he was "didn't think" that it would affect his committment to Obama.

[CamiloPost]

this presumes alot of pre-existing knowledge about delegate purges. I have no idea what you are talking about. In the future can you write this is as a story with a beginning, middle, and end. What delegates are being slashed? What is this about???

[AnninCA]

Man, talk about 15 minutes of fame! *hehe

I can always tell the really big stories by how fast they get moved out.

[ldvisavis]

Hi Marcy,

I know you are particularly passionate about the idea that politicians should be transparent and should listen to the people. I hope you have listened to the people who have posted here and that you have read every post.

I believe you will see there is some sincere support and agreement as well as "support" in the form of attacks on Obama, and still others who question your decision to air your dispute in the manner you chose.

Will you be offering any update here on HuffPo?

[DukeFan]

Well if Obama has purged these people then he must have a good reason for it. He's run a brilliant campaign so I trust that he's doing what is best for his campaign.

[Sabreen60]

As Senator Obama has said "this is silly season". This is just another DISTRACTION to take us away from the real issues, namely the war, the ecomony, the haves and the have nots, race- yeah race, global warming, etc., (not necessary in this order). The Obama campagin staff (Obama didn't remove anyone from the list, ya'll) made that decision. And say what you the way in which Obama has managed his campaign has ben phenominum.

[AnninCA]

I understand that he backed down, Marcy, after all the complaints came pouring in. I've said all along that many of his more outspoken activists who pushed him along would be kicked to the curb as quickly as possible. I was right.

Obama purged 900 from the rosters. Hillary? 50.

900!

It's very frustrating to see him repeatedly take actions that are so opposite of what his image is and not be blasted for it. It's particularly frustrating to me, a Hillary supporter, to NOT see her get credit where credit is due.

His bundlers make up a full 1/2 of his finance contributions. Yet he's spinning this fairy tale that it's all grass roots money and using that as a reason for disavowing his own written pledge about campaign finance. That's wrong thinking, folks.

We are sending a clear message to politicians that accountability doesn't matter to us. That's wrong. It's a mistake for the public to endorse this. It will have lasting consequences.

Demand accountability from Obama. Today.

[ldvisavis]

Hello again Ann,

I know like most of us you can be hot-headed and reactionary--but I have also seen you be thoughtful. Will you consider this? The reason there were more candidates to address is because of the tremendous enthusiasm Obama's campaign has engendered.

And the ability to acknowledge a mistake and make a quick correction is really a GREAT attribute, isn't it? Wouldn't our world be better if GWB had been able to reflect and adjust?

I know you are a sincere supporter of Hillary. But surely your support for her doesn't make everything Obama does wrong, does it? Can't we acknowledge what is good and right at least SOMETIMES?

[AnninCA]

Yes, since we're down in the bowels.........I agree with you. That was his issue in CA. He got "bit," however, by how enthusiastic his staff was at slashing. That shows inexperience.

Who didn't realize that slashing 900 would draw attention?

Someone dumb, that's who.

[saska]

I've read your diary over on DailyKos, stating that all of the Obama delegates in CA have been reinstated.

Any chance you're going to post the same mea culpa here on the HuffPo, or will this "slash and burn" characterization stand without amendment?

[AnninCA]

That's a very apologetic stance you're taking there. What about the core issue?

[Binea]

according to what you said in your article,you are a loyal Obama deligate.According to how you wrote it and felt compelled to make a stink about his being careful..he made the right decision.

[Mrrar]

Citations please? I'd like to see the facts here... I have to wonder how many of these people were cut because of who they are, not because of who they aren't.

[lizzytysh]

Marcy ~

It took me a minute to understand what this was about and then it got clarified [i'ts still early and no coffee yet] that you were all still in applicant status! Not givens. I've no idea what the deal is... except that Obama carefully considers what happens and what he does in his life. If your feelings were hurt, would you abandon ship? If so, you ought not make it off that candidate list and onto the final one, as you're too driven by emotion, rather than reason... and could be suspect come the Convention, itself. Even though all have been reinstated for the time being, I guarantee that California will be looked at microscopically, now, given this self-centered outcry. I would love to be at the Convention, myself... however, what's more and most important to me is that Barack Obama be in the White House. Even if you are the most ardent and loyal supporter, there are presumably many others who are as well... and other variables must be assessed for ultimate selection. I'm very sorry to see that you would take to the proverbial airwaves to seemingly slam Barack and suggest that your vote really is up for compromise. Your blog post today is disturbing.

[JoseyJ]

No! they haven't all been reinstated.
The bottom line - Obama wants to make sure the delegates are devoted to HIM ALONE - because the Convention will be about issues - one of Obama's weaknesses - and some of his "issue" supporters could potentially be swayed to vote for Hillary who is stronger on the issues and facts.

[knosiswar]

Hillary's REAL STRONG on ISSUES, one she's real good at - VOTING FOR WAR.

And when GWB uses HRC's authorization to attack Iran, you remember, when she signed on to have the REVOLUTIONARY GAURD, including the QUDS FORCE listed as a terrorist organization. What will you say?

When Bush approves air-strikes in Iran, say, maybe October, with Hillary's approval, (just like she approved of military force in Iraq), Will you STILL support Hillary?

[Fabienne]

Every candidate wants to make sure the delegates are devoted to him or her ALONE. This is politics.

[mammaboy]

For F**k Sake! I can't believe he reinstated them. A few bloggers sulk and he's doing backflips for them--easy I suppose when your spine is made of rubber.

[Sabreen60]

You can't possibly be this iignorant and ill informed and . Do you really think that Senator Obama personally removed names from the list. Geezzz!!! We have long, long, long, long way to go.

[AnninCA]

Sorry........he IS accountable for his campaign staff.

[lizwatch]

What? You aren't going to support your chosen candidate because you don't get to be a delegate? Did Obama personally strike you from the list? It appears that you should not have been one of the very few loyal delegates since you can't even go through this!

[happycozy]

Well, Obama has added the 900 delegates back. I hope you CA delegates don't make him sorry by flipping for Clinton.

[budlawman]

Happycozy, never fear. Marcy has posted a gracious thank you on Daily Kos, and could not in her or anyone else's wildest nightmares flip for Hillary.

[esaid]

Does it include an apology? It should.

[kevenseven]

There are 6 or 7 people registered for each seat. The delegates selected will be people well known in each caucus whose credentials as committed Obamans will be scrutinized with a fine tooth comb.

[mammaboy]

Ah, democracy at work. Don't forget, waterboarding is an effective means of persuasion.

[AgathaX]

What does it matter who the delegates are? So long as they cast the vote they were elected to cast. Of course you know you're loyal, but with HRC waging an all out assault on PLEDGED delegates, the Obama campaign will be as careful as it can be. You can take offense or you can applaud their care. It makes sense that they are going to be more trusting of people who have a vested interest in the campaign: who have done significant fundraising and/or committed a lot of manhours. They know that these are not the only people who have supported them. If they were they wouldn't be where they are right now. But they want people who someone in the campaign has interacted with successfully over time.

Do not take this personally. Be glad they are taking this thing seriously.

[kevenseven]

Exactly. They have every reason to suppose that Clinton would try to place moles in their delegation.

[AnninCA]

Hillary purged 50. Obama purged 900.

LOL*

Paranoid dude you're supporting. :)

[WAstateliberal]

I agree with AgathaX. I am in WA state have submitted my application for candidacy both for the position of pledged delegate for Obama. I consider it unlikely I will be picked based on the volume of applicants alone, and it never occurred to me to take offense to it. After all, the actual number of bodies from each state who will attend the convention is pre-determined, it is just a matter of filling the pre-allocated seats with the people with whom the candidate feels the most confident. We can't all go. What is the goal here? Is this about our 15 minutes or stopping another insane neocon from entering the White House and starting a war against Iran? Californians voted overwhelmingly for Senator Clinton and proved themselves to be lukewarm toward Senator Obama, so why would anyone think it strange that he would fear subversive delegates, particularly in light of Senator Clinton's thrice stated intention to try and flip pledged delegates? The outrage over this baffles me. Why does everything in this country have to be about "me"? God we have become such Divas. I agree with others who have observed that the tone of this post is threatening (in particular, mentioning her impending involvement in the Convention via her role in selecting delegates who will sit on the rules committee) and it reveals that Senator Obama was correct in his suspicion. I am sorry to hear that he caved to this crap.