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"Big Tent" Re-Opens: Obama Campaign Reverses CA Delegate Purge
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Barack Obama, California Delegates, California Delegates Obama, David Plouffe, Delegate Purge, Democratic Convention, Democratic National Convention Denver, Obama, Senator Obama,
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Twenty-four hours after the Obama campaign cut 900 delegate candidates across California, the campaign reversed itself and reinstated all candidates. In an email sent to all Californians running to be Obama delegates at this summer's Democratic National Convention, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe wrote:
There has been an extraordinary outpouring of grassroots support for Senator Obama among Democrats and Independents in all 53 California Congressional districts.In recognition of this tremendous enthusiasm, our campaign has asked the California Democratic Party to allow all persons who have filed to be a district delegate candidate for Senator Obama at the Democratic National Convention to participate in the caucuses this Sunday, April 13, 2008.
We are confident that delegates elected from this pool will reflect the Senator's commitment to a diverse and unified delegation at the National Convention.
An overwhelming number of supporters have signed up to run for delegate, so there will likely be lines and tight space at the caucus locations. We ask for everyone's patience and cooperation.
Most of all, please enjoy this opportunity to meet other Obama supporters and elect delegate candidates to the Convention in Denver.
Thanks for your interest and active participation in Barack's campaign to change politics and change America.
On a personal note, it's gratifying to know that the campaign made the decision to restore the candidacies of hundreds of volunteers and supporters. The campaign didn't have to and could have weathered out the mini-storm until Sunday. After telling my story yesterday, I spoke to many Obama supporters and other delegate candidates (those who were cut and those who weren't). All were flummoxed by why the campaign would choose to exclude so many supporters, including volunteers who have traveled to multiple states and given up nights and weekends in order to help Senator Obama win state after state.
There are some important unanswered questions that remain in the wake of the candidate purge. For instance, of the 17 candidates who remained in my district (CD30) after the cuts, three had given more than $1,000 each to Senator Clinton's campaign (two of those had also given to Obama, but one had given only $250 and made the Clinton donation more recently). If the Obama campaign was intent on removing candidates with potential loyalty problems, why would those candidates remain on the list? Even if the goal was to streamline the process, why would those candidates remain on the list?
Would I like to represent my district in Denver and cast my vote for Senator Obama at the Convention? Absolutely. But was preserving my chance to do so the most important thing to come out of the campaign's reversal? No. Rather, it was the recognition that the campaign should embrace, rather than turn away, many of those volunteers who have worked so diligently to bring new voters into the Obama tent and who are proud of where Senator Obama stands today, on the verge of becoming the Democratic nominee. See you on Sunday.
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Senator Clinton is devisive and will stoop to ANYTHING to secure the nomination!!
Why do you think that there is such a flight AWAY from her campaign!??
The Republicans want to see her get the nomination, so that they can tear her apart and hold on to the WHITEHOUSE.
SENATOR OBAMA IS OUR ONLY HOPE TO CHANGE THIS NATION TO ITS GREATER GOOD AND TO REGAIN GLOBAL RESPECT FOR THE GREAT NATION OF OURS>
WAKE UP!!
I think everyone is missing the point here-Nathaniel Bach and those like him especially. This wasn't about him, or any one individual. If he truly is an Obama supporter, it is about what is best for the Obama campaign. HIs temper tantrum about being excluded smacks of a spoiled showoff who can't handle taking the back seat to anything or anyone. I could have done without reading about how he threatened the campaign aid with this article before publishing it. Bravo Nathaniel! You're a big man now.
My husband and I just returned from our caucus and met with all 30 candidates. About 10 showed, we talked to them and they were wonderful and met so many people, no problem, everyone there knew it was about getting the right delegates and we all believe that there was a last minute scare about Hillary sneaking in people, which would not suprise me after the 40 years I've watched them go round and round.
Great group all supported each other joyful experience.
The Obama campaign did the same cut of potential delegates in Alabama:
http://www
As far as I know, no one in Alabama raised enough of a stink to get the Obama campaign to change their mind.
I'd be interested in knowing if this happened in other states, also. I realize it makes political sense in a traditional way but given the whole big-tent, unity, inclusion thing, I find it disconcerting.
So far I have yet to see any evidence provided that shows the Obama Campaign had anything at all to do with the paring down of the list of poetential delegates!
Everything I have read or found points to the California Democratic Party (CDP) as the culprits. Isn't this the same CDP that threw its' support behind Hillary Clinton 18 months ago?
I would be more inclined to think factions loyal to Hillary were the ones to remove potentials in an effort to get pledged delegates willing to switch sides come the National Convention.
I may be wrong to think Hill-Qaeda supporters would go to lengths this extreme but I have seen nothing that could prove otherwise!
How wrong, wrong you are. The CDP had no, I repeat no authority to remove anyone from the lists. Each campaign had the right - until Monday at 5PM to purge their lists. I know for a fact, two Obama staffers in California who were involved in the purge. Now, not willing to face the real truth of what they did - they blame it on the CDP. It was actually the actions of Art Torres, the chair of the CDP who got the Obama team to reverse their decision. Do not put the blame where it does not belong - you have the CDP to thank for the reversal - not the CA Obama campaign. I know the truth is hard to take - but face it.
It just shows that Obama doesn't even know He lose California already... I guess He thinks like the Super Delegates they will change Their Minds... I hate to tell Him it won't work...
And I hate to tell you that Obama is going to win the nomination for presidential candidacy of the democratic party.
Obama doesn't think that the California delegates will change their minds. But it shows good will on his part, despite the fact that some of the delegates won't even vote for Obama. This is one of the many ways how Obama doesn't only speak for change in the kind of american politics, but also takes actions that match his words.
Love,
Shuaib.
another gaffe by Barry. Careful...
I see that Obama wants Hillary to distance herself from Mark Penn, much like he has distanced himself from Reverend Wright.
We are GOOD people in Pennsylvania. Not gun-toting
At our expense, you used our burden to make a political point . The audacity ! And what HOPE are you spreading, Sir ? We welcome you with open arms, and in return you sold our dignity for 30 pieces of gold.
Did you swayed the Californians as our expense ? Are we equivalent to 30 piece of gold, a negotiable instrument to pander you kind of HOPE ?
How dare you SENATOR OBAMA, how dare you !.
Oh, you're kidding? Who is paying you to write this? It's gotta be better than working for a living.
I assume you can read since you posted a comment. Go and read what Senator Obama said and tell me the part you disagree with.
Do you enjoy politicians coming to your state, telling you exactly what you want to hear, making promises to revive your economy, saying one thing and when they've won, they forget about you for another four years?
Broken promises make people bitter, so what do people turn to? They turn to the things they can believe in, the things that don't continually disappoint them. Their faith, their friends, and their families. They enjoys their hobbies, whether it's guns, fishing, or motorcycles.
What did he say that you objected to? If Senator Clinton gives you hope in the future, then vote for her. Let me know how Pennsylvania is doing next election.
Sounds pretty bitter to me!
ang4ever has posted similar or identical posts in off topic responses to other comments. A spammer?
Wow.. .all that ugly sarcastic bitterness and hatred... you must be voting for Hillary, right?
I'd say she is now. Are you saying she has no right to take exception to being used as a pawn in his scheme to improve this country through speechification?
Sounds pretty bitter to me. So, you don't won't HOPE. Big deal. Surrender to despair. We'll go on without you.
hahahaha I'm bitter with hope.
A lot of voters in Cali have voters remorse now that they see what a poor choice for president Hillary really is
No they do not. Voters from coast to coast support Hillary because she is a great choice for president.
Voters across America have strong buyers remorse over anti-American, liar and racist Obama. He has shown his true lying colors. And many voters want their votes back.
Why is she a better choice?
Not me..
Obama 08
I'm sure you can only speak for yourself, but really.. why did you chose to vote democrat when clearly you're a republican?
Kennedy: This "weak kneed O B A M A" has done a pretty great job of surviving and defeating the Clinton machine. They thought he would fold the first time they said, "BOO."
What a surprise he has turned out to be for them and her supporters. He is hated because he is NOT weak, plays fair, and PLAYS TO WIN. We can tell how much buyers remorse the voters across America have-- so much that HRC is fighting for her political life. What a hoot!!!
I was an election worker on Super Tuesday in California and a lot of voters were on the fence between BO and HRC. Some even asked me what I thought...
Since that day, I've heard a lot of people express regret about their vote for HRC.
I don't regret my vote at all. Guess who I voted for?
The Democratic race has become just that..... I'm appallled.
You wanna know why I am voting for Obama? You wanna know why the rest of my family and extended friends and acquaintances are voting for Obama? Because the world is not the way it used to be....than
Don't thank the Good Lord too loudly, Oriongal or the antiChristian elitists will drive you out of the party. God is not allowed to be a Democrat!
Another Flip-Flop.
Obama will do ANYTHING to get elected.
Nice try. Unfortunately, as desperate as the Clinton campaign is, it'll only be heard as rhetoric.
The only one desperate is Obama. He should be king now. With all the people kissing his butt why not?????
Obama will never be the nominee and he is losing his mind over it.
Seems his Kenyan step-granny lied for himas well>>On the 5th, Sarah Hussein Obama, step-grandmother of Barack Obama, was asked on Wednesday about recent attacks on her grandson that include the spreading of rumors that he is secretly a Muslim and the repeated use of his middle name -- "Hussein."
"Untruths are told that don't have anything to do with what Barack is about," she said in the local Luo language, her gray hair smoothed neatly under a headwrap. "I am very against it."
"In the world of today, children have different religions from their parents," she said. She also said that, she, too, is a Christian.
This comment contradicts a statement Sarah made in an April 2007 New York Times profile of Barack Obama, when she described herself as a lifelong
Muslim, saying "I am a strong believer of the Islamic faith."
Barack and Sarah have this religious adaptability in common.
Sarah Obama was the second wife of the candidate's late grandfather, so she is not his biological grandmother. But Auma Obama, Obama's
half-sister, said: "By our definition, in our culture, she is his grandmother," she said.
Again in a country that promotes separation of church and state your comments have no relevance unless for you religious bigot types.
Why are folks using the race card to lash out at Obama? It appears that much of these articles are right from the race card that Bil and Hil have used to trash Obama. Our Relatives are our relatives regardless of whence they come. We have had white and other, parents, We have had white and other, grand Parents for as long as time is time. We are still related and they are still our Own Relatives. Related just like all of you, regardless of your race, region, or beliefs. Now tell me why in 2008, and all of a sudden do these hating folks want to follow Bil and Hil,in wishing that we disenfranchise our families, as they use race cards and the suddenly Rev Wright speeches to try to tarnish all folks including Obama? Yes, I am not running for Pres, but these racial slurs and demands apply to me and millions of other folks because we are half, mixed, or otherwise blend into the non white population as many who think they are or wish that they where white. Folks, Reconsider this message? We are not all white,nor black or other. There is no Pure race. Therefore this campaign or any other should be allowed to reverse The delegates Purge so negatively from any State.
Surprised that there are closet bigots who call themselves Democrats? I'm not.
I believe it was rev. wright who brought racist discussions into this election-by dividing the blacks from the whites with his racist speeches then barrack added to it by calling us typical white americans--thats me who marched for civil rights-1/2 native american 1/2 of america that is all immigrant-you are all immigrants to me, I don't carry the resentments of 1/2 my blood because those who live in the past-have no future
What difference does it make whether he's a Christian or not? Most all Iraqis are muslim and nobody cares about that. So why is it such a big deal in the senator's case?
You're attacking Obama's poor granny? That is low-down and just pathetic.
Link please. Proof please.
I have to really wonder why this happened it's most unfair at best.
People who lose homes and jobs do feel bitter, and that's a fact. What do the Clintons and the McCains, and all those living in their luxurious comfort zones really know about what it's like to be poor and desperate. Ha, Senator Clinton is in her fantasy land if she believes that those voters facing the hard times in PA are resilient. What's there for them when the Government and the manipulative rich are in control of everything.
if the CA Dem Primary were tomorrow, I highly suspect the results would go in a much different direction than they did a few months ago.
Yes, I know that many would certainly vote differently too. It would have been a good thing if more of the Ca Super voters Had come forward before that Sunday prior to Super Tuesday, Hil never would have won CA, Now that it is all over, People are looking back almost with sorrow, that they did not vote for Obama during the early voting. It appears that folks did not expect Obama to come so far since no other Black man had, that folks threw threw their vote away. Oh well, They will get another chance in November, and It will be most genuine , earned and deserved. Now we all cant be a Super Delegate from CA, but we can surely hope that the ones who make it, won't fall for Hil's misspoken words, and show disrespect for these folks as a Super Delegate from CA. Plus we must understand that the Obama Campaign needs to do what it has to do to keep in compliance. Lets play fair and realize that we must respect what has to be done for the good of His Campaign without whining.
Good thing we still have more elections to go here in CA. We can make our voice heard THAT way. If you regret your Hill vote, be heard by voting out the Hill endorsers/
I personally know five friends in the Bay Area that voted for Hillary that would now vote for Obama.
I don't know, this article reads asinine to me.
Clinton states outright that pledged delegates are a "misnomer" and then goes out to try to actively poach them - I am at a loss as to why this is "bad" of Obama to want to make doubly sure that his people are loyal and won't be talked into leaving by someone trying to poach? Wouldn't -you- worry about this if -your- opposition stated this goal?
I think you should look at the big picture, here.
This whole thing is a poster child for making a mountain out of an ant hill.
You wouldn't feel that way if you were one of the delegates that were excluded. I read a post from one who was very upset. I hope they're ecstatic now.
I know of one "supporter" who expunged and I was happy to hear about it. I don't believe for a second that she's genuine in supporting Obama. Obama's camp might be a little paranoid right now, but that paranoia is certainly justified after all the attacks it's suffered at the hands of the Clintons and Clinton drones.
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