This is more or less a repost of the following MyDD diary.
In the diary the poster describes Adams county assembly where the pledged delegates are chosen to be sent to the state convention.
Clinton Gaining Delegates in Colorado
....
I was at my Adams County assembly last weekend. Obama won the county on caucus night 55-45, but at the assembly Clinton tied him. The same, I hear, is happening in other counties. Clinton actually still has a paid operation here working these county assemblies. At these county assemblies, delegates are chosen for the state convention, where, finally, the delegation to the national convention is chosen. So Adams county will be sending the same number of votes for Clinton as for Obama to the state convention. If, as anecdotally appears to be the case, Clinton does five points better at county than on caucus night, you could see her gaining several delegates that are currently being given to Obama. Potentially as many as 5-6. Most caucus states have similar systems, btw.
It seems like Obama needs to follow up on every caucus, other wise Clinton operation will be snatching up these delegates.
Granted, this apparently is not illegal as the poster is pointing out.
But here's the kicker: Not everyone shows up to the county conventions who was chosen. In fact, many discover a previously unknown commitment and don't (it's a brutal multi-hour experience in the middle of the best ski season in recent memory and I wouldn't wish it on anyone). If the delegates don't show, alternates are allowed in and given a vote, often (and this depends on the county) first come first served and REGARDLESS OF WHOM THEY SUPPORT.
I should point out these are state convention delegates. But if this is done enough times, she can totally get more additional pledged delegates.
Nifty eh?
Update, Moral of the Story:
As it been pointed out in comment:
I've been a delegate 3X, Obama will be my fourth. This ALWAYS happens. Caucus is just step one. Step two is the district convention, step three the county convention, step four the state convention, step five the national. Every time the score starts out as basically 0-0, and you vote your preference. If you don't show up, you're nobody.
We need to keep working, to make sure we do not lose what we gained.
Democracy requires ETERNAL VIGILANCE
God damn it, get mad, we worked so hard only to have it all stolen!!! (I am donating another $100)
DONATE, Call, Volunteer
==== Pennsylvania unregistered voters REGISTER by March 24th. =====
Update: Please REC, if we are to get any of this out.
Update: It has been pointed out (tip-hat JedReport) that Adams Count has 3% as uncommitted, which could if all uncommitted voted Hilary even out the percentage. [link]
Update: It has been pointed out a number of times, that if a caucus delegate for a specific party does not show then that vote is a wasting. The diary does speak about picking an alternative delegate who can vote however he/she wants. How that delegate will be choose in a Hillary dominated county convention is anyone guess. But key point of course is eternal vigilance is necessary at all times.
Updates from the comments:
By Mile High Progressive
I was an Obama delegate in Douglas County and they (county party leaders) announced during the Presidential convention part of the proceedings that "NOT MANY" had changed their preference as delegates at check-in, thus altering the totals.
I raised my hand and said, "NOT MANY have changed their preference? I thought that delegates were tied to the caucus results from their precincts." They informed me that the delegates were in fact, not tied to the caucus results if they chose to switch their votes.
On the way into the parking lot of the school, all of the traffic directors had Hillary signs and were signing in people at the door. I should have known they would put a full-court press on to try to steal pledged delegates.
I don't know if it made a significant difference in our county totals or not, but it was a frustrating event.
Follow up to Douglas county story from our own fantastic Mile High Progressive :)
Douglas County, CO results (1+ / 0-)
DC Democrats site
Looks like the final delegate allocation was 126 for Obama to 79 for Hillary.
This breaks down to approximately 61-39%. If CNN is right that the caucus count was 63-37%, then Hillary gained 2% of the pledged delegate vote at the Douglas County convention.
Not sure if this was people having a change of heart, or a recruitment effort.
Note: There are 0% uncommited in Douglas county
Update:
Similar stories:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/...
http://blogs.britannica.com/...
Good explanation of poaching issues here:
Going after pledged delegates at the convention? Bah! That is not the real story on pledged delegates today. Instead, as I explain in the extended entry, at least the Clinton campaign (but probably both campaigns) currently have organizers targeting pledged delegates in states where a caucus or primary has already taken place.
continued..., with follow up here
Good News Update: Positive Report from Arapahoe County
There was no visible Hillary "poaching" going on anywhere in the 2000 delegates present.