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Obama Supporters Worked To Keep Colbert Off Ballot
Hmm, perhaps Barack Obama's campaign isn't above doing a few underhanded tricks. CNN reports that key Obama supporters in South Carolina lobbied the state Democratic Executive Council to keep the one true American in the race, Stephen T. Colbert, off the ballot.
"The Obama people, they just didn't want him at all," said one anonymous council member, who claimed to have been lobbied by former state Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum, who has endorsed Obama.
"I think lobbying was too strong a word," Tenenbaum told CNN. "I called them to see what they were thinking, and if they had made up their mind. I am a volunteer in that campaign, and so I am not a staffer. And I thought it could have taken votes away from a lot of people."
Had Colbert made it to the ballot, he may have attracted the votes of college students who would otherwise have gone for Obama.
Are you actually saying that the Obama campaign did something effectively and not five to seven days later than the deadline?
I'm impressed that they could be bothered to get off their back sides . . . AND squelch democracy. Very Clintonian. GO just left of center . . . Lay low a little free speech!
November 6, 2007 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd like more proof that the Obama campaign is behind this is any way. They keep saying 'Obama Supporters' which is wildly different from Obama staffers/campaigners.
November 6, 2007 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
I can't tell if this is satire or not. Well done if it is.
November 6, 2007 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
To equalize the spin here, how about a lead sentence that says, 'Hmmm, perhaps Hillary Clinton's campaign isn't above doing a few underhanded tricks'.
CNN reports that....."The Columbia-based lawyer who represented Colbert in his bid to be placed on the ballot, Dwight Drake, is a supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton." Had Colbert made it to the ballot, he may have attracted the votes of college students who would otherwise have gone for Obama.
November 6, 2007 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
If your campaign isn't viable because of the WGA strike, you don't belong on the ballot.
November 6, 2007 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks DonnaG. Turnabout is fair play (or however the saying goes).
November 6, 2007 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
So now, it is okay to stop democracy unless it is favorable to your candidate. Way to go Obama, you are now in league with the repugs.
November 6, 2007 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps Obama should bring tasters to the Grit-off.
November 6, 2007 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, here's another point to ponder.
The vote of the South Carolina Democratic Executive Council was 13-3 against placing Colbert on the ballot. If Eric wants to credit this vote outcome to the Obama campaign, then I think Eric must also be willing to say that Obama has a very strong [better than 4-1] influence among Democrats in South Carolina.
November 6, 2007 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
rssrai says, "So now, it is okay to stop democracy unless it is favorable to your candidate."
rssrai, I trust you are not one of those who endlessly complained about Nader, then.......
November 6, 2007 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
It is hardly subverting democracy or free speech to make a few phone calls to ask party officials not to let a fake candidate into the Democratic primary.
Take a deep breath and get some perspective.
Colbert could run as an independent if he wanted.
November 6, 2007 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
(1) Gasp, choke, what a vile sensation... I actually agree with O-Bomb-A. Colbert is not a serious candidate for political office. His efforts should remain focused on the Colbert report.
(2) After O-Bomb-A's gay-bashing tour, I hardly believe "college students who would otherwise have gone for [O-Bomb-A]..." at last that's what recent polls of the youth vote suggest.
November 6, 2007 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a big Obama fan.
It's going to be Hillary versus Giuliani :
http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/traps/2007/11/05/obama-baracks-clinton-while-giuliani-still-cant-break-out/
November 6, 2007 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't see what's underhanded. Is this controversy or the illusion of controversy? To me it's more politics of distraction. Are many voters of SC upset that Colbert won't be on the ballot?
November 6, 2007 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone who actually believes this is being ridiculous. If you actually read the whole story from CNN, it clearly states that the above mentioned "supporter" is a volunteer who has gone to a few rallys. Only 3 people voted to keep Colbert on the ballot, one an ardent Clinton supporter. Obama's campaign had nothing to do with it, and to say that they did is a bunch of garbage.
November 6, 2007 11:41 PM | Reply | Permalink