| Dear Clinton Campaign, Don't be sore winners/losers. I read this from the Houston Chronicle: Garry Mauro said the campaign will file complaints with the state Democratic Party's local credential committees, and request hearings. If the campaign isn't satisfied with the rulings meted out by the committees, legal action might follow. "We're not going to give up that option," he said. Earlier today, the Clinton campaign said it had received hundreds of complaints about voting irregularities stemming from Tuesday night's caucuses. The complaints included Clinton supporters being turned away at the doors and Obama supporters not qualified to caucus being permitted to caucus.
We have reports of complaints of the Clinton camp, too. You all aren't all saints -- as much as you may think you are -- and trying to diminish the results of the caucus just because you lost there is cheap, petty, and underhanded. That's no way to win the Presidency -- not if you want anyone to follow you. You had a good night. Don't ruin it with nonsense. Sincerely, Phillip Martin --------------------------------------- Dear LULAC, I read that you are considering suing the Texas Democratic Party because, as the article said, you are concerned that the voices of Latinos are not being heard. The article also noted that, while your group has not officially endorsed, a number of high ranking officials within your organization support Senator Hillary Clinton. I'm Hispanic. So is my mother. We voted for Senator Barack Obama. We appreciate your concern, but our voices were heard. So were the voices of 2.8 million Texans yesterday in the primary vote, and what looks like will be over 1 million Texans in the caucuses. It seems to be that plenty of Texans had their voices heard. The article noted one concern of yours: "We had reports all night long and this morning of many, many people who couldn’t stay there anymore," says Vera. "It was 9:30, 10 o'clock and they haven’t even begun to vote." I don't think a tremendous outpouring of democracy merits litigation. I also don't know how late caucuses exclusively hurt Latinos more than any other race, or any other type of Texas voter, for that matter. As an Hispanic, I'd ask you to not drag me into this potential mess of a lawsuit. My family grew up in El Paso, and I was always taught to respect the rules and the process, when they are fairly created. I don't want to be considered chiple. The rules for the Texas Democratic Primary were fairly created -- in fact, Garry Mauro (former Executive Director of the TDP) and Bob Slagle (former Chair of the TDP) both had a hands-on role in crafting and maintaining the TDP rules for the caucuses. Coincidently, they both played a prominent role in Senator Clinton's campaign in Texas. I appreciate the role you play in Texas politics -- protecting the voice of Hispanic citizens. You've done tremendous work with congressional redistricting battles in the past, among other things. But 2.8 million voters in a primary, and over 1 million voters at caucuses, are lots of strong voices making themselves known Let us stand up on our own. Let us be proud of what we did, and not pretend that we were somehow "tricked" or "mistreated." We weren't -- and continuing to suggest that we were doesn't help the trust -- or lack thereof -- the general public has in our community. There are times when we need legal protection -- and with all due respect, this isn't one of them. Sincerely, Phillip "Chato" Martin |
