Why the TX caucuses need to go -- 3 precincts' caucus votes won't count

[antigop]

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/518514.html

Hundreds of people were crammed into the tiny cafeteria at Atherton Elementary School in Arlington on Tuesday night.

They waited there, shoulder to shoulder, at precinct caucuses for more than two hours to declare their support for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama for president. People who attended said the mood grew heated as participants lost confidence in whether their votes would be counted.

They had every reason to worry. The Tarrant County Democratic Party confirmed Friday that it had received envelopes with blank forms for all three precinct caucuses at the school.

"At this point, we don't have any record that anything happened there," said Keith Annis, the county party's executive director.

[MrTriumph]

1. Don't panic

As someone who has attended pct conventions in the past, this is nothing new. The only thing new is the intensity because of the importance of the race and the energy the 2 candidates for pres. have created. In all likelihood, the paperwork will show up.

And because of the intensity of the event this year, the local press has been pounding us daily with horror stories of the pct. conventions. Gee, do you think they have an agenda of their own? Sure they do. And they intend to paint Democrats as undemocratic, disorganized, fools from now until election day.

So don't be taken taken in by the efforts of the local media to disparage Democrats and the system. Is the system chaotic? Sometimes. It always has been. Is it unfair? Sometimes, but overall it has worked satisfactorily in the past.

When you have an open pct convention where almost all the new participants have no experience with the process, and you multiply the number of participants by 10 fold or more, and you have 2 presidential campaigns bucking for every advantage with out-of-state staff (so called observers) that are as inexperienced at Texas procedures as the voters, well, things go pretty crazy.

Oh, does our local media have their own agenda? Here is another example: The Star-Telegram has yet to print the raw vote totals for uncontested races from the Dem.& Rep. primaries. Why? Consider that the Dem. candidates actually got more raw votes than incumbent Republican officeholders all over Tarrant County. THAT'S A HECK OF A STORY. And you don't see it in print.

[antigop]

2. They are exposing the system for what it is --- undemocratic with lack of audits.

And I'm glad they are.

The system needs to go.

[MagickMuffin]

3. No the system does not need to go anywhere

The voters NEED to educate themselves BEFORE showing up to the precinct convention.

I took the time to learn. Was there confusion, absolutely, only because voters did not do their homework and did not know the process.

My MIL was told at her senior citizens center that THEY had to vote twice. Which isn't true unless one wants to be a delegate or have resolutions submitted, there really isn't a reason to vote twice. It isn't mandatory.

Every packet came with a booklet with the rules and instructions on how to run a convention. I had to run one and knew enough to know out to do. When I turned in my paper work to the county HQ's, they told me I did everything correctly.

There was no excuse for whoever ran the conventions not to know how to do it.

[antigop]

13. No-- the system NEEDS TO CHANGE BECAUSE IT IS NOT DEMOCRATIC.

and NOT EVERY VOTE GETS COUNTED.

[WolverineDG]

8. Lack of audits?

Please then explain to me why I spent two hours at home on Wednesday auditing my precinct rolls & then going to the county chair's office to turn in my results & audit someone else's precinct? I spoke with the chair today & they are STILL auditing the results locally, then they all get to the State & get audited AGAIN.

Nice try.

dg

[antigop]

11. And how is each person WHO VOTED in the caucus supposed to AUDIT THEIR VOTE?

I'm sure EACH PERSON who voted in the caucus is supposed to check the sign-in sheets at the convention to ENSURE that the delegates they voted for ACTUALLY VOTE the way they were elected to do. And I'm sure that they KNOW that they need to do this because the delegates can vote HOWEVER they want.

Yeah, right. I'm SURE they know how to do all this.


So nice try yourself.

[WolverineDG]

24. They "vote" by signing their name on the sheets

and filling out the other required information.

buh bye.

dg

[cosmik debris]

25. He knew that

He just wants to throw a fit because nobody cares what he thinks.

[antigop]

29. And you didn't answer the question. Nice diversion though. n.t

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cosmik debris]

6. Well Said

And thank you!

[WolverineDG]

7. I second that motion!

All in favor?

:hi: crispy!

dg

[MagickMuffin]

9. This was also posted from GDP, by the very same poster

Ummmm, cross posting against DU rules.:shrug:

Looks as though they're just trying to sling the poo.

[WolverineDG]

10. I suspect the HRC campaign is trying to drum up support

for a lawsuit against the TDP to nullify the caucus. There was another HRC person complaining about the WY caucus; when I asked why they didn't go to WY to help GOTV, all the poster said was they didn't want to "interfere" with the state's process. :wtf:

dg

[antigop]

12. Oh, nice try AGAIN. Where have I EVER supported HRC? I NEVER HAVE.

Go read my other posts.

<edit> I'm the one who coined the term "sHillary" months ago.

[WolverineDG]

23. Looks like a duck, etc nt

[antigop]

28. OK, prove it. Find a post where I have supported her. HINT: I coined the name "Shillary". n/t

[antigop]

61. Tapping foot-- still waiting for proof. Oh, that's right -- YOU CAN'T FIND ANY! N/t

[antigop]

18. Nope just trying to show the truth. People are now waking up to it. n/t

[antigop]

14. Well, maybe you need to check some of my previous posts on the TX forum. n/t

[antigop]

16. looks like I'm making some good points. HA! n/t

[antigop]

19. well, it must matter since you responded. n/t

[crispini]

5. Delete, dupe

[antigop]

15. ooh, striking a nerve, am I? I guess so...it's tough to defend the indefensible. n.t

[antigop]

17. COUNT ALL THE VOTES! COUNT ALL THE VOTES! n/t

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

20. Instead of bitching, have you thought of volunteering?

I'm sure your county party and SD credentials committee could use some help straightening out this nightmare of paperwork and confusion. They could use some honest volunteers to sort things out and make sure all voters and precincts are not disenfranchised.

[cosmik debris]

21. It is easier to throw a tantrum than to volunteer

Our new friend is just taking the easy way out.

[antigop]

32. Oh, nice try sweetheart. n/t

[cosmik debris]

34. In case you haven't noticed

Your approach to this issue is not making any friends for you.

Your ideas are not popular here, but your insults are even less popular.

You can dig a hole for yourself as deep as you wish, but no one is interested in joining you in that hole.

As I said before, the problem with a pity party is the short guest list.

[antigop]

36. Well if you call telling the truth "digging a hole" you have a funny definition of the truth. n/t

[cosmik debris]

37. LOL!

I knew you wouldn't get it.

Keep digging

[antigop]

38. No, I knew you wouldn't get it. Keep making me laugh, though! n/t

[cosmik debris]

39. You can count your friends on one fist.

You don't even need to use the fingers.

You have alienated everyone here.

If that was your goal, YOU WIN!

If you wanted other people to see things your way, YOU LOSE!

Congratulations, keep digging.

[antigop]

40. pssst....go check the General Discussion forum-- other people are talking about how flawed caucuses

are and how they need to go.

We are shedding light on the process.

And SOMEONE doesn't like it.

Gee, wonder why?

[cosmik debris]

41. For childish behavior we have these

[antigop]

42. Oh are those your play toys? Meanwhile people are discussing how flawed caucuses are. n/t

[antigop]

43. and thank you again for the opportunity to let everyone know how flawed caucuses are. n/t

[cosmik debris]

44. Your snack has arrived, soon it will be nap time.

[antigop]

45. psst...go check the other forum and see how people are finding out how FLAWED caucuses are n/t

[cosmik debris]

46. Did you need more?

[antigop]

47. did you check the other forum? People are talking about FLAWED caucuses and how they need to go

n /t

[cosmik debris]

48. It's nap time now, you need your rest.

[antigop]

49. Gee, I wonder why you're not interested in what people are saying about FLAWED caucuses. n/t

[cosmik debris]

50. People who take naps aren't so cranky.

[antigop]

51. There really is an interesting discussion there about FLAWED caucuses.

You really should read it.

[cosmik debris]

52. Maybe a bubble bath would help

[antigop]

53. Seems to me you are avoiding the topic of FLAWED caucuses. Why is that? n/t

[cosmik debris]

54. Poor thing, nobody wants to play with you

[antigop]

31. Oh, so now telling the truth is bitching. Too funny! n/t

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

56. What about a resolution? Did you offer to propose one?

Did you offer a resolution at your precinct convention to get rid of this caucus system that you detest?
You never acknowledged my suggestion to help your county process the mountain of paperwork.

We offer you practical advice. The gates are wide open for you to go in and fix or change the system. But you'd rather sit outside, suck your thumb and hurl invectives.

[Honeycombe8]

22. Sounds like the volunteeers didn't know what to do. Do you have time to volunteer?

I don't.

But almost everyone in that auditorium should've known that you had to SIGN SOMETHING to vote. I knew. I heard it somewhere, or I read it. Even if I hadn't, others there knew that.

I find it hard to believe that the auditorium was filled with 100% people totally ignorant of the process. Doesn't everyone in the U.S. know that you don't vote by a show of hands in our country? We either write something, or punch a button, or pull a lever.

Or maybe the people DID sign something, but a volunteer mailed in the wrong stack of forms? Maybe that's what happened. Which means the signed forms are still somewhere.

This is bound to happen, when our primary/caucus never counts, but suddenly it does. I didn't even know my precinct HAD a caucus, until this year.

[theredpen]

26. THOUSANDS of precincts ran smoothly despite record crowds

I'm surprised only 3 precincts screwed up. We'll do better next time — and there will be a next time.

[GOPisEvil]

27. I see your profile is blank.

Probably because your state's elections run without a hitch. Oh yeah, in case anyone missed the :sarcasm:, :eyes:.

Here's a hint. You run your state, and let us run ours.

[antigop]

30. Hint: go check my previous posts in the TX forum before making accusations n/t

[Melissa G]

57. Ah, the sound of crickets from all the folks in this forum who have read your posts...

Those who have read them, may think Crickets say it Best!

[antigop]

60. I'm STILL waiting for all of you to prove I'm a Hillary supporter. Still waiting. n/t

[cosmik debris]

63. We're still waiting for you to realize that nobody cares

You may pout 'til your heart is content. You may throw a tantrum if you wish, but the fact remains that nobody wants to play with you.

[antigop]

64. AHA! But you do -- because you keep trying to shut me up. n/t

[cosmik debris]

70. Ah, the persecution complex

[antigop]

67. And did you even bother to check my posts pre-caucus? Hmmm...? I've posted here before n/t

[antigop]

33. Why do TX democrats support a process that is NOT democratic? I wonder....n/t

[antigop]

35. I really wonder why people keep defending this system. I wonder if they are somehow benefitting

from it. n/t

[tammywammy]

55. Yes we're all obviously benefiting from the system

:eyes:

Or we're all educated Texas dems that understand the system and like it the way it is.

[gore_as_a_compromise]

58. Or like the ability to vote twice and override the will of the majority... *NT*

[tammywammy]

59. .

:eyes:

[antigop]

62. Why can't people realize that there are people who DON"T LIKE CAUCUSES!

You may like them -- I don't.

It galls me that my vote is not anonymous. I shouldn't have to let everyone know how I vote just to participate in the selection process.

PRIMARY ONLY. NO CAUCUSES.

And cut the cr*p about being an HRC supporter. If any of you would bother to check my previous posts, you'd find I'm one of the most anti-HRC people on DU.

[cosmik debris]

66. And why can't you accept that you are a minority.

And being a loud petulant minority is not helping your case.

[antigop]

65. I think caucuses should go and we should have a primary only. n/t

[cosmik debris]

68. boo fuckin hoo. n/t

:nopity:

[antigop]

69. Sorry, pal. I'm just going to have to put you on ignore. n/t

[cosmik debris]

71. pobrecito

[antigop]

72. I would like to state that as a first-time caucuser I do not like it and have a right to my

opinion. There have been several threads in GD-P that have discussed the issue and I am not alone.

I may be a minority, but that doesn't mean that I can't voice an opinion.

And trying to shout me down ISN'T GOING TO WORK.

[cosmik debris]

73. que lastima

[antigop]

74. I would also like to state that the IGNORE button works great for me to IGNORE remarks from posters

who don't seem to respect my opinion.

[cosmik debris]

75. But I still get to post,

You just can't see what funny stuff I am posting!

[sonias]

76. cosmik, you make me laugh

I toast you, my friend. :toast:


Sonia

[cosmik debris]

77. I've got a million of them

[Melissa G]

78. Best collection ever! I'm may have to borrow a few of these

to email to my teenagers when they start whining or being fussy.
Bookmarked!

[cosmik debris]

79. Google Images supplies me.

Just search for "cry baby' "pout" "sad" "whiner" etc.

You get the picture. (tee hee)

[MrTriumph]

80. So, where is the follow up article that the paperwork did show up and everything is fine?

I have waited over 3 days for the person who started this thread to post what was in the Fox Worth Star-Telegram over 3 days ago. On the front page, in fact, although not nearly as pronounced as the over-the-top, sensationalist presentation of the first article. The paperwork showed up and there is no danger (there never really was) that the participants in the 3 precinct conventions in question would have their vote unheard.

Seems like if the person starting this thread was wanting to disclose the facts, that person would have posted the follow-up article.

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

81. As the OP seems unwilling to post anything that doesn't support his conspiracy theory,

I will. Thank you, MrTriumph, for pointing this out.

Results from three Arlington precinct caucuses found
By AMAN BATHEJA
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

The records from three Democratic precinct conventions have been found, the Tarrant County Democratic Party said Monday.

Results from three Arlington precincts that held caucuses at Atherton Elementary School were feared missing Friday after party officials said they received envelopes with blank forms for all of them.

Keith Annis, executive director of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, said he was not clear on why those three precincts -- 2027, 2235, and 2461 -- did not receive sign-in sheets, because prepared packets with the sheets for each of those precincts were returned to party headquarters unfilled. Participants from those precincts separately dropped off the paperwork from their caucuses, he said.

www.star-telegram.com/localelections/story/522913.html

I suspect the convention packet never got to the convention (uncooperative judge? no one claimed it? buried in election materials?) and got returned with the election materials, unopened and unsigned. Unfortunately the Startle Gram likes a good story and can't wait for the facts to come out. Kinda like some people on DU.