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Here in Ohio, obeying the pledge they were required to sign per the above-cited law means that delegates selected
as the result of votes cast for Senator Clinton in the Presidential primary election will cast their vote for her at the
party’s nominating convention “to the best of [their] judgment and ability.” Thus, Ohio law mimics the “Call for the
2008 Democratic National Convention,” requiring delegates “shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of
those who elected them.” But in what can at best be interpreted as an overzealous advocacy on behalf of Senator
Obama, in states throughout the country, including Ohio, proponents for his nomination have bombarded Senator
Clinton’s delegates with subtle and not-so-subtle pressures to commit to switching support to him, before the
convention. Or, failing that, they replace the Clinton-pledged delegate with one loyal to Obama. (See examples
below. Note that while the first link shows the copy of a letter Senator Obama’s campaign sent to pledged delegates
in Georgia, they distributed this same letter to delegates in all states. And Georgia, like Ohio, mandates pledged
delegates to follow their candidates into the convention.)
Therefore, in Ohio (and Georgia, and New Hampshire, and Indiana, and numerous other states), encouraging
delegates entrusted with representing the political preference of Clinton voters, to pledge their support before the
convention to Obama, solicits these delegates to break the law. As a concerned citizen of Ohio, I am bringing this
matter to your immediate attention, anticipating you will take appropriate action to ensure that from now on, any
campaigning in this state related to the upcoming Democratic National Convention is consistent with Ohio laws.
Sincerely,
References: “Bearing Witness” (posting of letter from Khalil Thompson, Obama for America, Chicago)
http://heidilipotpourri.blogspot.com/2008/08/bearing-witness.html
“Explain, Dems tell Clinton delegate” (article on state party efforts to discipline Colorado delegate
for Clinton for refusing to switch to Obama)
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_10170139