Sanders Voters in MA to Sue Bill Clinton for Trampling on Voting Rights

[UglyGreed]

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/101031312/billclintoncomplaint.pdf

Invoking voting rights laws and precedents commonly cited in such cases, a group of Bernie Sanders supporters who voted for Sanders in the Massachusetts Primary on March 1st are confronting what they say was illegal campaigning by Bill Clinton on behalf of Hillary Clinton. On that Tuesday, known as "Super Tuesday," reports emerged, to the consternation of Sanders supporters, that Bill Clinton was illegally campaigning within 150 feet of polling stations during voting hours, in some cases walking inside the stations, all of which Massachusetts law expressly prohibits. Laws governing how close to a polling station one can campaign on voting days are similar in all 50 states.

A draft copy of a civil action posted in a Drop Box account states:

"On March 1st, “Super Tuesday” in the Massachusetts Democratic primary...Bill Clinton, did disenfranchise a large group of voters by diluting their votes through illegal campaign activity in and near polling stations. This disenfranchisement was deliberate, carefully crafted, and effective."

The voters contend that far more than being a nuisance and exhibiting thoughtless disregard for the law, Clinton's actions were:

"carefully and deliberately calibrated to impact the electoral battlefield in such a way that the entire course of future primaries was affected."

The lawsuit takes note that throughout the day of the Massachusetts primary, Clinton and Sanders were "neck and neck," according to NBC News, with Sanders at one point pulling ahead. Boston Patch reporter Alison Bauter wrote afterwards that Massachusetts was considered by some to be a "must-win" for Sanders, as any momentum he had might have had would be stopped by a loss there. In the end Clinton won seven out of 11 races in states which were voting on that day, with Sanders taking four.

The complaint states:

"Given the large number of “undecided” voters and the extremely narrow margin of victory for Hillary Clinton, there was sufficient fluidity in the race for Bill Clinton’s illegal electioneering to have made a significant impact, and to have reversed the verdict of the voters by handing victory to Clinton rather than to Sanders. With 100,00 undecided voters and a margin of victory of only 16,800 votes, it is eminently plausible that Bill Clinton impacted the final result.

Hillary Clinton won the race by 1.4%.,

A February 28th Suffolk University poll showed 8% of likely Democratic primary voters to be undecided just two days before the primary, which would mean roughly about 100,000 votes. 1.2 million people voted in the Massachusetts Democratic primary on Super Tuesday, equaling the record number of voters who turned out in that primary in 2008, for Obama and Hillary Clinton. After Super Tuesday of that year, super delegates and endorsements quickly began to shift to Obama.


http://hubpages.com/politics/Sanders-Voters-in-MA-to-Sue-Bill-Clinton-for-Illegal-Electioneering-During-Primary#

[DURHAM D]

1. They can "draft" that complaint until the cows come home

but it is without merit. I assume someone just wants to liberate some money from naive people.

[peacebird]

8. There is video of Bill politicking inside the polls. There is video of Bill holding a rally outside

a polling place which caused voters to be unable to park, backing the poll up so that it took 2 hours to get in.

It actually has merit. Clinton's are not above the law, but they sure operate like they think they are.

[Tarc]

15. None of Bill's actions violate Massachusetts law

He did not solicit votes inside or near a polling place, and he is not responsible for traffic jams.

This dog won't hunt.

[NWCorona]

110. "pull the lever for Hillary "

[Tarc]

113. Is that code?

[NWCorona]

114. I guess it could be an insider thing

[DURHAM D]

16. Right.

So send the "drafter" some money.

[lewebley3]

14. Sanders a whinny losers

[DURHAM D]

17. I don't believe that Sanders is perpetuating this. nt

[Agschmid]

32. This isn't Sanders... This is... Well you know.

[NCTraveler]

46. This has absolutley nothing to do with Sanders. Agree and that aspect is very clear. nt.

[blueintelligentsia]

126. His supporters, not his campaign direction...

...by this logic, Trump was right when he said Bernie Sander's campaign organized the protest, which turned violent., in turn trying to blame him for it.

[NCTraveler]

163. I was only speaking to the topic at hand.

I won't make an assertion about the Trump rallies. I don't really read about them.

[mindwalker_i]

39. Translation: "It's ok if my side does it"

I used to attribute this type of response to republicans. Good my eyes have been opened.

[lewebley3]

86. Sanders people broken in to the DNC: People had to be fired: So Sanders shouldn't

talk:

[mindwalker_i]

100. SQUIRREL!

And for your diversionary issue, bullshit. We've been all around that issue.

[Politicalboi]

129. Bullshit, where's the link the broke in?

So holding voters up for hours is just fine and dandy with you. The Clinton's make me sick.

[frylock]

62. Posts like yours is why I'm going to point and laugh when republicans..

pull the same shit in November. Reap the fucking whirlwind.

[lewebley3]

83. Sander is a Mcgovern candidate; Sander would put Trump in the White house

[frylock]

93. Hillary is like Nixon. She'll likely "resign" in disgrace.

[haikugal]

98. All too true.

[riversedge]

102. Living in a bubble causes delusions. yes, it does.

[redstateblues]

152. At least you are admitting she will be the nominee. That's progress

out of the grief mode

[lewebley3]

172. Nothing to attack Hillary with anymore: The GOP and the Nytimes have cried Wolf to much

[JFKcrat]

166. nope

https://www.facebook.com/rebrana/videos/10153478265108616/

[MariaThinks]

108. i wonder if they lodge complaints against the gops blatant attempts to take

Democrats off the voting rolls.

or if they even let out a peep when bush stole the election from Al Gore.

[Politicalboi]

132. So cheating is ok if WE do it

Well the WE is cheating us. And if they think they can do this and get our support come November, they're dreaming.

[MariaThinks]

135. i'm not so sure we cheating us

i like your avatar btw.

[Politicalboi]

139. Yes, the Clinton's are cheating US

They are holding up voters so Bill can solicit his wife at the polling places. Disgusting. If she's the nom and they want to cheat the GOP, be my guest, but don't think for one second they will cheat us without repercussions.

[NowSam]

120. some day you may wish that

voters rights are protected. Then you will thank these people.

[lewebley3]

124. Hillary has protected voters rights with other Dem

[FreakinDJ]

2. Sleazy

[peacebird]

9. That would be Bill

[Lizzie Poppet]

12. He certainly is.

Although how anyone with a pulse could fail to realize that is a mystery...

[Trust Buster]

3. How utterly petty of them.

[Kip Humphrey]

36. Yeah! Laws are for the 99% NOT the 1%! So very, very petty to seek justice!

We should all tell them, "Get off my fucking lawn you stinkin' commie bastard truth seekers!"

[pdsimdars]

4. I wonder if the Clintons can be held to the laws in this country like anyone else would.

[SFnomad]

10. Sanders supporters sound more and more like RepubliCONs every day. n/t

[Fawke Em]

24. Bill Clinton blocked people from voting.

That sounds more like RepubliCONs than requesting relief from the voter intimidation.

[SamKnause]

49. I think you have that backwards.

[Politicalboi]

134. FU

Just because we won't let cheaters take this away from us. The Clinton's are garbage through and through.

[geek tragedy]

5. Sore loserism. That Bill's stunt at a couple of polling places

disenfranchised 100,000 Sanders voters is fantasy.

Clinton just gave a rightwing speech at AIPAC. There's much better material to use than this.

If people want to fight actual disenfranchisement, take on voter ID laws rather than this nonsense.

[Agschmid]

30. Yup.

[Ned_Devine]

31. You're right about the AIPAC speech, but MA voters are genuinely PO'd.

I'm a MA resident in a quiet town that went for Sanders, but from what I saw, it looked like Clinton basically took over several polling places while our elected officials, who all support HRC in MA, turned a blind eye to the former POTUS' questionable antics. Many folks had to wait hours while he created a roadblock to the polling places and many of those people weren't able to vote. It's a pretty legitimate gripe.

[geek tragedy]

38. I've seen loose allegations about people needing to wait hours

but never any firm verification of it.

Realistically, what will suing him accomplish? The state has already said he didn't violate the law.

And, unless these voters are those who were actually and personally inconvenienced, they have no standing to bring the suit.

[Ned_Devine]

42. I think they're hoping to set a precedent

Bill knows the law and I'm sure he did everything to toe the line without officially "crossing" it. I think a lot of MA voters saw it as a form of intimidation and they'd like to stop it in its tracks before it happens elsewhere.

[sadoldgirl]

44. You are completely correct

Being called out for sleaziness in one state
won't stop the Clintons from continuing this
method or other equally bad ones for their
purpose.

They always think that nobody can stop them.

[Politicalboi]

136. If you think waiting hours to vote

So Bill can pack up his circus is fine, then you don't believe in Democracy.

[MohRokTah]

6. Waaaah, he won so we blame that bad Clenis!!!!

Can't wait for this to be thrown out of court and the babies bringing the lawsuit get charged for lawyer fees due to vexatious litigation.

[elljay]

95. You're missing the point

Hillary's main weaknesses as a candidate are the widespread perceptions, across both political parties, that she is not honest and will change positions whenever it is situationally beneficial to her. It does not help these perceptions when Bill blatantly violates the law, with no consequences, even if there were no voters inconvenienced by his actions. Giving the impression that the Clinton family is above the law will not encourage Sanders supporters or independents to support her and will not help her to rebut the accusations that The Clinton Foundation's possible improprieties are tied to her. This is yet another example of Hillary's being a deeply flawed candidate who would insert her foot regularly in her mouth if her other foot weren't already in there.

If I were her, I would have Bill make a public apology and keep as far away from polling sites as possible.

[MohRokTah]

97. I don't buy into that bullshit. eom

[elljay]

99. What BS?

Are you denying that there are many, many voters who distrust Hillary?
Are you denying that her credibility and honesty will continue to be significant issues in the campaign?
Are you denying that the Clinton Foundation will continue to be an issue in the campaign?
Are you denying that Bill has proven to be, on more than one occasion, a big liability to her campaign?

It has nothing to do with the merit of these accusations (their merit remains to be proven or disproven); there is widespread perception that she is not honest. Her not taking on that issue merely makes it appear worse. You support her personally, as is your right, but to not recognize that millions of others dislike her intensely (and many of those are Democrats who will need to be persuaded to vote for her if she is the nominee) is to deny reality.

[Politicalboi]

140. Can't wait till nobody turns to Hillary come Nov

For cheating us in the primaries. I can't believe the people here. So holding people up for hours to vote is fine, and not knowing how she talks to the rich is fine too.

[MohRokTah]

141. Screaming "ELECTION FRAUD" is the last vestige of losers. eom

[Politicalboi]

143. Losers?

The Clinton's are the LOSERS! They can't win unless they cheat. It was election fraud and you know it. You guys are just too blind to see any faults from the Queen.

[MohRokTah]

144. That is complete and total bullshit.

There was no cheating.

Hilary won, your guy lost.

Get over it. You know damned well and good there was no election fraud.

[Politicalboi]

146. He caused people to wait hours to vote

What part of that is NOT cheating? Disgusting.

But to you the Clinton's can do no wrong.

[MohRokTah]

147. More complete and total bullshit.

HE did nothing of the sort and you damned well know it.

[Politicalboi]

148. Whatever

They did too break election laws. But like I said, if the law can't give us justice, then take it to the ballot in Nov.

[MohRokTah]

149. They broke no laws.

You're just making shit up now.

[cosmicone]

7. Anyone can sue anyone ... even as a temper tantrum n/t

[GoneFishin]

11. Cheating unethical scumbags.

[onenote]

13. The time and resources devoted to this effort would be far better spent on getting Bernie votes

in upcoming primaries and caucuses.

[tritsofme]

18. Nonsense, frivolity, and sore loserism all rolled into one.

[redstateblues]

153. bonus points!

[Jackie Wilson Said]

19. Two simple questions:

1.did Bill do what is alleged

2. is it illegal

Anyone not invested in one side or the other know the answers?

[Agschmid]

28. Everyone is invested in one side or the other.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

34. OK, do you know the answers?

[Agschmid]

35. Nope, I wasn't there so everything I know read on the Internet.

And we know how that goes.

[brooklynite]

40. The Commonwealth Secretary says no election law violation occurred

I know the Clinton staffer handling him, and he says what is alleged here didn't happen.

[jeff47]

133. And there's videotape showing it did happen.

What to believe...a Clinton staffer, elected officials supporting Clinton, or videotape....hmm....

[brooklynite]

138. The "Elected Officials supporting Clinton" are Republicans.

And what PRECISELY, did the videotape show? I saw President Clinton campaigning. I believe the First Amendment says something about that.

[jeff47]

162. That the campaigning you describe happened much closer than 150 feet

from the polling place.

[peacebird]

137. Videos all over twitter show he did.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

151. OK that answers

question 1, so is what he did a violation?

[Politicalboi]

142. Yes and YES

But Hillary supporters don't want to see it. They don't want to see ANY flaws in their candidate. Blind as a bat they are.

[HassleCat]

20. After the election, please.

This should be addressed, and it's obvious MA election officials are not going to do anything about it, but it can wait until after the election. It will not provide Sanders with any advantage in the primaries, so there's no point in doing it now.

[Kentonio]

27. What's the point in waiting?

Doing it now might at least stop them continuing to break the rules at the remaining polls.

[marions ghost]

43. Duh

Thank you for saying it.

Objections to elections should be filed ASAP.

[Politicalboi]

145. So just give up to bullies?

After the election is too LATE. Go back to sleep.

[firebrand80]

21. I encourage anyone that knows what "fruit of the poisonous tree" means

To read the prayer for relief in this "lawsuit" if you want to have a good laugh

[onenote]

60. Yep. I got a kick out of that.

And for very personal reasons. While the principle that the government cannot use information gathered in an illegal search was articulated in the Silverthorne case, the actual phrase "fruit of the poisonous tree" was not used by the Court until the Nardone case. That matters to me because my father, as a fairly young attorney, was part of the team representing Nardone.

[firebrand80]

63. wow, that's cool nt

[onenote]

68. Yep. Didn't even realize it until a couple of years ago after he died.

I knew all about Nardone I, which itself is an important Supreme Court case -- the first case brought under the then new Communications Act -- it raised the question as to whether the government could use evidence obtained through a wiretap. The Court concluded that the provisions of the Communications Act that prohibited wiretapping were not limited to private citizens and also barred the government (leading to a subsequent amendment of the law). The case was sent back to the lower court where the evidence obtained via the wiretap wasn't used but other evidence obtained only because of information gleaned from the wiretap was used. That was the fruit of the poisonous tree that, in Nardone II, Justice Frankfurter held could not be used.

Very proud of my pop.

[Gothmog]

73. That prayer is really poorly drafted

This lawsuit is a joke and no licensed attorney will risk being sanctioned for this piece of dreck

[NCTraveler]

22. I suggenst people actually read this.

No way these fucking idiots are Sanders supporters.

I just can't believe it. That was some painfully stupid shit to read.

[iandhr]

23. The key words are Sanders Voters

The Sanders campaign has not done so because there is nothing there. If there was they would have filed a complaint a long time ago.

[Fawke Em]

29. Not necessarily.

We, collectively, as a nation, tend to not do things that challenge the status quo.

Kerry didn't challenge Ohio, did he? He could have and been well within his rights.

That said, it was the voters who were effected, so why shouldn't they be the ones to ask for relief?

[Agschmid]

25. Hopefully they get the typos out of that draft.

What a waste of time/money/effort.

Bill Clinton had likely little to no effect on the Mass. Primary.

[All in it together]

84. Oh so you're okay if someone disenfranchises a few hundred or thousand voters

Because it doesn't matter. How democratic.

I thought a lot of people fought valiantly for the right to vote.

This wasn't the first time Bill has pulled this shit.

[Agschmid]

89. Talk to the folks who live in a caucus state.

That's a whole lot more disenfranchisement than visiting a polling location.

Where is the lawsuit about that?

...

[blueintelligentsia]

122. It's quoted in the original post...

"On March 1st, “Super Tuesday” in the Massachusetts Democratic primary...Bill Clinton, did disenfranchise a large group of voters by diluting their votes through illegal campaign activity in and near polling stations. This disenfranchisement was deliberate, carefully crafted, and effective."

[Agschmid]

150. And that quote is an opinion...

And we've all got one.

[sunnystarr]

121. WOW ... WTG on letting people know

how unimportant their vote is!! Next time they should just stay home .. I mean why bother??

[blueintelligentsia]

123. I agree...turn on CNN and watch Sanders instead.

"The plaintiffs reportedly plan to file the lawsuit in this coming week in Boston Federal Court and will be asking a judge to invalidate the Massachusetts results, and award the Massachusetts pledged delegates to Bernie Sanders. The plaintiffs will reportedly argue that, “To merely reapportion a small number of delegates would do nothing to discourage similar future violations of electioneering laws, because in some cases, a small risk for getting caught might be worth it.”

[link:http://www.inquisitr.com/2907781/voters-in-ma-plan-to-sue-bill-clinton-for-alleged-illegal-electioneering-on-super-tuesday-primary-day/|

[NCTraveler]

26. People can't be this stupid.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully pray that the Court:
1. In 1920, the U.S. Supreme Court adopted the "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine in the case of Silverthorne Lumber Co. v. United States, which required that evidence which was illegally obtained by police against a suspect must be thrown out. In the present case, it is delegates which constitute the “fruit of the poisonous tree,” and the claim of victory which was meaningful to the Clinton campaign. To merely reapportion a small number of delegates would do nothing to discourage similar future violations of
electioneering laws, because in some cases, a small risk for getting caught might be worth it. Therefore plaintiffs request the court to invalidate the Massachusetts primary results for such open and egregious lawbreaking and to award all Massachusetts pledged delegates to Bernie Sanders.

[Gothmog]

50. I am having trouble accessing the drop box account but that part of the lawsuit is so sad

I have not read the petition from what I have seen, this was drafted by a law student who is danger of flunking out.

Two concepts that real lawyers would be raising:

1. How do these voters have standing? This is a criminal statute and voters lack standing.

2. How is there a private right of action for this violation. It is very hard to find or create a private right of action for a violation of state law criminal statute. Normally, the state has the sole jurisdiction and authority to enforce state criminal laws and the courts frown upon or reject outright the creation of implied remedies.

If this case is filed in federal court, the lawyer filing this case has better hope that the judge has a sense of humor and will not sanctioned this attorney.

[Gothmog]

52. Dropbox finally worked and I read the lawsuit

This lawsuit will be dismissed quickly. 1983 lawsuit require proof that the defendants were acting under color of state law and there are no facts here as to such violation by either Bill Clinton or the state. Exercising prosecutorial discretion is not normally actionable under 1983 and the the Mass. Democratic Party is not even a party to this lawsuit.

This lawsuit is so bad that the attorney filing it has been be prepared to be sanctioned.

According to the Mass. officials, no laws were violated and Section 1983 does not apply here

[Jitter65]

33. Talk about whining! All the babies throw tantrums. Whaaaaaaa I want my stuff! nt

[giftedgirl77]

77. Sounds about right

[All in it together]

90. Whaaaaaaaaa I want my right to vote

What babies. Many Women and African Americans and non property owners want to vote. And many couldn't vote, they weren't even seen as whole people. Talk about right wing republican thinking, the Clintons like that kinda stuff.

[onehandle]

37. Sour.

Grapes.

[rogerashton]

41. It's just not true

that electioneering laws are similar from one state to another.

In PA, every election, I have to run a gauntlet of electioneers within a yard or two of the entry to the polling place. Not inside, but under the entry roof -- especially in inclement weather!

About year ago one of the electioneers was an African-American girl-child -- about 12, maybe 13 -- electioneering for her mother. But she was twenty or thirty feet away from the entrance, away from the electioneering mob. Too shy to push her way in? Or, somehow, pushed away by the regulars? Don't know, but as I told her, I came to vote for her mother. I hope she's still on the front lines. We need her.

I'm a Berniebro, by the way.

[Faux pas]

45. K N R-ed

[Gothmog]

47. State: Bill Clinton Didn’t Break Election Law on Super Tuesday

This lawsuit is really silly and any lawyer who files this in federal court has better be prepared to be sanctioned. Federal judges are not known for tolerating stupidity. Here are some facts that will guarantee that the lawyer filing this case will be sanctioned http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2016/03/04/bill-clinton-massachusetts-election-law/

State officials do not believe former President Bill Clinton violated election law while visiting polling locations in West Roxbury and New Bedford on Super Tuesday.

After greeting voters and poll workers, Clinton posed with Mayor Marty Walsh and a man holding a Democratic ballot inside the Holy Name gymnasium in West Roxbury in a photograph first obtained by Boston magazine. Clinton later appeared outside a polling location in New Bedford with Mayor Jon Mitchell and used a megaphone to stump for his wife, Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton.

Though a representative for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign told Boston he received a dozen complaints that Clinton’s speech blocked voters from reaching the polling place, Brian McNiff of Secretary Bill Galvin’s office said the polls were “never inaccessible.”

Massachusetts election law prohibits any person from distributing “campaign material intended to influence the vote of a voter in the ongoing election” within 150 of a polling location. In addition, “no person shall solicit votes for or against, or otherwise promote or oppose, any person or political party or position on a ballot question, to be voted on at the current election,” the law reads.

McNiff told the New Bedford Standard-Times via email Thursday “there was no violation,” despite Clinton and Mitchell standing, by the paper’s estimate, 85 feet from the polling place. “The Secretary of State has already said it’s not looking into the matter any further. That office has made its decision,” Mitchell told the Standard-Times.

[UglyGreed]

48. Then you should not even

bother with your research and the reply.....let the chips fall where they may. All I know he was campaigning and everyone knows it, including Bill..........



Blocking a Handicap parking spot to boot

[Gothmog]

53. Thank you for the laughs

The draft of this petition is one of saddest pleadings that I have seen. If a lawyer signs this petition, then that lawyer has better hope that he has one of the few federal judges who have a sense of humor because otherwise that lawyer will be looking at sanctions.

Again, the petition in this case is very very funny. The concept that Section 1983 applies is sad and funny

[UglyGreed]

56. Laughing at

the idea of blocking access for a disabled person to be able to park and vote.............funny stuff.

[Gothmog]

57. That petition is so poorly drafted that it was funny

[UglyGreed]

58. So no comment

on Bill blocking access..............

[UglyGreed]

65. Just as I thought

[onenote]

66. Is there something in the complaint about blocking access to a disabled person?

And is there any evidence that only voters who were planning to vote for Sanders had their access blocked?

I think not.

In my nearly 40 years of experience as an attorney, I've found that cases built on what someone wants the law and/or the facts to be do not fare as well as cases built on what the law and the facts actually are.

[UglyGreed]

67. How would disabled person even get

close enough to the spot to begin with??????? Come on............. that is such a cop out it sickens me.

[onenote]

69. All I asked is whether the complaint makes the impact on disabled voters an issue

and whether it contends that only Sanders voters had their access blocked.

The answer to both questions is no.

[UglyGreed]

72. I don't care about the

complaint, the proof is right there that he had been campaigning during polling hours right in front of a handicap spot. IMO that is like crying to an officer, I did not see any cripples around so please don't give me a ticket for parking in the handicap spot.

[onenote]

76. Odd that you don't care about the complaint since you started this OP about the complaint

[UglyGreed]

80. Odd that a discussion

can take different turns during such discussions???? My I did not know such strict laws apply to starting a thread on DU. Thank you counselor, I will keep that in mind when participating in such discussions in the future.

[onenote]

82. Didn't say that the discussion taking different turns was inappropriate

But your statement that you don't care about the complaint when your OP was solely about the complaint is a bit strange.

[UglyGreed]

91. And around and around we

go........I posted that picture and noticed that not only Bill was being a jerk by campaigning, blocking access for people to vote with his security and causing a crowd but also blocking a handicap spot. So sue me because I found even more things to be disgusted by.

[Gothmog]

74. There is no private right of action for this

Again, thank you for the laughs. I will share this lawsuit with the Democratic lawyers association meeting

[UglyGreed]

75. Democratic lawyers association

LOL good to see you have the time to dispute a thread on DU and then will bring it up in your meeting..... Important business indeed.

[Gothmog]

87. I found this petition to be so sad and funny that I need to share it

This petition is so dumb and bad that it is funny.

[UglyGreed]

96. Go ahead

tell em UglyGreed sent ya.................

[Gothmog]

112. This lawsuit is a joke and is so bad that it will be laughed at

This lawsuit was not drafted by a lawyer or anyone who had a clue as to the law. Lawyers like to laugh at amusing attempts by laypersons to draft legal pleadings.

[UglyGreed]

115. Lawyers like yourself

seem to spend a lot of time belittling the rights of voters and don't care if handicap people do not have access to polling places it seems. Anyone in their right mind knows damn well what was going on that day and by you arguing in favor of petty campaign tricks just makes people more disgusted with the whole thing.

[Gothmog]

130. I have been volunteering on the voter protection area for many years

I went to Florida in 2004 as part of the Kerry Edwards voter protection team where we had 3000 out of state attorneys in Florida to protect the vote. I was county/regional voter protection person for the Obama voter protection team in 2008 and 2012. During 2012, I had 40+ poll watchers out in my county to deal with true the vote poll watchers. In 2014, I worked with the DNC Voter Expansion Project and the Texas Democratic Party on voter id issues including training voter id assistants who helped around 300 voters get ids under the Texas voter id law. Since between 600,000 registered voters and 1.3 eligible voters need these IDs, this was not sufficient to stop the GOP from stealing the Texas 2014 general election.

I have testified on redistricting issues before both the Texas House and Senate committees and my position paper on one district in my county made its way into the briefing in the Texas redistricting case that is still pending. I am friends with some of the attorneys in the Texas voter id case and have been reading all of the briefs and filings in that and other key cases.

I have been fighting GOP voter suppression efforts for a long time. Election law is my hobby/passion which is why I enjoyed laughing at the rather sad set of pleadings you posted.

Right now, I am volunteering with the Clinton Victory Counsel program and will be working on other voter protection issues with the State party.

[UglyGreed]

157. So why stoop so low

and even remark about this lawsuit? Go and show it to your colleagues and I hope all of you have real good laugh while having a fine cigar and a nice glass of Krug Vintage Brut. BTW Did it cross your mind sometimes people need to represent themselves either because they can not afford a lawyer or no one would be willing to take the case? This attitude IMO is beneath someone of your stature and one would think you would spend your time with bigger and more important things than this silly thread........

[Gothmog]

158. This lawsuit is incredibly stupid and dumb

The fact that anyone thinks that this lawsuit has any merit is sad.

I am serious in that I doubt that you can find a lawyer willing to risk sanctions to sign this piece of dreck. To do so the lawyer would have to be ignorant about the (i) the requirement that Section 1983 involve state actors or people operating under the color of state law, (ii) the concepts of standing and (iii) the concept that there are no implied rights of action for violations of criminal statutes. The person who drafted this piece of dreck is either not a lawyer or a very bad one. It appears that you are admitting that this was not drafted by a lawyer and a lay person who files this lawsuit on a pro se basis will still be subject to sanctions. Federal judges are not known for their patience or sense of humor.

I would not hold my breath to see any further press on this silly claim. Hopefully the layperson who drafted this lawsuit will think better and not risk the wraith of a federal judge on this piece of dreck. I would not be surprise to see the first lawyer who looks at this case counsel the layperson about the risks in attempting to use the courts to change the will of the people.

[UglyGreed]

159. I did not get past

incredibly stupid and dumb and won't bother to go on reading your reply. You just reinforced my beliefs with your continued condescending remarks. There also maybe some narcissistic traits involved here but I could be wrong. Carry on counselor, you represent your colleagues well.

[Gothmog]

164. I would not hold my breath hoping for the delegate allocation to change

It is sad that the only way for sanders to overcome the delegate difference is silly lawsuits like this one

[JFKcrat]

165. It's not about a couple delegates

It's sending a message. If they want to spend their money doing it, it's well within their right.

A wise man would wait for the results before openly laughing. The condescension and entitlement in the mainstream Democratic scene mirrors that of the Republican's of the 1980s and 90s, it's unsettling.

[Gothmog]

168. You are wrong-the courts are not for this purpose

No law was broken and it is stupid to attempt to steal delegates with a rather stupid and poorly drafted lawsuit. Seriously, any lawyer who signs this petition will be subject to sanctions and should lose their license for being part of something so stupid that it is sad.

Good luck in finding an attorney stupid enough to file this lawsuit. As for being wise, the law is clear here and this petition was drafted by a layperson who has no idea of the concepts involved

[redstateblues]

154. Why do so many BSS always devolve into personal attacks

when they are losing an argument?

[UglyGreed]

156. I was not losing any argument

and I tolerated many pokes prior to expressing disgust. Laughing at people's distrust and bragging about bringing it to the next meeting IMO is beneath someone who claims to represent people legal needs.

[Gothmog]

169. Under the law, your disgust is meaningless

No law was broken and this lawsuit is extremely stupid. The fact that you think that this lawsuit has any merit is sad but funny

[UglyGreed]

170. Well many feel it is not

stupid and the "law" which allows a former POTUS to campaign and block voters including disabled voters is stupid and should be challenged. Unjust laws are challenged and changed by speaking up not by passively standing by. BTW I hear the Clinton Victory Fund is getting funds from donors to the DNC then redirected to the the Victory Fund itself so to bypass donations restrictions. Nice practice right there and I bet it keeps the money flowing for the cigars and champagne.





Also looks like Bill even had them use police tape to block the parking spots...... but it is just fine to some it seems. Who cares if voters are turned away or disabled people lose their right to vote, right counsellor???

[Gothmog]

171. The courts do not exist for hurt feelings

There was no violation of the law and the fact that people are pushing this rather sad and flawed lawsuit is funny and sad. Again, good luck finding an attorney to file this piece of dreck. Any attorney who files this lawsuit will be looking at sanctions and ridicule. Your feelings may be hurt by Bill Clinton's actions but these actions were legal according to state officials and the courts are not going to step in and grant relief for a lawsuit drafted by a layperson who does not understand such basic concepts as standing and the fact that Section 1983 claims only apply to state actors or people operating under the color of state law.

Please let us know if there is an attorney stupid enough to file this claim. If this claim is filed pro se, the judge is not likely to be nice to the plaintiffs and they will also be facing sanctions

[UglyGreed]

173. Your views are noted

...several times now What I don't understand why you would waste your expertise, precious time and even go so far as to stating you will bring up with your peers is beyond me.......

[onenote]

64. If Bill was breaking the law, then so was the person holding the Bankers for Hillary sign

In fact, its probably a clearer case against the person with the sign than against Clinton.

But the fact is that the state made the judgment that no law was broken.
And there is no legal basis for the complaint. There is almost certainly no private right of action for violations of the portion of the Mass election code in question nor is it clear that anyone would have standing.

And the prayer for relief -- deliver 100 percent of the delegates to Sanders, is so absurd on its face that no court anywhere would treat it as anything but frivolous.

[atomingai]

51. I just love it when Hillary's side condone illegal behavior.

[Gothmog]

55. According to the state, there was no illegal actions

[atomingai]

79. If what you say is true,

Then this is absolute proof that the Clintons have government officials in their back pockets, and worse, the voices of the people are being muted.

[desmiller]

128. HA! tell be about it.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

54. Isn't that the same Clinton who told the proles to "work hard, and play by the rules.."?

[workinclasszero]

59. If this was legit Bernie would be filing a complaint

He isn't of course proving this is bunk.

I'm sure someone will make bank on it though.

[UglyGreed]

61. They may not win

but all I know he was campaigning and everyone else knows it too, including Bill..........



Blocking a Handicap parking spot to boot

[onenote]

81. I love the fact that this picture clearly shows someone violating the law

except of course that someone is the person holding the Bankers for Hillary sign.

Whether Clinton did or didn't violate the electioneering ban can't be determined from a picture of him holding a bullhorn.

In any event, there is no penalty specified in the Mass code for violating the ban on electioneering. What I'm told by my colleagues in Massachusetts who specialize in election law (my firm's home office is in Boston) is that electioneering activities are treated as a category of disorderly conduct and can only be prosecuted if an election official asks the person engaged in the activity to stop and they refuse. Which presumably is why the sign holder can't/shouldn't be prosecuted. If a complaint is brought by the state (since there is no private right of action specified in the law) the penalty is, in virtually all instances, a $100 fine.

As for the 42 USC 1983 claim and the relief sought thereunder, the complaint lurches into the world of fantasy. It is highly doubtful the complainants can come up with someone who suffered a particularized harm necessary to establish standing. Moreover, 42 USC 1983 is primarily designed for use against government officials or private individuals acting "under color of law." Making out a case that Clinton himself was acting under color of law as that term has been interpreted and applied in the context of 42 USC 1983 is something of a stretch. Even more of a stretch is the claim that the appropriate remedy for the state's action or complicity in an electioneering violation, 100 percent of the delegates should be taken from the Clinton campaign and given to Sanders. By making that claim for relief, the litigants have signaled the lack of seriousness of their complaint.

[UglyGreed]

85. That person holding the

sign is further back, most likely on the sidewalk............but since you are trying to flip the blame, guess what? If Bullhorn Bill was not there creating an obstruction and a large crowd blocking access to the polling place and the handicap spot most likely the man with the sign would not be there either.

[onenote]

88. So the person with sign materialized in response to Bill showing up?

That's an interesting theory.

[UglyGreed]

94. Well he most likely heard

or saw that Bill was breaking the law and decided to protest his presence there. It does not take long to make a homemade sign counselor.

[Gothmog]

70. I seriously doubt that this lawsuit will be filed

This lawsuit is too poorly drafted and any attorney who signs and files this joke of a petition in federal court will be subject to sanctions. If this lawsuit is filed, let us know. I will have fun looking up the credentials of the lawyer who was silly enough to sign this petition.

[itsrobert]

71. LOL

[hrmjustin]

78. .

[riversedge]

101. ...

[sheshe2]

92. ...

[UglyGreed]

107. Yes sad people were obstructed

so Bullhorn Bill could campaign a little bit more......in front of a Handicap spot no less

[chillfactor]

103. a waste of money....

whiny Bernie supporters....Bill broke no Massachusetts laws.

[MrWendel]

104. ...

[UglyGreed]

105. Campaigning is campaigning

You may have some of that poop in your eye if you can not see this fact.

[MrWendel]

111. Not too much...

where I actually think Math is evil.

[UglyGreed]

116. Ummm OK

[MrWendel]

117. Your refering...

to being blind, which is interesting considering that your 4 touchdowns behind in the 4th with 5 mins to go. (Hint: DELEGATES).

But as a last gasp, throwing shit against the wall to see what sticks I sort of understand it. (Either it's stage 1 or 2 - Shock or Denial).

[UglyGreed]

118. So people should not

defend their voting rights???? Ummm OK

[MrWendel]

119. Yep, thats EXACTLY what I said...

[NCTraveler]

106. Kick. This is just awesome.

I can make a pretty safe bet that the people promoting this were also confused by coin tosses and Clintons logo.

[longship]

109. Clintonite! It cleans better.

Use Clintonite! No fuss. No messy pans to clean.

The POTUS veneer wipes away all state election laws, especially when ones wife is the candidate.
It's gone! It's just gone! Look! No streaks on my counters.

Buy Cintonite. No electorate is cleaner. (Heh, heh, heh)

[DavidDvorkin]

125. Bill Clinton is clearly superhuman

Therefore, we we need Hillary in the White House, so that Bill's superpowers don't go to waste. If Bernie were president, he wouldn't have access to them.

[Politicalboi]

127. And if the law can't help us

Then take it to November. Don't let the cheaters win. Fuck them, let them go off into the sunset where they belong, or jail. Either works for me.

[kstewart33]

155. What a waste of time.

They'd be more impactful if they spent their time knocking on doors and making phone calls.

[leftofcool]

160. 1st year law student wastes time!

[UglyGreed]

161. Not really

but of course you knew that.....

[Gothmog]

175. The lawsuit was filed pro se because no attorney would be stupid enough to risk sanctions.

If the idiot girl who filed this case is indeed in law school, she will be flunking out soon. That petition was really poorly done. If the pro se idiot who filed this lawsuit does not flunk out, then she may find it hard to be allowed to take the bar after being sanctioned. for this rather sad attempt to misuse the federal courts.

[Impedimentus]

167. Bill Clinton believes he is above the law.

Can you imagine the hubris this man possesses?

FEEL THE BERN - 2016

[Gothmog]

174. These idiots who are behind this lawsuit filed it pro se

No attorney is stupid enough to risk sanctions for signing their name on this sad example. I hope that that young lady who filed this case is not in law school and does not plan on taking the bar exam. Being part of an attempt to misuse the courts will keep her from taking the bar in most states