Mass Sec of State is looking into Bill Clintons activivities on primary day

[peacebird]

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/03/01/bill-clinton-campaigning-massachusetts-polls-super-tuesday/


Apparently there are rules, but they only take actions in egregious cases. Bill telling a voter to "pull the lever for Hillary" inside a polling place must not be egregious enough.

[monmouth4]

1. It's been mentioned on MJ, I do hope it gets serious legs. Bill Clinton's arrogance was OTT...n/t

[Svafa]

85. If by MJ, you mean Mother Jones, that is impressive!

They have been shilling HARDCORE for Hillary lately, so there must be something to it for them to actually report on it.

[monmouth4]

87. I'm sorry, no, Morning Joe...n/t

[Svafa]

90. That makes A LOT more sense. Thanks for clarifying. nt

[senz]

124. I noticed it, too.

Hard to believe Mother Jones could be so ignorant or Third Way or sexist after so many years of good progressive advocacy. Really sad. Destroys them, for me.

[Svafa]

125. Complete and utter disgrace to their namesake.

[Armstead]

2. The rules don't apply to the Clintons apparently

It's kind of a basic rule...someone with Buba's experience ought to know

Galvin said there is a penalty, but they only take action in cases of “absolute disobedience.”

“He was a good president so we just want to make sure that he knows the rules,” Galvin said. “He’s not from here so he may not know.”

[virtualobserver]

6. As long as he didn't campaign from within the actual voting booths.....

his disobedience would not be absolute.

[thesquanderer]

18. Yup. Who knew those voting booths were 150 feet long? (n/t)

[Divernan]

36. At least he didn't shove aside a little old lady with a walker

Saving that for the next state?

I'm a judge of elections and I would so love for him to try any such shit at my polling place. Ex-president, multi-multi-millionaire or not, local judges of elections have the power to kick his arrogant, entitled a** out the door and beyond the no campaigning zone.

And his frigging bullhorn? That gets confiscated as evidence of his criminal behavior.

[magical thyme]

42. unfortunately you'd have to get past his Secret Service detail to do that. nt

[thesquanderer]

17. I guess ignorance of the law IS an excuse. (n/t)

[magical thyme]

43. more like "ignoring the law" since we know that he knew perfectly well what he was doing. nt

[senz]

129. More evidence of Clinton unsuitability for positions of power. nt

[magical thyme]

135. ayup. election commission asks him to tone it down; instead he doubles down. nt

[loyalsister]

137. What better way to celebrate the first presidential election since the SC gutted the VRA?

"He didn't break the law" is a very low bar considering what was within it pre VRA. Whether it was breaking the law or not, it was an egregious ethical violation that betrays our traditions and the people who have had to fight for it. His presence was intended to influence the vote. He is not only the husband of a presidential candidate, he is a man who is still considered to be an authority figure in US politics.

Long lines and wait times dicourage voting. We'll never know if it would have influenced the final tally, but that isn't the point. The point is a long wait discourages voting and Bill Clinton intentionally created a situation that capitalized on this well known fact. I don't see how any Democrat can defend that behavior.

https://www.brennancenter.org/analysis/end-long-lines

[senz]

138. "I don't see how any Democrat can defend that behavior."

Total agreement. It's mind boggling that anyone here would even try.

And thanks for the Brennan Center link! Good folks.

[nc4bo]

3. They need to take it seriously. Just imagine if Sanders had a bullhorn in front of

A polling place creating a circus atmosphere?

I'd expect to see Republicans pull stunts like this not Democrats.

Hillstans would have a meltdown.

[Hoyt]

4. Yep, he stole the whole election. Several thousand Sanders' voters changed to Clinton

when Bill wobbled by doing his WC Fields' impression.

[Vinca]

5. I would be fined if I walked in with my Bernie t-shirt and sign,

why should Bill be immune because he's a celebrity ex-president?

[Adrahil]

7. give him a $20 fine, and move on.

The focus on this is silly. I doubt Bernie cares much.

[Armstead]

15. I agree...but maybe $200 and a public rebuke

It's not a big deal in and of itself. But it does symbolize everything that is wrong about the Clintons. The rules are for the "little people" not for them.

[thesquanderer]

19. Yes. He should get a minor fine... and the bad press that comes with it.

The stories would remind people that the Clintons feel the rules don't apply to them. That's why the followup on this is important, not the minimal fine that he'll pay out of pocket change.

[noamnety]

59. A fine and a court order to stay away from all polling places

in the same way a sex offender can't be within XX feet of a schoolyard for the rest of their lives. He can vote absentee.

[AllyCat]

37. He should be subject to the same laws as everyone else if he is found to be in violation

No one gets to break the law just because they are a celebrity. I can't even wear a button or sticker while I quietly stand in line to vote. But he can go into a polling place and ask people to vote for his wife? It isn't silly. The law is the law.

[Hoyt]

86. Well, when I voted other day, I saw people parking within 20 feet of the door with bumper stickers,

and I heard discussion of candidates. No one gave a dang.

If something doesn't affect the election it's like jaywalking or something.

Not one vote was changed because of Clinton wobbling around looking stupid. In fact, if any were changed it might have gone the other way. The whining and conspiracy theories are really getting old.

[TM99]

92. Oh for fuck's sake.

Bumper stickers and idle chit chat are not equivalent to the Clinton entourage including Secret Service, the Mayor, and a fucking bullhorn.

The only way you can kvetch about this being 'whining and conspiracy theories' is by making up a false equivalency.

We see through your little game and it is getting really old.

[Hoyt]

94. Not one vote was changed to Clinton, maybe some Clinton supporters switched to Sanders after

seeing Bill up close.

Like you don't have a little game of whining and saying for FFS over every little inconsequential thing.

[TM99]

100. Such a typical response from a Clinton supporter.

If anyone else had a server in their home and sent classified documents, they would be prosecuted immediately.

If anyone else took a bullhorn and spoke to a crowd in front of polling location on election day, they would be fined and served with a misdemeanor.

But no, the Clinton's are special little fucking narcissists. And if you speak out against their lackeys will act churlish.

Yes sir, the game playing continues.

[Hoyt]

101. Seems like others in same position have done it, and I suspect a lot of Sanders' supporters would

have done the same regarding emails. Even Sanders said it was BS. You believe everything else he says, why not this.

[TM99]

114. No Sanders said the focus on it in debates

when we should be discussing policy was BS.

No others in the same position have not had private email servers. And those that mishandled classified information like Petraeus got in serious trouble.

[0rganism]

130. you. don't. know. that.

if Bill's presence changed votes one way or another, harm was done.
how much harm? i don't know, and you don't know.

[Hoyt]

131. Exactly, you don't know either. But it darn sure didn't affect the results. Sanders lost, fair and

square

[0rganism]

133. oh, i agree - HRC clearly won, but...

... and this is important...
at the time Bill was campaigning next to the polling places (and yes, it was campaigning) the end results were unknown, and polls prior to the election were very tight. in the end it may not have made a significant difference, but allowing it to go unchallenged would set a dangerous precedent.

[AllyCat]

97. Can't help where you park in some places.

You can help walking into a polling location and the SS shutting it down for and hour or two. People cannot vote with that going on. So they leave. And THAT would be the bigger problem.

[Hoyt]

99. It's only a big deal among those desperately looking for a way forward. I get that.

[senz]

132. The desperation was all Bill's. MA was virtually tied

and the Clintons want so desperately to get back into the White House that they'll gladly break laws and worse before the election is over.

And so their loyal followers can follow along behind them, dutifully cleaning up the messes as they go.

Here's a fun fact for you: The first known Use of the term "apologist" was in 1640.

[AllyCat]

147. People wanting to vote and get on to their home, job, or other event is "desperation"

[Hoyt]

149. Assuming that happened, probably wouldn't impact results of Clinton winning.

[AllyCat]

151. Really? You think people hung out for hours just to hear Big Dog while they WAITED to vote?

It doesn't matter if it impacts people's votes for/against a candidate. It should not have happened.

[Hoyt]

152. Didn't say it was right, but the whining is a waste because it didn't change the results.

[Mira]

62. Bernie cares if voters were hindered

such as the hoopla and the parking problems created by the Big Dog's presence

[KoKo]

63. Disagree...

He interfered with the voting process. A former President goes to a polling place with his Secret Service Entourage which disrupts traffic in the whole area and then with a Bull Horn in hand shouts for people to vote for his wife. Then he enters the polling place and shakes hands with voters disrupting the process even more.

The reason there's a 150 foot barrier for campaigning is because way back in our history there were thugs who tried to stop Union Members from voting by strong arming those who tried to exercise their right to vote. Plus, Mob Bosses who would go after people to make sure they voted for their chosen candidate in Chicago, New York and elsewhere around the country. The "Jim Crow" era when blacks who won the right to vote were intimidated by Clansmen and others to make sure they would be to afraid to be seen going in to vote at all.

What Bill did was a stunt. I question his judgement and his morality that he was so desperate to win Massachusetts that he would pull a stunt like this and think he could get away with it.

[me b zola]

79. I see. So IF Hillary takes the primary

You would say the same if Trump created circus atmospheres at polling places creating huge lines and electioneering at the polls? Because if Clinton gets away with this, it is a green light for the republicans to do this AGAINST the Dem candidate in the general. Just like appealing to racist voters with dog whistles in the '08 primary. Sarah Palin was NOT the first one to use racism in '08, she got the green light from Clinton.

Food for thought

[pdsimdars]

83. If it's so silly and meaningless, WHY was he there at all those places causing all that rucus?

You mean with all the problems in the world he could work on, this was the most important thing to do with his time and according to you, it was just a silly, silly nothing. BS

[Hoyt]

96. If he hadn't been there, you folks would be going, "What's Bill hiding from." Jeeez

Do you really think his stupidity changed any votes?

[nc4bo]

10. No but he disregarded voters precious time. Not everyone has hours to vote.

From what I've seen and heard, he and his also entourage cause traffic problems and delays along with brazenly campaigning where he should not have.

What he did was in bad form and people have a right to complain about it.

And if THAT doesn't do it for you...........imagine if Bernie Sanders did this.

[Dustlawyer]

31. What makes this really bad is the hubris of it!

He is above rules that apply to you and I. The massive delays, people trying to vote and go back to work had to give up. Bernie says he wins when more people show up, Bill must believe that too. What he and Hillary want takes precedence over the rest of us. This is how it's been for them, they have made decisions affecting us based on what is best for themselves!

[marions ghost]

13. You're not getting it

...the rules are supposed to be ironclad at most polling stations around the country.

I've worked in elections. I'm SURE that many precinct heads are mystified and outraged by this. It's a slap in the face to anyone who works for election integrity. Not tolerable. No way to dismiss it as not having impact. If even ONE person was not able to vote, or turned off by the spectacle....

You just do NOT do this. Very bad error on the Clintons' part. Says a lot about how they want to run the country.

[Blue_In_AK]

141. I've been a poll watcher,

and we've been very strict about campaign buttons, shirts, even cars with bumper stickers parking too close to the door. What Bill did was unconscionable because I'm SURE he knew campaigning wasn't allowed.

[marions ghost]

145. He had to know

--his moves are planned and his entourage goes along. He knew his presence would draw crowds, stop traffic, and slow or stop functions at the polling place.

I'm sure it gave the local election officials fits. Where I am there are strict rules and they are followed to the letter, for good reason. Yes it was unconscionable. Wonder how they're going to try to worm out of it.

[Geronimoe]

41. I wouldn't be able to stand in line for hours

waiting for Bill to give a stump speech before the polling place opens. I have a day and work to do.

[treestar]

54. Exactly his just standing there is enough to change people's votes?

They are inadvertently admitting Bernie's support to be really shallow. I actually disagree with that.

[Lucky Luciano]

65. If it makes a 30 minute process turn into a 150 minute process,

then you might not get to vote at all. Agreed that he is unlikely to change anyone's vote, but if you don't have a few hours to spend to vote, then you may not vote at all. I think New Bedford is working class white, so probably a Bernie stronghold.

[treestar]

66. Can't imagine a Bernie supporter not being willing to wait 150 minutes

even if that's true. Seeing Bill Clinton would also be worth that amount of time to most people. You're admitting he is popular enough to drive up the number of people who went there. And voter turnout is added to. Can't imagine a Bernie supporter wishing turnout was lover so it would only be half hour for their convenience. If Bernie's revolution were true, the wait would be longer due to the large number of voters turning out. I believe it was said to be unprecedented, so that poll workers would not be equipped. But certainly such revolutionaries would think nothing of being there for 3 hours or even much more.

[Lucky Luciano]

69. Seriously?! People have jobs they need to get to.

Not all bosses will be sympathetic- and people paid hourly will lose money they need.

Voting should not take longer than 30 minutes - PERIOD!

Taking longer disenfranchises people.

[treestar]

73. Hello this was a revolution?

LOL tearing down the Establishment means tearing down those terrible corporations like the ones where the boss is just waiting to oppress you and won't even let you vote! These elections were on Saturday probably to help with most people. Aren't Bernie's supporters who thought they could have to work on Saturday willing to get absentee ballots to make sure their vote for Bernie got in? Most revolutionaries are willing to risk their lives. But Bernie's aren't even willing to get a ballot if they think they will have to work Saturday.

[Lucky Luciano]

75. .

Super Saturday

[treestar]

117. OK I got mixed up with the last primary

but then still you can get an absentee ballot and I'm sure the polls were open after working hours. Revolutionaries would take the day off.

[Kall]

78. My God.

[treestar]

118. You sure shock easy.

[Mother Of Four]

93. I can't even... uh

Saturday?

[treestar]

119. I got that wrong but my point stands

If it's a revolution people would friggin' skip work or stand in line any amount of time.

[Mother Of Four]

123. Okies

[questionseverything]

113. okok we get it...the clintons are above the law

if they keep people from voting because they didn't have a couple of hours to wait for bill's campaign rally to end

they should be pleased bc blessed them with his presence

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511385409#post43

according to the google overhead view, bill could of done his little rally in the grass and been within the letter of the law,if not the spirit of the law

[treestar]

121. is there any direct proof anyone waited?

and again, voting is important and people are claiming this is a revolution! Like the whole Establishment is going to come down. Bernie is someone to get so excited about! Then why would anyone leave the line without voting? Anyone THAT engaged!

Bill did not violate any law - he was over the line limit past the yellow line. Local politicians would be there too. Bill has the right to go where he is lawfully allowed like anyone else. He doesn't have to stay home because Bernie people don't like his popularity and think they are entitled to have all of the other people in the world guide their activities by determining whether it helps Bernie win.

[FailureToCommunicate]

72. Some folks rob you with a six gun, some with a fountain pen.

Or a bullhorn.

Fewer than 17,000 votes separated the two candidates in the Massachusetts final results. You don't think Bill, his motorcade, Secret Service, along with local dignitaries in several polling spots made any difference? It may not have changed the outcome but it sure looked ham-handed.

[artislife]

105. Why is it...

terrible if there is tampering with voters on the republican side and not on the democratic side?

I am assuming that you are angry at voter supression in the form of striking people off the list at polling centers, demanding photo ids and redistricting populations. Then there are intimidation events. I consider this to be one of those, just because it is a good ol' boy demeanor, he was pressing the flesh and supporting only one candidate--the one he has been campaigning for this election. He used his influence and the fact that he is a former president.

I cannot get over that no one I have read on this site who is a h supporter has an issue with this.

No one.

[monicaangela]

109. Sad isn't it artislife

It appears the blinders are working perfectly.

[senz]

140. Yup, sums them up for me.

[fredamae]

8. This too shall fade away

while Dems "Look into it". They're really good at that and then Poof! It just goes away and is forgotten.

[virtualobserver]

9. maybe he was referring to a different lever

[PonyUp]

12. Ba dum!

[VulgarPoet]

45. Wrong lever, Kronk. nt

[TheBlackAdder]

11. The problem is, he apparently went to 4 polling places, all secured by the Secret Service for hours.

[AllyCat]

38. I keep hearing this too, but have not been able to find a news source that says

more than one place. Do you have a link for it? I would love to be able to point this out if it is indeed true. That said, even ONE place is campaigning within 150 feet of a polling location and stopped people from voting because of the delays. We need mail-in ballots and much of this trouble would be eradicated.

[magical thyme]

46. Salon & Boston Mag cite W. Roxbury and Newton, where he actually entered the polling places

http://www.salon.com/2016/03/02/bill_clinton_may_have_broken_massachusetts_law_by_telling_people_at_polling_locations_to_vote_for_hillary/

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2016/03/01/bill-clinton-massachusetts-voting-laws/

I'm not sure where the video of him with the bullhorn is, but there is video of people locked out of the polls by the secret service for 2 hours in New Bedford. It was only after numerous phone calls that he was asked to leave so people could vote.

[jwirr]

61. The SS should also be held accountable for this. I don't

think it is their job to arrange for Bill or anyone else to break the law. If they did this at four polling places (that I heard were polls that would have favored Bernie) then they are as guilty as Bill.

Loretta Lynch should look into their behavior.

[magical thyme]

71. it's Massachusetts election law that he violated

so outside of Lynch's jurisdiction.

However, the Mass attorney general should be involved. At least 2 petitions have been circulated and garnered a lot of sigs, one for the Mass AG and one for the DNC, and the governor's office got a lot of angry phone calls yesterday and day before.

[jwirr]

77. Why would it make any difference about state law except

that the Federal agents helped to break a state law. They should be told in no uncertain terms that they will be fired if they help anyone break a state law.

They got shit when they played with the prostitutes in South America and they were not breaking a law there. They were not doing their job.

[magical thyme]

80. I didn't notice the SS at the front of your title. I was still thinking about Clinton. nt

[LiberalArkie]

47. Here is an article from Boston

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2016/03/01/bill-clinton-massachusetts-voting-laws/

Holy Name in West Roxbury
New Bedford
Newton Free Library in Newton

[Cheese Sandwich]

14. The campaign was apparently warned and they kept doing it.

They knew Mass. was very important for the story and they are willing to cheat to win.

Some people are just above the law.

[Paulie]

16. Sanction and Move On

Can bust out my old bumper stickers from the last century.

[Nye Bevan]

20. I didn't see in the story that he told someone to "pull the lever for Hillary" inside a polling

place. Do you have a link to that allegation?

[Jitter65]

21. Because he didn't. But you know it is true because someone said it here.

[peacebird]

23. Video of it on twitter. Interesting BostonCBS local had a video of Bill glad handing inside a poll

And the still is available, but the video is no longer available.

[Nye Bevan]

25. So all evidence of this has been completely scrubbed from the internet?

Oh, those evil Clintons.

[peacebird]

26. No. Just that link from a local CBS station.

But I agree with you, the Clintons are evil. Thinking they are above the law is evil.

#ClintonSoCorrupt

[monicaangela]

32. Is this what you are looking for?

[AllyCat]

40. Nothing is ever really scrubbed once someone captures and puts it back up.

Thanks!

[monicaangela]

111. My pleasure AllyCat

[Arazi]

50. Thanks for this. It makes my head hurt watching this

Nobody should be disenfranchised

[monicaangela]

112. I agree Arazi

This was a very sleazy trick IMHO. I'm really surprised thinking people don't seem to think there is anything wrong with this, or that it is just a minor infraction.

[magical thyme]

48. per Boston Globe, he was outside the polling place. However, under Mass election laws

you can't campaign within 150 feet of the polling place. He was right outside, not 150+ feet away.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2016/03/01/hillary-clinton-husband-drums-support-boston-super-tuesday/LXNQTnGKPYWQRzSYy98c5I/story.html

"A crowd of about 200 had assembled outside the Newton Free Library when the former president pulled up at about 10:45 a.m. in a caravan of police cars and Secret Service vehicles and stepped out of a cream-colored sport utility vehicle.

“Pull the lever for Hillary!” Clinton declared outside, showing support for the former secretary state as she attempts to squeeze out a victory over rival Senator Bernie Sanders in the Bay State’s primary. "

[grasswire]

139. HOW MUCH DID THIS ELECTIONEERING COST TAXPAYERS??

That's my question.

[LiberalArkie]

49. Here

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2016/03/01/bill-clinton-massachusetts-voting-laws/

According to the Clinton campaign’s pool report, Bill took at least one photo with a voter outside Holy Name, kissed an elderly woman on her head, and signed another voter’s Hillary sign. The Globe also reports Clinton told one voter, “Pull the lever for Hillary.”

Trouble is, that’s precisely what he and Walsh seem to be doing, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s voting regulations.

“Within 150 feet of a polling place…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 text reads. In addition, campaign operatives are prohibited from distributing “campaign material intended to influence the vote of a voter in the ongoing election” within 150 of a polling location.

[madokie]

22. By Hook or by Crook

[peacebird]

24. Exactly

[Ichingcarpenter]

27. Voting and Counting Procedures for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts states:

Voting and Counting Procedures for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts states:

W.ithin 150 feet of a polling place as defined in 950 CMR 5303(18)(c), 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.

http://www.mass.gov/courts/docs/lawlib/900-999cmr/950cmr53.pdf

This is what Slick Willie said

“Thank you all for participating. I especially thank those of you who are supporting Hillary,” Clinton yelled through a megaphone, as he stood next to New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell.




?v=1456873313


?w=960

[peacebird]

28. Clearly violated the law. The Sec of State of Mass called the campaign to remind them of rules

But Bill kept on going to more polling places.

Hillary should be stripped of her pledged delegates from Mass, and Bill should face charges. Won't happen cuz the Clintons are above the law.

[bkkyosemite]

34. "gently" .............unbelievable

[jwirr]

67. In 2008 two states lost their right to vote in the primary.

Anyone know why? What is the penalty for this kind of action by a campaign?

[bigbrother05]

91. Because of the schedule, went earlier than the DNC dictated

All the candidate except HRC tried to withdraw their names and didn't campaign in those states

[cherokeeprogressive]

29. Yeah. Just like Hillary will "look into" releasing transcripts. nt

[democrank]

30. Just Bill being Bill

dancing right on the edge....

[magical thyme]

52. nope. He danced right over the edge and into the center.

On the edge would be at 150' and an inch or so from the entrance.

Over the edge and into the center was entering polling places, which he did.

Over the edge and into the center was his secret service blocking voters from getting to the entrance, and standing in front of it with a bullhorn.

Under Mass law, it was 3 felonies.

[bkkyosemite]

33. "He's not from here so he may not know"

[catnhatnh]

102. Yes because

he is a STUPID Rhodes scholar with a law degree from Yale and 45 years of political experience...

[erlewyne]

35. I'm voting for Bernie Sanders.

He is honest.

[BlueMTexpat]

39. Unrec ...

[George II]

44. From your article (which is two days old):

Not being "looked into" anymore.

“He’s certainly free to visit polling places,” Secretary of State William Galvin said in an interview with WBZ NewsRadio 1030. “He cannot campaign though within 150 feet.”

Galvin said he gently reminded the Clinton campaign what the rules are.

“So we are being very clear with local election officials irrespective of his status, he cannot go inside a polling place and approach voters,” Galvin said.

By the way, where he was there was no "lever" for anyone to pull for Hillary"!

[treestar]

51. The Clintons are smart enough to look at the law and know what it is

This is ridiculous.

[DesMoinesDem]

55. LOL

The Clintons are too smart to break the law.

[treestar]

57. Yeah. Why would they do anything without checking that out?

They are not dumb enough to publicly and blatantly campaign within the number of feet not permitted.

When you go to a poll you see tons of signs all exactly one inch further than allowed.

[ChiciB1]

68. OMG, Did You Really Just Say That? Even More...

Would you believe it if it was Trump or Bernie??? I would like a truthful answer, but hey believe what you want. I was introduced to politics when I was 11 yrs. old and became a real activist by the time I was 18 or 20. Many years have gone by... I'm pretty sure I've seen things that have made me scratch my head, EVEN with people I've supported... but in the end I had to realize WRONG IS WRONG!

I supported John Edwards, but I didn't DENY what happened!

AND the Clintons have done many, many things through the years that have been very suspicious. I never supported here when she ran against Obama even though he wasn't my first choice. The REASON I never supported her is BECAUSE there has always been "something" that's shady going on. But THEY always get away with it!

NOBODY will get away with it FOREVER! Why do you think her negatives are so high??

But I know I'm not going to make you understand, just thought I would make a comment away.

[treestar]

70. if they were too dumb to know not to stand on the other side of the line

they'd never have gotten to where they have in life.

This is not comparable to John Edwards. Everyone knows about not campaigning within a certain number of feet and that is why there are a million signs placed one inch further away. Bill will standing on the correct side of the line. He would know that the media will be all over his slightest mistake. He's been campaigning for years. He knows polling places inside out.

It must be tough in life to believe you are so right that you can't believe anyone would disagree or dare to type anything you don't agree with. Is there anyone smarter than you? There must not be if you think I could not really say anything that you have deemed untrue. Bill was in public and John thought he was in private. If I were as condescending as you I'd marvel at wow how could have even thought let alone typed that John's adultery and Bill's poll presence are remotely close on any level.

[ChiciB1]

76. YOU SO FUNNY! n/t

[treestar]

122. non responsive

you are not so intimidating as you think.

[Svafa]

89. "Smart" (sneaky) enough to know just how

close they can get to breaking the law without technically breaking it.

[Octafish]

53. Just Us.

Then, there's you and me, scrapping it out in Austerityville.

[jwirr]

56. And standing with a bullhorn near the polling place with all

of his SS agents blocking the access is also not egregious enough.

Just another Clinton dirty trick.

[amborin]

58. i hope so!

[noamnety]

60. SOS says he won't do anything because he likes Clinton.

From the article: Galvin said there is a penalty, but they only take action in cases of “absolute disobedience.”

“He was a good president so we just want to make sure that he knows the rules,”

----------------
If he was a "bad" president, would doing this multiple times in one day for hours and hours count as absolute disobedience? Why is the SOS's assessment of his politics even relevant?

[JudyM]

64. Pity there isn't some kind of federally applicable estoppel to prevent him from doing this again.

The only thing that could help is if he gets slammed on front page of national circulation papers and major news programs.

Not gonna happen. Apparently not a worthy news story.

This would be the time for Jimmy Carter to step up. Fair elections is one of his core issues, after all.

[stranger81]

95. Exactly. If there are no consequences for what he did in MA,

expect a repeat scenario in the state with the closest race on every primary voting day going forward.

[JudyM]

98. I think so.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

74. Work hard and play by the rules. Bill Clinton

One of those "do as I say, not as I do" axioms.

[pdsimdars]

81. Well, let's see if there's Mass. still maintains that old "rule of law" thing.

Or if they too have migrated to the new dual system of justice -- one for the rich and powerful and another for the rest of us rabble.
That would restore some belief in "the system", but I'm not holding my breath.

[asuhornets]

82. All of the Conspiracy Theories..

It's hard to keep track.

[marions ghost]

84. Just by BEING THERE he is promoting the candidate--

I think you could legally argue--and then he went and made it much worse with his bullhorn shenanigans and "pull the lever" comments.

I really think this is unprecedented. And obviously the situation NEEDS some application of the law. If candidates do this kind of voter manipulation publicly...what do they do behind the scenes?

[loyalsister]

126. If t-shirts and buttons are off limits

Why in the world would they allow the physical presense of the supporter who once held the highest level of authority in the country to be a walking advertisement for a candidate? It wasn't his polling place and he wasn't an official poll worker, his only reason to be there was to influence the election.

[marions ghost]

144. I think that's the only conclusion

a rational mind can come to. "A walking advertisement"--exactly.

I'm pretty sure this is unprecedented--that the spouse of a candidate inserts himself inside the
boundaries of an active polling place and holds forth with a megaphone.

The arrogance and crassness of that boggles the mind.

[me b zola]

88. I imagine that Trump's campaign is watching this closely

...and are already looking to employ such tactics in the general. If the Clinton's get away with this, look out for full blown circus' at all Dem leaning polling places in the general.

This should be a huge flashing warning sign for what we will see more of in the future. What a fucking joke our "democracy" is.

[NowSam]

103. It was voter suppression

Many people were unable to get into their polling place for hours because of his appearance. It was a calculated disruption and suppressed the vote. Who was louder, Elizabeth Warren or Bullhorn Bill? Warren's silence didn't help the causes she says she believes in and Bill's Bullhorn suppressed the vote. Add to that dropped votes from Bernie's tallies in final count and Voila.

Thanks Media for being so honest.

[snowy owl]

108. Good post.

I guess voter suppression isn't a serious offense in Massachusetts.

[NowSam]

110. Exactly. It isn't like it was close or anything.

[matt819]

104. Looking into it

Yeah, right. That's like looking into abusive cops or abusive priests.

Nothing will come of this, and I will bet a dollar to a donut that Bill does the same thing in upcoming primaries. Because IOKIYBC.

[artislife]

106. Why was he even there?

End of story.

[snowy owl]

107. "He was a good president . . ." so he can break the rules.

“He’s certainly free to visit polling places,” Secretary of State William Galvin said in an interview with WBZ NewsRadio 1030. “He cannot campaign though within 150 feet.”

Galvin said he gently reminded the Clinton campaign what the rules are.

“So we are being very clear with local election officials irrespective of his status, he cannot go inside a polling place and approach voters,” Galvin said.

Galvin said there is a penalty, but they only take action in cases of “absolute disobedience.”

“He was a good president so we just want to make sure that he knows the rules,” Galvin said. “He’s not from here so he may not know.”

[Uncle Joe]

115. They gave him a bullhorn to boot so the 150 ft seems kind of irrelevant.

Thanks for the thread, peacebird.

[brooklynite]

120. ":they gave him a bullhorn" probably because his voice was going...

[NCTraveler]

116. As Clinton walks away smiling, giving the peace sign with one hand and the bird with the other. nt.

[notadmblnd]

127. Just read here that Bill is the one who advised Trump to run.

I wonder what sort of deal was made?

[Cobalt Violet]

128. I'm so sick of these people getting away with anything they want. I

I guess rules are just for the peon classes.

[sabrina 1]

134. New video from a would be voter who was outraged shows Bill INSIDE canvassiing for his

for his wife. You can see the voters outside the doors being prevented from entering, while Bill is at the table laughing and joking. The anger of the voter who videotaped it as it was happening, can be heard. She was incredulous.

I hope she sends it to Bernie's attorneys who released their phone number for voters to report 'irregularities'.

[Justice]

136. Story linked is TWO days old, SOS already came out and said NO ISSUE

[marions ghost]

146. Doesnt mean it's over

------as much as you'd like to think so.

[brooklynite]

148. Can you point us to Bernie Sanders' statement on this issue?

Is he unwilling to stand up for voting rights?

[marions ghost]

150. No I can't point you

To a statement by Bernie on this issue. I'm sure he thinks it stinks tho.

I guess he's busy right now standing up for everything else under the sun.

[ReallyIAmAnOptimist]

142. It's a club, and we're NOT in it...

...BILL, just like the BANKSTERS, gets a free pass.

[smiley]

143. Nothing will come of this.

Nothing ever does.