Ambinder: Obama camp lowers expectations, Edwards supporters turned away?

[VolcanoJen]

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/

Huge turnout...ballots running out on the strip...
Obama's manager sends out memo lowering expectations...says Clinton campaign has engaged in "systematic effort" to discredit the caucuses...

"Our hope is that today’s caucus comes off without a hitch and as many people as possible participate, however we remain concerned that the tactics of the Clinton Campaign and their allies in recent days have confused voters and could lower participation."

Edwards campaign says supporters turned away from precincts....

Update: Ambinder update around 4:15 pm; site now reads

** Edwards campaign says that a supporter went to a caucus at Charles Silvesti Middle School...and is told outside that Edwards isn't viable.

[midnight]

1. Are Edwards supporters saying why they were turned away?

[tekisui]

2. It may be the Threshold rule. Like, Iowa, if the minimum isn't met

they have to go to another candidate. His numbers were showing 5 %, but I don't know.

[VolcanoJen]

4. That quote says they were turned away from precincts, though.

It's a bare-bones sentence and completely unsourced, but Ambinder is reliable and must've received a short message from the Edwards camp.

The sentence does not seem to say he wasn't reaching caucus viability... that's obvious. It seems to be saying that some supporters weren't permitted to caucus at all.

[tekisui]

6. Hmmm. Wonder what's going on.

[mrmx9]

5. Maybe Bill Clinton and his entourage were blocking the entrance to their caucus?

[Pathwalker]

3. In a primary, they can't turn you away just for who you

support. This sucks.

[AndyA]

7. Edwards campaign says supporters turned away from precincts....

Edwards campaign says supporters turned away from precincts....

They just are not going to take the chance of Edwards getting elected. They are so fearful of him, they will stop at nothing to stop it.

Media blackout.

Lavishing extra attention on his competitors.

And now turning away voters.

Ain't democracy great? :(

[VolcanoJen]

8. At the Caesar's Palace caucus on CNN...

... the Temporary Chair forgot to even ask for Edwards caucusers. One of them shouted, "What about if you're for John Edwards?" and the chair realized her error and decided to count them.

It's actually troubling when you think about it. That certainly didn't go on in Iowa.

[VolcanoJen]

9. Updated above

:dem:

[robbedvoter]

10. It's why caucases stink.