Yesterday, OpEdNews.com posted Marcy Winograd's report, Obama Delegate Purge -- Slash and Burn in California, reporting how 900+ delegates had been removed from the contending in the impending caucuses.
Today, Marci brings us good news.
In a 6;30 AM EST posting, Winograd reports, Obama Reinstates CA Delegates
Apparently, widespread coverage of what appeared to be a machine politics move, described by CNN as an attempt to retain the delegates who would be most loyal to Obama, delivered a message to the Obama campaign-- "No, No, No! This is not the way to treat the progressives who are supporting you and who will be your most active, dynamic supporters."
The Obama campaign reinstated the delegates, with a message from David Plouffe. Here's the most important part of it:
In recognition of this tremendous enthusiasm, our campaign has asked the California Democratic Party to allow all persons who have filed to be a district delegate candidate for Senator Obama at the Democratic National Convention to participate in the caucuses this Sunday, April 13, 2008.
We are confident that delegates elected from this pool will reflect the Senator's commitment to a diverse and unified delegation at the National Convention.
An overwhelming number of supporters have signed up to run for delegate, so there will likely be lines and tight space at the caucus locations. We ask for everyone's patience and cooperation.
Most of all, please enjoy this opportunity to meet other Obama supporters and elect delegate candidates to the Convention in Denver.
Marcy Winograd is President, Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles (pdamerica.org) and an Executive Board Member of the California Democratic Party. She responded to Plouffe's letter,
Dear Senator Obama:
Thank you for graciously reinstating and welcoming all California delegate hopefuls, including me, Marcy Winograd, and many others who helped build the Progressive Caucus in the California Democratic Party.
more here.
Todd Beeton, of MYDD comments,
The Obama campaign sent a really clear message today: "we are listening." This is how elected (and would be elected) officials are supposed to act when there's a public outcry about something. I've spoken to many Obama voters about why they are supporting him and one of the common threads is that they feel he'd be far more responsive to grassroots pressure than Hillary Clinton would be. I'm not sure if that's true but the events of today at least give me confidence that, while being president and running for president are two different things, as president Obama would be willing to change course if the public demanded it. That would be quite a change indeed.
Indeed it would.