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August 24, 2008 Nancy H. Rogers, Attorney General State Office Tower 30 E. Broad Street, 17th Floor Columbus, OH 43215-3428 VIA FAX: 614.466.5087 SUBJECT:

Solicitation in Violation of ORC 3513.12, Delegates to National Party Convention

Dear Attorney General Rogers: 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

Clinton supporters protesting removal of delegate at Democratic National Convention http://www.whas11.com/news/local/stories/WHAS11_POLITICS_080814_CLINTONOBAMA.486a4d97.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 Copy:

Jennifer Brunner, Secretary of State VIA FAX: 614.644.0649 Chris Redfern, Chair, Ohio Democratic Party [email protected]