To the editor:

Several months ago, I saw a letter to the editor about the Obama people here on the South End of the island “taking over” our local Democrat caucus in order to make sure their candidate was the nominee. It seemed funny to me at the time — losers whining. That was my thought.

However, the chilling news of Obama supporters’ behavior at caucuses all over the country has continued to trickle in — reliable reports of voter suppression and intimidation by the Obama campaign and/or its allies. The Democrat caucus procedures here on Whidbey were part of a systematic corruption of party caucus procedures that was nationwide! Somehow, I had always thought that we were safe from that sort of thing here on our little backwater island — how foolish of me.

As I looked at information concerning other states where this had taken place, I saw lists of the tactics:

Preference cards were pre-marked for Obama.

Clinton supporters were denied preference cards on the basis that none were left, while Obama supporters at the same caucus sites were given preference cards.

Caucus chairs obviously supported Obama:

Votes deliberately miscounted to favor Sen. Obama.

Unregistered persons deliberately counted as Obama votes.

Young children deliberately counted as Obama votes.

The caucus was swamped, so sheer numbers made it difficult to understand what was going on (although it was always the Hillaryites who seemed to lose ground in the confusion).

Hillary supporters locked out of the meeting. (In one case in Texas, a law enforcement officer was called and he forced open the caucus site!)

Preference cards from Clinton supporters who were at the caucus site were refused on the ground that the cards were not filled out fast enough to meet the deadline.

Clinton supporters told to leave prior to election of delegates.

Clinton supporters who arrived late were turned away from the caucus, while late Obama supporters were admitted to the caucus.

Barack Obama may well have stolen the nomination with Chicago machine-style tactics — and it worked right here on Whidbey Island! That is truly breath-taking.

My question for Hillary supporters is this: Are you now going to fall in line and vote for him? You experienced “change” Chicago style. You saw what “community organizing” is all about. Remember that when you fill out your ballot.

Beverley Martin

Clinton