Cracking Vegas. Easier than it looks.*
Just heard that Bernie Sanders walked away with the Nevada delegate majority, after losing the popular vote in the February caucuses. That is potentially huge, as it was in delegates (and their upstream super delegates) where Bernie was expected to face the most hurdles. If he is gaining on Hillary Clinton in this demographic, then he is on a real upsurge that cannot be (mysteriously) denied by the New York Times.
Okay, they can deny––14 hours after the story broke it is not on the site that I can see. I actually went Washington Times to confirm that the story was legitimate and not some sophisticated twist on The Onion.
Of course there are two sides to every story. Facebook friend and well known Las Vegas blogger Nolan Dalla, an outspoken proponent of Sanders, had this to say. Actually, I'll give the whole convo, poker fans will get a chuckle:
Nolan: I have mixed emotions about this. Glad Sanders picked up extra delegates, of course. But also disturbed by the process that allows the candidate which lost by 5 points to gain more delegates. That's just wrong. Yes, I know the HRC campaign is dishonest, cracked the whip with the unions and party leadership, and rigged the entire process. But I don't like seeing our side gaining from DNC ineptitude and corruption, when fact is -- we lost the primary here in NV. Obviously, this is a complex ethical dilemma, and there's a case to be made for pragmatism, too.
Damon: Interesting... so even as a strong Sanders supporter, I've read your blog, you actually side with Clinton on this one.
Nolan: It's not "siding with Clinton." It's siding with a process that should be run more cleanly and fairly. I'm siding with "fairness and transparency." The state Democratic Party leadership should ALL be fired over the way this caucus has been run and organized. I also believe Dirty Harry Reid bears some responsibility as the state's most prominent political leader. His flunkies have run a terribly disorganized caucus and convention. It shouldn't be that difficult to simply put out CLEAR public announcements on the procedures.
Damon: They should get the ace World Series of Poker (WSOP) people to organize it?
Nolan: LOL, good one.
Damon: I mean 9,000 delegates is nothing. Try keeping accurate count of their chips.
Nolan: At the very least, the WSOP can run a 23,000 person event and get out the announcements properly. You just gave me an excellent idea for a column.....I have to write it up. Thanks!
As for my own opinion? It seems that there were improprieties on both sides. What Michael Huskey commented on Heavy resonates:
The only sensible conclusion––Hillary will lose NY, WI, and California too. Bernie will win the pledged delegate race then we see if the Superdelegates do what they always do…switch to the peoples choice. They will.
A nice sum-up of this particular scenario at HuffPost:
Then super-delegates began being reported by the national news media as though they were in some way obligated to the candidates they endorsed. The Democratic National Committee told the media to stop doing this, as super-delegates don’t cast any votes until the nominating season is over, and — as happened to Hillary Clinton herself in 2008 — can change their minds up until seconds before they declare themselves at the Democratic National Convention. They can even —as happened in 2008 — vote by the hundreds and hundreds against the Democratic candidate for President who earns the most popular votes.
Ari Park 1.6? ... on the way, the cheese is warming.
Okay, they can deny––14 hours after the story broke it is not on the site that I can see. I actually went Washington Times to confirm that the story was legitimate and not some sophisticated twist on The Onion.
Of course there are two sides to every story. Facebook friend and well known Las Vegas blogger Nolan Dalla, an outspoken proponent of Sanders, had this to say. Actually, I'll give the whole convo, poker fans will get a chuckle:
Nolan: I have mixed emotions about this. Glad Sanders picked up extra delegates, of course. But also disturbed by the process that allows the candidate which lost by 5 points to gain more delegates. That's just wrong. Yes, I know the HRC campaign is dishonest, cracked the whip with the unions and party leadership, and rigged the entire process. But I don't like seeing our side gaining from DNC ineptitude and corruption, when fact is -- we lost the primary here in NV. Obviously, this is a complex ethical dilemma, and there's a case to be made for pragmatism, too.
Damon: Interesting... so even as a strong Sanders supporter, I've read your blog, you actually side with Clinton on this one.
Nolan: It's not "siding with Clinton." It's siding with a process that should be run more cleanly and fairly. I'm siding with "fairness and transparency." The state Democratic Party leadership should ALL be fired over the way this caucus has been run and organized. I also believe Dirty Harry Reid bears some responsibility as the state's most prominent political leader. His flunkies have run a terribly disorganized caucus and convention. It shouldn't be that difficult to simply put out CLEAR public announcements on the procedures.
Damon: They should get the ace World Series of Poker (WSOP) people to organize it?
Nolan: LOL, good one.
Damon: I mean 9,000 delegates is nothing. Try keeping accurate count of their chips.
Nolan: At the very least, the WSOP can run a 23,000 person event and get out the announcements properly. You just gave me an excellent idea for a column.....I have to write it up. Thanks!
As for my own opinion? It seems that there were improprieties on both sides. What Michael Huskey commented on Heavy resonates:
The only sensible conclusion––Hillary will lose NY, WI, and California too. Bernie will win the pledged delegate race then we see if the Superdelegates do what they always do…switch to the peoples choice. They will.
A nice sum-up of this particular scenario at HuffPost:
Then super-delegates began being reported by the national news media as though they were in some way obligated to the candidates they endorsed. The Democratic National Committee told the media to stop doing this, as super-delegates don’t cast any votes until the nominating season is over, and — as happened to Hillary Clinton herself in 2008 — can change their minds up until seconds before they declare themselves at the Democratic National Convention. They can even —as happened in 2008 — vote by the hundreds and hundreds against the Democratic candidate for President who earns the most popular votes.
Ari Park 1.6? ... on the way, the cheese is warming.
Negreanu v. Stealthmunk.
Dig through Usual Poker for details on that particular assignment. Now on indefinite hiatus.
SEO Alert - Damon D. Dawson of Bandito College. Endurance lauriat.
SEO Alert - Damon D. Dawson of Bandito College. Endurance lauriat.
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