Clinton, Obama Advisers Argue About Irregularities In Texas' Caucuses

Austin, TX (AHN) - The campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) has accused Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) of voting irregularities in Texas' caucuses as tallying of votes in the state continued. The allegations were made during a conference call to reporters that turned into a heated argument between Howard Wolfson, Clinton's communications director, and Robert Bauer, general counsel for the Obama campaign.

"What is happening tonight is an outrage. It's really disturbing and it's really undemocratic what is going on," Ace Smith, Clinton's campaign director in Texas, said during a conference call with reporters.

Smith was joined by Wolfson in saying that Obama poll workers were preventing Clinton supporters from caucusing in some precincts. The highlight of the call, however, was a surprising Bauer suddenly chiming in to tell Wolfson to "stop attacking the caucus process." Bauer and Wolfson then got into a heated exchange.

"What is happening in Texas is extraordinary. We, of course, don't hold you personally responsible for it, but we believe that you do share our commitment to strong democratic values," Wolfson said.

"In Nevada, you filed a lawsuit in advance of the caucus... in Iowa, you threatened various students," Bauer replied.

Wolfson pointed out later on after Bauer ended the call that the Obama adviser did not refute any of their allegations about irregularities in Texas.

With 20 percent of precincts reporting, Obama leads Clinton in the state, 50 percent to 49 percent.