FIRST LADY CAMPAIGNED INSIDE POLLING PLACE
Thu Oct 14 2010 16:19:25 ET
First lady Michelle Obama appears to have violated Illinois law — when she engaged in political discussion at a polling place!
The drama began after Mrs. Obama stopped off at the Martin Luther King Center on the south side of Chicago to cast an early vote.
After finishing at the machine, Obama went back to the desk and handed in her voting key.
She let voters including electrician Dennis Campbell, 56, take some photos.
“She was telling me how important it was to vote to keep her husband’s agenda going,” Campbell said.
According to the pool reporter at the scene, the conversation took place IN the voting center not far from the booths.
Illinois state law — Sec. 17-29 (a) — states: “No judge of election, pollwatcher, or other person shall, at any primary or election, do any electioneering or soliciting of votes or engage in any political discussion within any polling place, within 100 feet of any polling place.”
WHITE HOUSE DEFENDS ELECTIONEERING
When questioned about the brazen nature of Mrs. Obama’s campaigning, press secretary Robert Gibbs defended the action.
“I don’t think it would be much to imagine, the First Lady might support her husband’s agenda,” Gibbs smiled.
Developing...
This is WRONG on SO many levels...it’s more than just campaigning within the booth area—the photo op surely threatens anonymity.
Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the WAR ROOM!