Bauer's conference call ambush [updated with audio]
Barack Obama's top lawyer, Bob Bauer, made an unexpected appearance on the Clinton campaign's conference call this evening, calling in on a line intended for reporters to challenge Clinton aides' claims of irregularities in several Texas precincts.
Bauer used his guerrilla appearance to call on Clinton's aides to "stop attacking the caucus process."
Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson eagerly engaged Bauer on what quickly became one of the campaign's sharpest exchanges, and possibly the most entertaining conference call in campaign history which you can listen to above, courtesy of 2008Central.net.
"I would ask you to join with us this evening in ensuring that the serious problems that are ongoing as we speak in Texas are addressed," he said.
"What is happening in Texas is extraordinary. We, of course, dont hold you personally responsible for it,
but we believe that you do share our commitment to strong democratic values," Wolfson said.
Bauer accused Clinton of a pattern of denigrating caucuses.
"In Nevada, you filed a lawsuit in advance of the caucus, ... in Iowa, you threatened various students," he said.
Wolfson said Clinton had never challenged a caucus.
"That is not true, Howard," Bauer said.
"This is not about the process, Bob; it's about the way this particular set of caucuses are going as we speak," Wolfson said.
After Bauer dropped off the call, Wolfson spelled out the lawyer's name for a reporter and gave a nod to his "vigorous defense of the indefensible."
"He didn't deny anything," added Clinton lawyer Lynn Utrecht.
Wolfson also saw an opening: "We look forward to asking our own questions" in future Obama conference calls, he said.
As for the actual allegations, Marc has a bit more, but I'll wait for the police reports.
