Rudy Clay explains

By Jennifer J. Foster

Published: May 6, 2008

According to Gary, Ind., Mayor Rudy Clay, results from his area are so late in coming because of the backlog of 11,000-plus early votes that were cast ahead of Tuesday’s primaries.

John King and Anderson Cooper each tried several times to get Clay to explain why Lake County was so far behind Marion County, Indiana’s most populous county, in reporting partial returns. Clay responded that they didn’t want to “disenfranchise anyone” by not including their votes in the tally. He apparently didn’t understand or just ignored King’s assertion that no one is disenfranchised in the reporting of partial returns; it is simply noted that the returns are incomplete, and they are updated as more results come in.

Clay’s explanation was nearly incomprehensible, and the part of it that was not was simply not believeable.

Clay is an Obama supporter, and his city is a stronghold for the Illinois senator. If Obama ekes out a win in the Hoosier state on the strength of the Gary returns, it will be the political equivalent of Mark Furhman “finding” the bloody glove in O.J. Simpson’s home: Although it was meant to make airtight the case against Simpson, it was what probably cost prosecutors the conviction in the end. 

The Clinton campaign may be sensing blood in the water. Hammond mayor and Clinton supporter Tom McDermott appears to have read some talking points: “The appearance of impropriety is high in this case, and it’s unfortunate ... it’s frustrating for me, and it makes it look like something corrupt may be happening ... It looks improper.“

Blitzer asks whether there is a history of political “hanky-panky” in the area; Clay angrily rejects the implication.