Hazel, there are several debates being waged on poaching of pledged delegates (let's not even get into superdelegates). Iowa and Texas are caucuses with a very complicated system for getting the final pledged delegates to the convention. Your OP was in regards to the Texas Caucus process.

Now, you need to be consistent if you want your argument to have value. You bring up intent of the DNC rules (pledged delegates "shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them") and notion of democratic process altogether but in fact that is an implied spirit of what pledged delegates are obligated to do because one of the DNC rules state that pledged delegates can realign to any candidate.

You then confuse your position by stating that Edwards delegates are up for grabs. The delegates pledged to Edwards in the spirit of the process have not been released by Edwards and many in Iowa chose not to switch to either Clinton or Obama for that very reason. If you are going to base your argument on that then be consistent when following it through.

Did you read the article on how the process works? What Sen.Clinton is stating is true. Pledged delegates can choose to switch...several times in the caucus process and in the convention.

"...delegates to the county convention are twice invited to realign themselves, or switch sides, before a final vote is taken."

At this stage of the game and with the Caucus System being what it is, Sen. Clinton isn't poaching anything. I don't feel that Obama would have made it this far had more of his record been scrutinized before the Democrats became mired in this close race. Many people in America have had second thoughts about Obama and are seeing him without rose colored glasses. At this stage, it isn't improper to approach Obama's delegates it is irresponsible for Sen. Clinton not to.

In order to turn out the vote to successfully complete the Caucus process Methods should include getting your delegates to show up and in the case your delegate doesn't show up, that an alternate is there and if that alternate is not there, that you have made an effort to appeal to all delegates on behalf of your candidate.

Both sides have pledged not to poach. Despite that, we hear about cards sent to Clinton supporters by Obama's campaign and calls to Obama supporters by Clinton's campaign. Obama claims it was an error.

In any case, the DNC rules state that pledged delegates can realign no matter the intent of their pledge.