Obama: Clinton Should Not Get Florida and Michigan Delegates

By: Maria Gavrilovic
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Barack Obama argued today that the Michigan and Florida delegates should have a role in the Democratic convention, but that the delegates that Hillary Clinton won in those states should not be allocated to her. He said it "defies logic" to give her the delegates because the candidates agreed to abide by Democratic National Committee rules and not campaign in those states.

"The whole point of campaigning is that the voters actually start getting to know who the candidates are," Obama said. "If we had made that determination and all these states are just putting my name on the ballot without me campaigning or running any significant ads, I would have lost by 20 points across the country, right? I don't think anybody would think that was fair."

Clinton won easily in both Florida and Michigan the first time around, but Obama took his name off the ballot in Michigan and didn't campaign at all in Florida, per DNC rules.

Obama said his campaign opposes a mail-in option in Florida, in part because of logistical concerns. He noted that both Clinton and the Florida house delegation also disagree with this option, but he hopes that an agreement will be reached soon. "Our campaign has been in conversations with the Michigan delegation, the Florida delegation, and the DNC and talked about what options are out there and I think they're going to be explored over the next several weeks," he said.

Obama also commented on Eliot Spitzer's resignation, calling it a "tragedy." When asked if it may impact Clinton's campaign, Obama argued that it should not. "I think that first of all Senator Clinton should be judged on her own merits," he said. "I think that people can actually draw better conclusions from how our respective campaigns have been run where I am in charge of my campaign and she's in charge of hers."

There is also the ongoing endorsement battle between the two candidates. Obama admitted to speaking to Al Gore last week and John Edwards two weeks ago, but did not indicate whether he expects an endorsement from either.

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by sammykay3 March 14, 2008 5:48 PM EDT: I am not Sen. Obama fan but I would like to say one thing, If you know anything this guys has done to make him not eligible to lead this country why cant you say it so that the Democratic party leader will cast him out of this race.Come out of any wrong doings of this guys so that we can end this race as quichly as possible.

You may be my friend but I may not know all you doings. I will never defends what is not defendable

For example is the just disgraced NY gov.

He is an upright man as people know him; supposed he was not cought by FBI who will ever know he engadged in such a shameful act.

My friend give me a break

Let justice prevail let the voice of people heard.

At the end D party will win the election.

I will support whoever wins the primary.; Reply to this comment


by crtoo March 14, 2008 5:33 PM EDT: I keep getting drawn back to his own words and actions. Rather non-actions.

In this article "....he said. %u201CI think that people can actually draw better conclusions from how our respective campaigns have been run where I am in charge of my campaign and she%u2019s in charge of hers.%u201D

Directed to the accusations of racism from her constituents. All of which she rejected and took action.

Whereas not once has Obama rejected nor taken action against his constituents.

This is how he plays the race card to his advantage and is destroying the parties chances to win the General election.

I would respect him if he had the stones to stand up and say "Stop with the race smut". Or "I do not agree with what So and So said and reject his comments."

Why should he, it gets him more votes to go along. He will do WHAT EVER it takes to get elected, just like every other politician will, yet postulates how he is different and removed from it.

He is a Chameleon. Wolf in Sheeps clothing and dangerous.; Reply to this comment


by crtoo March 14, 2008 5:15 PM EDT: So long as the Rev. Wright kept his opinion off the front pages he was of great influence to Sen. Obama, once they became a topic of concern to his followers, he distances himself from the Rev.

And by the way Rev. Obama grew up in Hawaii and did not face all the racists tragedies you liken to him. Obama stated he did not suffer prejudice and He was raised by those so called "Rich White Folks".

Obama''s relationship with Rezko, So long as he was not on the front pages Obama denied any relationship or knowledge of his wrong doings. Once it became public Obama danced from one side to the other about knowing vs. not knowing, friends vs. not friends, contributions vs. no contributions.

I am sure there are other things to come out which will paint a different light on Obama, than he portrays now.

Those things are really just part of Politics. But Obama''s hypocrisy about his own shortcomings and his adamant stand against politics as usual is what speaks in capital letters about the man.

He cannot throw mud into a fan and not get smudged.; Reply to this comment


by sammykay3 March 14, 2008 5:11 PM EDT: Has he ever made this type of idiotic statement? before, if he does, didyou know what Barack has told him? if not I dont want you to judge people so that should not be judged according to our holy Bible.
Let face the current problem how democratic party will win the election in November; Reply to this comment


by sammykay3 March 14, 2008 4:40 PM EDT: i think we should forget Reverend Wright, he is for the past we are talking about the future here, Obama has distances himself from this man; to me it seems the man is paranoid, he was out of character. how can you say what happened to America 9/11 is right. this man is not normal let forget about him.

If there is revote and Obama looses; then he has not connect with the state voters, if he wins well voters believes they have trust in him.

Dont let us attach any meaning to what Reverend Wright was saying .

He is an !!!!!!! I dont want to be rude on this debate.

Just pray for God guidiance . I dont want anything than Democratic party V I C T O R Y in November; Reply to this comment


by crtoo March 14, 2008 4:38 PM EDT: and while i''''m at it, does anyone out there believe that the 80%-90% black vote for obama is not at the very least somewhat racist?

YES, I agree.

To spin it any other way is a lie. People have been cloaking their thoughts why they are voting for Obama because they can not accept in themselves that they are voting for him as a Black. Either because they think it is the right time, or poor guy give him a break, or just because he is running as a Black candidate.

I do not negate the fact that he is educated, yes he is. I do not negate the fact that he has about as much experience as Bush had.

I do not negate the fact that he is an idealist.

I do find him to be silver tongued and evasive.

I do find him to be opportunistic and playing both sides.

I do find him to be subliminally extremist in his messages.

I do find him playing the race card to his advantage.

I do find him to be a coward and only reacts to public opinion.

I do not want him as president, until such time as he can be honest with the public as well as to himself. I think he truly believes in his own hype to the point of ignorance on reality.

I once thought he would make a good President, but found he jumped the gun. His own arrogance let him down this path. He can use some humility and time to prove he can do what he imagines he can do. So far he has not proven he can do any of what he says. His voting record and his own words in the past, which he does not speak of now, proves he has more to learn.; Reply to this comment


by crtoo March 14, 2008 4:26 PM EDT: I believe the people of Mi. and Fl. should have a say in who is to represent them on the Democratic ticket.

A new election should be held in both states.

neither Senators Obama nor Clinton should have more say, campaigning or advertising in either States.

Those States should not economically benefit with all the money spend in advertising and housing all the campaign people.

If they count the delegates in either State without another election, then it is pure politics and to heck with what the people want or should have.

For either candidate to spar for delegates based on the past elections is a fraud.; Reply to this comment


by whanna4 March 14, 2008 4:23 PM EDT: barack knows that it is very hard for him to win a closed primary like florida and michigan, the caucus wins in republican states and the open primary states he will not win all of them again in the general election. republicans voting for him in the open primary states voted against hillary as much if not more than voting for him. and while i''m at it, does anyone out there believe that the 80%-90% black vote for obama is not at the very least somewhat racist? if not he has to be the most perfect candidate unknown to the white masses. finally, he has won a couple of states necessary for a democrat to win the general election, i will be urging my and other superdeligates to look at the electability and not what a minority of potential voters are letting their emotions dictate, after all the young vote and black vote will not carry a liberal to the white house. the neocons are licking their chops.; Reply to this comment


by sammykay3 March 14, 2008 3:52 PM EDT: Hi Mate CRTOO,

I dontdont want to drawn into argument but try and face reality.
Sen Obama did not win in FL no matter what happened sen. Cliton won there she will have the large nos of deligates,when he said that he want deligates of both Fl and MI to be seated he is trying to solve the problem. let me tell you if I were him I will refused the deligates to be seated honest ask me why? because there is rules in place before the election. Do you want to tell me that those rules are meant for animals?. But because he wants peace to reign he wanted the deligates to be seated because they were part of the process, how can you justify a deligates where his name was not even on a ballot in MI to be seated with remedy. think of it yourslf. well what ever happened somebody will be the nomeneeif it happened to Hillar good luck if it happened to be Barack good luck, my prayer is that may almighty God in his infinity rebuild America and safe us from the hand od our enemy.

Once again my advice to Democratic party leaders is that they should pary for Gods wisdom and guidiance to enable them arrives in better judgement.
WISDOM! WISDOM!! WISDOM!!!D LEADERS
FORGET SELFISHNES AND SELFCENTERED
WORK FOR THE RECOVERY OF AMERICAN ECONOMY.

GOD BLESS AMERICA; Reply to this comment


by craigh9 March 14, 2008 3:34 PM EDT: This is so ridiculous-

-Florida and Michigan bosses make a decision based solely to get more exposure by moving up their primary.

-Florida and Michigan bosses were informed of consequences of doing so but make a concious decision to go forward anyway with the new time table.

-The candidates were informed of the consequences and agreed to them, including not campaigning there.

-The candidate that would benefit most from having these tainted elections count is shocked that the people of Florida and Michigan won''''t be heard - when this information was known and agreed to months before.

-The Florida and Michigan bosses are shocked that the consequences they knew about will actually be followed through on.

-The Florida and Michigan bosses now claim the DNC is somehow to blame for the situation and need to take action.

I feel sorry for the people of Florida and Michigan that their votes and delegates will not count - but put your anger where it belongs - squarely on the party bosses and election officals that have made Florida the laughing stock of the nation when it comes to the election process and is now having Michigan run a close second.

The only action required by the DNC is to stand by their decision and MAYBE, JUST MAYBE the states will abide by the ground rules next time.; Reply to this comment