Florida, Michigan Primary Do-Overs?

Increasing Calls For New Vote In States Disqualified By Democratic Party

(CBS/AP)  The governors of Michigan and Florida are saying it's increasingly important that delegates from the two states be seated.

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and Florida Governor Charlie Crist say it's "reprehensible" the voices of 5.2 million people who voted in the two primaries would be silenced.

Granholm, along with top officials in Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign and Florida's state party chair, are now saying they would consider holding a sort of do-over contest by June. That's a change from their previous insistence that the primaries their states held in January should determine how their delegates are allocated.

CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield reported Wednesday that the Clinton campaign was considering asking for "re-dos" in the two states.

Clinton won both contests, but the results were meaningless because the elections violated national party rules.

The Democratic National Committee stripped both states of all delegates for holding the primaries too early, and all Democratic candidates - including Clinton and rival Barack Obama - agreed not to campaign in either state. Obama's name wasn't even on the Michigan ballot.

"A do-over could change the whole complexion of this race," Greenfield said.

Crist and Granholm called it "intolerable" Wednesday that the DNC had stripped the states of their delegates for moving up their primaries in violation of DNC rules.

DNC officials have suggested to both Michigan and Florida that holding another presidential contest of some kind would be one way to get the delegates seated. Both states had maintained that holding caucuses would be too expensive.

Florida and Michigan moved up their dates to protest the party's decision to allow Iowa and New Hampshire to go first, followed by South Carolina and Nevada, giving them a disproportionate influence on the presidential selection process.

But no one predicted the race would still be very close at this point in the year.

Ironically, Michigan and Florida could have held crucial primaries had they stayed with their traditional later dates. They may yet do so if they decide to hold new contests as Clinton and Obama compete to the wire.

Clinton has been insisting that the desires of more than 2 million people who cast Democratic ballots in the two states should be reflected at the convention, which would help her catch up to Obama in the race for delegates. Obama has said that he, too, wants the delegates from the two critical swing states to participate, but not if Clinton is rewarded for victories in boycotted primaries.

"Let's let all of the voters go again if they are willing to do it," Clinton adviser Terry McAuliffe said Tuesday night on MSNBC. "Whatever we have to do to get people in the system, let's do it."

The new contests could be part of a strategy for Clinton to come back in the race and attract votes from super delegates who are not bound by any primary or caucus votes, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell told the network. "Let's assume for the moment Hillary Clinton wins Ohio and Texas, she wins Pennsylvania, Florida and Michigan have primaries in June, she wins both of those," said Rendell, who has endorsed Clinton. "Then, can the super delegates look at that and say, `Gosh, she's won the last five big primaries in a row. She's won almost every big primary since we began.'"

Granholm, a Clinton supporter, told the Detroit Free Press that Clinton's victory in Ohio changes "the landscape a bit." She said it could open the door to a caucus, if it can be privately funded and both candidates agree.

[samrlim]

I THINK IT THE BEST INTEREST OF THE DEMOCRAT TO
DO-OVER THE FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN AND DO IT RIGHT AWAY SO WHOEVER THE NOMINEE FOR THE DEMOCRAT HAS THE TIME TO RAISE MONEY FOR THERE CANDIDACY AND PREPARE AGAINST THE REPUBLICAN. I THINK THAT IS JUST FAIR AND SQUARE AND LEAVE EGO IN THE BURNER. DEMOCRAT NEED TO UNIFY TOGETHER SO THEY CAN GET THE WHITE HOUSE THAT IS THE GOAL!

[samthetvcat]

"Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell told the network. "Let''s assume for the moment Hillary Clinton wins Ohio and Texas, she wins Pennsylvania, Florida and Michigan have primaries in June, she wins both of those," said Rendell, who has endorsed Clinton. "Then, can the super delegates look at that and say, `Gosh, she''s won the last five big primaries in a row. She''s won almost every big primary since we began.''"

This guy should have just stuck to pointing out that Barack is black because logic clearly isn''t his strong-suit.

[ontheleft]

Weren''t Michigan and Florida told that their delegates wouldn''t count if they moved their primaries up? They did so and now their delegates don''t count. End of story. Tell the voters in Michigan and Florida to complain to their state governors who signed off on the early primaries.

[samthetvcat]

How convenient of Hillary and her supporters who conducted themselves like gutter trolls this whole time to now be desperate for unity.

Hillary''s deadweight, and with somebody like former Governor of Virginia Mark Warner, Barack and he could form a bipartisan coalition which could actually turn the economy around, create jobs, and strengthen our national security.

[jack99123]

No need to have another contest .
With winner take all Clinton will have 1721 pledged delegates including Florida & Michigan and Obama will have 1142. Obama will be gone by now. Not only that if the electoral vote method is used, Hillay will have 263 votes and Obama 190. Only 270 votes are needed to win.

John McCain will never win the presidency, no matter who he goes
up again Clinton or Obama. It is time for the Republicans to get out
of "Dodge" they can try in another eight years!
Everyone on this blog knows, that the best Democratic nominee for
the presidency is Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The Reasons why are many but here are a few;
she will be ready on day one,
she is intelligent and understands the issues,
she will have very effective solutions to the chaotic confusion and
disorderliness, left on her desk in the White House, by George Bush
she already has in place the best Military advisors in America etc.

[thomderr]

Billy Joel said it best, "Do it right the first time it''s the main thing.''

Show some guts. If you said the votes wouldn''t count - they don''t count. Don''t manipulate the rules to the pleasure of either candidate. Or whomsoever the party wants to back at the time.

[horse3farm]

No matter how the count comes out, I offer that it is unconstitutional that 2 states of voters don''t count towards one of the most important elections this country holds. If I were a citizen of Florida or Michigan, I would be in uproars. Breaking the idiotic "held too early" rule is penalizing the 5.2 million people who voted. Period.

[clifden6]

Hillary''''s deadweight, and with somebody like former Governor of Virginia Mark Warner, Barack and he could form a bipartisan coalition which could actually turn the economy around, create jobs, and strengthen our national security.Posted by SamTheTVCat at 03:10 AM : Mar 06, 2008

Mark Warner certainly has the fiscal management credentials considering his outstanding turnaround for Virginia. Describing Hillary as deadweight is a compliment compared to what she and Bill will really do to the Democratic Party in Novemmber, and that is to destroy it, along with the hopes of the American people.

[bpe-dsm]

I''m sorry, but neither state moved their primary date because it made them more democratic or empowered there voters with more liberty.

They, and this is purely the state''s party leaders, wanted 15 minutes in the media spotlight. This continued spot on the news is one big lame distraction from real campaigning and real news.

The state''s voters SHOULD be in an uproar, at what a farce their own state party leaders could make the process after being told in the simplest means possible what would happen if they did. If these are adults, they should be responsible.

If later on they say not to punish the voters for their actions, this is representative democracy, the people don''t get a redo, its called next time vote those leaders out. These idiots were all voted into office.

After the Gore winning popular vote election, you''d think the DNC would try not to echo so similar a play for power by one of the old guard. Hillary is the coke to Bush''s pepsi. What we need is a tall glass of water to wash it down.

[spinster2]

I have to admit, I enjoy watching all the commentators and pundits on MSNBC eat crow. Their biased coverage deserves such results.

The notion that Florida''s and Minnisota''s voter''s should have no say is riduculous. Their not the one''s who moved their primary''s up, the state DNC is.

[spinster2]

Just face it Obama. YOU GOT CAUGHT lying about your meetings with the Canadian''s and only told the truth after a memo surfaced. If you think Hillary has went negative on you, your just a weenie and a lying weenie at that.

[farmerbb]

Do them all the same day. Save all that campaign spending. No one state has (or should have) an advantage.

[iceman_1960]

The Bush endorsement:

KISS OF DEATH:

"Republican McCain trails Clinton and Obama: poll

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain trails Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in hypothetical matchups, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll released on Wednesday.

Illinois Sen. Obama leads McCain by 12 percentage points -- 52 percent to 40 percent; New York Sen. Clinton leads McCain by 6 points -- 50 percent to 44 percent, the poll found."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080306/pl_nm/usa_politics_poll_dc_1

[vet_sk]

""she will be ready on day one"" That is only because she says so; cetainly the facts don''t point that way. She can''t even keep track of her campaign no less the country.

Then we found today that 8% of her vote in Texas has been conservatives Rush Limbough inspired voters who were trying to knock Obama out of the water.

[vet_sk]

spinster2: Can you really say with a straight face that you think Hillary is even remotely more honest than Obama? My god man, that is the first barrel laugh I''ve had in days. And Hillary has you convinced she is the right one for the job why? Oh, all of her experience serving tea in the Whitehouse because she could not have been in national security briefings since she did not have a clearance. And after a day of being President, you think Bill walked back from the East Wing and started asking Hillary''s advice? That''s a good one. And in the Senate which she earned only because she was Bill''s wife (no slight to women but let''s be realistic Hillary from nowhere with no elected experiece runs in New York for the senators your and she get it. Please. And what has she accomplished. Nothing! She tried health care once and failed? She voted for the Iraq War and failed. Obama has more large bills that have passed to law then Clinton has even though Clinton has been in the senate an extra 3 years.

[popstom1]

Vet you need to do more research boy more republican
Voted for Obama and you need to do some Hard Reading
on Hillary Clinton

[squidly8]

thomderr, the rules don''t apply to the Clintons. They believe that HRC was anointed to be the nominee and BO is just getting in the way of what is rightfully hers. She agreed to the rules a year ago when she felt she would be coronated with the Dem nomination. Now when BO is winning she wants the rules changed.

Mutmee, the Clintons dont care about the DNC, they care about themselves. It has always been, is now and will always be about them.

Two years ago the Dems had this presidential election in the bag and now all of their infighting has reduced it a much more equal contest. HRC cant see that because she is too concerned about herself. All of the whinings about Gore winning the popular vote and losing the delegate vote are becoming a reality within the Dem party. Racism is alive and well within the Dem party. Privilige over the people you are supposed to be championing is living a good life in the Dem party.

Dems, you are throwing it all away by your selfishness

[patinflorida]

Absolutely NOT. Who is going to pay for this special vote? There is no way that taxpayers should be required to fund this folly. Just take the vote count that was already done. If an election is called, I will not go this time. I already went.

[johngoodnews]

Why the charade? Democratic Primaries aren''t real elections, are they? The choice of the candidate will be made by party insiders who preselect their candidate and then game the vote with delegate seating rules and post- general vote caucusing to include their selection and exclude other candidates. It took me a while to get it. I think Clinton angers the Democratic party insiders because she''s just a lot quicker than they are and because she is surviving the left wing media screwjob she''s getting.

[craigh9]

Talk about sheer arrogance. Michigan and Flroida officals intentionally moved their primaries to be more in the limelight against the rules. They knew it, they chose to do it, and appropriate sanctions were placed upon them. Know they have the hutzpuh to claim foul!!!! What a bunch of idiots - don''t provide them with a single delegate and maybe next time they will use their heads.

[cfin5]

Uh, no no no you don''t. Can''t be changing the rules after the race has started people. Get back in the rules line or forfeit!.....You guys made''em, so live with them cause I don''t for one second believe you were trying to "punish" your own party candidates and the like,....rather manipulate the election to your advantage.

[goldesprit]

"Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and Florida Governor Charlie Crist say it''s "reprehensible" the voices of 5.2 million people WHO VOTED [already] in the two primaries would be silenced."

I agree--and since they already voted... simply allow those cast votes to count--instead of further REAL MANIPULATION!!!!!

[goldesprit]

The original expressed intent on the part of the voters and the states involved--was that the original votes count.

That is what should happen, not some further attempt at these states trying to get un-due attention.

They were wrong to violate their parties rules-- but the votes are real--with real lawful intent.

[irishbitch12]

They knew that if they held their primaries when they did they would be penalized. You broke the rules now accept the consequences!

[ioweign]

The states of Florida and Michigan broke the rules, knew they were breaking the rules and now want a blessing after the fact because they broke the rules. The CDC better check the water in Florida and Michigan...

[goldesprit]

The original expressed intent on the part of the voters and the states involved--was that the original votes count.

That is what should happen, not some further attempt at these states trying to get un-due attention.

The party folks in charge were wrong to violate their parties rules-- but the votes are from American Citizens who were manifesting real lawful intent to vote-- the votes are real--with real lawful intent.

[ioweign]

"Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and Florida Governor Charlie Crist say it''''s "reprehensible" the voices of 5.2 million people WHO VOTED [already] in the two primaries would be silenced."

I agree--and since they already voted... simply allow those cast votes to count--instead of further REAL MANIPULATION!!!!!


Posted by goldesprit at 08:11 AM : Mar 06, 2008


The manipulation took place when these two states violated their party rules.

What is really scary is these two are governors and cannot live by the rules...

[craigh9]

I agree--and since they already voted... simply allow those cast votes to count--instead of further REAL MANIPULATION!!!!!
We wouldn''t be looking for an unfair advantage for Hillary would we!

[craigh9]

Rules in the Political World???? LOL

I think Howard Dean are trying very hard to UPSET Voters in FL and MI, so DEM party can lose another Election... He ought to be FIRED!!!

Latinos have made it LOUD and CLEAR, we WANT Hillary.... NOT Osama.

Or else we WILL set out for McCain who has also been friendly to Latinos.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by metroduck75 at 08:22 AM : Mar 06, 2008

Those rules were set forth and agreed to well in advance. If Hillary had the lead Obama has we wouldn''t hear a single peep - it is nothing more than manipulation to change the rules in order to change the outcome of which some folks don''t agree with. Obama spent no time in Florida and wasn''t even on the ballot in Michigan but the Hillary supporters don''t give a *** - they just need to find someway to close the gap in delegates - especially now when if she wins every remaining primary by 10% of the vote she still comes up short. Feel free to vote for McCain - because Obama will get the nomination.

[ioweign]

Rules in the Political World???? LOL

I think Howard Dean are trying very hard to UPSET Voters in FL and MI, so DEM party can lose another Election... He ought to be FIRED!!!

Latinos have made it LOUD and CLEAR, we WANT Hillary.... NOT Osama.

Or else we WILL set out for McCain who has also been friendly to Latinos.


Posted by metroduck75 at 08:22 AM : Mar 06, 2008

Howard Dean should be fired because Florida failed to follow and go by the rules. The voters in Florida and Michigan are to blame for their own short-sighted rule breaking behavior...put the blame where it belongs in Florida and Michigan.

[craigh9]

The original expressed intent on the part of the voters and the states involved--was that the original votes count.

That is what should happen, not some further attempt at these states trying to get un-due attention.

The party folks in charge were wrong to violate their parties rules-- but the votes are from American Citizens who were manifesting real lawful intent to vote-- the votes are real--with real lawful intent.






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by goldesprit at 08:28 AM : Mar 06, 2008

NOT GONNA HAPPEN MY FRIEND _ GET USED TO THE IDEA

[antoniof123]

Posted by craigh9 at 07:42 AM : Mar 06, 2008

When did voting become a privallege instead of a right.

Is that the way now sound a lot like Facism to me and maybe to millions of Americans.

Have a nice day if the DNC doesn''t fix this problem I say the ones in charge should be fired and replaced. No exceptions.

[pensacola88]

No one in Florida realistcally expects a "Do-Over". Under-respresentation is part of the oppressed and deprived living that Florida offers Democrats.

[ksplr]

It is true that Clinton won in Florida and Michigan. It should be noted that ALL Democratic candidates agreed not to campaign in Florida due to the stripping of their delegates by the DNC. One candidate, however, makes their own rules and she made two visits to Florida before the Jan 29 primary, and attended a post primary celebration on Jan 29. The AP reported from Sarasota, Florida: She arrived in Sarasota taking care to abide by the details of the agreement, because events in Sarasota and later in Miami were not open to the public.

With a wink at the deal, Clinton carefully staged her arrival so she left her airplane with palm trees in the background for photographer.
"I will try to persuade my delegates to seat the delegates from Michigan and Florida," said Clinton in Tennessee, arguing that she was bowing to political reality. "Democrats have to win Michigan and have to try to win Florida and I intend to do that. The people of Florida deserve to be represented in the process of picking a candidate for president of the United States." (http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080127/D8UEG4RG0.html)
In the Michigan primary on Jan 15 Obama was not even icluded on the ballot. Clinton won, with second place going to Uncommitted. My guess is that IF Florida and Michigan were to hold primary mulligans (take another shot), the results might be different (or at least someone besides Uncommitted would take second in Michigan).

[ioweign]

When did voting become a privallege instead of a right.

Is that the way now sound a lot like Facism to me and maybe to millions of Americans.

Have a nice day if the DNC doesn''t fix this problem I say the ones in charge should be fired and replaced. No exceptions.


Posted by antoniof123 at 08:37 AM : Mar 06, 2008



The DNC didn''t create this - Florida and Michigan did.


Everyone can vote in Novemeber...

[vet_sk]

metroduck75 and others, what is wrong with Howard Dean''s plan. He said the states can submit a plan to and then vote. Or option 2, wait until June and the two campaigns can meet to decide what to do.

But to think that all those who did not turn out in Florida and Michigan because they were told their vote did not count, and now all of the sudden it it, doesn''t seem right.

Not sure why the Latinos community does not like Obama. Seems like with your smear of Osama we get the point. Also the exit polls in Texas indicate there was a huge whisper campaign that said Obama is a muslim, which is totally untrue.

Now it seems you want to manipulate the election with a OR ELSE - my way or the highway approach. No wonder you like Hillary because that is her approach and she never gets anything done. Have any health care in the last 15 years?

[ioweign]

No one in Florida realistcally expects a "Do-Over". Under-respresentation is part of the oppressed and deprived living that Florida offers Democrats.

Posted by Pensacola88 at 08:44 AM : Mar 06, 2008


And whose idea was it not to follow the rules...

[vet_sk]

metroduck75: I feel bad for you. You sound like you are going cry is you and Hillary don''t get your war.

Obama has been following the rules and the Hillary campaign keep trying to change them. We''ll support Hillary if she wins fair and sqaure but not if she changes the rules and forces supers to vote against the will of the people.

[ioweign]

IOWA the little State should NOT tell us the Big SWING State what to do.

IOWA has NOT right to claim to be "first-in-nation" considering its size.

The rule should NOT allow Iowa to vite first!!

Posted by metroduck75 at 08:53 AM : Mar 06, 2008


Maybe you should focus on the basics first.

Learn HOW to count the votes right the first time...

[vet_sk]

My final comment. If you don''t like rules then perhaps we should vote in George Bush again. He doesn''t follow rules either. Rules have kept this country strong and each time we break rules, people feel disenfranchised and vote that way.

metroduck75...And why are you voting for Hillary. It seems that you keep calling him Osama and then claim to be representing the Latinos - you certainly are not reprenting the Latinos community. I am not Latino but I know they are much more respectful then that. We are all in this together.

[kmccliment]

They should allow the elections results of both states. Neither candidate was allowed to campaign. As far as Obama not being on Florida''s ballot. Shame on him. It was on and he removed himself for some stupid reason. Mama always said, "Stupid is Stupid does"! A do over? Get serious at $25m I dont think so. However without those 2 states neither candidate is going to have the required dels to secure nomination.

[ioweign]

My final comment. If you don''''t like rules then perhaps we should vote in George Bush again. He doesn''t follow rules either. Rules have kept this country strong and each time we break rules, people feel disenfranchised and vote that way.

Posted by Vet_SK at 09:00 AM : Mar 06, 2008

I am not pro-Clinton or pro-Obama. I am very down on Bush and his regime. The breaking the rule stunts that Florida and Michigan are pulling smack of something the Republicans would do. Once again accountability takes a back seat...

[goldesprit]

The original expressed intent on the part of the voters and the states involved--was that the original votes count.

The voters were not going to the polls saying to themselves-- "I don''t want this to count." They did want their votes to count.

And their votes did count.

That is what should happen, not some further attempt at these states trying to get un-due attention.

The party folks in charge were wrong to violate their parties rules-- but the votes are from American Citizens who were manifesting real lawful intent to vote-- the votes are real--with real lawful intent.

[l00ker]

The new and young non Clinton Democratic voters, should use their ballot to ensure that the Clinton swamp doesn''t make it into the White House. They can vote for Nader or McPain, because either of the two are better than either of these Clintons. Yeah, we''ve all heard about this bomb Iran stuff, but that will change, and so will a host of other things. And if Barack runs as this witche''s running mate, then I want back all of the money that I sent him, so that I can send it to the other two, because he will not get another nickel from this one. It''s up to the people who don''t want these shills back into the White House to prevent it at all costs; it''s country and all of its citizens first, all else second. So, the Oamacans should not roll over for a party, which has sabotaged their hopes, dreams and future, and they should go Green, or Red in November. They''ll live, as they have these passed 20 years, and as they will depressively if this Clinton swamp slithers through Florida and Michigan.

[pepperwood2]

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton''s presidential campaign said Monday it will return $850,000 in illegal donations raised by Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu that WE KNOW about. who is under federal investigation for allegedly violating election laws.

Clinton, D-N.Y., previously had planned ONLY to give to charity $23,000 she received from Hsu.

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said he would donate nearly $40,000 in illegal contributions,that they KNOW OF to his favorite charity Hilpac.

Gov. Ed Rendell told the network. She WILL win Pennsylvania who has endorsed Clinton. Super delegates & she''s won almost every big primary since we began.
......................................................
Well there they go again.

First they create the Super Delegate States Which means that the votes by these People, count more than yours. Big population states have special considerations. This way when a situation comes up with a candidate the likes of an Obama, that threatens Hillarys chances, we can manipulate the delegate count in her favor. Pretty slick eh.

If the DNC & Rendell really want to do something right & above board for the people is to stop playing the Clinton policics of favoritism.

[mbcsmith]

The DNC didn''''t create this - Florida and Michigan did.


Everyone can vote in Novemeber...



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Posted by IOWEIGN at 08:47 AM : Mar 06, 2008

What are you talking about. Howard (eeeeeeeyyyaaaaaaa) Dean and his cronies created this mess. Now with Obama paying approx. $700,000 to superdelegates and Clinton Pating $300,000 to superdelegates, the LIB party is disenfranchisisg it''s own. And you people want to run the country. I think not.

[goldesprit]

The original expressed intent on the part of the voters and the states involved--was that the original votes count.

The voters were not going to the polls saying to themselves-- "I don''''t want this to count." They did want their votes to count.

And their votes did count.

That is what should happen, not some further attempt at these states trying to get un-due attention.

The party folks in charge were wrong to violate their parties rules-- but the votes are from American Citizens who were manifesting real lawful intent to vote-- the votes are real--with real lawful intent.

[ioweign]

The original expressed intent on the part of the voters and the states involved--was that the original votes count.

The voters were not going to the polls saying to themselves-- "I don''''t want this to count." They did want their votes to count.

And their votes did count.

That is what should happen, not some further attempt at these states trying to get un-due attention.

The party folks in charge were wrong to violate their parties rules-- but the votes are from American Citizens who were manifesting real lawful intent to vote-- the votes are real--with real lawful intent.


Posted by goldesprit at 09:10 AM : Mar 06, 2008


After you find out you have no cavities, you are trying to put the tooth paste back in the tube ...

[goldesprit]

OBarak himself has said that Texas and Ohio voters have been successfully missled!!!

I think they just voted in good faith!!!

Obama has been doing too much self hypnosis about how wonderful he is...

[craigh9]

Gee - Hillary agreed and signed off on not having these states count back when she had an overwhelming lead and it was to her advantage to minimize the number of primaries to have a competitor catch up to her. Now that she is losing she wants to change those rules "because its the right thing to do" - what a two faced loser.