Obama, Edwards skip rogue primary states

[cal04]

Barack Obama and John Edwards on Saturday joined three other Democrats planning to skip states that break party rules by holding early primaries. Their pledge leaves front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton alone in planning to compete in Florida and Michigan.

Obama's and Edwards' pledge came a day after Chris Dodd, Bill Richardson and Joe Biden said they wouldn't campaign in such states.

"As I have campaigned across America over the last six months, it's become clear that Governor Dean and the Democratic National Committee have put together a presidential nomination process that's in the best interests of our party and our nation," Obama said in a written statement.

The five have signed onto a pledge circulated by Democratic leaders of the four states that have party approval to hold early contests — Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina. The pledge says they won't compete in any other states that vote before Feb. 5, as Florida plans to do and Michigan is poised to do.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070901/ap_on_el_pr/primary_campaign_pledge_15

Edwards Signs Four State Pledge
“This election, more than any other, is about real change and choosing the candidate who is going to fight for that change,” said Edwards. “Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina need to be first because in these states ideas count, not just money. These are places where voters get to look the candidate in the eye and measure their policies, ideas, and integrity. That’s why I am signing this pledge. This tried-and-true nominating system is the only way for voters to judge the field based on the quality of the candidate, not the depth of their war chest.

“I strongly encourage my fellow candidates to support this four state pledge. The Democratic Party is the party of ideas, not money; Main Street, not Wall Street; and real people, not Washington insiders, and signing this pledge reaffirms that.”

http://johnedwards.com/news/press-releases/20070901-four-state-pledge/

[DeepModem Mom]

1. BIG news -- K&R

[Adelante]

2. Excellent

I commend both of them along with Dodd, Richardson and Biden.

[MaineDem]

3. K&R as well. n/t

[tammywammy]

4. K&R

Good news.

[Gregorian]

5. These guys are really good. I'm feeling proud. I don't believe it.

First the Noise "debate", and now the manipulation of primaries.

[nevergiveup]

6. This was a wise decision

I love both of these guys.

[journalist3072]

7. I have yet to hear someone offer a reasonable, rational explanation as to why

Iowa and New Hampshire should always be first. Who annointed them?

I simply think that other states want the candiates to pay the same attention to them, that they do Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

Other states feel left out of the process, and rightly so.

[slick8790]

10. I don't think it's a matter of that.

All these states voted to abide by these rules that govern which state can have their primaries in what order. Florida and Michagin have decided to disobey these rules, and are paying the price. I think we should have a randomized schedule, in my opinion, but in this election we don't, and since they're violating rules they voted for, they have to pay the price.

[Adelante]

13. That's fine and at the next reform of the primary process

They should fight to get it changed. But meanwhile they agreed to the compromise of introducing South Carolina and Nevada into the front with Iowa and New Hampshire to bring more diversity. They voted for the rule and should uphold it. Now they've decided arbitrarily, in the middle of primary season, they don't need no frigging rulez, when the majority of the states are adhering. They don't get to do that. We don't need the party in chaos in a presidential primary. However, if the big states like Florida and Michigan get to the front, it means disaster for any candidate who can't afford to run in expensive media markets. It's the smaller states with their retail politicking that offer a stage to all of our candidates, not just the wealthiest.

[seasat]

18. We need small population states first to keep the primaries competitive.

Otherwise, the candidate with the most money and name recognition would win each time. Public financing would help limit this. However, you'd still need some retail politics involved to allow those with little name recognition to move up enough to qualify for public financing.

I'm in Florida and I think our move was stupid. If we'd simply moved to February 5th we'd have so many candidates coming here that we'd be sick of it. Our large delegate count and swing state status would make Florida one of the top prizes on Feb 5th. Instead we screwed it up and made it so that the only candidates that have the ability to compete are the major ones with large bankrolls.

[CTLawGuy]

37. the delegates at the convention where the primary scheduling rules were approved

they "annointed" those 4 states.

If you don't like that, change the rules for next time, don't try to thwart them unless you want a national primary in December.

[MethuenProgressive]

8. Were they even in contention in those two states?

If they were, that'd put more meaning into the boycott.
If not...

[jmp]

32. lol ... no.

Hillary is running away with both states ... along with just about every other state.

[Cameron27]

9. Good move,

I'm glad they made this decision.

[Colobo]

11. If Obama gets some benefit out of this, good for him.

[madfloridian]

12. Is Kucinich planning to campaign here?

I heard he spoke out for Florida's side before, but so did Edwards once. Has anyone heard?

[IndianaGreen]

14. If you snub Florida and Michigan today, they will snub you next Fall

It is the height of hypocrisy to portray yourself as a candidate of change, like Edwards has, while embracing those Ethanol whores in Iowa and the obsessive-compulsive "we-must-be-first" in New Hampshire.

Hillary shows wisdom in not rushing to sign up the loyalty oath of the four dwarf planets.

We need Florida and Michigan, we can live without the four dwarf planets.

[dansolo]

16. That debate should have occurred at the proper time

Other states had the chance to argue against the current primary process, but chose not to.

[yewberry]

17. And they will happily cost us the election, I guess.

You don't see that as just a little selfish and self-defeating, do you?

The candidates are probably doing their best to work with the party, no hypocrisy in that. There are currently 48 states that are playing by the rules, and the candidates need the votes in those states, too.

And you've made it pretty clear that you disagree with the small-state strategy. Why resort to insulting states and their voters?

[IndianaGreen]

19. Nothing like the pathetic sight of candidates pandering to the ethanol whores in Iowa

"I'm an ethanol man!"

George W. Bush
Iowa, 2000

It takes one and a half gallon of oil to produce one gallon of ethanol. How is this good for us? In addition, as more grain is diverted to biofuels, food prices increase in our grocery stores. Many world leaders have warned of mass starvation caused by increased used of biofuels--it is just more profitable to convert grain into fuel than it is to produce bread. How is this good for the human race and the planet?

[yewberry]

20. What does that have to do with my post?

I'm not arguing for ethanol. I'm pointing out that FL & MI are willing to screw the rest of the country out of sheer selfishness.

[IndianaGreen]

22. It is Iowa and New Hampshire that are crapping on the rest of the country

by their irrational belief they are entitled to be first. What's their track record anyway?

New Hampshire picked Tsongas in 1992, instead of the Presidential winner Bill Clinton, while Iowa picked "Mister Electable" in 2004, who ended up a loser that Fall.

[yewberry]

24. Then work to get the primary process changed.

For FL & MI to blackmail the rest of the country is plain wrong whether you disagree with the small-state plan or not. They had the opportunity to move their primary but chose to just say a giant "fuck you" to every other state instead.

And insulting people is no way to coalition-build.

[IndianaGreen]

25. The DNC's electoral reform "compromise" was keeping IA and NH first

and adding two dwarf planets, thus maintaining the status quo while giving the illusion of reform.

The only "rogue" states here are Iowa and New Hampshire for their insane compulsion to be first.

[yewberry]

26. So then it's reasonable

for FL & MI to decide for every Dem in the country that the small-state plan is invalid and that the rules that were agreed to by all don't apply to them?

No. It's not.

[IndianaGreen]

29. Michigan Governor Granholm said today she is taking this fight to the convention floor

Assuming that Florida and Michigan (and perhaps Arizona), take this issue to the convention floor, there is a good chance that a majority of delegates will overrule Dean, and his appointees in the Credentials Committee, and seat the Florida and Michigan delegations.

Most delegates come from states that are really tired of Iowa and New Hampshire's monopoly. Some leftist delegates will support the challengers because they see the DNC position as being authoritarian and undemocratic, and because they also think the current system is shit. Some centrist delegates will support the challengers because they want to embarrass Dean and take over the DNC.

[yewberry]

30. Answer my question.

Is it reasonable for FL & MI to decide for every Dem in the country that the small-state plan is invalid and that the rules that were agreed to by all don't apply to them?

Frankly, I don't give shit what any noncompliant states do. They should be assigned to permanent "last-in-the-nation" status for pulling this crap in mid-primary season. And please, don't suggest that I don't understand how oh-so-hard it is for states outside of the first four. I live in Washingron state.

[jmp]

34. In the Soviet Union, red China & the DNC

The party dictates to the people. One of them has already collapsed. We're still waiting on the other two.

In the free world, things work the other way around. The people dictate to the party.

But who really needs democracy anyway? Certainly not the Democratic Party. :eyes:

[Bongo Prophet]

36. DNC = USSR and China? And now you say you are voting for Rudy, in related thread. Wow.

And yet you are for Howard Dean in '08, whatever that means.
Your contradictions are getting interesting.

Pro Dean, yet Pro Hillary and anti DNC.
Since Hillary joined in the pledge too, you are voting Ghouliani because you are not in Iraq and are doing quite well.
Screwww the rest of us. Are you sure you feel at home here, or are you just confused and new at this stuff?


Are you so far right that Rudy is your 2nd choice after Hillary?
But you are a Dean supporter?:crazy:


Maybe you can clarify that a bit, because it is like a recent Kucinich to Ron Paul discussion this week.

[CTLawGuy]

38. Howard Dean in 08 means he is going to screw

over the democratic presidential candidate in 08 and help the republican by writing in Howard Dean for president. Nothing but pure selfishness and bullying.

People like that should be ashamed of themselves...

[jmp]

40. Why? You don't seem particularly ashamed ...

Of backing the DNC's screwing me. :eyes:

[CTLawGuy]

41. you are screwing yourself

by refusing to vote on a date that conforms with the rules.

[JI7]

27. other states are free to vote for who they want, they aren't forced to vote for

the candidate that Iowa and New Hampshire votes for.

maybe it's the failure of people complaining to actually do the hard work and get people interested in the Primary in their state.

the 2004 election was close. unlike the 2004 Primary where the so called better candidates lost in a landslide to a candidate people love to attack.

it seems more like those who are complaining about the schedule are those bitter over their candidate losing.

btw, Wes Clark didn't even compete in Iowa and he came in 2nd in many states later on in the Primary.

as you say, Bill Clinton lost New Hampshire and still won, so if a candidate and their supporters are able to make a convincing case then they do have a chance to win in later states as Clinton did. but it's easier for some to blame Iowa aND New Hampshire than to take responsibility for their own failures to get support for their candidate.

[jmp]

35. Come on ... laugh a little.

The DNC just added Florida and Michigan to the "axis of evil".

Iraq
Iran
N.Korea
Florida
Michigan

Bush might finally have to bring our troops home. :P

[ChiciB1]

15. Gee, I Guess I Won't Be Voting In The Primary In Florida!! If It's Only

Clinton who will campaign, the idiots down here will NEVER UNDERSTAND what happened!!

However, I do want them all to SKIP Florida! Once again, Florida gets to be hung out to dry because of people like BILL NELSON!!

Bob Graham, where ARE you?????

[jmp]

33. ...

...

[Cha]

21. Hot Diggity! I like what Obama says!~

"As I have campaigned across America over the last six months, it's become clear that Governor Dean and the Democratic National Committee have put together a presidential nomination process that's in the best interests of our party and our nation," Obama said in a written statement."

Obama appreciates what Dean and The DNC have DONE!

And John Edwards!..
"I strongly encourage my fellow candidates to support this four state pledge. The Democratic Party is the party of ideas, not money; Main Street, not Wall Street; and real people, not Washington insiders, and signing this pledge reaffirms that.” I'm impressed!

[jillan]

23. I am so happy to read this.

Good that they are sticking together on this.

[illinoisprogressive]

28. Oh joy!!!! I was so hoping both would join the pledge. I am sooo happy.

[jmp]

31. This just proves ...

That Edwards & Obama are just running as spoilers. They know they have no real hope of being elected President.

[GreenEyedLefty]

39. On edit:

I had said I will vote for Hillary, but it appears she's not coming, either.

I'm a proud Michigander and lifelong Democrat who feels cheated by this process. And more than a little disenfranchised. It's stupid, petty and divisive. Kind of like the GOP. Think about it.

We're above this, folks.