Clinton will not remove name from MI ballot.

[rinsd]

October 9, 2007

By TODD SPANGLER

FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF

Sen. Hillary Clinton will remain a candidate in Michigan’s primary.

Her campaign staff this afternoon confirmed she will remain on Michigan's Jan. 15 ballot, despite the fact that other candidates – Barack Obama, John Edwards, Bill Richardson and Joe Biden – have withdrawn.

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A spokesman said Clinton thought removing her name was unnecessary because she already has pledged not to campaign in Michigan because the state broke national party rules by moving its primary to Jan. 15.

“This won’t take away from Iowa one bit,” said former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard, who is helping to run Clinton’s campaign in Michigan

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071009/NEWS06/71009050/1048/SPORTS

[William769]

1. Good for her!

K&R!

[rinsd]

5. Not sure yet if its a good move or a bad move.

This could be used as a weapon during caucusing because by then the results of the election will be known.

Then again same could be said for FL.

[Lucinda]

12. Yep. I'm not sure what I think of it

or of the others pulling out - when all they had to do is just not campaign there...

It's one of those areas I just don't know enough about.

What I am sure of, is that the other candidate (and DU) attacks against her decision will start any minute.

[William769]

15. With two major Primary States

And with Florida's recent history with voting problems, the DNC has some tough choices to make. and at the rate they are going they are going to single handedly keep a republican in the White House. Our convention will be reminiscent of the not to distant past.

[waiting for hope]

23. Donna Brazile had something to

say about all of this:

Despite claims to the contrary, the DNC is on firm legal ground. The question was settled by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981, when it ruled that the national parties, not the states, determine the rules governing their respective presidential nominating processes. Failure to apply the rules would have been an affront to the states that adhered to them -- and an invitation for more states to break them. Even after our firm action, the Michigan House went ahead and approved a measure this week to move the state's primary up to Jan. 15, and Gov. Jennifer Granholm (a Democrat) said she will sign it. Wyoming is still making noises about moving its date to Jan.5.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101427.html

[William769]

26. Has nothing to to do with being on legal ground.

What I am speaking of is the perception of the voters in the States affected and the delegates when they go to the convention. That has nothing to do with the Supreme Court, has everything to do with the infighting and disarray that will be caused at the convention and at the polls.

[robinlynne]

2. I'm not surprised.

[durrrty libby]

3. Excellent.

[JuniperLea]

4. So, if the national party rules say they can't move their primary...

Is it even a legal primary?

[slick8790]

7. It's a legal primary, the delegats just won't be seated.

[JuniperLea]

8. I'm reading the rules...

I don't think so. I don't think it's a legal primary at all... this could screw her.

[ellacott]

9. That's what I was wondering

Will she get those delegates at the convention?

[JuniperLea]

16. I think she's going to get screwed

It's not an approved date... I don't get this at all... still searching.

[durrrty libby]

42. You hope she "gets screwd" but it won't happen

[JuniperLea]

47. You should shine up your crystal ball...

And quit trying to mind read on your own.

[durrrty libby]

48. No thanks, the crystal is fine and dandy

[LittleClarkie]

6. Thanks for supporting the party Hillary

It'll be meaningless to win there with no one else on the ballot.

[Horse with no Name]

14. But it's a WIN!

That's how the game is played...rules and sportsmanship don't count--only big fat WINS!

[flpoljunkie]

10. Risky move for Hillary in Iowa and New Hampshire.

[Divine Discontent]

11. See Iowans... n/t

[Horse with no Name]

13. Why should she?

There is a a definite rift between the DLC and the DNC...why would anyone expect her to do the right thing here?

[Ninga]

18. Oh yea, Howard and Terry in a death grip squeezing each others throats.....any takers on who

will win?????

I am pulling for scrappy Howard.......he got us a 50 state strategy and Terry still has it stuck in his throat.

Go Howard Go, beat the crap out of Terry!!!

[waiting for hope]

22. Funny - it was Terry who laid down the rules.....

This is going to get ugly. I have said before, she will tear the party apart, and to what end? Her own? No Thanks, I'm tired of this type of politics.

[jenmito]

27. She's reminding me of Lieberman. Out for herself only. n/t

[Horse with no Name]

31. Very Republican. Rules are for "other" people

They do what they want. And I agree. The party is going to splinter...but maybe that was always the plan?

[flyarm]

49. it was the plan..in Fla at least ..we in fla have been warning about this for over a year

the DLC and hillary have planned and executed this in order to destroy progressives..they fucked all our dem candidates for nov 2006..they deliberately recruitede repigs to change registration and run as dems..and then gave them all the state $$ whbile fucking all our great dems..and why did they do this..because Rahm and the hillary powers think that will give them the state in the primaries..

this was deliberate..and it was well planned and proceeded on!

they want to crush the DNC and progressives..and people better wake up!

fly

[jenmito]

17. Iowans will be insulted. Bad move.

Good for Obama, though.

[incapsulated]

19. You could be right

It's risky for her to do this, given Iowans feelings about the matter.

[jenmito]

21. Yup. They take their politics very seriously.

This could REALLY hurt her.

[Apollo11]

58. You mean they take their privileges very seriously.

If the rules are patently unfair, we shouldn't be surprised when some folks try to break them.

There's no evidence that "GOD" has "chosen" Iowa and N.H. to have extra political influence.

[Lucinda]

25. How does it hurt her if she doesn't campaign in MI?

Just because she didn't make the gesture to remove her name? I really am clueless about this stuff.

[jenmito]

29. Because she's not keeping with the party. Not campaigning isn't the point.

It's as if she's looking forward to the general election, and ignoring her party primary.

[Lucinda]

34. I thought that

the initial agreement not to campaign in the troublemaker states was the point?

Which is why this felt a bit more like political theatre to me. I guess I just dont understand enough about the internal fight to see why not campaigning wasn't enough for those who pulled out.

Thanks for answering! :thumbsup:
My head is still spinng, but it's getting easier to connect the dots on this.

[incapsulated]

33. Iowans are very uptight about changing the primaries

They like their first place position and aren't happy about the changes that were approved let alone a state just ignoring the rules. Some state could conceivably just break ranks and have their primary before Iowa.

I think it's all silly but it could cause blow back if she refuses to "punish" MI by not removing her name, like everyone else.

It would be a meaningless, hollow "win" that would cause her more negative press than positive so I don't understand their reasoning.

[Lucinda]

35. I thought not campaigning in those states was

the public handslap to the states oragnizations, and it seemed appropriate...This new step just seemed like posturing. It will be interesting to see her comments about this as time passes. Thanks for answering!

[incapsulated]

36. Well, the ballot is also important

Even though they won't get delegates, they would get attention, because the media would still pay attention to who "won", with the names on the ballots. It's meant to be a total cut-off from the process.

[Lucinda]

37. Thanks! Wonder why they didn't do that from the beginning then...

[saracat]

20. I hope this is distributed widely in IOWA!

[oasis]

24. Hillary comes out of it smelling like a rose. It looks as if she's got the guys on the run.(eom)

[durrrty libby]

41. As usual, they look like her attendants

[jenmito]

28. Donna Brazile disagrees with Hillary keeping her name on the ballot.

:)

[oasis]

30. The brilliant strategist, Donna Brazile.

:eyes:

[jenmito]

54. She ran GORE'S campaign, didn't she? n/t

[Colobo]

44. Go Donna!

[zulchzulu]

32. Obama has decided to put his name back on the ballot...

Kidding... just want to see who takes the bait.

[Adelante]

38. Haha

You almost got me :D

[incapsulated]

40. lol, me too

:P

[Cha]

52. You were freaking

me out!

[Adelante]

39. I'm sorry to see this

The DNC needs the support.

[Colobo]

45. I hope it backfires. The DNC deserves respect. No candidate should be above it.

[Semper_FiFi]

43. kick and recommed n/t

[Name removed]

46. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ihelpu2see]

50. Another wrong decision by Hillary... Solidarity on these party issues is what

is needed!!!!

[cobalt1999]

51. Pure campaign strategy by all parties.

Hillary is the front-runner. She doesn't have to win Iowa or NH. The others are in the position of having to suck up to the early states in order to survive.

If Obama was well ahead, he'd stay on the ballot and Hillary would be trying to win support of Iowa and NH by getting off the ballot. Pure politics and strategy based on position.

[MichDem10]

53. I live and Vote in Michigan - My state party is full of idiots!

The MI Democratic Party got snookered by the state republiCONS. The cons got together with the dems and basically said "change your caucus to a primary and we can save the state money and give MI more SAY in the primaries". BULLSHIT!! They actually have minimized MI even more! MI can not make an informed decision because the candidates are not visiting and discussing issues that pertain to MI. Big money wins again!

All they had to do was move up to Feb instead of March and all would be well - BUT NO - EGOS and money had to go and screw us again! F my state party! I'm still voting for Edwards via write-in.

[Bluebear]

55. A real team player. nt

[Redneck Socialist]

56. That's the plan

Anyone want to bet that those states that are jumping the gun (so to speak) all go for Hilary and a deal will be cut allowing their delegates to be seated?

[w4rma]

57. Another reason for me not to like her. (nt)

[sampsonblk]

59. Not a team player, but I don't think it will hurt her

People don't care about this stuff.