Court rejects early Michigan primary

[cal04]

A state appeals court on Friday dealt a blow to Michigan political leaders' hopes of holding a presidential primary on Jan. 15.

In a 2-1 ruling, Judges Patrick Meter and Donald Owens objected that a law recently passed by the Legislature setting up the primary would let the state political parties keep track of voters' names and whether they took Democratic or GOP primary ballots but give no public access to that information.

Michigan had at one time tentatively scheduled Democratic caucuses for Feb. 9, but state officials and Gov. Jennifer Granholm have tried to push up the date to Jan. 15. If no primary is held, Republicans will make their choices at a Jan. 25-26 party convention. Democrats also could move up their caucuses, although no date has been set.

The weeks-long logjam involving the courts has delayed scheduling of the nation's first primary. New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner says he won't set the date of his state's primary until it's clear what's going to happen with Michigan. New Hampshire law says it must go first in the nation.

A spokesman for Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox said no decision had been reached on whether to take the case to the state Supreme Court.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071116/ap_po/michigan_primary_2

[Capn Sunshine]

1. Ha-Ha

I hope Granholm learned a lesson here, but I doubt it.

[fadedrose]

5. Not just Granholm

I get emails from Sen. Levin, and he a major player in moving up the primary. He's a cosponsor of a bill to have rotating primaries between 6 groups of states. One state from each of the six would have an early primary at the same time. I think it's East, Midwest, Southeast, West, Southwest, and maybe Northwest. Can't remember exactly and don't feel like looking for the email.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

2. This is a big deal if it holds up. (advantage Clinton on this one)

[fadedrose]

3. I hope they appeal

to the state supreme court.

Probably (I for sure don't know) republican judges appointed by the former Rep gov. englert pulled the plug.

[madfloridian]

4. Nelson v Dean is on Dec. 5. Nelson is very very very angry.

I was surprised the court took it up, but Nelson based in on racial issues, so I guess the court had to do it. He is so mad at Dean.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1479

Karen let Nelson hijack the party structure as an attack vehicle against the DNC to hurt their funding.