"Michigan Dems back in running"

[ursi]

Sunday February 10, 2008, 6:52 AM
Michigan Democrats are in a bind.

They wanted all eyes on Michigan by moving the presidential primary to Jan. 15 -- which turned out to be a bust, since only Sen. Hillary Clinton stayed on the ballot among the contenders. The national committee heaped on humiliation by stripping the state of delegates for breaking party rules.

Everyone from Sen. Carl Levin to Democratic chairman Mark Brewer assumed the party would get the delegates back in a goodwill gesture by the August convention.

Well, the eyes are back on Michigan -- but not for the reasons they wanted.


The historic contest between Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama is closer than most imagined. And if the disputed delegation is seated in a deadlocked convention, Michigan's pseudo-primary could be the tipping point for either contender.

That could set up a virtual food fight over the state's 128 pledged delegates, starting with calls for an extraordinary "do-over" solution: a caucus, to settle things fair and square between Obama and Clinton.

But that could be just as dicey as seating the delegation. Clinton won the primary, with 55 percent of voters, while 40 percent chose "uncommitted."

The state party on Friday duly allocated 73 pledged delegates to Clinton and designated 55 as uncommitted.

If those delegates are restored -- as Clinton desires -- it could make a difference while things stay as tight as they are now.

But Obama backers prefer the Democratic National Committee's suggestion of a second contest, thinking their man could win with a chance to campaign here.

more...

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/02/michigan_dems_back_in_running.html

[gateley]

1. I don't think it would be fair for Hillary to take those delegates as it stands now.

There would be a LOT of very unhappy voters.

The only right thing to do is a caucus or another primary.

[thunder rising]

4. "fair for Hillary" believe me she does not give a shit about the party or being fair. It's power

[FARAFIELD]

2. Michigan is gone in the head for doing that

They should have stayed where they were and it would have been fine, i cant believe them or Floriday actually. The do over seems fair since no on campaigned there. The state can do whatever they want, but it will have to be done over, simply as that. Its a matter of whether its a primary or caucus, but as long as its fair and square in a weird way they may end up with more attention after all.

[thevoiceofreason]

3. But Sen. Clinton acknowledged tha it would not count

Pick a stance and stick with it.

[Demeter]

5. There Are Only So Many Battles One Person Can Fight

but the Democrats in Michigan are asking for it. I don't have the time or money, but I'm going to have to get active in another cesspool so it can be drained.

God, I hate incompetence!

[BeatleBoot]

6. If we had another primary (highly doubtful)...

Hillary would really mop up here.

But that's not going to happen.

Since Obama and Edwards were too stupid to show up here last month. That's their own fault

Another primary here? I'm certain the Clinton campaign would agree.