NJ, PA govs offer to raise FL, MI money

Posted: Sunday, March 09, 2008 6:21 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From WNBC's Brian Thompson
NBC News has learned that New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine is willing to raise money to pay for a "redo" of both the Florida and Michigan primaries.

Both states violated Democrat Party rules by holding early primaries, and have been penalized with loss of their delegates to the national concention in Denver.

Apparently, because both states voted for Hillary Clinton, Corzine, along with neighboring Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell -- both strong Clinton supporters -- agreed on Friday to make the offer.

According to remarks Rrendell made on NBC's Meet the Press this morning, he and Corzine are writing a letter to the Washington Post offering to raise half of what he estimated as a $30 million dollar price tag to redo both primaries.

Democrats are divided over how to deal with delegates from the two states, as Clinton and Obama are locked in a tight and increasingly bitter contest for the party's presidential nomination and the right to oppose Republican presumtive nominee John McCain in November.

A source close to Corzine confirmed to NBC News that the two governors agreed on Friday to make the offer, and announce it in a letter yet to be published by the Post.

Corzine, a retired Goldman Sachs chairman, would likely contribute some of his own fortune to a re-do of the primaries, since he spent well over $100 million in personal funds in successful bids for the U.S. Senate in 2000, and for governor in 2005.

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Comments

50/50 split, my ass! We already voted once and Hillary won! The instructions were clear to anyone that paid attention that if you wanted to vote for Obama or Edwards, than you vote for "Uncommitted". So the number of votes for Obama AND Edwards still didn't come close to the votes for Clinton. Obama doesn't deserve Jack!!

Todd, Vicksburg, Mich. (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 10:21 AM)

As a democrate I am ashamed that the party is allowing Hillary to run the primary. This smacks of the Governor of Ohio saying in the last election that he 'will do anything' to see that Bush wins his State. Hillary and Bill will do 'anything' to win with the help of their cronies. Hard for an honest person to respond to this kind of dishonesty.

shirley, San Jose, CA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 10:25 AM)

Apparently, a lot of O'Bama supporters want him to win at all cost. Even if it means a huge block of voters were not allowed to be included in their choice. They are crying "unfair", but in all reality not allowing all the citizens of this nation to participate in this very important selection does not speak of a truly democratic Nation. There would always be a doubt as to whether he was the legitimate choice of the people. It sounds more like those corrupt nations that fix elections & indeed are having tulmultous riots with mayhem & loss of life. It also really shows the caliber of the some of the people that support O'Bama, their choice above all, by hook or by crook.

Jano,Clearwater,Fl (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 10:36 AM)

maybe other states that voted so early should be omitted too.Iowa,N H,and more.In the next election perhaps another few states could be excluded---great way to get rid of a democracy.Mika and her family work on the Obama campaign and Joe is a republican--that is why they blather on and on---Keith just does not like the Clintons as much as he hates Bush.Ihave turned to cnn but also Fox---unbelievable but they almost seem more fair than msnbc.

HT (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 10:54 AM)

Move on. This is a dead issue. The rules were known and agreed upon by all concerned. Just because the "monster" wants to have it's own way does not make it right. Let history be the judge, but don't allow the monster to feed off the people.

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 10:55 AM)

If Obama and his campaign were smart, they would make the argument that raising $30 million for a re-do in Michigan and Florida would be too much of a financial burden on ordinary Americans in a time when the economy is floundering on the brink of recession. How can $30 million be spent for those losing homes in Florida and Michigan due to the mortgage crisis? Obama's camp should play up the Hillary slogan of "Solutions for America". Obama surrogates should be saying 'is this what the Solutions the Hillary campaign wants. Helping to raise millions of dollars for re-do of past primaries versus ignoring the plight of some financially distressed people in Florida and Michigan.

Obama and his campaign should push for the 50/50 split of Florida and Michigan delegates. By Obama making this argument, the onious is back on the Clinton campaign and its surrogates on where the money will come from. Who will privately fund the Michigan and Florida primaries re-do? What favors will be expected from these independently wealthy Clinton supporters? Where do the priorities of the Clintons lie when Americans are financially suffering in Florida and Michigan, but Clinton camp wants to spend millions for a re-vote?

AJ, IL (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 11:22 AM)

The ballot in Michigan had Clinton, Dodd, Gravel and Kucinich names on the ballot. Its my understanding that Obama advised people who wanted to vote for him to select uncommitted. Clinton received the most votes. The votes cast in Michigan should stand

Clinton, Edwards and Obama's names were on the ballot in Florida. Clinton received the most votes. Again those votes should stand.

Sherrie, Denver (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 11:56 AM)

Go to hell, you two degenerates! Would you be supporting this if Obama needed a rules change in order to win? My guess is no. If I'm right, then you two belong in the Clinton camp b/c you are hypocrites just like they are.

chuck, richmond (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 3:06 PM)

Here we go with the Conspiracy Clintons. If you read the Peter Paul story the math will add up. Corzine supporter of the Clintons + Rendell supporter and former DNC chairman or co-chairman, during Sen. HRC top fundraising by Peter Paul, DENIED BY THE CLINTONS = SCANDLE. AS CITIZEN OF THE US, WE HAVE TO DO OUR TAXES EVERY YEAR, BUT YEARS. THE REASON THE CLINTONS CAN'T PRODUCE THEIR TAXES TO THE PUBLIC IS BECAUSE THEY'RE SO ENTANGLED IN THEIR WED OF DECEIT AND LIES, THAT EVEN SPIDERMAN CAN'T UNWEB THEM.

EYE OPENER-OPEN YOUR EYES AMERICA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 3:39 PM)

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