MI re-do 'all but dead'

Posted: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 12:44 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Chuck Todd
First Read confirms, per a Michigan source, this report from the Michigan Information and Research Service (MIRS)

Subject: MIRS BREAKING NEWS: June 3 Primary All But Dead-- 11:50 AM

Senate Democrats emerged from a closed-door caucus this morning and proclaimed that a fledging idea floated by top Michigan Democrats to create a special June 3 primary election is all but dead.

"The votes aren't there to do it," said Sen. Buzz THOMAS (D-Detroit), the co-chair of the Barack OBAMA campaign in Michigan

Sen. Gretchen WHITMER, a supporter of Hillary CLINTON, also conceded the chances of a June 3 redo of the Democratic presidential primary were slim. She stopped short of declaring it dead, saying instead that it was "on life support" and in need of CPR.

The Legislature would need to approve a bill by a two-third vote to put in place a June 3 special primary that would replace the results of the Jan. 15 presidential primary, which the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is not recognizing because the early date violated national party rules.

Support for the primary is weak for numerous reasons, the biggest reason being Obama's reluctance to sign off. Republicans, local clerks and state officials, however, also have raised concerns about rushing to create a special primary for logistical and legal reasons.

Without the redo, Michigan Democrats and independents risk not having a substantive voice in the Clinton-Obama horserace before a DNC deadline for states to report their delegate count expires on June 10.

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Comments

What about Do Re Mi

Greg R., Spokane, WA (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 1:57 PM)

"Obama is a joke" or some other comment "joke" related.

Did Rowe send this out in a memo? I wouldn't question it but the same line from 5 or more (different?) posters makes one wonder.....hmmmmmm

Dr.Strangedog, MI (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 1:57 PM)

M Wells, what on earth makes you think Edwards' delegates support Obama over Hillary? I was an avid Edwards supporter, voted for him cause he had not yet dropped out in my primary - if he had I would have been voting for Hillary like the rest of my family, not Obama. Kind of arrogant, aren't you?
Better yet - use your idea, but release the Edwards, dodd, biden delegates to vote for whomever they feel their local Democratic party wants them to vote for at the Convention. Do this for both FL and Michigan. Don't need a do-over, just some common sense. That way no one can be angry - except those with their heads in an unhealthy body orifice who see no one but Obama.
obama will never win anything in the south - all those voters in Miss. will not vote, if they did they would never have had a repugnant governor all these years, now would they? I have not forgotten Harold Ford, Jr., have you? He is twice as smart and a much better speaker than obama, the repugnants went after him hard and heavey - they will do even more to Obama - don't think he is quite up to the defense or much needed offense.

Union Baby, Tennessee (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 1:57 PM)

So, in the long run, Hillary will get to keep all of her delegates from MI and FL. You know they'll seat them all...

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:00 PM)

Charles, please. Tell all WHY Sen. Obama was
reluctant to sign off. We'll get the Clintonese
version soon enough.
Thanks for your reporting. Love to read and listen
when you're on.

Deborah Greenlawn, NY (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:00 PM)

Yeah it is moot. Obama is toast and the superdelegates can not in all good conscious support him for the nomination. I am sure they are all disgusted with the Wright fiasco and Obama lies. They will rethink their support.
HP Boston (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 1:05 PM)
-----------------------------------------------

I say moot, moot,moot! Give Obama the boot, boot,boot!!

KICK HIM TO THE CURB! (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:01 PM)

The saddest thing about this is that too many clowns think this issue is more important than the primary difference between the GOP and the Dems. The GOP bails out Bear Sterns with $30+ billion of the taxpayers' money. The Dems prefer to tackle the problem from the perspective of all those citizens losing their homes.

Ian (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:02 PM)

It is unfortunate that so many are crying 'fowl' about Michigan and Florida. It is NOT Senator Obama's fault. He did not make the rules. The DNC did and Michigan and Florida BOTH knew full well what the consequences would be. It is unfortunate the voters are the ones who are suffering by what those in charge decided to do. Your anger is misguided. It is your State officials whom you should be mad at. Please keep your focus on the REAL problem and do not deflect your anger irrationally.

I am sure your delegates will be seated. It is a re-vote that seems to be in question. Hang on. All things will be worked out. There is no way Senator Obama or Clinton will not allow your delegates to be heard.

Take a deep breath......... (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:06 PM)

Just a side note I feel needs to be expressed:

Michigan and Florida were in a big hurry to move up their primaries to make sure their voices would heard in this election. In doing so, they were penalized and took away their voters' rights to be a part of this process.

If they had just stayed in their respective slots, their voices WOULD have been heard. The candidates would have had a chance to campaign in each state and present their positions and ideas. If Michigan and Florida had stayed where they were, they would be HUGE in helping to decide this election. I understand the voters' anger and dissatisfaction. But let's face it...the leaders of these States have to be wiping 'egg' off there faces, embarrassed by their rash and unfair decision for their voters. Again.....it is your state officials you should be mad at. Not Obama or Clinton. Stay focused people.

Take a breath..................part 2 (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:12 PM)

Anybody here who says (s)he is a democrat and will vote for McCain is either lying or stupid. If you said you aren't going to vote AT ALL if your candidate doesn't get the nomination, that'd be one thing. But to say that you're going to vote for McCain, who basically is a continuation of Bush, makes little sense. Clinton and Obama are basically THE SAME on their policy positions, while McCain is pretty much 180 degrees opposite both of them. A true democrat would never vote for a continuation of the policies of the last 8 years, so either quit taking up space on these blogs with your lies about being a "lifelong democrat" or get your head out of the sand.
Clinton supporters: Obama didn't make the rules for FL and MI, he just abided by them. Obama has said repeatedly that he will continue to abide by what they decide. He has also said that he wants to make sure the voters of those two states are heard. Don't try to put it on Obama that the people of those two states were asleep at the switch when their elected leaders put them in this position.
Finally: to all you voters in MI who swear Obama is somehow the bad guy here, please recall her comments about "Michigan not counting anyway..."

YCM - NYC (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:15 PM)

Just like Florida, don't blame Senator Obama for this. It was Senator Clinton's own advisor, Harold Ickes, who was among those in DNC leadership who voted to not seat Michigan delegates.

If the Clinton campaign wants to point a finger, the enemy lies within them.

Pete - Albany, NY (Under New Management) (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:15 PM)

I think the DNC has a lot of brass to disenfranchise the voters of Mi and Fl. Dean can bellyache all he wants about following rules, but the fact is, it wasn't the voters that moved the primary dates, it was the legislators. There was no voter referendum to move the date. So should the voters of the state suffer because the legislators tried to pull off a stunt that didn't work. I think not. And should the whole party end up with a candidate that is not the choice of all 50 states. I mean lets get real here. Samoa and Guam get to help choose our nominee but not Michigan and Florida. That makes a whole pile of sense. And Americans Abroad. Give me a break, if they're abroad they don't get to vote in the general unless they're registered in a state. Why in the sam hill should they get delegates at the convention? This whole system is just plain stupid. And does it make any sense that in two states Hillary won the popular vote but came out behind in the delegate count. What's up with that? Is that supposed to be the will of the people? I just don't get it. I'd like someone to explain to me how that's fair and democratic.

samoa and guam must be proud (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:15 PM)

Good nite Hillary. It's over.

Banko (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:18 PM)

WTF? Why are all of you trying to put this on one candidate, when that candidate followed the rules? Sure he could go ahead and allow for it, but then what does that say about the Democratic Party? That it's a joke and not worth taking seriously. The party leaders in MI and FL knew what was at stake and blew it for you, not Obama, not Clinton. Furthermore, it isn't either of the candidates responsibility to fund YOUR primaries or take the blame for what went wrong. If anything, you should take the blame. Hold your politicians accountable, and if you want a re-vote, pay for it yourself. Otherwise, split the delegates down the middle and move on. That's being generous to Clinton, who didn't follow the rules, and being fair to Obama (and the other candidates) who did follow them.

Tasia Reed, OFallon, IL (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:22 PM)

YOUR VOTE DOES NOT COUNT. NOW HOW DO YOU FEEL ? WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE SUPREME COURT.THE CONSTITUTION "GUARANTEES" ME EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW. UNLESS THE CONSTITUTION HAS BEEN CHANGED, THEN MY VOTE HAD DAM WELL BETTER COUNT.

FLORIDA DEMOCRATE VOTERS MAD AS HELL ! (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:25 PM)

I'm an Obama supporter and I feel sure Obama can win Michigan in either a Democratic primary or a general election based on what's happened there in the past (i.e. Jackson's victory in the primaries) and I'd love to see him win another "big" state to add to victories in Illinois, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, etc so that the Clinton "big state" mantra would seem even less significant BUT, at the same time, I can understand some reluctance on the part of the Obama campaign to do anything risky at this late date in the primaries. I'm OK with the Obama reluctance on this issue. MI and FL made these problems and they'll have to live with the consequences.

Keith in PA (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:25 PM)

Why would they want to include those delegates from Florida and Michigan? That only increases the number of delegates needed to clinch the nomination.

Democrats Blow (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:26 PM)

How can Obama be to blame for this?
If the MSM says so that's how!
Obama's best chance was for a do over. Hillary Clinton gains by not having a do-over.
After all she "won Michigan" in a Soviet style process where she an uncommitted were the only two names on the ballot. all this after she broke a pledge not to participate "in any way". After all this she still recieved 55% of the votes cast.
Jeez at least Joe Stalin and Kim Jong Il get 90%+ of the votes cast when they ran unopposed.

Bill (anyone but Hillary), Rochester, NY (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:27 PM)

In reading the comments I have to admit I find it a bit shocking that some people are blaming Obama for this mess. He didn't create the situation, he didn't attempt to exploit it the way Clinton did (by leaving her name on the ballot when the others had removed theirs - the only person she really beat was Kucinich which a wet paper bag could do); nor has he hypocritically changed his position on this issue. The Clinton folks really need to direct their anger at the opportunistic Michigan politicians who caused this problem in the first place - oh wait - they are Clinton supporters so I guess that won't happen.

Gary, Toronto, ON (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:27 PM)

all of you people coming down on obama for florida and michigan not re-voting are totally brain dead. he never came out against the re-votes. true, he wasn't cheerleading for them either, but really, why should he?? what intelligent person in the same scenario would be begging for more primary contests when this thing has been dragged out long enough? oh yeah, i know, the candidate who is losing (that's hillary in case you weren't aware).

the democratic party, the party obama is a member of, made a ruling and he said he would stand by it(EVEN IF THE PARTY CHANGED IT'S INITIAL RULING AND DECIDED TO SANCTION RE-VOTE RESULTS). are you really stupid enough to think hillary would be jumping up and down screaming for a re-vote if she were similarly situated?? really, do you?? cuz if you do, I've got this bitchin' bridge in NYC that I'd like you to consider purchasing. unbelievable....

spin all you want, but anyone with half a brain can see this issue for what it is. in case you can't, i'll recast things for you. hillary DOES NOT care about you folks in florida and michigan being "disenfranchised." if she did, she would have spoke out about the DNC's ruling way back when it was first made. no, instead, she decided to become the "champion" of florida and michigan voting rights once she saw she needed those votes/delegates (which she knew and acknowledged ahead of time would not be counted).

jay (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:30 PM)

Just set them 50/50. If Hillary and her supporters didn't try to change the rules AFTER agreeing to them this would never have happened.

z,jersey city, nj (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:30 PM)

Reduce the total delegates (pledged & super) from each state by 50% and go with the January totals. Since Clinton only rcvd 50% of the vote in MI, she should only get 50% and Obama should get the rest.

Enough Already!!! (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:39 PM)

If the states were a high concentration of blacks I'm sure Obama would be all for a re-do of the primary but because these states aren't "HIS" demographic he won't sign off on a re-do. If he is the best candidate then what is he afraid of? These voters did not make the decision to move their primaries up and therefore should not be penalized by not having their votes and voices counted. I understand the DNC's original punishment but in light of the very close race there is justification to overturn that decision and have ALL THE VOTES COUNTED. If Obama were to lose the popular vote during this campaign without counting these two states votes then he is stealing this election just as Bush did in 2000. Hopefully MSNBC will actually update their posts and let some differing opinions on the post. It seems like the Hillary posts get closed out (I know because mine rarely show up).

A Of Illinois (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:42 PM)

Obama ensured there was an extra nail in this coffin. Revote - not unless I'm guaranteed more than my fair share. And especially now after people are getting to know me.

Obama - No you Can't (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:45 PM)

Anyone who can not see who is REALLY ready to LEAD this country on DAY ONE after hearing this speech is truly hopelessly married to politics and society as usual. As a middle aged, middle class white man, I was supporting Obama because I sensed he was the only person in the race who truly wanted to change the direction of politics in this country. I am now 100% committed to him for his understanding of the social problems that have been festering in this country and his desire to be a catalyst for changing those as well. Absolutely brilliant speech and what I have wanted to hear for a long long time.

Bob Ross, Charlotte, NC (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:49 PM)

Guess what Barry? Your stubborness just cost the Democrats Michigan in the fall, and Florida. You won't win PA or Ohio or NC either. In fact, the 527s are going to run your pastor on TV in every rural county in America. You've already lost the general election and the super delegates know it. Now that you've helped sabotage their plans to make a Clinton nod more legitimate, their going to have to vote for her nomination instead of yours.

You blew it Obama. Telling lies and running from what you believe in is not "Change you can believe in" or good judgement.

Shtuey (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:49 PM)

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