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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



A potential compromise

Posted: Thursday, May 29, 2008 3:25 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Chuck Todd
I have hesitated reporting on every rumor we've heard about a potential compromise in the Florida-Michigan delegate dispute, but there's one plan circulating that seems to be gaining momentum.

This plan would halve the votes for all of the Florida delegates, netting Clinton 19 and, more importantly, counting that popular vote. But Michigan's primary results would not be accepted and, instead, that state's delegates would simply be split 50-50 between Clinton and Obama.

All of the delegations, under this compromise, would be seated in full, but each delegate's vote would be counted as 0.5, including the superdelegates.
 
Again, this is just one rumored plan, but it's gaining enough support with some that I figured it was worth reporting. Who knows, by tonight, a new compromise plan will become the plan du jour, but for now, get familiar with this idea.

By the way, should this compromise pass, it would mean the new magic number for nomination would be 2,118.

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Yes Yes when your children misbehave you send them to thier rooms for a 15 minute time out, then you let them out after 3 minutes and watch what happens. Lets see what happens in 2010 and 2012 by that time all the primaries can be held on Jan 1 at least this will limit the circus.
It doesn't matter waht the SD's do between now and August - she will continue to stay in saying that the SD's could always change their mind before the votes are actually cast.  So, get ready folks, it's going to be a long, hot summer - followed by 4 more years of being out in the cold when the reps get the WH again.
Mr. Dodd,
Just because you are the king of MSNBC your personal rumor mill is meaningless, just like the Clinton's moral being. You have used your position at MSNBC to incite opinion! Your position is not to incite rumor, yet there is enough lies and hollow promises being rammed down the throats of the people. You do not have the right to use MSNBC to incite propaganda issues! don't ever think all of us out here are stupid!
Funny side of the coin, You can choose and pick what other postings are presented here, What gives you the right to not publish what we say, and you come out with this article?  If its fairness, then all should be posted. You have offended free speech long enough!

If this is not posted , I feel those in higher places  should be hearing our view!
All older white women, blue collars workers and George Wallace voters Unite...The New Independent Candidate for President will be announced on June 4th.
Preview:
17 million  voters still love:
(H)er (R)oyal (C)andidate ..guess who!!!!?

Think about it, the Damn Dem's lose with a split ticket....

Howard Dean your a jacka$$!!!!

Obama is crushed....by 2:1 margin...
President McCain...I think i'll move aboard...
I bet the reason Bill Clinton is so gung-ho about Hillary winning is that he doesn't want to deal with the fall-out.  Can you imagine her after Obama wins the primary?  Lord have mercy!!!!  I wouldn't want to be in his shoes.  
by the way, there is no chance that Senator Clinton will take ANY compromise.  I know that Senator Clinton has lied (ohhh ummm I mean she made a mis-speak) in the past, but I believe her when she says that she is going all the way to the convention if she doesn't get her way on this one.  She wants the vote to stand as it was during the primary, nothing else will appease her, and no she does not care that hers was the only name on the ballot in Michigan (makes her vote total look better after all)
This makes the most sense. Hillary get's to claim her victory (Phyrric as it is) of geting the votes counted, but Obama doesn't get punished for following the DNC rules in Michigan. No matter how one counts Florida, there is no way Michigan can be counted as a fair election. The rules required all candidates to remove their names from the ballots "where possible" (look it up) and rewarding Hillary with more votes in Michigan for breaking those rules wouldn't be fair. A split is the only fair resolution in Mighigan. So all told, Hillary would gain 19 delegates, the magic number would be 2118, and Obama would STILL clinch it on June 4th with his pocketed supers. At current count, he needs 26 more supers (out of 202) to clinch no matter which numnber Hillary used. End of story.
Hi Chuck,
I'm a little slow.  So spell it out more--in short how much does Barack's "magic number" go up?

Especially when it is all said and done, I assume there will be 356 delegates with half votes (183 total).  Half of 183: 91.5.  So how far off with supers and pledged is Barack from the 91.5 with current totals (that he'd have to win in PR, SD, MT, and remaining supers)?

Thanks!

Pat, from NY-- you do realize that Hillary's team help set the DNC rules for 2008.  The calander was created to her benifit and no one elses.  Why do her supporters cry foul NOW?
Obama supporters are running around without a clue shouting "They broke the rules - They broke the rules!!" Who broke the rules? The party leaders who can't even organize a two car funeral? Or the individual voters in Florida and Michigan. Obama supporters better watch out who they upset their antics.
Chuck,

No matter how many times the popular vote argument is repeated, it is BOGUS because it disregards the caucus states. That is unacceptable.
Obama, you should've waited your turn...you just got a bit too upity
Pat Clintinton  you are really sad you say the same thing everyday. He is so unelectable that he has all but one the nomination. He has also been able to keep money in his coffers. Instead of running in the red for the past 3 months fueled only by her own bank account and a bunch of supporters that believe that she and Bill are god like.   I dont understand it, she is one of the most polarizing fiures in modern day politics.  I used to think the world of her and Bill but they have managed to make all of the republicans I know look smart when talking about the Clintons and their do and say anything to win lack of ethics. That is really electable 57% negative rating, by the way Obama didn't want to be seen as bashing a woman the Republicans would not be as nice. The Clintons may even have actual skeletons in their closet. So give it a rest.
I was raised Conservative Christian Republican...after I grew up and out of my fathers shadow...I came to realize the GOP ONLY cares about rich, white people that own property.  I'm a registered Dem...and usually vote straight ticket. BUT, if Hill and Bill pull off some insane, non-sensical Bull S***...I will never give to the Dems again, and I will switch from (D.) to (I.)  I would still NOT vote for McCain though...too old and out of touch. Simply a Dumbya Clone. God help us, and give Hillary the strength to put her Country over her Vanity.
I can't wait for all this primary nonsense to get over with already so we can get on with the real job of sending "Bush Hugger" McCain into political retirement, where all Reagan foot soldiers belong.

The states of Florida and Michigan broke party rules and should be penalized.  They should not be allowed to overturn the decision of the other 48 states and several territories that have voted legally and have already decided who will be the nominee, Barack Obama.

Make them all half delegates and ensure that an equitable split is made in Michigan where Obama had an unfair disadvantage with his name not being on the ballot.

Go Obama 08/12!
Don't be fooled she can fight at the convention to get those half votes counted to full votes. The Clintons are attorneys by trade and not stupid at all. She is EVIL and Party Unity be Damned. It is sad for me to see how little they care about the party and even sadder to see that her supporters don't either.
This sounds like a reasonable solution to me. I think BOTH sides should forget what they think is "fair" - because both sides have a different opinion of what that is. From what I've read, I think Obama's campaign will accept this. From what I've read, Clinton's will not, but I hope I am wrong. I am tired of all the fighting and the vitrol.

>>She is only losing the nomination because of a quirk in party rules, which is artificially benefitting Obama.

Pat, I appreciate your loyalty to HRC, but could you try to apply a LITTLE logic? It's not a "quirk" in party rules. Both states were warned but moved up their primaries anyway. HRC, McCauliff, etc. all agreed to the stripping of delegates until they realized they needed them. It would've helped Hillary's campaign if it was run as if she was destined to win, without a legitimate backup plan when it looked like she might have some competition after all.

The Republicans halved the delegates and I don't hear ANY of their candidates complaining that it unfairly advantaged anyone.
Pat Huntington NY

We have enough kool aid to share some with you.
Hillary goes independent...splits the ticket.
McBush wins...game over...
Capt Smash, I agree with you.   She doesn't like the rules so she wants them changed.  If she was winning do you think she would be so steadfast in trying to get FL & MI seated.

Last Oct-Nov she told Tim Russert that everything would be over in February.  Changing the rules because you're losing is not a quality I want in a president.    
Hillary is just going to count everyone who voted for her as a hedge in swaying super delegates.  

She includes the flawed Michigan and Florida votes.  She also includes votes from territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.) which can NOT vote in the general election.  She also disregards all caucus voters.

Does this really sound like a true majority?  Not to mention, this is not how the primaries work.  It's all about the delegates.

Last month Hillary insisted that each super delegate vote according to their concience (and not by majority of each state).  Now they're voting against her.  When will she realize that it's over?
Whatever both parties approve, I want visual evidence of Clinton signing off, I want verbal confirmation that she agrees with the decision, and I want her to say that she is not agreeing to the decision under duress. I want no way for her campaign to come back later and move the goal post.


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