The Clinton camp's representatives are...

Posted: Friday, May 30, 2008 12:13 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
On a conference call, Clinton adviser Harold Ickes just announced that former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard and Florida state Sen. Arthenia Joyner will be presenting the Clinton campaign's arguments at Saturday's DNC meeting.

*** UPDATE *** Also on the conference call, the campaign repeated what it said it earlier in the week: that it wants the full Florida and Michigan delegations to be seated; that it wants them seated according to the January primary votes in each state; and that the "uncommitted" votes in Michigan can't be given to Obama -- they must remain uncommitted.

"We are hopeful and confident that after hearing all the arguments and hearing all the facts ... that all the delegates will be seated and all of them will have a full vote," Ickes said.

Moreover, the Clinton's campaign general counsel issued a letter to members of the DNC's Rules and Bylaws committee, which takes issue with the DNC analysis suggesting that Florida and Michigan must be penalized by at least 50%. "The RBC," the letter says, "has broad powers to fully reinstate the Florida and Michigan delegations. Rule 20(C)(7) allows the RBC to forgive violations when a state party and other relevant Democratic party leaders and elected officials have taken provable, positive steps and acted in good faith to bring the state into compliance with the DNC’s Delegate Selection Rules."

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Comments

"Darth" Hillary calls forth two of her Sith apprentices to do her dirty work of stealing away the nomination from "Jedi" Barack Obama. The Dark Side will not prevail against the Forces of Light no matter how much they try to work their Black Magic on the DNC.

No matter the outcome Obama will pass any new goalpost with ease next week as the superdelegates end this primary farce. It's way past time for our party to unite behind this brilliant man and campaign staff and to send "Bush Hugger" McCain into political retirement, where all Reagan foot soldiers belong.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:23 PM)

To "Will the real Obama please stand up":

You automatically assumed I attend Trinity Church just because I support Barack Obama. I don't attend any stinking church because church is for losers!

Don't try the guilt by association act with me because as you've seen you're 100% wrong. It's losers like you that support that loser from New York that are the problem in our party and our country.

I also don't call people racist just because they criticize Obama, I do if they criticize his race because that is racist. Otherwise I just call dolts like you Ignorant Fools for being too ignorant to see how brilliant this fine man is. I'm a 56 year old white guy with a college education thanks to my service to our country during that dirty little war in VietNam and I approve of what Barack Obama stands for. Did you serve our country, hmmm?

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:24 PM)

They waited to see from where Obama's representatives would hail.

It matters not. Her campaign is dead in the water.

donna (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:25 PM)

Absoultely no doubt about it . . . Clinton has laid the groundwork to fight this thing all the way to the convention floor and has every intention of fighting on after next week

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-maddow/clinton-to-the-convention_b_103078.html

As already reported on MSMBC, the Clinton campaign does not plan on accepting anything but a 100% seating of both FL and MI with MI's "not-Clinton" delegates all going to her carefully hand-picked MI delegation

Even after Obama clinches the final number of delegates next week, she will appeal the DNC ruling on FL/MI all the way to the convention floor

And make no doubt about it, the Republicans will fan the fire all the way to the convention and then still have the gall to say that the winner "stole" the nomination

Congratulations Democrats . . . you idiots have just assured us of 4 more years of Bush/McCain and a Supreme Court that will roll the calendar on civil rights back 100 years

un-freaking-believable!!!

Independent in TN (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:26 PM)

Alternatively, they could play the audio from Clinton's NPR interview on the subject and read from Terry McAulliffe's book. Might lighten the hypocrisy load a bit.

Dave, CA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:26 PM)

what katherine harris and james baker were not advailable

mike ca (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:28 PM)

They'd better force fluids between now, and the meet.

However, 'cry me a river', ain't gonna work.

aleese (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:28 PM)

I truly do not understand what the Clinton "arguement is. I mean what are they going to say:
We know we agreed and signed that the rules would be the rules.
We know we agreed the delegates would not count.
We know we did not care about the vote when we were winning.
We know that it is unplausible to say that we are the stronger candidate in the general election even though we could not win the primary election.
We know we are saying we do not want voters to be disenfranchised but we do not think Obama voters votes should count in MI, therefore completely contradicting our own arguement which has become our campaign strategy.

And it goes on and on and on. Can one sensible minded Clinton supporter please honestly explain all of those arguements and tell me how they make sense.

Furthermore, exactly how do the Clinton's expect to unify the party with this continued attempt to be divisive in every way possible?? I truly do not understand the rationale.

JW Palm Beach, Fl. (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:28 PM)

Sen. Clinton in her usual tactics as she has used Tubbs and now Joyner the very commuinty of which she invoked race looks for representatives directly from the community to get her the nomination.

It's unfortunate that the members of the Black Community falls into this trap each and every time.

Some of us don't understand it and we are not sure they realize that being "insulted" is not a reason to join the party.

Surely there were others available that had not been insulted?

vl, fl (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:29 PM)

i look forward to seeing the MORALITY in the face of these people. they are pushing this for wrong reasons: selfish hillary reasons. the reality is that ALL parties are AGREED that the FL and MI should be seated. The only problem is HOW, all because of selfish interest of Billary. If Hillary got nomination on Super Tuesday, she would not have been this vocal over FL and MI. Shame on you Hillary!

sem, va (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:31 PM)

i say all the states just move their elections ahead of iowa i mean who cares the rules do mean a damn thing to some people

mike ca (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:31 PM)

"Desperate" Hillary is no Kobe Bryant and the Lakers who can come back from 20 down late in the game to steal victory from the jaws of defeat. Like the defending NBA champ Spurs she's just too old and tired at this stage of the game to stage a Comeback Kid surprise.

Barack Obama is like the Lakers this year, coming from nowhere to be on the verge of a championship. Like the Lakers he will seal the deal in November and become the champion of the people, all of the people, unlike the current tyrants in the White House who are only champions of the rich and greedy who have too much privilege and pay way too little in taxes.

Power to the People Right Now!

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:31 PM)

I hope they'll do a good job. She has the most votes and she'd make the best candidate. Without Hillary as our nominee, by the time Nov. gets here we will all be voting for McCain. What a waste for our party...or we can have it all with Hillary.

Bill, Cool Springs (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:32 PM)

What in the world can hillary be arguing,
will she argue that the DNC was wrong to strip the deligates bacause the moved there primary up in violation of party rules?
will she argue that the agreement she signed really did not have her signature, (it was a fake)
will she argue that she knew the vote would not count but because she is looseing she needs it to count ANY WAY.
will she argue that obama was is wrong to not just let her have her way(my dad always let me have my way so obama need to do what my dad always did.
some on people what will she argue, please some one tell me because I'M SO CONFUSED!!!!

jeff D Evanston IL (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:32 PM)

Tim, Reading PA says:

>> Greg Anthony... Do tell how he has supported these movements? <<

You've got it backwards. These movements support Barack Obama. It is blacks that feel they have a sense of entitlement due to the eternal victimhood they preach in their churches. Obama represents that vision.

>> Has he had legislation passed in order to force people to give money to them. Has he presented legislation to recognize Trinity United Church as an entity completely seperate from the United States.
<<

The vision of the TUC is to provide its members with the concept that they are victims, and the only salvation they can turn to is with the church leaders. It empowers the leaders of these churches because it isolates the members from the rest of society. Why do you think blacks vote as a block for Democrats in general, and Obama in particular? It's because they only get the corrupt message from their leaders who isolate them from the main stream of the country. Obama is a part of that separation.

>> Or has everything he's done as a state senator, a U.S. senator, and presidental candidate the completely opposite of the soundbites that are playing of these pastors. This guilt by association is really getting old <<

And yet, the guilt by association the Democrats play, ie., "McCain is Bush", is the same thing you seem to detest.

>> and if the Right thinks this is where the majority of Americans are at they'd better check their polls. <<

Latest polls show the country trusts McCain better then Obama on foreign policy, and now on the economy too.

Greg Anthony (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:33 PM)

Is the RBC meeting going to televised? Live?
On MSNBC? Are all you guys (The First Team)
gonna be covering it?

If so, can you please announce it on one of your
shows? Doesn't matter which one, I watch 'em all.

Thanks

JIM WHITTAKER, Hemet, CA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:33 PM)

EVERYONE ENTERING THE DNC MEETING SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SPELL "HYPOCRIT"...

THE CLINTONS ARE ALL BRASS AND NO CLASS

Jack Hussein Donovan, Cedar Rapids, IA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:34 PM)

Saturday's show is all for nothing if Hillary can't get the remaining Superdelegates to NOT commit after the end of the primaries on Tuesday.
Obama has 200 delegate lead. Even under the best scenerio on Saturday she still needs more time. If she does not get what she wants,it will go to convention. Thats 3 months away! Hopefully she has a commitment from the 200 remaining supers to not copmmit until August. That way she can work over already committed delegates to reconsider.

Fred-Boston, Mass. (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:34 PM)

The primary system is set up to allow non wealthy people a shot at the presidency. Small, first primaries allow candidates to campaign on a limited budget and get some publicity, which leads to support and more financing. If we have a national primary day, the richest candidate will be able to blanket the country with ads and support and win. Each state sets the rules for the primary (open, closed, caucus) so there is no way to have a national consensus other than the delegate count. If the DNC undermines its own system, eventually people with the most money will win. We already see this in NY politics (Bloomberg) and Sen. Corzine in NJ, Mitt Romney in MA.

formerly of NY (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:35 PM)

Which bar will Hillary be in tomorrow? She sure seems to be hitting the alcohol lately....first knocking back shots, then guzzling a beer and yesterday she was drinking wine on the plane.....does she have a problem? Hmmmm? Or is she just "one of the guys?" Either way she's looking like a lush. She should save it for Wednesday. She's going to need it.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:35 PM)

Sen. Arthenia Joyner is a Black Representative from the State of Florida.

I am puzzled as to why Sen. Clinton after all the racial over tones in her campaign including the one relative to Sen. Obama's life would look to Sen. Joyner to represent her cause

I am more puzzled as to why Sen. Joyner would accept such a request.

This is very unfortunate and Sen. Joyner is sending the wrong message to the community.

Millions in her community will be sorely dissapointed in Sen. Joyner.

This is expected from Sen. Clinton. Sen. Joyner should have been smarter

gg, fl (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:35 PM)

I don't attend any stinking church because church is for losers!
-Eric, Salinas, CA

So .... Obama is a loser?

Just Curious (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:36 PM)

her campaign is dead and being from MI the former gov. has no clout

Irrational Crazy Supporters
Crazy Pastors
Hillary Blogs
Obamas resume
Want to know the difference between Clinton and Obama supporters

This and more on…

http://sensico.wordpress.com/

james, MI (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:36 PM)

Heres a thought,why not just make it a cage match,the last man standing wins.You could make it a pay for view,all profits could go to hillys since they belive that there intitled,and Obama has already shown us that he knows how to operate with-in his means,that way the hillys could pay back all the mom&pops that still have not been paid for there services

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:36 PM)

This reminds me of a pro poker payer standing dumbfounded by the table after they've pushed all in on a bad hand and lost. Even if HRC pulls an ace out of her pants suit, she still has no idea that Obama has Royally Flushed her. This is a winner take all tournament. GO HOME HILLARY. Its time for Obama to play heads up with the Manchurian Candidate.

Bill NH (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:36 PM)

Eric in Salinas, please consider taking some anger management classes. Or at least switch to decaf.

Bart (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:37 PM)

Jim Blanchard was behind the move to hold Michigan Primary early. He and others were well aware of the consequences when they made this decision, now they want the rules changed???????? He is also a SD pledged to HRC. PLEASE DON'T SEAT MICHIGAN. AT THE VERY LEAST DON'T SEAT CLINTON SD. THE ONLY ONES BEING PUNISHED HERE ARE THOSE WOULD COULD NOT CAST THEIR VOTE FOR THEIR CHOSEN CANIDATE.

LENI,MICHIGAN (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:39 PM)

Wow - Jim Blanchard. What a joke. 'Cause we did so well under his administration...

Shows the clout Jennifer Granholm has, eh?

Oh no - he's a man! Isn't that sexist of you, Hillary?

MI Chick (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:39 PM)

The Democrats must be insane. There is nothing that will come out of this meeting that will make anyone happy. The next step of course will be the lawsuits. This is no cure for this ugly.

Lawrence Miller, Sioux Falls, SD (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:40 PM)

I got a real laugh out of some repugnant one saying that Fixed Noise was fair and balanced earlier today. I vote that NBC/MSNBC is the best news in town with the best commentators (well except for that Morning Jerk, Pat Buchanan and Tucker Carlson) on tv news. Plus this First Read section is the best at allowing us readers to post our comments without any political axe to grind or smell test to pass.

I mean could I go to Fixed Noise.com and actually post my comments to their articles? Nope not a chance because Fixed Noise is just a conservative lunatic fringe propaganda machine whose sole purpose is to lie to the people for the benefit of only a few rich and greedy hypes like Rupert "Illegal Immigrant" Murdoch.

So instead of dissing real news organizations or First Read for being too sympathetic to us liberals just bear in mind that you get your comments posted here without prejudice, something Fixed Noise would never allow.

Three Cheers for the Liberal Press, NBC/MSNBC and First Read!

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:43 PM)

Here it is close to the end. I still can't believe people really voted for Barry. Of all the dumb things, kinda like voting Regain, Bush you know. When will we stop stabing ourselves in the back? Hillary is here now, ready and able to help our country and it's people and some of you still want Barry? You may get him as the nominee, but he won't win in Nov. When it comes to running the greatest nation of the world we need someone with a little knowledge and experience.

Luanne in TN (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:43 PM)

What an embarassment for the DNC...two states ignored the rules...so the DNC made rules that those two states wouldn't count and asked the candidates to abide by the rules, which THEY AGREED TO...Hillary doesn't do rules well, so she campaigned there anyway...and now she wants NEW rules...rules that will only help HER (because her candidacy is about HER, and not the rest of US).

A president who doesn't like the rules, makes new rules for their own benefit....sound like any PRESIDENTS WE ALREADY KNOW?!

And like lemmings the DNC is entertaining this farce, instead of sticking to their rules. How nice...my chosen party is really showing their yellow underbelly...er I mean their strength...yeah that's what I mean...strength.

Michelle, Denver (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:44 PM)

And the Democrats want the people to elect them to run the country? They can't even run their own nomination process. This is a total embarrassment to the country. It makes us look 3rd worldish.

Stephan Blanch, Lakeland Florida (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:45 PM)

Governor Blanchard? Is he still alive? Haven't heard that name in years.

Why don't they choose the current Governor Granholm? Oh yeah. That's right. If they pick her, all the Democrats will throw rotten tomatoes at her for endorsing this mess on moving the Michigan primary too early.

sg, michigan (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:45 PM)

Hillary - will continue to fight this things until she feels she can convince the right people to give her the nomination. She doesn't care about due process - democratic system - her supporters- Democrats - Republicans - women - men - children - dogs - cats ....she will fight this to her grave - if no one else stops her ...she will never quit on her own....She thinks she deserve this and this is hers out right....for whatever twisted reason. So not only will she take this to the conventions - if the party leader doesn't end this - she will still claim victory even after the convention - when Barack is campaigning against McCain - she will still be around - blaming others for why she didn't win and why she is still hanging around and why she will be better for the GE. She needs the Democrat Leaders to end this for her - she does not have the will to surcome to defeat.

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:46 PM)

Are there any laws that state what the Democrats can and can't do? Seems like a lot civil rights laws are being violated.

Cory Diehl (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:46 PM)

ROOKIE SENATOR RUNNING FOR PREZ??? I DONT CARE WHAT COLOR HIS SKIN IS...THAT WONT FLY WITH ME..OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ALL BUT AWARDED THE WHITE HOUSE TO MORE REPUBLICAN NATION WRECKING. NOMINATE SOMEONE....ANYONE WHO IS ELECTABLE

TIM CHARLOTTESVILLE VA. (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:48 PM)

When does Ickes do his jail time for his 5th DWI he got up in New hampshire?

Elmer, Seattle WA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:49 PM)

Yes sir, this is going to the convention, and probably beyond. It's going to be a nasty summer for the Democrats. McCain is going to be getting his message out and defining the Democrats, while Obama and Clinton will have endless court cases to state their cases. The Supreme Court will make some kind of ruling in October, and by that time the country will have given up on the inept Democrats.

Judge Judy (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:49 PM)

Represent Mrs. Clinton as best you can, she deserves that much, but then I suggest "Duck and Cover!" Hopefully, after this is over she'll be able and willing to assuage those women that feel they and she have been victimized. Personally I think that's a crock or to quote Maureen Dowd..."poppycock".

bill, okla (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:50 PM)

This going to be fun...Democracy in action..
Prophetic as it may seem..Bending the rules will be unpresidented...
May set future of Democratic Party for millions of voters...
This could be the best thing for GOP in this election...

BJ, CA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:50 PM)

And the results from this poll say everything. You won't believe these results!

http://www.votenic.com

Wesley, Dallas, Texas (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:51 PM)

This is going to be really embarassing for HRC and the party. Its like when the wrong actor climbs on stage during an award show to recieve the award they just lost. ACKWARD...Move away slowly.

Bill NH (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:51 PM)

Salute to you eric in salinas ca, I read your blogs everyday and they are excellent. I agree with you 100% that they haven't even seen one half of Obama's brilliance, this is good because he is saving it for John McShame!!

Brenda from Pa (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:51 PM)

This whole situation baffles me!! I'm a native to Florida...lived here all my 34 years. I am a Democrat and like every other citizen in this state, I knew our votes in the primary would not count towards choosing our nominee. No one kept that a secret. We knew our Republican lawmakers put us in this fix, and we knew therew were consequences. Maybe it's the teacher in me, but when you don't follow the rules you've got to deal with the consequences. This is so different from 2000, and I hate when people make the comparison.

weknewwhatwasupinfla (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:52 PM)

To All Obama Supporters:

Given the past experience with Florida in the 2000 election you would think that everyone of you would want these votes counted. GWB has never been viewed as having won that election but instead as the person who stole the election. Should this not be resolved and it does go to the convention your guy will lose that fight. Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the other so called leaders of the Democratic party don’t have the power to stop this...so stop buying into that line of thinking. Hillary can take this to the Supreme court should she so choose and I for one would support that one hundred percent. These two states had the votes certified by the Secretary of State and they are legal and will be counted...period. This is not only the goal of Hillary Clinton but of those who so strongly believe in her and her message. Mr. Obama is simply not prepared enough to tackle all the challenges facing this country. Perhaps in eight years he will be prepared but as of today he is not. Perhaps one analogy would be that a person is sick and dying of cancer and the family has to choose the best doctors care they can find to help save this persons life...the choice is between and resident intern and an experienced physician with 30 plus years of proven experience. Most people would go with the person with 30 years...but you guys...you Obama supporters go for the intern....and in the end the patient dies. Wake up people....this county needs a president who can actually solve the problems and doesn’t come with a learning curve...but with a very successful former president. I remain completely bewildered by all those who are choosing to take a gamble and roll the dice with the only person running who has zero experience.

Elliott, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:53 PM)

AMERICANS ALL, and SUPERS:

DO YOU REALLY WANT CRAZY HILLARY CLINTON and HER SIDEKICK BILL and all of their lies, chaos and confusion in the White House?

Please SUPERS: MOVE TO BARACK and end this madness.

Andrea, New York City (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:53 PM)

Bush ran Washington with lies, spins and stonewalling. That's just who he is. Does anyone doubt that Clinton would run Washington with lies, spins and stonewalling? She couldn't help it. It's who she is.
I want all that to get cleaned out. I want openness, honesty, transparency. I want smart people of all types and opinions to sit at the table and do some serious brainstorming with each voice heard and considered. That, to me is the way to come up with the best and most balanced solutions to our problems. I believe Barack Obama is on a similar wavelength. Let's at least give it a try. The other way has been a disaster for our country.

Bonnie, Ut (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:57 PM)

Team of big losers. Get over it and get lost.

banko (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:58 PM)

It is bizarre to me that arguments should be presented by the campaign of Senator Clinton.

It seems to me that arguments should be presented by the states of Michigan and Florida -- isn't that for what the RBC is meeting?

If the sole cause of Senator Clinton's argument is to preserve some chance for her own candidacy, these arguments have very little to do with the voters of the states of Michigan and Florida -- but then, most looking at this rationally, already know this.

let MI and FL argue for themselves, CA (Sent Friday, May 30, 2008 12:59 PM)

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