Quote of the day

Posted: Saturday, May 31, 2008 2:52 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
"My momma taught me to play by the rules and respect those rules. My mother taught me, and I'm sure your mother taught you, that when you decide to change the rules, middle of the game, end of the game, that is referred to as cheatin.'" -- Donna Brazile to former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard, who was making the case for the Clinton campaign to get 73 delegates out of Michigan with 55 for uncommitted.

Blanchard responded that he agreed, and that "Hillary Clinton did play by the rules." He added that, "She even went along with the pledge not to campaign there."

---
Of note, when Harold Ickes was yielded time to speak, he said he wanted to comment on what Bonior said, who presented for Obama, committee co-chair James Roosevelt told Ickes the time was for question and answer and that if he didn't have a question, he wouldn't let him speak.

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Comments

See Chris Matthews face today....such a pathetic and sad state of affairs at MSNBC.
It's almost like someone stole his house! C'mon, where was the concern by all the so-called great reporters at MSNBC? when Bush took us to war? instead of falling behind like lame ducks!

Kev, NC (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:10 PM)

The rules that Ickes put forth, Gov. Blanchard, stated that early Michigan polling WOULD NOT COUNT!!!
Zero, zip, nada!!!

********************************

Thank you chairperson Roosevelt. Ickes needs a good backhanding!!!

donna (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:12 PM)

SEEMS LIKE the key question is whether they seat MI at 50-50 (but with half votes) or at 73-55 (with Obama getting uncommitted) or at the Levin 69-59.... What is the reporting on the likely result? Seemed to me that almost no one is comfortable with the somewhat arbitrary 69-59. The question is, thus, if neither the 73-55 nor the 50-50 plans have a majority, which way will the few 69-59 folks go. My guess is they go to the 50-50 plan, which might scare some of the 73-55 folks into supporting the 69-59 plan. Thoughts?

geoff in Brooklyn (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:12 PM)

Ickes is an idiot who should get it into his thick skull by now that there's a new sheriff in town. If he couldn't help the Clinto campaign to victory with everything he knew about propotional delegate allocation, I'd be extremely surprised if he stays as a DNC member under the new boss.

Diamond (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:14 PM)

You know, I listened to the proceedings; there were several people with southern accents. I resent the fact that you chose to write Donna Brazile's comments without using standard English. She gave those comments in standard English and that should be reflected in writing, in the quote.

Pamela Watson, Oakland, CA (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:15 PM)

Did your momma tell you to count the votes Donna? That's what we're telling you to do.

We The People (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:15 PM)

I like Donna Brazille. She has a no nonsense demeanor. She's not a pushover.

Eric from Salinas,

I don't understand what it is that you have against her.

clairton, pa. (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:15 PM)

Harold Ickes... The name says it all...

WW, NJ (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:16 PM)

The point is the people did play by the rules...they voted!!! Now...count the votes!!!

What a convoluted system the Democrats have created...ripe for corruption of votes...complete with caucuses that don't represent the will of all people, rules that penalize some people when they do vote....this is not democracy!!

It'll be a sad day in America....if every vote that was cast, certified and doesn't end up being counted!!

Carol, CA (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:17 PM)

Ok Mr. Blanchard, so why did she say the votes wouldn't count after that pledge, and now wants them to count? Because she's losing, that's why. That's like the guy who plays chess and when he's about to get checked, he hits the table so the pieces get scattered all over and then says, oops, my bad. Game Over.

Cross in Margate, FL (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:17 PM)

Donna Brazile is right on. Clinton may have played by the rules, but is now asking the committee to change the previous rules in her favor now. In essence they are asking them to cheat on her behalf.

The perpetuation on the Clinton camp especially into this debate has grievously undermined any reasonable person belief in their integrity and sincere interest in what is good and right for the party

DaveIn, Tempe, Az (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:17 PM)

I must say, I heard the room cheer when Ickes was given the smack-down...

Jon, Portland, ME (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:17 PM)

Here is the important stuff. The good things our next president is going to do. I've been waiting a long time for someone to say this.

During a fund-raiser in Denver, Obama — a former constitutional law professor at the University of Chicago Law School — was asked what he hoped to accomplish during his first 100 days in office.

“I would call my attorney general in and review every single executive order issued by George Bush and overturn those laws or executive decisions that I feel violate the constitution,” said Obama

nuanced (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:18 PM)

Donna Brazile is THE real thing!

Donna Brazille was so right about what she said and why is that Tina Faunteroy lady on the panel? She is such a partisan. She turns my stomach her and Ickes. If I were on that panel, I would not listen to a word either had to say. I think if someone is actively a part of a candidate's campaign, he or she should not be on that panel.

The stars of today were Robert Wexler & Donna Brazile. I've tivo the entire meeting and I hope someone will post Wexler's speech and Donna taking Jim Blanchard to church on YouTube. That's the power of a Black Sista!

Obama 08

Richard, Chicago (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:18 PM)

TO ALL MY SISTERS WHO ARE HILLARY SUPPORTERS:

I feel for you…you are getting the short end of the stick, but you can do something to stop this and destroy the Democratic Party for ever:

You can help this COUNTRY’S SHAME…for the past 40 years we have become a country of SIN.

Obama will be your nominee and he may be a great President…my daughter thinks so, but she is just a child of 23, so help us help this country.

Stay home in November or vote for John McCain a true American Hero.

John McCain will appoint 1, maybe 2 Supreme Court Justices who will help overturn the laws of this Nation, which have allowed us to be a Nation of Sin over-run by homosexuals.

We can overturn ROE v WADE and they away the rights of those who sin in the eyes of God.

We can reclaim this Country.

This is what the Clintons would want.

No more abortions…no more sin…no more the killing of the innocent…no more culture of homosexuals.

You are mothers and you know this is the true path for all.

We are now forever united…us who believe in the word of the Lord and have made it our mission to save innocent lives and you the champions of women’s rights in this country.

As a team we can not be defeated.

Come on board and help end our SIN

michelle, West Virginia (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:20 PM)

Hillary Campaign: Rules... We don't need no stinkin rules...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lj056ao6GE&NR=1

WW, NJ (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:20 PM)

Both state elections were flawed. Hundreds of thousands, even millions, did not turn out to vote because they felt they were wasting their time, since they were told their vote would not be counted. The only fair way is to split BOTH states 50/50 in both the popular and delegate votes, to account for all those who did not vote. Hillary wants to whine about having ever vote count, then she should take into account those who didn't vote. What I want to know is what is Harold Icke doing on that committee when he is running her campaign? Something stinks to high heaven about that. I hate to see what happens in 2012. Mark my word, you will have several states jumping ahead in line because they know their vote will count regardless.

Isabella (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:21 PM)

And when Ickes was slapped down, I laughed.

I thought Blanchard was much better to Clinton than Joyner was earlier, because he spoke with facts, and was swaying me with his argument that the rules didn't allow for the compromises that Michigan and Obama wanted. But I think he missed Brazille's point...it wasn't that Clinton played by the rules or not, it's that the rules when the game started was that neither Michigan or Florida would count. That's what I interpreted at least. And if it wouldn't tick off a lot of voters in those states, I think that's what'd happen.

Ken, Sterling, VA (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:22 PM)

It is true. Clinton is cheating because she agreed to not seat the delegates of MI and FL. Now she changes her mind which is cheating. Well said Ms. Brazile.

voter (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:22 PM)

Just for the record: Bill Clinton said, in an interview for the PBS' series "The Presidents", "I knew I was ready run for the Presidency when I no longer wanted to be the President (for the sake of being)." Obviously not a sentiment shared by the good Senator.

Donna may have a point, however, let's face it the Michigan DNC would not allow people to write in a candidate. It was said that the ballot would be voided. In fact, the Michigan DNC knew that it obstructed voter rights... knowingly and willfully. As a matter of reference, I am a Republican. I told many of my Democratic friends that I could not understand their participating in a party that continues (at least at the State level) to dismiss the intelligence of the electorate by creating these obstructions. Another such obstruction was the Democratic Primary Caucas held in 2004 regarding John Kerry. What a mess...tsk tsk

Angela, Michigan (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:22 PM)

Yes - Brazile is 100% correct. I truly appreciate her insughts when she is on MSNBC panels as well. Common sense coupled with intense intelligence and honor.

Linda S., Albuquerque, NM (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:23 PM)

Ms. Brazile is correct. Her mama taoght her well. The only problem is that Hillary is no mama she's a mutha----- you know what.

LENI,WESTLAND,MICHIGAN (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:23 PM)

Leave it Ickes to try and turn this into a partisan campaigning opportunity, What a worm!

Linda S., Albuquerque, NM (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:24 PM)

I have watched it all, and Donna was right, and we all know that the Clinton's love to cheat. Mr. Ickes acts like a royal jerk, with no respect for anybody!

GC, OH (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:29 PM)

The DNC is already in the process of "changing their own ruling" For those who argue that everyone knew the rules therefore there should be no change now: Everyone can see the DNC is considering changing their rules "in the middle of the game." Now whether they are being changed to favor one candidate or the other is at issue here! It is a dangerous precedent to also change the will and vote of the people. For whatever reason people are motivated to vote or not vote, to change even one of those votes is a risk the Democratic party should never be a part of.

Julia, Memphis, TN (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:33 PM)

I love Donna Brazille. She is so fair and sensible.

Jo- Jo , Dallas, TX (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:35 PM)

Bravo to Donna Brazile, that says it all. People around the world are watching this in wonderment. What type of examnple do you think Hillary Clinton is setting for your country and for the world. The fact that she thinks she should get all her votes in Michigan and Obama get nothing is evidence that she is not fit to be president. In five months she has split the Democratic party, Can you imagine what she would do to the country and to the world? Trying to make this a freedom fight and feminist issue is an insult to people throughout the world who have really fought those battles.

GW, Vancouver, Canada (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:35 PM)

I am an Obama supporter. Much of the discussion on the current broadcast focuses on Clinton using the popular vote argument to force a VP offer from Obama. What if he makes the offer but tells her that it is essentially a "bucket of warm spit" and that as vice president she would have no role but attending funerals or better yet gave her the VP spot and relegated her to that non-person role the day after the election. I have no doubt that in a Clinton-Obama administration he would have no substantive role.

Jim Haley, Iowa City, Ia (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:38 PM)

Why does Hillary Clinton respect the voters of Florida and Michigan but not the wishes of the voters of the caucus states? Could it be because those two states made their own rules and she can identify with that?

Hew Byrd ,Virginia Beach, Va (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:38 PM)

Yah, the clintons are the mother of all cheaters!!

gotrouns (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:39 PM)

One more time---The rules are the rules. I frankly don't know why the DNC is even having this discussion.

ann (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:40 PM)

Let us remember:
HILLARY CLINTON SAID VOTES WOULD NOT COUNT.!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!
What self-serving, lying politician. HOW COULD ANYONE SUPPORT HER?
See "Bosnia and Back Again" on youtube
http://youtube.com/watch?v=exsmFDYyK4U

McCain/Sanford 2008

Fiscal Conservative (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:42 PM)

thank you, donna brazille. you are a credit to the nation.

jack (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:42 PM)

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