Ausman's challenge

Richard, Chicago — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:43:58 GMT

Who the hell is Jon Ausman. He just wasted 15 mins trying sway everyone to restore all the SD to full vote. Alexis Hermans looks like a woman you don't cross. How can you say that SD votes matter more than regular voters? This is what Ausman is saying.

Ausman's challenge

Jim griese, Las Vegas — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:45:44 GMT

I can't believe that Mr. Ausmus as arguing that HIS vote as a delegate should count for more than a citizens vote.... TALK ABOUT ELITIST!!! I gave up trying to count the times he used the phrase "PUNISH ME".... I find this really offensive and I hope the committee will too.

Ausman's challenge

R, NC — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:47:03 GMT

The Democrats could lose my vote today.

Ausman's challenge

mike ca — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:50:55 GMT

that guy brought up a good point if the super must have a full vote then what about the half delgetes

Ausman's challenge

mike ca — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:52:19 GMT

is this guy really citing polls as a reason for change the punishment

Ausman's challenge

LB, Virginia — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:54:35 GMT

R, NC. Why?

Ausman's challenge

Eric, Salinas, CA — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:54:39 GMT

I noticed that Don Fowler, a Clinton supporter, was saying that the supers can't have more value than the pledged delegates. I bet he's pushing for all delegates to have 100% voting power. I hope the 50% solution is the one that passes.

Go Obama 08/12!

Ausman's challenge

Pete - Albany, NY — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:55:17 GMT

Ausman's basic argument is, "We got everybody in this mess, but we can't be penalized."

Ausman's challenge

donna — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:56:39 GMT

It is proof of Ickes over-the-top demeanor that the committee chose from the outset to double the punishment that the rules had established for the party.

Even though the DNC's by-laws left room for such a severe penalty to be exacted, (should the committee decide to slam Flor-igan, and strap them to the lethal injection gurney), they may as well have pronounced that death sentence on us all.

Somebody strip Ickes of any further influence, and the creep the boot.

Ausman's challenge

Chi — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:57:46 GMT

Funny watching the undemocrat party at work. I'm waiting for the count em as 3/5 offer to show up.

Ausman's challenge

Tom, the voice of non-partisianship — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:57:57 GMT

What a sad commentary on our polical system. Im not wearing any color jersey and I hope no one is comming after me. When are we going to outgrow this us against them mentality? The major problem with this country is the infighting between the 2 political parties. And sadly I don't see this changing any time soon. God help the next generations.

Ausman's challenge

Clinton - The Sneaky One — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:59:49 GMT

What a sneaky way of getting full delegates for Florida. Give super full and then you can give half or full to pledged. Of course, as democrats we want to be fail.

Ausman's challenge

aleese — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:00:26 GMT

The Democrats could lose my vote today.
R, NC (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 10:47 AM)

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

No, no, no!

Hang in there. This was never going to be a cake walk, nor should it be.

Afterall, we are changing the world!

Have faith.

Ausman's challenge

Jess — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:03:15 GMT

Is Ausman a Clinton supporter?

Ausman's challenge

Marla Meese, Phildelphia PA — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:06:03 GMT

Rank and file Democrats should be ashamed of their leadership. Bunch of old white guys deciding whether your vote counts or not. This is a spectacle beyond what happened in Florida in 2000.

Ausman's challenge

Cross in Margate, FL — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:13:06 GMT

Ok. This is the reason Reagan won so many Democrats when he Over ran the elections of the 80's. Dem leadership is really an oxymoron...

Ausman's challenge

bonalyonga — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:13:49 GMT

It is outrageous, SD should also only have half of their vote counted, if the the pledge are having only half.

Ausman's challenge

B. Honest, Portland OR — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:15:14 GMT

Strip the Superdelegates, They did not stand up for their party when the fat was on the fire, so to hell with em now, give Florida Half the vote, and SPLIT IT 50-50 Otherwise it is ULTIMATELY UNFAIR to those who participated, and to those who did NOT participate because they already KNEW their votes were not going to be counted because of the REPUBLICAN Shenanigans. Michigan should do exactly the same, THERE IS NO OTHER FAIR OR REASONABLE SOLUTION. Since NEITHER CANDIDATE was SUPPOSED to campaign in Either State, any vote cast for any delegate is automatically NULL AND VOID Since not only were the Candidates told (and signed off on) the fact that they could not only Not Campaign there, But Also Could NOT REAP ANY BENEFIT FROM ANY VOTES CAST THERE ANYWAYS. So Hillary's complaints are falling on deaf ears here, either she follows the rules, as they were set out at the Beginning of the Primary Season (when she had no problems at all with excluding Fl and Mi...just watch her video's saying that those votes did not count anyway)

In Otherwords, No Special Treatment for Hillary Clinton JUST BECAUSE SHE IS A CLINTON, She is Breaking the Rules even Now! BUST Her On It!!

Please put an end to this, Super Delegates, You have sat on the Fence Long Enough, PLEASE End It!!

Ausman's challenge

Greg T., Chicago, IL — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:18:04 GMT

Ausman has a good head on his shoulders and offers a good compromise to end this controversy. In the end, there MUST be some significant penalty imposed on states that violate the timing rule, otherwise next time they will all try to push up their primaries. For this reason, seating 100% of the delegates (Clinton's desire) would be a colossal mistake.

Ausman's challenge

Richard Reeves-Ellington, Delmar NY — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:21:32 GMT

A response to Jim. He is arguing based on the DNC constitution, rules, and their interplay. It is elitest but that is the way the DNC has run things for many years.

The point is that the decision should be rule based. I agree with that.

Ausman's challenge

Leander, Albany NY — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:22:00 GMT

I think seating the the Michigan and Florida delegations is a hypocritical move any way you slice it.

From the DNC perspective what message does it send?

From Hillary Clinton's approach what does it say about her? If you can't win by the rules change them?

From Barack Obama's position possible alienation of key constituencies?

I think of all the positions to be in I'd rather be in Barack Obama's, he's got the flexibility in this situation. However he's also got the pressure. I personally don't think the PEOPLE of MI and FL should be neglected because of the actions of selfish, ambitious and arrogant party leaders in those states. Obama may do well to negotiate with respect to Florida's delegation (considering his name was on the ballot), but he should in no way concede anything less than a 50/50 split in Michigan.

The DNC should probably move to immediately fix their nominating process. I would suggest an alternating schedule of three or four successive "waves" of voting. Stage 1 - four to six states get their "influence" as the first primary/caucuses (however, they would go to the last two stages in successive cycles until it was again their turn). Stage 2 - a massive primary event akin to super tuesday where 40% or more of states hold their primaries / caucuses on the same day. Stage 3 (and or 4) the remaining states vote 6 weeks later. Over and done with, fair and revolving (almost like proportional allocation).

Senator Clinton however occupies the worst position in this conflict. She essentially turns herself into a hypocrite and puts her "say and do anything" approach to politics on very public (and I think humiliating if not self-deprecating) display. It really doesnt help her appeal in succeeding elections. I really think that we should take a step back and evaluate Senator Clinton's integrity in light of her about face on the DNC's action.

I agree with senator clinton that the delegates should be seated. But I think it's pretty clear that her only reasoning for it is because it helps her, not because the people of Michigan and Florida deserve representation. She wouldn't be sining this tune if the results favored Obama (I don't think Obama would sing it either)However, you cannot deny the argument that the results were skewed because of the ruling. Voters DID stay home, Obama and Edwards' names were NOT on the ballots in Michigan. She didn't really win, considering their wasn't a real contest (and her move to keep her name on the ballot in MI was an attempt to rig the outcome).

My opinion is that only way the FL and MI delegates should be seated is in such a way that it does not provide either candidate with an advantage. This should be especially true with regards to Michigan. Florida is a slightly different story but I think that the argument about people not voting still holds water. The only negotiating going on should be with regards to Florida. Michigan should be 50/50 hands down. Give the people representation, but the "superdelegates" in MI and FL (those who probably had more to do with causing this problem) ought to remain duly chastised.

Ausman's challenge

Deborah Greenlawn, NY — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:28:30 GMT

As goes Florida, so goes the supers. Get over yourself. Hopefully they will go permanently.

Ausman's challenge

I'm going to cut the grass — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:30:05 GMT

Insane assumptions! "shall" "shall" Let me emphasize "shall". Ausman and Nelson need to shut-up! We've heard this mess over and over. Joyner is just yellihg. STOP YELLING! These people are sad. I don't know that I can listen to this rubbish anymore.

Ausman's challenge

Lyn, KCMO — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:30:19 GMT

The 50% rule should especially apply to the SD's...

To invoke a Bushism, 'They were the deciders...'

Ausman's challenge

Linda Porter, Atlanta, GA — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:31:14 GMT

Why report on what unidentified people in the corridors are saying? They don't have the power to bring this to a close or continue it. The power rests with the people in the room. That is what you should be talking about. Other comments serve only to agitate.

Ausman's challenge

Nick, Portland, OR — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:33:32 GMT

I'll burn my blue jersey if Florida and Michigan are seated, as Hillary Clinton was the only name on the ballots there. She is a snake in the grass.

Ausman's challenge

Nick, Portland, OR — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:33:36 GMT

I'll burn my blue jersey if Florida and Michigan are seated, as Hillary Clinton was the only name on the ballots there. She is a snake in the grass.

Ausman's challenge

Terry , Maryland — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:34:03 GMT

As a long term Democractic Party support, I must admit that I am disappointed with this circus over the seating of Florida and Michigan delegates. This is only being done to help Senator Clinton make up for the fact that SHE and HER CAMPAIGN made BAD JUDGEMENTS about the management and conduct of her campaign. What does this say about the Rules? Do they not matter? They sure do matter when they are being applied against African Americans and other Minorities! Where was this outrage by the State of Florida during the 2000 election by Senator and President Clinton?

Ausman's challenge

BJ, CA — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:34:56 GMT

NO...the superdelegates are "provided" by the DNC
not entitled....
Unfair end around...

Ausman's challenge

Linda Porter, Atlanta, GA — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:35:14 GMT

Arthenia Joyner is a horrible speaker! Her voice is a huge turn-off. Why would anybody choose her as a presenter? Is this a sign of more Clinton pandering?