Mich. DNC member: Plan to split delegates flawed

LANSING, Mich. — A top Clinton supporter in Michigan said Thursday the state Democratic Party's plan to split the convention delegates between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama is "fatally flawed."

Democratic National Committee member Joel Ferguson sent a letter Thursday to the co-chairs of the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee seeking to seat all of Michigan's delegates based on the results of the disputed Jan. 15 election. Failing that, he says the pledged delegates should get a half-vote each and superdelegates should get a full vote, a plan Florida also is proposing.

Clinton, who won Michigan's primary, wants to have the full delegation seated. Obama, who is close to having enough delegates to lock up the nomination, has opposed that, noting he took his name off the Michigan ballot after the DNC said it would strip the state of its delegates as punishment for moving up its primary date in violation of party rules.

The rules committee is to meet Saturday to hear plans for seating delegates from Michigan and Florida, which was also stripped of its delegates for holding a January primary.

His letter puts him at odds with the Michigan Democratic Party's chairman and executive committee, which support a proposed 69-59 split.

State Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer disagreed with Ferguson.

Under Ferguson's plan, Clinton would get 73 pledged delegates for winning the Michigan presidential primary, while "uncommitted" would get 55. The Clinton campaign has maintained that Obama should not get any Michigan delegates even though many of his supporters voted for "uncommitted."

"I am convinced that neither the RBC nor the DNC have the authority to take pledged delegates allocated to Hillary Clinton by virtue of the popular vote and assign them to either Uncommitted or to Barack Obama as the challenge seeks," Ferguson wrote in his letter.

The plan to split the delegates 69-59 was drawn up by a four-member team of prominent Michigan Democrats.

"We spent a lot of time working with both campaigns trying to figure out a solution," DNC member Debbie Dingell, who helped draw up the plan, said Thursday. "This is a consensus that was agreed to and the entire executive committee supported. At this point, we're fighting for a principle that's important."

Comments

[amst]

I don't doubt there WILL be a group of Clintonites protesting, but I'll laugh if it turns out to be somewhat of a dud. Think about it, no matter how much you loved your candidate and wanted her to win, knowing that she won't, how far would you travel??? They say they may bus some people? Who's paying for the busing? And the GAS????? I think the spirit may be willing for many people, but reality may set in and they'll have to wonder if it's worth it.
Plus, if few or no Obama supporters show up, they won't get the fight that they so desperately want, nor will the media. We'll see. I have a gut feeling it'll just be a bunch of noise.

[Quilter]

I really hope you're right. The whole world is watching. I'm sick of the rest of the world seeing us act like jackasses.

[kate123]

I've worked with women in several different volunteer enterprises. And in my experience, the women I've worked with get all wound up about a cause, but when it comes time to put the talk into action, they generally have something better to do. I can't tell you how many times I've had large groups who are all in a tizzy about protesting for some cause, and then I try to get them to attend a board meeting or go out and collect signatures for a petition and a tiny minorty manage to maintain their enthusiasm. Sorry, but when it comes to a choice between taking care of the family or heading out for a Hillary rally in D.C., I can pretty much predict that most of the big talkers will find some excuse to stay home. Remember, it doesn't cost any time or money to mouth off on a blog, but getting off work, buying a bus ticket and renting a hotel room does cost. Now, college students, they're a different story. Give them a bus and a warm floor for the night and they'll go anywhere.

[JackND]

Who is paying for that transportation and gas...her broke campaign?

And they think Obama supporters are going to help retire that tab...when it includes protesting his nomination victory?

Think again!

[athenasword]

Maybe that "four-member team of prominent Michigan Democrats" should have read the DNC rules... It is nuts that they continue to insist that all delegates must be seated and give HRC the bigger number. The Michgan primary is what was flawed.

[ultramagnetic]

DING DING DING! At least somebody gets it.

[Quilter]

I want to think that Barack can use Saturday as an opportunity to start the unity conversation with Hillary's most militant supporters. How awesome would it be for him to speak directly to them with embracing words of working together thru the process for the betterment of the Democratic party. He could come forward as the peace maker. I can't help but think of that Ghandi quote...."­First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."

[tel8034]

Hillary CLAIMS she is not behind the planned demonstration by her supporters.

BUT. she was the one through her official website, who told her supporters to FLOOD the DNC with letters to force their hand and make her the nominee.

Although she CLAIMS that she is not behind any sort of "uprising", SHE HAS NOT MADE A MOVE TO STOP THE DEMONSTRATION.

She also seems to know quite well how many busloads of people are to descend on Washington DC, and from which states they are coming from.

ISN'T DEBBIE WASSERMAN (The head honcho behind the "Get Michigan and Florida Seated) campaign) ONE OF HILLARY'S CO-CAMPAIGN CHAIRS? .

So for Hillary to say that she is not behind the "angry mob" expected on Saturday, nor can she stop the demonstration, IS AN ABSOLUTE BOLD FACED LIE.

THIS ENTIRE DEBACLE WAS ENTIRELY ORCHESTRATED BY BILL AND HILLARY, WHO HOPED THAT THIS WOULD LEAD TO A TELEVISED "WAR" BETWEEN THE CLINTON AND OBAMA CAMPS.

But Obama has taken the wind out of their sails, he has asked his supporters NOT TO PARTICIPATE ........ So the only ones that Clinton supporters will have to "FIGHT WITH" is themselves.

[Cheryllou]

This just shows you that this woman has no morals whatsoever. I can't believe I ever voted for her. This is making me really sad, because I once looked up at them, was crazy about her and Bill, but not now.

She's not even thinking about what she's doing to the party. This is one person that is certainly not a uniter, but a divider.

[thepoliticalcat]

As an ex-supporter, I couldn't agree more. It's not that the electorate preferred Obama to her. It's that she did everything she could to alienate her loyal followers.

[VOTER]

Count me in too, as another EX-Supporter!

As a matter of fact, all of my Dem friends supported her once too.

No More!

VOTE OBAMA!

Several of our GOP friends are also Obama supporters.

[rooks]

I am not what you would call an ex-supporter. I was neutral at the beginning. Once here campaign started to take that wrong turn, she lost me. Wonder how many of us are out there?

[brabra]

HILLARY SUPPORTERS WILL NOT CHANGE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. ONLY THE SUPERDELEGATES CAN GIVE BILLARY THE WIN AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE STRONG ARMED BY A BUNCH OF SORE LOSERS. IF THAT WERE THE CASE THEY WOULD GIVE THEIR PLEDGE TO OBAMA WHO ALSO HAS EXTREMELY STRONG SUPPORT IF ONLY BECAUSE THEY PARADED AROUND THE RBC MEETING. HOWEVER THEY WILL BE FAIR AND OBAMA WILL PREVAIL BECAUSE HE IS ALREADY THE NOMINEE TECHNICALLY.

[bobdob]

Hillary is fatally flawed. The Clintons are insane if they think this is going to go 100% their way. Of course, we already knew the Clintons were insane.

[BJMS]

These people are just going to make themselves and their candidate look like idiots...s­o sad...

[dumboldfarmer]

Tell you what, let's penalize all the people, democrats, independents and republicans who voted in this primary season and did it by the rules. Let's tell the caucus voters that they don't mean squat. Let's alienate all of those people who stayed home and didn't vote because they tried to play by the rules.
But, let's reward the rule breakers? Now that is a fatally flawed policy. It is also terminally stupid.

[athenasword]

Yup. I guess that's what they want to do. I agree... rewarding the rule breakers and not enforcing the agreed upon rules is what is fatally flawed.

[rooks]

One more question, since Shrub is the decider (be able to make horrible decisions), what does
that make Hillary? Chuckie?

[SouthFloridaDem]

Hillary is The Demander.

[rooks]

I like that! She has the ability to demand. Nice super power.

[Grunty1]

WE HAVE A WINNER!!

[rooks]

This is just ludacris. I am losing so I need to change the rules. This goal is unattainable, so let's
set the bar lower. Sound familiar? If I can't win, I am taking my ball home. Are we in third grade as a nation? Luckily, there is another one!

[farseer]

Hillary represents the politics of unreason. The politics of the brawl. The audacity of hopelessness.
How can anyone back her? Hard to believe.
She seems the opposite of Pelosi. Pelosi is someone I admire.

[illinoisan]

I was really hoping Pelosi would become the first woman president after the first double-impeachment but that was just a wet dream.

[xargaw]

I hope that both sides will support the ruling of the committee on Saturday, whatever, it is. Democracy demands respect for rules. To demand that the rules be altered at the end when the desired result is out of reach, dimenishes the candidates, the party and the process. Are these people adults? This is simply a primary. The votes that really count are in the general election. MI and FL broke the rules. If they get anything ourt of this they should be grateful. The candidates signed a pledge. Will they keep their word? If not, then why should ever trust them on anything else?

[Krikkit]

Hillary hasn't respected anyone or anything so far, so what gives you that hope she'll turn over a new leaf if she doesn't get her way this time?

Remember how she reacted when they tried to sue Nevada to remove some caucus polls and the case was thrown out? She went on to declare all caucuses as meaningless because they don't "represent the popular vote." She'll do the same if she doesn't get her way at the committee meeting; she'll just declare whatever they say invalid and continue on as if everyone lived in Hillaryland.

[DaOne]

If the Hillary camp had any class, they would call off the protestors. That's a huuuuuge IF!

[Krikkit]

Are you kidding me? This is right up Hillary's alley. Blackmail, strong-arming the party one more time.

[nazirmo]

Hillary supporters by the millions have also poured their hearts and money into her reaching so far. her victory in Virginia and Kentucky has shown her resilience. She may not win the nomination. But the democratic party needs both Obama and Hillary together on one ticket to defeat McCain. Believe me neither Hillary nor Obama alone can win against McCain. The all too powerful lobby that support the Republican machine will once again spend millions and even cheat to put McCain in. with the united forces of Hillary and Obama they can overcome the obstacles and get into the White House by a slim margin. But we need to put pressure on both hillary and Obama. Florida and Michigan must be counted but the only right solution is to have revotes . the end result should be a dream ticket. It will be a huge mistake for either Obama or Hillary running against McCain. Bush and the republicans may be at their lowest ratings but that does not mean that McCain and the Republican machine cannot win.
If the democrats are smart and if important democratic politicians are smart they will pressure for a dream ticket.
I do not think that the differences that are present right now while the campaign is still on will cause any problems once the nominee is decided and once the dream team is formed and once the real campaigning starts against McCain. And by dream team I mean either Obama-Hillary or Hillary-Obama.

[thepoliticalcat]

I wish it were possible. A few months ago, I would have supported this with all my heart and soul. A few months ago, I was a Clinton supporter. I would probably have wanted her on top of the ticket.

I regret that the campaign she has run has been filled with lies and deception, and she now represents dangerous baggage. She has not been vetted. The Republican attack machine has been honed on the Clintons, and she has alienated the activist wing of the Democratic Party that fought for her and her husband during the eight years when they held the highest office in the land.

It's hard to see how she can bring anything but negatives to the ticket. I'm afraid it's time for someone with less baggage as VP.

[mcgreen]

For that to work we would have to believe she was electable to begin with.

Hillary is smart and talented - ambitious. But her history with Bill gave her both an advantage and a big disadvantage, if she had left him she might have escaped being tarred with his moral indulgences - but she didn't.

I work with too many Republicans who hate her passionately. I've never been able to believe she was electable.

[Grunty1]

Bill may bring her problems, but the advantages of having an ex-president, and one of the most popular in recent years, on your side is a huge benefit.

Hillary still managed to blow all the advantages that she had though.

[kesiac]

I can see the Repub 527 now. Fade in Hillary, Im presidential, John McCain is too. Fade in Shame on Your Barack Obama. Fade in He's an Elitist. Flicker My oponent, my oponent, my oponent.
Barack has gone out of his way not to slam her, to the point he is called weak. She has said so much against him, disrespecting that they are both democrats, that them running together is a nightmare ticket.

[jerryny]

"Dream ticket"? Nightmare ticket is more like it. I shudder at the thought and this is from a New Yorker who has voted for her twice for the senate. She's a loose cannon and very destructive. The Republicans would love nothing better than to have Hillary on the ticket in order to destroy Obama.