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

[Grunty1]

By "fatally flawed", Hillary means that it doesn't hand her the election.

[Stephen420]

Uh... except Hillary didn't say it; Joel Ferguson did.

[Grunty1]

"A top Clinton supporter"

As large a mess as her campaign has been, do you think her campaign leaders would be saying this garbage without her permission?

[Cedman]

Will they over turn police cars and set them on fire like `68 in Chicago? I'll have my popcorn ready and will glued to my tv!......ridiculous.

[DShawn233]

LOL, I plan on mowing my lawn Friday, after work (black working class lives here) sorry couldn't resist. Anyway, why am I mowing my lawn Friday afternoon? So that my entire Saturday can be free because I can not wait to see exactly how the "paid" protesting members of The Clinton Party conduct themselves. I have been watching some of these people that plan on going to "protest" on TV and we could be in for a show that will rival any WWE event. My wife will be at work early Saturday. I might DVD the whole thing for her.
Can't some of you just see "Bagdad Bob" McAuliffe leading them down the street?

[liseworks]

Get ready to see the same crowd that shows up at the Swap Meet every day, waiting to see if there are any free samples ....!

[liseworks]

Jerry Springer will be there inviting them all to brawl on his next show.

[Grunty1]

They are coming from 26 states, so there are at least 26 of them ;-)

[SethBLiNK]

Lost in all this is the reason that early primary states are chosen the way they are.

If the first Primary state was Florida, it would be even more difficult now for somebody without a huge war chest and national fame to even consider entering the race.

Starting the election in smaller states like Iowa and New Hampshire allow voters to kick the tires and allow Party members to see how a candidate's message plays before big delegate blocks are committed.

A relative unknown like Mike Huckabee would not have been able to pull off his Iowa miracle in Michigan. An underfunded John Edwards wouldn't have been able to beat Hillary Clinton in a bigger state than Iowa. Had he beaten Obama too, money would have then pored in and he would have been a viable candidate. This is a very democratic egalitarian system. They've even added a highly black state, (SC) and a highly latino state (NV) to balance Iowa and New Hampshire.

If Michigan and Florida go early, they throw everything out of whack. If they defy the party and go early only to have their votes count... only to get to be both an early state and a late state, it means the party's word means nothing and states will do whatever they wish.

Let some of it count? Sure. Let all of it count? No way.

[LilyK]

Excellent post. We should stuff Debbie Wasserman-Shultz's mailbox with it.

[mesuki]

That Shultz woman is as dishonest as Hillary. She looks like a dog too!...woof woof!

[mcole]

ahhhh i see. so allowing smaller states kinda keeps the costs down so the candidates can see how they do without wasting too much money....well done. i didnt know what the fuss was about primary dates n sturvs.

[JackND]

I half agree.

Yes, small states should go first.

No, it shouldn't always be New Hampshire and Iowa that go first. There are other small states.

[luvthelaw]

Exactly. For all those new to the way the party runs, I know some of them don't see why it's a big deal to follow the party calendar but the season is designed this way for good reasons. When the time comes to consider the rules for the next 2012, I hope you're around to remind people why things are done the way they are - not that some changes aren't needed but you should understand why things are the way they are before you make big changes.

[EspritDeVoltaire]

With the terrorist threat on the DNC Rules Committee meeting by the Clintonistas, it sounds like this weekend is cancelled for the Capitol Police SWAT Team... I hope Marriott hires extra security too.

[pie8ter]

I am a Clinton - Vote for me

I am white - Vote for me

I am a woman - Vote for me

I am being ganged up by all men - Vote for me

I am for working class American and will drink a shot of whiskey to prove - Vote for me

I am from _________(your state name goes here), and my daddy took me to duck hunting - Vote for me

I am a fighter because I dodged sniper fires - Vote for me

[jcjewell]

The DNC rules stated that states that moved their primaries in violation of DNC rules would not have their delegates seated. All of the Democratic candidates signed a pledge agreeing with this DNC ruling. Michigan and Florida moved their primaries ahead, in violation of the stated DNC rules. Their delegates should NOT be seated. Period. End Of Story.

Nothing has happened since the original DNC ruling that should alter that original ruling.

[marijam]

Didn't Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina all move up? Without censure?

[DoomtoNeoCons]

They had permission

[illinoisan]

All three states scheduled their elections in accordance with DNC rules. When rules are thrown out or ignore, chaos ensues.

Michigan and Florida are like bullies who muscle their way to the head of a line and expect to be allowed to do it because they're bigger and more aggressive. The DNC is like the school principal who yanks them out by the ear and makes them go to the back of the line so they'll hopefully learn some respect.

The irony is they'd have had far more influence in the race if they had waited their turn.

[syrupcore]

"Failing that, he says the pledged delegates should get a half-vote each and superdelegates should get a full vote"

backwards! The voters didn't change the damn election day, the friggin SUPERDELS did. Pledged should get full and supers should get NONE.

[Grunty1]

Agreed. The MI and FL super delegates are the ones to blame, they are the voters who broke the rules!

[Kingbreaker]

The problem is that two very serious factors distorted each election in Hillary's favor.

Michigan is too obvious to need a rehash.

In Florida, a bill of concern to *property owners* did in fact bring a lot of voters to the polls who otherwise wouldn;t have shown up. But property owners tend to be . . . . older. I wonder how that demographic wrinkle worked out?

Honoring the pledged total as-is is blatantly unfair.

[bluesjones63]

I continue to have FAITH that Hillary Clinton will STEAL the party's nomination by ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

She will NOT accept the ruling of the RBC on May 31st; she will NOT end her campaign on June 3rd; she WILL carry her fight to Denver where the SUPERS will concede and CROWN Hillary as the party's nominee.

Then my FUN begins. I vow to use EVERY bit of my personal energy, EVERY bit of my personal time, and EVERY bit of my personal networking sources to ENSURE her defeat.

I PRAY that Hillary STEALS the nomination.

[Grunty1]

You sound like one messed up individual.
Why do you want America to suffer under GOP rule?

[RThM]

I can't stand the stench and I'd have to hold my nose and stiffle my gag reflex with every ounce of strength I have left after this idiotic primary race, but I would have to vote for Clinton. Any Democrat is better than McCain and his fairy-godfathers Bush and Cheney. That's the problem in the Democratic party and Clinton KNOWS it. That's why she won't go away.

However, I also feel that Clinton is the only thing left that will reunite the degenerate Republican party. Bush was elected on anti-Clinton sentiment and it will return if she or her husband are anywhere near the national election. The chances she looses to McCain are just too real to take a chance. Please, people, support the legitimate Democratic nominee Obama and end this national lunacy in November! The Republicans are already running scared because they know they can't win against this truly remarkable and honorable leader.

[Kingbreaker]

I fear the same outcome but God knows I sure don;t wish it will happen.

I hope Hillary will prove the naysayers wrong and wholeheartedly support O on June 5th. that would be wonderful.

Forgiveness is hard to do, but it's a wonderful thing. For everybody's supporters.

[Pema]

you tubes "hillary clintons sunset blvd" is hysterical. now hillary is making snide comments about speeches, jee i wonder who the hell she is talking about. please someone help her with her dream of becoming an astronaut. i vote hillary for queen of the moon. get her off this planet till after nov 4

[Peteyman]

This is my opinion

Hillary wins the nomination: The hard core right wingers will unite against her, even those who are not impressed with McCain. Why? They wouldn't care about McCain, they just don't want a Clinton in the WH. Independents who are Republican leaning will more than likely definitely vote McCain. She will still have her core supporters, however, I don't know how many of Obama's supporters will vote her

Obama wins: Hard core right wingers MIGHT vote Obama to spite McCain. It's all about the name recognition. Republican leaning independents are likely to give more thought on who to vote for, and could more than likely, vote Obama. He will have his incredible base, and his fund-raising "machine". Hopefully in the 5 months before election day, Hillary democrats are going to realize that this guy is a good guy. Maybe they're in the denial stage? Maybe they'll accept that Obama beat her fair and square, and that he's a very remarkable candidate.

Interesting race indeed.

[LilyK]

Hillary on the ticket and all those teetotalling, right wing evangelicals, who aren't so sure about a guy whose wife owns a Budweiser distributorship, will flock to the polls to vote for McCain. A Clinton on the Democratic ticket is better than a gay marriage-abortion-gun control-states rights referendum any day.

[illinoisan]

I know of a few reborn Christian who rue their former support for Bush and would have voted for Huckabee if he had won the nomination but will be voting Obama in November.

[liseworks]

Cool - Then, they're born-again, indeedy - they have found the Light !

[PKSSK]

The Clinton surrogates have been sending emails to their constituents in FL and MI promising them an all expense paid trip to Washington. So we can all plan on watching a real show with paid protesters in action, get the popcorn out. It would be nice if the media did some thorough anlaysis and interviewing on those who show up. Should be very interesting.

[liseworks]

It's going to be a bunch of people whose biggest trip ever, was to the local Swap Meet.
What a fun, free vacation they'll all have !! Free bus ride 'n all !! Whooppee !!

[andhakari]

Who's paying?

[LilyK]

Who in the debt-ridden Camp Clinton is paying for the airfare? And does that include the $15 surcharge for bags?

[fungeezer]

Just who is going to pay for that? She has no campaign money left. I sure hope that the democratic supporters don't wind up with the bill. I'd love to see the cost behind that and who funds it. Might be real telling.

[liseworks]

Prob. those same poor white working class people she wants to help w/ a gas tax saving of 18 cents a day -
She prob. talked them into a $50 contribution to her "campaign" -
But, hey, they get a free bus ride !! Can't say the witch ain't got heart !

[Kingbreaker]

I'd guess those same idiots who tried to buy the SD votes of the Young Democrats, and also wrote threatening letters to Pelosi. They've already hit the direct contribution cap, and so this is the next best thing. Give HRC supporters a free DC vacation in exchange for making noise.

These guys think that money can buy anything. I hope they are incorrect.

[condew]

Of course any solution is unacceptable, the plan was always to fight it on the floor of the convention. Hillary will only accept total surrender, and the rules committee can only give a half surrender.

I say give her nothing, since she won't be satisfied no matter what you do. It's just not worth demonstrating that the word of the Democratic party is worthless and to destroy any hope of discipline in the next election, just to indulge the Clintons.

She's going to make a godawful stink anyway, so for once show some backbone.

[JackND]

I'm absolutely amazed that, if she wrenches the nomination away from Obama, she still thinks she can somehow win the election.

Many of Obama's voters are independents and moderate Republicans...voters who are more than willing to go with McCain if Obama doesn't get nominated, and voters who are unfazed by the "we have to unite around the Democrat whoever it is" assertion.

I'm a strong Obama supporter, but I'm not a Democrat. I feel no need to unite around "whoever the party nominates"...I'll vote for the person who has the most character and intregrity.

And on that scale, Obama is about a 9, McCain a 6, and Hillary a 1.

[marijam]

I don't think that is true. I think the Democrat leaning ones will vote Democrat and the Republican leaning ones will vote Republican. The conservatives will not vote. With the new voters that both Hillary and Obama have brought out, the Democrats are going to win this one. McCain isn't the person he used to be. Its really sad how the Republican party destroyed him during the 2000 election. He's still very damaged and that's why he's not the person he used to be. He's still, still, groveling to them and they will never accept him. While he's so busy groveling, those who liked him because he was willing to tell them to go to the devil, are taking notice. John McCain has no personal integrity anymore, so, in the end, I don't think he'll win.

[fungeezer]

Amen. I am an Independent voter and I have no real allegiance to the Dems. I'd rather vote for someone else than her.

[condew]

Hillary doesn't get it; he biggots who voted for her rather than a black man will vote for the white man in the general. She would lose in the general.

[going2ireland]

Let's fast forward to August 25-28, 2008. Hillary is there all smiles, waiting for that magic number to appear that will give her the nomination. At some point in time, the decision has come down that Obama has the delegates needed to win.

How do you think Hillary will handle herself?

Will she continue to say it is not over yet? Will she then threaten a lawsuit? Will the smile disappear from her face? Will she feign a smile? Will her face turn sour?

Or do you think she will handle this with grace, keep a smile on her face in spite of her disappointment/shock that she did not win the nomination and congratulate (at last!!) Obama and announce that she will be there for him during the GE?

[liseworks]

Shell be exiled to the Isle of Elba, like Napoleon.

[andhakari]

Send her to the south side of Chicago.

[Kynn]

One problem. Hillary's smile is always fake.

[TheRebel82]

Michigan and Florida should be PUNISHED for their idiotic moves! Come on DNC get some spine and stand your ground!

[Vantunow]

Too bad Howard Dean doesn't read Huffington Post.

I have been saying that the ONLY way for DNC to get rid of HRC is to hire an EXCORCIST.

[liseworks]

I said it first a week ago - nya nya
: )

[condew]

Good one!