Woo-hoo! We’re just one day away from the Clusterf*ck to the White House being O-V-E-R! …Or are we?
Tomorrow marks the day when a DNC panel decides what to do about the delegates from Michigan and Florida. Originally, the DNC decided that as penalty for violating rules and moving up their state primaries, Michigan and Florida would not have their delegates count toward the nomination. Clinton and Obama both backed this decision - in fact, Obama went so far as to remove his name from the Michigan ballot.
Fast forward a few months to Clinton trailing Obama in the race. Should Michigan and Florida’s delegates be seated, Obama’s projected lead would shrink substantially. And seating the delegates is exactly what Clinton’s lawyers are urging the DNC panel to do. The panel has the ability to seat - or not seat - these delegates in whatever manner it sees fit.
I’m torn on this issue. On the one hand, these voters deserve to have their voices heard as much as the rest of us. Combined, these states make up close to 10% of the population. That’s a lot of people to disenfranchise. On the other hand, did Clinton have her fingers crossed when she said not to seat the delegates originally? You can’t say one thing and then change your position when it no longer serves your own interests. I mean, if I want a Republican in office again, I can just vote for McCain. Â
I think the best result would be a compromise: seat half the delegates from Florida, in proportion to the results. This would allow the voters of Florida some, albeit reduced, representation, but would also force the DNC to stick to the rules they set forth and the candidates to stand by their word. You can’t fairly seat the delegates from Michigan since they all go to Clinton by default. Obama tried to respect the party by removing his name from the ballot and would wind up being allotted zero delegates as a result. That disrespects the entire process, in my opinion.
Whatever happens, tomorrow will certainly be an historic day!
4 responses so far ↓
1 Jamie Holts // May 30, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I finally decided to write a comment on your blog. I just wanted to say good job. I really enjoy reading your posts.
2 Jamie Holts // May 30, 2008 at 10:33 pm
You know, I have to tell you, I really enjoy this blog and the insight from everyone who participates. I find it to be refreshing and very informative. I wish there were more blogs like it. Anyway, I felt it was about time I posted, I’ve spent most of my time here just lurking and reading, but today for some reason I just felt compelled to say this.
3 The BoBo // May 31, 2008 at 2:15 am
Hi Erica,
Well, being from Florida - and having voted in the Republican primary - I say the need to count all the votes and all the delegate for both parties. Not only did the DNC strip ALL the delegates from the Dems - the RNC took away half of the republican vote. It is for this very reason that I am now a registered Independent. I’m tired of these party politics. Since when do private organizations get to dictate how we citizens get to vote and which votes count? Its unfair that those smaller, less integrated, states get to vote first and pretty much dictate which way the rest of the elections will go for the remaining 46 states. Both Florida and Michigan are much more diverse and more representative of the political and demographic makeup of the country than Iowa and New Hampshire are. I say Hillary won Florida fair and square - both candidates were on the ballot - neither campaigned down here and almost 2 million people came out to vote. She should get ALL the delegates and the should ALL be seated as this is a winner takes all state. Michigan..I don’t really know what to say. There were only 3 candidates on the ballot and Barack was not even on it. I don’t think it would be fair to give all those delegates to Hillary. If anything, they should allow Michigan to vote again with both Barack and Hillary on the ballot then let the citizens decide.
And..I’m not voting for McCain. I have my own write-in candidate that’s going on the blank line come November.
4 TOPolk // Jun 1, 2008 at 1:45 am
I normally don’t comment on political posts. There’s enough arguing going on in the ‘real world,’ I try to keep the blogosphere civil.
But I like your post here. It wasn’t an issue of “These are Obama’s votes” or “Hilary won Florida.” It was moreso an issue of “Hurry the hell up and pick someone so your efforts can be focused somewhere!!!”
For some reason unknown to me, that nice to see on a blog.
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