Florida, Michigan Want Democrats to Seat Delegates

In the internecine struggle for the Democratic nomination, few dumber things have happened than the Florida and Michigan not-really-primaries. Democratic National Committee told both states that if they voted prior to February 5, they wouldn’t get any delegates. Michigan voted January 15 and Florida on January 29. Now, the rule-breakers want delegates to the national convention in Denver seated anyway. Justice demands they get their wish, but only if they vote again.

Now, if the American Democratic Party stands for democracy, then it’s only right that every vote count. It’s also only right that the party’s candidates have their names on the ballot and that they be allowed to campaign in those jurisdictions without potential sanctions. These conditions were not met in Florida and Michigan. Senator Obama’s name (as well as Governor Richardson’s and Senator Edwards’) was not on the ballot in Michigan. He withdrew it in October; Senator Clinton left hers on. No candidate campaigned in Florida, although Senator Obama made a national TV buy that put a few ads on in that state, and Senator Clinton made sure everyone knew she would be at a “fundraiser” in Florida and hold a rally there on Election Night. In short, these two events didn’t rise to the level of what one might call an open and fair election.

The Clinton campaign, trailing by a good 100+ delegates is desperate to get Florida and Michigan’s delegates seated from these sham elections. She won both, and it would close the gap with Senator Obama. However, it wouldn’t change the arithmetic regarding the nomination itself. There would be more delegates, which would raise the number needed for a majority. She would make up ground without winning outright. At the same time, she would enhance the Clinton reputation for what the British call “sharp practices,” or what the rest of the world would call cutting corners for the sake of winning.

The Obama campaign would pitch a fit and a half if that were to occur. Indeed, it could very well lead to an ugly credentials fight and has the potential to split the party. The Illinois senator seems content to let the states figure out a new process and to participate. And since primary elections cost more to run than a caucus, the two states may favor a caucus – and everyone knows who the caucus champ is this year. In any case, Senator Obama seems to have the support of Party Chairman Howard Dean, “Out of respect for the presidential campaigns and the states that did not violate party rules, we are not going to change the rules in the middle of the game.”

In fairness to Florida, a state that can’t seem to organize an election to save its soul, the date of the primary was set by the legislature, which is controlled by the Republicans. The Republican governor signed the bill moving the date, knowing full well that the consequences were for Florida's Democrats. It is a bit cheeky of Governor Crist to complain now that this has disenfranchised millions of voters. If he had vetoed the bill, Florida would have been playing by the rules and everything would have been different. Michigan has less of an excuse as the governor is a Democrat with a veto who didn't use it.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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