Legal Commentary

Howard Dean : Doesn't Oppose Seating FL/MI Delegates

By Jeralyn

Update: Little progress has been made:

"Although there have been a lot of conversations about how to assure that our delegation is seated, the logistics and cost of any firehouse primary may simply be insurmountable," said Liz Boyd, Granholm's press secretary.

...Granholm's comment instantly deflated hopes in Michigan of finding a solution, barely a day after expressions of optimism. "That took the oxygen out of the room," said one Democrat in the middle of the discussions, who talked about the deliberations on the condition of anonymity. "I'm regrouping."

Update: A Michigan state legislator was just on CNN. He said there are no concrete plans for a do-over be it a primary or a caucus. While there have been discussions, nothing has been decided. He is an Obama supporter. He's telling everyone to slow down, a do-over decision (or whether it would be a primary or caucus) is not certain. He also acknowledged that he supported the early primary and the reason for it was to be more relevant. He said they made their bed, they will lie in it.

Contrast this to Florida where the primary was moved up because the Republican dominated legislature forced the early date on them.

Big Tent Democrat has another update below the fold.

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Just in from the New York Times:

[Update, 6:30 p.m. The D.N.C. also wants it to be known that Mr. Dean doesn’t necessarily oppose the “re-seating” of these delegates. Mr. Dean offers up the options of a do-over or an appeal to the credentials committee.]

[More...]

While I'm opposed to any do-overs, as I stated in a comment to Big Tent Democrat's latest post, any redo must be a primary, not a caucus. They shouldn't get to redo with a caucus system. Not at this late date.

As a commenter on a Michigan blog pointed out, in the run up to the primary it was made clear that those opposed to Senator Clinton should cast uncommitted votes. I'd rather see Michigan give Obama the uncommitted votes -- that's more than generous since it would be giving him Edwards' votes too.

We've been blasting the caucus system all season. Why should it be okay now? Fewer voters participate in caucuses than primaries. Primaries more accurately reflect the views of all the registered voters in the state.

I say no new election, seat Florida and Michigan. The delegate allotment should reflect the views of the voters on the date the vote was held. A new election is too easily based on factors not in play on the date of the first election. For example, what if Al Gore or John Edwards were to endorse a candidate before the MI or Florida re-vote? That could dramatically alter the results.

I think the DNC credentials committee should lift the unfair penalties it imposed not decide on whether to hold new elections.

Update [2008-3-6 20:36:57 by Big Tent Democrat]: Jeralyn seems to be out so I am adding this Update:

Statement by Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer on seating Michigan's delegates at the Democratic National Convention:

"We are currently in negotiations over the seating of a Michigan delegation to the National Convention. Any resolution must be agreeable to all four interested parties: the MDP, the DNC, and both the Clinton and Obama campaigns because we all want a united Democratic Party in Michigan to ensure a victory for the Democratic nominee this fall. . . . I am confident that we will reach a compromise that will result in Michigan being a full participant at the National Convention."

Full post as published by TalkLeft on March 06, 2008 (boomark / email).