Blog Buzz: Michigan, Florida, and a Vice President?
Our daily look at stories and topics lighting up the Internets:
Count? Recount? The Never-Ending Florida (and Michigan) Democratic Primary
TPM's Josh Marshall aims a withering blast at the Clinton contention that Florida and Michigan should be seated as a matter of principle. Mary Katherine Hamm has the best take: Hillary's trying to become president of Florida and Michigan. Dean Barnett at the Weekly Standard's blog notes that Mrs. Clinton compared Florida and Michigan to...Zimbabwe, and expresses amazement that anyone would be surprised at her using such a bizarre and "shameless" analogy.
Veep Search: It's Just Lunch!
Hot Air's Ed Morrissey doesn't think the McCain ticket could possibly have any Joementum and finds Obama's choice for veep hunter uninspiring. NRO's Jim Geraghty approves of the McBBQ PR-wise, even if it doesn't produce a running mate. RedState's Erick hears that Huckabee has removed himself from the McShort List.
Wacky Preacher Watch
The spotlight has swung back to McCain's preaching friends, with renewed interest in Rod Parsley. CarpetBagger's Steve Benen says that this matters much more than Jeremiah Wright. Matthew Yglesias points out that Parsley's anti-Muslim comments are too mainstream to be a problem for McCain. Kyle Moore, posting Comments From Left Field, takes a long look at Parsley and imagines what John McCain circa 2000 would have said about him.
—Robert Schlesinger
Reader Comments
Florida and Michigan were not the only state that violated the rules.
Florida and Michigan were not the only states that violated the delegate selection process timing rules
The law clearly states:
A. No meetings, caucuses, conventions or primaries which constitute the first determining stage in the presidential nomination process (the date of the primary in primary states, and the date of the first tier caucus in caucus states) may be held prior to the first Tuesday in February or after the second Tuesday in June in the calendar year of the national convention. Provided, however, that the Iowa precinct caucuses may be held no earlier than 22 days before the first Tuesday in February; that the Nevada first-tier caucuses may be held no earlier than 17 days before the first Tuesday in February; that the New Hampshire primary may be held no earlier than 14 days before the first Tuesday in February; and that the South Carolina primary may be held no earlier than 7 days before the first Tuesday in February. In no instance may a state which scheduled delegate selection procedures on or between the first Tuesday in February and the second Tuesday in June 1984 move out of compliance with the provisions of this rule.
That being the case Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina all violated this rule. Why are Florida and Michigan the only two states to be punished for it?
Regardless, under the DNC rules, the Florida and Michigan primaries clearly count, and they are entitled to have 50% of their delegates seated at the convention as allocated by their state primaries. However, given that Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina were not penalized at all, the equitable options are to strip 50% of Iowa’s, New Hampshire’s and South Carolina’s delegates, or Florida and Michigan should not lose any, just as the other three states were not penalized. It’s not only fair and just, it’s simply following the rules.
All states should be treated equally when voting, one state should not get waivers others do not. Are you saying that some states are worth more than others? That's what it sounds like to me.
On another note, Obama violated the DNC's rules by campaigning in both Michigan and Florida via television(CNN) nationwide. According to the law he would not be allowed any delegates from those states anyway, so as far as Michigan and him not being on the ballot goes- it's irrelevant he wouldn't get any delegates from either state regardless.
The law states:
A. No meetings, caucuses, conventions or primaries which constitute the first determining stage in the presidential nomination process (the date of the primary in primary states, and the date of the first tier caucus in caucus states) may be held prior to the first Tuesday in February or after the second Tuesday in June in the calendar year of the national convention. Provided, however, that the Iowa precinct caucuses may be held no earlier than 22 days before the first Tuesday in February; that the Nevada first-tier caucuses may be held no earlier than 17 days before the first Tuesday in February; that the New Hampshire primary may be held no earlier than 14 days before the first Tuesday in February; and that the South Carolina primary may be held no earlier than 7 days before the first Tuesday in February. In no instance may a state which scheduled delegate selection procedures on or between the first Tuesday in February and the second Tuesday in June 1984 move out of compliance with the provisions of this rule.
democratic campaign
I am incensed at what the democratic party has done in regards to obama. It is appalling to me that they allowed him to run for office. All of us who voted for him in the california primary, did so, never suspecting that he had the affiliations with Jeremiah wright and bill aryes. Those facts were neatly hidden from us until long after the primary. We have been betrayed. millions of people just like me have every intention of voting for McCain if obama is allowd to continue. If Clinton does not win the nomination, I will change my party and vote republican, make no mistake about it. This is not a question of race, but rather a question of trust. I no longer trust Obama and neither do millions of democrates. If you believe that those of us who support Hillary will kiss and make up and vote for obama, you are sadly mistaken. If obama wins the nomination, make no mistake we democrates will put mcCain in the white house.
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