Blog Buzz: Michigan, Florida, and a Vice President?

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.