28 Million People

[spare_change]

28 million people will not have a voice in who represents the Democratic Party in the upcoming election

Primaries
Democratic Party Strips Mich. of Delegates

Democratic National Committee members voted Saturday to strip Michigan of its delegates to next year's national convention, the second state to be punished so severely for holding a primary election earlier than the national party allows.

Leaders of both major political parties have tried to enforce a calendar in which only a few states are allowed to hold their voting early. But several states, including Michigan and Florida, have bucked those rules, hoping to gain more influence over the nominating process by voting when the race is still wide open.

In August, the Democratic National Committee responded by stripping Florida of its convention delegates after scheduling its primary for Jan. 29. Yesterday in Vienna, Va., the DNC's rules and bylaws committee issued the same penalty to Michigan for its Jan. 15 primary date.

Its action means none of Michigan's 156 delegates will be allowed to participate when the Democratic party meets in Denver next summer to pick a presidential nominee.

All of the Democratic presidential candidates have already promised the national party that they will not campaign in either Michigan or Florida, even though both states are particularly valuable prizes in the general election.

Party leaders in both states remain defiant, saying that they will hold the primaries on their chosen dates and predicting that the media will treat the outcomes as significant even if there are no delegates at stake.

And some party leaders say the delegates from Michigan and Florida could still end up attending the convention in the end. The rules of the convention allow the party's nominee to petition for reinstatement of the delegates, but whether the eventual nominee would want to wage a fight on behalf of Michigan and Florida against states that played by the rules, such as California and New York, is unclear.

[tt]

The Michigan State Democratic Party was warned about moving the Primary Date forward. While stripping the delegates (which in all likelyhood will NOT happen) was a done only after meeting with that party.

Un-like Florida Dems, who had the date for their primary moved up by a Republican Control State House, the Michigan dems went in with eyes open and with "To hell with you" attitude.

Nor does this mean that dems in Michigan will NOT have their votes counted, or delegate seated at the Convention. The California Presidential Primary is to be held on the first Tuesday in February. For the last Presidential cycle (2004) there was a primary in March.

There will be an additional Primary in June (no, I don't know why.)

[spare_change]

The Michigan State Democratic Party was warned about moving the Primary Date forward. While stripping the delegates (which in all likelyhood will NOT happen) was a done only after meeting with that party.

Un-like Florida Dems, who had the date for their primary moved up by a Republican Control State House, the Michigan dems went in with eyes open and with "To hell with you" attitude.

Nor does this mean that dems in Michigan will NOT have their votes counted, or delegate seated at the Convention. The California Presidential Primary is to be held on the first Tuesday in February. For the last Presidential cycle (2004) there was a primary in March.

There will be an additional Primary in June (no, I don't know why.)


You might want to re-read the article --

"Democratic National Committee members voted Saturday to strip Michigan of its delegates to next year's national convention ...."

"Its action means none of Michigan's 156 delegates will be allowed to participate when the Democratic party meets in Denver next summer to pick a presidential nominee."

"All of the Democratic presidential candidates have already promised the national party that they will not campaign in either Michigan or Florida ...."


If that ain't disenfranchising 28 million people, we need a new definition! The Democratic Party has said that its rules are more important than the rights of 28 million people. It's no more complicated than that.

[tt]

I did read the article spare, but I also read articles in the Washington Post, the Memphis Commerical Appeal, the Los Angles Times and Arkansas Gazette/Democrat as well. I have also read Newsweek and Time Magazine. As the son, grandson and great-grandson of newspaper men, I use the three source rule. You do not site your source, or other sources you used to confirm your information.

The Michigan Democratic Party moved the Primary Election Date ahead, after having been warned by National Democratic Committee that doing so would put in jeopardy their delegate votes at Democratic National Convention.

The Florida Dems did not have the votes in the Florida State House to block the Republicans attempt to move up the Primary Date for that state. Michigan Dems moved up their date because of other states had moved up their Primary date, and Michigan Dems wanted their votes to count. They paid the price.

All your article is about is scaring people. Their votes will count. I find it interesting that you seem to have no problem with Republicans purging Florida Voter Rolls of Black (and therefore possibly Democratic) voters.

[spare_change]

You're absolutely right -- I didn't cite my source -- my oversight (LOL)

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/12/01/democratic_party_strips_michig.html

It was the Washington Post --

I just find the arrogance of the Democratic Party to be offensive. It would seem that their control, and their rules, are more important than 28 million people. Clearly, it reveals their priorities - whether they be right or wrong. Getting their person elected is more important to them than the rights of 28 million people. In addition, the kowtowing of all the candidates, by refusing to even campaign in the two states, is indicative of the stranglehold the Democratic Party has on the candidates. Makes you wonder to whom they will be beholden if they are elected.

Your comment, though, that their votes will count is a bit disingenuous. Yes, their votes in the general election will count. They will only get to choose between two candidates that they had no influence in selecting, and will be forced to make their decision based on a platform that turned a deaf ear to their wishes.

By the way, the "kindergarten defense" isn't applicable. The "kindergarten defense" is a well known debate technique that basically says "Well, he did it, so I can too." (It's also known as the "He did it first!" argument.) It's typically used when the person doesn't have a valid counterargument, and is looking to diffuse, or redirect the reader's attention from the original point of discussion. So, IF Republicans purged the Florida voter rolls of blacks, that is a perfectly valid item for discussion. But, it certainly doesn't mitigate, or excuse, the actions of the Democratic Party.

[tt]

How Ohio in 2004? Black voters (read as Demoratic Voter) were sent letters that stated due to "An expected overflow of voters on election day." That these voters would be allowed to Wednesday, the day after Election Day. This has been documented.


Voters who received letters telling them to confirm their voter status (as to party choice) and if they failed to return the letters, they could not vote. This is in direct violation of Federal And State Election Law. This has been documented. Again aimed mainly democratic voters.

Black voters (read democratic) who received letters telling them that due to large voter turn out, they could go to another polling station and vote. This led to large lines (up to seven hours to vote) at certain polling stations. A Direct violation of Federal and State Election Law. This has been documented.

Vote Caging in illegal and the Republican Party has been charged with it before. Each of the above instances have been proven and documented. They were directed out of the office of Karl Rove.

So you weeping for the poor voters of Michigan seems to little and to late. Not to mention unfair. The Republican Party has dedicated it self to preventing dems from voting for a very long time.

[spare_change]

Yep -- two wrongs make a right.


I got it.

[spare_change]

From CNN ---

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After a day of wrangling in front of a sometimes unruly crowd, the Democratic National Committee's rules and bylaws committee reinstated all of Florida and Michigan's delegates to its party convention, with each getting a half-vote to penalize the states for moving their primaries earlier than the party had approved.

The move will leave front-runner Sen. Barack Obama's lead over rival Sen. Hillary Clinton intact.

"This results in Sen. Clinton obtaining a substantial number of additional pledged delegates, but I also understand that many members of the Florida and Michigan delegations feel satisfied that the decision was fair," Obama said after a campaign event in Aberdeen, South Dakota. "Our main goal is to get this resolved so we can immediately turn the focus of the entire party on winning Florida and Michigan and delivering on the needs of the people in Florida and Michigan -- states that are enormously important, states where a lot of people are struggling."

The Florida decision, which follows the pro-Clinton results of that state's primary, was greeted by virtually all sides as an acceptable compromise on a thorny issue. But Clinton backers vowed to fight the Michigan decision, which gave the New York senator a 10-delegate edge over Obama in a state where his name didn't appear on the primary ballot.

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So, only 14 million people were disenfranchised. That's an improvement .... the arrogance of it all.

[mark_66]

neither of the democratic candidates is worth the effort - nr am I enamored with the republican candidate but if this is simply an exercise in venting so be it but understand nether party Republican or Democrat can stand the scrutiny of an investigation when it comes to fair elections or politics in general - Democratic party in Chicago paid homeless in booze and cigerattes to vote, slashed the tires on Republican campaign vehicles etc etc the llist goes on and on to include the Democratic on-going campaign to disenfranchise military members by voiding absentee ballots

[surfnchat]

It's just a primary. It is no more than a beauty contest. Rest assured that all the votes will count in November -- Unless you are a Democrat in Florida... :D

[cherokeered]

personally I think it's ridiculous to not count votes once they are cast......and when they vote is irrelevant.......
The other thing is....none of the candidates is worth putting in office....I feel this election will bring in a loser either way ya go....Dem or Rep