Democrats punish Michigan for early primary (strip state of delegates)

MSNBC ^ | 12/1/07

[Kimmers]

VIENNA, Va. - Democratic leaders voted Saturday to strip Michigan of all its delegates to the national convention next year as punishment for scheduling an early presidential primary in violation of party rules.

Michigan, with 156 delegates, has scheduled a Jan. 15 primary. Democratic Party rules prohibit states other than Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina from holding nominating contests before Feb. 5.

Florida was hit with a similar penalty in August for scheduling a Jan. 29 primary.

Michigan officials anticipated the action by the Democratic National Committee's rules panel. But Michigan Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer said before the vote that he didn't think the delegates would be lost for good. He expects the Democratic presidential nominee will insist the state's delegates be seated at the convention.

[BlueStateBlues]

A stupid decision. Everyone who was running for delegate will cut back their work for the dim party in ‘08, the party leadership in Michigan looks weakened and will be angry at their party for this insult, and the candidates will have spent less money, time, and goodwill in the state.
Even native son Mikey Moore will have a hard time holding his head up after this.

Just like the city of Detroit does, the national dims have shot Michigan in the foot.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

Half the thread has posted since your reply and still everyone is beating up on the democrats when the republicans have said they are going to remove delegates from New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan and Wyoming during the republican National Convention this year.

New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan and Wyoming.

GOP Punishes Five Early Voting States: http://tinyurl.com/2j7suv

[molette67]

now that would get some attention. but i like it

[Recovering_Democrat]

Democrats: count every vote WE deem fit to count.

[Maelstorm]

The Democrat leadership are going to find themselves with no one to lead. This will not play well for them. If I were a Democrat candidate I’d use this to my advantage and demand the delegates be accepted. I thought this was the party of count every vote? ;-)

[Old Sarge]

I like it - alienate your voters.

Hey, it's worked so well for the GOP...

[newzjunkey]

What happened to "count every vote" from these people? This is a fine example of "Democracy in action" (/sarcasm).

They were afraid of FoxNews hosting a debate. Now they're afraid of an electorate!

[Mr. Silverback]

Guaranteed to tick off voters, and also profoundly anti-democratic. Why is either party investing themselves in kissing Iowa and New Hampshire’s butts? Where is it in the Constitution that they get to go first?

[Road Warrior ‘04]

I can hear Dean’s demonic scream as he makes the declaration. Thank you dNc!

[qman]

Does this help or hurt Hillary or is it a wash?

[qman]

What really bothers me is, why are we pushing these primaries up all the time. It is said so that certain states can have more influence. If that is so before long the primaries will be held before the president swears the oath of office.

I do not believe that the states should be mandated by the parties but shouldn’t the governors conference get together and work out a plan where each state could have and equitable say in there states primary, and move the primary season back to march at least.

With the advent of modern media it seems to me getting your views out to the public after the primaries should not be that complicated, and shouldn’t take eight months.

Also pet peve alert ‘How about a real convention for a change and not a corination, didn’t things used to be decided at conventions.’

I stopped watching conventions after Bush 41’s.

Sorry one more pre peve ‘How about a state of the union address that adressed the state of the union and not a laundry list of handout’s’.

[EternalVigilance]

The whole thing is a power play. One that conservatives and conservatism are NOT going to benefit from.

[Clintonfatigued]

Michigan is at war with both parties’ establishments.

[Candor7]

Well then that means the Dems will be disorganized for the 2008 election. Maybe the Republican party can make some Congressional advances in Michigan. The so called Democratic party is not so democratic. They want the sequence of primaries to favor Hilldabeast.

[COgamer]

“I think they’re trying to knock out Obama...Dems rule with an iron fist - same thing to Florida.”

But that doesn’t make sense. Hillary is ahead - solidly - in both states. If this move hurts anyone it’s her.

[GOPJ]

How do you feel about Hillary? You seem up on some things - but very negative on most Republicans. Can you give me some insights on where you’re coming from...

[grellis]

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

SOMEONE HELP ME OUT HERE!

Last I heard, the legislation which set the early primary date was being contested in the courts. Part of the legislation gives the state dems and pubs exclusive access to the voter rolls in the upcoming primary.

Obviously, this would be shot down if it ever reached the federal level, as it is in direct violation of FOIA. My question to y'all is: Where is this legislation in the state courts?

I've said it before, I'll say it again: This was an incredibly stupid idea from the word go. Every Michigan voter should be royally PO'ed at both of our state parties.

[SunkenCiv]

Michigan, with 156 delegates, has scheduled a Jan. 15 primary. Democratic Party rules prohibit states other than Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina from holding nominating contests before Feb. 5. Florida was hit with a similar penalty in August for scheduling a Jan. 29 primary.

Okay, Al Gore, get that army of lawyers you used in Florida back in 2000 on this disenfranchisement case.

[mosquitobite]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-10-22-596553638_x.htm

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/09/opinion/main3481138.shtml?source=RSSattr=Opinion_3481138
The Republican National Committee, which does not grant waivers to early states, will cut the delegate votes of New Hampshire, South Carolina, Wyoming, Michigan, and Florida in half.

Seems to me the RNC is doing the same thing?