In Democrats' race, it's Clinton vs. 'uncommitted'

[babylonsister]

In Democrats' race, it's Clinton vs. 'uncommitted'
Francis X. Donnelly / The Detroit News


Sonnie Williams summed up Michigan's marginalized Democratic primary better than any TV pundit could.

"That doesn't seem right," said Williams, 36, a Detroit cosmetologist. "I can't vote for the person I want?"

That's about it for Williams and other supporters of Barack Obama or John Edwards, two top Democratic candidates not on the ballot here. Hillary Clinton is the only major Democratic candidate on today's ballot. The truncated candidate list is fallout from the confrontation between Michigan and the national political parties over the state's move into the early part of the campaign calendar.

While all the Democratic candidates except Ohio U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich adhered to party edicts and refused to campaign in Michigan, Clinton is alone among major candidates to leave her name on the ballot. Now, supporters for her foes are seeking revenge. Few analysts doubt that Clinton won't win, but that has not stopped her opponents from trying to cut into Clinton's vote total by mounting a last-ditch push for Democrats to vote "uncommitted."

U.S. media largely absent

Obama and Edwards, competing with Clinton for the Democratic nomination, took their names off the Michigan ballot in October, saying that was the best way to honor their pledge not to campaign in Michigan. And national Democratic Party officials have penalized Michigan by barring the state's delegates from the national convention this summer.

Though it's likely the delegates eventually will be allowed to attend, the combination of factors has left Michigan with a non-contest being largely ignored by the national media.

more...

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080115/POLITICS01/801150390

[sunonmars]

1. I still dont get the DNC

so what if Michigan and Florida moved up its primaries. Thats their right to hold a primary whenever they want. Why should certain states get the right to vote first.

They may rue the day they tried to stifle these states votes.

[cyclezealot]

3. Because Howard Dean thinks NH is sacred.

NH state laws says, they automatically will move up their primary should any state dare challenge them. Personally, I think its a tourist promotion stunt.

[cali]

5. That's patently false. Dean supports regional rotating primaries

but this is the schedule that the DNC- not Dean primarily- put together and MI and FL agreed to.

Oh, and no, it's not merely a tourism scheme, though that surely plays into it.

[cali]

4. er no. All the states signed off on the plan and then FL and MI

decided to back on their word. You don't decide to back out a couple of months before the primary season starts. They should have fought this fight when it was being worked out, 2+ years ago.

[cyclezealot]

6. Was not how it went

Wyoming was the first to move its primary ahead. ( GOP) Then NH moved up to compete with Wyoming. Then Michigan moved up ahead of Feb 5. Its just not Michigan or Florida who are rogue. NH is also a rogue state by moving its date in order to compete with Wyoming. There are more than two rogue states. Besides, a roving primary will not end New Hampshire's sanctimonious view of itself.

[cali]

7. Rogue state? LOL! Get over yourself.

[cyclezealot]

8. The day of the New Hampshire primary was not the one

agreed to by your sacred DNC rules. ? NH Secretary of State, Gardner was ready to do whatever needed be done to keep NH number one. That is technically a violation of rules , too.

[navarth]

2. WHAT!!?? That's B.S.! I voted Kooch

I just got back from voting. FUCK the national media.

Since I couldn't vote for Edwards.....I just voted for Kooch and you know what? It felt GOOD.

Here's what was on the ballot:

Hillary 'The puppet on the Left' Clinton

Dennis Kucinich

Chris Dodd

Mike Gravel

Uncommitted

[Apollo11]

9. The Michigan primary is a farce and a tragedy.

To me, the rights of Michigan's Democrats are more important than DNC rules.

I find it outrageous that registered Dems in Michigan are being denied their democratic right to take part in the primary process (just like registered Dems in all the other States) and to send delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

I don't understand why Edwards and Obama took their names off the ballot if Hillary did not.

I don't understand why the Michigan primary cannot be put back or done over, with people getting a choice from among all the remaining candidates on the ballot.

Given the circumstances, I think the best thing that Edwards and Obama supporters in Michigan can do is vote for Kucinich, as the best way of slowing down Hillary's post-NH "momentum".

[sunonmars]

10. If they were stupid enough to take themselves off the ballot thats their fault.

They didnt in Florida.