DNC Considering Caucuses For FL & MI

[jefferson_dem]

:wtf:?

DNC Considering Caucuses For FL & MI
by Todd Beeton, Wed Feb 06, 2008 at 08:29:21 PM EST

Yesterday on MSNBC, Chris Matthews tried to get Howard Dean to say whether the Florida and Michigan delegates would be seated. As you'd expect, Dean punted, instead leaving it at "it will be decided by the credentials committee late in the process" and stressing that he does not want this to go all the way to the convention.

Marc Ambinder today elaborates on the credentials committee process.

The DNC's credentials committee meets this summer, probably in July, and it is not clear which candidate's representatives will be in control: the committee's seats are allocated through a formula linked to the candidate's performances in the states. If the committee winds up being controlled by Hillary Clinton - if, that is, she has a delegate lead in July, the Florida and Michigan delegations will be credentialed.

But if Barack Obama controls the credentials committee, and his committee is given the opportunity to deny Hillary Clinton delegates from Michigan and Florida that could put her over the top - that's his prerogative.

Well, July would be no better for Dean -- he wants the nominee chosen by April, May at the latest, and it looks like to make sure that happens, especially after last night's results, an alternate Michigan and Florida scenario is being considered.

The Democratic National Committee is pressuring Michigan and Florida to hold Democratic presidential caucuses so the delegates they've lost for holding January primaries can be seated at the national convention, a top Michigan Democrat said today.

DNC member Debbie Dingell said it's unclear whether either state would hold caucuses since they've already held primaries, Michigan on Jan. 15 and Florida on Jan. 29.

But she said the DNC is asking the two states to consider such a plan as the likelihood grows that the selection of the party's nominee could come down to the national convention.

This is, of course, on paper, a nightmare for Clinton, since Obama does so much better at caucuses generally, although Nevada did prove that if she competes she can win a caucus in a state where the demographics favor her. And it doesn't hurt that a vast number of voters in FL & MI have already cast ballots for her. But overall, I gotta think this scenario would favor Obama and will be fought tooth and nail by the Clinton campaign. This is just getting weirder and weirder.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/2/6/202921/0402

[Raine]

1. Obama does well in caucus

so the Clintons will probably never let it go that way.

[cloudythescribbler]

2. What about holding FOR REAL open and competitive primaries in both states AFTER March 4?

It would lend legitimacy to the process, and function as a kind of sudden death determination of the nominee.

[jackson_dem]

3. Yup