Do-over in Michigan and Florida?

[andym]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080305/ap_on_el_pr/primary_scramble

WASHINGTON - Officials in Michigan and Florida are showing renewed interest in holding repeat presidential nominating contests so that their votes will count in the epic Democratic campaign.

The governors of both states, along with top officials in Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign, are now saying they would consider holding a sort of do-over contest by June. That's a change from their previous insistence that the primaries their states held in January should determine how the states' delegates are allocated.

........

A smart move?

[msongs]

1. no, they accepted the rules then chose to violate them nt

[HockeyMom]

2. I won't vote again

They need to abide by the rule.

[Blarch]

3. Ya..lets change the rules.

Fuck this ...no changing rules in the middle of the game.

[keep_it_real]

4. I'm all for a full and complete do over - nothing wrong with that

[andym]

5. There is precedence.

There is precedence. For example, some states will have a primary that doesn't count and a caucus that does. In this cycle, WA had such a system.

[Tippy]

6. Changing Rules......

Well if they get their way the DNC may as well hang it up...Step aside and turn it over to the DLC..I really feel the DLC is behind this mess..It is a matter of trust....We all knew the rules...Florida and Michigan broke the rules pure and simple.

[ORDem]

7. Only if they go last. Other states shouldn't be punished because MI and FL chose to flout the rules.

:kick:

[snappyturtle]

8. Absolutely not! Why should FL and MI have the opportunity to

choose after everyone else has played by the rules and voted....some of us had to show up twice...in one day? That would be like giving on going results on election day and then letting those who go last, "jump on the bandwagon". People who do not pay attention like we do here at DU will vote the "popular" vote. imho

[andym]

10. But is it against the "rules?"

But is it against the "rules" to have a do-over when the first election doesn't count?"

I haven't found any rule that it seems to violate.

[snappyturtle]

12. Well seems to me Fl Dems were warned and they chose to

go for the earlier date and risk it? I don't know.

[andym]

9. After thinking about it, it is a no-brainer for Clinton, if FL and MI choose the primary format

After thinking about it, it is a no-brainer for Clinton especially if they choose the primary format.

Florida's demographics are very good for her, large older population and Michigan has a large blue collar population.
A caucus would be more difficult for the oldest Floridians who may not be in the best of health to spend hours participating, so she would likely insist on a primary.

This would give her a chance to legitimize the delegates from these states. If she actually loses the do-overs then it will help Obama lay a clean claim to the nomination. If she wins, it may give her the impetus needed to win, or strike a deal from a position of power.

[Beregond2]

11. Do-over

They can "consider" till the cows come home, but it isn't up to them, it's up to the DNC, and they have already ruled on this. I don't know why people keep bringing it up; it's history.

[andym]

13. I didn't know the DNC already ruled prohibiting a do-over

I didn't know the DNC already ruled prohibiting a do-over.
Do you have a link?

[madfloridian]

14. Here is the final DNC response...played on Countdown tonight.

And laughed at by Keith, which was most irritating. The one Olbermann showed. Then he and Chuck Todd shared a snicker about the word "rules". Like they were unimportant. I was angered at that.

We're glad to hear that the Governors of Michigan and Florida are willing to lend their weight to help resolve this issue. As we've said all along, we strongly encourage the Michigan and Florida state parties to follow the rules, so today's public overtures are good news. The rules, which were agreed to by the full DNC including representatives from Florida and Michigan over 18 months ago, allow for two options. First, either state can choose to resubmit a plan and run a party process to select delegates to the convention; second, they can wait until this summer and appeal to the Convention Credentials Committee, which determines and resolves any outstanding questions about the seating of delegates.We look forward to receiving their proposals should they decide to submit new delegate selection plans and will review those plans at that time. The Democratic Nominee will be determined in accordance with party rules, and out of respect for the presidential campaigns and the states that did not violate party rules, we are not going to change the rules in the middle of the game.

"Through all the speculation, we should also remember the overwhelming enthusiasm and turnout that we have already seen, and respect the voters of the ten states who have yet to have their say.

"As we head towards November, our nominee must have the united support of a strong Democratic Party that's ready to fight and ready to beat John McCain. After seven years of Republican rule, I am confident that we will elect a Democratic president who will fight for America's families in the White House. Now we must hear from the voters in twelve states and territories who have yet to make their voices heard."

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/03/dnc_encouraging_florida_and_mi.php

[madfloridian]

15. The offer by the DNC to pay is now off the table.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flafldelegates0306sbmar06,0,4680927.story

Under party rules, Florida Democrats can appeal to the convention's credentials committee to be seated or hold a new contest — such as another primary, a caucus or a mail-in ballot — before June 10. Crist has said he would support another vote, but neither the state nor the DNC has offered to pay the estimated $4 million tab.

DNC chairman Howard Dean said it was up to each state to deal with the penalties. "As we've said all along, we strongly encourage the Michigan and Florida state parties to follow the rules," he said.

A DNC staffer said the party had offered before Jan. 29 to help pay for a later contest. But that offer is no longer on the table. "They understand what their choices are," the aide said