I offer a solution to the Michigan/Florida delegate problem.

[rateyes]

I come to this idea from the fact that Texas held both a primary and a caucus.

Here's my idea:

1. Split the total number of pledged delegates in half.

2. Divide the first half between the candidates like this: MICHIGAN: Clinton gets 55% of those delegates (since that's the number that voted for her) and Obama gets 45% (since that's the number that is left.) FLORIDA: Clinton gets 50% of those delegates, and Obama gets 50% (same reasoning as with Michigan) (*Note--Edwards would have to agree to part with pledged delegates from either of those states if he received any.)

3. Hold caucuses in both states (paid for by the respective state parties) to divide the second half.

---------------

So in Michigan: Clinton is awarded 43, and Obama is awarded 35, and the other 78 are up for grabs in the caucus.

In Florida: Clinton is awarded 35, and Obama is awarded 35, and the other 72 are up for grabs in the caucus.

ON EDIT: This would require the nominee gain 2207 delegates to be nominated, rather than 2025.

-------------------

Your thoughts?

[SoCalDem]

1. Why not just divide based on their total popular vote percentages

not counting the totals of those states, since many did not vote or voted unassigned, in MI..

or do a mail in ballot like oregon does..

[rateyes]

4. That would allow all the other states to allocate FL & MI

delegates.

[SoCalDem]

12. better a combined percentage than none n/t

[Drifter]

2. Changing the rules ...

in any form sets a terrible precedent.

Cheers
Drifter

[FogerRox]

5. Revote, the same day as Pennsy.

[rateyes]

7. Well, the rules say that the party can force a 50/50 split

or can even seat the delegates as they stand now.

[MonkeyFunk]

19. So we should just throw away Florida and Michigan

in the General? All for a blind adherence to a now meaningless and arbitrary rule? And disenfranchise millions of voters?

[msallied]

24. Wah wah wah... those disenfranchised voters

need to direct their ire toward their own state governments for screwing them. What will "un-doing" pre-established guidelines accomplish other than screwing the PARTY?

[MonkeyFunk]

39. Their state government can't fix the problem now

Only the DNC can. And the problem must be fixed.

And seriously? "Wah wah wah... those disenfranchised voters."?!?! Were you part of the mob shutting down the recount in Florida in 2000? Jesus Christ, what a Republican attitude.

[rateyes]

25. The rule was neither meaningless nor arbitrary.

And, what makes you think that this situation would cost us either state in the GE? If Democrats in those states stayed home in November because of this, they would be shooting themselves in the foot.

[jmg257]

28. Better then disenfranchising millions and millions of voters when their candidate gets screwed.

all for changing THE rules - as they were agreed to?

[MonkeyFunk]

40. No

If your candidate loses, it doesn't mean you were disenfranchised.

Re-enfranchising FL and MI won't disenfranchise anybody else.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

38. No kidding. Here's a suggestion on what to do w/ FL/MI delegates: follow the rules already in place!

[jgraz]

3. The MI/FL problem is only a problem because Queen Hillary is losing

If she had sewn up the nomination as she expected to, you'd be hearing fuck-all about those two states.

[MercutioATC]

6. Since your plan calls for a do-over anyway, why not just use those results?

Let's keep it simple. A do-over is allowed by the rules.

[rateyes]

9. Well, the reason I say this is that Clinton would prefer the "do-over"

to be a primary, while Obama would prefer a caucus. It's an attempt to appease both camps and keep the party together come November.

[bowens43]

8. There is no problem. It was decided before the primaries began.

[Yes We Did]

10. I believe it is already decided: they are having redos... link

Dean Urges Do-Over voting in FL & MI

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/06/dean-urges-doover-voting_n_90199.html

[rateyes]

11. That's not for certain. nt

[stellanoir]

13. I think we should strategically throw them all to Huckabee

in a Rush-ian sort of twisted maneuver.

DISCLAIMER: This post is in total defiance of The Defense of Squirrels Act

[DJ13]

14. Never forget Michigan and Florida were NO problem (even to Hillary)

Until AFTER she only broke even on Feb 5th.

Look deep into the motivations behind this.

It has Hillary's desperate fingerprints all over it.

I liked Dean's response this morning on this situation.

To summarize it was something akin to "tough shit, those two states blew it".

[rateyes]

16. Well, I'm not supporting Hillary,

and I don't think this will give her an advantage. And, Dean, this morning was saying he was open to a do-over.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

17. Why Should I Be Disenfranchised Because Someone Else Fucked Up?

That's as morally palatable as the Isreali Defense Force blowing up an innocent person's houde because he had the misfortune that a terrorist once lived there...The only difference is the scope...

We don't have collective punishment in America...That's not how we roll...

[rateyes]

21. The question is:

Who is the "someone else" who fucked up? The State Parties is my answer to that question. You are being disenfranchised by them, not the DNC.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

26. It's Academic

My vote did not count... I didn't do anything to contribute to that occurring...

[rateyes]

27. Did you do anything to stop it from occuring?

I'm offering a solution to make your vote count.

[msallied]

31. That's life. Sometimes, your vote won't count.

Shit happens. Get over it. Move on. This sense of aghast entitlement is only warranted if it's occurring in the context of a FAIR election, which this one was NOT, and everyone knew wouldn't be when they were told that their states decided to break the RULES.

Yeah, it sucks for the people of MI and FL, but they'll get to play next time.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

32. What Could I Do?

My governor, state rep and senator is a Republican... I never voted for either one...

I favor new primaries...

[gravity]

15. The only fair solution is to offer a redo

It's pretty damn simple, so don't make it more complicated than it needs to be.

The results before weren't fair, so you can't include those in deciding the delegates.

[rateyes]

18. I disagree. It is fair not to seat them at all.

They voted for the rules, and then intentionally violated the rules. Paying the known consequences for violating those rules is fair. Some would say a "do-over" would be unfair.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

23. It Is Not Fair...

I didn't do a damn thing to contribute to my disenfranchisement...We don't have collective punishment in Ameica... That's not how we roll...

The ironic thing is a convicted felon who had his rights restored could have his vote count in the Florida primary if he voted Republican but I can't have my vote counted because I was a Democrat...

If my vote didn't count in January don't expect in November and don't expect one fucking cent from me for the party...

[rateyes]

30. You need to be screaming at your state party...

They knew the rules. They voted for the rules. Did you, when they were considering doing this, and knowing the rules would penalize you try to stop your party in your state from deliberately breaking the rules they voted for.

It is fair. The party knew the rules and chose to violate them. Actions have consequences, and it's fair to have to pay them, especially when you were told up front what those consequences would be.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

34. "Actions have consequences,"

Actions have consquences for the person who caused them...

You have yet to offer a compelling reason why I should be punished for the malfeasance of others...

It would be as if the Allies at Nuremberg hanged every German, Italian, and Japanese citizen instead of the architects of the war...

[rateyes]

35. Are you a registered Democrat?

If so, then you have to suffer the consequences of the decisions of those who represent you in the party.

Using your war analogy: When we went to war in Iraq, ALL Americans were stiffed with the bill to pay for it, regardless of whether one was for it or against it.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

36. When I Became A Democrat Surrendering My Franchise Wasn't Part Of The Compact

But you raise an interesting point...

If it is part of the compact than it makes no sense for me to remain a Democrat...

[WilyWondr]

37. Exactly

This is the way a representative democracy works. We elect people to the state legislature to be our representative in matters like this. If the majority of those representatives(I believe it was close to a unanimous decision in the FL legislature) do something on behalf of the majority of their constituants(those that elected them) that is the way a representative democracy works.

I do not understand where all of these "my vote wont count" people are thinking. Did their vote count when they elected these people to their legislatures to represent them or not? How many of them were on the phones with their reps last year when this was going on in their state legislature?

[msallied]

20. Yeah, screw the taxpayers

That seems to be the only "fair" solution anyone can come up with. These things cost MONEY. Remember, spending money we don't have is now Republican territory.

How about this? How about next time, everyone plays by the rules so people don't get screwed out of their votes? That sounds like a better idea than tearing the party in half to appease the loser.

[rateyes]

22. Did you read my post:

The caucus would be paid for by the state parties---not the taxpayers.

And, I agree on next time.

[msallied]

29. The State Party's Money

That needs to be devoted to the general election? Not a good idea.

Also this doesn't take into account the candidate's money that will need to be spent in that state in order to have some semblance of a campaign in states that they originally believed were off the table.

The best thing that can be done is to LEAVE them off the table like the rules dictated they SHOULD be. This is a Pandora's Box that I don't think either candidate wants to open. We're already bound for pandemonium in August. This would make it even worse.

[speedbird]

33. let the convention decide.

seat the MI and FL delegations, or not.