Michigan moved ahead of New Hampshire, then called for DNC to punish NH

[madfloridian]

This situation is really odd.

Michigan broke the primary rules and moved up ahead of New Hampshire, who has not officially moved. Then the good Senator from Michigan tells the DNC they had better punish New Hampshire.

Do you understand that? Michigan moves ahead of New Hampshire, who has not said they are moving yet. If they move it is because other states like Michigan and Florida are moving ahead of them, and warning the DNC to punish New Hampshire because those two states broke the rules.

Michigan moves primary date

Also on Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and Democratic National Committeewoman Debbie Dingell, both of Michigan, sent a letter to DNC Chairman Howard Dean arguing that the Democratic candidates should have to pledge they'll stop campaigning in New Hampshire.

They said it's unfair that New Hampshire won't lose any of its delegates if it changes its primary, now set for on the DNC presidential calendar for Jan. 22, to an earlier date to stay ahead of Michigan and South Carolina. The move also would jump New Hampshire ahead of Nevada's Jan. 19 caucuses, which were supposed to be the second contest nationally.

"Someone has to take on New Hampshire's transparent effort to violate the DNC rules and to maintain its privileged position," the letter said. "We are determined that Michigan not be bound by rules that are not effectively enforced against other states."

DNC spokesman Damien LaVera said it's wrong to say New Hampshire has moved up at this point, since it has not submitted a revised plan to do that.

"The letter is inaccurate," LaVera said. "At this point, the New Hampshire party's Democratic plan is consistent with our rules."

This is just amazing.

I have learned now from this experience in my state that there are many ways to make people go silent on issues. I just had it happen to me in our area. You take the side that it is convenient to take, so you won't be crossing anyone in the leadership.

And then you go silent to those who tell the truth. I feel the silence here. Good people are remaining silent about our own state trying to hurt the fundraising for the DNC, remaining silent about the fact the Florida leaders did not tell the truth and tried to place blame on Dean...saying he stole our votes.

Good people remaining silent.

Michigan moved ahead of New Hampshire, and then wrote the DNC to punish NH.

Amazing and very odd.

[madfloridian]

1. Here is the latest I can find on the dates.

"Democratic Party rules say states cannot hold their 2008 primary contests before Feb. 5, except for Iowa on Jan. 14, Nevada on Jan. 19, New Hampshire on Jan. 22 and South Carolina on Jan. 29.

The calendar was designed to preserve the traditional role that Iowa and New Hampshire have played in selecting the nominee, while adding two states with more racial and geographic diversity to influential early slots.

Democratic National Committee officials have threatened to strip Florida, which has moved to Jan. 29, and Michigan, which has moved to Jan. 15, of all their convention delegates."

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070908/NEWS08/209080308/-1/news08

I can't find a record of NH moving up. MI moved ahead of NH.

[beyurslf]

2. I am all for states going ahead of NH and IA.

In fact, I would support having them be last for the 150 years or so. Let them see how it feels to have no say.

[madfloridian]

3. That is sad. There are other ways.

How do you feel about lying to get your way when you are acting like a bully state?

Oh, never mind.

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. You only say this because you think it would help your well-funded

candidate to be able to crush the second tier candidates at the outset.

Very democratic of you.

[madfloridian]

8. Many think that was the purpose.

But unable to prove. If the sanctions stand, which I think they will...then it could mean an interesting convention.

[Liberal Veteran]

4. I am completely opposed to NH and Iowa always being first.

If anything....we should choose which state those first primaries should be in by lottery every single presidential election.

It is arrogant and stupid for two states to believe they always get the first choice.

[madfloridian]

5. Ok, how about states moving ahead of them and saying punish them not us?

Are you ok with that?

I am amazed that honesty and integrity are losing out on this issue.

I mean MI moves ahead of them, and says punish them...not us?

[Bongo Prophet]

6. I am in Texas, a super Tues state: but would be against backstabbing BS to get to front.

The rules are unfair, yes.
But to jeopardize party strength in a CRUCIAL election year is IDIOTIC.
Change the rules using the system, not work around the system.

It seems some justify it because they want THEIR state to leapfrog ahead.
Not hard to see where that leads.

[madfloridian]

9. Here's what Florida is planning on big time.

This is from the St. Pete Times. It tells a lot about what changes are needed in our party. From the day the nominee is chosen...they seem to be in total charge of all areas of the Democratic Party. Totally, completely. (Ok, I've known that...but it never mattered this much before)

This article advises Florida to shut up and declare victory.

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/28/State/Early_primary_heat_Ba.shtml

That may be the best strategy for Florida Democrats, and one they should have adopted long ago: Stop whining about "disenfranchised voters," stop threatening bogus lawsuits, and instead declare victory as a big state in the thick of the nominating contest.

Sure, the DNC promises to strip all of Florida's 210 delegates to the presidential election. So what? These days, conventions rarely are more than giant commercials anyway. Once a Democratic nominee emerges, he or she will take over the party and make sure Florida has a full presence at the national convention in Denver.

So that means by February we can like the nominee or bend over and kiss our you know whats good bye.

So I am taking that to mean that the nominee has total control of all of it? Wow. I knew they were in charge of the convention. I never worried about it before.

Maybe that never mattered so much before, but now it does. I see the machinery at work here. It matters now. They are hardball players here. I don't like it, and I am quickly losing my trust in the state.

And listen to the words of the person in charge of the campaign of Alex Simk, Democrat, CFO of Florida. Wife of Bill McBride who ran the lousy campaign in 02. These are Democrats speaking?

"What happened on Saturday is the DNC told Florida to drop dead," said Jacksonville lawyer Chris Hand, who managed Democrat Alex Sink's successful campaign for chief financial officer last year. "We should respond in kind."

Respond in kind? What kind of threat is that from a Democrat?

Me Me Me first. The rest of the country does not matter.

Me first.

[madfloridian]

10. Does anyone know if Michigan is covertly trying to stop donations to the DNC?

Like Florida did in its emails that were sent around by the county chairs? The latest ones also called for stopping donations to candidates as well.

I am wondering how much of a fundraising impact this will have? Does anyone know if two states are doing it or just one.

Email from Florida DEC chairs saying not to give to the DNC or candidates.

[illinoisprogressive]

11. the secret little cabal trying to destroy Dean and the dnc needs to be outted.

[illinoisprogressive]

12. Prophet, I am in a huge state on Feb. 5th too. I do not want the rouge states

screw up everything. You let them and all hell will break loose and who looses the most.
the voters.