Barack Obama, John Edwards and Bill Richardson Pull Out of Michigan Primary

[ariesgem]

LANSING, Mich. -

Four Democratic candidates have withdrawn from Michigan's Jan. 15 presidential primary, undercutting the validity of the contest.

Barack Obama, John Edwards and Bill Richardson filed paperwork Tuesday, the deadline to withdraw from the ballot, said Kelly Chesney, spokeswoman for the Michigan Secretary of State's office.

A fourth candidate, Joe Biden, said in a statement that he was withdrawing from Michigan's beauty contest.

"Today's decision reaffirms our pledge to respect the primary calendar as established by the DNC and makes it clear that we will not play into the politics of money and Republican machinations that only serve to interfere with the primary calendar," said Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro.

All of the Democratic candidates already have agreed not to campaign in Michigan because it broke Democratic National Committee rules when it moved its primary ahead of Feb. 5.

Other Democratic candidates had until the end of the day to decide if they'll stay on the ballot.

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.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/10/09/ap4201803.html

[Bread and Circus]

1. That's cool as my wife and I were going to write in Gore anyway.

[Demeter]

2. Would They Be Legitimate Write In Candidates?

only the legitimate ones get counted.

[hedgehog]

3. What is the policy for delegations from states that break the rules?

I assume that some delegates from Florida and Michigan will be seated. How will they be chosen if the primaries are thrown out?

[slick8790]

4. Nope. No delegates from rule breaking states will be seated.

[jenmito]

5. I wonder how long it will take Hillary to follow suit. I'm sure they're strategizing right now...

rather than pulling out for moral reasons, she'll do it if her people calculate that it would be good strategically.

[Colobo]

6. Yep!

[rinsd]

7. So Obama's pull out was moral....a day after Richardson did so and the same day Edwards did?

Its a political move pure and simple and one I happen to agree with both from an Iowa primary voter perspective and a standing by the DNC perspective.

I hope my candidate makes a similar decision.

But let's not attach morality to something where there is none.

[Debi]

8. As an Iowa voter and as a person who thinks rules should be followed

I hope all candidates pull their names from the ballot and Michigan re-sets it's primary. :hi:

On edit:

You do realize that your header says "Obama pull out wad..." ??? :rofl: TMI

[rinsd]

10. To my chagrin, I noticed too late.....

:hi:

[Romulox]

18. And it's just a coincidence that "the rules" give Iowa a tremendous privilege right?

No self interest here: your support is completely principled, right? :rofl:

[Debi]

23. The rules were established by a commission made up of representatives of each state

AND the committee that created that commission was chaired by your governor.

You go ahead and read whatever you want into my post.

Rules are rules and those who break the rules should not be rewarded.

[jenmito]

9. Yup. He could've waited to see what Hillary did, but as in so many past incidences,

Hillary is once again the last to join the bandwagon.

[rinsd]

11. Apparently she decided to strike out on her own

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3593385&mesg_id=3593385

[jenmito]

13. Wow-way (not) to support the Dem. party, Hillary!

I can't wait to see her numbers start falling in Iowa.

[LittleClarkie]

12. Thanks guys. Now how about Hillary following suit?

Or does she not support the party she is a part of?

[jenmito]

14. She's NOT supporting "her" party. It's all about Hillary, not the Dem. party...

she reminds me of Lieberman more every day.

[Romulox]

20. What about the PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN? Is it *their* party too?

Obviously not.

[jenmito]

21. MI is breaking the agreed-to rules. n/t

[jillan]

15. Beauty contest ?!????

[Debi]

25. Because Michigan broke DNC rules and set their primary before the

February 5th window the DNC will not seat any of their delegates at the national convention (just like Florida). The majority of the candidates have already signed a pledge not to campaign in Michigan and now Biden, Edwards, Obama and Richardson have pulled their names from the ballot. Clinton and Dodd have confirmed that they will leave their names on the ballot (and since Gravel and Kucinich didn't sign the pledge I kind of assume that they will leave their names on the ballot as well).

Since it is no longer a delegate selection process it is just a 'beauty contest' :hi:

[babylonsister]

27. Thanks for that explanation. Do you think anything similar

might happen in FL?

[yewberry]

40. Yes.

The DNC let the FDP know that it was in danger of sacrificing its delegates by moving its primary. In mid-August, the DNC gave FL a month to work on a compromise, but the FDP refused.

It's a real shame that the FDP has done this to its constituents.

[Debi]

42. Don't forget the lawsuits that the FDP and others have filed against the DNC

(and possibly IA/NV/NH/SC, don't know if that one was filed yet) :eyes:

All because Florida broke the rules.

[Debi]

43. Do you mean candidates pulling their names from the ballot?

I don't know - does anyone know the deadline for candidates to get their names on the ballot in FL?

[Adelante]

16. Good

The DNC needs this support.

[jenmito]

17. O/T-Have you checked your inbox?

:hi:

[Romulox]

19. I WILL NOT vote for anyone who does not appear on the Mi. primary ballot

in either the general election or primaries.

Dean is trading Michigan's electoral votes for Iowa's. :wtf:

[jmp]

41. Same with me and Florida.

In fact as a Floridian ... I won't vote for any Democrat that doesn't appear on the primary ballot in Michigan.

Which is going to suck since I will not for Hillary under any circumstance.

[Earth_First]

22. Candidates will not CAMPAIGN in Michigan (or Florida) FUNDRAISING however... n/t

[cobalt1999]

24. I'm surprised at Obama

The others have to suck up to the early states, but Obama should have enough support and money not to do that. Unless he feels he is slipping against Hillary and must have a great early showing in the primaries.

Overall, I expected that from the 2nd tier candidates, but I thought Obama wasn't that desparate for an early state showing.

[jenmito]

26. You'rer surprised at him for having integrity?

I'M surprised at HILLARY for being an opportunist and not respecting the rules agreed to.

[cobalt1999]

28. I don't view this as integrity. This is about sucking up to the early states.

If he really thought he'd win the nomination, he wouldn't alienate the Michigan voters. This move tells me that he is a little more worried than I would have expected him to be regarding winning the nomination.

[jenmito]

30. Well, it IS integrity. The one without integrity is Hillary since she's not

following the rules already agreed to. If it was political he would've waited to see what the front-runner did. But that's not what happened. He did what he thought was right and Hillary made a strategic move to be the only one NOT to respect the rules.

[cobalt1999]

32. How is Hillary not respecting the rules?

The rules say nothing about not appearing on the ballot.

Like it or not, this is all about winning the early states and hoping to make it up to Michigan later.

[jenmito]

35. She's sneaky and calculating. This isn't the first time she's done this type of thing...

I've posted more than once already why what she's doing is wrong. See above or see anyone else who agrees with me.

[cobalt1999]

36. Okay, that's a little too emotional reasoning for me.

Logically, staying in Michigan is a good strategy for a front-runner or a close challenger. Dropping out of Michigan is also a good strategy for 2nd tier candidates that need a strong showing in the early states.

However, using terms like "sneaky" means we aren't discussing campaign strategies anymore, this is emotional for you. So, I'm out.

[jenmito]

38. See ya!

:hi:

[rinsd]

33. How is Hillary not following the rules?

Please explain to me how she is violating the pledge to not campaign or spend money in FL or MI? Or you can take it back and say you misinformed as opposed to lying.

"If it was political he would've waited to see what the front-runner did"

Not when he's behind and competing with Richardson and Edwards for Iowans votes.

"Hillary made a strategic move to be the only one NOT to respect the rules."

To my knowledge, Kucinich & Dodd also remain on the ballot. On edit: I see Kucinich just added his name to the list of those seeking removal.

I would try actually reading up on this vs just making it up as you go along.

[jenmito]

37. MI broke the rules by changing the date of their primary.

Hillary should remove her name from the ballot but she won't. That would be the right and moral thing to do. But she doesn't want to burn any bridges for political reasons. She's disrespecting Iowans.

[rinsd]

29. Withdrawing one's name after other candidate's have done so is not intergrity.

And the rules agreed to/pledge made means no campaigning or spending money in MI or FL.

I'd say I was surprised at your dishonest framing but I'm not.

Let's just hope that should any of the 4 withdrawing become the nominee, MI voters don't retaliate.

[jenmito]

34. It IS integrity, and I have no idea why you're saying you're not surprised

at my "dishonest framing." :eyes: Is Donna Brazile being dishonest, too? It's not only about no campaigning or spending money. She's trying to have it both ways, as in so many other instances.

[rinsd]

39. "Is Donna Brazile being dishonest" She certainly can be.

Which is kind of why a large chunk of DU hates her and her role a Democratic adviser on MSM.

Did you really think name dropping her would win you an argument?

"It's not only about no campaigning or spending money"

No, that's exactly what the pledge is about. Honoring the DNC primary calendar by not campainging in states that don't follow the rules.

Speaking of which since you're such a stickler for the spirit of the rules.

Here's Obama at a fundraiser in Tampa last week later answering questions for reporters.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/10174761.html

Let's hear your righteous outrage at Obama thumbing his nose at the voters of Iowa!

[Terri S]

31. Amen!

Talk about triangulation. She'll follow the rules, but she won't take herself off the ballot. Say what????

I've watched her a long time and once had a tiny bit of respect for her, but that long since disappeared.

By the way, Kucinich took his name off too.

[Debi]

44. He did?

can you get me where you found that?

[JNelson6563]

45. In MI it matters a lot who has Labor

Much of labor is leaning Edwards and they will write him in.

This to the dismay of certain powers that be in MI politics as I believe they lean more toward Clinton (DLCers).

Remember, long ago and far away labor supported Bonior over Granhom in a primary for Governor. I don't think that rift ever fully healed. ;-)

Julie