DNC Suggests Caucuses Be Held In Michigan and Florida

[Purveyor]

2/6/2008, 3:17 p.m. EST

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Democratic National Committee is pressuring Michigan and Florida to hold Democratic presidential caucuses so the delegates they've lost for holding January primaries could be seated at the national convention, a top Michigan Democrat said Wednesday.

DNC member Debbie Dingell said it's unclear whether either state would hold caucuses since they've already held primaries. But she said the DNC is asking the two states to consider such a plan.

DNC spokesman Damien LaVera had no comment.

But Michigan Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer said the DNC isn't saying anything it hasn't said before to Michigan and Florida.

"Everybody involved, the candidates, the DNC and we, need to remain open-minded. So if someone comes up with a creative way that meets everyone's interests, we can do that" and get the delegates seated, he said.

Florida Democratic Party spokesman Mark Bubriski agreed with Brewer that the DNC's position isn't new. But he said the party has no intention of holding another election.

---EOE---

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/politics-1/1202329441260400.xml&storylist=newsmichigan

[JackORoses]

1. awww, that will foul up Hillary's plan to claim the existing flawed Delegations

She really needs that MI victory against Uncommitted.

[skooooo]

5. lol

:rofl:

[arewenotdemo]

25. Absolutely.

That was one SOLID WHIPPING (55-40) she gave Uncommited.

:rofl:

[maddezmom]

2. wonder why a caucus instead of a primary?

Maybe a caucus is cheaper?

[Elspeth]

6. Obama tends to win caucus states

...

[NashVegas]

9. Yes, That's Probably Part of It

The DNC picks up more of the tab for caucuses.

[Perky]

12. Much cheaper

[no name no slogan]

24. They already had a primary

that's my guess :shrug:

[NoBorders]

39. I think they are

But i'm talking out me arse. Seems like they would be. No ballots to print up, voting machines etc...

[goodgd_yall]

41. I would think because it is cheaper

No machines and it's not a day long affair.

[Yael]

3. This is a good idea.

[killbotfactory]

4. That is unacceptable

It wouldn't allow Hillary to get the delegates without a fight.

[flyarm]

14. i don't want either to get the delegates ..both cheated when Edwards did not!

both Hillary and Obama promised to seat delegates when the rules said they could not..before the election during and after..that is not right and i do not want either to get the delegates..other candidates were in the race then ..and now they are fucked..as are the people who supported those candidates..

no way no how ..and if they try i may sue!

fly

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

21. Do I detect a whiff of sarcasm?

[flyarm]

7. this is a bullshit idea..they could have done that before we had a legal election

doing it now is bogus..and bullshit..that is saying our election meant nothing..well that won't fly..

my candidate was in the hunt when we had a real election..he is not now..so that disenfranchises me!

fly

[Perky]

10. It was not ane election.... It was a beauty contest

Going in the voteres undersood that no delegates would be rewardes so a lot stayed home.

[UALRBSofL]

15. We didn't stay home

We had record turnout in florida. Obviously you don't live in florida, I do. Or your trying to downplay it so our voices wont be heard.

[flyarm]

17. many many many did not go to vote! eom

[Mojorabbit]

42. I live here and I know a lot of people

who did not vote cause they thought it would not count.

[flyarm]

16. absolutely! it disenfranchised many many voters! eom

[Kittycat]

29. That was offereed, and denied.

[southern_dem]

35. This is not the first time the DNC

has offered this. Your state party (if you're in Florida) has said no so far.

[Tarc]

8. Do-overs? Yea, that's realistic

This is real life we're talking about here, not playing mini-golf with your Dad when you're 5. You don't get do-overs.

[madfloridian]

11. The DNC suggested that ages ago.

Now it is getting renewed attention because Hillary's campaign has decided to go against the rules.


http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1811

[tammywammy]

13. That's a good idea

[jacksonian]

18. sounds good to me

I thought the whole idea behind the early primaries was to have a say.

Well, with this they would get their say, moreso than joke primaries against uncommited.

It is ridiculous to nominate someone with the input from these hugely important states left out, and the primaries as run were flawed.

[Tarc]

27. And what to do with John Edwards' candidacy?

He was still running at the time of both, but now is no longer in the race. To hold something now, weeks after he has been out of the race, out of the debates, no longer running ads, etc...would be a seriously unfair blow to strike.

[Adelante]

19. Michigan might do it

I can't imagine Florida relenting. They had the election they wanted to have complete with victory party. But Michigan didn't even have both candidates on the ballot and most voters stayed home. A do over might come more easily there.

[Alexander]

20. Good. I prefer this to seating/not seating the current delegates.

Plus, Obama's dominating in caucus states. This would be good for him.

[K Gardner]

22. I swear, this is the 2nd time today I've read something on DU then heard it on MSM or

read about it in the news. Strange coincidence, I'm sure :tinfoilhat:

[bunnies]

23. Good. Im all for it. nt

[leftynyc]

26. Have the campaigns responded? (n/t)

[UALRBSofL]

28. I've had CNN on all day

And I havn't heard if the campaigns did or not.

[Armstead]

30. That's an idea worth of Solomon -- Really

Why not do it?

[Kittycat]

31. I think it's a great idea.

MI/FL broke the rules, this sounds like a fair compromise for getting them back - without waisting a ton of money or repeating the process.

[my3boyz]

32. Sounds like a good idea to me

Hillary would probably still win but probably not by such a large margin because there would not be the early vote situation.

[RiverStone]

33. Either caucus or re-do the primary...only fair way to seat the FLA/MI delegates...n/t

[TexasObserver]

34. I like it. The Solomon Solution.

Michigan and Florida get delegates, the party wins on the issue of the timing.

Sounds good. If the Florida party officials don't want to do that, revoke their credentials with the DNC, and let Floridians know the DNC will be open to a rump group of Democrats from Florida who seek to replace the misbehaving state officials.

[vireo]

36. Sam Seder suggested yesterday that they be stripped of their superdelates

That way the party establishment is punished more than are the voters. I suspect there is little chance of such a compromise being adopted, however.

[smalll]

40. That Seder idea makes a lot of sense. /nt

[Unsane]

37. GOBAMA

[smalll]

38. No way Hillary will go for this. Obama clearly has a built-in advantage in Caucuses -

Single people with no kids (younger people) and richer people are much more able to make it to caucuses than older people, people with children, and people with inflexible work schedules. Obama's people can make it; lots of Hillary's people can't.

Plus, I have to guess that the Obama Youth brigades can cause an undercurrent of menace for non-Obama caucus-goers who are more frail and vulnerable and may have to think twice about standing up for Hillary: (not as a rule, but in isolated cases of over-enthusiastic Obamatrons: for example, a caucus might attract some of the so-called "anarchist" types who come out to cause mayhem at things like world trade conference protests.)

[vireo]

43. Yes, he does

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2824663&mesg_id=2826079