Politico/WJLA Interview: Clinton makes big play on seating the Michigan and Florida delegations

[flpoljunkie]

Politico/WJLA interviews

“I think that both Michigan and Florida should count, because these are two states we have to carry,” she said. “This is not about so much as the ins and outs of the Democratic National Committee as to whether the Democrats are going to win in the fall.

“In Michigan, all of us had a chance to leave our names on the ballot – I chose to do so,” she continued. “My opponents ran a very vigorous campaign to get people to vote ‘uncontested.’ There was a campaign going on – it was a campaign against me, and I still won a majority.

“I think that the Democratic Party has to be looking very realistically about what it is we’re trying to achieve here. We need to win in November. … I think that both in Michigan and in Florida, the Democratic Party should really give these people who came out and voted – they weren’t involved in the rulemaking. Give them a chance.”

[Lerkfish]

1. transparent AND pathetic

:(

[Mojambo]

2. A fight over seating those will NOT be healthy for our general election prospects. n/t

[Va Lefty]

6. I agree, but I think it's coming

[BeyondGeography]

11. Hillary is not healthy for our general election prospects

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4491249#4492726

[Schema Thing]

3. I hope she at least blushed

[Alhena]

4. She has an argument on Florida; her Michigan position is simply pathetic

I mean, c'mon people- this kind of power play is why so many dislike Hillary.

I don't think Florida should count because those were the rules announced at the outset of the game and you don't change them afterwards. But she at least has an argument here since Obama's name was on the ballot.

But to argue that she should get delegates from a contest where she was the only one on the ballot is beyond the pale. Hillary supporters should be embarassed to see the argument even made by her.

[CreekDog]

15. The math must mean that she needs Michigan now

No matter what. Her rhetoric on Michigan got ratcheted up big time. I would suggest for a reason.

[madfloridian]

5. Power play on her part. She does not care if it divides us.

.

[MercutioATC]

7. Why didn't she protest this BEFORE she "won" Michigan?

Any record of her balking at having MI and FL punished for breaking the silly party rules when the decision was originally made?

[avrdream]

8. I think she SHOULD get them seated.

You would too if your guy had won those states, be honest with yourself.

[DJ13]

13. "You would too if your guy had won those states"

It may come as a surprise, but many of us actually have enough ethics to remain bound to an agreement all accepted before the election.

[avrdream]

20. And the candidates did what they agreed to.

Show me where they agreed not to accept the eventual delegates if they got seated. You show me that and I take back my words and offer you a big apology.

[Blue State Bandit]

24. Read WesDem

[Adelante]

9. New Republic editorial today

You can certainly debate the merits of the DNC’s move. What is beyond debate, though, is that all the major Democratic campaigns accepted this move without complaint. Clinton, along with her rivals, signed a pledge not to “participate” in the Michigan and Florida primaries.

But as soon as it became clear, in the wake of Iowa and on the eve of South Carolina, that Clinton potentially faced an extended battle for delegates, she began to demand that the rules be changed in the middle of the game. Her campaign has been arguing that the non-contested elections in Michigan and Florida should be made retroactively meaningful–and, therefore, that Clinton should be handed a gift of nearly 200 delegates. The Clinton team has wrapped its case in the logic of voter disenfranchisement. “I hear all the time from people in Florida and Michigan that they want their voices heard in selecting the Democratic nominee,” Clinton has said.

There is a perfectly cogent case to be made that Floridians and Michiganders deserve their say. (Some of our best friends and elderly relatives reside in those states.) The way to address this complaint is to schedule new elections so that candidates can advertise, make speeches, organize voters, distribute yard signs–you know, do “democracy,” a concept Clinton seems not to understand. The DNC, if it does decide to redress Clinton’s complaint, needs to do so immediately.

The New Republic hasn’t endorsed any candidate in this race. Our staff is divided, like the Democratic electorate.

But neutral observers can’t stand idly by as one campaign openly discusses stealing the nomination at the convention. Democrats need to recognize this potential gambit for what it is: a cynical, selfish hijacking of the democratic process. Clinton would not be laying the groundwork for this ploy unless it was potentially decisive. And the damage to Democrats (and democrats) would be profound. If Clinton is truly willing to trample so many institutions she professes to care about in pursuit of victory, she will have proven her enemies correct.

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=65ed7d1f-b586-40d0-bc4c-48292494d4ef

[flpoljunkie]

16. Pretty strong stuff, WesDem. Thanks!

[beachmom]

10. Okay, I am not loving Hillary here. Um, yuck. nt

[UALRBSofL]

12. That's right and florida voted for her.

And we want our delegates seated accordingly. There is a fight between FDP and Dean/DNC. The fight isn't over yet.

[mckeown1128]

14. Except she said they wouldn't count....

Hillary: MI is not going to count for ANYTHING.


NHPR's Laura Knoy: "So, if you value the DNC calendar, why not just pull out of Michigan? Why not just say, Hey Michigan, I'm off the ballot?"

Hillary Clinton: "Well, you know, It's clear, this election they're having is not going to count for anything"



http://www.nhpr.org/node/13858



Her logic for MI not counting also applies for FL too. Sorry...but them's the facts.

[Skip Intro]

17. Like it or not, she's right. We tell Dem voters in these states their votes don't count, they won't

show up in Nov.

[mckeown1128]

25. But who told them they wouldn't count.

Hillary: MI is not going to count for ANYTHING.


NHPR's Laura Knoy: "So, if you value the DNC calendar, why not just pull out of Michigan? Why not just say, Hey Michigan, I'm off the ballot?"

Hillary Clinton: "Well, you know, It's clear, this election they're having is not going to count for anything"


http://www.nhpr.org/node/13858



Sounds like Hillary changed her mind to help herself.

[Blue State Bandit]

26. This deserves it's own thread.

You post, and I'll rec.

[mckeown1128]

27. It has it's own thread I will kick it up top fo ryou K and R....

It is funny.... no Clinton supporters will comment on it though.

[BringBigDogBack]

18. won't matter.

[cottonseed]

19. What will we tell the children? - rules are negotiable?

It takes a village to piss on moral self discipline.

[Blue State Bandit]

21. The Uncommited campaign only ran for a couple of days...

and they split their vote with Romney as to embarass McCain.

CAUCUS OR GIVE IT UP!!!

[cd3dem]

22. get your stock from the makers of DEPENDS... b/c Obamazombies will shit their pants when it happens!

[jefferson_dem]

23. They will not relinquish their grip on power without a bare-knuckle battle.

The harder they come...