The Florida Half-count and the Michigan Compromise

[phrigndumass]

No, these aren't dance steps. They are the methods being touted as fair ways to seat the Florida and Michigan delegations at the convention.

Since holding a new primary in either state is now implausible, and since seating the delegations based on the January results violates the DNC rules, these ideas for a compromise are starting to gain traction.

The Florida Half-count would seat the delegation for Florida as the GOP did, with a half-vote for each pledged delegate and superdelegate from that state. Accepting this compromise would garner 52.5 delegates for Senator Clinton and 33.5 delegates for Senator Obama, or a net gain of 19 for Senator Clinton.

The "Michigan Compromise" is a bit trickier. Partly based on congressional district conventions according to the results of the January primary, Senator Clinton would gain 47 delegates to Senator Obama's 36 delegates, or a net gain of 11 for Senator Clinton. They would then look at the total "popular" vote percentages for the entire nation and divvy up the remaining 73 delegates that way. A probable turnout for this part would be 37 delegates for Senator Obama and 36 delegates for Senator Clinton, or a net gain of 1 for Senator Obama. The overall affect of the Michigan Compromise would garner 83 delegates for Senator Clinton and 73 delegates for Senator Obama, or a total net gain of 10 delegates for Senator Clinton in Michigan:

<Snip>

Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., in a letter to DNC Chairman Howard Dean, proposed that Michigan's 83 pledged delegates be chosen at congressional district conventions according to the results of the state's primary.

...

Under Stupak's formula, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who received 55 percent of the primary vote, would receive 47 delegates.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who pulled his name from Michigan's ballot, would receive 36 delegates. Many Obama supporters in Michigan voted for "uncommitted," which received 40 percent in the primary.

The remaining 73 delegates would be awarded based on the percentage of the popular vote garnered nationwide by Clinton and Obama after the last Democratic presidential primary is completed.

<end Snip>

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23882892

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It's worth noting, however, that if a compromise is reached in either of these states, those counts won't be recognized in the contest totals until either Convention or until the rules and/or credentials committees ratify them.

Whatcha think?

:dunce: :popcorn:

[democrattotheend]

1. That sounds fair to me

Personally, I think the Obama campaign made a mistake not pushing more aggressively for a revote in Michigan. He could have won Michigan in a revote, and now it looks like he tried to disenfranchise them, whether he did or not. That will hurt him in the general. But given the circumstances, I think this is a fair compromise.

[David__77]

2. No.

Don't like it. The vote that occurred before is spoiled.

[TAWS]

3. Obama will have a huge lead once superdelegates flock to him, so the point is really moot

I highly doubt this will go to convention. The DNC will decide sometime in July to seat the delegates from Michigan and Florida once it becomes clear it will have no impact on the outcome of the nomination.

[joshcryer]

5. You mean 'moot' but yes you are correct. He should have the nomination before the DNC.

[joshcryer]

4. What about Edwards' votes?

The exit polls had him over the 15% threshold.

[TAWS]

6. It doesn't mean he will get delegates. He also has to get 15% at the state convention.

[phrigndumass]

8. Good question ... the article doesn't mention Edwards' delegates

Seems like it would leave his delegates out in the cold? I dunno ...

:hi:

[madfloridian]

7. Obama would be nuts to approve it. And he has to approve it.

After the stunts those states pulled they should not count until the nominee is chosen.

Obama will control the committee anyway.

[phrigndumass]

11. They probably wouldn't count until convention or committee ratification

If a compromise is reached in either of these states, those counts probably won't be recognized in the contest totals until Convention or until the rules and/or credentials committees ratify them.

:hi:

[GarbagemanLB]

9. Florida is one thing, but Michigan didn't even have Obama ON THE BALLOT. Fuck any attempt to seat th

ose delegates other than a 50/50 split.

[phrigndumass]

12. The difference would be 83/73 versus 78/78

So that's only 5 delegates difference per candidate. This "compromise" would come close to a 50/50 split.

:hi:

[Birthmark]

10. It is acceptable

Though I still feel that FL's and MI's superdelegates should under no circumstances be seated.

[TahitiNut]

13. Isn't it wonderful that so many folks have "solutions" that don't involve the voters of Michigan?

:eyes:

I think it's great that folks who live ANYWHERE but Michigan feel so empowered to weigh in on the FUBAR that tossed the voters in Michigan under the Bus Convoy of partisan political infighting. After all, who the fuck cares whether the voters of Michigan actually have a fair election? The Michigan legislature sure didn't.

Self-governance. Gotta love it. :eyes:

Isn't it wonderful that the Democrats can have Michigan "delegates" without actually spending campaign money in Michigan? Isn't it wonderful that the Democrats can have Michigan "delegates" without actually facing the Michigan voters and answering questions about unemployment and home foreclosures?

The delusion that Humpty Dumpty can be reassembled - while some folks are digesting the omelet - seems widespread.

[phrigndumass]

14. That would make a great letter to Rep. Stupak! He's from Michigan

I agree with you, but the chances for holding a new primary in Michigan are now implausible. There's not enough time to get a primary up and going. Maybe a caucus?

The "Michigan Compromise" is Rep. Stupak's idea.

:hi:

[TahitiNut]

15. It's a FUBAR. Why can't people accept that fact? There is no "solution." It's a FUBAR.

Bells can't be unrung and FUBARs can't be un-fucked ... and over 4,000 troops cannot be brought back to life.

This was a game of power insider politics compounded by entrenched PRIVILEGE being challenged. The battle between state party insiders and national party insiders was compounded by GOP shit-stirring ... and was further compounded by DLCers vs. "leftists." The voters were collateral damage.

And the same shit continues. NOBODY is demonstrating they give a shit about the voters. "So sad too bad." BUT they're sure eager to EXPLOIT this FUBAR for their own narrow interests.

I hear the constant refrain about "rules" ... but the "rules" were broken so many times it's impossible to count. Besides the violations of the "rules" committed by Nevada, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and other states, EVERY state with an Open Primary broke the "rules" ... but ...

"all of the rules are equal but some are more equal than others." It's a matter of convenience, After all the DNC didn't follow the "rules" either ... without investigation.

Repeat after me: It's a FUBAR. Every politician involved threw the VOTERS under the bus!

[phrigndumass]

16. It's a FUBAR.

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