I'm from Michigan and I'm satisfied with the DNC decision.

[last1standing]

I'm seeing all this pissing and moaning about the decision today and I keep checking to see where the posters are from. Rarely do they seem to come from the states who were affected by this decision.

Well, I was affected and I believe it was the only way to fairly deal with the problems created by the local parties who tried to circumvent the rules.

So before you run up another post from your home in New York or Los Angelos or Houston, remember that there were real human beings who's voices were muted before this ruling but you were not one of them - I was.

I say thank you to the DNC for a ruling that was fair and just. I hope everyone joins me in saying the same.

Thank you.

[Rose Siding]

1. That's so good to know!

Thank you. Seems fair to me, too, from here in my caucus state :hi:

[sailor65]

2. I haven't decided yet.....

whether I'm happy about being included at all, or pissed to be only half a voter.

[casus belli]

4. And you should definitely let your local party officials now how you feel

In the future, perhaps when the National party says, "do it and be stripped", states who might want a better position in the contest will know that they mean business. I'm not saying its fair to you, because it's clearly not. it wasn't YOUR decision, but someone made this decision on your behalf and I think you should give them hell for it.

[casus belli]

5. double post deleted

[last1standing]

6. Any anger on that score should be directed to the people who caused this.

Starting with Debbie Dingell who orchestrated this mess. I have written to the local party leaders expressing my disgust with their underhanded methods.

[ossman]

3. Me too. Although not giving Obama any popular vote isnt fair, but its just an arguing point.

Delegates baby. I can confirm at least 1 person voted uncommitted for Obama. Me. And my wife is an Obama supporter who sat home.

[last1standing]

8. The DNC can't assign a popular vote, only delegates.

I'm satisfied because I know that our vote will count and those who perpetrated this mess have been punished.

[Olney Blue]

7. It's good to hear from a state's own citizen.

:hi:

[lxlxlxl]

9. Carl Levin's point...

I think FL and MI should go first in 2012...why not? I hope the issues about timing and primary order fasttrack to a high priority that the party can deal with within the year.

[Spider Jerusalem]

10. No, they shouldn't, and there is a good reason why they shouldn't.

Retail politics.

Having the first contests in small states ensures that second- and third-tier candidates who may not have the funds to compete in large media markets have a chance to present themselves to voters, to campaign door-to-door, at small town meetings, rallies, etc; having states such as Michigan and Florida go first would make viability in the earliest nominating contests all about money, and that is not a good thing.

[casus belli]

11. Exactly it. Although...

the system is in obvious need of tweaking.

[lxlxlxl]

13. Great point...

I wasn't thinking a permanent first-time status though...Why not rotate it? 2012 could be a redress for this years mess?

Your definitely right about media buys...I didnt think about that. Too caught up in this year I guess.

One thing I would love to see after this whole election is over is where all the media buy money goes...that would be such a triumph for transparency, but it would also help prove the point that we desperately need campaign finance reform. Why should people support candidates so that TV/Radio/Print owners can get bigger checks every four years.

Think about what that list would look like...Each state can't have that many media outlets...Seeing the numbers would be great wouldn't it?

[last1standing]

12. I have always respected Carl Levin greatly, but he's wrong on this.

The local pols here keep trying to use the timing of the primaries as a way to draw attention to the state. That is the wrong way to do it. Levin is one of the most powerful policitians in this country and should be using that power to increase funding to our state instead of going along with these silly games thought up by petty power grubbers. He's better than that.