He wrote the following for the Wall Street Journal-
Giving the Michigan and Florida delegates to Sen. Clinton -- particularly in light of reports that she bent the Democratic Party rules against campaigning in both states -- is a recipe for even more chaos.I advocated Florida moving the primary up, saying we should call the National party's bluff. Thinking that after Iowa and New Hampshire, the national party leaders would then say the delegates elected in Florida and Michigan would be seated. I turned out to be dead wrong.On the other hand, leaving the Florida and Michigan delegates unseated runs the risk for the Democrats of alienating two big states they want and need to win in November.
The answer, for the integrity of the process, is a do-over: Hold the Michigan and Florida Democratic primaries again.
The voters -- not the party insiders -- have the moral authority to choose the nominee. Democratic voters in Michigan and Florida should get that chance. Then in November, we'll have a fair fight. And I'll be honest -- it may not help the chances for a Republican victory in the fall. But it will help something even more important: the integrity of our political process.
What we have at present is a tricky situation without an easy answer. In Michigan Obama wasn't even on the ballot if I recall. Seating the delegates based on that primary's results hardly seems fair. Here in Florida neither Obama or Clinton campaigned, directly or directly. Most campaigning is done by television commercials down here. Clinton and Obama both came to Florida, ostensibley to fundraise not to campaign. No advertisements were run here. Hillary won, I voted for Obama. If the Florida delegates are seated based on last month's primary, I can live with it here in Florida.
A do-over in Michigan is an idea and possibly the best option. Especially if that state could prove to be the difference between who gets the democratic nomination. Bottom line- The situation is a mess. Serious numbers of people are going to be unhappy no matter what the final outcome is. Where is King Solomon when you need him?
Disclosure- My wife met Newt Gingrich a year ago.
Update- I forgot the hat tip. Thanks to Doug at Below the Beltway.
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Florida, Michigan, Primaries
Comments (1)
We need to encourage a Newt... (Below threshold)1. Posted by bryanD | February 16, 2008 10:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
We need to encourage a Newt Gingrich vs. Dick Morris fairy fight.
Elimination bout. 3 screams, 15 minute time limit.
It can be sponsored by Armour, makers of America's favorite Vienna Sausage.
1. Posted by bryanD | February 16, 2008 10:50 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 16, 2008 22:50