A Democratic Do-Over?
Vote early and often? The never-ending Democratic presidential contest may give new meaning to that old cliché as Florida and Michigan party officials seek a potential do-over for their states’ voters.
The two states defied Democratic Party rules by moving their primaries up on the voting calendar, a decision the Democratic National Committee said would cost them their seats at the nominating convention.
Both Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., agreed not to campaign in the states and in Michigan, Obama’s name wasn’t even on the ballot. Clinton won both states. Ever since, she’s had a change of heart, arguing that the delegates should be seated even though they flouted party rules.
With the Obama-Clinton showdown as unsettled as ever, Florida and Michigan’s political leaders are increasingly lobbying for a solution, pressing for their states’ delegates to be seated at the convention or for voters to get a second chance at the ballot box.
Even though the Republican race is settled, Florida’s GOP governor, Charlie Crist, has also weighed in, noting that the national GOP has said it will seat only half of Florida’s delegates at its nominating convention. “They made their voice heard,” Christ said on CNN this morning, speaking of Florida’s voters. “We want them all to be seated.”
Said Howard Dean, DNC chairman: “You cannot violate the rules of the process and then expect to be forgiven.”
Still, Dean signaled that he’s open to a do-over if the state’s come up with a new voting plan.
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People like to imply that Republicans are the party of voter suppression. Despite the fact that the Democratic leaders violated rules in Florida and MIchigan, the punishment is still on the indiviual voters in those states. Because of what a few people decided, the populace has to suffer? Not to mention the use of Super Delegates to try and prevent a “mistake” from being made by the voters if the vote is split. This party is not for the people, it’s for the elite.