Should Mich. and Fla. count, or should Clinton play by the rules?
In the dawn after the Kentucky and Oregon primaries, let’s not talk about them, OK? Instead, let’s focus on the bigger picture. By some accounts, Sen. Hillary Clinton’s accounts in particularly, she is leading in the popular vote — as long as you count the votes in Michigan and Florida.
As you may recall, the Democratic Party penalized those two states by stripping them of their delegates for moving up the dates of their Democratic primaries.
At the time, Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama were not the only Democrats in the race. Neither of them campaigned hard in those large states, knowing that the Democratic Party rules had rendered their votes moot.
In fact, Obama’s name wasn’t even on the ballot in Michigan when voters went to the polls.
And meanwhile, there is a key vote within the Democratic National Committee on May 31. The party’s rules committee will vote on whether, indeed, those states should be allowed to seat full delegations at the Democratic convention.
By the time most of us see this, Obama could have enough delegates to secure the nomination. But the question we’ll debate is this: Should Florida and Michigan count? Is Clinton trying to change the rules after the game?
Kurt is the director of social media for the Post-Dispatch, where he has worked since August 2002. He's been a journalist since 1982, covering municipal government, courts, education and two hurricanes as a reporter before becoming an editor. 
All states should be counted. It might not make much difference now but every state has the right to be heard. All primaries should be held within a two week period to avoid all of this money spending by the candidates. The system is far from perfect for sure. Each state should have the right to hold their primary when they see fit. Isn’t that the way this country was set up in the beginning? That’s why they call it the United States. I really don’t give a you know what. I just want Hillary to win because she is going to be easier to beat. I hope the democrats continue their battles for as long as they can and bring out the worst in each other. It’s good for some of us. That should stir the pot in the wrong direction will all of you.
It’s never a good idea to change rules in the middle of the ballgame. Hillary and Bill Clinton should admit defeat and begin supporting Barack, who has legitimately won the nomination.
Johnh: In my opinion, 4 more years of Bush (via McCain) would certainly put the US in the “doldrums” (to use your words), but Barack offers at least some hope for “change”, and we can only trust that his change will be for the better. To do nothing represents a step backward. With Obama especially, we at least have some opportunity for improvement,
She’s a politician. They play by the rules that the want to and ignore the rest. They flaunt the laws every day. Why should anyone be surprised that if this rule doesn’t suit them, they want to ignore it?
The DNC made their decision long ago and I think they should stick with that ruling. I can’t see how the results of the primaries that were held are legitimate. Obama didn’t campaign in Florida and, as Kurt noted, he wasn’t even on the ballot in Michigan. If they held another primary, I doubt that the results would be the same.
Play by the rules. Somebody wins and somebody loses. It’s life. To change the rules now should not even be a serious consideration. I am really happy to see the lengthy fight for the nomination take its course. Don’t be fooled by all the pundits who say the Democrats will be hurt by the continued sparring. Clinton and Obama have together inspired the “lost tribes of voters” to vote in the primaries. All these never-before-heard voices will join the ranks of experienced voters and vote a Democrat into the Presidency. It’s too bad Florida and Michigan primary votes won’t count. But more importantly, I know those folks will cast their general election ballots with no problem for the next Democratic President.
He to the no they should not count. I swear to god if she gets the nomination I am moving to Canada.
Sincerely,
Alec Baldwin
Of course the votes from Florida and Michigan should count. Florida’s votes should count because the proposal to change the primary date was introduced by a Republican to Florida’s overwhelmingly Republican Legislature, which then tacked on many amendments and additions and then usherd that bill through — promting the DNC response. The voters of Florida did their civic duty and should not be punished because of partisan bickering and hand-slapping because party bosses felt they needed to assert some kind of idiotic control.
We haven’t been counted in the last TWO presidential elections. We thought this time would be different.
http://lifeisacookie.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/do-over-blow-me-dnc/
Seat the delegates from Michigan and F;lorida, but only after Senator Obama and his backers have the opportunity to court them apart from Senator Clinton. In fact, since he did not even appear on the ballot in Michigan, just give him 50% of the delegates from there and 50% from Florida and be done with it.
Then take the party leaders from Michigan and Florida and remind them just how much more significant they would have been if they had not changed their primary dates.
When have the Clintons ever played by the rules???
leave the rules as the are. constant changes do nothing but irritate and confuse the voters.