March 15, 2008
Posted: 04:55 PM ET
 Clinton said she wants a speedy solution in Michigan.
Clinton said she wants a speedy solution in Michigan.

SCRANTON, Pennsylvania (CNN) — Hillary Clinton hopes Michigan Democrats will resolve their 2008 primary limbo by the end of the week, she told reporters during a press availability aboard her plane while campaigning here.

“Michigan is trying very hard to work this out,” she said. “I think that they’re moving in the appropriate direction to have a revote. Otherwise they should just count the votes and if they’re not going to do that they should give people the opportunity to once again express their opinions about this race.”

The New York senator was asked how she would respond to voters who felt that allowing Michigan and Florida a chance to hold new contests after being punished for violating party rules was like moving the goal posts at the end of the game.

“The rules were changed for a lot of things. We saw New Hampshire and South Carolina change their dates, no penalties. That was in violation of the rules. So the rules have been kind of difficult for people to really understand and follow,” she said. “It’s important that everybody help Michigan and Florida figure out how best to meet their obligations to their voters and I think that should be the principle concern.”

Clinton said it was up to officials in Michigan and Florida to decide how these possible “revote” contests will be paid for. Some Clinton supporters like Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell have offered to help raise money to pay for the new contests.

When asked whether she was frustrated with the leadership of the Democratic National Committee for either not reaching a speedy end to this problem or for penalizing the two states to begin with, she smiled and answered: “Well, we are where we are right now so I don’t think it’s useful to sort of look back and figure out what might have been done differently.”

Clinton is scheduled to give a speech about Iraq on Monday in Washington, DC and was unwilling to preview any details.

– CNN Senior Political Producer Sasha Johnson

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton


Jayhawk34   March 15th, 2008 7:05 pm ET

Its too bad for Hillary that the Democratic party is not a monarchy.

Rick   March 15th, 2008 7:06 pm ET

why hillary, you want cheated numbers?

sharon   March 15th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

Way to go Hillary if you say anything the media willtry to say you told the preacher what to say i still wouldn't be suprised if they don't try to put you in it somehow !

Sam in Atlanta   March 15th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

Yeah Hillary, lets count the Michigan votes. You would like that considering you were the only major candidate to not remove their name from the ballot, and therefore the only major candidate on the ballot. That sounds fair to me! Funny, Hillary Clinton agreed to the Michigan rules months ago but she didn't really care until now…. hmmm… I wonder why?

jim kelley   March 15th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

Sen. Obama did not even care to put his name on the ballot in Mi, So why should there be a do over give it all to Sen. Clinton. And in Fl. Sen. Clinton ran no ads and Sen. Obama did after they agreed not to go to Fl. No do over give it all to Sen. Clinton.
Now that we have been shown that Sen. Onama is racest we can't aford for him to be elected anyway.

Edgar   March 15th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

That is what you call leadership and solutions! Let the people decided so we can have a process by the people for the people. I know you will be one standing in the end!!!

Mark   March 15th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

…. you may want Florida and Michigan.

However, the American people want your tax returns, release of Bill Clinton's White House papers, and an accounting of New York State earmarks.

Mr. Obama has been quite forthcoming to expose his judgment calls, earmarks, errant surrogates, and continues to honor the American people with a commitment toward transparency, integrity, and good governance.

When will you do the same? If not capable, you do not deserve the White House.

Bob   March 15th, 2008 7:20 pm ET

The Dems can't even run an election, yet they want us to trust them to be President! They must be kidding. The tax and spend Dems are as incompetent as the big government that they wish for!

C. Sharp   March 15th, 2008 7:22 pm ET

. . . .How about Hillary releasing her tax returns by the end of the week?

Ronald, Patriotic expat   March 15th, 2008 7:25 pm ET

It is disturbing that no complaint was issued when the decision to strip the two renegade states of their delegates was first made. The decision was supported by several of HRC's most ardent supporters. Now they want to violate the rules they helped put in place. I hope this is not indicative of what an HRC administration would look like. We've had enough of a president who thinks they are above the law.

JOHN   March 15th, 2008 7:27 pm ET

SO HILLARY IS CALLING ALL OF THE SHOTS NOW? SHE WANTS A RESOLUTION BY THE END OF THE WEEK. WHAT ABOUT WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT? SHE'S TO MUCH OF HERSELF.

Bubba   March 15th, 2008 7:27 pm ET

She is so sleazy, it's really unbeliveable !

Burl McQueen-Chicago   March 15th, 2008 7:28 pm ET

I really would like to know a few of the "things" in the entire "lot", that was in "violation of the rules" for the States of Michigan and South Carolina.

Her FRUSTRATION is NOT GOOD for the DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

Hillary unsensord visit youtube. get the picture yourself.   March 15th, 2008 7:33 pm ET

I like this lady, she knew Hillary is not the first female president that America is hoping for.
Hillary had campaigned for Mccain instead of Obama, how will any leader of Party allow a person like that to get the nominee.
Hillary just want to be th nominee eventhough the party like it or not.

If she have her way that good for her but if she doesn't have her way, she will rather destroy the Democratic party.
This is how I look at it, elect her and have peace within the party or don't sellect me and i will campaign for the opposition.
So, democrat's leader, should makeup your mind or wait another 4 years to take back the white House.

jinohio   March 15th, 2008 7:33 pm ET

too bad, you are not a quessa nd this must be decided outside of your lopsided per view. nobody cares what you want, it's what the American people what. America is more than just you.

William   March 15th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

Fair is fair, Hillary. Everyone agreed that Michigan and Florida would not be allowed to seat delegates. You too.

Your blind ambition is showing.

FrankSmith   March 15th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

The Republicans will replay all thess mess for the Dems in the general election, and the Dems will not like it!!

As an example, soon, I expect to see videoclips of

"I never.. to that woman, Monica Lewinsky.."
plus
Interviews with Paula with a question such as:

If Hillary cannot control Bill, how can we expect her to control the men in her potential cabinet? Folks, stay tuned!!! This will only get uglier, if you cannot get back on track!

Dan   March 15th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

She is right.

julie   March 15th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

Cnn maybe you need to look into the obama and howard dean angle ,Do they really belong to the same church? And Dean is in Vermont, the state that wants to leave America,WOW, Im a democtrate but the party is filling up with a host of radical loons and why wasn't new hampshire and south carolina penalized.Anybody but Obama.

Whatever *QUEEN* Hillary wants...*QUEEN* Hillary Gets :)   March 15th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

The coronation is sometime in January, right?

Hail to the *QUEEN*!!! Long live the *QUEEN*!!!

When did the US become a monarchy?

Where is the vetting with Clinton?   March 15th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

Oh Queen Clinton, you have spoken and will bow down.

MCNEIL   March 15th, 2008 7:48 pm ET

I LIVE IN CANADA AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH VOTING…………. ITS THIS SIMPLE - TWO NAMES……….EITHER AN X OR UNDERLINE THE NAME OF THE PERSON YOU ARE VOTING FOR…………….HOW HARD IS THAT…….THIS IN FIGHTING IS JUST NONSENCE………..WRITE THE NAMES DOWN AND PUT X NEXT TO IT .A PRIMARY STUDENT COULD DO THAT…………..

La Petite Sorciere   March 15th, 2008 7:52 pm ET

she wants to be president by the end of the day!!!! she knows she will looseeeeeeeeee
where are her tax returns???
can anyone ask her that ?
can CNN ask her that?

ask her we want to see her tax returns by the end of the week!!!

M. S. Indiana   March 15th, 2008 7:54 pm ET

"We saw New Hampshire and South Carolina change their dates, no penalties. That was in violation of the rules." was that not a part of the plan she agreed on ??
Just like they agreed on not to seek the delegates in MI and FL ??

Michele   March 15th, 2008 7:55 pm ET

Whats "so difficult for people to really understand and follow the rules" ?

gail   March 15th, 2008 7:57 pm ET

It's amazing that Chelsea appears to have turned out to be such a nice young lady considering that fact that her mother must have raised her without applying an consequences to breaking rules.

Ardnuas   March 15th, 2008 8:00 pm ET

This is NOT fair to the states that obeyed the rules…..Next time obey the rules and your votes will count….. they should NOT count this time

Willy   March 15th, 2008 8:00 pm ET

Oh please allow the votes to be counted in MI & FL. It's fune watching the dimwitscrats go up in their own smoke.

Tacoma, Washington   March 15th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

Michigan and Florida broke party rules before this primary process started. The consequences, which the candidates agreed to, was that Democratic votes in these two states would not count in the Democratic primary. Its too bad, but that is what was agreed to. Now, the Clinton campaign wants to change the rules. I believe the Democratic party should hold fast and stick to the rules that were originally agreed to. If we change these rules, what other rules are then also open to change. The term "cherry picking" comes to mind. It could get ridiculous very quickly.

Vig   March 15th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

Clinton will have Michigan, Clinton will have Florida, Clinton will have Pennyslvania, Clinton will have the nomination! Go Hillary!!!!!!!!!!

Barb   March 15th, 2008 8:05 pm ET

Come on Hillary. You know the NH law just as well as I do. The state law says that NH will vote one week prior to any other contest. Do you really want us to break the law?

I agree that it is unfortunate for people in Michigan and Florida not to be able to vote in the primary but are we in other states at fault because they ignored the will of the party?

This is why I am an Independent. No party is going to tell me what rules, what platform. The person can try to tell me what the rules are and what their platform is and i will go with the person.

Towhappy   March 15th, 2008 8:06 pm ET

Would some one PLEASE ask Mrs. Clinton a direct question about Michigans delegates! Ask her how on earth she thinks its fair to seat the delegates of this great state when SHE WAS THE ONLY PERSON ON THE BALLOT?! I have yet to read anything on CNN, MSNBC, ABC or any other news org. that clearly can get a direct answer on this from this woman! Even a 10 year old can see that you CANNOT seat the results of such a one sided against the rules election due to the fact that she was the only one on the ballot.

Every time I see this womans campaign say just "seat them as they are because it was a fair election" just further tells me that this woman does'nt care about any form of a process, but only cares the way she wants them to be. Even better, will someone please just answer this with a logical answer…..

Guess no one can because there isnt one!

Pete   March 15th, 2008 8:07 pm ET

Open yer eyes folks…this woman is sooooooooo slimey but very very transparent!!!!
If you are supporting this THING its because you just refuse to accept what your eyes do see and your ears do hear, I've heard of this kind of "suspension of belief" but I just can't understand it!

BV   March 15th, 2008 8:11 pm ET

'Hey, I know committed a crime, but since I really don't want to go to Jail, can I get another shot at NOT robbing that bank? Now that I know the cops were actually SERIOUS about me going to Jail and not just joking with me–which I thought they were, completely!–I really just want to go in and withdraw what I have in my account and not rob the bank.'
If you allow Michigan and Florida to vote, THIS is what you are saying to every state: Our DNC rules don't really matter, as long as you threaten us with not voting. DNC Punishments don't have teeth, because as long as you whine enough, the DNC will cave like a weak mommy and let you have your toys back.
Michigan and Florida, you did this to yourselves. You wanted to be more important by moving up your primaries. The DNC told you what would happen if you did. You DID IT ANYWAY. Don't be mad at Howard Dean or the DNC, YOU and your elected officials are the ones to blame. Does anyone think the Republicans WON'T jump all over this in the General Election?
"Democrats make rules, but they don't matter–even to OTHER Democrats!" "How will Democrats really be able to intimidate our enemies when they can't even punish members of their own party?"
NO REVOTE. MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA can sit, but they will be split, 50-50 for Obama and Clinton. End of story.

Mac Ibrahim   March 15th, 2008 8:12 pm ET

This primary democrat's election has failed the voters misrably. Not reaching a compromise with Michigan and Florida from the beginning was a huge mistake. Not reaching a rosolution to count their votes until now is outragous. The rules of running open primaries and coucuse that allowed the republicans to participate in the democrat's process to choose their nominee is rediculous. The present DNC has failed in evey step of the way and they must step aside.

Mk   March 15th, 2008 8:14 pm ET

Why is Hillary telling Michigan and the country what to do when.
This is part of her problem. She is continues to behave as though she is somehow in charge and continues to make demands instead of asking. It might benefit her to keep quiet once in awhile.

maynard   March 15th, 2008 8:19 pm ET

clinton wants……………. THE VOTERS —WANT

Spirit of America   March 15th, 2008 8:20 pm ET

Every vote needs to be counted. And every voter needs to count. No matter what the state, and no matter when they voted. The vote in Florida and Michigan was official, fair and legal. Just because the loser does not like the outcome is no reason to change it. Or has democracy left the Democratic Party?

Maria   March 15th, 2008 8:21 pm ET

By any means neccessary, right lol

Richard   March 15th, 2008 8:25 pm ET

EARMARKS, EARMARKS, AND EARMARKS

Close observers of yesterday's reports on the efforts of McCain and Obama to get Sen. Clinton to disclose her earmark requests going back to 2001 may have noticed a strange thing about the statement her office issued at the end of the day.

It said all manner of things about earmarks, and moratoriums, and funding, and accountability. But it never said whether she would disclose her earmark requests going back to 2001.

We spent today back-and-forthing a few more times by e-mail with her press office, and the exchanges made it pretty clear that the oversight was intentional. The plan seems to be that since the NY press has never obsessed over Hillary's earmark requests, she can safely not release them as long as she doesn't say she won't and doesn't say why she won't.

larry   March 15th, 2008 8:25 pm ET

who cares what she wants. She is not calling the shots eventhough she wants to look like she is. The Democratic Comittee is calling the shots.

SAM - CommonSense   March 15th, 2008 8:25 pm ET

I wonder how divisive this woman could continue to be… Florida and MIchigan both agreed to not let their delegates count. The rest of the country did not, so they obeyed the set rules. Its pathetic how a whole political party should suck in to one person's ever changing wishes!

maynard   March 15th, 2008 8:28 pm ET

CLINTON WANTS———– THE VOTERS WANT YOU HILLARY TO SHOW YOUR IRS PAPERS SO POEPLE CAN SEE HOW YOUR RIPPED OFF THE TAX DEPARTMENT.

YOU SAID YOU WOULD RELEASE YOUR IRS AUDIT OR IS THAT LIP SERVICE WE ARE HEARING.. WE HAVE HEARD A LOT OF LIP SERVICE FROM YOU AND BILL DURING THIS CAMPAIGN

ITS NOW TIME TO PRODUCE YOUR DOCUMENTS

Mary in Al   March 15th, 2008 8:33 pm ET

So what! I want to see your tax returns by the end of the week.

Jay   March 15th, 2008 8:34 pm ET

New Hampshire and South Carolina, though really having no business voting ahead of everyone else cycle after cycle, did not violate the rules by doing so.

How can she just blatantly lie and say they did?

Wait…I forgot who we were talking about here.

Interesting   March 15th, 2008 8:36 pm ET

I wonder if she was winning, would she still be so vocal on this? I mean, I can't blame her for trying, but it seems she's still not going to win the popular vote. And I understand not quiting, but she's going to push so far that her supporters will feel cheated when she doesn't win. I believe she thinks she can still fight for a place on the ticket.

Adam   March 15th, 2008 8:37 pm ET

Here's a resolution: neither Michigan or Florida get any delegates.

They knew the rules going in and voted for the rules, then felt they could get around them.

I'm a Florida independent, so I'm disenfranchised either way, but my opinion is that rules are rules.

Lucas, Nashville TN   March 15th, 2008 8:39 pm ET

Here's your solution:

They need to vote again with an ACTUAL CAMPAIGN taking place there, and Hillary will lose just like she would have the first time.

Mark in Kansas City   March 15th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

Once again we see the arrogance of HRC.

"She" wants Michigan to resolve the problem by the end of the week. Sounds like someone's giving an ultimatum to me & I don't believe she's "in charge" of this issue.

Darryl Atlanta,GA   March 15th, 2008 8:41 pm ET

This is a funny situation. As if we did not have enough voting scandal with missing ballots in Florida. It really makes you wonder. What were they thinking? The people who violated the rules now cry they dont want to endure the punishment. Let me put it this way if I hit your car I dont just say sorry and say its fixed I have to pay for it to get fixed. The answer is simple redo the vote. Besides I have a hard time believing the state of Florida does not have 16 million dollars lying around to pay for this revote. Furthermore if they dont have the moneyto pay for the vote,I think some serious hard questions needs to be answered directed to the leadership of Florida and those entrusted to handling the finances of that state.

Disgusted   March 15th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

Well, if it weren't for you Mrs. Clinton there would not need to be anything to resolved. You and your antics are turning a lot of voters off. Go ahead and self destruct. You'll have nobody to blame but yourself.

Jim in FL   March 15th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

"Revote or just count the votes … "

How friggin convenient ! They broke the rules and understood the ramifications completely, which you agreed to Hillary. Don't count jack !! They were disqualified, and they stay disqualified. Hillary, always the cheater ……

bond   March 15th, 2008 8:48 pm ET

Michigan's bogus primary is prime example of this election being all about her… not about the party, the voters, or the country. Even though she was the only one on the ballot, she claims it was fair and fair to count it as such. Absolutely ridiculous. She must be related to Bill Bilichek. Its obvious they will lie, cheat, and steal just to win.

Scoreboard Obama

juan 4 obama   March 15th, 2008 8:49 pm ET

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE BILLARY? I THOUGHT HOWARD DEAN HAD ALREADY SET UP SOME RULES.SHAME ON YOU BILLARY, I THINK ITS TIME YOU RUN A CAMPAIGN THAT IS NOT JUST ABOUT YOU

Phyllis, Dallas TX   March 15th, 2008 8:49 pm ET

Uh, why is she still here? This race is over. She's tried all the underhanded things she can to turn this thing around.

This sour looser wants to be president.

Politico Jonze   March 15th, 2008 8:50 pm ET

I guess rules don't apply to the Clintons, unless it favors them. Why did Hillary agree to disqualify the voters in Michigan and Florida before a primary vote was cast i.e. before politics and desperately needed votes became a factor?

Hillary wants a MI resolution by the end of the week, I want her tax forms, earmarks and Clinton Library Donor list released by the end of the week.

mcm   March 15th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

The fault for this is not because it was hard to follow. Florida and Michigan were supposed to wait, and they did not. Blame no one else, and accept no excuses.

Michigan Voter   March 15th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

No RE-Do in Michigan. Just follow the Pledge that EVERYONE signed and follow the rules. The lawsuits and recounts won't be done before Denver!! This is silly and Unnecessary. Follow the rules you Pleged and agreed to follow.

ICL   March 15th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

I am quite confused with all the problems resonating from Michigan and Florida moving up their primary in violation of the rules.

Senator Clinton said in the above article, that South Carolina and Newhamshire changed the date of their primary without penalties. Is this correct? If so why the double standard? What am I missing here?

Phil   March 15th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

I find it interesting that Sen. Clinton talks about the rules being changed regarding the N.H. and S.C. primaries, not to mention the Nevada caucuses. When both Florida and Michigan rescheduled their primaries to January 2008, the DNC rules already provided that only Iowa, N.H., S.C. and Nevada could hold their primaries/caucuses prior to Feb. 5. So I fail to see how any rules were changed, as she seems to claim.

The point is that both Florida and Michigan were warned very early in the game that their changing of dates would not be sanctioned. And in Florida's case, the support of the lawmakers was almost unanimous, which means the Democrats in the legislature are as much to blame as the Republicans and can't just blame the other party because it was in the majority.

Sen. Clinton's obfuscating statements don't show her in a very good light. Frankly, it seems to me that her statements supporting the seating of two delegations for states that were warned well in advance that those delegations would not be seated if they persisted in scheduling their contests against national party rules shows a regrettable lack of that judgment that we need in a president who will answer the phone at 3:00 AM. By all means, if the states can find a way to hold meaningful and secure primaries by June 10, let them do it over. Everyone deserves a second chance. But they must be fair and secure contests with no room for shenanigans or potential for the kind of situation that prevailed in the 2000 presidential elections. Nobody needs a replay of that, especially not a party that must face John McCain in the national elections.

DEM   March 15th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

What if she don't get her way what is she going to do? Go again the DNC? This lady flip flop to much…. What a first lady Oops that's why Bill Clinton had monica.

What about Paul verse Clinton Court Case in California?

anonymous   March 15th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

It's a real can of worms. The only fair way to do it is to have a revote. The people who decided to move the primary dates up in defiance of the rules should be made to pay monetarily for that decision. The voters of the two states should not be disenfranchised. The most important people are the voters, not the politicians.

HOLSTEINTOWN   March 15th, 2008 9:08 pm ET

Hillary response was great - to what she thinks about DNC
qoute:
When asked whether she was frustrated with the leadership of the Democratic National Committee for either not reaching a speedy end to this problem or for penalizing the two states to begin with, she smiled and answered: “Well, we are where we are right now so I don’t think it’s useful to sort of look back and figure out what might have been done differently.”

Keith Hunter   March 15th, 2008 9:09 pm ET

Clinton's attitude to "just count the votes" when she was the only person on the ballot is horrendous. Surely she doesn't think people will see through this ruse she is trying to perpetuate.

Where was her opposition to the party rules when she was the inevitable candidate?

DEM   March 15th, 2008 9:09 pm ET

Why haven't Clinton give account the following?

I) Her and Bill Clinton past and Current TAX RETURNS

II) The Past and Current EAR MARKS,

II) Did she do any thing illegal in the CA Fundraiser with Peter Paul and what's the Status of her case Paul v Cliton?

jon   March 15th, 2008 9:16 pm ET

i think clinton would not bother about the 2 state if she had won so well on super tuesday. now she want a re-vote. well good luck to you sll

Jay   March 15th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

Good for her how does it feel to "want"? I dunno where she gets off thinking she is running things! Funny how she agreed back in August not to count FL and MI but now she is loosing she wants em seated.

sad   March 15th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

please folks just get it on with fl and mi. hurry up for heaven's sake.

Ann   March 15th, 2008 9:33 pm ET

What is Hillary going to say about Iraq? That she voted to invade Iraq and now that she wants to be president, she changed her position? Please Hillary, go away.

Karen Ross   March 15th, 2008 9:36 pm ET

It's unamerican to not count votes. C'mon people stand up for what is right! I'm so PROUD to be a HILLARY CLINTON supporter!

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