CNN

This is completely unfair and ridiculous. First , the Michigan delegates will be seated based on a sham election. Second, proportioning based on popular vote is not reasonable as half the states have been caucus states where the popular vote is dramatically less than than in primary states and not at all comparable to primary or general election voting.

Honesty, I do not like Obama. This is the worst choice ever... why in the world should it matter. This world is crazy any how, and what does it matter any one should chose the weaker party? That is the way of the world anyhow. No one really cares about America even if Hillary is the better choice. So Be It America!!!!!

All the people who say Michigan and Florida won't vote Democrat if they aren't counted....maybe losing this election to the Republicans would be a good lesson for the Democrats for discounting them.

But bottom line – the January results are spoiled. Counting them would be fraudulent.

can't these politicians get it? the more they stir the pot, the more messier it gets! they should admit that they screwed up and let their constituents know that they did. they should not let hillary mess it up even more so they can cover what they did.

rules are rules are rules! the dnc did not want anyone to lose their right to express their choices. but the rules have been in place before this campaigns began and these two states broke it. hillary and obama, along with the other candidates at that time, agreed to enforce the rules. of course, with hillary, wily as she is, did an about face when things did not go her way. and look at what she's done! she will do everything to get the nomination! can't you people get it! if you can't or won't, then too bad. no soup for you then!

I voted in Michigan. We were told to vote uncommitted for Obama, it was even posted in the daily newspapers. The division of delegates is fair. In Florida Obama spent 1.3 million on ads in the state and he still lost. We voted uncommitted for him and he still lost. The people in the Michigan legislature that shot down the re-vote were the Obama campaign supporter in Michigan. Now the Obama supports do not want Michigan or Florida delegates divided before the convention, becausde they are AFRAID! BIG CRY BABIES>

I don't know that I can add anything that hasn't already been said. Rules are rules. FL and MI should not count in the primary. Come back in November and play like adults.

And for all you Democrats out there who are thinking of registering a protest vote for John McCain if your candidate does not get the nomination (especially you women out there) remember, there will likely be two Supreme Court vacancies to filled by the next president that are currently held by moderate to progressive Justices. Now do you want the conservatives in the republican party to place two Supreme Court Justices FOR LIFE? Think about what that means to a woman's right to choose. You can kiss Roe v. Wade goodbye. And you can bet that personal civil rights will also be a thing of the past. So, just a little food for thought before you cast your tantrum vote.

The votes from January shoud not count in any proportion! Just because it happened hardly makes it fair. Uncommitted is not a valid measure of votes for Obama. REVOTE OR NO VOTES!

How would this avoid disenfranchisement? Any arbitrary award of delegates will not be reflective of the will of the voters. Obviously with only one candidate on the ballot the only equitable option is to have a revote. Which should be paid for by the people who decided to move the date. I would argue however that these people who willfully disobeyed the rules, fully knowing the repercussions, seemingly without any contrition or acountability, who now want off the hook- should be made to serve their punishment. Rules are rules, and fair is fair. It is dissapointing to be sure that the voters will not have a meaningful vote in the PRIMARY, but this is just that, a primary, for party members to elect their party's candidate. This is not a general election. The term "disenfranchisement" is not only erroneous, but disingenuous, and is obviously a premise posited by Clinton supporters to favorably frame their arguments. These voters should direct their ire at those who got them into this mess, not towards either candidate or the DNC. For the record I was an Edwards supporter.

split them 50-50. Let's play by the rules.

..................... and before the spin-artist Billary was forced to step down, she was trying her last tricks....yet none of them worked and Obama became the nominee that later defeated McCain in national elections in Nov 2008 and became the President of the United States of America......THIS IS HOW HISTORY WILL REMEMBER THESE EVENTS.

I bet Hillary will claim that she deserves the votes in Michigan because of the sniper fire she endured when she landed in Detroit. Billary have been a lying combination for many years. Has everyone forgotten all the scandals and dirty politics from the early 90's? The stuff they have on Obama is nothing compared to what the Republicans will bring out from the past on Hillary. The cycle must be stopped.

Bush – CLinton – Bush – ???

Anyone but Hillary.

For once can people admit/accept/acknowledge the fact that Florida and Michigan willfuly broke the RULES with foreknowledge that the votes would not be counted prior to breaking the rules. If the former resides in fact, why does the media and some political campaigns continually float the idea that the voters in these two states have somehow been disenfranchised. I cannot recall any of you advising these states not to break the rules when something fruitful possibly could have been attained. To continue to harp on this issue when these adults in these two states knew what they were doing seems somewhat silly. I guess we can go rob a bank and these people will argue on our behalf. Again, it seems really petty.

How can you give sombody the most votes because she didnt take her name off the ballot. Thats BS Split the votes down the middle. Thats the only fair thing you can do. Or follow the rules and dont count them at all as agreed by all parties and that goes for Hillary.

obama should just drop out, then we would have a problem.

What does this teach people about rules? That we should always try to find a way around them.

What a great legacy for our children.

To step down Hillary.
Your comments are nasty but expected. I heard Tom Brokaw say on Sunday, Hillary is strong and should stay in. Obama's supporters are the ones asking and Brokaw said if the situation were reversed, Obama would also stay in. So, take the nastiness out and use your head. This is reality, like it or not!
Sure beats Re. Jeremiah Wright.

No way – The only way to resolve this issue, at this time, is to give Clinton and Obama each half of the delegates for the two states.

The votes should be counted as they were cast by the voters. But, if that is not to happen, then I think whatever is done should be agreeable to the Clinton campaign since it will be Hillary Clinton who would be giving up votes with a compromise if the votes of the voters are not counted as they were cast.

What Kool-Aid is Stupak drinking? Barrack’s name wasn't even on the ballot. He believed the DNC when they said the ballots would not be counted. Hillary ignored the DNC, because she is accustomed to breaking rules.

So let Hillary and her voters pay the penalty for breaking the rules. Why should Barack and others suffer for Hillary's mistake?

This is America Hillary, in case you forgot. We follow the rules.

This woman is a great liar, she must have been a heck of a lawyer.

Obama 08

sharon

favor hill

voter know the Gov. is to blame
use the vote to change

48 state Gov. got it right

LOL

I think the whole idea by the DNC to punish Florida and Michigan for moving up their primaries is totally ridiculous. They should not have a say if a state wants to move their primary let alone trying to punish them. If I lived in either of those states and the DNC did not allow the votes to count, I would sue them. The constitutional right to vote over rides any rules by the DNC trying to suppress them. I think regardless what candidate you support or what party you belong to, you should be outraged at the thought that your fellow American's votes would not be counted!! I for one will stand up for my fellow Americans in the great states of Florida and Michigan.

I hope Michigan is for Clinton. Do not be afraid to vote for a woman president. Women are lawyers, doctors, mothers, and the majority of teachers are women....who teach our children. Women......mothers and teachers reach our children. Our family was for Obama at first, but not now. He appears to be 'too star struck' and will say anything to be in the news. Not good for a president. All our family is now for Hillary Clinton.

It doesn't matter. Hillary is running for 2012, so if she can foul up this process for Barack, so be it. She is the slime of the earth, and the DNC should give her the boot.

Hillary: "Whaaaaaaa, if I can't have the nomination, nobody will get it".

She's a big baby.

""Where was all the concern and outrage by both the voters and the candidates when it was FIRST told to them (BEFORE THE PRIMARIES) that this was going to be the outcome?""

That's why I have ZERO sympathy for the voters in Michigan and Florida. They only decided to pitch a fit about it AFTER Hillary, who once signed off on it, decided to make a self-serving issue of it when she realized she'd need them after all.

Michigan and Florida broke the rules. The outcome would have been different had those two states followed the rules.

Compromise: 50-50 split.

After all, the candidates are concerned about the people being disenfranchised, right? HRC won't agree to that because she wants the option that gives her the most delegates.

I really don't care what they do, but if there is one thing that is undeniable fact, is that the Michigan (and Florida) Democratic Party are the ones who have disenfranchised their voters, not anyone else. The national party made the rules, the Michigan & Florida Democratic Parties knowingly & willfully spat upon those rules by accelerating their primaries. Both of these states knew well before the primaries occurred what their punishment would be, and nonetheless decided to proceed with those primaries knowing full well that by their actions, their delegates would be disqualified from participation in the national convention.

When will somebody in politics (from either party) stand up and quit blaming somebody else, and take full and unabridged responsibility for their actions. I swear they would get my vote tomorrow if they did that.

Nonononono.................. Either those delegates wont get seated or simply REVOTE. No other option is acceptable

This is a great plan for Hillary only. Like selfish Hillary, of course her supporters think this is fair. Let me share a bit of information–BARACK'S NAME WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT.

Barack supporters will not agree to anything that is not fair. Hillary kept her name on the ballot, like a snake. While Barack took his name off, which was the honorable thing to do since the rules said the votes would not be counted. That is leadership, not sneaky underhanded, cut-throat tactics from Hillary.

So if Michigan and Florida knowingly broke the rules, their folks will have to sit the primaries out. End of story. Stop cheating, be fair.

And don't get me started on Florida, the infamous Bush State of Disgrace.

What a stupid non-sense proposal. With other words, this proposal says: Let Hillary win and give Obama some delegates. This is exactly what angers all voters: The Billary's and their supporters believe we are all just stupid.

Did it really matter that MI and FL moved up their primary? Look at the mess because they did. They should be able to hold a primary when they choose. This disgusts me because Hillary won both and if we get a re-vote, move over Barack. I wish we had a uniformed nationwide primary. I get sick of the caucus states VS the primary states and who leads the way like Iowa. The whole system should be overhauled and we all have the same system in place. Primaries only and ten states at a times for five weeks. Done!

Still looking for that great argument from an Obama supporter that explains to me how the stupid rules are more important that the actual voters and their votes being counted. For every reason you give I've got a better response, trust me.

Anyone?

And anyone with a rational thought in their head can tell you why a 50/50 split is not a solution that should be entertained.

Obama has refused to work with the state legislators and the Clinton campaign to find a way to make revotes work in MI and FL. He dragged his feet with respect to both states knowing that time was of the essence ,and the matters died because of his inaction. A candidiate should not win the Democratic Party's nomination if all the votes are not counted and if the candidiate himself directly or indirectly supported the disenfranchisement of voters. Obama should be ashamed of only supporting those votes which support him. Every one in our party should have the right to vote. Also, Obama should be ashamed of his efforts to try to stop the primary process by pressuring Clinton to quit. Shame on Obama.

Both a revote and any configuration in which Michigan gets full representation set an awful precedent. How many times does this have to be said: they broke the rules.

I can't believe how afraid the Obama supporters are of any possible resolution regarding Michigan and Flordia. They are so afraid of the truth it hurts. Why can't they accept the fact that Hillary has so much more of the popular vote then is being reported? May then Obama won't be taking long weekends in the hot weather while Hillary is pounding the pavement for Americans. Oh and if only I could take a long weekend in the Virgin Islands.....must be nice.

If this is truly about letting FL & MI voters be heard w/o favoring one candidate or the other...here's a simple solution. Add up all the delegates from FL & MI then divide them by 2. Now distribute the delegates equally to both candidates so all the voters of florida and michigan aren't penalized for there states inability to play by the rules. At the same time this doesn't favor either candidate but gets them both closer to the number of votes needed to secure the nomination!!!

The fact of the matter is this: IF Florida and Michigan counted we would be looking at a different race, period. If Obama is confident in the last 10 contest then he should be confident that the Democratic leg of the American public TRULY SPOKE to what they wanted and include Florida and Michigan.

It will never be washed away that Michigan and Florida was in effect muzzled by the legistature of their states and the overly zealous penalties placed on them by the DNC bylaws committee. If they had counted even just 50% to begin with this mess would be not even discussed. Obama might not be the candidate in the lead in pledged delegates today and/or the race would be SO MUCH closer than it is today requiring it to have to play out to the end without all these calls for Hillary to bow out.

Florida needs to forward their last plan based on their VERY fair everyone's-name-was-on-the-ballot-results on Jan 29th. All the talk about some people stayed home? What they didnt get the memo the other 1.7 million people did – "GO VOTE ANYWAY!"? The DNC needs to NOT vote against Florida or Michigan (again) PERIOD. When those plans are offered up...stop waiting for it to be even more complicated than it is now going into August.

No! Do not play games in the name of fairness. It is hard to swallow the bitter pill, so let this be a lesson for future to not break any RULES. End of story.

A.M.
Houston, Texas

This is amazing. Yep, the Democrats are right–we need to get out of Iraq immediately, We certainly can't be there showing them how to run a democracy when the DNC can't even figure out how to run a valid election. The rules (signed by both candidates) stated that NO delegates would be seated from MI and FL. Now, you want to apportion delegates from MI based on the votes throughout the rest of the country??? Wait-I like that idea. Let's just tell California not to vote in the general election and we'll just base their electoral college votes on the rest of the country's votes. Sounds like a great plan to my man McCain.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!

I don't understand how anyone could think seating the delegates in MI and FL 50/50 resolves the problem. It doesn't! You might as well not seat the delegates at all. If there's no revote in both states then the nominee is not legitmate and I couldn't support that person in the general election.

COUNT THE VOTES...I would urge florida and michigan not to vote for a dem in the general election if there voices are not heard now

You know, for those of you NOT in Michigan, the reason the Governor wanted to move us up was to put some light on the sorry economic problems here, which were not even on the national radar. Suddenly after our vote, the pols were talking economy, and we have seen what has happened across the country.
I have also read that since the election was LEGAL, the votes MUST count, or we can sue. You cannot throw out a LEGALLY held election in this country( except when the Supreme Court decides to decide), and the DNC, as far as I know, can't write laws. So you all who got to vote may not be happy with us, but we are even more unhappy, and we refuse to be disenfranchised!
Go Hillary!

There are too many complications, especially with Michigan, to support this proposal. It's clear that Clinton left her name on the ballot as insurance – what isn't clear is why party officials didn't insist on an "all or nothing" (everyone on the ballot, or no one on the ballot) AT THE TIME. Who knows what the outcome would have been if there had been at least the appearance of a real primary. But it's hardly worth speculating about that, since it certainly wasn't a real primary.

Should the Michigan plan go forward, it would be patently unfair to award Clinton more delegates. Aside from the fact that Michigan would be rewarded for breaking the rules, CLINTON would be rewarded for keeping her name on the ballot when all other candidates removed theirs. As it stands, the fact that Clinton kept her name on the ballot is creating the impression that she did it as an act of protest, as if she did not agree with the DNC decision at the time. She's certainly working hard now to lead people to believe that.

The bottom line is that the Michigan and Florida "primaries" are both irreparably tainted. If the DNC decides to seat the delegates, neither Clinton nor Obama should gain any advantage from it.

Hillary, ask yourself a question. Answer honestly (if that's even possible). If you were ahead in the delegate count, and Obama had left his name on the ballot in Michigan and Florida, would you be so adamant to "let the people's votes count"? I think not.

I want a president who isn't a snake. I want a president who I can trust. I want a president who has not dodged indictments. I want a president who, when he or she says they've dodged bullets, they actually have.

You are none of those. You, Hillary, should be ashamed of yourself. Of course, you have demonstrated repeatedly that you have no ethics, honest or shame. It would be too much to ask you to do something honest and fair.

If you win the nomination, in the unlikely event that you win against McCain, I'll start taking bets as to how long it is before you are indicted or impeached. You will completely ruin the presidency for the women and minorities to follow you. But then again, you have no shame. You don't care.

Plain and simple , the rules are the rules... that being stated, if Michigan wants to re-vote, great if not, then the delegates there need to be split 50/50. as Since Obama's name was not on the ballot, there is no reason to believe that Hillary would have gotten half the votes she got, or to believe tht Obama, would not have drawn more voters to the polls, and had more votes in the end.

Second... Florida, again due to the rules should not count, that being stated, I have no problem, with them counting, as they stand, since no one had an unfair advantage...although I highly doubt that the vote count would be what it is, had the votes counted in the first place.

Also, quit gripping at Obama, and Clinton regarding the votes, and how one or the other is causing this, it was in fact neither of them, who caused this, the DNC in each state caused this mess, by voting prior to their turn....and should in fact suffer the consequences...

The Clinton supporters saying that this is fair amaze me. Somehow I doubt they'd think a ballot with only one candidate on it is fair if it was Obama instead of Hillary.

The results in Michigan are not legitimate, and will never be legitimate unless there's a proper revote with more than one candidate on the ballot!

I am surprise a right thinking person will base such a propsal on a basic premise of unfairness and injustice. Firstly, there was a rule for the game. The candidates were not supposed to go there. On what ethical ground is the January vote are counted. This is madness. Michigan and Florida should resolve their problem with the National Party. After that the best solution if there were sufficient time for both candidates to make their campaing – a revote. Otherwise this is not a right thinking proposal for a normal ethical person.

They'll get nothing and like it.

Either play by the rules or do a re-vote. Thousands of people didn't vote because they knew their vote wouldn't count.

Whomever said split 50-50 can forget it. Obama was an idiot to leave his name off the ballot in the first place, so it's his own fault. The allocation should be based on the votes from the primary, which would leave Clinton much farther ahead than 11 delegates....but whatever. Obama was able to block the re-vote and now all of a sudden he wants to make sure that the votes get seated "for the betterment of the party". Whatever. At least it will get done and then it will be over.

Remember, the actual voters did not decide the change the rules that was done for them by their state govt. So, if the state govts and teh DNC can not make good to honor the voters right to be a part of the nomination of the democratic candidate....then I for one will vot republican to show that if the Democratic party does not want my vote then I will give it to a party that does.....I hope the voters in Michigan in Florida feel the same......GO MC CAIN

Using the results of an election where only one candidate was on the ballot is ridiculous. Stinks of something other than democracy. It's unbelievable to me that anyone is even still talking about this. Seems to me the politicians in Fla and MI are the ones to be blamed for this mess. They are the ones that decided the voters in their states didn't count. Just another way to separate the democrats and give the republicans an advantage. WAKE UP democrats!

I don't understand how this is a new proposal when I thought thats what they have been saying all along? And why do the Michigan and Florida reps always want to blame everyone one else for their voters being disenfranchised when its their fault? If the last thing they wanted to do was to disenfranchise voters then they should have followed the rules. They were warned and they new the consequences.

I say NO to this plan, so much has changed since those votes that they aren't accurate anymore. Not to mention Obama wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan. What if alot of voters didn't vote because of this? They should either all be placed by the nationwide vote or there should be a revote.

I think that the Michigan delegates should be split into 30% January vote, and 70% nationwide vote.

Anyone who is so stupid to vote for McCain merely because their own sate screwed them in the primary deserves a NON STOP WAR AND A DEPRESSION which he will give you

55% for Hillary and rest 45% has to divided in to 5 for all other the candidates who was there at that time or Give 50 % Jeremiah Wright 50 % Tony Rezko these are two will dominate the white house if Barack H Obama become president

Allen –

why dont we take your vote away and see how you like it

Do you people understand what punishment is?

MI and FL were punished because their Governers decided to break DNC rules.

Both Obama and Clinton AGREED from the beginning.

Those votes in MI and FL SHOULD NOT count.
The best solution is to do a 50:50 split of those delegates

Clinton and Obama are not responsible for this mess.
If you live in FL or MI go and hold you Governer responsible.
Next time think carefully before you cast your vote for any governer.

The Democratic National Committee she consider ths proposal after all the other primaries occur. The choice should be up to the DNC and it should not be subject to discussion or manipulation by the Clinton or Obama campaigns. If approved it should be made clear that this doesn't mean Hillary won Michigan, but rtaher is a way to enfranchise the voters of Michigan. A similar solution for Florida would also help to put this issue to rest. By the numbers neither will make a huge difference in the actual delegate counts but given the changing goal posts for the Clintons it would probably as the voice of the people rather than what it is, a last gasp attempt to fix the awful delegate selection rules provided by the DNC.

Bart Stupak just didn't get it. Is there any fair solution in Michigan other than re-voting ? No, there is not. Just because people had no choice here. If Hillary Clinton would have withdrawn her name from the ballots, Dennis Kucinich would have probably ended up with 80 % of the votes. Because a lot of people prefer to vote for some name rather than "uncommitted". Would that represent Michigans people ? No ! Michigans delegates can be just split half between both candidates. So basically they won't have any influence on the total outcome of the national convention and can stay home, saving party money. Sorry, guys. But the only ones to blame for that missed "trip" are Michigan party leader, non of the campains and nobody from the natinoal party leadership.
However, a system like that might be an option for Florida since there all names remained on the ballot. Pledge half of the delegates according to the poll results and half according to national overall results. But also there ... we would already now the result so why flying 210 people into Denver. Just a waste of money and you could do something to protect the enviroment.

No, Sharon, it doesn't "only favor the voters." It favors Hillary, who did not follow the rules.

If Michigan delegates are to be seated, they should be divided 50-50. Period.

Great plan, but why should Obama get any delegates. It was his "judgement" to take his name off the ballot. Why reward him for a poor judgment call?

All of these observations are erroneous (especially Sharon, fourth post). I could see dividing these delegates somehow, but the problem was OBAMA'S name wasn't even on the ballot !!! how can you divide these based on any rational formulae when...Obama wasn't even on the frigging ballot !!!

To say Obama is trying to rob the voters of their will...when his name wasn't on the ballot is pure fallacy.

HRC agreed to these rules UNTIL they were unfavorable to her....

ohh everyone still whining about MI and FL ... whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy? It is a primary for heaven sake !! Most years NOBODY's vote count in a primary and I don't hear everyone whining ohh it's so not fair boohoo..

Play by the rules !!

If both Hillary and Obama agree to it....then do it. Something has got to be done.....can't leave all those voters out in the cold. It wasn't their fault their states screwed up.....so individuals voted at the ONLY opportunity they had.

Punish the states.....but not the voters, who were victimized by their states.

Hillary or McCain – 2008

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Florida shows John McCain holding a four-percentage point lead over Barack Obama and a seven- percentage point lead over Hillary Clinton. It’s McCain 47% Obama 43% and McCain 47% Clinton 40%.

Also, the last Rasmussen Poll shows them tied in head to head election in Michigan on March 6. I haven't seen any reports on these numbers. Why does the media allow the Clinton campaign to keep suggesting they would beat Obama in Michigan and Florida when the polls show otherwise.

Let's tell the truth!

I think this is a fair and ethical way to handle the situation we do not want to leave out these two large states. The earlier primary meant nothing it was for nothing. but this would be a way to include them in a fair and respectful manor for all candidates Go Obama 08!!

This sound good.

THIS IS A VERY REASONABLE OFFER IF IT INCLUDES THE RESULTS OF THE MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA POPULAR VOTES IN ITS DETERMINING OF THE POPULAR DELEGATE SPLIT. OTHERWISE IT IS JUST OMITTING THE VOTES THAT WERE CAST BY THOSE STATES AND WONT REALLY MATTER ANYWAYS. IT WOULD BE LIKE SAYING WE ARE GOING TO COUNT ONLY WHAT WE KNOW AND CAN CONTROLL AND THAT ISNT RIGHT. COUNT ALL THE VOTES OR DONT COUNT THEM AT ALL. THATS FAIR AND RIGHT.

To seat the delegates is the only way to be fair to all Americans.

I'm a democrate... And I have an idea.... Play by the RULES!!!!!!!!!

The remaining 73 delegates should also be apportioned based on Jan primary result. The national popular vote result should not be used for Michigan, because the caucus system held in many states is a flawed system and does not reflect the real number of the votes. This has been demonstrated by the divergence between the primary and the caucus results in TX.

I'm a democrate... And I have an idea.... Play by the RULES!!!!!!!!!

Just let the votes for both Florida and Michigan count as is. the DNC is hurting itself by not allowing for those votes to be counted. No deals.

LET THE VOTES BE COUNTED.

Obama's campaign has pushed 'one vote is a win' for the nomination if they have one vote over Clinton in delegates (but no majority), but won't agree to a solution for Florida and Michigan, disenfranchising millions of voters. The problems with the caucus wins – which are the basis of Obama's lead – are obvious when you see that he got more Texas delegates in total because of the added caucus than she did, though she carried the state by 5% in the primary. This is one man, one vote?

So it's cherish the vote if he helps get me elected, ban it if not. Obama claims he's running a higher campaign, and the media echoes him on it; this tactic shows otherwise. Hypocrisy doesn't play well eventually.

I'll certainly vote for him over McCain, but he's not going to be able to paper over this quality in the fall; it's sad the media has turned into Fox News whenever it's a Clinton story. It's going to look very ugly in hindsight, and very much as if a woman daring to run was the cause. The closeups of Clinton's warts would be fine if that scrutiny was applied to all of them. Is there any professional journalism out there at all?

While I admire Rep. Stupak's attempt at pacifying voters, I can't help but wonder what effect his proposal would give to the International community.
The USA likes to champion itself as the defender of the free world and democracy. In my definition of democracy, I agree that all people are treated equally and fairly...everyone living by the same rules. In this case, Michigan (and Florida) broke the rules...rules they had agreed to. Aren't rule breakers punished for their actions in the US? Or do the accusations from certain parts of the world very accurate? Meaning that America is soft on rule breakers and that democracy is a laissez faire system?
While I sincerely hope the Democrats win the election in November, I think you Americans...specifically Democrats ... think about and evaluate the full repercussions of this pending decision. We could win the White House but you would have a severe black eye...if not worse...within the International Community.
Democrats...think outside the "I want to please voters box"...think of the eventual results after you win the election that truly matters.
Good luck

If M and FL broke the rules they should not be seated. Nobody should point fingers to Obama or Hillary, this is not their mistake. This was deliberately done by the state DNC committees. FL has not learnt the lesson from 2000 (the hanging chads saga), and they are going to destroy this election for the Democrats. Any way FL is republican and they would want the DNC candidates to be bloodied more.

Get real, Dems. Do not even dream to win the White House without counting the votes of MI and FL.

Not a bad proposal. I would like a revote, but at least Stupak is trying to be part of the solution. Obama backers in MI are the ones who blocked the revote. Punishing the voters... Bad idea.

what a joke, hillary-do-anything to get elected. thank god obama has a way to reject these ridiculous offers and not agree to them. if she's so worried about every voter being counted why is she advocating pledged delegates to switch sides away from how they were elected. please just go away.

How can a primary where one candidate wasn't on the ballot count for anything. If anything there would need to be a new fair primary. Also the rules were in place when Michigan decided to move their vote. If anybody is disenfranchising voters it is the lawmakers in Michigan that decided to move the primary.

The remaining uncommitted superdelegates should vote the way of MI and FL; that would be the will of the people, not this poor half hazard joke of a compromise.

When all the figures have been tallied, it would be as if the MI delegates were split 50/50 right down the middle. And it would appear to be done in a roundabout way, only to get to this silly outcome. The only person this benefits is Obama, not the good people of MI. No matter how much Obama wins, he will not be legitimate in the eyes of Clinton supporters.

This Clinton supporter has no problem voting for Nader or McCain. Both are men of their words and backs it up with substantial accomplishments.

Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot. An uncommited vote doesn't mean it was for him nor does it really mean Clinton would have had that many votes.

This is a very desperate plan that is not that clearly thought out. A re-vote or an even split are the two best options. The latter isn't even that great considering the states probably would not have been a split.

If Stupak, Michigan and Florida didn't want voter disenfranchisement than they should have followed the rules in the first place. Don't cry foul when you knew you broke the rules.

Have voters call, write, or e-mail their vote either for Clinton or Obama.
Put this on their local news which most people listen to in Michigan and Fla. Voters should not be punished for what delegates decided to do by breaking the rules.

As far as whether the news media gives Obama more news time and an easier questions, YES. The news media gives the man the Go Ahead on every thing and if any thing is brought up, they call Hillary using the "Race Card!" He will get a lot more thrown at him by the REPUBLICANS! Obama Grow Up!

I think this plan has some merit. I would like to see the Michigan and Florida delegations seated- but they MUST be penalized when they did it their way and all the other States in the Union followed the rules.
I really believe if there was a revote and Barack Obama was on the ballot that he would win that State.

I think something is fishy going on about the Flordia and Michigan situation. I believe someone don't want those votes to be counted and given to Hillary. People aren't stupid they know what is going on its all about Obama. Obama have sit in a church for 20 years with his children and listen to hate and he is trying to convience the American people that this is okay because he did it. His judgement is in question here what kind of sound decisions can he make.? He can't even get his lies straight one after the other. He lies because he thinks he have won the election and he thinks whatever he say people will believe him. Obama you may fool some of the people some of the time but not all the people all of the time.

Since when has Obama become a Republican?

Suppressing people from voting seems to be a Republican thing to do.....

This kind of plan will only work once the primaries are over and the superdelegates have spoken. So long as the Michigan results are weighed in at all (Obama wasn't on the ballot!) it would be completely undemocratic for those votes to influence the outcome. This is as plain as day for anyone but someone who is bent on cheating on behalf of Clinton.

Here is my solution to Florida and Michigan.
1. Count all of the popular votes. Hurts Obama.
2. Split the elected delegates 50/50. Hurts Hillary.
3. Do not count any of the Super delegates from Florida and Michigan Both states lose all of them. Their votes do not count, they can not attend the convention, they get no say in anything. They are the ones who violated Democratic party rules, they should suffer for it.

Not a great solution to a real mess

Obama will never agree to this, he's running scared as it is.

Would be nice to find a fair way to settle this issue for the voters, but Clinton needs to stop acting like she cares so much about democracy. She clearly said those votes were not going to count when she had the lead earlier in the race; now that she's desperate and needs this she trying to act like she's the most democratic politician on earth. Neways i'm still amaze to see how many people are still supporting her.

I wil be there picketing. As long as they don't have the meeting in Menominee where he lives (In the U.P near Wisconsin). He really sounds Stupik!!!

How many people simply didn't go to the polls since their candidate wasn't on the ballot? The results of the MI vote are simply too tainted to count in any way.

Why should Clinton benefit from being the only one on the ballot? Why should Obama get all of the "uncommitted" votes even though there were other candidates in the race at the time?

Allocate them 50/50 and be done with it. If the vote goes past the first ballot, then the delegates can do what they please.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

when will you people give up YOU BROLE THE RULES NOW ITS PAYDAY so stop the crying and go along with the punishment.

Apparently this man missed the fact that voters were told their votes weren't going to count, so a large majority of them stayed home. Why would he think that the Obama campaign would settle for this unfair tally when they've been trampling over Hillary in the race thus far?

I think the Obama campaign should turn this stinky deal down. Hillary is trying her best to get to her birthright, the Presidency of the US of A.

That works for me...and I'm an Obama supporter.

50-50 split.....Remember, there were 4 candidates going into Michigan and ONLY two candidates names were on the ballet.....Not fair in any other fashion. Lets keep it Real & Fair.....

Well who asked Obama to remove his name? Michigan counts as much as the other states do.
Thats the price you pay dude, to consider some states 'worthless'

The last time I checked, Florida and Michigan were still a part of the "United" States of America.

Obama should own up that he goofed..

HILLARY '08

Of course Obama wants the delegates split, but that does not reflect the wishes of the voters, nor does it help to resolve this close race. He's throwing up a road block, because he knows Senator Clinton will win. He'll never agree to a fair division of the delegates. Someone of a higher authority is going to have to step up and make the decision based on what is the fairest and most reflective of the VOTERS wishes.......not the candidates. They will never agree.

I think it is a shame the way this election have been conducted. The media have been on Obama's side from day one. Why don't someone ask the Obama camp why did he not tell the public about his relationship with the Rev. Wright when he first started. Everyone is telling Hillary to get out of the race but no one is looking or reporting all the lies Obama is telling. What is going on here Obama tell lie after lie we see him on the tv all the time changing his story and no one say a word about it. He deceived people and got their votes those votes are not his he got them in a dishonest way. Why don't someone bring this to the Obama camp attention. Why don't some one do a full investigation on Obama?

Somebody tell Obama that spliting the delegates from Florida and Michigan is the same as doing nothing. I know that Obama knows that to be true and is trying to cheat the Florida and Michigan voters from having what they voted for. It was Obama himself that had his name removed from the Michigan ballot and he has no one to blame for that but himself. Don't say that you didn't campaign there because neither did Hillary. Personally I'm tired of the strong arm men trying to control the outcome of this election. Get Honest

They've GOT to do SOMETHING!

The fact that Obama never put his name on the ballot – despite
saying that he was running for President – is utterly stupid!

He calls himself a leader? A good leader would have back-up plan...
a Plan B. Where was his?

He doesn't deserve ANY of those votes! Give them all to Hillary who
was smart enough to have her name on the ballots!

This "fuzzy math" makes no sense! What planet is he from? Where is the equity? How could he consider using the results of the January contest when Obama's name was not on the ballot!

This is not negotiating - this is ignorance!

That would be interesting solution. Clinton would get more votes but Obama moves closer to the magic number.

Hello, Hello,

CNN,

Please save us from LOU DOBBS AND WOLF BLITZER!

They are so transparent and obnoxious!

This proportion of delegates is not equal or fair. Senator Obama was not on the ballad, how can you presume he would not have received votes that were cast for Hillary since she was the only Democratic name on the ballad. This 'fair' decision must have been suggested by the Hillary camp.

I'm sorry Michigan, but your Democratice Governor did not want to play by the rules, and you can't get them changed at mid game. Vote her out for the damage she did. Let there be a total re-vote to make sure everything is fair, andnot let her Royal Highness Clinton trample the rights of your voters who perhaps may have wanted to vote for someone else.

For both of Clinton and Obama's sake, this plan is reasonable. This certainly doesnt give Clinton much of an advantage, and helps Obama as the nominee in the fall.

Its fair to the democratic voters in michigan who voted in spite of their vote only being symbolic. And it puts the issue to rest.

Howard Dean can accept this proposal and then move on to a similar proposal in florida.

Clinton gets her advantage, but Edwards share of delegates can campaign to see if they want to move to Obama or stay with Edwards.

The liberal elite wants very much to disenfranchise voters. Anything to win! Quite frankly their strong armed tactics make them look worse than the neo-cons. In the long run it is really ill-advised and such a backward step for women. So much for freedom in the USA.! Obama may look sweet but look at some of his backers. I don't want to have anything to do with them. For the first time in my life I am reconsidering my party affiliation and realize just how really controlling the DNC and its affiliates really are.

the clintons will stoop to any thing to win. fld.an mich.knew what the rules were period. this is a chance for voters to have a say in how the country is run. why would i want to vote for a liar? she can duck
and run for cover all she wants. iwant somebody that i can belive in
not wonder if what is being said is alie or not.

It's so messed up now, it will still leak. Borack wan't it badly. And he's Clan will settle for nothing less than, you give it to him on a Plate.. You can't please Hillary this way...

The Horse as Bolted...

Sounds like it is at least a plan to divide the delegates up based on the actual votes which seems fair. The DNC better do SOMETHING SOON because Michigan voters will not put up with this being dragged out and then voters being disenfranchised or delegates being seated that are disproportionate to the vote!

IF MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA WANTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE

DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION, THEY SHOULD HAVE FOLLOWED THE

DNC RULES. THEY GOT MANIPULATED BY THE RNC, THEY DO NOT

DESERVE NOR SHOULD THEY BE ALLOWED, TO PARTICIPATE.

Clinton wants a revote and Obama wants to evenly divide the delegates so everything will remain unchanged. What is he so scared of? Let people vote. Geez. Democrats are so annoying.

Don't fall for it Obama not un-less it is fair. Don't take any thing if it means cutting into your popular vote. Hillary wouldn't! Where was this Rep. Stupak before?

Democrats will pay for it in november if Florida and Michigan get disenfranchised

The total national popular vote should not be counted - it gives power only to the top most populous 20 states. On the other hand, the number of pledged delegates gives a voice to the smaller states and that is the way it should be.

NO LET THE RULES STAY AS WHAT WERE DECIDE NO

"New Michigan". Located just north of regular Michigan =P

On a serious note, um, this plan is a fail.

How refreshing would it be if Michigan just came out and said, "You know what? We broke the rules. Let this be an example to the country."

Everyone's heads would explode just trying to wrap their brains around the thought of the Democratic party behaving like adults.

michigan cheated so they should be forfeited period. get caught cheating on your a.c.t or s.a.t test and see what happens

Any plan that gives a hint of validity to Michigan's first vote cannot work. I'm sorry, but only one candidate's name was on the ballot.

I'm an Obama supporter, and I'm annoyed with him and everyone else for not agreeing to an all-out re-vote (that allows those who voted Republican to vote Democratic), but this isn't a fair compromise.

That's not doable. Obama shared those uncommited votes with John Edwards and other candidates that were on the race at the time. The only way to solve this is to REVOTE.

I just want to say that this would be a great thing. Michigan and Florida must have their votes counted in this Democratic Nomination. Florida voters have already once been disenfranchised in selected our Nations Leader, we do not need a repeat. I am a HIllary supporter. I think Obama knows that if these two states count he will lose the popular vote and this is why he has chosen to remain quiet on this issue for the most part. He is playing the "time" card. For a man running for the "people" he sure is playing the game for himself. If he really wanted the will of the people to select the next nominee he would insist that these two states seat their delegates. I do not dislike Obama. I think he is a gifted man. His speech in 2000 was remarkable and respectable. However he does lack National Political experience. He cannot win the general election on his "I opposed the war from the beginning" speech. Funny how all of his supporters forget how at the time that the Politicians were in DC making this decision he was still in State politics and was not faced with making the decision. Had be been presented with the evidence that others were and voted against the war he would have been labeled "un-patriotic" as so many people were at that stage in our history. Let's not forget how we as people were viewed for openly opposing this War. It is easy to say now that we were against it because the backlash has now gone. Ultimately, Barack lacks experience. Hillary has more savvy and know how and is stronger than Barack. We need a strong President to help restore our standing in the World. Barack wants to make friends with everyone. While a nice thought, it is not practicle. I believe that if Barack gets the nomination, the Democrats will lose, AGAIN, in November. No matter how much movement he brings, there are too many unknowns when it comes to his background. This will create an uneasiness that will ultimately lead to "more Bush" as we elect John McCain. With McCain or Hillary atleast we will know what we are getting into. At this tough economic time in history we cannot afford to put our trust in someone who may or may not be able to deliver on his promises of change.

What a terrible idea. Obama name was not in the ballot. We have to give Edward some of the uncommitted votes. This is just laughable.
Rules are rules and cannot be changed in the middle of the game to favor one candidate. How can a grown up man come up with such a silly idea.

Good grief...give this woman a break..x. It's in such poor taste to put Chelsea on the spot with these questions.... and the Lewinsky travesty is totally irrelevant as a metric on whether Hilary being a good president (or not.) Why are we so eager for dirty laundry and completely uninterested in things that have much more importance? The war? The economy? National health coverage??? PS. I'm not voting for Hilary–I just hate this question being laid on Chelsea.

I think this is a good plan but to make it even better just strip the remaindering delegates altogether then do the same for Florida. Problem solve MI & FL will be seated.

Good spin attempts from the Clinton supporters but come on. Ask yourself why were so many Republicans voting for Clinton after McCain cinched the nomination? If you are being honest you know it's because they HATE her and know that no one will bring out the Republicans voters like Hillary will. With Obama running there are a lot of Independents and some (myself included) Republicans who will vote for him. Lastly to all those Dems saying if Obama wins they are voting for McCain here is a little phrase written many years ago just for you: Cutting off your nose to spite your face. Grow up and think what's best for the country instead of how your pride may be bruised because your candidate lost.

No one in Michigan was informed that write in votes would be thrown out. Where's the number of thrown out votes? That could have impacted HRC's supposed 55% "win" in Michigan. Michigan voters will be disenfranchised any way you cut this. Our voters are that way because our legislators made decisions to take away our rights as citizens. That is why we are disenfranchised.
Thanks Stupak for at least trying. Try educating the rest of the legislators on how to follow rules and then how to educate your voters.

I disagree with Michigan Rep. Stupaks approach for seating the delegates from his State and I hope the Clinton Campaign does as well. If you look at the timeline of events for the Democratic Primary for Michigan on January 15th there were 5 Democratic candidates (Clinton, Obama, Edwards, Gravel & Kucinich) still vying for the parties nomination. Senator Obama should not be awarded the 36 delegates based on the 'uncommitted' result as a portion of those would have gone to Edwards, Gravel & Kucinich as well. They need to come up with a fair and equitable solution for the uncommitted votes. If they want to split the votes then split the entire delegate count based on the 55/40 and award 90 to Senator Clinton and 66 to Senator Obama. Fair is Fair.

another obama dirty trick to hold out so he can get delegates not his

If Hillary had won as many states as Obama has and was ahead in pledge delegates I am sure that she, her campaign and her husband would be demanding ( no dought about it) that Obama get out of the race to keep the party united.

The Clinton's will do anything (including lying, cheating and stealing}
to get the nomination because they feel that it is their right.

maybe the superdelegates should not even be counted or seated; afterall they are the state party leaders who allowed this to happen. apportion the elected delegates by some formula agreed to by both parties. that way there would still be some penalty plus the voters who participated and who might otherwise be disenfranchised would be recognized. this could work for florida also.

thats his ideas,who cares,rules are rules and the law is the law,it should be followed not to favor others..
the fair game will be split 50/50.if not ,then i vote obama

Clinton's name was the only one on the ballot in Michigan.

It was a sham 'election'. Not one delegate should be awarded based on that.

If they want to split the Michigan delegates based on the nationwide vote, that seems fair...

The only fair approach to solving the Florida and Michigan problem is to give half of the total delegate count of those two states to Obama and another half to Hillary. No candidate should be given even one delegate more than is given to the other. Obama obeyed the DNC's rules and, therefore, did not campaign in those states. Thus, it will be a blutant unfairness and favouritism to give to Hillary even just one delegate more than is given to Obama.

This seems like a smart and fair resolution. Much better than Hillary's take it as is (with Obama off the ballot).

You've got to be kidding! Obama didn't even have his name on the ballot (because he agreed not to) and Hillary had agreed not to–saying it didn't matter and then left it on. Who calls this fair? Hmmm, let me think, probably the person who changes rules when they help her!

The Democratic party, with it's caucuses (a "time tax"), super delegates, punishing 2 states by disenfranchising them, and the bosses calling on Hillary to bow out of the race kinda makes me question if the "people's party" would just prefer that all us pesky voters would just get out of "their" race.

Larry B

San Antonio, Texas

There is NO way if the present numbers were reversed and if Clinton had followed the rules would they agree to this especially adding the numbers to the popular vote.

What about the Michigan voters who did NOT vote because it was not going to count.

Why bother having campaigns at all? Just make up the ballots and vote?

If the people in Michigan want to be seated at the convention, then divide the delegates evenly. Had I been in Michigan to vote and there was only one democrat on the ballot, I to would have voted for that person, but given a choice of two candidates the choice may have been much different. If Obama had been on the ballot there he would have won, because of the auto industry in Michigan losing so many jobs to NAFTA. The Clintons are not very popular there. What is disturbing is that all candidates including Hillary were supporting the decision of the DNC. Then she slipped in the back door and declares victory. Is it just me or does this sound like a page from Slick Willy?

Three attempts at comments. They are going off into never-neverland. What is happening?

GO HILLARY 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seems like a good alternative to this fiasco. After this election, the Democratic leaders need to overhaul the primary system. The primary should be one day, all 50 states at once. None of the proportional state by state garbage!

I am a Michigan voter who "crossed over" because I believed my vote didn't count. There was no way I was going to vote for "uncommitted" and expect people to know I meant Obama. Obama did the honorable thing to remove his name from the ballot. I don't understand why Clinton should benefit from that.

Michigan was to be punished and deservedly so. I could accept that. But now those in Michigan who were for Clinton have their punishment lifted and get to silence those of us who would have voted for Obama.

This weakens the Democratic party because I was previously willing to go with the winning Democrat against McCain. Now I won't because I don't like to be silenced while Clinton's supporters get to count on my vote.

I still don't see how that is fair? Why don't they just split them evenly?

Who made up the formula? Clinton must have. Don't bother disenfranchizing voters if you can just say you count them they way she sees them.

Are these people for real????
Michigan lost it's voice for breaking the rule of the DNC & these Michigan politicians knew that they were going to loose their voice at the time but chose to break the rules. None of these politicians, the clintons and their supporters raised the issue at the time. They are now trowing a tantrum over the issue because they think they can use it as leverage. Why did they not try to find solutions back then?
All of you people that are trying to blame the Obama campain, none of this is his fault. HE COMPLIED WITH THE RULES, CLINTON DID NOT. So why would he agree to the terms that are being offered, none of it benefit him, they benefit her. She did not comply with her signed agreement, Michigan broke the rule and now Obama is expected to sit back and agree with everything and anything that's thrown at him. The amazing part of this whole thing is the amount of media coverage this has gotten. I wonder if their positions were reversed, would we still talk about it or try to find ways for bim to make a comback.
For all of Cinton supporters, ask yourself one question, do you thing that if the roles were reversed, would your candidate be willing to let her opponent cheat her of all her hard work????? I think not!!!! She should stay in the race and finish all the primaries but trying to bring Michgan and Florida into this process now makes her worse than the idiot we have in the White House. Even Bush did not cheat with such open disdain and contempt towards the American people.

Emma
Springfield, VA

Sounds Great!

Obama '08

Unless Hillary drops out like she should; this plan seems terribly obvious.

Obama's offer of spliting the delegates with Hillary shows he is willing to have the delegates seated, but not willing to agree to any last minute rule changes designed to benefit Hillary in her final hour. Hillary won't take this offer, because there is no clear advantage in it for her, and as we all know, it was never about the people's vote counting, but her whining, I mean winning.

Why should Obama get any delegates in Michigan and Florida? He cheated and campaigned in both states when he wasn't supposed to. Ask him questions about why he wouldn't agree to revotes, ask him about his election in Illinois????

This guy must be really "sick in the head."

It would be a fitting punishment to let Michigan's delegates count but make them wait until every last state has had their say first. That's what they do in kindergarten: kick you to the back of the line if you try to cut in line.

I've been hearing various excuses why Michigan or Florida shouldn't be punished at all: the Republicans made them do it, the "smaller" states where getting the better end of the deal, etc.

There are 48 other states in the union in which the GOP managed to behave themselves. Just because a bigger state feels they should be first because they are "bigger" neither is justified nor is it fair to the other "bigger" states who apparently weren't as antsy as Michigan or Florida.

I don't think Michigan and Florida is going to change the outcome of the race like their original intent was. It's going to make an already close race closer. If you're down by a touchdown, going for the extra point or kicking a field goal isn't going to make one iota of a difference in the outcome.

Michigan and Florida will be seated..... After Obama has cinched up the nomination.

As a Hillary supporter I have to concede that Obama's name wasnt even on the Michigan ballot, how are we even talking about using those votes? Florida though, should be seated as everyone was on the ballott, just give them 50% of the delegates.

No one got to see the real Hillary Clinton because of the vial pen of Howard Wolfson, Terry McCauliffe and Mark Penn. Had she fired them long ago and told Bill to shut up, she would have won this thing.

Worst run campaign ever. It was given away.

to all the Clinton supporters who try to bash Obama as being not democratic because of his position on Michigan and Florida (although he is just respecting the rules), what do you make of Sen Clinton who's basically asking superdelegates to overturn the decision of millions of Americans by choosing the candidate who has less states won, less percentage of popular vote (even if we include Florida) and of course less delegates.
If Obama is disenfranchising Florida and Michigan voters, then CLinton would be responsible of disenfranchising all voters who participated in the primary process all over the country!

No double standards Clinton supporters!

ridiculous. lets move on. Michigan and Florida broke the rules plain and simple. Also, to base results on an election where only 1 candidate was on it is patently absurd. They should split the delegates in half and move on.

Senator Clinton promised not to participate in MI, and she went back on that promise (aka, she lied). She is quoted as saying that Michigan's votes should not be counted, and said that right up until Super Tuesday (aka, she is lying again) The party should NOT reward her any delegates for her behavior. A five year old will tell you that it is cheating, why can't Clinton see that?

My candidate, bill Richardson, wasn't on the ballot. My husband's candidate, John Edwards wasn't on the ballot and my mother's candidate, Barack Obama wasn't on the ballot. Some of my friends voted in the Republican primary instead. Some chose to stay home that day. I will be one angry voter if the entire DNC bends to the will of a woman who will do anything to get what she wants.

I voted "uncommitted" in Michigan in January, knowing that my effort was futile. It is ludicrous to allocate ANY delegates using January results. It is impossible to turn back the clock to January. This state broke the rules. Lesson learned. Period. Get over it, HillaryBots!

Voters are still disenfranchised if their vote goes to a candidate for whom they did not vote: UNCOMMITTED DOES NOT EQUAL Sen. Obama: it equals Sen. Obama, Sen. Edwards, Gov.. Richardson, Sen. Kucinich, and Sen.Biden. Obama should get 1/5 of the total uncommitted vote, not the whole thing.

I am all for Hillary but since these two states broke the rules, they should not be counted.

Reward them for breaking the rules?
I think NOT !

Sounds nearly fair, so it wont happen, Dean and Pelosi are against it.

this is preposterous. obama wasn't even on the G.D. ticket (excuse my use of profane letters). how do you justify the election when there is only one candidate on the ballot. this is a circus. america needs to grow up and hold a legitimate democratic election for once. is this cuba? i feel like i'm taking crazy pills.

To change the rules in the middle of the game, to favor/ or let win/ or otherwise change/ the course of the on going game is shamefull.

The people whoever that are/ need to stand up and give an apology to the voters that they denied a vote due to there unfair and unsportsmanlike conduct. They get a technical foul and are outsted from the game.

Come election time just remember who they are and how stupid this is and vote them out of office. After all if they don't show better judgement than the actions they took they need to be replaced by those who are willing to serve fairly and just. To break a rule and get away with it is not something The Vast Majority of Americans are in favor of.

Come on! How much brain power does this really take? Divide the delegates between Clinton and Obama 50% each and let it go

What you think? Haven't applied this plan to the outcome...who would benefit from it jp

congrats for a factual reprentation of the reason Obama removed his name from the Michigan ballot – to gain political favor from the early primary states. He should quit whining about his Mi and Fl losses and let those delegates get seated or risk being protrayed as being t divisive himself

This is out of control. Rules are rules MI and FL! Not that I think that your votes shouldn't be counted...but hey, they shouldn't. These states knowingly broke the rules and are now trying to go back because Hillary decided that she needs them. Isn't it just like the Clintons to want to change the rules for their own advantage. This being said, lets have a revote. I think Hillary has given everyone enough time to see that she has nothing to offer but lies.

Totally unfair since Obama stuck to the agreed rules and didn't include his name on the ballot nor did he campaign there. A 50/50 split would be more feasible.

Now who in the world would agree to something like that? Obama's name was not even on the ballot. Please explain to me why he should be penalized for playing by the rules? Forget it!

THIS PROPOSAL IS REASONABLE AS LONG AS THE POPULAR VOTE IN MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA IS NOT FACTORED INTO THE THE SUPERDELEGATE APPORTIONMENT AS THESE ELECTIONS WERE IN VIOLATION OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY RULES.

NO no no

Any propasal without a vote is just plain stupid and I hope that Michigan and Florida voters soundly punish the DNC for it's bungling of this issue.

Bottom line, is now it's going to be unclear as to if the eventual nominee is legitimate or not.

Come June it won't matter. Obama will have enouhg delegates that Clinton can have all the MI & FL delegates.

Clinton would rather see McCain win the election than Obama because she wants to be the first to set a president (woman president). She never thought that it would be this difficult to win the primary. She just knew that she was a shoe-in. It's more about her than it is about the people of America.

Wow!! This guy is pretty smart. Looks like the voters will be heard and looks like Clinton will be the beneficiary of this proposal. Florida, your next. Democracy at its best.

Are you kidding me?! How can you get away with giving Obama the 40% uncommited vote when there were still other candidates in the race at the time? For all we know, those votes could have been for Edwards.

This plan is unfair.

Clinton chose to be on the ballot. Clinton campaigned. Clinton deserves the delegates.

End of story.

Yet another bad plan from Michigan. It appears that not only are jobs leaving the state, but intelligence as well. I am sick and tired of hearing the media report that Hillary "won" Michigan. She ran virtually unopposed!! This is yet another arm-pulling tactic on behalf of the Clintons, and exactly the reason why I will never vote for her. Claiming that Michigan and Florida should count as they stand now is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. The primary either needs to be completely re-done in a fair way (which seems to be impossible) or the delegates should be split 50-50. Anything else gives an unfair advantage to the Clintons, and would be a stain on American democracy.

Not like it matters much anyway, Obama will still be the nominee. I would just like our democracy to live up to its standards and not reward a candidate who actually thinks those elections were "fair."

Why would a person who leads, has followed the rules, agree to play along with a "cheater and loser" DUH !

Of course Obama would like to split the delegates, he LOST!!! How stupid!

Another Clinton way to change the rules. This one will fail as well!

How can any delegates be given out except evenly?? Only one name was on the ballot – as per the rules agreed upon by all parties. This would only be the fair way to resolve this issue as there will not be a revote.

The Obama campaign is going to turn down any plan for MI and FL.

They want to win, and it's irrelevant whether the voters in MI and FL get run over.

|||||||||||

I think the rules set for this election must be followed through.

The Michigan and Florida delegates should either not vote in the primary or may be allocated votes according to the national distribution.

It may be worth not seating those states delegations so the DNC would have a presedent of strogly enforcing its rules.

It's better than nothing!
At least Mr. Stupak is trying to come up with a fair
solution that somewhat reflects the primary results.

Shouldn't happen, not going to happen.

+Well it sounds like an idea that could work. At least our fellow Dems would have a voice.

Sounds fair, I hope Dean comes up with a good solution soon.

I forgot 1 more thing all the rest of the people the in Michigan should get there votes that they got. Then FLORIDA stand like it is because all the peoples name was on it even Obama Hillary can't help if they liked her better. So give her the delegates she deserves. Jean

Hillary will not even get her job back as a New York Senator.
The Clinton's and their cut throat politics will "do them in"
People are tired of lies in politics.

Retired Professional White Women of 63 for Obama from Day 1.

As unfair as the MI process ended up being...this seems like a semi-fair way to settle it. The problem is, "uncommitted" and Obama aren't the same thing...and it's easier to garner votes if your name is on the ballot against "uncommitted" instead of a venerable candidate.

But at this point I just want it over with.

Obama '08

Here we go again. Obama would agree if the votes were distributed equally ie: 50/50 That is'nt what happened in Michigan or Florida. Nice try Obama but you are starting to show your real colors. and they are'nt red, white&blue. You are cheating!again!

You broke the rules. Why didnt you guys think of the voters when you decided to violate the party's rules? You met the penalty so deal with it.

That is only fair since Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot.If they can't be divided equally then they need not to be divided at all. Honestly, they shouldn't have a revote, their party broke the rules.. maybe they need to think about voting for some different electives next time....

About Michigan that sounds ok but there is 2 things I have concerns about. 1st. the main thing is it WAS NOT 40% IT WAS ONLY 33 % they need to add up all the uncommitted then divide the total by the counties again it is only 33%. 2nd. What about Edwards he wouldn't have gotten any? I do think that they should give him some even if it's a small amount. It's only fair. Obama is always preaching fairness that would only be fair. Of course I don't really expect him to be fair because he's not just like the media and his supporters. Jean

Plus this is coming from a neutral party, he was a Edwards supporter and both Pres Candidates like Edwards, so maybe this guys plan will satisfy both parties.

This actually sounds like a reasonably fair proposal. It is what should be looked at on about May 15 when the chicken entrails look easier to read! It won't help Hillary much though....so if you see it implemented then you will know for sure...ITS OVER HILLARY!

Stupak's proposal strikes me as a fair solution of the Michigan situation. I hope that Dean, Clinton and Obama will agree!

Sounds fair to me.

She will net maybe 7 delegates.

Then all she will need are 163 more to catch up...

To seat the delegates this is a good plan, it gives Obama the "uncommitted" vote and will give him more because of his popular vote lead.

However the results are still largely inaccurate. She got only 55% of the vote while she was alone on the ticket. She would have gotten FAR less if she had competition.

I'm a firm Obama supporter and I don't think that this is to bad of a compromise....she'd probably gain about 10 delegates overall over him out of this deal and he leads her by 166. Compromise on this and get at least this part of the headache done.

Are they STILL trying to get MI to count? What part of "you broke the rules" do they not understand?

This proposal doesn't even sound remotely fair.

Could someone in MI have been promised a position of power if Clinton gets the presidency? Something to consider.....

Don't worry, Obama will ask Dean to seat the delegates after HillBilly drops out. Should be long now. Bankrupt, superdells migrating to Obama...it's over.

Anything based on the Michigan vote, where Obama's name was not on the ballot, is insane! A 50/50 split would be the only FAIR way to divy up those delegates, lest the Michigan folks should just show up, enjoy the show, and forget about voting. Michigan voters should vote the bums out who put them in this mess - their own politicians did this to them. You have to play by the rules and you have to accept the consequences! There is no legitimacy in the Michigan vote!

Wow, I am glad there are still some people fighting to seat the delegates. Everyone keeps comparing the two states to children breaking the rules, but as far as I know, a handful of people decided to move the primaries up, not the millions of registered voters who had no say. I don't know about the rest of America, but I try to teach my children to be fair, as well as follow the rules (which weren't even broken by the actual citizens anyway). I would love to see the Dems win the white house without FL or MI; that would be an impossible battle.

I do not understand how they can count their primary votes when Obama's name was not on the ticket. If some states do not disclose their total vote count, as was reported on CNN, then how can those numbers be used at all? While, it seems lousy that these voters are penalized there does not seem to be any real way to accurately seat the delegates without some form of a redo or by awarding them as to advantage no one.

OBAMA IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED!!!!!!!

REMEMBER NAFTA?

Not a bad proposal but it does not make it equitable. These people are the ones worried about their delegates because their positions are in peril next time they are up for election. Did they really think that Howard Dean would deal with things like any normal person? I say seat the delegates as voted and let the dust settle from there. This should be for both Michigan and Florida.

Here is how I have come to this conclusion –

1. Any person who says that they are a democrat and is not for seating these delegates should go and vote Republican. That is the party that does not care about fellow citizens and are all for themselves.

2. Florida is the easiest…that was done by the Republicans in Florida and not one democratic voter should be harmed as a result. Both candidates had their names on the ballot and Obama campaigned there….by ads and Clinton 'campaigned' there by having dinners. So seat the delegates as voted and move forward!!!

3. Michigan – well, I think the delegates should be seated as voted! Senator Obama made a critical error removing his name voluntarily from that ballot. Anyone with 1/2 a brain would know to leave it on as Senator Clinton did. She is a savy politican whether one likes her personality or not. So because he made a judment error there (amoung alot of other judgment errors) – he should not be rewarded for that error. He had campaign staff and ads running to the voters to vote uncommitted as a vote against Clinton. She didn't campaign there either so what is the deal? Seat the delegates NOW….and move forward!!!!

So suffice it to say, since the blogs are full of Camp Obama supporters I am sure there will be the typical nasties……but – this would be fair. Aside from all this – as a democrat – how do each of you support the idea that any voter should be left out of this process??? That is not democratic!!! But again, that is Camp Obama's way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"The last thing we want to do as Democrats is to disenfranchise voters"

I guess you didn't think about that when the DNC told you that is exactly what you would be doing if you broke the rules. The State Government has dug a whole that they can't seem to fill back up, and Mr. Stupak is trying to "help" Democrats and Independents get their votes heard...Or should I say help him give them reasons to re-elect him.

I am so tired hearing about Michigan and/or Florida's right or desire to seat their respective states' democratic delegates!

Can't we just split the delegate votes equally in each state – 1/2 for Obama and 1/2 for HRC. My eyes are glazing over every time I hear or read about all of the suggested delegate reinsertion possibilities.

I don't think HRC should be rewarded for campaigning in Florida and Michigan nor should Obama be penalized for adhering to the DNC's primary election guidelines these states.

As far as I'm concerned . . .
YES – Florida and Michigan messed up.
NO – they shouldn't get a primary election do-over.
NO – they shouldn't be allowed to allocate their delegates based on their primary elections since the results are invalid.
YES – they should be allowed to have their delegates sit at the Democratic convention table, so to speak. Maybe not at the grown-ups table (since they didn't have their listening ears on), but they should at least be able to eat the same food.

Okay Demmies – let's get this settled soon before the McCain bus becomes a mack truck and takes us out.

YEAH, HILLARY MAY FINALLY GET WHAT SHE HAS COMING! THAT IS IF OBAMA DOESN'T TRY TO BLOCK IT AGAIN!!!!!!

What about people who voted uncommitted but did not intend to vote for Obama! This proposal may work in Florida because at least Obama was on the ballot, but not Michigan.

Blame Rep. Bart Stupak and your elected state officials, not Dean, not Obama, not Hillary. The rules were simple, they decided they wanted to break them. People who scream disenfranchisement are stupid.

That would be fine if they also cut MI's delegates in half (they have to have some penalty). Clinton still cant catch up. And her "electability" argument has been killed with the latest poll numbers showing her high negative/low approval ratings. And another poll out today showed that democrats think Obama is stronger against McCain than Hillary by almost 30%!!!

This is the first plan I've heard that might actually work. Distribute Michigan's deligates perportional to the national vote (if one of the candidates has 55% of the national primary vote, he or she gets 55% of Michigan's delegates). This will allow the delegates to be seated, and the delegates to be allocated fairly.

At the end of the day, though Michigan did something they were specifically told not to do. The problem is that the DNC allowed the elections to even take place. This puts part of the blame on the DNC.
This solution will allow Michigan to seat their delegates, allow the DNC to save face, and we can all move forward.

Next time a state tries to move their primary forward, no elections should take place at all. Period. Then no candidate will be tempted to do something slimy, such as leaving their name on the ballot when all other candidates followed the agreement and took their names off, then proposing that "the people's voices should be heard" later on when on the losing side of the tally. What nonsense!

We wouldn't be talking about this if Hillary Ridiculous Clinton hadn't gone back on her word. She is the pill of the century, and I'm sorry the Michigan voters were duped.

Your battle is with the Clintons, not the DNC or America.

Obama 08

It would be very shrewd of the Obama campaign to buy into this proposal and start taking this issue away from Clinton.

Not a bad proposal but it does not make it equitable. These people are the ones worried about their delegates because their positions are in peril next time they are up for election. Did they really think that Howard Dean would deal with things like any normal person? I say seat the delegates as voted and let the dust settle from there. This should be for both Michigan and Florida.

Here is how I have come to this conclusion –

1. Any person who says that they are a democrat and is not for seating these delegates should go and vote Republican. That is the party that does not care about fellow citizens and are all for themselves.

2. Florida is the easiest…that was done by the Republicans in Florida and not one democratic voter should be harmed as a result. Both candidates had their names on the ballot and Obama campaigned there….by ads and Clinton 'campaigned' there by having dinners. So seat the delegates as voted and move forward!!!

3. Michigan – well, I think the delegates should be seated as voted! Senator Obama made a critical error removing his name voluntarily from that ballot. Anyone with 1/2 a brain would know to leave it on as Senator Clinton did. She is a savy politican whether one likes her personality or not. So because he made a judment error there (amoung alot of other judgment errors) – he should not be rewarded for that error. He had campaign staff and ads running to the voters to vote uncommitted as a vote against Clinton. She didn't campaign there either so what is the deal? Seat the delegates NOW….and move forward!!!!

So suffice it to say, since the blogs are full of Camp Obama supporters I am sure there will be the typical nasties……but – this would be equitable. Aside from all this – as a democrat – how do each of you support the idea that any voter should be left out of this process??? That is not democratic!!! But again, that is Camp Obama's way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I find it disgusting and condescending that the Democratic Party would so blatantly ignore the voice of the voters. The USA is rooted in individual expression and choice. To negate so many individual's votes in Florida and Michigan is anti-American and treasonous. Dean should go to jail for this outrage! Benedict Arnold!

As an Obama supporter...I think this is one of the best ideas I have heard that could potential resolve the mess made by MI & FL legislature when they decided to move up the primary against the rules of the DNC.

I just find it hard that anyone with any integrity would honestly suggest splitting the current results, when neither party campaigned in Michigan/Florida, and only Clinton's name was on the ballot.

Let's hope that Obama, Clinton and the DNC can come together on this one with the legislature and get back to what matters...Reclaiming the White House in November 2008.

YOU BROKE THE DNC RULES. Sit this one out.

Click on, "political Godfather boosted Obama's early career" if this doesn't give you perspective about where this campaign is headed, then you are truly lost and deserve Obama to be your next President.

uhhh no.

absolutely no delegates should be awarded based on the phony vote back in january. as much as hillary would love this rediculously unfair plan, ain't gonna happen. and hillbillies need to stop saying that obama is blocking the vote in michigan and florida. this is a blatant lie. if the legislature's of both states can actually come up with something fair to make up for THEIR OWN mistake, then we'll talke about seating their delegates. play by the rules or stop complaining.

The delegate fix is due to the proportional distribution of delegates.
In a re-vote it should be winner take all.

It is about time someone in all this mess came up with a plan to have our voices heard here in Michigan. Lets just pray King Obama wont disagree with this one too.. Oh and by the way CNN, how very sad is how you constently produce such negativ coverage of Hillary... shame on you cCNN, and the rest of the Media.. boy we learn something everyday in our wonderful Country

I am ashame to be a democrat these days. I thought we were the party of the people, the party of change, or solutions. I have spent the last 2 hours reading comments posted here and they make me sick!! You so-called democrats who hate on each other and make up lies spread lies with racist and sexest points of view. What happned? I have come to realize that we are no better than the Bush republicans when it comes right down to it. We have divided ourselves in just a few short months. This blows my mind!! The republican John Mc Cain will waltz right into the white house. Then some of you same democrats who cried about Bush will have given his Presidency a seal of approval. I thought the Bush Presidency was just a mistake but then "we" re-elected him. Now I see Mc Cain on path to follow up where Bush left off and taken what I hear and read he will. America gets what America wants....... More Bush. But this time remember, you asked for it.

50-50 is the only deal that makes sense.

I still think that its unfair, the delegates should be split 50/50 it would be a win/win instead of a loose/win for one side. and equal split is what is need and required.

The only fair thing is to split it 50-50.

Why would you want to give Obama the uncommited votes, How about all those millions of people who stayed home who would have voted for Obama?

LOL so, this guy want to seat the first 83 delegates according to the Jan result? Is he crazy? Obama wasn't even on the ticket!!!! He should be fired for just being stupid. Please let me know if I interpreted the article incorrectly.

Go Bama!!!

So let me get this straight 53% of the delegates awarded based on a "contest" where only one major candidates name was on the ballot and none campaigned while the other 47% are based on votes that didn't even take place in the State in question?

That's got to be the dumbest idea yet.

I didn't vote in Michigan's primary because Obama wasn't on the ticket. I didn't know "undecided" literally meant Obama, how could I? It's not fair to award Clinton delegates who happened to choose her over a giant question mark. It's like asking if you want the washing machine or what's "in the box."

Michigan still doesn't have the right answer. Obama and Edwards were not on the TICKET. They should just split the votes.
I also heard that CLINTON is not paying her VENDORS IN OHIO
Aren't these the people SHE IS Saying she will look out for????
She OWES some of these vendors over $25,000.00. THEY HAVE
FAMILIES AND MORTGAGES TOO PAY.I NOW KNOW HILLARY is the RIGHT PERSON TO BE PRESIDENT.I am a woman by the way.
Obviously she ONLY CARES about HERSELF. THIS IS SHAMEFUL!!!!!
Don't bother to continue to say your for the COMMON person. AFTER hearing this you have LOST MY VOTE

They are talking about disenfranchisement!! what about the millions of people who stayed home because they did not know their vote will be counted?!?!?

THIS IS A STUPID PLAN...SPLIT IT HALF WAY IS THE ONLY FAIR WAY!!!!!
(besides not counting it since they did break the rules!!!)

Let's do something to have a fair race!!!
Let OUR votes count.

Maya's words:
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Rise, Hillary.

Rise.

OK–I don't get it–Barack Obama's name
WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT in Michigan–

SO HOW CAN THIS BE CONSIDERED FAIR???

Why would they award 83 delegates per the January results?
Sorry–I don't buy it–This stinks–

100% of the Michigan delegate seating should be done based on the nationwide popular vote-end of story-how can it be FAIR TO SEAT MORE THAN HALF-TO HILLARY when OBAMA'S NAME WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT–

Sorry–if this goes through I will stay home on November 4th-

Dems in '08

Unless Hillary is on the ticket, this life long Democrat will vote Republican for President as will many of Hillary's supporters. Wake up superdelegates and do the right thing.

Well, DUH, if you wanted your votes to count in the primary you should have followed your party's rules. Maybe Michigan voters should instead vote on getting rid of their State leadership and try again in 4 years.

The majority of citizens in the US want a revote so that both Florida and MI get a chance to participate fully in this primary process. The Clinton campaign has been willing to do it all over again forever as money is not the brick wall–its been the other side. The Obama camp will not support anything that will not keep them in the lead. What does Obama have to fear in allowing these two states to participate in this exciting process? Come on young man, where's the "I can bring people together" to make it happen rhetoric on this one?

"...but the state's legislature was unable to agree on a proposal before it adjourned earlier this month."

Now CNN has resoted to outright lying to cover up the fact that the Obama Campaign refused to agree to the last proposal after both the Clinton Campaign and the DNC had agreed to it. They let the proposal die by waiting until the legislature adjourned.

We still get our news CNN, just not from you.

This comment will not be posted but will be read by an Obama supporter!

The last time l heard, we lived in a society of rules. We have laws that govern order in our society, we have rules that we teach our children, we have rules in sports and entertainment, we even have rules in war. How is it that two states that decided to blantantly derespect the rules of the National DNC and make their own decisions regarding the political process be rewarded seats at the National Convention under the banner of voter disenfranchisment?

There is nothing disenfranchising about those who break party rules being disciplined for their actions. Voter disenfranchisement occured in the Deep South when blacks and other minorities were denied the right to vote under Jim Crow segregation and discrimination. Voter disenfranchisment occured during the 2000 elections in Florida when votes in certain districts across the state were mysteriously lost, unaccounted for, or voters in those districts were sent to the polling places.

I live in Florida and am personally offended that people, pundants and politicians are claiming that our voters are being disenfranchised as if our votes counted in the first place.

In my humble view, any attempt to seat delegates from Michigan and Florida at the National Convention sends a bad message to future generations of Americans. The rules were set in the beginning and the citizens, candidates, states, and politicians knew the rules.

IF WE ARE REALLY ABOUT BRINGING CHANGE TO AMERICAN POLITICS, THEN WE SHOULD MAKE RULES AND ABIDE BY THE RULES THAT WE MAKE!

DRLTW

Let's see now – Stupak claims to be neutral, but proposes a plan that benefits the onecandidate who chose to ignore the rules; who stayed on the ballot when all other candidates followed the rules and had their names taken off. This, despite the facts that a) many Democratic voters stayed home, knowing their vote didn't count; b) a significant number of Democratic voters chose to vote in the Republican primary rather than not vote at all; c) Hillary benefited from name recognition when no candidates campaigned, therefore, they had no chance to influence voters who had not made up their mind; d) that he, as well as the rest of the Party powers that be, knew that this was a non-viable primary before it was run; and e) knew that all of the candidates had agreed that the results wouldn't count.

Despite all that, he wants to give the results directly to the one candidate who chose not to follow the agreed upon rules, without even taking the step that the Republicans did of cutting the delegate count in half. So, if I understand correctly, Hillary is to be rewarded for cheating (oops, misspoke – didn't follow the rules that all of the other candidates, including the one he endorsed, did) without any "punishment" for doing so? Obviously, the new rule is "Rules, we don't need no stinkin' rules!" Pathetic.

Sounds like a plan. Then we can just go ahead and seat the Florida delegates as they are and get on with the coronation of President Obama.

The Michigan and Florida debacle really does need to be resolved. I agree that we should not disenfranchise the voters of either state but the best way to make it fare to both candidates is to split the vote down the middle in both states. Being aware that Hillary got the better of the votes in both states it still doesn’t sit well with me be cause both candidates were asked not to campaign in those states and Obama's name was not even on the ballot in Michigan. I choose and support Obama but if he were to drop out or if his name was not on the ballot I would choose Hillary. Now this is what I really believe to be the case in Michigan. A complete revote or an equal split is the only way to go.

That is a perfectly acceptable solution to me. However, many people will complain about Obama getting any votes at all, and it will probably bring the democratic party to even more of a stanstill. I think that it would be good for Obama, so that he can show that we was willing to take allow Hillary to step outside of the rules, just so that he could recognize Michigan voters.

Dear Michigan and Florida Voters:

Your representatives disenfranchised you when they decided to move the dates of your primaries. Not the DNC, not Obama and not Clinton – YOUR REPRESENTATIVES. Respond by simply voting them out of office the next time their names appear on a ballot, not sitting at home and pouting or registering a grudge vote for McCain in November.

At this point, lets just go with something – anything, because at the end of the day Barack Obama is still ahead in every catigory thereby making this pretty much a moot process.

I will not support this. Obama is neck and neck with Clinton in polls here, and there's no reason why the votes from the primary should count when Clinton was the only one to be on the ballot.

I think all the people should be heard... This doesn't give any real edge to Hillary since it's only and extra 12 votes... which Obama could get back in the nationwide... that and it doesn't leave people out which SHOULD be important to all Americans...

When will people understand that a vote for 'uncommitted' is a far cry from a vote for Barack Obama? Hillary's Michigan "win" by 15 points against no one was pathetic! She should have left the race then.

NO. I am being dis-enfranchised!! I was an Edwards supporter and could not vote for "uncommitted" and because it was an "open" primary I crossed over and voted for Romney who was anti-Mccain at the time. Split the delegates evenly or stop coming up with stupid ideas. Michigan screwed up.

Sounds fair, but the Obama camp is too undemocratic and coniving to support it. They know it will be shooting their own foot if those votes get thrown into the total because there is a good chance (with Florida), Hillary will lead slightly in the popular vote at the end of all this, but still trail in the delegate count.

Both candidates, clinton and obama, agreed that Michigan and Florida would not be counted in their respective delegate counts due to the two states violations of the primary rules. Now that Clinton is losing, she is vehemently pushing to re-do the votes for Michigan and Florida.
She doesn't keep her word, and does absolutely everything she can to twist, bend, turn and manipulate anything that might get her power.

Is this really someone you want as your country leader? She has a complete lack of integrity. That is the only this transparent about her campaign.

BOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any plan in Michigan that doesn't award votes/delegates 50/50, considering Obama wasn't even on the ballot is UNFAIR!!

NEXT.

Are you interested in seating delegates? Then it's a clear 50:50 split. Are you interested in pandering to the Clintons? Are you interested in rewarding bad behavior? Why do that, too? Seating delegates is enough. 50:50 is fair.

So from what I figure with the current poll now saying Obama has a 10pt lead nationally he will get 80 and she will get 76. I would go for that or something similar, even dead even would be fair.. something needs to be done or nothing at all. Tired of hearing Hillary whine about it.

BARACK'S NAME WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT.

These people are IDIOTS !!!!! What is in the Michigan water? If anybody should be penalized it should be Hillary for "pretending" that the votes counted.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN FAIR?

It would be better to divide them and let them be a part of the process than nothing.

It seems to me that rules are rules and that one should follows those rules. (that's what I teach my kids)......So did everyone know those rules before the primarys starter? Oh, I forgot Hillary thought she would be winning and didn't care before votes were cast.

Seat the delegates in such a way that it doesn't favor one candidate too much as compared to the other but STRIP THE STATE OF SUPERDELEGATES. They are the people responsible for this mess.

I am an Obama supporter but I wouldn't give you 25 cents for this guys endorsement. It was all he could do to stay interested in the race long enough to even have an opinion. I doubt that he even voted.

The reason the Michigan legislature did not vote on a re-vote was because two Obama supporters derailed the proposal. That is a fact.
Obama does not want a re-vote now that the cat is out of the bag.

50:50 is the ONLY fair way to seat these voters! Otherwise you are openly sanctioning disingenuous political practices which encourages them.
What is wrong with 50:50?

Democracy at work.. And we can trust these clowns to run the country. I don't think so. McCain for President. Any Republican for President.

Let their votes count!!!!!

“There was something stirring across the country because of what happened in Selma, Alabama, because some folks are willing to march across a bridge. So they got together and Barack Obama Jr. was born. So don’t tell me I don’t have a claim on Selma, Alabama. Don’t tell me I’m not coming home to Selma, Alabama.”
And as far as Obama’s claim that he apparently was a result of his parents’ union at the 1965 march: That, too, isn’t possible — without a time machine, Dobbs says. Obama was born in 1961. One of many falsehoods from obama.

All negotiations for a revote should hinge upon the resignation of the state officials who were responsible for moving the primaries up. When are we going to hold those officials responsible. They led their constituency poorly and should not get off scott free.

That is not a fair proposal.
They need to come up with something that has nothing to do with the original 'unfair' election. That one should not count for anything at all.

NO NO NO!!! You understood what would happen if you moved up your primary and you did it anyway!! You don't deserve to have your delegates seated at the convention, and I will leave the democratic party if you get seated. Some people have to have some morals and stand by whats right in this country. If you do something wrong you should be punished! Governors who have sex with prostitutes need to be punished to the fullest extent of the law! Mayors who have relationships with their chiefs of staff, need to be punished to the fullest extent of the law! We need a change in the way this country works. Thats why we need Barack Obama!

Obama Richardson 08!!!!

MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA MADE THEIR DECISION, THE DNC, MADE

THEIRS, AND IT SHOULD STAND. YOU BRAKE THE RULES YOU PAY.

No deal. OBAMA's NAME WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT!! Because the DNC asked them to withdraw their names. Clinton the cheat did not. You cannot award delegates based on this election. Period.

Hey, Hillary: If not counting Michigan now is disenfranchisement, why didn't you argue that point last year before you agreed to bide by the rules. Could it be that you are "using" Michigan and Florida to try to steal the nomination from Obama?

Rep. Stupak is responsible for early voting knowing this would happen, it's a little late for a solution.

If Hillary would just go ahead and drop out then there would be no need for this mess. She still would not win even with the delegates.

The people votes should not be ignored. Hence include FL and MI vote into popular vote while dividing the delegates

But Obama's name was not even on the ballot in Michigan! Are we in a banana republic?

Here's another idea

Why don't we play fair.

Why don't we stop bashing Hillary and stop praising Obama.

Why don't we let the voters decide.

Why don't we keep the celebrities, the Kennedys, the Kerrys, the DNC and the media out of it.

This plan is no good. The state forfeited it's rights to have their delegates counted by breaking party rules. Counting them despite following the rules means the rules don't matter. Tell those who feel disenfranchised to remind their politicians during reelection how you feel, by voting them OUT!!!

I think the delegates should be awarded to no one . The state made the wrong choice in holding their elections early so they shouldn't count. Clinton has lost this race and should endorse Obama. This is not good for the party and for young voters like myself. I dont like or agree with McCain on any issue , but he is in the presidental race by his lonesome. She needs to realize that this is not her time. And her husband time has came and went.

They have to come to an agreement. If not, Mc Cain '08

So.... we're going to address disenfranchisement in Michigan by allocating delegates based on a combination of tallying the national popular vote (which Michigan voters had no say in) and the January primary results (which Obama supporters had no say in)? The end result is that Senator Clinton will not receive any real boost in her delegate count despite winning Michigan by 15%. Who exactly is going to be placated by this??? The only people who will benefit from this are the chuckleheads in the Michigan Democratic Party who caused this whole mess in the first place.

Either hold a revote or don't seat Michigan's delegates, there really are no other options.

Just split the delegates and be done with it.....how much more even can you get....

How many times does it have to be said: Hillary knew the rules and signed a pledge just like ALL the other candidates. Perhaps John Edwards should be allowed back in the race to have his name on the ballot in Michigan and Florida? She is on tape (under sniper fire no less) stating that Michigan and Florida would not count.

When will the media stop perpetuating all the Clinton spin? Never because then they would actually have to do some real work and investgative reporting instead of being spoonfed the news for the day by the Clinton machine.

Let's have a complete do-over in all states, knowing what we know now.

Lets close the primaries and ONLY let registered democrats have a say in the primary for the democratic party.

Lets trash the flawed caucus system and make them all primaries where MORE of the people who WANT to vote get to vote.

Ant this time, lets COUNT all the votes- not just the pro-Obama ones.

Buzz Thomas and Tupac Hunter, two African State senator from MI who are Obama blocked the revote. They are clearly not thinking about the general election. It's all about getting the nomination first. Not revoting in MI and Fl, democrats satnd a chance of losing in those states. Hello to President McCain who is so stubborn that is beyond believe. He hasn't learned from the mistakes of the Vietnam war. He wants more of our soldiers to die in Iraq. Maybe in 40 years we can all go to Iraq for a vacation just like people are vacationing in Vietnam. What an insult to families who have love ones that died in Vietnam.

Whatever, but many people think that it is unforgivable that
people let Hillary blame Obama for the Problems in Mich. and Fla.
It is not true. We are tired of the lies. We are trying to get awat from
lying politicians. Americans Crave the Truth. Wonder Why?

Retired Professional White Woman of 63 for Obama on Day 1

Whatever. As long as Hillary is the nominee and not the "Clueless One".

Obama has a history of lawyering up to secure his wins whenever he campaigns.

But I doubt the entire Nation can be bullied into submission.

We just do not want Obama as the nominee.

I saw an interview over the weekend from members of the MICHIGAN legislature who made the decision to NOT do a revote....
and guess what – they are Obama supporters, and it was blatantly obvious that they were very pleased with themselves in their decision.
One man actually had a VERY SMUG smile on his face and said ' I guess it's a good thing Obama is in the lead'.....
can you say "hijack" – is this legal? probably not....I think there is much amiss about things going on behind the scenes in the Obama campaign.
There is a video also out about a Hillary delegate from TX who was called by the Obama campaign and they told her she was listed as being an Obama delegate, and when she called them on it, they hung up – it was a recorded video.
What's going on here?????? Does the media even care to ask?
Are they protecting him so much that they can't even report fairly and truthfully?????? or even report at all?
What about his lies? what about Rezko? what about his legislative embellishments? what about his strong desire to get Hillary to quit and hand him the nomination a on a silver platter?

I don't really see how thats fair. If you are portioning up any of the delegates based on the January primary, then you are clearly giving Clinton an advantage. Why should she be rewarded for having her name on the ballot in Michigan when the DNC started the primary season by taking away the delegates from Michigan? That does not make sense to me. You are rewarding people for breaking the rules. Let the voices of the people be heard. Let ANYONE who wants to vote in the democratic primary including independent, democrats, and republicans re-vote in the michigan primaries. We need something fair and not something thats tilted to one side or the other. If you give clinton an advantage now then you should also give obama and advantage NOW and not later on.

Not giving Hillary the Florida vote is like throwing out Sout Carolina's vote.

We only want to count the states that favor Obama.

We want to throw out the states that favor Clinton.

Michigan needs a re-vote period.

Obama and his lawyers are blocking the re-vote.

Jeez... thug tactics

Yea, that's a good proposal... Let's award delegates based on an election that wasn't suppose to happen and one in which one of the candidates followed the rules, was not on the ballot and did not campaing. Yep – that's all kinds of fair.

why can't lawmakers live by rules?

If we change the rules for these cry babies,

then let all the criminals out of prison!

They KNEW by moving up their primary, the votes wouldn't count.

*I* had never HEARD of Obama before Iowa..

Now I support him

Michigan and Florida votes would have been DIFFERENT

if they had occured AFTER Iowa,

like they are supposed to.

This RULE CHANGING business is symptom of a DISEASE!!!

I just don't understand how anything other than a re vote works for Michigan since Obama and others were not on the ballot.

DNC and democraticparty elite and media and celebrities are to blame for this mess.

They wanted a coronation of the American Idol- but the people did not jump on the bandwagon as expected.

So they suppressed the votes/voices of 2 very important states to continue to ram the rock star down the people's throats.

No matter what happens now, this election will not be viewed as legitimate if Obama is given the nomination.

We all know Hillary was bashed and trashed.

We all know the race card was pulled in SC for no good reason. It was freedom of speech and just a true historical factual statement.

We all know freedom of speech was used to excuse comments that were racist and deserved condemnation- if they had been verbalized by white people.

We all know the caucus format was flawed and gave an unfair advantage to Obama and disadvantaged Clinton.

We all know that the Fl and Mi votes need to count- and a re-vote is the only fair way. Well almost fair, since Obama boasts that time is on HIS side, a re-vote should tip in HIS favor. And current polls would indicate that a revote would tip in HIS favor.

This plan will work, but only under withering sniper fire.

Hillary was against Michigan's votes counting before she was for it.

Simple Solution: Give HIllary the delegates.

another AFRICAN AMERICAN backstabbed the clintons..OH wow..its the infamous 50 Cent who hates everyone..

I think this sounds quite fair to both campaigns. So what if HRC gets a few extra delegates, it will put this Michigan thing to rest. As for FL, their legislature needs to pull it together as MI has.

Let's stop falling for the "It's all Obama's fault" strategy that the Clinton themselves signed off on.

Obama '08

As a Hillary Supporter, I applaud this! This is all I wanted. Even the measly +11 votes that Hillary would get is great for those of us who supported her.

Yes, she barely did make 50% even in a state with Uncommitted being Obama but give the girl some love!

The DNC allowed themselves to be duped into disinfranchising voters when they decided BEFORE the primary NOT to seat the delegates. And, to give ANY delegates to senator clinton or obama would be patently unfair UNLESS it is decided to RE-VOTE in both those states. Although, even with the proposed strategy the numbers still wouldn't close the gap for Senator Clinton, I can't see any other way to fix this that would be fair and equitable.

Where was all the concern and outrage by both the voters and the candidates when it was FIRST told to them (BEFORE THE PRIMARIES) that this was going to be the outcome? There was PLENTY of time to try to fix it then. This election has really pulled the covers off of America - we find that we are not as racially tolerant as we thought, we aren't completely ready for a woman president, we have zero religious or cultural tolerance, and our current electoral system is less and less democratic...........

Of course Obama will be against this because it doesn't favor him....it only favors the voters......

All this bickering amongst the bleedin’ hearts over Michigan and Florida is nauseating.
This is your Democratic party America…

While Islamic terrorists in far off corners of the world plot the next attack on American soil, liberals bicker about superdelegates and Reverend Wrights and supposed sniper attacks in Bosnia.

While covert Madrasas operate in places like Pakistan and the Sudan; teaching hatred and vengance to a new wave of terrorists in waiting, liberals want to spend more resources on pork barrel social programs and a national health care system which doesn't have a chance of working.

While the nascent Iraqi Security Force and National Police are finally starting to turn the corner and be self sufficient, risk averse liberals want to call it quits and turn our backs on the Iraqis. Too afraid of taking more casualties.

While Osama bin Laden talks of the destruction of western society and the formation of a great Islamic caliphate, a liberal candidate for President talks superficially of hope and change to wild eyed audiences enamored by his good looks and charm....but never bothering to look closely at whether he has the relevant National Security and foreign policy experience required to be the Commander in Chief.

YOUR DEMOCRATIC PARTY!!!

Stupak = Stupid! Sorry, no deal. 50/50 or you can forget Michigan! Play fair, Bart!

No, No, NO!!!

You can't seat all of Michigan's delegates. They broke the rules.

Seat half of them, like the Republicans did.

All of them, NO!

If Michigan or Florida gets pardoned from their punishment I'm voting Republican.