New Michigan plan proposed
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/03/31/art.stupak.gi.jpg caption=" Stupak is proposing a new plan to seat Michigan's delegates. "]WASHINGTON (CNN) - Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak proposed a new plan on Monday to seat his state's Democratic delegates to the party's convention in August, factoring in both the results of the state's January primary and the total popular vote of all the primary contests nationwide.
In a proposal sent to Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, Stupak proposed allotting 83 of Michigan's pledged delegates based on the January vote, while the state's remaining pledged delegates and superdelegates - 73 total - are to be awarded based on the nationwide vote.
The DNC stripped Michigan of its convention delegates late last year after the state moved up its primary to January 15. Under pressure from other early-voting states, most of the Democratic presidential candidates removed their name from the ballot there.
But Clinton opted to keep her name on the ballot and ultimately received 55 percent of the vote, compared to the 40 percent of the vote that went for "uncommitted."
Under Stupak's proposal, Clinton would receive 47 delegates based on her vote total, while Obama would be awarded 36 delegates based on that "uncommitted" result; the rest would be divided according to the nationwide popular vote total after all the primaries are completed.
- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
From CNN Politics
- Biden designates area sacred to tribes as largest national monument of his presidency
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates clash over 1849 abortion ban in lone debate
- Leader of White supremacist group arrested for threatening to kill journalist trying to report on organization
- Saudi Arabia releases dual US-Saudi citizen who was imprisoned for posting critical tweets about the kingdom
- Idaho lawmakers approve execution by firing squad
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?
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.
50-50 is the only deal that makes sense.
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.
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
The delegate fix is due to the proportional distribution of delegates.
In a re-vote it should be winner take all.
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.
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.
YOU BROKE THE DNC RULES. Sit this one out.
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.
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!
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It would be very shrewd of the Obama campaign to buy into this proposal and start taking this issue away from Clinton.
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
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!
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%!!!
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.
YEAH, HILLARY MAY FINALLY GET WHAT SHE HAS COMING! THAT IS IF OBAMA DOESN'T TRY TO BLOCK IT AGAIN!!!!!!
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.
"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.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OBAMA IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED!!!!!!!
REMEMBER NAFTA?
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.
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.
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!