Clinton Willing to Take Fight to the Convention

MI Voter, am I understanding that you don't care that MI voters be disenfranchised so long as it benefits Obama?

There were several proposals for paid-for re-votes in both FL and MI. The first I heard of it was watching James Carville tell an Obama representative (can't remember who) that he had lined up $15 million in private funding and asking if Obama could do the same so they could re-do the primaries without it costing the states a pennyl The rep hemmed and hawed because he knew Obama didn't want re-votes that were likely to work against him.

The last plan I heard was one approved by the DNC and Clinton - I don't know who was paying for it specifically but apparently the DNC didn't see a preferential problem with it. Obama again refused.

Just like his supporters, Obama is afraid of the people's votes being heard and wants to bring this race to a swift and premature close. Why?

MI VOTER, the following excerpts are from the Detroit News, dated Jan 10, 2008:

"U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and state Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said Michigan Dems can still have an indirect say in the nominating process if they check the 'uncommitted' box on the ballot. State law prohibits write-ins for candidates who have not authorized write-in campaigns; Obama, Edwards and Richardson have not.

"If 'uncommitted' draws at least 15 percent of the vote in a congressional district, delegates not bound to any candidate could be sent to the national convention, possibly enabling Obama and Edwards supporters to play a role in the nomination.

"'You can't afford not to vote in Michigan,' Levin said. 'It's critically important to vote to have impact on the delegates going to (the national party convention).'

"Michigan campaign teams for Obama and Edwards are actively urging their supporters to vote 'uncommitted,' Brewer said."

The article also mentioned:

"A newly formed group called Detroiters for Uncommitted Voters has launched a phone and door-to-door campaign to get people backing the missing candidates to vote 'uncommitted.'"

So the MI Democratic Party Chair said that the Obama and Edwards campaigns were "actively urging" their respective supporters to vote "uncommitted." That sounds like they were both campaigning in MI. And while another group was conducting a phone and door-to-door campaign to get people to vote "uncommitted," there is nothing to indicate that either the Obama or Edwards campaigns were specifically involved in the phone and door-to-door effort. But one can easily, rightly or wrongly, infer that "actively urging" might include phone and door-to-door campaigning.

The popular vote total is the votes cast by individuals in state primaries. Caucus votes don't count in the popular vote total because they are counted in terms of delegates, not votes, and many states don't count the number of people attending caucuses. How is Hillary,s campaign accounting for that? They wants to count Michigan where she was the only candidate, and Florida where many voters stayed home, but not the twelve caucus states? That’s her idea of counting every vote?
Washington and Texas caucuses (won by Obama) not included below because these states hold primaries AND caucuses. Caucus state include (Obama won all of them)
• Iowa
• Alaska
• Colorado
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Minnesota
• N Dakota
• Nebraska
• Maine
• Hawaii
• Wyoming

The system needs fixing.. badly. But its too late to do it before the convention. The deligate votes, including FL and MI have to count. Its determining how to count them that is the problem. Popular vote count in this system is impossible becuse too many were not calculated. Let the deligates be counted, and lets clobber McCain.

QUESTIONER wrote:
BO CHOSE to take his name off the Michigan ballot.... and hired tons of phoners to spread the word to write in "UNCOMMITTED" because he didn't think he'd win there then.
************
Not true, this is from the VOTERS GUIDE to the MI Jan. 15 Primary, put out by the DNC and the MI Sec. of State:

9. Supporters of Joe Biden, John Edwards, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson are urged
to vote “uncommitted” instead of writing in their candidates’ names because write-in
votes for those candidates will not be counted under state law.
Paid for by the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee, 606 Townsend, Lansing, MI
48933, 517-371-5410 and not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
12/12/07

Stop quoting BS facts!!!!!!!

HoosierSue said:
Obama chose to take his name off the ballot in MI because the polls didn't favor him. Obama blocked re-votes in both states because he's trying to manipulate the outcome of this contest. How is counting the votes as they stand not democratic?
************
As usual Sue, you don't have the facts. Obama did not take his name off the ballot because he thought he would lose. There are 1 million AA voters in Detroit alone. He took it off because it was a "gentlemen's agreement" in solidarity to SC and NV. All the others took their names off, but Hillary said she would and then didnt.

Don't quote facts about MY vote and MY state. I LIVE IN MI. I KNOW what went on here.

Jeanne from MI

Why don't find a way of redoing the voting in Florida and Michigan? instead of just letting it the way it is. They will regret it if they go about by partisanship instead of the reality of the vote set by voters.
************

The states cannot afford to pay for a revote. The DNC didn't to pay for, they wanted to save their money for the GE.
HRC proposed a revote paid for by all her fat cat campaign donors.
A privately funded election?
Thanks, but no thanks.

Of course this should go to the convention. This party is split right down the middle. The Superdelegates can align with anyone they choose now, but until they cast their vote at the convention, nothing is carved in stone. Obama and the DNC will make a huge mistake if they crown him King on June 3rd; it will permanently disenfranchise millions of voters who feel this fight is not over.

As for MI and FL, since the DNC approved and Hillary agreed to complete re-votes - completely paid for - and Obama called in his team of lawyers to block re-voting, then let the numbers stand as they are. Obama is trying to suppress the voters of two key states, apparently thinking he can breeze in, turn on the charm, and they'll be swept up in Obama Fever and forget all about how he screwed them.

Both names were on the ballot in FL. Obama chose to take his name off the ballot in MI because the polls didn't favor him. Obama blocked re-votes in both states because he's trying to manipulate the outcome of this contest. How is counting the votes as they stand not democratic?

Why don't find a way of redoing the voting in Florida and Michigan? instead of just letting it the way it is. They will regret it if they go about by partisanship instead of the reality of the vote set by voters.

Oh no....ALL the way to the convention! It's unprecedented. This is never happened before! The DNC won't know what to do. Apparently they've never planned for the possibility of a primary race that plays out to the end. They're too busy figuring out if they are still “the party” the cares about strong women or not.
"The truth will set you free. But first, it will p iss you off." – Gloria Steinem
HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT 2008!!!

larry:
So if we question his ethics and antics and background and decide we will NOT vote for Obama you will threaten us?

"So best be packing now, for change is coming, and you can either be on the side of the future, or you can find yourself increasingly unrepresented, and without a voice."

"As for your actions against Obama, go ahead. Do your best. Necessary and reciprocal action will be taken against Hillary, the Clinton Legacy, everything. "

I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THIS UP!

The media has already created a blackout on news and publicity favoring Hillary Clinton, a candidate in the same travesty of an election your bud BO is running.

Instead, we are immersed by the media in a vat of newsfat so deep and slippery with his his latest predictions and his longest farts...
with nowhere to turn to for N E W S!

This is acceptable to you?

This is the Democratic Party of Tomorrow?

This is your view of Democracy?

Threats and news blackouts?

I'll stick with Hillary, thank you.

See you at the convention!

GIVE 'EM HELL, HILLARY!!!

Until one candidate reaches the number of 2026 pledged delegates the contest is simply not over! If that does not happen before the convention, then it should go to the convention. That's what it's meant for...not just a feel good party to spin. I think it would be great to actually have a convention where real, roll up your sleeves, political process work gets done.

What kind of message are we sending to future generations if we promote, "you're behind and have a slim chance so just give it up and quit!" That's not the Democratic Party I want leading my three children. That's not the Democratic Party that can really bring "change" to our nation.

I played basketball all the way through college. When you're down 6 points with only a minute to go, you don't walk off the court! Whether she wins or not she is this year's MVP...a scrappy, tenacious player who doesn't back down and quit when the odds are stacked against her. Sounds like a real leader to me!

If Hillary doesn't watch out, the Clinton legacy will be tarnished. She is on thin ice here. I can't believe she would do this. She wants to win at any cost, how sad. People, it's not about us, it's all about her winning.

Go Hillary! We need a leader who dont quit. If Senator Clinton does not prevail, it is a no brainer that the empty suit Obama does not pick up much of her support. This fight belongs on the convention floor. Maybe Howard Dean will even show some leadership and stop punishing voters in two states because of decisions they had no say in. Last democrat to fight all the way to the convention was Ted Kennedy. Funny that the man who did that was so well respected, but a women who would do that has been labeled arrogant by Eugene Robinson, Washington Post. It is truly sad that all this gender discrimination still is happening.

The Democrats cannot have a legitimate nominee with 48 states. It's ludicrous. The Dems cannot win without Michigan and Florida in November. Hillary can win those states and Obama can't. That's why Obama is for voter disenfranchisment of voters in Michigan and Florida. It's repulsive. The Democratic party cannot be complicit in disenfranchising voters.

Howard Dean is incompetent and should resign. Donna Brazille is the one who insisted that Florida and Michigan be stripped of all their votes. Brilliant. She should resign from the DNC Rules Committee. Her recent comments about "not needing the old Dem coalitions" will come back to bite her and the DNC. She should apologize. You don't insult the voters you need. Some Dems just don't get it. The Clintons do, they always have. That's why Hillary has won all of the big, electoral rich states that the Dems must in November and Obama has won exactly NONE of these states. Obama is unelectable.

Rock on Hillary! Fight this thing through the DNC convention where you will prevail. Florida will decide YOU are the victor! I LOVE the sunshine state!

Follow the money trail and you will find the answers.

Hillary has become evil, very evil for the party and shewill bring it down and really we mean it. She knows that the Fl+MI delegates count is not on her favor, but she is making it an issue which she has created with her friends. That is a real shame.

factchecker | May 21, 2008 8:45:35 PM
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BO CHOSE to take his name off the Michigan ballot.... and hired tons of phoners to spread the word to write in "UNCOMMITTED" because he didn't think he'd win there then.

IN Florida, B O was the ONLY candidate to CAMPAIGN prior to the primary.

What about the other states who ignored the DNC's dumb rule? How come THEY weren't disenfranchised?

A President is supposed to be FOR the PEOPLE.... even the ones who don't vote for you.

GIVE 'EM HELL, HILLARY!!!

Ed Williams 7:00:28. When are people like you going to admit out loud that Republican lobbyists raised $100 Million for Obama in 2007? When are you going to admit Republicans did this to try and "knock off" Hillary Clinton? They also knew Nancy Pelosi despises Bill Clinton and was not about to hand any power over to rival Hillary Clinton. In case you haven't noticed, Pelosi pretty much does what she wants. The rest of the "leaders" failed in their try for president. This part is about jealousy. It was real convenient to blame the Clintons. I mean, after all, with all the baggage-Hillary would still be elected after they all failed? So by pitting two historical candidates against each other for selfish reasons, they screwed themselves big time. The DNC caused the big division and now they have to live with it. Older Women like me who a long time ago had to live with the kind of trash that's been thrown at Hillary, will never, never, never vote for Obama because that's what we are TOLD to do.

Isn't it ironic that it's the black candidate who is in favor of disenfranching voters? What would Martin Luther King, who worked so hard for voter's rights think of Barack Obama? Not much I bet.

It is enjoyable to watch the punditry explode watching their chosen one getting crushed, after all, THEY have declared HIM the winner. LOL.

Hillary Clinton must remain in this race through the DNC convention in August where she will prevail because she's the most qualified and most electable candidate in the race.

Last night, Hillary received more than 200,000 MORE votes than Obama. Wow. Obama is in big trouble, he's losing support in every voting group, the Dems would be foolish to nominate him, he's unqualified and unelectable.

The fact is the delegates are not really "pledged" to anyone, they can vote however they wish. That's why this race will NOT be decided until the DNC convention in August.

The corporate owned media will NOT decide this race, the people will! Hillary has won the popular vote. Hillary has already proven she's the strongest candidate by winning big in all of the big must win states for the Dems in November. Obama has won exactly NONE of these states and would not win them in a general election in November.

Rock on Hillary! You are on a roll!

Hillary Clinton deserves respect and we intend to give it to her. She's earned it with a lifetime of public service.

The Democratic party has failed women who have been the majority voting block of the party for decades. Women have been under the false illusion that the Democratic party stood for women's rights. They have failed to denounce the rampant sexism, classism, racism and voter disenfranchisement that Obama, his campaign and supporters and the media 24/7 have continually interjected into this campaign. Not ONCE has the Demcratic party denounced it. Not once. It is unacceptable and we will not forget. Women want Hillary and if they Dems fail to nominate Hillary, the finest candidate they have had in decades, we will bolt in protest and vote for McCain. Paybacks are hell but necessary.

This a fight for the heart and soul of the Democratic party. The old, liberal elite losers are trying to power grab using Obama, it won't work. They don't win general elections. The Clintons win because they are centrists.