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Bill Clinton Says No Re-Vote in MI and FL is a Deliberate Attempt to Disenfranchise Voters

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March 24, 2008 3:01 PM

ABC News' Sarah Amos Reports: Former President Bill Clinton celebrated the Polish holiday Dingus Day in South Bend, IN this morning, rallying Hooisers around his wife Hillary's campaign. Clinton had strong words when talking about the decision not to hold new primaries in Michigan and Florida, saying the decision is "a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise" voters.

"I must say that this new strategy of denying and disempowering and disenfranchising the voters in Florida and Michigan is, I believe, a terrible mistake. Hillary believes their votes should be counted. And I don't know how we're gonna go to those people in the general election and say you gotta vote for us even though we dumped all over you in the primary," Clinton told a crowd at the Westside Democratic Club in South Bend.

Clinton later warned a crowd at a nearby Elk's Club of the same problem by keeping Florida and Michigan out of the primary process, adding that Senator McCain is a strong candidate in both Michigan and Florida, but Hillary is stronger. A re-vote in Florida and Michigan would greatly benefit Senator Clinton's attempt to gain delegates and overtake Sen. Obama, D-Ill., in the popular vote. Senator Clinton won both of the original primary votes, however, she was the only major candidate to appear on the Michigan ballot and none of the candidates campaigned in either state.

The former President also spoke confidently about Hillary's chances in a general election, "I believe she will win Ohio, Florida, West Virginia and Arkansas, four states we have lost the last two times. If we win Ohio and Florida it is inconcieveable that we can lose the election," Clinton told a group at a local Elks Club. "Look if we win these four states we will win the White House, there is no point in doing this if we are not going to win," reiterated to the crowd.

Clinton was joined by his daughter Chelsea, who told the crowd she would be spending lots of time in Indiana this week, visiting colleges and talking with young voters across the state. Former Lt. Governor of Maryland, and daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, Kathleen Townsend, joined the Clintons on the stump today. Townsend spoke of her fond memories of South Bend and how one of the first songs her parents taught her was the Notre Dame fight song. Clinton now heads south in the Hooiser state, with three more camapign stops for Hillary today.

March 24, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (128)

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tomdavie, you're right, but that's only part of the story. In our state (and a few others), they have a CLOSED caucus! These things are attended ONLY by party bosses and the public is not permitted to participate even if they CAN get there! Caucuses are completely WRONG for America!

Posted by: Rhys | Mar 24, 2008 3:51:45 PM

I am telling you all this right now.

If Pelosi, Kerry and Kennedy INSIST on shoving Obama down our throats just because he has 'more' delegates, and he then goes off and gets CRUSHED in the general election (which I find highly likely) then the whole democratic party is going to split right in half.

Kerry and Kennedy can form their own super liberal party, and the Clintons can form their own centrist party for people who live in reality. At least the clintons won 2 terms as president. Kerry and Kennedy have done nothing but LOST.

Posted by: tomdavie | Mar 24, 2008 3:52:43 PM

Every time they show Obama's church with those crazy hateful people jumping up and down, tapping the Rev. on the shoulder while he speaks (what's up with that?) and clapping and hollering, America gets a good look at what kind of shenanigans would be going on in the sacred White House.

Uh, no thanks.

Posted by: J | Mar 24, 2008 3:54:55 PM

It clearly is an attempt by the Obama campaign to disenfranchise voters in my state. I am deeply dissapointed at DNC and Obama.

If FL and MI are note counted, I am chaning my affiliation to Republican.

Chame on Obama!

Posted by: Mickey | Mar 24, 2008 3:54:57 PM

pt, I completely agree with you about the Electoral College. The last President who tried to abolish it was Richard Nixon, and he was "tarred and feathered" for a meaningless escapade which accomplished nothing and hurt no one. Caucuses are just as exclusive as the Electoral College when it comes to disregarding the will of the voters, and the conventions are even worse. We need BINDING primaries in EVERY state. This way, everyone's vote counts!

Posted by: Rhys | Mar 24, 2008 3:55:27 PM

Sounds like more Clintonian D-E-S-P-E-R-A-T-I-O-N to me.

Bill is a disgraceful buffoon.

Posted by: adam | Mar 24, 2008 3:56:13 PM

If not for these video tapes of Rev. Wright, he would be the one holding the Bible for the swearing in ceremony of Barack. Can you just imagine this America hater in that sacred ceremony?? He shouldn't be allowed within 100 yards of the White House.

Posted by: J | Mar 24, 2008 3:57:27 PM

ROTFLMAO You mean AFTER his wife desinfranchised them back when she agreed to desinfranchise them? LOL Oh that's right under the reasoning of Penn & Wolfie that didn't count because in her black heart she really didn't mean it..just like she didn't mean to lie about ducking sniper fire in Bosnia and didn't really support NAFTA when she was caught being a cheerleader for it in over major meetings.....Bill is nothig more than a joke and aside that has to be explained away these days.

Posted by: Brian | Mar 24, 2008 3:57:43 PM

Split the delegates down the middle, 50-50, and then seat 'em all at the convention in August. There's no other way now. Accept it, and let's get on with CRUSHING John W. McBush -- our REAL enemy, and a prospective THIRD BUSH TERM for certain.

Posted by: Mark | Mar 24, 2008 3:58:39 PM

Several points that are being confused here.
1. Everyone signed the rules. You break the rules, you get penalized. nuff said
2. Both sides are trying to have their cake and eat it too. Welcome to politics. You don't like it? Start your own party and see how far you get.
3. Boycott the DNC? Feel free to vote for the candidate that most closely matches your views. This is what you should do in any case.
4. Anyone who believes that the dems will not carry CA regardless of who one the primary is deluding themselves. In fact, HC's supporters are much more likely to support BO than JM.

Take each comment from the campains with a grain of cynicism and your likely to see everythign in a more realistic light. As an example, why would HC (and BC) start the "BO would make a great VP" thing? Because they're trying to get the fence sitters to believe they can vote for HC and get BO for free.

Need more? Try this one: JM continues to "mix up" Al Quaida and Iran backed extremists. Why? Because he wants everyone to think they are the same so that he can start up the draft to staff the war in Iran.

O in 08!

Posted by: Nick | Mar 24, 2008 4:00:18 PM

Clinton is the one who won't agree to split them. Obama has already agreed! LOL It's Hillary spin time to say it's Obama. She will only agree to FRANCHISE them IF and ONLY IF it benefits her LOL

Posted by: Brian | Mar 24, 2008 4:00:56 PM

Rhys, you are so correct. Trinity Church was well known for it's extremist-marxist doctrine way before Obama joined. There is no excuse. People chose churches based on what they believe is being taught. For Obama to claim ignorance is just beyond hilarious.

Posted by: J | Mar 24, 2008 4:03:49 PM

Hillary did not win those election because they were not elections...say it one more time and perhaps it will sink in...Hillary did not win those elections. They rules were broken and now it stands. Deal with it.

Posted by: Brian | Mar 24, 2008 4:04:16 PM

Bill needs to speak much slower for the Obama hard left wingers to somehow understand no campaign can simply GIVE FL and MI to the republicans even BEFORE the general begins. What don't the Obama camp understand?

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Mar 24, 2008 4:07:01 PM

COUNT THE VOTES IN FL AND MI!
WHY HAS IT BECOME SO DIFFICULT IN THIS COUNTRY TO SIMPLY:
COUNT ALL VOTES!!


Posted by: AVERAGE JOE | Mar 24, 2008 4:10:19 PM

If I were Bill I would also do ANY and EVERYTHING to get her elected. Could you imagine being her husband after she looses this election. I wouldn't wish that on anybody.

Posted by: wolfeye | Mar 24, 2008 4:10:30 PM

Republicans like myself are just sitting back and enjoying the two democrat contenders sloshing around in the mud. This is the most fun we've had since the day after the 2004 election when the Kerry supporters were bawling after Bush won yet again.

Posted by: Jo | Mar 24, 2008 4:11:38 PM

Who does Bill blame for disenfranchising them? Clearly he must be directing that claim at the DNC of both states. They were the ones who moved the date despite the rule. Every other state adhered to the rule, what makes MI and FL think that it doesn't apply to them as well. Just sit tight and wait until the fall for your votes to count. The Clinton camp must think America is full of half-wits and dim-wits to think that this argument can hold water. When you are in a hole don't just keep digging. They need to now focus on the Bosnia trip spin. Hillary told an unmitigated lie about nothing and now her credibility is shot.

Posted by: Kyle | Mar 24, 2008 4:12:44 PM

Jackt51-What does it take for hard left wingers such as yourself to somehow understand no campaign can simply GIVE FL and MI to the republicans even BEFORE the general begins. But if you insist, then perhaps you can explain how you see any democrat winning the White House including Obama and especially because folks down FL see him as the problem. Considering that 28-36% of Fl democrats say they will vote republican if their votes are not counted. Plenty to put the republicans over the top there.

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Mar 24, 2008 4:13:42 PM

Hillary did not win those election because they were not elections...say it one more time and perhaps it will sink in...Hillary did not win those elections. They rules were broken and now it stands. Deal with it.

___________________
IF FLORIDA AND NMICHIGAN WERE NO VOTES, THERE WOULD BE NO VOTING BOOTHS LURING PEOPLE TO VOTE. THERE WAS A LEGITALTELY CONDUCTED ELECTION THERE.
HAD OBAMA WON, THE MEDIA WOULD BE UP IN ARMS ASKING THEY BE COUNTED.THEY ARE TRYING TO SWINDLE CLINTON OUT OF THIS ELECTION. HOWARD DEAN, COUNT THE VOTES!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: TJ | Mar 24, 2008 4:13:47 PM

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