Clinton Demands Florida, Michigan Votes Count

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Clinton Demands Florida, Michigan Votes Count

May 21, 2008 4:50 PM

ABC's Eloise Harper reports: In her most emphatic argument yet for counting the votes in Michigan and Florida, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, traveled Wednesday to Palm Beach County, Florida –- ground zero for hanging chads and the vote-count controversy of the 2000 election.

Clinton argued for including Michigan and Florida’s delegates in the selection of a party nominee, as well as counting the popular vote in those states. She argued that the popular vote tally should determine the election outcome, instead of the delegate count.

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

“We believe that the outcome of our elections should be determined by the will of the people. Nothing more. Nothing less. And we believe the popular vote is the truest expression of your will. We believe it today just as we believed it back in 2000 when right here in Florida you learned the hard way what happens when your votes aren’t counted and a candidate with fewer votes is determined the winner.”A

And today, Senator Barack Obama’s campaign showed a glimmer of compromise on the Michigan and Florida delegate controversy. Obama’s chief strategist David Axelrod told National Public Radio’s All Things Considered: “We are open to comprise. We are willing to go more than half way. We’re willing to work to make sure that we can achieve a compromise. And I guess the question is: is Senator Clinton’s campaign willing to do the same?”

The Democratic Party boycotted the Florida and Michigan primaries when those states moved up the dates of their primaries against the wishes of the Party, disrupting its intended primary calendar. Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill, honored that boycott and did not campaign in those states; Obama’s name did not even appear on the Michigan ballot.

But Clinton now says she wants to see those votes cast in Florida and Michigan counted. “I believe the Democratic Party must count these votes. They should count them exactly as they were cast. I am here today because I believe the decision our party faces is not just about the fate of these votes and the outcome of these primaries. It is about whether we will uphold our most fundamental values as Democrats and Americans.”

“Each of us should have an equal voice in determining the destiny of our nation. A generation of patriots risked and sacrificed lives on the battlefield for that ideal,” Clinton said.

Clinton then called on her opponent to join her in demanding that Florida and Michigan be counted.

“I believe that both Senator Obama and myself have an obligation as potential Democratic nominees -- in fact, we all have an obligation as Democrats to carry on this legacy and ensure that in our nominating process every voices is heard and that every single vote is counted.”

Making the comparison to the Florida recount during the 2000 election, Clinton said “The lesson of 2000 here in Florida is crystal clear. If any votes aren’t counted the will of the people isn’t realized and our democracy is diminished.”

Clinton also referenced the court decision that ended the 2000 recount quagmire: “Your Supreme Court said it’s not about the technicalities or about the contestants it's about the will of the people and whenever you we can understand their intent it should govern. Well it’s very clear what the 1.7 million people intended here in Florida.”

Clinton received more votes in Florida, when it held its primary election. However, since both candidates boycotted the race and did not campaign there, it is unknown how many voters skipped going to the polls that day.

Clinton appealed to the local audience saying, “The fact is the people of Florida voted back in January you did your part you showed up in record numbers and you made informed choices but today some months later you still don’t know if these votes will help determine our party’s nominee. You still don’t know if this great state will be represented at our convention in August. It is time you knew. because the more than 2.3 million people who voted in Florida and Michigan exercised their fundamental American right in good faith.” She continued, “You did not break a single rule and you should not be punished.”

Clinton explained that she does not agree with critics who argue she is changing the late in the game. “Some say that counting Florida and Michigan would be changing the rules. I say that not counting Michigan and Florida is changing a central governing rule of this country.”

May 21, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (947)

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president

doesnt hillary need obama too?

after all she is losing

Posted by: bhrandon | May 21, 2008 5:20:56 PM

Imagine that you are watching the world series. One team is ahead of the other by 3 runs in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. The coach of the losing team convinces the umpire to give his team an extra 2 runs and extend the game for three more innings. Now I ask you, if that fair? NO!! Well that is exactly what Hillary is trying pull in this election.

IT'S TIME FOR THE SUPERDELEGATES TO ACT AND END THIS GAME!

Posted by: Boston Guy | May 21, 2008 5:21:23 PM

bhrandon,

For what exactly?

Posted by: President | May 21, 2008 5:22:00 PM

Even if Hillary doesn't win this one with the DNC Credentials Committee, the voters in Florida and Michigan will remember that it was Hillary Clinton who fought to get their delegations seated and their votes counted.

It doesn't matter how we got to this point, who's right or who's wrong, whether rules were broken.

If Democrats have any hope of winning in November, the voters in Michigan and Florida must feel as if the Democrats care about them.

The only one showing them any love has been Hillary Clinton. The DNC and the Obama campaign would be wise to follow suit.

Because no matter how much the DNC was attempting to "control" rogue states, the voters in those two states hold the power to choose the next President of the United States.

So, it's time to kiss and make up.

Posted by: sherr | May 21, 2008 5:22:09 PM

I heard that Obama wants to take over the DNC I say let him have it

Posted by: Bishop | May 21, 2008 5:22:26 PM

Onward to victory for Hillary.

Posted by: Anders Scooper | May 21, 2008 5:22:29 PM

I was undecided before watching this woman in action. Now I don't understand how anyone would even want to be around her. What is wrong with this woman? Everything she's done in her campaign shows that she's not capable or worthy of the position -- not that the other candidates are either, but she's in a class by herself!

Posted by: ac | May 21, 2008 5:23:14 PM

SUPERDELEGATES are spineless.

Posted by: Student | May 21, 2008 5:23:28 PM

President,

You are wrong, they both favored a revote in MI. Obama wanted to do it according to the RULES and let everyone vote. Clinton wanted to exclude anyone who didn't vote that day. We had low voter turn out here in MI. It's was held Jan. 15 and we had a snow storm that day, about 3-5 inches. No one went to vote unless they had something important on the ballot in their city.

So anyone who didn't vote, couldn't vote. Count ALL the votes, huh?

Posted by: Really? | May 21, 2008 5:25:07 PM

I pledge to DNC if Obama is on the
ticket I WILL NOT VOTE democrat.

Posted by: Nicholas | May 21, 2008 5:25:53 PM

Hillary can't steal it at this point. It is already over. According to many insiders, the undeclared superdelegates have always been heavily in favor of Obama. They were just afraid to come out against the volatile Clintons, lest she win, then personally bury them in the party in a mass grave. McCain is even more vindictive. He doesn't just carry a grudge, multiple corroborated stories in the media indicate that he'll beat you over the head with it first, and then go behind your back to make sure that you are black-balled for life. McCain and Hillary really are quite alike, at least in temperament and political style. I'm so glad that we'll be spared both of their dictatorial and intimidator styles of leadership after November.

Posted by: Jan | May 21, 2008 5:26:51 PM

lol i am completely outraged at how manipulative and insane hillary is...

lie cheat and steal sweetie

but remember the rest of the democratic party will stomp your ass for what you are trying to do

hell lets really start some stuff, let her leave... mccain will have to deal with barr and paul, i mean lets see how many parties we can get on one ticket and have a good ol fashioned fist fight

hillary will still lose the presidency and obama will win!

Posted by: bhrandon | May 21, 2008 5:27:23 PM

The whole panel last night on CNN was all gloom and doom as they discussed how exit polling spells mucho trouble for Obama in the general election. David Gergen looked like he wanted to cry.

People are starting to work on their electoral maps and see that Obama cannot win.

President McCain - get use to it!!

Posted by: Jo | May 21, 2008 5:27:30 PM

Really,
Good excuse...

Posted by: Student | May 21, 2008 5:27:53 PM

Obama is trying to steal Hillary's victory. Obama is flying too high when he declares himself the winner. All states should vote in all elections before the winner is declared and it should go to the convention if necessary.

Posted by: Anders Scooper | May 21, 2008 5:29:08 PM

Really,

I could get on board that idea. I won't vote McCain, but I could definitely vote Barr.

Sounds like a plan.

I must say I am astounded. I think Hillary may be in the middle of some sort of mental health crisis.

Posted by: I HAVE AN IDEA | May 21, 2008 5:29:49 PM

Some of the panel last night said Hillary should go to her voters and say "If you're voting for me because Obama is black, then I don't want your vote!"

THAT's how much trouble these Obama loving journalists realize Obama is in.

Suck it up MSM. If people want to vote for Hillary because Obama is a black man...I have news for you.....THAT IS THEIR RIGHT!!!

Posted by: Jo | May 21, 2008 5:30:10 PM

@ Jo....I saw that and for the first time, Roland Martin didn't have much to say.

Posted by: david in texas | May 21, 2008 5:30:31 PM

Hillary's victory??????

Posted by: d | May 21, 2008 5:30:54 PM

Michigan and Florida ignored the agreed upon rules for the primary. There has to be a penalty for this. I can concede that some delagates from Florida should be seated, Half. They should retain thier superdelegates and the popular vote will not be counted in regard to the Primary. No matter how you slice it, it was not an above board primary and everyone knew it prior to the vote.
Michigan is different, not all of the candidates were on the ballot and a significant amount voted uncommitted. The demographics say that Obma would have likely carried the state 55/45. Award half of the states delegates and split them 50/50.

In the end, it will make no difference. Even if you award the delegates as is, Obama will be the next Democratic nominee. It is time to look forward to the GE and start really showing that this election is about the stark differences of where each of the parties wants to take this country in the next 4 years.

Posted by: Louis | May 21, 2008 5:31:20 PM

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