Michigan and Florida "Do Overs" Are Absurd

By Charles Reynolds, published Mar 20, 2008
Published Content: 62  Total Views: 11,509  Favorited By: 11 CPs
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James Carville, former Democratic strategist and current Clinton supporter said that the Democratic Party is going to look "absolutely absurd if they don't have primaries and let these people in Florida and Michigan vote." The Clinton campaign is trying to get "do over" elections in Florida and Michigan because of penalties assessed by the Democratic Party in response to these two states scheduling their primaries earlier than they were supposed to. Officials from the Obama campaign are refusing to go along with these plans.

What I believe is absurd is that anyone would even think of allowing any kind of "do over" voting. Not only is this a kindergarten concept (even as kids we didn't believe in "do overs"), but it is sheer manipulation on the part of the Clinton campaign. If Hillary and company wanted to do something about the fact that Florida and Michigan, in an attempt to be "relevant" and get their voices heard early, scheduled their primaries early in the face of Democratic Party sanctions, the time to do it was BEFORE the primaries of these states took place.

To refresh the memory of anyone not familiar with the issues at hand, Michigan and Florida (and a smattering of other states), decided to hold their primaries prior to the Democratic Party sanctioned schedule. They did so because they basically wanted to be important in this election, to be relevant enough to the candidates for them to heed their issues. The response to these early votes by the Democratic Party was to reduce, or completely take away, the delegates being sent to the Convention.

The states went ahead with their early elections and the Party went ahead with the penalties.

Now everyone is crying foul and the states want to have a "do over" election.

This would not be happening if the Democratic contest was not so close. It is yet another attempt by Florida and Michigan Democratic Party officials to be important in this election. And it is pure political maneuvering by Clinton, who is falling way behind and grasping at any straw she can in order to not lose.

Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
 
 
Leave it to Ms Clinton to try to change the rules for her benefit...sorry...Im from Upstate NY...

Posted on 03/20/2008 at 11:03:31 PM

 
You've made some really profound points!!!!! Great job!!!! *************************************************************************

Posted on 03/20/2008 at 8:03:13 PM

 
Very true Charles, well written article. Good job.

Posted on 03/20/2008 at 8:03:59 AM

 
Charles, you have made some excellent points here. Also, I worry that if a "do over" were permitted, this would set a negative precedent for future elections. You hit the nail on the head when you wrote about facing consequences; when one makes their bed, they should be prepared to lie in it.

Posted on 03/20/2008 at 8:03:42 AM

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