Here is a summary of what I have been reading and thinking of late


What's at issue with the Florida and Michigan delegations and the nominating process?

The states held their primaries earlier than allowed by the Democratic National Party Rules, leading the party to strip them of their delegates to the nominating convention. Neither candidate campaigned actively in the two states. Obama was not even on the ballot in Michigan, and Clinton won the most votes in both states. A notable not, this was done by the Rules Committee, but guess what. Its not the rules committee that allows or bars delegations to the convention, it is the credentials committee, more on that in an upcoming blog entry.

Primary Results:

Florida:    Clinton 50% , Obama 33% , Edwards 15%
Michigan: Clinton 55% , Uncommitted 40%

Party leaders and the campaigns are searching in earnest for a way to seat the barred delegations from Florida and Michigan. The issue is now being seen as potentially vital in influencing who wins the nomination. The party and the candidates seem to be united in the realization that we have no choice but to find a solution and are even open to another round of voting.

Obama says "I’ll leave it up to the Democratic National Committee to make a decision about how to resolve it, but I certainly want to make sure that we’ve got Michigan and Florida delegates at the convention in some fashion."'

Aides to Mrs. Clinton, signaled that they were open to a revote under certain conditions. However, this type of change in the electoral and psychological dynamic could work against Obama in a new election in Florida and Michigan.

The Obama campaign has floated the idea of allocating the delegates from the two states 50-50, which would erase Mrs. Clinton’s hypothetical advantage and essentially make the two states meaningless in the competitive delegate count. It would, however, allow Michigan and Florida delegates to participate in the national convention.

Another option floating is let the results of the two primaries stand and award Obama delegates won by "uncommitted" on the Michigan ballot. If this happens Clinton would pick up around 64 more delegates than Obama toward the 2,209 needed to secure the nomination.

It is estimated at a cost of $18 million in Florida and $10 million in Michigan. Neither the National nor the State party wants to foot the bill. They both need that money to support the eventual candidates in the national and state campaigns.

Howard Dean , chairman of the National Democratic Party, has said it is up to the states, not the national party, to come up with a solution. He also told Florida Senator Bill Nelson, it is legal and allowed to use "soft money" to fund the re-do. So if you know a billionaire would you ask him, "Hey buddy can you spare $18 million?"

Florida Senator Bill Nelson said "If we don’t do anything, we’re looking at a train wreck, I’m hoping reasonable heads with prevail and will see the Democratic Party doesn’t want to be at the convention in Denver two months out from the general election and having a major intraparty fight with two of the biggest and most important states in electing the next president."

I hope all is settled and we go to the convention with a nominee who has a clear majority. That is the best scenario. However, let’s look at me and a nominee selection on the convention floor.

I plan to be at the convention in some capacity either as a Edwards Delegate or if there is a re-do, I could get allocated or required to re-pledge to either Clinton or Obama. FYI, I am still neutral on these candidates.

The delegate seekers will be attempting to sway the Super Delegates toward their respective candidates. My support of Mr. Edwards could also make me look attractive to these delegate seekers. To them I say, I do like Lobster Dinners! But seriously, at that time I will do what I consider best for the nominee selection process.

Your support is what has carried me so far, and now I need your perspectives and welcome a dialogue on who is the best candidate. Keep in mind that there is no doubt either Obama or Clinton can, must, and will lead us out of the mess we are in. Leaning one way or the other is healthy and necessary. 

Being anything other than totally united in the end game, is just doing the work of the opposition.

Peace out