Forget Florida, Michigan Revote
Rizwan Ghani
March 10, 2008
According to RealClearPolitics.com Obama now has 1,573 pledged delegates to Clinton´s 1464. Neither candidate is likely to reach the 2,025 needed for the party´s nomination in August.
Reportedly, Obama, Hillary and Democratic National Committee (DNC) are open to options on Florida-Michigan status. The results of these two states were stripped of their delegates for moving their primaries early. Democratic Party leader Howard Dean is under pressure to convene new votes in both states.
There is no history of a re-run in Democratic Party. However, Republicans did something similar some thirty-six years back in 1972.
I am of the view that Democratic Party leadership, Obama and Hillary should forget Michigan and Florida because the replay will only shed light who is has more popular vote but will not resolve the issue of reaching magic figure (2025) that with addition of pledged delegates of Michigan (156) and Florida (211) should climb to 2392 (2208).
In wake of estimated cost of some 18 million (to 25) dollars for Florida re-run alone is not worth the effort at this stage in terms of finances and time. In wake of scarcity of funds and unfolding economic recession, every penny should be used for public welfare than having a re-run that is not likely to change anything. In terms of time Democrats should be looking to finalize the party nomination at this stage so that they can brace up for national elections- a re-run in two states will only drain much needed funds, energy and more fuel for the Republicans in Obama and Hillary duel.
The proposals of holding caucus through mail is very dangerous because it has not been tested for such large scale use and involving some five million combined voters from Michigan and Florida could generate more controversies than actually resolve anything. It is therefore not a plausible option at any level-for one state or both. It will only facilitate Republicans.
Democratic Party should focus on getting the issue resolved with national election commission instead of a re-run to settle the issue of disenfranchising some five million voters. I am sure they must have checked the relevant rules in first instance when both states were stripped of their delegates.
I still maintain that there is on logic in terms of time and finance to hold new votes in both states. Democrat leaders should not allow politicizing of the issue so that they vote in national elections. DNC with help of Obama and Clinton can explain the details to the voters and things can move forward.
However, if sense does not prevail and a re-vote is planned here is a possible way forward: 1) campaign pushing for the re-vote pays 40 percent of total cost in both states, 20 percent by second campaign, 10 percent by each state and remaining 10 percent by Democratic Party.
In terms of time, effort and implausibility of reaching the magic number the Florida, Michigan re-vote is not worth the effort. On the other hand it could lead to more controversies. The longer the race goes on between Obama and Hillary the more it will help Republicans. I therefore reiterate that Hillary should withdraw in favor of Obama because he is closer to 2025.
Hillary should not drag the Super Delegates in the race because it would be an undemocratic step to expect those Super Delegates to overrule results of pledged delegates. Hillary has lost the race and she should not make it her personal race. It is therefore time that Hillary allows Obama and the Democratic Party to brace for upcoming national election.
Finally, all concerned including Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, DNC and Hillary Clinton herself need to protect Party´s interests as Democrats head for crucial national campaign instead of leading the party into a brawl in the August Party Convention.
Reportedly, Obama, Hillary and Democratic National Committee (DNC) are open to options on Florida-Michigan status. The results of these two states were stripped of their delegates for moving their primaries early. Democratic Party leader Howard Dean is under pressure to convene new votes in both states.
There is no history of a re-run in Democratic Party. However, Republicans did something similar some thirty-six years back in 1972.
I am of the view that Democratic Party leadership, Obama and Hillary should forget Michigan and Florida because the replay will only shed light who is has more popular vote but will not resolve the issue of reaching magic figure (2025) that with addition of pledged delegates of Michigan (156) and Florida (211) should climb to 2392 (2208).
In wake of estimated cost of some 18 million (to 25) dollars for Florida re-run alone is not worth the effort at this stage in terms of finances and time. In wake of scarcity of funds and unfolding economic recession, every penny should be used for public welfare than having a re-run that is not likely to change anything. In terms of time Democrats should be looking to finalize the party nomination at this stage so that they can brace up for national elections- a re-run in two states will only drain much needed funds, energy and more fuel for the Republicans in Obama and Hillary duel.
The proposals of holding caucus through mail is very dangerous because it has not been tested for such large scale use and involving some five million combined voters from Michigan and Florida could generate more controversies than actually resolve anything. It is therefore not a plausible option at any level-for one state or both. It will only facilitate Republicans.
Democratic Party should focus on getting the issue resolved with national election commission instead of a re-run to settle the issue of disenfranchising some five million voters. I am sure they must have checked the relevant rules in first instance when both states were stripped of their delegates.
I still maintain that there is on logic in terms of time and finance to hold new votes in both states. Democrat leaders should not allow politicizing of the issue so that they vote in national elections. DNC with help of Obama and Clinton can explain the details to the voters and things can move forward.
However, if sense does not prevail and a re-vote is planned here is a possible way forward: 1) campaign pushing for the re-vote pays 40 percent of total cost in both states, 20 percent by second campaign, 10 percent by each state and remaining 10 percent by Democratic Party.
In terms of time, effort and implausibility of reaching the magic number the Florida, Michigan re-vote is not worth the effort. On the other hand it could lead to more controversies. The longer the race goes on between Obama and Hillary the more it will help Republicans. I therefore reiterate that Hillary should withdraw in favor of Obama because he is closer to 2025.
Hillary should not drag the Super Delegates in the race because it would be an undemocratic step to expect those Super Delegates to overrule results of pledged delegates. Hillary has lost the race and she should not make it her personal race. It is therefore time that Hillary allows Obama and the Democratic Party to brace for upcoming national election.
Finally, all concerned including Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, DNC and Hillary Clinton herself need to protect Party´s interests as Democrats head for crucial national campaign instead of leading the party into a brawl in the August Party Convention.
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